December 17, 2009
Many thanks to Lisa Susman for bringing in awesome snowman sugar cookies for the kids to decorate and hot chocolate with whipped cream!! We also had quite a few parents come to the party and help make the pop-up thank you cards for the soldiers. They turned out really well and I appreciate the extra helping hands. I wanted to thank you too for your generosity with the donated items for the Georgia Soldiers in the Middle East. I thought two paper boxes would be more than enough to hold everything but my entire back seat of my car is full! I was very moved by the abundance of items and I know that this year is been tough financially for so many. Being an army brat, I am more grateful than you know. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!
I sent home the chapter 13 math test and for those that want an opportunity to retest, there is a little sheet of directions. Tomorrow is the deadline to get much of the items completed and back to me. Even though the retest will be the first week back from break, I will count the grade to this marking period. I also will be sending home the graded chapter 14 math tests tomorrow and will have their up to date math grades on the test so you will know where your child stands in math at the end of this quarter.
I also sent home a permission slip for movies tomorrow. The entire 5th grade plans on showing a different movie in 5 of the 6 classrooms tomorrow beginning at 10:45. Some movies are PG and some are G so if your child does not return the permission slip they will only be allowed to watch the G rated movies. We will have a very busy academic morning however! We have math and language arts benchmark tests to complete in the morning and we have been working very hard on completing a narrative paragraph that goes in our portfolio. All of this work must be completed before they will be allowed to watch the movies so there will be one room that is a study hall to make sure the students can finish any outstanding assignments.
This will be my last post of 2009. Have a safe and peaceful holiday break with your family!
December 10, 2009
Our winter holiday party will be next Wednesday, December 16th from 1 to 2 p.m. At this age level I prefer for there to be a focus on giving and thanking as opposed to receiving. With that in mind, I am requesting donations be made to an organization called Operation Homefront that coordinates items for soldiers assigned to units in Georgia. Their office is located off of Old Canton Road - pretty much around the corner from East Side. This year, because of the troop movements and the weather in Iraq and Afghanistan, they are requesting thick socks, toiletries (toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo) and blankets for the soldiers. They march daily and bed down where they can on thin cots (therefore the need for warm feet and blankets). In addition, the coordinators told me that many of the soldiers were making up to $75,000 a year prior to being activated in the reserves and now they are barely making $30,000 so they are accepting Wal-Mart gift cards in any denomination to give to the soldier's families to buy groceries. The donations will go to soldiers in the 48th Brigade of the Georgia National Guard and reservists/active duty troops stationed out of Warner Robbins, Dobbins A.F.B., Fort Stewart and Fort Benning. If you are able to donate, I will bring a box and collect the socks, toiletries, blankets and gift cards at the party on Wednesday. We will be making cards of thanks to accompany our donations and I will delivery the items to the office after school on Wednesday.
We also will have sugar cookies for decorating, some games to play and a movie to watch. Many thanks to the moms and dads that are volunteering to make this a great party for us!
On a side note - I apologize for not being able to send Behavior Sheets home. My son broke his arm the first night of our vacation in Spain during Thanksgiving break and ended up in the hospital for 36 hours. Upon our return he came down with the flu within hours of being in school. As a result I was out for 3 days the first week back from break and since I was not here, I could not write comments. They will be in this Monday's Folder. The grading quarter will end next Friday and I will provide what grades I have to that point. However, report cards will be given out at parent teacher conferences which will be held late in January.
Thank you for your continued support.
November 18, 2009
At the beginning of the year I had two then three students engage in fake punching and kicking. They would punch and kick at each other and come dangerously close, but not make contact. Because the potential for actually hitting the person is so overwhelming, I addressed the behavior with each student and the class overall. This type of horseplay is very aggressive and can become bullying very quickly. Mr. Smith, our Assistant Administrator, discussed the inappropriateness of this behavior with my class (and the individual students) at that time as well. Unfortunately, the behavior appears to have spread so that I have witnessed several other students engage in this type of horseplay. Yesterday I witnessed a particularly bad situation and I had an emergency class meeting for over an hour yesterday to address my disappointment and reiterate expectations. I had students write their definition of self-respect and self-control on a piece of paper (which I collected) and we generally discussed respect, self-respect and how the consequences get harsher and harsher as they get older with this type of aggressiveness. Mr. Smith returned to my classroom and participated in the discussion. As a class we came up with a sentence to say to students engaging in inappropriate behavior and voted on it. When anyone sees someone making a bad choice they will say this sentence and the person must stop their behavior. We also discussed how to say the sentence (tone of voice, body language etc) so the situation would remain neutral and not antagonize anyone in the process. We practiced saying it as well. We decided on an acronym - SASAPorISS which means STOP, as soon as possible or In School Suspension. Which brings me to my final point. Expectations have been clearly stated, several times, so the next infraction will result in ISS.
We can't have a safe learning environment if people behave in this manner. Personally I find it distressing and a red flag for help. We have guidance counselors available to assist your family, I know these are stressful times for our culture but we cannot tolerate that type of behavior. I am not a counselor but I can help you find help if you need it. Our school system has access to many resources, which your tax dollars support. Please use them if you need them. Please also feel free to let me know if your child expresses any concerns to you about behavior directed at them or that they witness. We have a brand new program we are putting in place in Cobb County schools addressing bullying and we have procedures in place to help students.
I would appreciate if you would discuss this issue with your child as well and reinforce what is appropriate and inappropriate. Thank you.
ELLIS ISLAND SIMULATION
Dear 5th grade parents,
I am sure you have already received a news flash from your
teachers about the Ellis Island Simulation on December 4th. This
is a huge event for the 5th grade, an event requiring about 60
volunteers! We need volunteers from every class. If you are
able to spend a little time to help, we have the following
positions available:
Thursday - December 3rd - in the afternoon to help set up props
and décor
Friday - December 4th - we need.
Volunteers for all day shifts (9:15-1:30)
Volunteers for 1st shift (9:15-11:30)
Volunteers for 2nd shift (11:15-1:30)
Please contact me a.s.a.p. if you can participate. Thank you!
Tina Darlington
Email tinadarlington@bellsouth.net
Home phone 770-973-4244
November 12, 2009
We are having a test on Chapter 10 tomorrow, which covers dividing decimals. On the first day of the chapter I gave them a flow chart graphic organizer that detailed each step in the process. I see students trying to create shortcuts and getting the answers wrong. It's become even more critical they show every single step of the process. I am requiring them to take home their math journals so they can work problems and will have the flow chart with the sequence of steps right in front of them. I also recommend the following websites for work sheets you can print out or tutorials/visual explanations they can provide that will help:
www.wonderhowto.com/howtodivide/how-to-divide-decimals-in-math-182228
http://extranet.edfac.unimelb.edu.au/DSME/decimals/slimversion/index.html
www.homeschoolmath.net/teaching/d/divide_decimals.php (this is particularly good)
http://mathforum.org/library/drmath/view/61775.html
www.aplusmath.com/cgi-bin/Worksheets/DecimalWorksheet
www.helpingwithmath.com/by_subject/decimals/dec_dividing.htm
Please note these websites cover all math subjects across all grade levels so you may want to bookmark your favorites for future use or to access as a CRCT study resource later in the year. (or when they're bored this summer, with nothing to do.....
)
November 9, 2009
A reminder that the ITBS scores went home today in a sealed envelope. There is a pamphlet enclosed that explains how to read the scores. I will add that you can look at the column titled GE. That stands for Grade Equivalent and their scores should be at least 5.2 to be on grade level. If it's above a 5, that doesn't mean your child is performing at that grade level but rather that a student from that grade is performing 5th grade material at a specific month of the school year. Since we took the test the second month of school, 5.2 is being on grade level. A 7.5 means a 7th grader doing 5th grade work at the 5th month. We look at several results to create a more comprehensive picture about the whole class and each student. Bear in mind that the ITBS measures what they have learned to date throughout their elementary academic career and they are being measured against all 5th graders in the nation.
Ellis Island Simulation
The fifth grade is known for the Ellis Island Simulation we do every year. It's a true simulation and will be done on December 4th all day. In order for this to work we need lots of parent volunteers. The hours are from 10 to 1:30 and any segment of time you can work will be appreciated. Set up of the fifth grade mod hall (transform it into Ellis Island) will be December 3rd immediately after school. Tina Darlington, a fifth grade parent, will be coordinating all the parent volunteers. Please call her at 770-713-0884 and let her know you are interested in the Ellis Island Simulation. We do dress in period and get very much into character. This is a really strong learning experience for the students and I hope you will be able to help out.
November 6, 2009
Thank you to all the families that brought their children to the performance last night. They did a nice job and they were very FAST. This was my 5th performance and they have not ended before 7:30 and we were lucky to be out of the building by 8 p.m. Last night was so quick I thought something had gone wrong! I guess it was a super short PTA meeting
I hate to impose in these economic times but I have run out of the bleach wipes. If you are able to, I would appreciate donations to help keep the classroom as clean as possible. This week 5 children were out (that's 19% of my class!). I hope this isn't an indication for what will happen when the flu season actually starts. My class is very good about keeping their hands clean too but there's so much sneezing and coughing.
I sent home graded math tests today so make sure you see them. If your child will be retesting please make sure all the procedures are followed. The biggest weakness is a poor foundation in their math facts. It is really coming back to haunt some of the students. Please make sure your child studies their math facts (0-12, multiplication and division) every day until they master all of them. Just focus on the facts they don't know. I do have links on my class page to decimal games that you are encouraged to take advantage of as well.
I also stapled an index card with their grades to date (through 11/5). Please make sure you see them and sign them. I will be checking to make sure they are signed on Monday. I have this gnawing feeling in my stomach that all of you are not seeing all of your child's grades. Many students are not doing their homework either and that will affect how they perform on tests. They simply are not putting in enough time to learn the concepts. All assignments are written in their planners so please look at the planners - not just this week but through December 18th. I am particularly concerned about the science test - already in their planner. I will use the test that is part of the curriculum and it is not easy. I spoke to the class today and told them to reread each lesson in the textbook (available online) and review their notes nightly in the interactive notebook and from their reading comprehension sheets. I need your help to make sure they are actually doing their work.
Thank you for your support. Have a great week end.
November 5, 2009
Just a reminder that tonight is the 5th grade musical performance. Your child must be in my classroom by 6:20 so that we can line up with the rest of fifth grade and head towards the cafeteria. The performance will probably last about 30 minutes. The students do not have to wear anything special, however, it will get warm on the risers so please dress them to be cool - short sleeve shirts etc. Every year someone gets overheated and gets sick so dress cool to prevent that little scenario. Please keep their jackets or coats with you because we are not returning to the classroom and the building will be locked and I won't be able to let you in (my pass does not work after 6 p.m.)
FYI - the ITBS scores will be sent home in the Monday Folder in a sealed envelope along with an explanation of how to read the scores. Please be on the lookout for that.
Hope to see everyone tonight.
November 2, 2009
On Friday, October 30 I returned the chapter 8 math results. For those students that failed the test I stapled a note to the student and parents explaining the steps they need to complete in order to retest and try to raise their grade. Please make sure you have seen the results of the math test. I had several children that failed the last test and opted not to try and raise their grade which frankly surprised me. I just want to make sure the parents are aware of this and are a part of this decision. I also wrote their overall math grade to date on the test in addition to their math test grade.
On Friday, 10/30, the entire fifth grade participated in Halloween Rotations. Hopefully your child shared some of the activities they participated in with each of the teachers. I did a bunch of experiments showing endothermic and exothermic reactions, some "science magic" stuff and a video on exploding pumpkins. (www.stevespanglerscience.com).
All the fifth grade teachers are in collaboration today so we have substitute teachers. As a result the Monday file is missing some items that I intended to send with them today. We have no school tomorrow so I will send those items, including the Behavior Report and their grades in each subject to date, on Wednesday.
Enjoy the rest of your week.
October 21, 2009
We are going to have a test in math on Friday over material in Chapter 8. I am very concerned because so many students don't have a good foundation in their multiplication facts so now that we are doing division, many students are just lost. It is critical that they have their multiplication and division math facts 0-12 memorized cold. They should be able to rattle them off in seconds. Today about 10 students did not even attempt their homework and that just exacerbates the situation. Homework provides critical practice time to ensure they are grasping the concepts otherwise when we check the homework that becomes a second lost learning opportunity. Right now we are rounding 2 to 4 digit numbers so that we are computing using basic math facts and they just can't do it because they simply don't know their math facts. Please understand that they were to have mastered this skill in third grade. Please make sure your child has these memorized using simple flash cards or an online version of this accessed through our class web pages either through my site or from the computer lab site. Please also make sure your child is doing their homework - and we have math every night including Fridays.
I have also included a Study Skills Guide that we created as a class a week ago. This is based on what they know are their weaknesses so please review and make sure you are doing what you can to help your child study effectively and efficiently. Finally, there are to many students who are not getting information to you and returned to the school. Please remember that EVERY MONDAY all their corrected and graded work goes home (I send math tests home as soon as I grade them because I know they want them ASAP). Their Weekly Behavior Sheets also go home and you must sign them and they must be returned on Tuesday. Many of the students need help remembering to show you their Monday Folders so please help them by asking to see the materials. Also help your student use their planner more effectively by signing it every night and using it to check off their homework assignments as they are completed. Many students look like they are getting their work done and aren't and they need to know they are being held accountable by knowing you will look over their work to see that it's being done and done correctly.
Study Skills Guide
- Read all the information - FOLLOW DIRECTIONS
- Take notes in class and review them at home several times a week
- Have a family member test you – like a game
- Bring home all the resources you will need - access textbooks online
- Study for a set amount of time each day
- Maximum 20 minutes at a time
- Take 5 minute physical/exercise break
- Don’t rush through your homework
- Study for tests as soon as you get the material and review a little every night
- Use completed class assignments to study from
- Review all material the night before a test
- Have a designated study area
- Stocked with supplies
- With no distractions
- Study subjects you don’t like first
- Get assignments done on time
- Use planner to record all assignments, in detail
- Check off work in your planner as it’s completed
-
When you have a big assignment and many days to complete it, break your assignment
into smaller chunks and complete a section at a time instead doing it all at once.
- Ask questions to clarify your understanding of concept or of a question.
- Study to match your learning style.
- When finished studying, pack all your materials and assignments in your
backpack the night before so you don’t have to go searching and packing on
your way out the door the next morning.
As always, please contact me if you have any questions or concerns. Thank you.
October 14, 2009
On Monday there was a shooting near Walton H.S. and Dodgen M.S. which resulted in both schools being on Code Red (total lock down). Somehow during our reading section of our Language Arts block one of the children mentioned the incident which led to many comments and questions about how they can protect themselves from the bad guys if they get in the house. I never mentioned the incident but enough of the students know about what happened (embellished unfortunately) and that the suspects remain at large. Many students said that they were now afraid and I felt you needed to know so you could address your family rules for safety. I reviewed basic safety rules with the class - never answer the door if you don't know who is at the door even if the parents are home, who to call if they're alone and they see someone suspicious on their property (call 911 and give their home address, then call their parents) and finally to stay physically close to their parents until they feel more secure. These are things they've heard over the years at school safety assemblies.
Some of the students knew that the suspects are pretending to be police detectives but they are flashing star shaped badges and the real police use shield shaped badges and also carry photo ID. I made sure they knew that as well. I kept reiterating that they are safe and to discuss with their parents how to keep themselves safe at home. I know from their little faces, they need to hear that from you as well.
Susan
September 29, 2009
I wanted to let you know that I have put the links for the Social Studies and Science online textbooks on my web page. They are the very last links (#17 and #22 or so) but I tested them several times and they both work (as of an hour ago). You now have access to all the online versions of their textbooks that are available. I hope this helps and proves convenient. Secondly, the Foundation paid for First In Math, an online math resource, which can be accessed from home. I told the students I wanted them to start from the very beginning, even if it was very easy. That will they will learn how to quickly navigate and set up the equations (it's a different set up than what they are used to seeing) and since everything is timed, I felt the extra practice would be good for them. The great thing about this program is how advanced it is. There are many levels so they can work through all the skill sets and begin some 6th grade math skills. The skills go through exponents and much more complicated algebraic equations. The challenge is there and I urge you to take advantage of this free opportunity. I also want to remind you about BrainPop. This is another software program that the Foundation paid for and is a great resource to augment what we learn in the classroom and is great practice for reading comprehension - there is a test at the end of every video which can be printed out. Some of the subjects are very kid-friendly - the one on Boogers is particularly fascinating to them.
Today we planned out our Social Studies battle plan models. On Monday small groups will present their battles and they need to create a model for a visual. We don't have time in class to create these so I will allow them to do their creating at lunchtime and recess for the next two days. If they bring their supplies to school please make sure they bring in a big trash bag to keep their project all together but also a secret until they are ready to present. All parts (ie little army men etc) will be returned to their owners.
We have been extremely busy and hard at work completing our research on our constructive and destructive forces and writing our reports. Writing their bibliography has been really hard for them so they are learning a lot and I'm sure hating me in the process! They'll feel very smart after the end of this week because of what they are accomplishing.
Thanks for all your support!
September 18, 2009
Well, it was a very long and tiring week but we finally finished all the testing! (Special thanks to Ruben Strydom and his mom for bringing in big peppermints to help us be a little smarter during our last day of testing.) It feels like we really lost our rhythm but today we pulled some things together and will hit the road running on Monday towards the last 3 weeks of our first quarter. We did decide to start our week by celebrating all the summer birthdays. We will have a birthday treat every day, except Thursday, and we all felt that was good way to get our week going.
In your child's planner/agenda they have written the dates for the next two math tests that will be given in this quarter and what concepts to work on - algebraic functions (solving for an unknown) and multiplication. The most recent math test went home today and I will be giving a retest opportunity but under strict guidelines. If your student did not pass the test there is a typed note stapled to the test with instructions on what needs to be turned in by this Monday.
In science and social studies we will be doing research in the classroom and working on completing projects and the Civil War and constructive/destructive forces. The science project has a visual aid component that will be done at home but it is not an art project so please don't buy expensive art supplies. We had a long discussion about materials and sources so if you have any questions please e-mail me. I did tell them if they found online sources and wanted to bring in printed copies of the articles for their science project they can do that but they cannot work on writing it at home. They may also bring in books from the public library.
Next week they will also be assigned a biography book report to complete. I will send them to our media center to choose a book and they will have 3 weeks to complete the project. This is a homework assignment but they will have time to read their books during DEAR time. They all have their lexile scores and know their range is 100 points below their score and 50 points above their score. Note that children in the 900's run into a problem of finding intellectually/ emotionally age appropriate reading material. Please do not buy a book for this project. There are too many good ones in the school and local library to do that.
Enjoy your week end.
September 10, 2009
Just a quick reminder that ITBS testing begins next Monday. A letter went home earlier this week regarding the testing. I have spoken to the students about the best way to be ready for next week. Please make sure your child has been getting and continues to get enough sleep. The process can be stressful. It's tedious and they must remain in their chairs silently for 2 hours each morning. To help your child stay comfortable make sure they have a light weight jacket or sweatshirt, a sports top water bottle, and that they eat a nutritious breakfast.
September 2, 2009
Thursday, September 3rd at 6:30 pm is the 5th grade Open House. It begins in the cafeteria with a brief PTA meeting and then the parents are released to the classrooms. I look forward to meeting all of you again and hope to see everyone.
There are some housekeeping items we need to address before Open House and I'm forwarding this information on behalf of our Room Mom, Judy Ding.
Please be prepared to pay $20 for the 5th grade picnic (this is a VERY BIG DEAL for the kids) and $10 for class funds. That money is used to pay for food (mostly) for the winter party, field day, and other assorted class celebrations we earn. You will receive two reports from the Room Mom on how the money is spent throughout the year. Please bring either cash or a check for each payment.
There will be many opportunities to volunteer as well:
1. 5th grade picnic (please note if you don't volunteer you will not be able to attend & this is THE PARTY)
2. Winter Holiday Party (2 hours during school day)
3. Sock Hop (Saturday evening)
4. Field Day (man a station for a block of time on a week day)
5. Class Directory
6. Memory Book - they need us to take pictures of us throughout the year for the yearbook. Can you help?
7. Teacher Appreciation Week (variety of activities each day)
8. Substitute for the teacher during collaboration days (usually 1 to 2 hour block of time in the morning & you'll work with someone else too)
9. Fall Festival (week end)
10. Fit in Fifth (at least 2 volunteers and 4 is ideal to split the duties of co-teaching health and fitness over 4 or 5 months)
11. Class projects for me (copying, laminating, cutting apart)
12. Adventures in Art (one hour once a month)
13. Ice cream social on last day of school
Please make sure you fill out the information for the Class Directory - this will only be shared with our families in our class. Also make sure I have your e-mail contact information (if I don't, you didn't get this, so psst.... pass it on)
See you on Thursday.
August 24, 2009
Monday folders went home this afternoon with PTA/Foundation announcements and some graded assignments. I ask that you sign and return the Weekly Behavior Sheet and any quizzes that have a grade below 74%. I provide the correctly spelled spelling words with the spelling rules for that week's concept and the tests are on Friday. We do various spelling activities to practice applying the new concept and they need to take their spelling notebooks home nightly to study their words. In math I have found that the students don't have their multiplication and division math facts memorized. This weakness really affected their grade on a recent quiz. Please be aware there is a test on Chapter 12 Wednesday, August 26th (they've known about this and it has been in their planner since last Monday). I have met with students during lunch to help them with math in preparation for this week's test. Some students simply aren't doing their homework (both the nightly math homework and the weekly Language Arts homework packet due on Friday) and the additional practice helps make the new skill permanent.
Many of the students continue to seem very, very tired from the beginning of the school day and on. I regularly have them stand up and jump for a set time to help them wake up and engage but some students are just to tired to even do that. Not sure if it's weather related or what but please ensure your child is getting enough sleep. Inattentiveness is lost learning time. I have found that many of them are also struggling to get into the rhythms of following school procedures (especially writing things in their planner/agenda) and this showed up on their Weekly Behavior sheet. I'm hoping we can turn that corner very soon.
A few reminders:
1. Any changes to transportation must be in writing.
2. Absences require a note explaining the absence - the school is required to document all absences.
3. If your child participates in an after school enrichment program a note from you is required so I know to send your child. You can write one for the semester, just be sure to include all the dates.
Thank you and have a great week.
August 14, 2009
Overall we had a pretty solid first week. It's always hard to adjust to the earlier hours, eating and using the restroom on a schedule and sitting in a plastic chair. We worked on getting back into the routine of being a student and moving through the building appropriately. We did a lot of ice breaker activities, not just in our class, but with our book buddies as well. We will be meeting with Ms. La Vine's 3rd grade class every other Friday for 30 minutes. We also worked on our class rules and I read them the children's version of How Full is Your Bucket?. We tied in how our behavior (how we react or respond to people) as individuals and as 5th graders can have a huge impact. After much class discussion, we agreed that our class rules should center on the Golden Rule and Respect. We spent a lot of time organizing our materials and doing introductory activities in Social Studies and Science.
Next week we begin all our academic subjects in earnest. I will be sending home a family letter regarding our science and math units of study on Monday. They will also be having math homework every night, science homework (two days to complete) and a language arts homework packet that will be due on Friday. Turning in homework is not optional so please help your child establish good study habits by setting aside time and space each day to complete their assignments. To help with this process, and as part of my communication, I need for you to initial their planner each day. In addition to the planner and my NewsFlashes, your child will write you a letter each Friday telling you about their week. Please take a moment to write them a brief response. If you need me to proactively stay in e-mail contact with you about your child's academic progress please e-mail me your area of concern and I will do that beginning next Friday.
Monday's are the day all graded papers, PTA announcements/materials, and administrative flyers will come home. You can also expect a Behavior Form to come with that folder. I will send the first one out on Monday, August 24th, which will cover next week. THANK YOU to all who got in the papers today! This week we had about 6 hours of meetings after school and even though I know it's going to be a bit chaotic, I just didn't juggle all my balls as well as I normally do. Finally, Target starts next Thursday so please make sure your child brings in their notebook.
Have a great week end and make sure my students get enough sleep. The Bobsled ride starts at 8 a.m. sharp on Monday!!
August 13, 2009
I made a mistake and did not send out the Cobb County board of education folders on the day I was supposed to send them. Unfortunately, all the papers must be returned tomorrow, Friday the 14th. I know it's a pain but if at all possible, I would appreciate it if you could fill out all the required forms and return them tomorrow.
I have gone through and updated the e-mail addresses but it's not very user friendly so if you are receiving multiple e-mails from me please let me know so I can (try again to) fix it.
I also need a parent to volunteer to act as a co-Room Mom. The Room Mom coordinates volunteers for a variety of school wide events that occur throughout the year (see my calendar). I only had a few copying/ laminating/cutting projects I asked for help with last year. At this grade level we don't have a big need for a lot of parent time. Please consider working with another person (I do have one volunteer but she works full-time and needs to share duties) to share the responsibilities of being a Room Mom.
Thank you.
August 10, 2009
We had a great first day! I really enjoyed listening to the fascinating (truly!) presentations by everyone. I think it is very cool that so many of the students come from exotic places and my class has a real international flair.
A few helpful hints - I can't control the classroom temperature so it can get very chilly. It would be wise to bring a sweatshirt to help stay comfortable. A sports top water bottle is also an excellent idea as hot as it is.
No homework tonight! It's a difficult adjustment getting back into the routine so getting to bed early will the only "assignment"
August 8, 2009
Thank you for attending Meet and Greet on Thursday. It was a pleasure to meet all of you and I look forward to working with you this year. Please don't hesitate to contact me via e-mail. I check it before school begins (if your child wakes up sick you can let me know that way and I can print out your e-mail and forward to the front office so the absence will be excused.) and at the end of each school day. I try to sneak a peek at lunch and during planning time (Specials block) but that doesn't always work out every day. You can always call and leave me a message and I will collect those at the end of the school day.
I have updated my webpages, including the supply list at
www.teacherweb.com/GA/eastsideelementary/Lynch. Please take a moment to look it over and make sure your student has everything they need by Wednesday. I use a color coordinated system for organizing academic subjects. I know they use a similar system at Dodgen as well. The new items I am requesting are regularly on sale for pennies. Please feel free to recycle scissors, crayons etc from previous years.
Enjoy the rest of your week end!
August 6, 2009
Welcome to 5th grade. Let's make a great year!