12/11/09--I told the students one more RNB letter was due for this month, thinking I was taking one off, but I miss counted the weeks in my head, So No MORE Letters need to be done this month. Enjoy the holidays!

Anyone who hands one in on Monday will be given a pass to take a break from RNB letter another time. 
1/3 of the Realistic Fiction stories were not returned yet. Please look for them at home this weekend so I can place them with the others in the hallway. Thanks


12/10/09 My computer in the classroom is not working so I have posted my powerpoint we viewed under the ELMO today on my Helpful Handouts link if you would like to see how we are building our personal essays. Some students in 5A took home their Notebook to finish their Paragraph 1 Introduction. We planned all the senteces using specific colors that will be used throughout the essay when addressing the topics.  The only thing these students need to do is copy their sentences (revise or edit if needed) onto their paper in a paragraph. 


12/9/09
I HAVE CUT AND PASTED SOME NOTES FROM MY LESSON PLANS ONTO TWO NEW LINKS ABOVE SO PARENTS AND STUDENTS CAN SEE HOW OUR UNITS ARE BUILDING AND THOSE WHO ARE ABSENT MAY HAVE AN IDEA OF WHAT IS HAPPENING. 
Also, both class are having spelling quizes on Friday we were able to move health for 5A back to the original schedule no longer on Wednesday mornings.

PARENT UPDATE LETTER12/03/09

I know December is a busy month and just want to update you on a few happenings.  Please note the following:

• Students should be reading nonfiction.  They may still read fiction, but I expect the weekly letter next week to be about a nonfiction book because I have given students books and asked them to check one out of the Bowne Library.  Our lessons are about nonfiction.  The new letter format requires students to refer to what they are learning in class.
• Taped to the back of students Reader’s Notebooks (RNB) is a letter explaining the NEW WEEKLY LETTER FORMAT TO USE UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.  If your child left their notebook in school you may look at my website for a copy.
• Supplies—PLEASE replenish your child’s supplies. Especially pencils.  On Mondays many students have been using my scissors and crayons. When asked to highlight many take my highlighters (and do not return them). I have gone through 8- 12 packs of pencils since last week. Yesterday I refilled my eraser cap bin which started the year with a box of 160 erasers.  Just to give you an idea.  I do not mind giving a pencil or eraser here and there but this is too much. Even post-its are being left in the hallway or used to make spinning wheels (inappropriate waste). 
• Beginning next week I will not be collecting post-its to grade. Most students are using them regularly and reading regularly. Please look at your child’s RNB to see if your child did the nightly post-it for the past two weeks to get an idea if they are being responsible.  Students do not need to fill out a chart when they are done with a book they will place the post-its in their RNB or ILA folder.  During my weekly conferences I will look to see if post-its are being completed. For this unit, CW or HW, date, page # and a quick stop and jot are all that is needed on the sticky note.

Please let me know if you have any questions.  As always thanks for working with me and your child to make the most out of this year. 

 
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