Welcome back!
New year, new starts! Perhaps one of my favorite times of the year. I was so happy to see the students and their new hair styles, new clothes and bubbling personalities today. We had a good day and even got to enjoy the wonderful weather with a morning recess. How was your day? Is 2012 off to a good start for you and your family? I hope so!
Below are some procedural changes for the spring semester. Homework is now in a packet format along with a spelling book. The amount of homework has not changed, just the style of turning it in. Homework is due on Friday mornings along with the completed spelling book pages. The reasons for changing the homework policy range from parent and student input to organizational effectiveness. Please ask your child tonight to review how she/he will complete the packet and spelling book before Friday. Thank you always for your support and if you have any questions don't hesitate to ask.
Tutoring begins next week. Students who approached 2 or more benchmark standards in reading or math will be assigned to tutoring. Permission slips to attend will come home this week. Mrs. Jeffries and Mrs. Sutton are the 5th grade tutors, I tutor 6th grade. If you feel your child should attend tutoring but did not meet the criteria on benchmark standards, please let me know. The goal is to keep tutoring fluid and small in numbers. Therefore, as students exit out of tutoring slots open up for others to fill.
Science fair deadlines are each week until the science fair. I have had several conversations with parents and students regarding the progress of the project. At this point in time, if you must change the science fair project all together, now is the time to do so. After this week, the amount of work that needs to be finished will be to great of an amount to be switching projects. My goal is to help make this process smooth for both the parent and student so please let me know if you have specific questions.
Our class schedule has changed a bit to allow for more time in given areas. Our current daily schedule is as follows:
7:35 Bellwork
7:45 REACH
8:15 Balanced Math
9:45 Snack and morning recess
10:00 Writing/Grammar
10:30 Whole class reading instruction
10:50 Specials
11:35 Read Aloud
11:50 Lunch
12:30 Reading Groups
1:30 Science/Social Studies
2:00 Pack Up/Dismissal
Please be aware of our daily schedule when making appointments and pulling students out of class. The best times would obviously be after school but please avoid math and reading instruction. Thank you.
Important dates/notes for this week:
- Wednesday: Science fair procedures and materials (if not already turned in) are due
-Friday: All homework and spelling book pages completed and turned in
This week's spelling words:
1. charged
2. injured
3. lying
4. created
5. spied
6. carrying
7. dying
8. tallied
9. moving
10. tasted
11. realized
12. carried
13. trying
14. receiving
15. provided
16. revising
17. practicing
18. becoming
19. fried
20. wearing
**** Pages 30-32 in spelling book ****
