Sunday, March 24, 2013

Hello All,

Our big focus this week is the Famous American speeches taking place on Wednesday and Thursday from 9:55- ?.  The schedule went home on Friday, March 15th along with the rubric and your child's drafts of his/her speech.  It is our expectation that children will come ready to present the speech on the assigned day.  Kids are encouraged to have"dress up" style costumes and/or bring appropriate props to support the speech.  This is noted in the rubric.  They are also encouraged to memorize the speech, but may hold notes and refer to them as needed.  Students who read the speech will be docked 1-2 points out of the total of 24; the more familiar and relaxed your child is, the better they will do.  There will not be a Homework Packet this week so that students may have additional time to practice.

In Math we have moved to multiplication of 2 and 3 digit numbers by a single digit.  There will  still be nightly math homework.

Finally, this week's story in RTI is Trapped By the Ice!, the story of Shackleton's attempt to traverse Antarctica.  The reading strategy for the story is Monitor/Clarify. The skill for this story is "Text Structure", specifically non-fiction text.

Have a great week,
Carroll Mayer

Sunday, March 17, 2013

Hi All,

First of all, on Friday students brought home two important items: report cards and their work on the Famous American speech.  Please have your child return their signed report card envelope this week.  The Famous American speech is now homework, with the due date for your child's speech, and the rubric inside their light blue folder. We will have a regular homework packet this week as well.

Secondly, most of the children have returned their signed list of playground rules; if your child has not, please send it ASAP.  I appreciate your support in reminding the kids as to our expectations of their behavior, in the class and on the playground! On that note, ask your child about the presentation from Susan Tremont on "My Distractions" last Thursday.  The kids were very attentive to Ms. Tremont's lesson and seem to have a clear understanding of these issues.  Hopefully, awareness will lead to improved effort in this respect.

Finally, thanks to all the parents who were able to chaperon on Friday's field trip.  It's one of my favorites, and a great opportunity to learn some local history through hands-on activities.

Take care, and have a great week.
Carroll Mayer


Sunday, March 10, 2013

Hello All,
First of all, thanks to all of you who followed up on Friday's email regarding behavioral issues in Room 24.  I appreciate your support.

This week the kids will continue working on their speech about their "Famous American".  We have been working daily on this project for the last several weeks, adding research and writing to the reading students did in January. On Friday, kids will bring home their work,  and any unfinished work will become homework.  I will also attach a letter giving the dates the speech is due, along with a rubric about our expectations for the final product.

Friday will also be the day report cards come home.  The original date was shifted, due to technology issues on campus last week.

Also on Friday, our class will attending our field trip to the SC MAH.  Thank you to all the drivers who volunteered.  I think you will find this trip a fun and interesting one.

Finally, a big thank you to the O'Hara family, who have been working diligently in our Rio garden and filled in the giant mud puddle in front of our classroom.  In addition, thanks so much to Misty Courtney and Mary Zimmer for their hard work on our yearbook pages.  You all are going to be so impressed.  Also, thanks to Brett Hegna for the cool auction item.  The kids had a good time working on it, and I know someone is going to love it!

Take care, and have a good week,
Carroll Mayer

Sunday, March 3, 2013

Hello All,

We have another "normal" week ahead of us.  The kids will bring home a complete Homework Packet on Monday, and it's due on Friday.

Our trimester ends on Thursday, and report cards go home on the following Thursday, March 14th. Many students have still not met their AR goal, so remind your child to take tests on any books they have recently completed.  (It's best not to test on books from weeks and months in the past, as there are detailed and specific questions.) It's important to keep in mind the point of AR is to give kids practice in reading, with some accountability; it's not an end in itself. Students will get a new AR goal for the last trimester.

Our field trip to the SC MAH is scheduled for March 15th; thanks to all who have volunteered to drive.  We have a nice amount of space, with a little extra in case of sickness, etc.  There are a few kids who still need to return their permission slips and $2.00.  If it's sitting on your counter top, please send it in!

Take care, and have a good week,
Carroll Mayer