Homework
Review the Mayan Project Descriptions and help your student decide on a project.
Big Word: e a h c l l g n e
SHARING: Bring in something that is really, really old
Theme Unit
We are beginning our Mayan Unit and will be sending home project descriptions and information sheets this week. Please help your students explore the area(s) they are interested in and help them decide on a project that they want to do. They can do more than one but they should finish one before they start another. Their will be a Mayan Project Fair on March 20 from 11-1. That is the Friday before Spring Break.
Class Potluck
We will be having our second class potluck of the year at Heather and Ness's house on NE 14th Place. The event will be held from 1-3 on Saturday, February 21. Please bring a dish to pass. Try to keep the food kid friendly and not too sugary. Ness is a wonderful storyteller and will be open to leading the students through a tale. The house is a wonderful space for our community but we will be all responsible for keeping everyone safe. Thanks! We will have an announcement on the class door with the address. The house is near Prescott on 14th Place.
Lice and Cleanliness
Since the lice just does not want to stay away from our school this year I think it is time to institute tough measures until the situation is resolved. Until Spring Break please have students put their coats either in their cubbies or in a bag hanging on the coat hooks. We can't have coats touching. Lunches can live near the coat space instead of in cubbies. Also, make sure that you are washing your child's coats especially if they have been invaded by the little disgusting critters. I will keep spraying the room with anti-lice spray and have rid our community of the carpet and my wonderful red chair that will be missed by many. Hopefully we will all be able to work together to get this under control.
Nutrition and Snack
Please keep donating to the snack fund if you have the means. Everything is tight at our school right now and Nephyr is the snack buyer. It is great if she doesn't have to ask for reimbursements. Thanks.
Report Cards
For those of you new to our school we do have report cards and they will be coming soon. I was hoping to have them in your hands by today, but that was overly optimistic. My new goal is next Monday, February 23 and no later than Friday, February 27. They are very involved and take time that many of us teachers don't have. I like writing them but I don't like the amount of time they take. Thank you for your patience.
Conferences
Conferences are coming up and I will be posting my schedule very soon. I will be starting on Friday, March 6 and only be doing them on Fridays and the first Monday of Spring Break. If anyone needs special arrangements then that is always possible but please try to keep to the schedule as it helps me plan my daycare and family life. I can't wait to meet with ya'll and talk about your kids.
Volunteers
I love volunteers and it is so great to have all of you in class. I apologize if I don't always have the most important things for you to do, but many times it is simply helpful to have another body in the room. I am looking for a morning helper on Mondays and for someone to take a reading group on Tuesdays and Thursdays if anyone is interested. Thanks!
Intensives for Adults
The TFT is organizing an Intensives for adults session scheduled for Saturday, March 14th. They are looking for some more presenters if you have something that may interest adult learners in our community. Talk to TFT or Nikos (Thalia's dad) for more information.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Week of February 3
Homework and reflections
Please bring back the Reflection questions that were handed out last week. If you don't have one there are some extras on the front shelf. Ask if you can't find them. Please ask your kids these questions and write down their responses. Some of the older kids could do their own writing and reflect on their own. I am hoping this will create a conversation at home as well as at school and help out with interviews which will happen this and next week.
Coats, Lice and Bears
In response to the lice that was in our room, Nephyr, Yvonne and I cleaned the room over the short break. We are also asking for ideas in order to help it not happen again. The best idea that I have had so that coats will not be all over each other is that students can put their coats in a backpack and then hang the backpack. Another option is to put the coat in the cubbie and have the lunch be on the shelf above the coats. We are trying to make sure that it does not come back as we all know how much of a pain lice can be. Let me know if you have any ideas.
Theme
On Friday the 6th, we will be closing out our unit on Egypt and will be having a project and work display set up in our classrooms from 11-1 on Friday. Students will be displaying things they did for our Egypt unit and some of their chosen work for their portfolios. Please try to attend to see your kids work.
Potluck
Saturday, February 21 looks like the best day to have our Winter Potluck. Heather and Ness (Elsie's parents) have offered up their house and wold love to host our community for a 1-3 potluck. We will have a food sign up list outside the classroom and will ask people to bring a board game for fun and enjoyment. Thanks Heather and Ness!
Field Trip
We are on our way to Tears of Joy Theater on Friday the 13th. We will need chaperones for the event but we will be traveling by train. It would be helpful for volunteers to plan to pay their own train fare. The economic realities have hit home. We will be seeing a production of "When Animals Were People."
Report Cards
Report cards are coming along but I am taking a little more time to assess and reflect with students than I planned. I hope to have them out a little after Valentine's Day. Thank you for your understanding and patience.
Snack
Snack time is getting much more pleasant and Nephyr is continuing to get good solid snacks for the kids. Please remember to donate money to the snack folder if you have the inkling. It is really awesome for the kids to have fresh fruit available almost everyday. It makes me happy.
Class Meeting
Our meetings lately have taken a more haphazard approach, but we meet in a more timely way. Students are encouraged to bring proposals to the meeting which is on Wednesday or at the beginning of morning meeting. Jupiter and I are currently doing some things for his new proposal to bring back Pokemon Club. We are working on rules that he has come up with. If this passes I will make sure to monitor it a lot more. One rule I am insisting on is that an adviser must sponsor their group be in attendance. Other proposals are in the works. The kids are really starting to take the proposals to heart.
Portfolio Work
Students are working on going through their work to decide on pieces for their portfolio. They will be choosing pieces to enter into an online portfolio. This is called the E-Pearl program that if you all have 3-4-5 students then you may know something about it. We will be looking for parent volunteers to help out with entering pieces.
Pictures
Pictures are online at shutterfly.com thanks to April (Hunter's Mom). They are so cool and should be updated as we get more. April is doing awesome with that. Thanks April.
Login - billysk12@gmail.com Password - 4trillium
Scholastic Book Orders
We can order books online. Here is the link, login and password
http://pcool.scholastic.com/parentordering/login.jsp
Talk to Jennifer Sample (Emma's Mom) if you have any questions. These are very affordable books and the more we buy the more our classroom gets.
Login - billysk12
Password - trilliumcs
Levels of Independence
Students are responding to the levels of independence and are using the criteria to move up in their language about behavior. Luna is our first level 3. Just a little explanation. All students start at level 1. In order to move up to level 2 they should be participating in class activities, listening to students and teacher and showing respect to others. They then apply to the class by sharing why they think they should move up. There is a brief discussion among the students and then we vote. The criteria for level 3 is that a student is challenging themselves.
Please bring back the Reflection questions that were handed out last week. If you don't have one there are some extras on the front shelf. Ask if you can't find them. Please ask your kids these questions and write down their responses. Some of the older kids could do their own writing and reflect on their own. I am hoping this will create a conversation at home as well as at school and help out with interviews which will happen this and next week.
Coats, Lice and Bears
In response to the lice that was in our room, Nephyr, Yvonne and I cleaned the room over the short break. We are also asking for ideas in order to help it not happen again. The best idea that I have had so that coats will not be all over each other is that students can put their coats in a backpack and then hang the backpack. Another option is to put the coat in the cubbie and have the lunch be on the shelf above the coats. We are trying to make sure that it does not come back as we all know how much of a pain lice can be. Let me know if you have any ideas.
Theme
On Friday the 6th, we will be closing out our unit on Egypt and will be having a project and work display set up in our classrooms from 11-1 on Friday. Students will be displaying things they did for our Egypt unit and some of their chosen work for their portfolios. Please try to attend to see your kids work.
Potluck
Saturday, February 21 looks like the best day to have our Winter Potluck. Heather and Ness (Elsie's parents) have offered up their house and wold love to host our community for a 1-3 potluck. We will have a food sign up list outside the classroom and will ask people to bring a board game for fun and enjoyment. Thanks Heather and Ness!
Field Trip
We are on our way to Tears of Joy Theater on Friday the 13th. We will need chaperones for the event but we will be traveling by train. It would be helpful for volunteers to plan to pay their own train fare. The economic realities have hit home. We will be seeing a production of "When Animals Were People."
Report Cards
Report cards are coming along but I am taking a little more time to assess and reflect with students than I planned. I hope to have them out a little after Valentine's Day. Thank you for your understanding and patience.
Snack
Snack time is getting much more pleasant and Nephyr is continuing to get good solid snacks for the kids. Please remember to donate money to the snack folder if you have the inkling. It is really awesome for the kids to have fresh fruit available almost everyday. It makes me happy.
Class Meeting
Our meetings lately have taken a more haphazard approach, but we meet in a more timely way. Students are encouraged to bring proposals to the meeting which is on Wednesday or at the beginning of morning meeting. Jupiter and I are currently doing some things for his new proposal to bring back Pokemon Club. We are working on rules that he has come up with. If this passes I will make sure to monitor it a lot more. One rule I am insisting on is that an adviser must sponsor their group be in attendance. Other proposals are in the works. The kids are really starting to take the proposals to heart.
Portfolio Work
Students are working on going through their work to decide on pieces for their portfolio. They will be choosing pieces to enter into an online portfolio. This is called the E-Pearl program that if you all have 3-4-5 students then you may know something about it. We will be looking for parent volunteers to help out with entering pieces.
Pictures
Pictures are online at shutterfly.com thanks to April (Hunter's Mom). They are so cool and should be updated as we get more. April is doing awesome with that. Thanks April.
Login - billysk12@gmail.com Password - 4trillium
Scholastic Book Orders
We can order books online. Here is the link, login and password
http://pcool.scholastic.com/parentordering/login.jsp
Talk to Jennifer Sample (Emma's Mom) if you have any questions. These are very affordable books and the more we buy the more our classroom gets.
Login - billysk12
Password - trilliumcs
Levels of Independence
Students are responding to the levels of independence and are using the criteria to move up in their language about behavior. Luna is our first level 3. Just a little explanation. All students start at level 1. In order to move up to level 2 they should be participating in class activities, listening to students and teacher and showing respect to others. They then apply to the class by sharing why they think they should move up. There is a brief discussion among the students and then we vote. The criteria for level 3 is that a student is challenging themselves.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Week of December 1
Homework
Big Word: y t q a i u l
Sound of the week: oi as in foil
Math Number: 22
Reading: Have your students bring a just right book home and practice with you.
Sharing: bring something scientific (Friday)
All homework is optional but is helpful to support the lessons we are doing in class.
Intensives
The week before winter break is Intensive Week. This is an awesome week where many people in our community share their passions, interests and expertise in areas that are important to them. We are always looking for volunteer teachers and would love any assistance. The Intensive classes run from 9-11:30, Monday thru Friday of that week. It is great if you can teach a class the whole week but we understand time can be an issue so there are instances where two people can team up for a class or we are always looking for extra chaperones on certain days. Talk to me or Polly for more information or to get a class form.
Electives
Some students will be switching their Elective classes this week. Ask them how they are going and what their goal or purpose is in the class. We are trying to make this a class where they are pursuing their passions and putting it on their Individual Learning Plan (ILP).
Performance Night
The event is on Friday, December 12 at 5:30. Please plan to arrive around 5:15. Be asking your kids what group they are in and if they need to do anything like remember lines or come in costume. All the Ks are with me but the others are spread around. Be on the lookout for communication on this issue and talk to the adviser of the group for questions.
Snack
Snack is going great since I made my judgement call that no students can eat snack from their lunch. This was met with resistance but the JC upheld my decision after a few students appealed. My reasoning is that we provide a healthy snack with a lot of variety.(Thanks to Nephyr and the others who help out) If you have any issues with this decision or want to talk about it because it may be negatively affecting your child please let me know. The decision was made for health purposes and not intended to be a punishment to anyone in the class.
Class Jobs and Class Meeting
One disappointing part of this year so far has been the inconsistency of class meeting and the lack of Class Jobs. This week I will work to correct that. I want to encourage kids to take ownership of the classroom but have not designed time for them to express their needs or take action. We will have a class meeting on Wednesday and there we will set a consistent meeting day. This is what Trillium is all about and the kids are ready.
Pictures
Pictures are online at shutterfly.com thanks to April (Hunter's Mom). They are so cool and should be updated as we get more. April is doing awesome with that.
Login - billysk12@gmail.com
Password - 4trillium
Scholastic Book Orders
BOOK ORDERS ARE IN!!! They may not be ready until Tuesday but I have a box in my room.
Also, we can order books online. Here is the link, login and password
http://pcool.scholastic.com/parentordering/login.jsp
Login - billysk12
Password - trilliumcs
THEME- Human Origins
Our performance night will be centered around this theme and we will be exploring the many stories regarding the beginning of humans. We will explore paleontology, talk about opposable thumbs and even through in some creation stories. We will try to keep religion out of the classroom but at times it will come up. I try to use these times as a way for us to learn to accept each other and our beliefs no matter what they are. We will be reading a lot of books and making our own time line.
Levels of Independence
We are once again instituting a Levels of Independence system in our classroom to reward and encourage responsible behavior. Nothing will be posted in the room and students all start at level 1. We are creating priviliges associated with each level and how to move up a level to acquire more independence in the classroom. Students have said that others should be 1)participating in class and 2)listening to others and respecting. These are the current criteria. If a student feels they are ready to be a Level 2 then they take that to the class and state their case. Then students can ask questions. Students then vote to see if the student moves up. I am hoping for a lot of quality discussion about behavior and how to be involved in a community.
THANKS TO ALL OF YOU WHO ARE VOLUNTEERING FOR OUR CLASSROOM. IT IS SO AWESOME TO HAVE SUCH A GREAT NETWORK OF COMMITTED INDIVIDUALS AND TO SPEND SOME TIME WITH YOU IN THE CLASSROOM. I HOPE YOU LIKE IT THERE.
Big Word: y t q a i u l
Sound of the week: oi as in foil
Math Number: 22
Reading: Have your students bring a just right book home and practice with you.
Sharing: bring something scientific (Friday)
All homework is optional but is helpful to support the lessons we are doing in class.
Intensives
The week before winter break is Intensive Week. This is an awesome week where many people in our community share their passions, interests and expertise in areas that are important to them. We are always looking for volunteer teachers and would love any assistance. The Intensive classes run from 9-11:30, Monday thru Friday of that week. It is great if you can teach a class the whole week but we understand time can be an issue so there are instances where two people can team up for a class or we are always looking for extra chaperones on certain days. Talk to me or Polly for more information or to get a class form.
Electives
Some students will be switching their Elective classes this week. Ask them how they are going and what their goal or purpose is in the class. We are trying to make this a class where they are pursuing their passions and putting it on their Individual Learning Plan (ILP).
Performance Night
The event is on Friday, December 12 at 5:30. Please plan to arrive around 5:15. Be asking your kids what group they are in and if they need to do anything like remember lines or come in costume. All the Ks are with me but the others are spread around. Be on the lookout for communication on this issue and talk to the adviser of the group for questions.
Snack
Snack is going great since I made my judgement call that no students can eat snack from their lunch. This was met with resistance but the JC upheld my decision after a few students appealed. My reasoning is that we provide a healthy snack with a lot of variety.(Thanks to Nephyr and the others who help out) If you have any issues with this decision or want to talk about it because it may be negatively affecting your child please let me know. The decision was made for health purposes and not intended to be a punishment to anyone in the class.
Class Jobs and Class Meeting
One disappointing part of this year so far has been the inconsistency of class meeting and the lack of Class Jobs. This week I will work to correct that. I want to encourage kids to take ownership of the classroom but have not designed time for them to express their needs or take action. We will have a class meeting on Wednesday and there we will set a consistent meeting day. This is what Trillium is all about and the kids are ready.
Pictures
Pictures are online at shutterfly.com thanks to April (Hunter's Mom). They are so cool and should be updated as we get more. April is doing awesome with that.
Login - billysk12@gmail.com
Password - 4trillium
Scholastic Book Orders
BOOK ORDERS ARE IN!!! They may not be ready until Tuesday but I have a box in my room.
Also, we can order books online. Here is the link, login and password
http://pcool.scholastic.com/
Login - billysk12
Password - trilliumcs
THEME- Human Origins
Our performance night will be centered around this theme and we will be exploring the many stories regarding the beginning of humans. We will explore paleontology, talk about opposable thumbs and even through in some creation stories. We will try to keep religion out of the classroom but at times it will come up. I try to use these times as a way for us to learn to accept each other and our beliefs no matter what they are. We will be reading a lot of books and making our own time line.
Levels of Independence
We are once again instituting a Levels of Independence system in our classroom to reward and encourage responsible behavior. Nothing will be posted in the room and students all start at level 1. We are creating priviliges associated with each level and how to move up a level to acquire more independence in the classroom. Students have said that others should be 1)participating in class and 2)listening to others and respecting. These are the current criteria. If a student feels they are ready to be a Level 2 then they take that to the class and state their case. Then students can ask questions. Students then vote to see if the student moves up. I am hoping for a lot of quality discussion about behavior and how to be involved in a community.
THANKS TO ALL OF YOU WHO ARE VOLUNTEERING FOR OUR CLASSROOM. IT IS SO AWESOME TO HAVE SUCH A GREAT NETWORK OF COMMITTED INDIVIDUALS AND TO SPEND SOME TIME WITH YOU IN THE CLASSROOM. I HOPE YOU LIKE IT THERE.
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