I do want to say that the boys really are growing by leaps and bounds. They've matured (although sometimes they don't like to show it), learned a great deal, and are really showing their own personalities a great deal. They are nothing short of their own miracle makers every day. I do cherish each one of them.
Here are fun stories for each:
Grant today was writing on the big white board that is on top of our chalkboard. He's singing to himself "there was an old woman who swallowed a one" and since he doesn't know all the words just yet, he's singing the verses to "there was an old woman who swallowed a fly" and just subbing in the numbers. He's however not writing the new number until the correct verse. He's singing ever so soft that had the other boys been at specials, I would have just thought Grant to be writing during choice time. Absolutely adorable. Of course, I then took him with the little old lady head who can swallow the numbers and helped him sing the song with the words so he could feel successful at this.
David will also say how he doesn't want speech even though he loves it and never wants it to be over when it is. Today, Ms. Lunsford came in before David was back from computer lab since he had it in the afternoon and so there was no time to register that he didn't want speech because he just transitioned right there. As a result, David earned top honors for his first day of no negative talk! Excellent!!!
As I've been reading Dr. Seuss all week and I knew that Patrick particularly loved Horton, I read Horton Hatches an Egg today. Not only was Patrick attentive for the whole story, he was asking the other boys comprehension questions and asking them to predict what would happen! YAY!!!!!!
Darius has been working hard at staying positive and remembering that it's okay to make mistakes. Well, there was an assessment today for him asking about long e sounds. When he worked in inclusion on it, all he wrote were "e" for every answer when it asked for words with the long e sound. When he came back I could see that he was upset and frustrated. We took a walk and didn't talk about it. We came back and I made him sit right back down and I picked up the pen. He turned away from me and I asked him about a couple of words. When he realized what it is that I wanted (he obviously didn't understand the directions originally) he told me the words that could go there. After he finished writing the last word, he said thanks and gave me one of those smiles that just melts me.
Luis has finally really taken finally to sharing and helping. The other day when Grant came in, his zipper was stuck. A couple of days before, Luis' zipper had been stuck and I showed him how to undo it. Today, when Grant came in, before he had the opportunity to do it himself, Luis walked right up to Grant and said, "I'll help you Grant!" and unzippered his jacket for him. Grant said "Thanks Luis! I will hang it up now!" YAY CONVERSATION and HELPING!!!!!
Next week, Ms. West made it so that our boys will get an hour of their own time to go to Rolling Bowling! How excellent, I say!
Enjoy your weekends. :-)
Friday, February 29, 2008
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Interims went home today. Again, those check marks are on a continuum (spelling?) for the kindergarten ones and straightforward for the first grade one.
We sat through half an assembly given by the 4th graders about black history month. It was just a lot of sitting for us.
Those magic bottles sure are amazing...as is our new march bulletin board featuring the boys as leprechauns in almost life sized posters!!!
Patrick said today in reference to his poster: "who's that"
Mrs. Robertson: "who do you think it is? Is it Luis?"
Patrick: "No."
Mrs. R: "is it Patrick?"
Patrick: "No, it's a leprechaun!"
Great times.
Rolling Bowling is coming to Weems next week for PE so we get to bowl in PE! How exciting!!!
Enjoy!
We sat through half an assembly given by the 4th graders about black history month. It was just a lot of sitting for us.
Those magic bottles sure are amazing...as is our new march bulletin board featuring the boys as leprechauns in almost life sized posters!!!
Patrick said today in reference to his poster: "who's that"
Mrs. Robertson: "who do you think it is? Is it Luis?"
Patrick: "No."
Mrs. R: "is it Patrick?"
Patrick: "No, it's a leprechaun!"
Great times.
Rolling Bowling is coming to Weems next week for PE so we get to bowl in PE! How exciting!!!
Enjoy!
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
magic bottles
In addition to singing there was an old lady who swallowed fly on what seems like repeat, we created magic water bottles today. We used crayon shavings, glitter, and well, water in bottles. It's a great calming thing to help friends when they get upset. I'll let you know if they actually work.
Doctor Seuss next week. Here's what is going on:
OHS Readers come dressed Seussically and ready to read to our students from 10:30 – 10:50. Classes will be combining so that everyone can participate. Teachers grouped with a single teacher can decide which classroom to meet in. Teachers grouped in threes will be assigned a location. Schedule is attached.
Tuesday – For D.E.A.R. (Drop Everything and Read), students will carry a book with them throughout the day and at the sound of the secret code, they will stop what they are doing to read a book. The code will be revealed as part of the morning announcements. D.E.A.R. will happen 2 – 3 times on Tuesday. Students will read for 15 minutes.
Wednesday – Dress as Your Favorite Book Character Day. Students are permitted to wear costumes or other clothing to reflect their favorite story book character. Please discuss this with your students on Friday. A letter will be going home.
Thursday – Buddy Up with Books, with 3rd and 4th grade reading to the younger classes. The time selected will be 10:05 – 10:50. 4th grade classes will split up and read to Kindergarten and 2nd. 3rd grade will read to 1st. Assignments attached.
Friday – Lunchtime Read Aloud with Ms. Burnett and Mrs. Cassarino. If your class has the opportunity to make Dr. Seuss hats during this week (only a suggestion), it would be a great time to wear them.
Doctor Seuss next week. Here's what is going on:
OHS Readers come dressed Seussically and ready to read to our students from 10:30 – 10:50. Classes will be combining so that everyone can participate. Teachers grouped with a single teacher can decide which classroom to meet in. Teachers grouped in threes will be assigned a location. Schedule is attached.
Tuesday – For D.E.A.R. (Drop Everything and Read), students will carry a book with them throughout the day and at the sound of the secret code, they will stop what they are doing to read a book. The code will be revealed as part of the morning announcements. D.E.A.R. will happen 2 – 3 times on Tuesday. Students will read for 15 minutes.
Wednesday – Dress as Your Favorite Book Character Day. Students are permitted to wear costumes or other clothing to reflect their favorite story book character. Please discuss this with your students on Friday. A letter will be going home.
Thursday – Buddy Up with Books, with 3rd and 4th grade reading to the younger classes. The time selected will be 10:05 – 10:50. 4th grade classes will split up and read to Kindergarten and 2nd. 3rd grade will read to 1st. Assignments attached.
Friday – Lunchtime Read Aloud with Ms. Burnett and Mrs. Cassarino. If your class has the opportunity to make Dr. Seuss hats during this week (only a suggestion), it would be a great time to wear them.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
I neglected this for a week
Sorry about that. I have no excuses for this.
So, I'll give you a brief update on each child:
In no particular order:
Luis is doing well. We are working on increasing sensory input for him to help him be able to focus more (and better) as that is his main difficulty. He reads up a storm and can't get enough visual stimuli into him! He also still loves the listening center with Danny the Dinosaur being his favorite.
David is fantastic. He's counting by 2's, 5's, 10's and can't seem to get enough! He is doing really well with going to specials alone and knows that he has to listen and follow directions. He loves art the most with Mrs. Brannon.
Grant is amazing. He's writing sentences everytime I turn around. That is actually his choice center and he thoroughly enjoys writing in all mediums (markers, chalk, magnetic letters, etc). We are still working on remembering to cap our markers when we are done with them. He's also been engaging kids more to come and play with him.
Darius is spectacular. He's been doing great things including working for longer than the timer is set for and reading like it's his job! His hard work has been paying off in first grade and he was indeed the PE Star of the Week! He was so excited to hear his named announced on the loud speaker and wore his new bracelet with pride! Congratulations Darius!
Patrick's hard work has paid off as he has almost mastered off all his letter sounds in no time at all! He is grasping his letter sounds and using and applying them to reading sight words and sounding them out. He loves working on the computer, especially Math Carnival and our newest addition, starfall.com. All the boys love the website as it makes silly sounds, helps them hear the differences in all the sounds, and tells them a whole slew of words that begin with those sounds.
All in all, the boys really are putting forth amazing efforts. We started in our telling time zone (so don't be shocked if they are able to start identifying these things) For kindergarten, they need to know to the hour (all the o'clocks) and for first grade, they need to know to the half hour. The SOL reads that it can be analog OR digital clocks. I recommend analog (it's what we use at school) but some are still at the digital phase and that is okay!
Interims are coming home soon. Again, if there are any questions, feel free to email me, call me, or ask to set up a conference. I'm available most days from 11-11:45 (there are two days because of the specials rotation that this is not an option and it changes as we are on a 6 day cycle), and after school. I can do before school but would prefer to leave this as a last resort.
Hope things are going well on the homefronts!
Enjoy!
So, I'll give you a brief update on each child:
In no particular order:
Luis is doing well. We are working on increasing sensory input for him to help him be able to focus more (and better) as that is his main difficulty. He reads up a storm and can't get enough visual stimuli into him! He also still loves the listening center with Danny the Dinosaur being his favorite.
David is fantastic. He's counting by 2's, 5's, 10's and can't seem to get enough! He is doing really well with going to specials alone and knows that he has to listen and follow directions. He loves art the most with Mrs. Brannon.
Grant is amazing. He's writing sentences everytime I turn around. That is actually his choice center and he thoroughly enjoys writing in all mediums (markers, chalk, magnetic letters, etc). We are still working on remembering to cap our markers when we are done with them. He's also been engaging kids more to come and play with him.
Darius is spectacular. He's been doing great things including working for longer than the timer is set for and reading like it's his job! His hard work has been paying off in first grade and he was indeed the PE Star of the Week! He was so excited to hear his named announced on the loud speaker and wore his new bracelet with pride! Congratulations Darius!
Patrick's hard work has paid off as he has almost mastered off all his letter sounds in no time at all! He is grasping his letter sounds and using and applying them to reading sight words and sounding them out. He loves working on the computer, especially Math Carnival and our newest addition, starfall.com. All the boys love the website as it makes silly sounds, helps them hear the differences in all the sounds, and tells them a whole slew of words that begin with those sounds.
All in all, the boys really are putting forth amazing efforts. We started in our telling time zone (so don't be shocked if they are able to start identifying these things) For kindergarten, they need to know to the hour (all the o'clocks) and for first grade, they need to know to the half hour. The SOL reads that it can be analog OR digital clocks. I recommend analog (it's what we use at school) but some are still at the digital phase and that is okay!
Interims are coming home soon. Again, if there are any questions, feel free to email me, call me, or ask to set up a conference. I'm available most days from 11-11:45 (there are two days because of the specials rotation that this is not an option and it changes as we are on a 6 day cycle), and after school. I can do before school but would prefer to leave this as a last resort.
Hope things are going well on the homefronts!
Enjoy!
Monday, February 18, 2008
Freecyclers!!!
If everyone could keep their eyes/ears out for kid kitchen equipment (play food, etc) or things for make believe play (dress up clothes, etc) the kindergarten team would appreciate it as they are trying to build a place for all these skills and need equipment.
Also, if anyone knows anyone getting rid of play kitchens, we'd appreciate those as well.
Hope you all enjoyed your long weekend!
Also, if anyone knows anyone getting rid of play kitchens, we'd appreciate those as well.
Hope you all enjoyed your long weekend!
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
A big announcement at the end
1. I sent home the valentine for you to make for your child. Feel free to be as creative as you want to be. After all, if you keep it (since it's going home with your child) then you're going to be looking at it!
2. Valentine's day party on Thursday. We're thinking ice cream and toppings. Anyone want to volunteer anything? Anyone have a better idea? There will be charlie brown's valentine.
3. I'm aiming to have a parent meeting in march. I'm trying at least. We'll see as it gets closer.
4. Starfall.com is a website that we've been using in class for computer time. It's fairly neat as it has options for the boys to be read to or to read themselves and starts at a sounds of letters and works all the way up to stories. In addition, it has all our celebrations!
5. Almost all my friends reached the end of characterland and are starting over again! That means that we've had great behavior, listening, and doing our work! WOOHOO! If your child went to the prize box, that means that they completed character land and are working on another go at it! As they complete it more and more, the prizes are going to get better and better!
6. Don't forget, no school for children on Monday! School for adults, but no children. If you're interested in coming in for a conference, I might be able to arrange for one, but I need to wait to see what they have us scheduled for so it wouldn't be able to be scheduled until probably this weekend and maybe even a touch and go on Monday (sorry, I'm a slave to an agenda that doesn't come quickly).
7.Our big announcement.....
Ready?
Set?
Go!
Our boys are now ALL going to their enrichment cycles....
ALONE!!!!!!!!!
That's right! Mrs. Robertson and I aren't going to enrichments.* The boys are doing an amazing job! They are listening, working, and really trying. Some enrichments are going better than others but the fact is...they are doing it! YAY!!!!!!!! (*we still attend some from time to time depending on the activity but that is more so for an extra set of hands for everyone, not just our boys. In addition, we attend if there has been a problem the class before it (example if they had a problem last PE class, we attend the next one) just to make sure that everything is okay.
YAY!
Enjoy :-)
2. Valentine's day party on Thursday. We're thinking ice cream and toppings. Anyone want to volunteer anything? Anyone have a better idea? There will be charlie brown's valentine.
3. I'm aiming to have a parent meeting in march. I'm trying at least. We'll see as it gets closer.
4. Starfall.com is a website that we've been using in class for computer time. It's fairly neat as it has options for the boys to be read to or to read themselves and starts at a sounds of letters and works all the way up to stories. In addition, it has all our celebrations!
5. Almost all my friends reached the end of characterland and are starting over again! That means that we've had great behavior, listening, and doing our work! WOOHOO! If your child went to the prize box, that means that they completed character land and are working on another go at it! As they complete it more and more, the prizes are going to get better and better!
6. Don't forget, no school for children on Monday! School for adults, but no children. If you're interested in coming in for a conference, I might be able to arrange for one, but I need to wait to see what they have us scheduled for so it wouldn't be able to be scheduled until probably this weekend and maybe even a touch and go on Monday (sorry, I'm a slave to an agenda that doesn't come quickly).
7.Our big announcement.....
Ready?
Set?
Go!
Our boys are now ALL going to their enrichment cycles....
ALONE!!!!!!!!!
That's right! Mrs. Robertson and I aren't going to enrichments.* The boys are doing an amazing job! They are listening, working, and really trying. Some enrichments are going better than others but the fact is...they are doing it! YAY!!!!!!!! (*we still attend some from time to time depending on the activity but that is more so for an extra set of hands for everyone, not just our boys. In addition, we attend if there has been a problem the class before it (example if they had a problem last PE class, we attend the next one) just to make sure that everything is okay.
YAY!
Enjoy :-)
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Fitting....the 100th post on the 100th day (almost)
I went to a conference on Friday and I have to say, well worth the money.
I learned a lot of new things and plan to incorporate a lot of them for our boys.
The one thing that really stood out for me were "power cards".
Basically for younger kids it's a 3x5 index card. On one side, you put a prized character on it (example Thomas the Tank).
On the other side you basically have a mini social story.
Example:
Thomas the Tank is a hard worker. He loves to get all of his work done and be a very useful engine. Sometimes, Thomas makes mistakes. He doesn't mean to and he always fixes them without getting upset.
I'm going to be just like Thomas the Tank. I'm going to do all my work and if I make a mistake, I will just erase it and fix it and move on. It's okay to make mistakes because that is how Thomas and I both learn.
There should never be more than two power cards going on at a time and they should focus on things that you really want them to learn/master.
Anyway, I should go. We moved, I'm tired, and I still have more unpacking to do!
I learned a lot of new things and plan to incorporate a lot of them for our boys.
The one thing that really stood out for me were "power cards".
Basically for younger kids it's a 3x5 index card. On one side, you put a prized character on it (example Thomas the Tank).
On the other side you basically have a mini social story.
Example:
Thomas the Tank is a hard worker. He loves to get all of his work done and be a very useful engine. Sometimes, Thomas makes mistakes. He doesn't mean to and he always fixes them without getting upset.
I'm going to be just like Thomas the Tank. I'm going to do all my work and if I make a mistake, I will just erase it and fix it and move on. It's okay to make mistakes because that is how Thomas and I both learn.
There should never be more than two power cards going on at a time and they should focus on things that you really want them to learn/master.
Anyway, I should go. We moved, I'm tired, and I still have more unpacking to do!
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Update on donate to 100
We are already half way to our goal! Impressive! Thanks for all your help so far and please keep sending things in!
I have to go back and pack.
We did indeed have a great day!
I have to go back and pack.
We did indeed have a great day!
Monday, February 4, 2008
Things, Things, and more...Things!
1. Class picture day is Monday, February 11th (aka 100th day of school). Just an FYI and flyers went home if you were interested in purchasing. Please please please please please please please please please send your child to school that day. Our photos are in the morning. (10ish).
2. The 100th day is coming! Monday! WOOHOO! On that note, we've decided to do "donate to 100" and we're hoping that you'll help. Do you have clothes that no longer fit you, your spouse or your children? Do you have toys/videos/games/books that have outlived their lives in your house but still have value? Well, as a class (that's right of only 5!) we want to have a drive that we can help out other families with. We want to have 100 things to donate to goodwill (or a different charity if you know of one). So please consider helping out and talking it up with your kids (maybe they'll pick out a toy that they can give to someone who may have none).
3. We met today with Officer Pavalok about the importance of stranger danger, 911, and wearing a helmet when we ride a bicycle. Please go over these topics at home and stress the importance of knowing who is a stranger and who is someone we can ask for help from.
4. I'll be sending home a valentine (hopefully tomorrow) that is for parents! It asks you to write why they are special and to decorate it and send it back to school by the 14th. I'm hoping that you'll all participate. We will be having a party (ice cream with toppings) on the 14th. If you'd like to volunteer to bring something in, that'd be great! We'll also be watching Charlie Brown Valentine or something along those lines.
5. I'll be out on Friday at a conference and I'm moving this weekend so I'm not really available for communication (in fact, I don't know when I'll have my home line back). If you need something, email me and I'll do the best that I can to get back to you asap. I'll also be sharing out information from the conference to help all of us help our kids!
6. If you haven't sent back your report card folders, please do so. I really don't want to have to waste another one if I don't have to. If you have any questions, comments, complaints, confusions, or even compliments, please let me know. I'm available most days before and after school and can arrange from 11-11:45 some days as well if that works better.
Enjoy!
2. The 100th day is coming! Monday! WOOHOO! On that note, we've decided to do "donate to 100" and we're hoping that you'll help. Do you have clothes that no longer fit you, your spouse or your children? Do you have toys/videos/games/books that have outlived their lives in your house but still have value? Well, as a class (that's right of only 5!) we want to have a drive that we can help out other families with. We want to have 100 things to donate to goodwill (or a different charity if you know of one). So please consider helping out and talking it up with your kids (maybe they'll pick out a toy that they can give to someone who may have none).
3. We met today with Officer Pavalok about the importance of stranger danger, 911, and wearing a helmet when we ride a bicycle. Please go over these topics at home and stress the importance of knowing who is a stranger and who is someone we can ask for help from.
4. I'll be sending home a valentine (hopefully tomorrow) that is for parents! It asks you to write why they are special and to decorate it and send it back to school by the 14th. I'm hoping that you'll all participate. We will be having a party (ice cream with toppings) on the 14th. If you'd like to volunteer to bring something in, that'd be great! We'll also be watching Charlie Brown Valentine or something along those lines.
5. I'll be out on Friday at a conference and I'm moving this weekend so I'm not really available for communication (in fact, I don't know when I'll have my home line back). If you need something, email me and I'll do the best that I can to get back to you asap. I'll also be sharing out information from the conference to help all of us help our kids!
6. If you haven't sent back your report card folders, please do so. I really don't want to have to waste another one if I don't have to. If you have any questions, comments, complaints, confusions, or even compliments, please let me know. I'm available most days before and after school and can arrange from 11-11:45 some days as well if that works better.
Enjoy!
Friday, February 1, 2008
We've gone back to using character land as behavior mod. I must say, today, it worked really well. Who knows about monday.
We're working on ordinal numbers (first, second, third, fourth....).
6 more days until the 100th! We have a full on countdown in chains for that and valentine's day.
We talked more about the groundhog and seeing his shadow, but I think that they were more interested in the popcorn that they were eating.
Alright, I should go and pack.
Also, if anyone would like to conference about the report cards, feel free to email or call to set up a time (before or after school or between 11-11:45am depending on the day). Please remember that I need those orange folders back but everything in them are yours to keep.
Enjoy your weekend!
We're working on ordinal numbers (first, second, third, fourth....).
6 more days until the 100th! We have a full on countdown in chains for that and valentine's day.
We talked more about the groundhog and seeing his shadow, but I think that they were more interested in the popcorn that they were eating.
Alright, I should go and pack.
Also, if anyone would like to conference about the report cards, feel free to email or call to set up a time (before or after school or between 11-11:45am depending on the day). Please remember that I need those orange folders back but everything in them are yours to keep.
Enjoy your weekend!
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