Archived Newsletters for 2012-2013 s1

Ms. Mary’s Messages— Cumulative Newsletters for 2012-2013 Dear Parents,

I imagine most of you are wishing you could be a fly on the wall so you could truly know how your youngster is getting along at school. I just want to say that these two days have been awesome! Mr. Stout and I are so happy to have your child in class and everyone is doing an awesome job! My website will be up by Sunday night, unless there are technical difficulties. We will begin Tiger Books Monday (we still need three black display-pocket ring binders). I am expecting this to be an awesome year!!!

Ms. Mary and Mr Stout

Ms. Mary’s Message Ms. Mary’s Message

This week we are learning the letter and sound of Ss, the shape of a circle, the color red, and the number one. We are making a sunflower craft and testing your child’s “orientation to print” (Can your child recognize letters and words? Does he/she know in what direction to read? Does he/she know how to find the beginning of a book?) We are learning the rules of the hallway, lunchroom, bus room, playground, restroom and classroom and how to use materials correctly. We are learning to know and love our brains! Ms. Mary’s Message—Extra! Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Dear Families,

You’ve been doing a super job sending snack with your child—most folks are remembering to send a snack and not a dinner!

We need to remind you that, because of new nutritional regulations, you should NOT send carbonated beverages (pop) with your child. Everyone has been doing a super job of that, as well.

It seems funny to adults, but it is confusing to a kindergartener what is snack and what is lunch that they bring from home. A great morning conversation to have with your youngster would be to double-check to see if your child understands what he/she is bringing to school—lunch plus snack or snack only.

Thanks bunches!

Ms. Mary and Mr. Stout Week of August 20, 2012 Ms.Ms. Mary’sMary’s MessageMessage

Academics this week:

Monday is review of Ss, circles and the color red.

Tuesday we begin the letter Mm. (sound, shape and forming Mm). The penmanship rhyme for capital M is:

Make a line going down. Then two lines meet. One more, you’re done. It’s very neat.

The penmanship rhyme for lower-case m is: Little m is short. Start in the middle. Make two little hills. It’s not a riddle.

Sight words this week include I and see. Our new color this week is blue, our new shape is a square.

Math will be numbers 3 and 4 and daily calendar. UPCOMING EVENTS:

KDPP (Kentucky Department of Pupil Personnel) has chosen to designate Tuesday, September 18 as ‘2012 High Attendance Day’ in Kentucky schools. Regular attendance is essential for success in school. For students to learn and achieve at a high level, they have to be in class. A student with irregular attendance is more likely to fall behind with the daily lessons and assignments, and less likely to meet academic performance benchmarks on time. Research reflects that a child's attendance record is one of the strongest single predictors of their academic success.

All schools in Kentucky are competing for $500 in prize money that goes to the schools with the highest attendance in each category. Argillite is competing in the large elementary category – elementary schools larger than 250 students—six division prizes of $500 each will be awarded. In addition our overall funding for next year is decided by attendance during that week.

Help us to win and receive maximum funding by making sure your child is here at school every day and especially on High Attendance Day!

 On Monday we will review red, circles, blue, squares, and the sound, shape and how to make Ss and Mm.

 Reggie Rooster is our new AlphaFriend this week. Reggie will help us learn the sound, the shape and how to make Rr. Our new color is yellow; our new shape is the triangle.

 In Math we continue with Chapter 1—Count and represent numbers through 5. Kindergarten counting includes the idea that one number name goes with one object (one-to-one correspondence—you can’t count the same thing twice!), the last number name that you say is the total that you count (“One-two-three-four-five,” means you counted five things.).

 Picture day will be Wednesday, August 29th.

 The first dance of the year will be Friday, September 1st. This dance is also our very first kindergarten fund-raising event! Dances usually are $2.00 per student and include popcorn and a drink. Kindergarten parents are also asked to supply drinks but we are not allowed to serve pop (carbonated beverages) of any kind. Something like gallons of lemonade, fruit punch or HiC are the best bet. Packages of Li’l Hugs, CapriSun or Bug Juice might also work. We need volunteers to pop popcorn, and carry drinks to the rooms.

It’s also good to have adult watchful eyes present—you must have a criminal records check and volunteer training to be able to help watch children that are not your own. You can contact our Family Resource Center for more information on criminal records checks and volunteer training.

Usually, K-2 (Primary) dance times begin at 12:30 PM and end at 1:30 PM. 3rd-5th dance times (Intermediate) begin at 1:30 PM and end at 2:30 PM. After the dance, Primary usually spends some time outside on the playground and we finish up the day with a movie in the classroom. This is an exciting event for the children. Some come in jeans or shorts and some come in party dresses—you be the judge!

 Cub Scouting Sign-up Night is Tuesday, August 28th in the Argillite Elementary School Cafeteria at 6:00 PM. Cost is $22.00 through 12/31/2012 (assistance available).

 No school on Labor Day—September 3rd. We wish you a fantastic family holiday!

 All students will be writing Grandparent cards and letters during library class times August 27th -August 31st. If you have not filled out the red paper handout and sent it in, please do that now.

 September 4th-7th will be a coin drive to generate money so that ALL students can buy a book at the Fall Book Fair 9/10 through 9/14. Please send in any extra pennies you have on Tuesday, September 4th. Wednesday 5th is for nickels. Thursday 6th is for dimes. Friday, 7th, is for quarters. The classroom that raises the most cash gets $40 to spend at the Book Fair!

 Fall Book Fair will be September 10-14 in the Argillite Media Center (library). Family Night will be September 13th from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

 September 11th from 7:15 AM until everyone is served will be Grandparents Breakfast with Primary students (K-2). The cafeteria charges a modest fee for adult breakfasts. Children pay for breakfast in the usual way for your child.

 September 12h from 7:15 AM until everyone is served will be Grandparents Breakfast with Intermediate students (3- 5). The cafeteria charges a modest fee for adult breakfasts. Children pay for breakfast in the usual way for your child.

 September 14th is Ag Day at Argillite. This is BIG event! (We’re going to be on TV!) More on this later.

 First Mid-Term Progress Reports to parents go home on Monday, September 17th. First Report Cards go home Friday, October 19th.  Tuesday, September 18 is ‘2012 High Attendance Day’ in Kentucky schools. Regular attendance is essential for success in school. All schools in Kentucky are competing for $500 in prize money that goes to the schools with the highest attendance in each category. In addition our overall funding for next year is decided by attendance during that week. Help us to win and to receive maximum funding by making sure your child is here at school every day and especially on High Attendance Day!

This section of my newsletter comes from the old saying, “I wish I could be a fly on the wall and see that happen! Sometimes I will put funny stories of things that happened at school in this section. Sometimes I will explain vocabulary we use at school—I know you have to be creative sometimes and ask your question another way to understand what your youngster is telling you!

Amygdala (uh-MIG-duh-luh)—the part of your brain that deals with stress—fear, danger, threats. Nicknamed “the security guard” our amygdala causes us to fight, flee, or freeze and can prevent learning from going on to the conscious, thinking, reasoning brain.

Hippocampus—the part of your brain that holds our memories, nicknamed “the memory saver.”

Pre-frontal cortex—The part of your brain that acts like a “wise leader” and helps you to comprehend, understand, and problem- solve. Week of September 4th-September 7th

This week we will review letters Ss, Mm, and Rr. By now, your child should be learning to make these letters and know the sound the letter makes. We are also reviewing/continuing numbers 0-5. By now, your child should be able to make 0, 1, and 2. Most students can also make a 3, 4, and 5.

 September 4th-7th will be a coin drive to generate money so that ALL students can buy a book at the Fall Book Fair 9/10 through 9/14. Please send in any extra pennies you have on Tuesday, September 4th. Wednesday 5th is for nickels. Thursday 6th is for dimes. Friday, 7th, is for quarters. The classroom that raises the most cash gets $40 to spend at the Book Fair!

 Fall Book Fair will be September 10-14 in the Argillite Media Center (library). Family Night will be September 13th from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.  September 11th from 7:15 AM until everyone is served will be Grandparents Breakfast with Primary students (K-2). The cafeteria charges a modest fee for adult breakfasts. Children pay for breakfast in the usual way for your child.

 September 12h from 7:15 AM until everyone is served will be Grandparents Breakfast with Intermediate students (3- 5). The cafeteria charges a modest fee for adult breakfasts. Children pay for breakfast in the usual way for your child.

 September 14th is Ag Day at Argillite. This is BIG event! (We’re going to be on TV!) More on this later.

 First Mid-Term Progress Reports to parents go home on Monday, September 17th. First Report Cards go home Friday, October 19th.

 Tuesday, September 18 is ‘2012 High Attendance Day’ in Kentucky schools. Regular attendance is essential for success in school. All schools in Kentucky are competing for $500 in prize money that goes to the schools with the highest attendance in each category. In addition our overall funding for next year is decided by attendance during that week. Help us to win and to receive maximum funding by making sure your child is here at school every day and especially on High Attendance Day!

 Students might need to wear a light-weight jacket in the classroom if they are dressed for the hot weather outside. Grandparents Grandparents bestow upon their grandchildren The strength and wisdom that time And experience have given them.

Grandchildren bless their Grandparents With a youthful vitality and innocence That help them stay young at heart forever.

Together they create a chain of love Linking the past with the future. The chain may lengthen, But it will never part.... - Unknown Author

We are in the third week of our “We’re a Family” Reading Unit. Learning Targets for this unit are:  Blending and segmenting the beginning and ending of words (onset and rime).  Sounds for T, t; B, b; and N, n.  New words: my and like (old words I and see).  Comprehending stories through understanding characters, settings; drawing conclusions.

We are beginning to explore comparing numbers 0 through 5. Children will learn these math vocabulary words: Compare—to describe whether amounts or sizes are the same as, less than, or greater than each other. Greater—larger in size, quantity, or amount Less—having a value that is not as great as another value (less is usually more difficult for children to understand than more). Same number—alike in size, quantity or amount  Pink-Out Day will be October 12th  First Report Cards go home Friday, October 19th.

The following students can recognize ALL letters of the alphabet by sight when shown the letters out of order: Zoey, Blake, Abby, Maddison, Ally, Gavin G., and Lorelai. Congratulations!!

This section of my newsletter comes from the old saying, “I wish I could be a fly on the wall and see that happen! Sometimes I will put funny stories of things that happened at school in this section. Sometimes I will explain vocabulary we use at school—I know you have to be creative sometimes and ask your question another way to understand what your youngster is telling you!

Ag Day was a great success at Argillite! The kids really enjoyed checking out our greenhouse, talking about where food comes from, milking a life-sized plastic cow, and learning about animal bite safety as well as holding a beaver pelt, shelling corn with an old-fashioned corn sheller, and running through a hay bale maze. Most student’s favorite activity was the tractor ride or the hay bale maze. Thanks to all who participated! Ms. Mary’s Message Week of October 1, 3012

New Reading Unit—Friends Together.

Letter Hh—sound, shape and how to make Hh.

AlphaFriend is Hattie Horse (She’s hungry for her hay, of course!)

Short a words.

Word Wall Words: I, see, like, my, to

Position words (on, under, beside, next to, etc.)

Comparing sets of numbers 0 through 5: same, greater than, less than, more, fewer.

Science/Social Studies: Needs of living things (plants, animals).

No school Friday—

Happy Fall Break! Ms. Mary’s Message Week of October 15-19

ACADEMICS Language: New AlphaFriend Callie Cat sings to the tune of Yankee Doodle: Callie Cat’s Song Callie Cat can bake a cake and cover it with candy. Callie Cat can bake some cornbread. Callie is so handy. Callie bakes some cupcakes, too. Her cupcakes are so cakey. Callie bakes some cookies, too. Her cookies are so flakey. We’re learning the letter Cc (sound of /k/). We’re blending sounds to read words—focus is short a CVC words*. Math: We are representing the idea of 6, 7, 8, and 9 with objects, numbers and words. Social Studies: Rules of the classroom and school; study habits that help us learn. EVENTS Report cards come home Friday. Attendance/academic awards are usually given Thursday or Friday morning after report cards go home. All families are invited to attend the assembly. These are merit-based awards—not everyone will get an award. FLY ON THE WALL “CVC words” means consonant-vowel-consonant like map, run, bit. A BIG “THANK YOU!” TO ALL WHO ATTENDED OPEN HOUSE!!! Ms. Mary’s Message Week of October 22-26, 2012

WHAT WE’RE DOING Reading /Word Study / Writing / Language We begin a new unit of study, Let’s Count! We’ll be blending new sounds P, p; G, g; and F, f to make short a words. We’ll study describing words, number words, rhyming words and naming words. We’ll understand what we read by asking questions and summarizing. We’ll be writing in journals, using describing words, rhyming words and number words. Mathematics We continue to count, model, write, and take apart numbers through 10. Science / Social Studies / Practical Living How can we help our brain to learn? How can we follow rules? What does Halloween mean?

PARENT CONFERENCES Some parents have already scheduled conferences for Tuesday night, October 23rd. Other days/times are available. No conferences can be held Thursday, November 25th, due to bus duty and teacher training scheduled that evening. Let me know if you’d like a time to conference.

EVENTS  First Nine Weeks Academic/Attendance Awards Assembly for K-2 will be 8:45-9:45 (AM) on Friday, October 26th. These are earned honors—not everyone will get an award. This first nine weeks I will be giving a Best Girl Citizen, a Best Boy Citizen and a sprinkling of academic honors.  This Friday we will celebrate Halloween. When you decide what to allow your child to wear to school, please remember your child’s age and personality. Masks cannot be worn all day. Guns and swords cannot be brought to school. Our Halloween Costume Parade will take place in the bus circle in front of the school (weather permitting) at 10:00 AM (just after Academic/Attendance Awards for K-2).  There will be a dance this Friday—cost is $2.00 per child and usually includes popcorn and a drink.  Please send juice, chips, cookies or the like for a party snack on Friday. Please write me a note in the Tiger Book tomorrow to say what you will be sending.  Parents are asked to donate a bag of candy or Halloween-themed small toys or other treats as you might desire for treat bags. Please send a modest amount of treats in by Thursday this week.  The volunteer position of Homeroom Mom (or Dad) for your child’s classroom is available. Usually, this person fills treat bags on a holiday (with the treats donated by everyone), comes on a party day and helps serve food, get ice, clean up etc. Often, this same volunteer runs copies or helps the classroom in other ways. Sometimes, more than one person volunteers per classroom. If you have an interest in doing this, let me know.

Argillite Elementary will have an opportunity to show their commitment to live a drug-free lifestyle by participating in the following activities next week.

Monday – “Be All YOU Can Be…Be Drug Free” – camouflage day Tuesday – “I’m a Jean-ious…I’m Drug Free” – blue jean day Wednesday – “Stay in the Game…Be Drug Free” – favorite team or Argillite shirt Thursday – “Follow Your Dreams…Don’t Do Drugs” – pajama day Friday – “Hocus Pocus Drugs Aren’t My Focus” - wear your Halloween costume

“It’s Up to Me to Be Drug Free!”

Ms. Mary’s Message Week of October 29-November 2, 2012

WHAT WE’RE DOING

Reading /Word Study / Writing / Language We continue Let’s Count! We’ll be blending new sounds G, g to make short a words. We’ll study describing words, color words, number words, rhyming words and naming words. We’ll understand what we read by asking questions and summarizing. We’ll be writing in journals, using describing words, rhyming words and number words.

Mathematics We continue to count, model, write, and take apart numbers through 10. We begin addition.

Science / Social Studies / Practical Living How can we help our brain to learn? How can we follow rules? What does Halloween mean? Ms. Mary’s Message Week of November 5—November 9, 2012

WHAT WE’RE DOING

Reading /Word Study / Writing / Language Current reading unit Let’s Count! New sound Ff. Writing: counting books.

Mathematics Count, model, write, and take apart numbers through 10. Add one-digit numbers within 10.

Science / Social Studies / Practical Living Changing weather. Strategies to focus brain on learning.

EVENTS Play practice for November 19 Thanksgiving program. Ms. Mary’s Message Thanksgiving Week

Academics—mostly Thanksgiving activities, some phonics (L, l and review), adding numbers within ten.

This Week—Dance tomorrow, November 20th. $2.00 admission requested—fundraiser for Argillite class.

Wishes—We wish each and every family a blessed holiday with lots of family time. We will miss the kids!

Upcoming—

We have scheduled a field trip for December 14—Highlands Museum—expect a cost for admission. More on this next week.

MidTerms Tuesday next week.

We are low on classroom supplies—paper towels, baby wipes, crayons (small sized—8, 16, or 24 count), “good” pencils (Ticonderoga Black Warrior or other pencil that doesn’t sharpen up only on one side). We have some tissues and hand sanitizer left and a great supply of gallon-sized ziplock bags. Donations appreciated. Please make sure to send one box of crayons for your child in January, unless you sent four at the beginning of the year. Ms. Mary’s Message Week of November 26, 2012

ACADEMICS, LANGUAGE: Letters K, k and I, i—sound, shape, how to make. Short i words. Weather action words. Story summary and plot. Quotation marks.

ACADEMICS, MATH Missing Addend, Order Property of Addition —within 5 and within 10. Count to 100 by ones and tens.

ACADEMICS, SCIENCE AND SOCIAL STUDIES Weather whys. Holidays

EVENTS: MidTerm Reports Tomorrow. Field Trip December 14. Last Day Before Christmas December 21st. Christmas Show Planned Fundraiser Basket for December (see back)

Ms. Mary’s Message Week of December 3, 2012

This week we’ll be learning the sound of Qq, how to form the letter. We are working on spacing in penmanship.

We continue to focus on weather words and writing about ourselves.

In math we are adding one-digit numbers within ten. We are focusing on story problems—what do the numbers mean?

Keep practicing for the Christmas play, please. The performance for parents will be on the 14th at 8:30AM. Children are asked to wear Christmas pajamas for the program on that day and again on December 21st for the student program.

Today we will draw names for our Christmas party on the 21st. I think it’s still possible to buy a nice gift for $5.00. Please do not spend more than $10.00 on a gift. Please let me know if you will not be buying a gift so that no child is left without a present to open at the party.

Our field trip has been re-scheduled for Monday, December 10th. Please send $5.00 to cover the cost of admission. UPDATES:

The Christmas Program for parents will be on December 14th at 8:30. Kindergarteners should dress in pajamas on that day. On December 21st we’ll do the same program for Argillite students. Kindergarteners should dress in PJs that day also.

We are collecting $5.00 for the Highlands Museum/ McDonald’s field trip on the 10th. That’s $3.50 for admission and $1.50 for a McDonald’s shake. Students will be bringing their lunches on that day. We’ll be eating at the Highlands Museum. Please let me know tomorrow if you will be having the lunchroom pack your child’s lunch or if you will be sending a lunch with your child. (Lunches packed by the lunchroom are your usual cost.)

We drew names today. Your child drew ______. Please send a gift for that child on or before December 19th. Gifts should be cost between $5.00 and $10.00. Please let me know right away if you will not be buying a gift so that no child will be without a gift to open on the 21ST. Ms. Mary’s Message:

This week we will review skills from the beginning of the year in ELA and do Christmas activities. (Ss, Mm, Tt)

Family AR night is Thursday, December 13th . Please come!

We are low on classroom supplies—paper towels, baby wipes, crayons (small sized—8, 16, or 24 count), “good” pencils (Ticonderoga Black Warrior or other pencil that doesn’t sharpen up only on one side). We have some tissues and hand sanitizer left and a great supply of gallon-sized ziplock bags. Donations appreciated. Please make sure to send one box of crayons for your child in January, unless you sent four at the beginning of the year. Ms. Mary’s Message December 17, 2012

Language Arts: This week we review Rr, Tt, Bb, Nn, and Hh—sound, shape and how to make.

Math: We are working on decomposing numbers under ten (Fly on the Wall: This used to be widely known as “addition” and “ways to make” as in ways to make 5 are 1+4, 4+1, 2+3, 3+2, 5+0 and 0+5).

Science/Social Studies: Using our senses to learn about our world. Christmas and winter.

Events: Please send a gift for the child your student drew by Wednesday, December 19th. We will present the school version of our Christmas plays for students on Friday. Kindergarten will also view other class programs. Keep an eye for updates on events in Tiger Books this week. December 20, 2012

Dear Parents, We have a lot of great Christmas activities planned tomorrow! There’s lots going on with our program and parties.

All Christmas programs will be performed for Argillite students tomorrow. Kindergarten will perform early, so students should wear their pajamas if practical (according to the weather) or should wear clothes but bring p.j.s. Please bring a change of clothes to wear if you are able to come in pajamas.

Parties will be around 2:15—2:30 tomorrow. School ends at normal time. Merry Christmas! Kindergarten Teachers For Ms. Mary’s Class:

We will be ordering pizzas tomorrow—thanks for the contribution! Mr. Stout or myself will go pick up pizza unless someone has time and would like to volunteer to go get pizzas (around 2:00—we’ll eat at 2:15 or at least by 2:30.) Ms. Mary’s Message It’s great to be back at school! I have thoroughly enjoyed the time off with my family, but I’m ready to be back!

This week in Language Arts we are exploring the shape, sound, and how to make Dd. We are also spending some time on short vowels. Formal spelling tests will begin next Friday, January 18th. First spelling words will go home Monday, January 14th.

In math we are reviewing addition. We will begin subtraction later on this week or beginning next week. Christmas parties Monday, January 7th.

January 14, 2013

ACADEMICS, LANGUAGE: Sound, shape and how to make Zz. Blend sounds to read words with short vowel sounds. Listen and re-tell a story. Begin work with word families. Write original stories, using a combination of drawing with details, and creative (phonetic) spelling. First spelling words: at, mat, bat, hat, cat. Bonus Words: one, two.

ACADEMICS, MATH: We are reviewing addition and beginning subtraction. Calendar Math includes counting, skip-counting, patterns, identifying coins, identifying shapes, math vocabulary.

EVENTS: Awards Assembly for Second Nine Weeks will be this Friday, January 18th at 7:45 AM for K-2nd. Please come!

Donations appreciated: We are low on classroom supplies—paper towels, baby wipes, and glue sticks, We have some tissues and hand sanitizer left and a great supply of gallon-sized Ziplock bags.

Please make sure to send one box of new crayons for your student (regular size, box of 24 would be best), unless you sent in four boxes at the beginning of the year. I recently bought a classroom pack of jumbo crayons and some extra reds and browns so there’s no rush to go to the store this evening. However, nothing inspires a kindergartener to do neat work better than a brand new box of sharp crayons! Paramount Arts Center Field Trip to see The Lorax planned January 30th. More on this next week. Ms. Mary’s Message Week of January 21-25

Language Academics:

Week Three Wheels Go Around: Practice questioning, predicting, summarizing, building sentences with high-frequency words. Review Zz, Dd, Kk and short i.

Spelling Words: kit, pit, it, pig, rig, fig, zigzag, is Bonus: two, three

Math Academics: We are learning subtraction!

Events:

Next Wednesday, January 30th we are planning to go to PAC (Paramount Arts Center) to see The Lorax by Dr. Suess. Ms. Mary’s Message Update—January 25, 2013

Spelling Tests: We began weekly spelling tests last week. From now on spelling words will be sent home to study each Monday, usually in the weekly newsletter. We will also do some spelling activities at school. Tests will be given each Friday on those words sent home. Our beginning spelling lists are made up of “word families”—words that have the same word endings, short vowel sounds and are usually about three letters long (i.e. cat, bat, rat or tan, can, Dan). Please help your child study each week It does matter that your student only capitalizes words that would be capitals (i.e names of people and places.). Right now, I’m not counting reversals (writing letters backwards) as incorrect. That’s just about the right level of challenge for many students. A few students need a greater challenge. For those students there will be an extra test on Fridays, a test that focuses on guessing how to spell words. Both tests will be graded, recorded, and sent home. Many of the words on the not-studied spelling list will be in the same word family as the regular test words. This week’s spelling words are: bag, tag, rag, wag, flag, and zigzag. Bonus words are: one, two, three, and Lorax. Ms. Mary’s Message January 28-February 1 We will be field-tripping Wednesday to Ashland to see The Lorax by Dr. Seuss. There is no cost to those of you who sold tickets for the basket in December. If your family did not participate, please send $5.00 to cover the costs. Thanks! We’ll be eating lunch at school (late). Parents who want to go should plan to follow the bus in their cars and pay admission at the door. We leave at 8:30. ACADEMICS Language, science, and social studies will center on Lorax activities. In math, we are subtracting. Ms. Mary’s Message

Week of February 4th-February 8th

ACADEMICS Language: Our first day back we’ll try to tie together what we did last week, have a spelling test, and begin a new unit on friendship.  Review f, h, k, n, s, t and focus on short o and short i sounds.  Spelling words this week are fix, fox, box, not, hot, hit, six  Bonus Words: three, four, five  Read books about friendship and write about friends  New AlphaFriend this week is Ozzie Octopus (short o)  Naming words; rhyming words; comparisons

Mathematics: We are learning subtraction.  Writing subtraction sentences from word problems  Finding out the number we started with if we know what’s left and what was taken away  Calendar Math--numbers greater than 10

EVENTS  Wednesday is Digital Learning Day—we’ll try to use our I-Pad on the SmartBoard. Hope it works!  No more toys in the classroom begins today. For more information see Fly on the Wall below.  Friday, February 15th—Valentine’s Dance—Popcorn and drink included in the admission price of $2.00.  Family Art Project Schoolwide—Create a Valentine’s Day Box. Bring to school by Wednesday, February 13th. They will be judged on Thursday, February 14th.  AR Family Night will be this Thursday, February 7th. Please come! Supper served. Media Center activities/Take AR Tests.  Pennies for Patients. Each February Argillite Elementary participates in collecting Pennies for Patients. Our original date to begin this effort this year was February 11th, as announced in our school newsletter. That date had to be changed. Starting today, February 4th, and continuing through February 22nd, we will be collecting Pennies for Patients. Children will bring home boxes today and coins returned tomorrow will go into our classroom collections box. Every Friday change in the classroom collection boxes will be counted. The classroom that collects the most money wins a pizza party from Papa Johns!  Spelling Words (see above) are for the test this Friday—please study with your student each night this week.

 We will be exchanging Valentines on Thursday, February 14th. Please send in your Valentines by then. There will not be a party, except for exchanging cards and a special treat.

 Names of kids in our class: Ayden Bayless, Mya Tindall, Lorelai Burton, Emma Meredith, Gabe Greer, Gavin Griffith, Gavin Herrington, Adam Ison, Chelbree Hall, Blake Leibee, Trenton May, Lilyanne Nichols, Selene Riddle, Ryan Triplett, Maddison Wheeler, Abby Workman.

Fly on the Wall A couple of weeks ago we tried an experiment in our classroom— kids could bring a “listening toy” to help them to concentrate. I found that I spent more time talking about toys than teaching and a couple of the toys wound up in other kids’ backpacks. I think it’s safe to say that our experiment has failed!

Lest you think I’ve completely lost my mind let me explain that over the past 27 years I have been in many, many teacher trainings that tout the benefits for some kids to hold a “listening” object to help them to concentrate. Last year teachers were advised to buy chenille strips for such a purpose and our expert assured us that although everyone would want one at first, soon only those kids who needed the device would request it. I tried that as well, but the fuzz kept coming off the strips, leaving the naked wire exposed so I had to end that experiment as well before testing the theory that only those who need it will eventually request it.

Our new rule is, “No toys at all in the classroom, except for show ’n tell on Fridays only.” If your child brings a toy in the backpack to play with at recess time, please know that the toy might get lost, broken, or even stolen. If your child breaks the rule and gets the toy out during class time, I will take it. If your child takes the toy out for recess I am not responsible for it. Ms. Mary’s Message Week of February 11-15, 2013

EVENTS TO REMEMBER: Valentine Boxes due Wednesday. Valentine’s passed out Thursday afternoon (no party). Dance Friday afternoon ($2.00—inc. popcorn and drink) Pennies for Patients continues.

ACADEMICS:  Continue Friendship Unit (Language/Social Studies).  Learn about Chinese New Year (Year of the Snake).  Celebrate the sound, shape, and how to make Ww.  Read books about friendship and draw / write about friends.  Comparisons—big, small, heavy, light, etc.  Make some homemade Valentines (Art/Social Studies).  Writing subtraction sentences from word problems.  Related addition/subtraction facts.  Calendar Math--numbers greater than 10.  Show ‘n Tell this Friday—items that begin with Ww.  See next page for names and spelling words. Names of kids in This week’s spelling our class: words: Ayden Bayless Mya Tindall cow Lorelai Burton wow Emma Meredith Gabe Greer how Gavin Griffith now Gavin Herrington Adam Ison low Chelbree Hall Blake Leibee mow Trenton May row Lilyanne Nichols Selene Riddle tow Ryan Triplett Bonus Words: Maddison Wheeler bow-wow Abby Workman Valentine’s Day Ms. Mary’s Message Week of February 18 – 22

ACADEMICS, LANGUAGE ARTS: Sound, shape and how to make Yy: meet Yetta Yo-Yo New spelling words: -am family: yam, ham, Sam, am, jam, also yes, you. Bonus Words: yellow, yo-yo. Blending sounds to read words. Reading books at individual reading levels. Understanding through questioning, predicting/inferring. Writing about spring in journals; writing poems and articles.

ACADEMICS, MATH: In the past few weeks we have explored the idea of subtracting— taking apart a larger number and taking away a number from another. Some students have understood this idea, many are still struggling. This week we’ll explore subtracting on a number line and also the Touch Math method of subtracting. Next week we’ll move on to larger numbers (numbers bigger than 10). We will continue subtraction as part of our daily oral math (Calendar) and perhaps return to subtraction later in the year.

ACADEMICS, SCIENCE AND SOCIAL STUDIES: Finish up friendship unit; focus on spring and seasons.

EVENTS TO REMEMBER: Mid-Term Reports go home today.