Welcome, Welcome!!

 Hey all!  It's crazy to think we are already 2 and a half weeks into the school year!  Days are flying by!  I wanted to get a post up last week, but things just kept happening that prolonged this initial post.  Thanks for being patient!  My intent is to use this blog as a way to communicate with you weekly so you have a little glimpse into things happening here in the classroom.  I'm quickly learning that organization and materials coming and going are a tricky thing for these guys!  So... hopefully this helps to bridge the gap so we can conquer these items together!  Here's what's going on so far!

General Classroom Happenings:

We are slowly getting our routines figured out and understanding the lay of the building.  As we move forward, here are some talking points and ways you can help at home:

• Check your child's blue folder each night!  This is our communication tool for various pieces of homework, important notes, or just general assignments and graded work.  Checking this will allow you to see items being worked on, maybe items you can offer additional assistance with, as well as anything that may need to come back the next day.  The pockets are labeled "Return to School" and "Keep at Home."  We continue to tell the kids which side of the folder items should go on, but we sure could use your help with this organizational piece!
• Showing up with supplies!  Pencils, art bags, and blue folders seem to be the items that disappear the fastest!  Please help us by reminding your child about keeping track of their items and making sure everything is being put back in their backpacks each night.  Establishing a nightly routine that includes ensuring the backpack is ready to go is a great way to help them become more responsible for these items.
• Charging chromebooks!  This is another habit to develop with your child.  As technology is an ever present piece of society, these chromebooks are being used on a daily basis in the classroom.  While we do have some outlets to allow kids to charge in an emergency situation, we don't have the space for everyone to charge.  
• Goolge Classroom!  As we are still living in the age of Covid, Google Classroom is that link between home and school.  This also includes any single day your child may be absent.  If they are ever not present in class, they need to log on to Google Classroom to see and complete the assignments they missed in class that day.
• Agendas.  These are coming (soon, we hope!)  Keep an eye out for these.  This will be a tool that is used to mark homework and other daily reminders for the kids.

Language Happenings:

This month we are working hard to write our own personal narrative stories.  The students and I have been breaking apart the writing process, while also using this as an opportunity to study plot and the story arc.  A Plot Pre-Test came home with your child earlier this week that we took towards the beginning of the year.  We will test again on Plot as we near the end of the month.  Until then, we are continuing to write our narratives piece by piece.  So far we have mapped our general story idea, and tinkered with some fun beginnings (leads) and ends.  Ask your child what personal narrative they are working to tell!

Science Happenings:

We are taking the month to study different science tools we will be using this year, while sneaking in some learning and understanding of the scientifc process along the way!  Over the next few weeks we will be conducting lots of labs as we discover how to use these various tools.  At the end of the month the students will have a test over the tools and what they are used for.  Be on the look out for some flashcards to go home at the very end of the month to help prep for this yest.  We have also started each class by practicing some measuring.  Be sure to check PowerSchool to see how your child is doing with this skillset.  

I do have a few pictures to share from a fun teamwork activity we did at the beginning of the year, as well as our first lab we did using eyedroppers while we experimented with surface tension.  Our team building challenge required groups to manipulate strings that were tied to a rubber band to grab and make a pyramid of cups.  Each team member could only use one hand as all 4 worked together to make their tower.  Our eye dropper lab allowed the kids to see how many drops of water could fit on a penny before the surface tension busted.  Enjoy these pics!

Thanks for sticking with me!  I'm enjoying getting to know your child as we continue to learn and grow together this year.  As we continue moving forward, don't hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns!  Have a great weekend!

-Sarah