Week of December 16th

It's so hard to believe this is the last week of school before Christmas!  We are having fun with special dress days this week.  Please see the image below! 

Our schedule is fairly quiet this week.  On Thursday, we will have Semester Celebration.  On Friday, students will enjoy a White Lick Sing-a-long from 2:45-3:15. 

Here's what's happening in the 2/3 class this week:

Reading:  We will finish Where the Red Fern Grows on Friday.  As we finish the book, we are also reviewing many skills that we have learned over the first semester! 

Writing:  Students are busy wrapping up their how-to writing pieces and finishing up a special surprise!

Social Studies:  This is our last week for economics.  Today, we created Play-Doh hamburgers.  One group created hamburgers on their own and the other group got to be in an assembly line.  I'm sure you can guess that the students in the assembly line created more hamburgers, but we all had a lot of fun in the process!! We will learn about Supply and Demand, Market Price, and Cost and Profits this week.  Students will have an assessment on Friday.  A study guide of vocabulary will come home tomorrow in order to help your child prepare for the test.  Students can bring the vocabulary sheet back to school on Friday to use while taking the test.

Math 2:  Our topics for this week are:  angles & turns, triangles, quadrangles, and polygons.

Math 3:  Our topics for this week are:  expressing & interpreting remainders, rotations & angles, and using a full-circle protractor. 

Thank you to those parents that donated snacks.  We were able to fill up our snack shelf thanks to you!  We should be good until later in January!!  Have a great week!!

December News

Here is what we are doing the week of December 9th..............

Wednesday, December 11th:  Pajama Day!!  Students earned a pajama party for raising over $350 for Brownsburg families in need. Thank you for your help with this endeavor!!   Slippers can be worn in the classroom, however, they should not be worn on the bus or at recess.

Friday, December 13th:  Spirit and Snack Sale:  Students can purchase a snack for fifty cents and dress like their favorite holiday.

Reading:  We are now about halfway through Where the Red Fern Grows.  Our focus this week is on summarizing. 

Writing:  Students are hard at work on writing How-To papers!  Check and see what your child has chosen has his/her topic.  The convention focus of the week is possessive nouns.

Social Studies:  We have started an economics unit.  So far, students have learned about producers, consumers, goods, services, and scarcity using Play-Doh.  This week, students will be creating items for opportunity cost, trade, money, and specialization. 

Math 2:  Unit 5 is finished.  Students will do a Unit 5 Review tomorrow and take the test on Wednesday, December 11th.  Please watch for a study guide!  Decimal place value has been very tricky but we've spent several extra lessons on it, so hopefully, your child is feeling better about that!

Math 3:  Students started Unit 6 which is titled:  Division; Map Reference Frames; Measures of Angles.  The Unit 6 Answer Key was sent home last Friday. Please encourage your child to check his/her own work and make corrections as needed--many have been missing several problems on weekly homework packets.  I'm really proud of the 3rd graders for doing such a great job with their multiplication time tests! 

**We will not have a December Reading Log.  I know it's such a busy time for families--but please try to keep your child reading at least 15-20 minutes a night. 

**We are so grateful to those parents that have sent in snacks!  Believe it or not, we are almost out again.  The students always appreciate their snack break during our long afternoons.  Thank you!!

Have a great week,
Mrs. Mitchell

November Newsletter

Charlotte's Web Play and Much More!

Wow, next week is an extremely busy week!  Please be sure you read all of this post so you know what's going on!  Don't forget reading logs are due on Monday, September 30th! 

Next, let's cover costumes for our play next Friday, October 4th at 2:45 in the White Lick Cafeteria!!  Below is a list of costume ideas and items that I have accumulated over the years for each character.  The top line is the suggested item while the * means what I have or can provide for your precious little character!!  If you have something different or better that would work, I am fine with that.  Please just have all costumes here by Wednesday, October 2nd for our dress rehearsal on Thursday and again on Friday morning! 
 

Costumes for Charlotte’s Web Play

 Narrators and Announcers: Wear blue jeans and white shirt
                                                 *Can bring cowboy hats IF they have one
                                                 *Bandanas will be supplied
Fern:  Wear blue jeans and t-shirt for under plaid shirt or bring plaid shirt
          *Bandana and plaid shirt can/will be supplied
Old Sheep and Lamb: Wear white shirt and white pants (cream and/or black is fine if
                                        you don’t have white)
                                      *Lamb hood and nose will be supplied
 Wilbur: Wear pink/white shirt and jeans or light-colored pants
              *Pink pig hood and nose will be supplied
 Charlotte:  Wear black as much as possible
                    *spider hood will be supplied
Avery:  Wear blue jeans, red shirt, and ball cap (can wear overalls IF you have them)
Mrs. Arable:  Shirt and pants, skirt and top, or dress depending on what’s most
                        comfortable for character
                        *apron and straw hat will be supplied
 Mr. Arable:   Wear blue jeans and t-shirt to go under plaid shirt (or can bring plaid or
                        striped shirt if you have one)
                       *Plaid shirt and cowboy hat will be supplied
 Mr. Zuckerman:  Wear blue jeans and t-shirt (can bring plaid or striped shirt if you have
                              one)
                             *Plaid shirt and cowboy hat will be supplied
 Lurvy:  Wear blue jeans and t-shirt (can bring plaid or striped shirt if you have one)
              *Plaid shirt and straw hat will be supplied
 Templeton:  Wear gray or brown as much as possible
                     *Gray rat hoot, tail, and rat nose will be supplied
Baby Spider:  Wear black as much as possible
                       *Spider hat will be supplied
 Goose, Gander, and Gosling:  Wear white as much as possible
                                                    *White sweatshirts, pants and orange bills will be supplied

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On Tuesday, October 1st, we will be walking to Eagle Elementary to attend an Indianapolis Zoo distance learning activity about plants and animals from 1-2. 
 
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On Wednesday, October 2nd, we will have a  Kasey the Fire Dog presentation for White Lick to learn about fire safety.   This is a great time to discuss safety plans at your house!

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On Thursday, October 3rd, our 3rd graders will have their Language Arts acuity test from 2-3.  You can check your child's scores at the website listed on your child's password page or on the red card provided by Scott Smith at Open House.  Some students may have some assignments that he/she can work.  I will be going over this with my third graders on Monday.  Email me with any questions you might have!

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On Friday, October 4th, we will have a dress researsal in the morning and our play at 2:45.  We hope you can make it!

As you can see, it's an extremely busy week!!  Thanks for hanging in there with us!  Just think Fall Break is right around the corner!!

Have a super weekend,
Mrs. Mitchell

News for September 23rd

Can you believe it's already fall?  Time goes by so quickly!  Our third graders will take their first Acuity test this week. Math Acuity will occur for only 3rd graders on Thursday, September 26th from 1:00-2:00.  Language Arts Acuity is scheduled for Thursday, October 3rd from 9:00-10:00.  Our 2nd graders will work with a parent during this time.  We receive immediate feedback on this testing and students will then be assigned problems for them to practice on based on what they missed.  I will send home more detailed information about Acuity practice on Friday.

The Charlotte's Web script is being sent home tonight.  Please talk with your child about what type of part he/she would like, fill out the form, and return it to school tomorrow.  I will be drawing names out of a hat to select parts and all parts will be assigned Tuesday, September 24th.  Students are expected to memorize their parts by Wednesday, October 2nd.  Remember that our play is scheduled for Friday, October 4th at 2:45 in the White Lick Cafeteria. 

Our week at a glance:

Reading:  We will be studying about synonyms, inferences, and theme as we wrap up Charlotte's Web.   Also, remember reading logs are due on Monday, September 30th!!

Science:  Today we wrapped up our health and nutrition unit with a visit from the high school athletic trainer!  We will start animals tomorrow!

Math 2:  We will begin Unit 2 tomorrow.  This unit focuses on measurement so we'll be doing lots of measuring to the 1/2 inch, 1/4 inch, centimeter, 1/2 centimeter, and millimeter.  Some of us are really struggling with telling time to the minute.  Encourage lots of work with that at home along with practicing those addition and subtraction facts.

Math 3:  Students will be hard at work learning those multiplication and division facts and measuring length and using a map scale!  Our mutliplication time test will be every Thursday!  Practice those multiplication facts!!

Writing:  Our focus will be abbreviations along with writing friendly letters this week! 

Vegetable Soup and Fruit Salad

Thank you so much for all of the donations for our vegetable soup and fruit salad.  The kids surprised me because so many really, really loved the vegetable soup.  They especially liked the juice!  I was proud of those students that tried something they weren't too sure about their veggies!! The fruit salad was very popular and they just wanted more and more of it!  We are enjoying our nutrition unit and we owe you a big thanks for that! 

What's up for next week?

Reading:  We will be reading Chapters 7-15 next week in Charlotte's Web.  We will be focusing on the following skills:  drawing conclusions and synonyms.  We will review main idea/details and fact/opinions.  The students are doing a good job remembering to bring their novels and novel packets back and forth to school!  They are also improving on writing their answers in complete sentences!  Thanks for helping them work hard, use good effort, and stay focused!

Health:  Nutrition will be our focus again this week.  We will be learning about the dairy group and proteins.  Look for a study guide and test coming home towards the end of the week!

Writing:  We have been learning about expository text. (writing that gives information)  Last week, students researched animals using books by author Steve Jenkins.  This upcoming week, we will be researching and writing about spiders--all in honor of Charlotte!  We will also be learning how to use quotation marks correctly. 

Math 2:  We sailed right along until we got to subtracting two to three digit numbers!  Students learned the counting up method and the trade first method for subtraction.  While students need to learn this, this skill will not be tested for a grade on the Unit 2 test.  We plan on reviewing these skills and the rest of unit 2 for a test on Thursday. Please watch for a study guide on Wednesday evening.  Remember that your child will receive 5 bonus points for reviewing the study guide and Test Alert with you and a parent signing and returning this form!   Keep working on xtramath.org at home!!

Math 3:  Unit 3 is all about MULTIPLICATION FACTS!! Students will be cutting out triangle flashcards for multiplication and will take their first multiplication time test--on Tuesday!  This will be a practice test and it will come home that day for you to check over and see how this process works!  The students will take a pretend trip to Africa on Friday as they take complete another leg of their World Tour Project in math!  Ask your child what country he/she has already visited!  Keep working on xtramath.org at home!!  We have two students that just passed their subtraction facts in xtra math!

Charlotte's Web Play

The students don't know this little tidbit of information yet but I wanted you to get this date on your calendar.  We will be performing a Charlotte's Web play on Friday, October 4th at 2:45 in the White Lick cafeteria.  Soon, we will be drawing names for parts, practicing, and creating the set background.  Mrs. Kirkeiner has graciously volunteered to help the students learn the song, "Some Pig".  The kids will be super excited.  If any parents are interested in helping with the set, costumes, or background, please email me!  I'd love, love, love any extra help!  By the way, the students will find out about the play on Monday, but feel free to tell them if would like!

Our week looks pretty quiet for next week--just learning, learning, learning! We will be so excited to see how much was raised for White Lick at the Step-a-Thon Celebration convocation on Friday, September 20th at 3:00.  Did you know that our White Lick PSG is awesome?  They are so supportive of our school!!  Hope you can find a way to help out this great organization over the year!!

Have a great week!
~Mrs. Mitchell

August 23rd News

Thank you to those parents who were able to make it to Open House on Tuesday evening. Folders were sent home with students for parents who were not able to attend so if you haven't seen these, please check with your child!

Here's an update on what we will be covering in our classroom next week!

Reading:  Our story is Supermarket.  The tested vocabulary and the skills for this story can be found by clicking the link below.

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B5yo7-k-PwWdMEFZVlVsVF9nRkE/edit?usp=drive_web

Remember the students take a weekly test over the story on Fridays.  You can log into the Reading Street account and view his/her progress.  Just click Reading Street button on the front page of my blog and it will take you to the login.  From there, use your child's Reading Street password which can be found on the Password Page I gave you at Open House.

Spelling:  The students have done an excellent job with their spelling words.  Thanks for the hard work studying these words at home.  The 2/3 classes have created their own account on SpellingCity.com.  Your child can log into this account and click on the words for August 26th.  There are lots of fun games for your child to use to practice his/her spelling words.  I will send you the login information is an email. 

Health:  We are having so much fun learning about the amazing human body.  Next week will be our last week and then we'll be moving on to nutrition.  Watch for a Human Body Study Guide coming home towards the end of next week!

Math 2:  Students will have their first test on Tuesday.  A study guide for Unit 1 will come home along with a test alert.  Please review the study guide material with your child and then sign and return the test alert.  On Wednesday, we will move on to Unit 2 which is on addition and subtraction of whole numbers!  Be sure to encourage your child to work hard on xtra math!  Knowing those facts will sure help them with Unit 2 material.

Math 3:  Students will move on to Unit 2 next week which is about Using Numbers and Organizing Data.  Our 3rd graders will get to start their World Tour which is an activity that incorporates social studies and language arts into math.

Writing:  We are almost done introducing and reviewing the six traits--voice, organization, ideas, conventions, excellent word choice, and sentence fluency.  Next, our second graders will work on writing one paragraphs and our third graders will work on writing multi-paragraphs.  In addition, we have been learning about types of sentences--declarative, interrogative, imperative, and exclamatory sentences!

The students have been hard workers and we have had excellent behavior!!  We will be looking forward to the three day weekend that is coming soon!

~Mrs. Mitchell

Open House

Welcome to my blog. This is a work in progress but I will be adding lots of buttons that will link you to the important websites in our lives--Reading Street, Everyday Math, Xtra Math, and so forth. I will also keep you up to date on what's happening in our classroom and posting pictures of your adorable kiddos.  So, I hope you get time to check it out and and stay connected with what's happening in our classroom.

Our little class of fifteen will be growing by one this Monday.  We will be welcoming
Elias Kring on Monday.  He is a 2nd grader transferring from Eagle!  Our four boys are so excited to gain another boy!!

Snacks:  Since our special class is first thing in the morning, we have a LONG afternoon. About 2:00, we take a Brain Break.  During this time, we do a quick exercise activity and have a snack.  If you would like to donate snacks to the class, that would be terrific.  We do peanut allergies in our classroom, so be sure the snack meets the healthy guidelines and is safe for our peanut allergy kiddos.  Individually wrapped items are always appreciated but not required.

Open House: Tues., Aug. 20th 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. (from Mrs. Wise)

Next week we will be having our Open House for grade 1-5 (including K/1) on Tuesday, August 20th from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. This is an opportunity for the classroom teachers to share expectations, review classroom procedures and curriculum with parents. Doors will open at 6:15 and presentations will begin at 6:30. Teachers will be presenting one 1-hour presentation so please plan accordingly to arrive promptly. All teachers will have detailed handouts outlining the information that is being presented. If you have more than one child, you will need to select one presentation to attend. Teachers will remain in their classrooms until 7:45 to answer questions and distribute handouts to those who were unable to attend the presentation. You may also pay book rental that evening. 

Spelling:
I will not be sending home spelling homework from this point on.  Please remember that all spelling tests are on Thursdays-hopefully, they have that schedule down by now.  Students will soon be getting a spelling sheet with all of the word lists for Semester One on it.  This sheet should stay in their OWL binders.  I will add a link to my blog so that you can access these words from it as well.

I look forward to seeing you on Tuesday evening.  
~Mrs. Mitchell