Christmas Letter

Dear Parents and Families,
      It has been a learning experience so far in Room 410. This group of kids has done a great job getting adjusted to life in 5th grade. They are learning more responsibility, how to be a positive role model, and that hard work pays off! It was possible with support from home – that's you!
      I am a firm believer that good kids come from good parents. Our class would not be what we are without the support of each one of you at home. You deserve a jumbo

THANKS!  

      We have worked hard this first part of the school year. We have published 4 pieces of writing, taken several Science and Social Studies tests, learned 400 spelling words, taken over 500 AR quizzes, and many other day-to-day things.
       The most recent task was to answer Letters to Santa written by a first grade class. What an honor! The letters were a huge hit with the first grade and I believe the 5th graders enjoyed answering the letters. Definitely put us in the Christmas Spirit.
        As I wrap up, I want to thank you for the support from home. It makes a teacher's job easier when parents are supportive of the education for their children. Be safe in your travels and cherish the time you have with family and friends this holiday season
        See you January 6, 2014!
        Merry Christmas and blessings on your holiday

Newsletter: December 13

Friday the 13th! We survived one of the craziest weeks of the year: a Christmas Program, rehearsals, swimming, and everything else that we normally do! Love this group of kids more and more and am proud of how well they work.

Christmas Challenge 

Each year I offer a reading challenge to my students over Christmas Break. If they read a chapter book (approved by Miss C.) and get 85% or higher on the AR quiz when they return from break, they get a free mini blizzard to snack on in the afternoon. Encourage your student to participate in this. Books must be chosen before break. 

Cookies and Cocoa! 

Monday, Dec. 16, 5:30-6:30pm This is a chance for you to snuggle up and read with your students! Hope to see you there! 

Read In
We will have a Read In on December 20.  Students can wear pajamas, bring a pillow/blanket, and we will spend lots of time reading.  We will also have our Christmas celebration.  Room moms will be contacting people.

Awesome Opportunity! 

Last week we had the chance to host a group of teachers attending a Writing instruction workshop. 8 teachers came to observe Writer’s Workshop in our class and work with the students. It was a GREAT time and I was so proud of the kids! 

 Leave a comment and earn a point for you kiddo's team!!!

Awesome Opportunity

We hosted 8 teachers last Thursday who were attending a conference for Writing instruction.  It was a pretty great experience for everyone.  The teachers came to observe Writer's Workshop, specifically a student/teacher writing conference.  After they observed they met with several of the students in the class and held a writing conference.  Here are some pictures of our time:

Newsletter: December 6

We are at the two week countdown to Christmas Break! We have lots to get done between now and then: Theme 8 in reading, 2 more spelling tests, finish our Poetry Unit, a Christmas Program, and a new chapter in Science. Please make sure that homework is getting done each night...then you get 2 weeks off! 

Christmas Challenge 

Each year I offer a reading challenge to my students over Christmas Break. If they read a chapter book (approved by Miss C.) and get 85% or higher on the AR quiz when they return from break, they get a free mini blizzard to snack on in the afternoon. Encourage your student to participate in this. I'll be telling the class about it on Monday. 

Christmas Program: 

 Monday, Dec. 9 @ 7pm 

Tuesday, Dec. 10 @ 8:45am 

Warrior Ceremony 

There will be a Warrior award Ceremony on Thursday, December 19 in the gym. If your child is receiving an award, you will be notified by Friday, December 13.

Newsletter: November 15

The second trimester is in full swing! REPORT CARDS ARE COMIMG HOME TODAY! They need to be signed and returned by Wednesday, November 20. If you have questions about your student’s grades, please contact me. 

New AR goals are set! 

Thanksgiving Dinner 

 A note was sent home earlier this week about our classroom Thanksgiving Dinner. If you did not receive one, please let me know and I will get you another. It is also available on the blog. 

Please make sure your student is wearing a jacket to school. It is chilly when they are out at recess. Also, our room can get chilly...a sweatshirt is a good thing to leave in a locker for chilly classroom days. 

Christmas Program 

December 9 

 7pm in the gym 

Science and Social Studies 

A reminder that we alternate Science and Social Studies. I have had several questions. We will complete a unit of Social Studies followed by a unit of Science. That is why grades are limited in these subjects. Right now, we are doing Social Studies.

Leave a comment and earn a point for your student's team!

Thanksgiving Dinner

Thanksgiving Dinner 

November 27 @ 11:45

Miss C.'s class

Dear Families, 

7 years ago I heard a sad thing.  The holiday season was approaching and I was talking about family traditions with my students.  One of my students said, "We have never done a Thanksgiving dinner as a family.  We can't afford it, so we don't do it."  

As a teacher who is passionate about what I do, this struck a heart string.  I wanted this student to experience a traditional Thanksgiving meal, dinner with a "family", and the joy of a full belly.  Thus began a classroom tradition!  We are a classroom family and this has become a wonderful experience.  Please know that we welcome parents to cook, serve, and eat with us.

Thanks for helping to keep the tradition going, 

Miss C.

What	How many
Turkey	provided
Ham	1 (4-6 pounds)
Mashed Potatoes	2 pots
Noodles	2 pots
Gravy	2 batches
stuffing	2 batches
rolls	4 dozen
vegetable	2-3 kinds
Pumpkin pie (whipped cream too)	4
Parent volunteers to serve	4-6

If you want to help, contact Maggie Brunner and let her know what you are making.  Her contact information is at the bottom.  She will be in touch with everyone.  Miss C. will take care of plates, utensils to eat with, and drinks.  You will need to provide serving utensils.  If you think of something that isn't on the list, please let Maggie know.

Maggie Brunner: brunnermaggie@yahoo.com   260-417-0858

Newsletter: November 1

We are wrapping up the Trimester...only 4 days to go. We are also wrapping up some work with a Science test next Tuesday and writing due on Wednesday. ALL WORK MUST BE TURNED IN BY NOVEMBER 7th for credit. 

 End of Trimester is November 7! 

 We will be going to the South Bend Symphony on November 7. Students will need to dress nicely (preferably no jeans) for school that day. It is a GREAT experience for the kids and a great way to end the trimester. 

 Please make sure your student is wearing a jacket to school. It is chilly when they are out at recess. Also, our room can get chilly...a sweatshirt is a good thing to leave in a locker for chilly classroom days. 

 There will be NO SCHOOL on November 8. It is a teacher work day for the end of the trimester. 

 Daylight Savings Time 

It's that time of year when we fall back an hour. Saturday night, when you go to bed, set your clock back one hour. Don't want kiddos showing up an hour early for school come Monday!

Newsletter: October 18

This week was near perfect. We are truly in the swing of things: expectations, work, and fun. I am enjoying this group of students thoroughly. They work hard, participate well, and have a lot of fun! 

 Next Week... 

Is a 3-day week for school. We have Fall Break on Thursday and Friday. Since it is a short week, we will stray a bit from the “normal” routine. We will have a shortened spelling list and packet. There may not be as much homework, so don’t be shocked! 

 Pumpkin Fun Day 

October 23 from 10:15-11:15 we will be doing some pumpkin activities. Room moms will be contacting parents who would like to help for the hour OR who would like to send yummy treats in. We will have treats and watch “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” in the afternoon. If you would like to help and are not contacted by Monday, let me know. 

 Accelerated Reader 

The goal keeps rising. We are about 80% of the way through the trimester. Students should be at 80% of their goal. Those students who are below 60% are staying in at recess. Please check on your student’s progress. We want to have good grades at trimester. 

Classroom Climate 

We have the pleasure of a west-facing classroom. This means when the wind blows, it gets chilly. Your student is welcome to leave a sweatshirt in his/her locker for those chilly days. Also, please be sure that your student is wearing a jacket or sweatshirt or coat...recess is getting colder!

Newsletter: October 11

Another week in the books. We have been getting lots of work done and really settling in as a classroom family. We are quickly approaching a busy time of year with breaks and holidays. Please keep up-to-date on work, programs, and days off.

Warrior Ceremony 

 We will have a warrior ceremony for classroom Warriors of Character, Reading, Writing, and Math on OCTOBER 23 AT 9:45. If your student is receiving an award you will be notified. It is a secret, so don’t tell your student! 

Pumpkin Fun Day 

October 23 from 10:15-11:15 we will be doing some pumpkin activities. Room moms will be contacting parents who would like to help for the hour OR who would like to send yummy treats in. We will have treats and watch “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” in the afternoon. 

Accelerated Reader 

The goal keeps rising. We are about 70% of the way through the trimester. Students should be at 70% of their goal. Next week, anyone who is below 60% will be in at recess to read for AR. You will be notified if your student needs to read at home as well. 

Personal Essays 

We are working on personal essays for Writer’s Workshop. We looked at some student examples online this week. I am anxious to see what the kids write about!

Newsletter: October 4

A pretty good week to start the second half of the trimester.  I think the

accountability of grades and conferences led to better work-ethic and focus.  That's a great way to kick off the second half of the 

trimester!

Conferences

Thank you to all who attended your child's conference.  It was AWESOME to see families involved in education.  I was proud of the students and how well they presented their work.  I enjoyed the chance to talk about your students with you.  Thank you for 

being involved.

Coming Soon...

PUMPKIN

FUN

DAY!

stay tuned for more details....

Accelerated Reader

Ask your student if they are behind...they have been staying in at recess.  If they are, they should be reading for 20-30 minutes each night!

Personal Essays

We will be starting personal essays for Writer’s Workshop next week.  This is a good opportunity to talk with your student about issues that are 

important to them as we will be doing some serious writing.

Please leave a comment to earn your student's team a point!

Newletter: September 27

We are at the midterm!  Lots of changes happen next week...new seats, new Superbank goal, new group names.  Hard to believe that October is just around the corner too!

Electronics Party

The kids had a great time today redeeming their reward.  They earn behavior points each day and had set a goal of 150 points.  We reached that goal last Friday, so we celebrated today with an electronics party.  They did great!  We will set a new goal and reward next week.  

Accelerated Reader

We are at the half-way point of the midterm.  Students should be at 50% of their goal.  If they are not, they will be in at recess until they get caught up.  Notification will come home with midterms about AR goals.

Student Led Conferences

We will be doing conferences like they did last year.  It will be an open format and your student will be leading the conference on October 3 from 3:30-7.  I will be available to answer questions.  If you know that you want to meet one-on-one with me, please contact me with dates/times that work for that.  I am generally available before school (except Wed.), from 11:15-11:50, and after 5:30pm.  I would be more than happy to meet.

Newsletter: September 20

Time is FLYING by!  

Next week is midterm.  AR goals should be at 50%.  I have met with most students about AR and will finish up conferencing on Monday.  

Several students are doing well and several need to be reading at home.  Your student knows!

Student Led Conferences

We will be doing conferences like they did last year.  It will be an open format and your student will be leading the conference on October 3 from 3:30-7.  I will be available to answer questions.  If you know that you want to meet one-on-one with me, please contact me with dates/times that work for that.  I am generally available before school (except Wed.), from 11:15-11:50, and after 5:30pm.  I would be more than happy to meet.

Midterm Grades

Midterm grades will be sent home the night of conferences.  If you are unable to attend conferences, midterms will be sent home the following day.  Remember that midterms are a checkpoint.  Your student will still have 6 more weeks of work before trimester grades.

Agendas and Homework

Please be checking agendas each night.  If there is an assignment, it will be written in the agendas (even if your student gets it done in class).  I have several students struggling to get work done or get agendas signed. 

Please leave a comment that you read this.  You will earn a point for your student's team!

Newsletter: September 13

Week 5 has come to an end! Time sure does fly in room 410. We had a good week. The highlight of the week was a program about bullying. If you haven’t heard about it, please ask your student. 

Edmodo 

We did some work on edmodo today during Tier 2 time. If you have internet access from home, have your student show you what it is. It is a pretty neat tool for us to use in the classroom. We will be utilizing it more and more throughout the school year. 

Science and Social Studies 

We will be taking our first Social Studies test next Tuesday. This will be an open-book test, but your student should still bring home their book to study. We will then move to Science for a chapter, then back to Social Studies. In order for us to cover what we need, we alternate our schedule. It usually works out pretty well. 

Book Fair 

Thanks to those of you who donated books to the classroom. That along with PTO’s donation allowed us to have 11 new books for our classroom library. Awesome!!! 

Midterm 

Midterm is just around the corner. This will be the first official progress report for the school year. Please check Harmony for updates if you are curious about your student’s grades.

Below are some pictures of the students sorting our classroom library and making reading wish lists during the first week of school.

Newsletter: September

We finished up NWEA testing for the fall.  Results will come home once they are released to us.  We are in the full swing of school!  Homework should be coming home most nights.  Please check agendas to know what your student has to do.

Accelerated Reader

There is a paper coming home today with your student about AR home connect.  This is a way for you to keep track of your student’s AR progress. We have 30 min/day at school to read.

Edmodo

We are going to begin using a program called edmodo next week.  It is online and I think the kids will LOVE it!  Your students will have more information next week for you!

 Book Fair

Our class will be going to the book fair on Monday morning.  Feel free to send money in with your student.

Thank you to everyone that stopped by for Open House.  It was great to meet my students' families!

Newsletter: August 30

I think we are finally into a routine. There may be a few glitches here and there, but the kids have it down pretty well. We had a wonderful week with the Fundraiser Kick-Off and a program, The NED Show! We completed our first round of NWEA and will finish up next week. 

 Agendas 

The kids are doing well with this overall. There are a few that need to make sure they get these signed. It is part of the behavior expectations in my class and they lose points and recess if they go too long without getting the agenda signed. If I write it on the homework board, they write it in their agenda (even if they get the work done in class). This lets you know what we are doing each day at school.

 Break Time 

 We have a snack break every day. There is a snack cart that students may purchase things from (not on Wed.). They can bring a snack from home as well. Snacks should be nutritious. 

Accelerated Reader 

We are averaging 30 minutes/day for AR time at school. I have set goals for your students. Next week there will be a paper about “Home Connect” that allows you to check your student’s progress from home. If you see that they are getting behind, you may want to encourage some reading at home.

Newsletter: August 23

Our first full week was a success! The class seems to be adjusting to the routines and expectations of 5th grade. We had great improvements in voice levels, controlled talking, and transitions. I am learning so much about each student!

 room410news.blogspot.com 

Beginning next week, I will only send paper newsletters home with those of you that have requested them. 

Agendas

 Please check and sign this each night! If you need to communicate with me, that is the best place. I check agenda's DAILY. My rule for students: If I write it on the homework board, they write it in their agenda (even if they get the work done in class). This lets you know what we are doing each day at school. 

 Break Time

 We have a snack break every day. There is a snack cart that students may purchase things from (not on Wed.). They can bring a snack from home as well. Snacks should be nutritious. 

 Accelerated Reader 

 We have already started for the year! Next week I will be going over reading levels and AR Goals for the trimester with each student. Please ask how they are doing with AR. If your student falls behind, they will be expected to read at home. Goals are set according to 30 min/day, which they have at school. 

Parent/Teacher Organization (PTO) 

First meeting is: Monday August 26 @ 5:30 pm

Newsletter: August 16

It is hard to believe another school year is here! This first week has been full of rules, procedures, expectations, and getting to know each other. The kids have all come with GREAT enthusiasm for school...let's hope that continues! 

 Supplies 

Thank you all for being so prompt with getting school supplies here on time! These should last us through the school year. Occasionally students may need more pencils and erasers. Other than that, we are good to go! 

Going Paperless!!! 

room410news.blogspot.com 

We have a classroom blog: I post information, newsletters, pictures, and upcoming events on this blog. It keeps down on the amount of paper that gets used sending home a weekly newsletter. Please fill out the paper attached to this newsletter and return to school with your student by Tuesday, August 20. I will send an email reminder to check the blog when anything gets posted. 

Agendas 

Please check and sign this each night! If you need to communicate with me, that is the best place. 

Talk with your Kids

It is so important for you to be involved in your student's schooling. This is a vital year as we get ready for Middle School. Be sure to talk with your kids about school: what are they learning, who are their friends, what can you help them with. All of those things make the school year go smoothly! 

September 5 Open House 

 SMART Start Wednesdays School begins at 8:55