Great Field Trip Today

We had a fabulous time on our field trip today! Beautiful weather, fascinating art, what more could we ask!?! Each student was asked to try to replicate a drawing of their favorite piece of art and write what they learned. Please ask them to share these with you this weekend!

Due to our day, I have not been able to create our weekly newsletter! I will email it out first thing Monday morning! I would like to thank and acknowledge all the wonderful student council speeches that were given this afternoon. Each candidate would have been a fabulous representation of our class. They are all winners in my book, but special congratulations to Paige Novak!

Have a fabulous weekend!

Art Museum Field Trip

Just a few quick reminders for the field trip tomorrow.  We will leave for the art museum at 9:00 and will return to school by 2:00.
 

1.      We will be walking a lot, so please make sure that your child wears comfortable shoes

2.    The high tomorrow is 70 degrees, we will be talking a tour outside in the morning, so please send a light jacket or sweatshirt

3.    If possible, please send your child in PB or Grain Valley attire – it makes it easier to keep track of kiddos

4.    Please send a completely disposable lunch – including the lunch bag.  Also, please no glass containers.

5.    Students are allowed to bring cameras, as long as the flash can be turned off.  Students may also bring electronic devices (MP3 Players, I-Pods), but the STUDENT IS COMPLETELY RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR OWN ELECTRONIC DEVICE, THE SCHOOL IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ITEM THAT IS LOST OR STOLEN. 

Thanks for all of your support, I am looking forward to a great day tomorrow!! Please e-mail me if you have any questions.

Weekly Spotlight 9/23/11

Week in Review
   What a fantastic week! In writing this week, we have begun to study the poetry genre and we have many aspiring poets!!! To showcase their talents, we will be working towards final pieces of poetry that students will have the opportunity to share to a live audience! More information regarding this event will be coming home soon, but the kids, I mean poets, are very excited!!!
     We had planned to test over addition and subtraction of multi digit numbers this week, but we were simply not ready. We will work toward this assessment at the end of next week.

      Reader’s Workshop – Summarizing a

      Writer’s Workshop – Exploring the poetry genre

      Math – Solve multi digit addition and subtraction problems

      Social Studies – Missouri Regions

      Science – Scientific Process

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McTeacher Night
Was a great success!!! In all, our school raised $1,199!!! Our classroom had the highest percentage of participation in fourth grade, but Mrs. Pennington’s third grade class was the overall winner!!! It was great visiting with many of you last night and thank you so much for your support!!! J

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 Nelson Art Museum

Sorry for the confusion regarding the permission slip for the art museum. The field trip will be next Friday, September 30^th. As noted, we are only allowed to take two parent voluteers and thank you to the several parents who offered to attend. We held our class drawing this afternoon and we are looking forward to sharing our day with Scott Dankenbring and Rebecca Butcher. Thank you all again for offering your assistance!

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Picture Day
Picture day will be Tuesday, September 27^th. In addition to individual shots which will be featured in the yearbook, the class picture will also be taken.

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Looking Ahead
September
27 – Fall Picture Day
October
7 – CoCo Key Night for PTO
12 – Two Hour Late Start
21 – Fall Party 2-3 pm
26 & 28 – PT Conferences
27-28 – No School

Coming Soon...Breakfast at Prairie Branch!

Beginning October 3rd, student will have the option to eat breakfast at school. Students will go directly from the bus to the commons for breakfast and will be in their classroom by 8:40 for class. The rates are as follows:

Breakfast Will Start At 8:25 a.m.

K-5  $1.40

Reduced  $0.30

A Combo Meal Is Milk And Fruit (Juice or Cut Fruit) And Two Side Items

Partial Sums Addition

In class we are learning a new algorithm (or strategy) for addition of multi-digit numbers.  New algorithm can sometimes be very confusing for students (and their parents too).  On homework assignments, please encourage them to try out this new strategy, but on the test, they will be able to choose what strategy they want to use. During this lesson it is important that student practice the new strategy even though it may be "hard" or take them longer.  Please remember that if they get frustrated to stop, and we will work on it in class together.  Below is a link that can help explain the algorithm, as always you can use the algorithm help on the left side of the blog.  http://media.everydaymathonline.com/em/student/algorithms_handbook/online_resources/Addition/Page_145_Partial-Sums_Addition/M5_C01_P013_F1.swf

Please let me know if I can help in anyway!

Weekly Spotlight 9/16/11

I emailed our newsletter on Friday, but neglected to post it on my blog!


Week in Review

   It is amazing to me to realize that today midterm reports are to go home! It seems that the year is flying by!

     This week we continued to work on place value by identifying values of digits up to one billion. We have also been working with data to determine the maximum, minimum, range and mode. Next Friday, we will assess over unit 2 and develop a plan of how to best meet the needs of the class based on their individual performance.

     We have had the opportunity this week to work with one of our district’s literacy coaches this week as we develop the routines and procedures for word work. Word work is a study of how we put letters together to make sounds and words. I would like to share more about word work and your child’s progress during our upcoming parent teacher conferences.

      Reader’s Workshop – Analyzing characters by inferring character traits and feelings

      Writer’s Workshop – Exploring the poetry genre

      Math – Solve multi digit addition and subtraction problems

      Social Studies – Missouri Regions

      Science – Scientific Process

McTeacher Night

Please make your calendars and make plans to attend our McTeacher Night this coming Thursday, September 22^nd at the North 7 highway McDonald’s in Blue Springs. Our school will earn 20% between the hours of 4 and 8 pm. The class with the largest percentage of participation will earn a hamburger snack on the following day! J

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Nelson Art Museum

Due to some scheduling conflicts with the museum, we have had to change the date of our field trip. We will visit the art museum on Friday, September 30^th. We are in need of two parent volunteers. If you are interested and available to attend, please let me know by next Friday, September 23^rd and we will draw two names. Thank you for your understanding and please be assured that the Jefferson City field trip will NOT be limited with parent volunteers.

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Looking Ahead
September
16 – 1^st Quarter Mid-terms Go Home
22 – McTeacher Night
27 – Fall Picture Day
October
7 – CoCo Key Night for PTO
12 – Two Hour Late Start
21 – Fall Party 2-3 pm
26 & 28 – PT Conferences
27-28 – No School

Art Museum

As posted in our weekly newsletter, the art museum field trip has been rescheduled for Friday, September 30th. We are in need of two parent volunteers to attend. If you would like to attend and are available that day, please notify me by Friday, September 23rd. If we have more than two volunteers we will have a drawing. Thank you for your support!

Scholastic Book Orders

Just a reminder!

If you would like to place a Scholastic Book order please log on and do it online or send in your order form by tomorrow, Wednesday, September 14th! Also, please keep in mind that we can make arrangements for books to be picked up in the office for special gifts if needed!!!

 www.scholastic.com/bookclubs

Class activation code: GW264

Thank you!!!

Weekly Spotlight 9/9/11

A Week in Review
   This week we reviewed unit 1’s math test and students made observations of their strengths and weaknesses. It is my goal that parents and students know specific areas in which they excel and have challenges. Your child was asked to write down their observation in their agenda. This is a skill they can use reinforcement on at home as we continue to practice at school. Please let me know if you need help finding resources, but you can also check out this website:

http://www.littletonpublicschools.net/Default.aspx?tabid=538

      Reader’s Workshop – Identify problems and solutions in fiction text

      Writer’s Workshop – Compose text with strong, controlling idea, and relevant, specific details

      Math – Identify values of digits up to one billion

      Social Studies – Investigating Missouri Regions and history

      Science – Formulate testable questions and explanations

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Late Start
Just a reminder! Next Thursday, September 15^th will be a two hour late start. School will begin at 10:30 rather than 8:30, but will dismiss at normal time. During this late start, teachers will discuss the DRA reading assessments and how to use results to plan classroom instruction.

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PTO Fundraiser
Please help support our PTO and participate in Monday night’s Papa John’s night! Coupons will go home today and must be present in order for the school to receive a portion of the profits!

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Field Trips
More information will be coming home soon, but mark your calendars!!!!
Friday 9/23 – Nelson Art Museum
Thursday 11/3 – Jefferson City
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Looking Ahead
September

12 – Papa John’s Night
13 – Skate Night
15 – Two Hour Late Start
16 – 1^st Quarter Mid-terms Go Home
22 – McTeacher Night
27 – Fall Picture Day

Limeades for Learning

Wow!!! Thanks for your continued support! Our classroom project is almost halfway funded! Please keep voting and spreading the word! The Limeades for Learning icon on our blog will take you to a direct link to our project. Remember, you can vote daily and even earn extra votes using Sonic codes! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Weekly Spotlight 9/2/11

A Week in Review
This week we wrapped up our unit of study over geometric figures in math, however we will continue to expand on these skills throughout the year.


Mr. Pinney created a letter to parents addressing the academic programs and plans to improve student achievement this year at Prairie Branch. It is our desire to communicate effectively with parents and work together to educate each child by meeting their individual needs. If you have any questions or would like some clarification, please let me know!

            Reader’s Workshop – Genres and Analyzing Story Elements in Fiction

      Writer’s Workshop – Expanding Sentences and Similes

      Math – Place Value

      Social Studies – Missouri Regions

      Science – Scientific Process

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Curriculum Night
Please make plans to attend Curriculum Night on Tuesday, September 6th from 6-7pm. I will share with you important information regarding our school year. For your convenience there will be two information sessions beginning at 6:00 and 6:20. Following the last session teachers will be available in their classrooms to answer questions.
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A Special Note
I shared with the class some exciting family news today. My family will be expanding from a family of four to FIVE! We are expecting a baby the first part of April!. The kids warmed my heart with all their best wishes and when it comes to naming the baby, I have SEVERAL suggestions! Mr. Pinney and I have already started discussing the placement of a long term substitute during my leave and I will be sure to keep you update on this process!
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Classroom Parties
Party dates have been set as follows:
Fall – October 21^st 2-3 pm
Winter – December 21^st 2-3 pm
Valentine’s Day – February 14^th 2-3 pm
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           Looking Ahead
September

5 – No School: Labor Day
6 – Curriculum Night
12 – Papa John’s Night
13 – Skate Night
15 – Two Hour Late Start
16 – 1^st Quarter Mid-terms Go Home
22 – McTeacher Night
27 – Fall Picture Day