Tuesday, February 28, 2012

My kiddos are "bright"!


This morning was a "swap" day with Mrs. Van Horn.  Second graders are working with Mrs. Van Horn on CST test prep, and 1st graders are working with me on reader's response.  We are making a beginning, middle, and end book about the story Kindness is Cooler, Mrs. Ruler.  It is a great book which helps kids recognize all the different things they can do to show kindness to one another.  Students have written their rough draft, done some editing, and are now writing their final copies and illustrating.  They are learning being an author is hard work!  Thank you to the parent helpers who have been in to help.
Kindness Is Cooler, Mrs. Ruler

Today notes went home about parent/teacher conferences.  If I did not schedule a conference, but you would like to meet with me, please return your note as soon as possible so I can schedule you for a time.  I will do my best to accommodate everyone. 

  • Thank you to those who sent in their Read-a-Thon envelopes.  Remember they can be turned in through Friday!  Mr. Silveira's class won the Golden Book Award for today - although we did get an honorable mention! 
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  • Tomorrow is "Sports Day"!  Students can deck themselves out in their favorite team's gear.
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  • Permission slips for the "Dr. Seuss" play at Golden Valley High School are due tomorrow.
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  • I am still seeking "Mystery Readers".  Let me know if you are available!
Happy Reading,
Mrs. M.



Monday, February 27, 2012

Reading is Fun Week Begins!




Today marks the beginning of Reading is Fun Week at McSwain.  I am so excited because reading is just one of my favorite things!  I love when kiddos discover they are readers and adore seeing their heads buried in a book.  There is lots going on this week so I hope you check in each day to see what's on deck!

Today is Support the Troops Day!  Students are encouraged to wear their best red, white and blue!  The dress coded has been eased for the week so flags and appropriate patriotic text is acceptable.  Remember, just use best judgement!

Donations for the Read-a-Thon may be turned in beginning tomorrow.  Remember there are many incentives to participate.  See the notice that went home a couple of weeks ago.  Our goal is $20 per student, and students can begin earning incentives with just a $5 donation!  Help our school to further support the educational needs of our kiddos!

I am looking for "Mystery Readers" to come and visit throughout the week.  If you are available, see the sign up sheet that went home or contact me at amello@mcswain.k12.ca.us.  I would love to have lots of visitors this week.  I am trying to keep them a secret so ~ shhhhhhhh!

Students will be going to see "Dr. Seuss" at Golden Valley High School on Friday.  Please turn in permission slips by Wednesday.  It should be "Seuss"tastic!

Just to help you prepare for the week, a look at the theme days:

Monday ~ Support the Troops Day
Tuesday ~ Neon Day
Wednesday ~ Sports Day
Thursday ~ Western Day
Friday ~ Pajama Day
(Students will be allowed to change into pajamas after we get back from the play.)

Thank you, as always, for the support!
Mrs. M.

Friday, February 24, 2012

Rise and Shine!

I love mornings when you have to wake up the kiddos extra early and they just spring out of bed, eager and ready to go.  Then, of course, on the days you let them sleep a little extra. . . they move like snails.  I am super glad this was one of those eager and ready to go mornings!  We had done alot of the prep work last night so, hopefully we will be on time.
A reminder that I am out of the classroom today traveling with the 6th graders to the Rosicrucian Museum in San Jose.  It is a great place to visit with your family and has many real Egyptian artifacts including a real mummy.  Check it  out!  http://rosicrucianegyptianmuseum.com/




The trip to the Gallo was great!  I had a great time watching the kids as they entered the theater.  All of the oooohs and ahhhhhs!  For many of them it was the first time viewing a theater performance.   The show was very good - different from how I thought it would be with lots of music and dancing.  The cast came out on stage afterward and answered a few questions.  The Gallo has many great shows that are perfect for the family.  I hope to go back for another visit soon.  Visit their site to see if anything interests you!  http://www.galloarts.org/Events/  


Afterward, we went to Graceda Park had lunch and played.  It was good to have the opportunity to get rid of some of our energy!  When we got back to school the kids were pooped!  They were begging for naps.  Hopefully they slept well for you!

Blessings,
Mrs. M.



Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Going to the Gallo

Tomorrow we take the first big field trip of the year!  The kiddos are so excited.  ELD classes have been reading the book, Sylvester and the Magic Pebble, and doing a lot of response work with the story.  The kids are eager to see how they are going to turn Sylvester into a rock!  A big thank you to the McSwain Foundation for helping to fund the trip.  Almost 300 students are going. . . wish us luck!

A few reminders:
  • Buses will be leaving at 8:15 sharp.  DO NOT BE LATE!
  • All lunch containers and drinks should be disposable.  We do not want kiddos losing those cute lunch boxes and water bottles.  We will re-pack things as needed.
  • We will be walking from the Gallo Theater to Graceda Park.  Be sure students are wearing comfortable shoes!
  • We will be back before school is out, so dismissal will be normal.

We are also beginning to talk about American Symbols.  Today we shared a story about the Liberty Bell.  We learned that is a symbol of freedom and rung during the signing of the Declaration of Independance.  It was hung in Independance Hall in Pennsylvania.  Students are still curious about the crack and want to know how it happened.  All kinds of theories abound ~

"It was rung too much." 

"Someone dropped it."



Can't wait to learn more about these great symbols of our country!
Blessings,
Mrs. M.


Monday, February 20, 2012

Ready, Set, Go!

And so my journey into "blogland" begins!  I accidentally discovered teacher blogs over our Christmas break and was overwhelmed by the amount of information these amazing teachers have to share.  I decided I would jump in and give it a try.  My purpose being to share information, communicate with you and create relationships that will support our classroom community.  I am hoping that these posts will help you keep up to date on what is happening in our classroom and at school.  To get started I have listed a few of our upcoming events:

Sylvester and the Magic Pebble
This Week:
  • Thursday, February 23 we will be going to the Gallo Theater in Modesto to see "Sylvester and the Magic Pebble".  Buses will leave at 8:15 ~ DON'T BE LATE!
  • I will be out with a sub on Friday.  The 6th grade is going to the Rosicrucian Museum in San Jose, and I get to be "mom" and chaperone!  Yay!
  • "Reading is Fun"  Week packets went home last Thursday.  Be sure to review them with your student.  Our goal is to raise $20 per child ~ That's $480 for our whole class!  Theme days will begin February 28th.  A flyer is coming home on Tuesday.
Hope you had a restful weekend, and I will keep you "posted"!

Mrs. M.