September 5th

We're gradually getting into our regular schedule now, and today was jam-packed with activities.  We started with our first Reading Workshop, and most of the time was spent reviewing the guidelines for Reading Workshop and working through a Reading Interview, where the students answered questions about their reading habits for me.

Then we went on to a goal-setting activity.  The students wrote their most important goal for the year on a star, and then traced their arms and hands.  You'll have to pop by and see our door for the finished product!

Typically we will have Library on Thursdays and Tuesdays but the librarians are still setting things up this week.  Our first library block will be next Tuesday and the children are eager to check out a book!

After recess, the students got to enjoy a Music class with Mr. Banman, which will also take place every Thursday after recess.  Then they had DPA with Mrs. Everett.  This is the hour on Thursdays when I am teaching French in the middle school portable.

Just before lunch we finished our goal-setting activity, and the students listened along to our current read aloud, 'Judy Moody'.  We finished the morning with our first Writing Workshop.  Be sure to ask your child about their Writer's Notebooks which we started today.  They will be used on a regular bases in class.

After lunch we had our first Math class!  We did a 1 minute math drill to begin with, using addition.  We'll likely start each Math class this way, just to reinforce the basic skills.  Then the Grade 3's went on to working on a project about guessing a numeral based on clues, and the Grade 4's were doing some estimating and measuring of circumference and height.  The classroom was buzzing with activity, and so much learning was taking place!

Then on to Art, which will happen every Thursday.  Today we worked on a Fireworks project, which, once they're complete and dry, will be posted on the bulletin board in the hallway.  Be sure to stop by and see them soon.

Tomorrow, Friday, is the day that I don't come in until 9AM.  Mrs. Everett will be leading the students in a devotion during this time and will typically administer the Spelling Test, but that won't be happening tomorrow as we didn't have any Spelling words this week.  I also will leave at 1:45, after Science.  The students have P.E. for the last hour of the day with Mr. Banman, who will dismiss them.  I will update the blog from home on Friday afternoon/evening so that you have up to date information for the weekend.

Again, if you have any questions or comments, please post them below.  I love to know that someone is reading the blog!