Thursday, December 30, 2010
School on Monday
Our long break is quickly coming to an end. I look forward to seeing my students on Monday, January 3rd. I hope you all have a great New Years!
Monday, December 27, 2010
Things to do over the Break
Now that Christmas is over and things are probably starting to slow down a little, I thought I would give a a few suggestions of some things you can do over the break with your kids. The following are some activities that you can work on at home to keep their minds going over the long break.
1. Practice Counting to 100- You can count together, have the kids count independently or have them count objects around the house.
2. Practice Addition- Use those flashcards that were in your child's stocking. They need to be able to add up to 10. They can use their fingers for numbers up to 10, but sums up to 5 they need to practice doing in their head. The goal is for students to quickly add numbers up to 5. Maybe you can race and see who can get the answer first!
3. Review Letters/Sounds/Chunks/Beginning Sounds- It's good to keep this fresh in their minds. Play an "I Spy" Letter Game. "I Spy something with my little eyes that begins with the letter _____." Students need to practice by listing off things around the room that start with the same beginning sound until they get it right. Then have them try to trick you!
4. Read!- Read to your child at night and have them try to read to you. Use the Reading Strategies and let them try to sound out the words. (It's okay if you don't know the Reading Strategies... they do!) Ask them questions about who the characters in the story are, the setting (where the story takes place), and to retell the story
5. Kidwrite- Let them write about their favorite part of Christmas or their favorite Christmas present. Encourage them to draw a picture and really think of a good story to tell. Challenge them to write at least two sentences to describe their story. Make sure they use a capital letter at the beginning of their sentence and punctuation at the end. Let them share it with you and then hang it on the fridge.
6. Writing Numbers 1-20- You can get creative with this! They can write in shaving cream, finger paint, watercolor, markers or simply paper and pencil. Make sure they write their numbers in the correct order and if they write a number backwards, make them go back and fix it.
The most important thing is to try to make learning fun! I hope you are enjoying all the time you are getting to spend with your family. I am looking forward to the rest of the year!
1. Practice Counting to 100- You can count together, have the kids count independently or have them count objects around the house.
2. Practice Addition- Use those flashcards that were in your child's stocking. They need to be able to add up to 10. They can use their fingers for numbers up to 10, but sums up to 5 they need to practice doing in their head. The goal is for students to quickly add numbers up to 5. Maybe you can race and see who can get the answer first!
3. Review Letters/Sounds/Chunks/Beginning Sounds- It's good to keep this fresh in their minds. Play an "I Spy" Letter Game. "I Spy something with my little eyes that begins with the letter _____." Students need to practice by listing off things around the room that start with the same beginning sound until they get it right. Then have them try to trick you!
4. Read!- Read to your child at night and have them try to read to you. Use the Reading Strategies and let them try to sound out the words. (It's okay if you don't know the Reading Strategies... they do!) Ask them questions about who the characters in the story are, the setting (where the story takes place), and to retell the story
5. Kidwrite- Let them write about their favorite part of Christmas or their favorite Christmas present. Encourage them to draw a picture and really think of a good story to tell. Challenge them to write at least two sentences to describe their story. Make sure they use a capital letter at the beginning of their sentence and punctuation at the end. Let them share it with you and then hang it on the fridge.
6. Writing Numbers 1-20- You can get creative with this! They can write in shaving cream, finger paint, watercolor, markers or simply paper and pencil. Make sure they write their numbers in the correct order and if they write a number backwards, make them go back and fix it.
The most important thing is to try to make learning fun! I hope you are enjoying all the time you are getting to spend with your family. I am looking forward to the rest of the year!
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Make Up Snow Day
Since we have had 4 snow days, we will have school on President's Day, February 21, 2011. Originally we had this day off, so please adjust your schedules accordingly.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Updated Blog!
I have finally updated the blog with all of my latest pictures of the kiddos in my class! There are now pictures of our Christmas Celebration, Christmas Around the World week, Thanksgiving Presentation, and Community Helper Parade. If you cannot view the slideshow then click on the view all images below the slideshow and hopefully that will bring up the images! I hope you all are enjoying the break. I miss these kids more than you know!
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Have a Wonderful Christmas Break!
They have just called school off for tomorrow. I hope you all have a wondeful Christmas Break! Remember that school starts back on Monday the 3rd of January. To all of my kiddos who have birthdays over the break... have a fantastic Birthday and we will celebrate when we return! I hope to post pictures of recent classroom activities sometime over the break!
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Christmas Celebration
The weather forecast for the rest of the week is looking like we may have additional days off of school this week. We will have our classroom Christmas celebration on our first day back to school this week. So, if we have school tomorrow we will have our Christmas Celebration tomorrow at 1:30. Remember, I have all of the snacks taken care of. I hope to see these kids before the break! We'll keep our fingers crossed.
Monday, December 13, 2010
No School Tuesday
School has been called off for Tuesday the 14th. Hopefully I will get to see the kids on Wednesday!
Sunday, December 12, 2010
No School
School has already been cancelled for tomorrow, Monday the 13th. We will have to reschedule our Camp Read A Lot day because the Grotto will not be available any other time this week. I will schedule it for a day after the Christmas Break. I will send home information as soon as I reschedule.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Newsletter 12-10-10
What's New!?!
We had such a fun week! These kids had a blast doing Christmas Around the World! We traveled to Mexico, Israel, France, Africa, and the United States to learn about the holiday traditions they celebrate. Ask them to share the items they made in their suitcases. Next week we will be working on counting and addition in math with a variety of Christmas activities. In literacy we will be reviewing how to follow the steps in a task to complete a variety of activities.
Things you can work on at Home: In addition to homework here are some following activities you can complete if you wish:
• Continue to work on a few popcorn words a week. Remember the goal is to get at least that first list by the end of the year!
• Ask students the different ways you can add to get to 10. Challenge them to write a number sentence to represent that way!
• Practice counting to 100. (A lot are getting stuck at the 10’s- i.e. 68, 69… 70)
• Have your child practice writing his/her last name. The first letter needs to be capital and all the rest lowercase.
• Plan to read with your child over the break! You may want to take a trip to the public library.
Bits of Information
Blog Info: www.mcdowellsminutes.blogspot.com
**Homework – Do not forget that Homework will be sent home on Fridays and be returned on Wednesdays.
It is getting that time of year when we may miss school because of a snow day. Please, watch the news in the morning when they are calling for snow to see if school is cancelled. There is also a chance for them to call school early because the roads are getting bad. Please, think about what you would do if this ever becomes the case. If school ever lets out early you will be contacted as soon as we hear about it!
We are quickly coming into flu season. Please encourage your child to wash their hands frequently and review how to cough in their arm. If your child is running a fever, it is best if they stay home so they can get better and not spread germs.
We are still in need of things for our gingerbread houses. Please send in these items if possible: gumdrops, red hots, m & m’s, twizzler strings, mini candy canes, peppermints, pretzel sticks, white cake icing.
Christmas is coming up and some of you may be thinking of sending in a small gift for the children in our class. Each child will have a mini stocking if you wish to bring something in. This is completely optional, but please bring in 24 so each child gets the same thing. If you wish to do something for the classroom, the following are some things that we could use:
• Books on Tape or CD
• Bingo Paint Dotters (bottle of paint w/ a sponge on top)
• Marble Maze
• Books for the Classroom
• Mr. Potato Heads
Next Week's Special
Monday- Library
Tuesday- Gym
Wednesday- Art
Thursday- Music
Friday- Library
Important Dates
Monday, December 13- Camp Read A Lot- Students have earned this day! They get to wear their p.j.’s and bring in their favorite book from home. Students will get to go to a starry room in the building called the Grotto and “camp out” and read!
December 17- Christmas Celebration- We will be having a mini celebration before the break on this day at 1:50. Don’t worry about bringing anything in… I’ve already got it taken care of!
December 20-31- Christmas Break
January 3- School Back in Session
We had such a fun week! These kids had a blast doing Christmas Around the World! We traveled to Mexico, Israel, France, Africa, and the United States to learn about the holiday traditions they celebrate. Ask them to share the items they made in their suitcases. Next week we will be working on counting and addition in math with a variety of Christmas activities. In literacy we will be reviewing how to follow the steps in a task to complete a variety of activities.
Things you can work on at Home: In addition to homework here are some following activities you can complete if you wish:
• Continue to work on a few popcorn words a week. Remember the goal is to get at least that first list by the end of the year!
• Ask students the different ways you can add to get to 10. Challenge them to write a number sentence to represent that way!
• Practice counting to 100. (A lot are getting stuck at the 10’s- i.e. 68, 69… 70)
• Have your child practice writing his/her last name. The first letter needs to be capital and all the rest lowercase.
• Plan to read with your child over the break! You may want to take a trip to the public library.
Bits of Information
Blog Info: www.mcdowellsminutes.blogspot.com
**Homework – Do not forget that Homework will be sent home on Fridays and be returned on Wednesdays.
It is getting that time of year when we may miss school because of a snow day. Please, watch the news in the morning when they are calling for snow to see if school is cancelled. There is also a chance for them to call school early because the roads are getting bad. Please, think about what you would do if this ever becomes the case. If school ever lets out early you will be contacted as soon as we hear about it!
We are quickly coming into flu season. Please encourage your child to wash their hands frequently and review how to cough in their arm. If your child is running a fever, it is best if they stay home so they can get better and not spread germs.
We are still in need of things for our gingerbread houses. Please send in these items if possible: gumdrops, red hots, m & m’s, twizzler strings, mini candy canes, peppermints, pretzel sticks, white cake icing.
Christmas is coming up and some of you may be thinking of sending in a small gift for the children in our class. Each child will have a mini stocking if you wish to bring something in. This is completely optional, but please bring in 24 so each child gets the same thing. If you wish to do something for the classroom, the following are some things that we could use:
• Books on Tape or CD
• Bingo Paint Dotters (bottle of paint w/ a sponge on top)
• Marble Maze
• Books for the Classroom
• Mr. Potato Heads
Next Week's Special
Monday- Library
Tuesday- Gym
Wednesday- Art
Thursday- Music
Friday- Library
Important Dates
Monday, December 13- Camp Read A Lot- Students have earned this day! They get to wear their p.j.’s and bring in their favorite book from home. Students will get to go to a starry room in the building called the Grotto and “camp out” and read!
December 17- Christmas Celebration- We will be having a mini celebration before the break on this day at 1:50. Don’t worry about bringing anything in… I’ve already got it taken care of!
December 20-31- Christmas Break
January 3- School Back in Session
Camp Read A Lot
Students have been learning how to Read to Self. This is a program that teaches children how to independently read. They have learned that there are three ways to read a book: read the pictures, read the words, and retell the story. Students have been working on stamina in trying to beat their time daily in how long they are able to read. Students finally met their goal of 8 minutes! As a result, students will have a Camp Read A Lot Day on Monday, December 13. Students will be able to wear their pajamas, bring in a flashlight and a small blanket if they wish (no stuffed animals please). We will be spending about 30 minutes in a room in our school called the Grotto. This is a small room tucked in the corner of the library that has lights that look like stars. Students will get to Read to Self like they are camping out. Students will then get to share what makes the book they brought in their favorite. I will also share my favorite book! This should be a fun day and I am proud of the kids for earning it!
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Gingerbread House Supplies
We are still in need of some additional candy to decorate our gingerbread houses next week. I have a few things, but I have a feeling these kids are really going to get into decorating them and use a lot of things. If you have anything you that you think would work, then you can just send it in your child's backpack.
Volunteers?
If anyone is willing to come in later this week or early next week to volunteer that would be great! I have some gingerbread houses that need to be covered with graham crackers in order to be ready for the kids to decorate next week. Thanks for all you all do!
Don't forget that homework needs to be turned in tomorrow if possible!
Don't forget that homework needs to be turned in tomorrow if possible!
Monday, December 6, 2010
Christmas Around the World
We are doing something a little different in Literacy this week. The kids are very excited to be learning about how people celebrate the holidays around the world. Students will be using informational texts each day to learn about another country's holiday traditions. Students each have a suitcase, plane ticket, and passport. Daily students board the plane and travel to a new destination. Once we land we get off the plane and either complete a task or eat traditional food to celebrate that tradition. Ask your child about what they learn on their daily trips. Today they started it and we had a lot of fun! Pictures will be coming soon!
Monday- Mexico
Tuesday- Israel
Wednesday- France
Thursday- Africa
Friday- United States of America
Monday- Mexico
Tuesday- Israel
Wednesday- France
Thursday- Africa
Friday- United States of America
Newsletter Info
What's New!?!
It’s always hard to come back from a long break, but the kids have done a great job! Next week we will be working on-demand writing in Kidwriting. This is when students are given a prompt and they have to write about it. We will continue learning how to add numbers up to 10 and how to break apart the tens and ones in numbers up to 20. In literacy, students will be reviewing question words and be challenged to identify key parts of a story.
Things you can work on at Home: In addition to homework here are some following activities you can complete if you wish:
• Review popcorn words and encourage them to write them. See if they can quickly identify them. It will be easier to only do a view a week.
• Put numbers 1-15 in order.
• Ask students the different ways you can add to get to 10. Challenge them to write a number sentence to represent that way!
• Practice counting to 100. Then ask them to count to 100 by 10’s.
• Have your child practice writing his/her last name. The first letter needs to be capital and all the rest lowercase.
Bits of Information
Blog Info: www.mcdowellsminutes.blogspot.com
**Homework – Do not forget that Homework will be sent home on Fridays and be returned on Wednesdays.
We have been having a lot of “tummy aches” in our class. (One child will mention that they’re ill, and five minutes later, six more kids have the same symptoms). Please talk to your child about what it feels like to really be sick. I don’t ever want to disregard your child’s sickness if they really are sick. It can get tricky at this age so we just want to make sure we help them understand their bodies.
We have a lot of December birthdays. If you are planning on bringing something in to celebrate your child’s birthday, please let us know so we can plan accordingly.
We will be decorating gingerbread houses the week before our break. We are in need of candy to put on our houses as well as white icing. If you are able, please send in these items. (gumdrops, red hots, m & m’s, twizzler strings, mini candy canes, peppermints, pretzel sticks, white cake icing).
Christmas is coming up and some of you may be thinking of sending in a small gift for the children in our class. Each child will have a mini stocking if you wish to bring something in. This is completely optional, but please bring in 24 so each child gets the same thing. If you wish to do something for the classroom, the following are some things that we could use:
• Books on Tape or CD
• Bingo Paint Dotters (bottle of paint w/ a sponge on top)
• Marble Maze
• Books for the Classroom
• Mr. Potato Heads
Important Dates:
December 17- Christmas Celebration- We will be having a mini celebration before the break on this day at 1:50. Don’t worry about bringing anything in… I’ve already got it taken care of!
December 20-31- Christmas Break
January 3- School Back in Session
Specials This Week:
Monday- Music
Tuesday- Library
Wednesday- Gym
Thursday- Art
Friday- Music
It’s always hard to come back from a long break, but the kids have done a great job! Next week we will be working on-demand writing in Kidwriting. This is when students are given a prompt and they have to write about it. We will continue learning how to add numbers up to 10 and how to break apart the tens and ones in numbers up to 20. In literacy, students will be reviewing question words and be challenged to identify key parts of a story.
Things you can work on at Home: In addition to homework here are some following activities you can complete if you wish:
• Review popcorn words and encourage them to write them. See if they can quickly identify them. It will be easier to only do a view a week.
• Put numbers 1-15 in order.
• Ask students the different ways you can add to get to 10. Challenge them to write a number sentence to represent that way!
• Practice counting to 100. Then ask them to count to 100 by 10’s.
• Have your child practice writing his/her last name. The first letter needs to be capital and all the rest lowercase.
Bits of Information
Blog Info: www.mcdowellsminutes.blogspot.com
**Homework – Do not forget that Homework will be sent home on Fridays and be returned on Wednesdays.
We have been having a lot of “tummy aches” in our class. (One child will mention that they’re ill, and five minutes later, six more kids have the same symptoms). Please talk to your child about what it feels like to really be sick. I don’t ever want to disregard your child’s sickness if they really are sick. It can get tricky at this age so we just want to make sure we help them understand their bodies.
We have a lot of December birthdays. If you are planning on bringing something in to celebrate your child’s birthday, please let us know so we can plan accordingly.
We will be decorating gingerbread houses the week before our break. We are in need of candy to put on our houses as well as white icing. If you are able, please send in these items. (gumdrops, red hots, m & m’s, twizzler strings, mini candy canes, peppermints, pretzel sticks, white cake icing).
Christmas is coming up and some of you may be thinking of sending in a small gift for the children in our class. Each child will have a mini stocking if you wish to bring something in. This is completely optional, but please bring in 24 so each child gets the same thing. If you wish to do something for the classroom, the following are some things that we could use:
• Books on Tape or CD
• Bingo Paint Dotters (bottle of paint w/ a sponge on top)
• Marble Maze
• Books for the Classroom
• Mr. Potato Heads
Important Dates:
December 17- Christmas Celebration- We will be having a mini celebration before the break on this day at 1:50. Don’t worry about bringing anything in… I’ve already got it taken care of!
December 20-31- Christmas Break
January 3- School Back in Session
Specials This Week:
Monday- Music
Tuesday- Library
Wednesday- Gym
Thursday- Art
Friday- Music
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Thanksgiving Break
I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving Break! I missed the kids, but I know they enjoyed spending extra time with you! I look forward to seeing the kiddos tomorrow!
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Mrs. McDowell is very Thankful
I am a very blessed teacher. I am thankful for 24 very important reasons:
Alivia- The way you always want to help me out around the class.
Alyssa- The way you come in and always show me how pretty you look and make me princess pictures.
Angelina- The way you sneak up on me with how smart you are!
Austin- For all the funny things that you say that make me laugh.
Christian- For all the hugs when I least expect it and the way you smile at me when I tell you to put on your glasses.
Gabie- For the quiet, meek spirit you have.
Isaiah- The way you come up and give me a bear hug and tell me, “I love you Mrs. McDowell.”
Jaila- The way you always help me by leading the songs that we sing.
Jakob- For all the super hero things you teach me.
John- For all the many questions you ask me.
John- The way you read the NMLOTW board with so much energy and the funny letters you write me and put in my mailbox.
Kenley- The new songs and ideas you like to teach me that we can use in our class.
Maddie- The way you always want to help me out and are willing to do anything around the class.
Madison- The way you always set an example during carpet time.
Maggie- For the cute questions you like to write during Kidwriting.
Makayla- The way you have grown over the past nine weeks.
Matthew- The way you help me every morning get the morning work tubs together for the class.
Matt- The way you care for the adults that work in our room.
Mayra- The silly stories you tell me to make me smile.
Sentella- For inviting me to your ice skating performance and being your cute girlie self.
Tanner- For the way you have come out of your shell and are no longer shy but energetic.
Teleyah- The way I can see your true personality come out with your friends.
Terry- For your giving attitude, like when you searched in your toys at home on your own to bring to school and put in our treasure box.
Tyler- For the many hugs you give me daily.
As you can see I am very blessed. Not to mention I have some of the best support staff around! What a great year we are having! I wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Pictures
Picture packets that were pre-paid have arrived and been sent home in your child's backpack. Our "Picture Make-Up" day is THURSDAY, DEC. 2nd. and is for new students, students who were absent Oct. 22nd, or for re-takes. Re-takes can be done for students who return their original picture packet by Dec. 2nd. Please let us know if you need a payment envelope. (These pictures will be available before Christmas break.) Thanks!
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Thanksgiving Celebration
Make sure to check your child's folder today for papers on our Thanksgiving celebration next Tuesday before the break. I think this will be a great time to reinforce the content we have been teaching about Native Americans and Early Settlers. We would love to have you come and join us! We will be eating our mini Thanksgiving feast at 1:00 and then head into the gym at 1:30 for a presentation from both the purple and orange pods. We hope to see you there! If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.
Homework
I will not be sending home books this week because of the short week. However, I will be sending home an activity that you all can be creative and work on together. You all will get to decorate a fall wreath and then your child can use their kidwriting to write a sentence about it. You can be as creative with this project as you would like. I hope it gives you an opportunity to spend some quality time with your child!
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Pumpkin Patch
Here are a few photos from our field trip to the pumpkin patch a few weeks ago. More to come later!
Absences on Fridays
It's that time of year when stomach bugs and the flu start going around. If your child is absent on Friday and is unable to get their homework, then I will send it home on Monday with your child. Just do your best to get as much done as you can. I understand if you cannot get it all completed in time to turn it in on Wednesday.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Sub on Monday
I managed to sprain my ankle this weekend and will be out on Monday. I always like to tell my students if I will be out just so they will be prepared for the change. Please review the 5 S.T.E.P.S. with them so they know how to act with a sub in the room. I know they will do great!
The 5 S.T.E.P.S.
Safe Hands, Safe Feet
Try Your Best
Express Yourself
Play Nice with Others
Stop and Think
The 5 S.T.E.P.S.
Safe Hands, Safe Feet
Try Your Best
Express Yourself
Play Nice with Others
Stop and Think
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Treasure Box
If anyone has any small toys that they would like to donate to our classroom treasure box we could greatly appreciate it! Treasure box items include: happy meal toys, pencils, dollar store toys, etc. Thanks for all you do as parents! My kids are great and a lot of that is thanks to you!
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Don't Forget!
Don't forget that homework needs to come back to school on Wednesdays! Also, please do your best to read the newsletter by Monday morning so you know of any upcoming events going on in our classroom that next week. I hope your kids enjoyed the day off! I missed them!
Friday, October 29, 2010
Share Day
Monday, November 1st will be a Share Day for our class. Our students have earned another compliment party! Please allow your child to bring in something that they can share with the class.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
No School/Homework
Remember that students do not have school on Tuesday, November 2nd because of Election Day. Also, remember that homework now comes home on Fridays and is to be returned on Wednesdays. Please, do your best to get it back to me by Wednesday so I can have the time prepare your child's homework bag for the next week.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Welcome to our Classroom Blog!
Welcome to Mrs. McDowell's Classroom Blog! I thought that putting up a blog would provide another resource for you as a parent to keep up with all the many things going on at the Village. I hope you find this site useful and if there is anything else that can help, please let me know!
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