SO much has been happening in our class. We have been working on Asking Questions. Good readers Ask and Answer Questions to demonstrate understanding of a text, referring explicitly to the text as the basis for answers.
What should a good reader do?
* Ask questions before, during and after reading.
Ask questions
* when you are curious about something.
* when you make to make a prediction
* when you want to clarify something
* when you want to think deeper about a topic.
Thursday, October 13, 2016
Wednesday, September 21, 2016
Progress Reports
Good evening!
Progress Reports will be sent home tomorrow! I am also in the process of scheduling parent conferences. I look forward to telling you about the wonderful things your child is doing and to discuss what we can work on to improve any weak areas.
Progress Reports will be sent home tomorrow! I am also in the process of scheduling parent conferences. I look forward to telling you about the wonderful things your child is doing and to discuss what we can work on to improve any weak areas.
Wednesday, September 14, 2016
Critical Vocabulary
This week, we have two new words we are focusing on:
Draft and Evaluate.
A draft is a rough copy. It is a term often used in writing.
When we evaluate, we judge or consider something.
Our word for the week at Atwater is curious.
Sunday, September 11, 2016
Learning Ally
Good News!
I have signed up my class for Learning Ally! This is a wonderful audio book program. Your child can read books on their grade level using the audio support. I'll be signing up the students tomorrow and training them.
https://www.learningally.org/Login
I have signed up my class for Learning Ally! This is a wonderful audio book program. Your child can read books on their grade level using the audio support. I'll be signing up the students tomorrow and training them.
https://www.learningally.org/Login
Friday, September 9, 2016
Hi, Parents!
It was a pleasure seeing you again at Parent Night. We went over our Class Procedures and Expectations for the school year.
I am in the process of scheduling Parent Conferences for September 22. We will discuss any concerns, your expectations, your child's progress and iReady scores.
Today in class, we spent a lot of time discussing the events of September 11, 2001. Can you believe this Sunday will be 15 years?
We listened as the author read The Little Chapel that Stood. C.B. Artiss wrote this informational text about the event and to show the resilience of Americans. No matter what, we have hope and we will rebuild.
You can watch the video here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3REzmuzdxE
We also looked at photographs of The Survivor Tree. We discussed how a tree or other plant that survives a tragedy or destructive event can become a symbol of hope to people as it eventually thrives or bloom again.
You can view the photographs here:
https://www.911memorial.org/photo-albums/survivor-tree
It was a pleasure seeing you again at Parent Night. We went over our Class Procedures and Expectations for the school year.
I am in the process of scheduling Parent Conferences for September 22. We will discuss any concerns, your expectations, your child's progress and iReady scores.
Today in class, we spent a lot of time discussing the events of September 11, 2001. Can you believe this Sunday will be 15 years?
We listened as the author read The Little Chapel that Stood. C.B. Artiss wrote this informational text about the event and to show the resilience of Americans. No matter what, we have hope and we will rebuild.
You can watch the video here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3REzmuzdxE
We also looked at photographs of The Survivor Tree. We discussed how a tree or other plant that survives a tragedy or destructive event can become a symbol of hope to people as it eventually thrives or bloom again.
You can view the photographs here:
https://www.911memorial.org/photo-albums/survivor-tree
Wednesday, September 7, 2016
Open House
I am so looking forward to seeing you at Open House tomorrow, September 8 from 6-7:30 p.m. You'll get an overview of the class and procedures. You will also be able to sign up for individual parent conferences. See you then!
Stretch A Sentence
We are determined to become better writers. One of our center activities focused on stretching out a sentence.
Here was our starter sentence: The bird flies.
Who? The eagle flies to hunt for fish.
Where? The eagle flies around the jungle to hunt for fish.
Why? The eagle flies around the jungle to hunt for fish because it was hungry.
The eagle flies around the jungle to hunt for fish because she needs to feed her young.
Here was our starter sentence: The bird flies.
Who? The eagle flies to hunt for fish.
Where? The eagle flies around the jungle to hunt for fish.
Why? The eagle flies around the jungle to hunt for fish because it was hungry.
The eagle flies around the jungle to hunt for fish because she needs to feed her young.
Tuesday, August 30, 2016
Analyze
Our Critical Vocabulary word for the week is Analyze. Analyze means to break apart. When we analyze a character, we are looking at their thoughts, feelings, their motivations.
Our word of the Week is Shelter. Shelter can be a noun or a verb.
In Social Studies, we are reviewing Map Skills. Some key vocabulary words are: Compass Rose; Longitude, Latitude, Equator, Prime Meridien, North, East, South, West.
In Math, we are reviewing Math Skills. Tomorrow we will be playing Math Jeopardy! Stay tuned.
We had our first Media day. Your son/daughter borrowed two books. If it is fiction, then they are chapter books. I will be signing up the class with Learning Ally. This is something they can use at home. It provides the audio version to the text. They will be able to access not just fiction but their class texts if available. This will take the burden off reading and keep on the focus on comprehension.
Our word of the Week is Shelter. Shelter can be a noun or a verb.
In Social Studies, we are reviewing Map Skills. Some key vocabulary words are: Compass Rose; Longitude, Latitude, Equator, Prime Meridien, North, East, South, West.
In Math, we are reviewing Math Skills. Tomorrow we will be playing Math Jeopardy! Stay tuned.
We had our first Media day. Your son/daughter borrowed two books. If it is fiction, then they are chapter books. I will be signing up the class with Learning Ally. This is something they can use at home. It provides the audio version to the text. They will be able to access not just fiction but their class texts if available. This will take the burden off reading and keep on the focus on comprehension.
Sunday, August 28, 2016
There's a Boy in the Girls Bathroom by Louis Sachar
 |
| Buy the Book |
“Give me a dollar or I’ll spit on you.”
That’s Bradley Chalkers for you. He’s the oldest kid in the fifth grade. He tells enormous lies. He picks fights with girls, and the teachers say he has serious behavior problems. No one likes him—except Carla, the new school counselor. She thinks Bradley is sensitive and generous, and she even enjoys his far-fetched stories. Carla knows that Bradley could change, if only he weren’t afraid to try.
But when you feel like the most hated kid in the whole school, believing in yourself can be the hardest thing in the world.
We are enjoying the story. We have read the first 9 chapters. Bradley Chalkers is something else!
Sunday, August 21, 2016
Welcome!
Dear Parents,
Welcome to another school year! I look forward to working with you this year. I know that we will have a great school year together!
This is my 20th year as an educator, but my first at this school. I began my career in New York City and taught there for 7 years. I moved to Charlotte County in 2003 and worked there for about 10 years. I worked for Sarasota County for 1.5 years and I’m so excited to be working at Atwater Elementary this year!
Our class will be using Class Dojo and I hope you will accept the invite included in this packet to keep up with how your child is behaving and participating in the classroom. I have also included a brief questionnaire for you to complete that will help me get to know your child better.
Communication
Please be sure to check and sign your child’s agenda planner every day. If you have any questions or comments you can record them there.
Homework
Your child will receive homework in a designated folder. Homework is a very important part of your child’s education because it is a follow-up of what is learned in the classroom. Parents, please take the time to check your child’s homework folder every night. If for some reason your child is not able to complete his or her homework, please write a note just letting me know so this can be excused.
School Supply List
Please see the list provided in the take-home folder for your child’s grade level supplies.
Transportation Home
It is very important that you inform me or the school of any changes in how your child goes home in writing. Otherwise, your child will be sent home the usual way.
Birthdays
If your child has an upcoming birthday and you would like to send a special treat, I am requesting that you let me know what day you are coming in advance.
How to reach me
I can be contacted at school by calling (941) 257-2317 or via
email at the following: michelle.rice@sarasotaschools.net
Reminder: Open House is September 8th from 6-7:30pm. This will be an opportunity for you to see what we have been doing so far and to schedule individual conferences. I am looking forward to a happy and successful school year!
Reminder: Open House is September 8th from 6-7:30pm. This will be an opportunity for you to see what we have been doing so far and to schedule individual conferences. I am looking forward to a happy and successful school year!
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