Monday, September 10, 2012

Scootpad Online Tool

I introduced Scootpad to the students today to browse during stations! Once we got through the login issues, the students seemed to enjoy the program. It's a completely optional resource, but an additional one for students that want that extra practice at home.

Students received their log in cards today. Although their login ids are different, everyone's password, for now, is welcome. Once into the program, the kids can work through skills to earn coins. Coins can be "spent" on rewards such as extra computer time, sit by a friend for a day, free homework pass, etc.

There really isn't a deadline on this skill work. And, in fact, it's completely optional for students. It's just a fun way of reinforcing the skills for math and reading that we use here at school!

www.scootpad.com

Spirit Days for a Great Cause!


Kids with Leukemia and Cancer need your help!

Please help us raise money to donate for the Leukemia Society.  We have our very own HERO right at Reagan Elementary School.  Aiden is 2nd grader who is battling leukemia and he is WINNING!!!!  When we donate money we are helping kids like Aiden!  We also have a sister of one of our students who is battling brain cancer.  Faith is a 4 year old girl who loves to play Barbies with her big sister Savanna who is a fifth grader at Reagan!  We will be having another fundraiser in the spring to donate to Riley Hospital in Faith’s name.

 Please donate a $1 for each dress up day.  We are also selling popsicles at recess on Wednesday, September 19 for $.50 each.

Monday, September 17 – Hat Day

Wednesday, September 19 - Beach Day (wear flip flops and sunglasses, you will need recess shoes!) and Popcicles out at recess for $.50

Friday, September 21 – Spirit Day (wear your favorite Bulldogs Gear)

Friday, September 7, 2012

Brain Fuel FAQs

Many students are bringing in snacks, and boy are we so thankful!!! The kids really work hard all morning and afternoon, so refueling is a MUST!

One thing to keep in mind, though, is that not everyone will like what we choose for snack on a certain day. We all eat the same snack for obvious reasons. However, some students have chosen to bring their own daily snacks, just in case. This is absolutely acceptable!

Thanks again for the generous donations. Please keep in mind that we have 26 students now!

Friday papers

My goal is to send home papers on Fridays each week. It is your child's responsibility (with my prompting) to collect his or her papers from the individual mailboxes. Other important papers and your child's Friday Letter notebook will come home in that mailbox, too. The only item that needs to be returned is the Friday Letter notebook on Mondays (or the first day of the week).

EDM Online Games = Clip Up Daily

www.everydaymathonline.com

The website above is an EXCELLENT resource for online math games, family letters, Home Links, and really any other resources parents and kids need to be successful this year in math. Please check out the site with your child's EDM login information (found in their pencil pouches in binders).

***For each student that spends at least 10 minutes per night working on EDM online games and/or math skills (flash cards, problem solving, telling time, skip counting orally, etc . . .), he or she may clip up on our behavior chart each day (optional). Of course, a note in the assignment notebook or directly written to me about your child's efforts toward math success is a requirement. This will start as soon as Monday.

***Students can still clip up each day they wear an analog watch, too.

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

iREAD Useful Sites

Along with ISTEP this year, iREAD is an important reading test that third grade students will take in the spring semester. I've linked a few GREAT sites to our blog labeled "iRead" for your child to browse or work through as you wish (completely optional).

Another great way to succeed at iRead is to READ, READ, READ!!! Research shows that reading increases vocabulary and spelling skills, as well as writing skills.

Find time to read with your kids or allow your kids to SEE you reading! My boys often see me reading a good book (too often maybe) or browsing through a magazine. I enjoy listening to audio books, downloading books on my iPod or Nook, checking out books at the public library, or even swapping books with friends. A class competition is in sight soon . . . Our class library is open for any student of mine to utilize, too! I encourage reading and LOTS of it!

Story Quiz and Vocab This Week

We WILL NOT have a story quiz this week. We will discuss some of the skills for our story, but we will NOT take the quiz individually this week.

We WILL NOT have a vocabulary quiz on Friday either this week. Packets are still due, but we will spend the time in class to discuss the words and their meanings.

We WILL have a Home Link for math each night (other than Friday). Those are due the following day.