Ms. Shelly's News October 19

WOW! We had a busy week with the homecoming parade, 3rd grade play, DASH, and all of the hard work they put in learning and challenging themselves.  We also made the Rocket report news today for showing kindness.  We wrote thank you letters to sailors away at officer school to say "Thank you" for their contribution to our country.

We used the pumpkins from the field trip to do some math and science investigations. Then, we completed our 2nd STEM challenge, Pumpkin Towers.  The students used their senses to evaluate different building materials (jelly pumpkins, candy corn pumpkins, and marshmallow pumpkins) to decide which would be the best to make a model tower.  We also reviewed 3-D shapes and having a solid base to support our structure.  The students have learned the Engineering Design Process and motions to help them remember the steps.  Some structures were a success and some structures were not, but that is all part of the discovery process. Ask them to tell you more about our challenge!

Please help the 2nd grade students make a difference by contributing pop tabs for the Ronald McDonald House.   It costs between $50 and $100 to operate a room at one of their facilities. The RMH receives market value, usually between $0.35 and $0.50 per pound, for the recycled metal in order to assist families in need.  Last year our school collected just over 100 pounds of aluminum through our collection efforts. This would almost pay for one night’s stay at one of the Ronald McDonald facilities. In order to help more families, we would love to increase our goal to 150 pounds of aluminum this school year.

In order to contribute, remove the pop tabs from every aluminum can and send them in to your child's homeroom teacher each month. The 2nd graders will collect each teacher’s tabs month, weigh and graph the data, and take the pop tabs to an individual who will deliver them to the Ronald McDonald House of Atlanta.   Thank you so much for your contributions!

Parenting and Technology Night

Plugged-In Parents:  Keeping kids safe, happy, and healthy in the digital age.  

Tuesday, October 23

6:00 - 7:00

RBES Media Center

Join us as we address your main concerns regarding children and media use.  

• Determining the right amount of screen time for your aged child
• How to establish limits with screen time without major battles  
• When to get your child a cell phone 
• Developing a family media agreement
• Media and friendships together - the benefits and challenges

As we prepare for the presentation, we would love your input.  So, if you haven't completed the parent technology survey, here's the link!

• Continue to practice sight words every night for 5-10 minutes.
• Practice counting to 100.

Week in Review:  

• Place value (ones/tens place)
• Teen numbers
• Letter K, k and G, g sounds and letter formation
• CVC words (consonant/vowel/consonant)
• Sight word games
• CGI math (Cognitively Guided Instruction)

Activity Snapshot: 

• STEM challenge
• DA$H Fun Run
• 3rd grade play "Squirm"

Sneak peek at the week:

• Continue teen numbers
• Letter J, j (Jumping Jim); W, w (Walter Walrus)
• Continue Informational writing- Fall
• CGI (taking away problems)

Star Student: Hollis Ade

Reminders and Announcements:

• Oct. 31- Book Character Parade
• Nov. 5- iMom breakfast 7:20
• Nov. 15- Thanksgiving Feast
• Nov. 19-23 Thanksgiving holidays
• Dec. 17- Jan. 2 Winter holiday break

Ms. Shelly's News October 12

We had a wonderful day at Washington Farms for our fall field trip!  The weather was certainly in our favor. Thank you to the parents who were able to come and help out with the students.  There is some information coming home in the Friday folder from the farm as well as a free day pass.

I can't believe we are already at the end of Quarter 1! Report Cards are coming home today. You keep the insert.  Please sign and return the envelope to me on Monday.  

DA$H is coming up next Friday!  There will be a parent observation area where parents may stand to cheer on the students.  This is a pretty quick activity so make sure you don't miss us! Our time to run outside will be 10:10-10:25.  

Our class has set a goal that we will have 12 sponsors, minimum.  You only ask for sponsors at the moment and turn in the pledge card.  Once the students run the laps, we will send home their number and you will collect pledge money at that time to send to school.  There is also the online option this year. Thanks for being such amazing parents!!!

We are looking for Veterans to be recognized during our Veterans Day Assembly on Friday, November 9th at 1:50 pm.  If you are a Veteran or know of one who would like to participate please contact Tiffany Hancock at thancock@oconeeschools.org.

• Continue to practice sight words every night for 5-10 minutes.
• Practice counting to 100.

Week in Review:  

• More/less/equal
• Place value (tens place)
• Letter E, e sounds and letter formation
• Sentence formation
• Sight word games
• CGI math (Cognitively Guided Instruction)

Activity Snapshot: 

• Pumpkin life cycle
• Race to Trace (teen numbers)
• Working on our first book!
• Made Christopher Columbus pictures

Sneak peek at the week:

• Continue teen numbers
• STEM challenge/pumpkin math
• Letter K, k (Kicking King) G, g (Golden Girl)
• Informational writing
• CGI (taking away problems)

Star Student: Olivia Branch

Reminders and Announcements:

• Oct. 15- iMom breakfast 7:20
• Oct. 19- DA$H for Excellence Fun Run
• Oct. 31- Book Character Parade
• Nov. 5- iMom breakfast 7:20
• Nov. 15- Thanksgiving Feast
• Nov. 19-23 Thanksgiving holidays
• Dec. 17- Jan. 2 Winter holiday break

Ms. Shelly's News October 4

We had a busy week!  Today, we started with the Monarch assembly and a DASH pep rally this afternoon. We walked the monarch garden and made observations about the monarchs and other butterflies. 

I bet they are tired. Thank you to everyone who sent in an apple this week.  We had so much fun peeling and spiraling them to cook. Conference reminders went home in folders today.  I hope everyone has a wonderful long weekend!

• Continue to practice sight words every night for 5-10 minutes.
• Practice counting to 100.  Transitions between decades are tricky sometimes!

• Week in Review:  

• patterns with apples
• Math review
• Letter M, m and N, n sounds and letter formation
• Sentence formation
• Sight word games
• CGI math (Cognitively Guided Instruction)

Activity Snapshot: 

• Apple pattern hats
• Created patterns with Apple Jacks cereal
• Apple taste test and class graph
• Learned an apple poem and created a sequences with pictures
• Made applesauce, which turned out to be baked apple, to eat together with contributed apples.

Sneak peek at the week:

• Begin teen numbers
• Letter E, e (Eddy Elephant)
• Intro. informational writing
• Life Cycle of a pumpkin
• Columbus Day

Reminders and Announcements:

Oct. 5 Teacher work day- no school 

Oct. 8 Fall Break- no school 

Oct. 12 Field trip- Washington Farms 

Oct. 15 iMom breakfast 7:20am 

Oct. 19 DA$H for Excellence Fun Run 

Oct. 31 Book Character Parade 

Ms. Shelly's News October 1

We adhere to the Oconee County Wellness policy and encourage healthy, low sugar, snacks at school (fruit, yogurt, crackers, etc.) and water only in water bottles.  This helps to keep us focused and our classroom neat. Make sure you send in a snack daily for your child. We appreciate your help with this!

Conference sign-ups were completed online.  If you missed the email or if you need a time that was not listed, Please email me.

Be thinking of a character to dress up as from your favorite book!  Book character parade is coming up on October 31 (student only event).

If you have not sent in payment for the field trip yet, please do so as soon as possible. If you need assistance, send me an email.

I hope everyone has a wonderful week!

• Everyone was checked today. New lists are coming home if needed. Continue to practice sight words every night for 5-10 minutes.

Week in Review:  

• One more
• Letter B,b and P,p sounds and letter formation
• Sentence formation
• Chunking words to help us read
• STEM Engineering Design Process
• CGI math (Cognitively Guided Instruction)

Activity Snapshot: 

• STEM sort and build challenge - The Three Pigs
• Writing our "I like" book

Sneak peek at the week:

• Practicing number writing and review 
• Letters M,m  (Munching Mike) and  N,n (Noisy Nick)
• Continue learning about Writer's Workshop
• Fall, Apples and Pumpkins

Reminders and Announcements:

Oct. 2 LAST Volunteer training 12:30-1:30 

Oct. 5 Teacher work day- no school 

Oct. 8 Fall Break- no school 

Oct. 12 Field trip- Washington Farms 

Oct. 15 iMom breakfast 7:20am 

Oct. 19 DA$H for Excellence Fun Run 

Oct. 31 Book Character Parade 

Ms. Shelly's News September 21

Happy first day of Fall!  We have been working hard to learn our numbers, write our numbers, and represent a group with a number using different math tools (pictures, tally marks, ten frames)

We made our class goal for the DASH run.  We will work to get 12 or more sponsors as a class.  More info will be coming home about the DASH soon.  

The Washington Farm field trip is coming up in October.  Please be sure to return your permission slip and cost of your students ticket. If you are unable to pay for your student due to financial hardship or you are willing to sponsor another child, please let me know ASAP.

Be sure to attend the last volunteer training on October 2 , from 12:30- 1:30.  You must have completed the volunteer training to attend field trips and class parties.

Week in Review:  

• Writing and representing numbers 6-10 (tally marks, ten frames, number line, one more, one less)
• Letter O, o long and short sounds and letter formation 
• Sentence formation (capital and punctuation)
• Five senses
• CGI math (Cognitively Guided Instruction)

Activity Snapshot: 

• 5 senses Popcorn Party! We discussed how we use all of our senses to experience popcorn.  Always a fun one to do again at home for a movie night!
• Journal Writing about what we will be when we grow up
• Writing our "I can" book

Sneak peek at the week:

• Practicing different ways to represent numbers
• Letters B,b  (Bouncy Ben) and P,p (Peter Puppy)
• STEM challenge
• Continue learning about Writer's Workshop
• Blending

Star Student: Sara Kate Blevins

Reminders and Announcements:

Sept. 24 RBES spirit night @ Zaxby's

Oct. 2 LAST Volunteer training 12:30-1:30 

Oct. 5 Teacher work day- no school 

Oct. 8 Fall Break- no school 

Oct. 12 Field trip- Washington Farms 

Oct. 15 iMom breakfast 7:20am 

Oct. 19 DA$H for Excellence Fun Run 

Oct. 31 Book Character Parade 

Ms. Shelly's News September 14

The book fair and grandparent lunch was a great success! Thank you for the donations to our classroom library!  I hope all of you got a chance to come to STEAM night.  If you missed this one, there will be another one in the spring. We ended this week with a morning pep rally to cheer on our Titans! 

Please continue to practice sight words each night for homework for 5-10 minutes.  I will be checking everyone on sight words at the end of this month.  The expectation for 1st quarter is 30-40 words.

Week in Review:  

• Writing and representing numbers 1 to 5 (tally marks, ten frames, number line, one more, one less)
• Letter F, f; V, v sounds and letter formation 
• Sentence formation (capital and punctuation)
•  Complete Community Helpers
• CGI math (Cognitively Guided Instruction)

Activity Snapshot: 

• Firefighter speaker
• Veterinarian speaker

Sneak peek at the week:

• Practicing different ways to represent numbers 6- 10
• Letters O,o
• Continue learning about Writer's Workshop
• CGI 
• Blending; Continue practicing letters and sounds; continue practicing sight words

Star Student: Charlotte Platt

Reminders and Announcements:

Sept. 18 Community Involvement session- Civic Center 6-8 

Sept 22 First day of Fall!

Sept. 24 RBES spirit night @ Zaxby's

Oct. 5 Teacher work day- no school 

Oct. 8 Fall Break- no school 

Oct. 12 Field trip- Washington Farms 

Oct. 15 iMom breakfast 7:20am 

Oct. 19 DA$H for Excellence Fun Run 

Oct. 31 Book Character Parade 

Ms. Shelly's News September 7

Book fair and grandparent lunch begin next week.  Our day to go to the book fair as a class is Tuesday 9/11 @ 12:30. We would love to have you come be with us at the book fair if possible. Visitors are welcome at lunch any day and may take students to the book fair once they have finished eating and walk them back to my classroom when they have finished shopping.  STEAM night is a lot of fun!  It is free to participate and the book fair will be open that evening for those who are not able to come during the day. Ice cream and toppings are helping to raise money for our school library.

iMom breakfast is Monday morning beginning at 7:20.  They will have several of these breakfasts throughout the year for K-2.

MAP scores are coming home in their folders today.  Please continue to practice sight words nightly for homework! It really makes a difference with their reading. Everyone has color and number words.  New lists will be coming home soon!

Our school is working hard to improve overall attendance.  Below is a reminder of the county policy regarding absences and tardies.  Please try to plan long trips around scheduled breaks whenever possible. We receive a class award each month for the highest % of class attendance per grade level.  Our class has set a goal with our Rocket buddies to achieve this for September.  All we have to do is be present every day for school! Easy Peasy!

Attendance/Tardy Reminders

Excused Absences

1.  Excused Absence for Medical Reasons: Absences for which a student requires attention from a health care professional (i.e. doctor, dentist, psychiatrist, etc. . .) will always be excused when a note from the professional is provided to the school.

2.  Parent Note Excused Absence--Maximum of 5 Parent notes per semester; 10 total for the year.  

Unexcused Absence: Any absences beyond the ten (5) parent excused absences, except those supported by documentation from a health care provider, are considered unexcused

Tardy: A student is tardy if he/she arrives after the start of the school day or leaves before the end of the school day, missing no more than three (3) hours. Arriving late or leaving early for a medical appointment can be an excused tardy as long as documentation from a medial professional is provided.

Wish list: 
baby wipes (to clean up after ice cream Fridays!)

Week in Review:  

• Letter I, i short and long sounds and letter formation
• Sentence formation
• Community Helpers 
• CGI math (Cognitively Guided Instruction) 

Activity Snapshot: 

• We made a graph to see how many letters were in all of our names and displayed it
• Counting activities- We counted the letters in our name with numbers, unifix cubes, ten-frames, and tally marks. We made numbers out of playdough and matched with number of playdough balls.
• Met with our 5th grade Rocket Buddies

Sneak peek at the week:

• Ways to represent numbers
• Letters F, f (Firefighter Fred) and V,v (Vicky Violet)
• Finish up community helpers
• Continue learning about Writer's Workshop
• Rhyming words/blending

Star Student: Eureka Zhu

Reminders and Announcements:

• Sept. 10 iMom breakfast
• Sept. 10-14 Fall book fair/Grandparent lunch (please make sure any visitor is listed in PowerSchool that you listed on the paper you returned to school)
• Sept. 11 Fall picture make-up
• Sept. 11 STEAM night and Ice cream social
• Sept. 24 RBES spirit night @ Zaxby's