Here is some information from the PTA about the Book Fair and the Caring is Sharing Spaghetti Dinner.

• Thursday, November 19, 5:30 – 7:30 pm: Sharing is Caring Spaghetti Dinner – Did we mention the Lake Elmo Inn is providing the fantastic pasta buffet again this year? Don’t forget to RSVP! (You know how we Midwesterners get about planning enough food for everyone.) You can RSVP online here: http://lakeelmoelementary.my-pta.org/content.asp?PageID=9

• Thursday, November 19 – Friday, November 20: Book Fair – It’s a great stop to make if you’re coming to the spaghetti dinner, but we’ll be open in the DAPE Gym on Friday as well. Perfect timing for a little advance holiday shopping! We’re still looking for volunteers to staff the Book Fair store. Whether you can squeeze in an hour or more, check out the openings here: http://lakeelmoelementary.my-pta.org/?Redirect=True&RedirectPage=%2FVSchedule%2Fvschedule.asp%3FContentIndex%3D0%26eid%3D33

Wow, it has been so long since I have updated you! Once I made so many connections during Parent/Teacher conferences I lost track of time.  We have had a lot going on so I will do my best to include as much as possible.

We have started something new with Literacy.  It is similar to our Flipped Math program but we do most of the work in class.  It is similar because students are now watching instructional videos for their reading and writing.  Next they complete their reading and writing work in Google Docs.  They are reflecting on their silent reading books and books I read aloud in class.  And they do this everyday!  The connections they are making are amazing.  The first unit they did was a personal narrative unit and now we are working on historical fiction.  While we are reading and studying historical fiction books, novels and picture books, the students are working on their own historical fiction writing piece.  The students get to choose a time period in history that they are interested in so they get to study that time period in fiction and non-fiction books.

Once their reading and writing is done they are able to create illustrations, video clips and other added extras to really make their stories exciting.  The students love this part.  During this time I really see their personalities enter into their work and their excitement is contagious.  Since we have started doing this the students engagement in reading and writing has increased!

By using this approach I am able to respond to the student's work very quickly and more easily.  Each student is getting better feedback from me I am able to tailor my instruction to each child.  This has also enabled me to work one on one or in small groups more than I was able to before.

Many students have started bringing in their own electronic devices to be able to do more reading and writing work without having to share.  If you child is able to bring in a device it will help out.

We are about to finish up unit 3 in math.  We will have a couple of days with no videos as homework while we finish up the unit and review for the test.  Then we will move on to unit 4 which works on angles and circumference of circles.  This unit is short with only 7 lessons in it.  We should be able to finish it up in two weeks.

Tomorrow is the Veteran's Day Concert.  Students are asked to wear red, white and blue.

Picture retakes are November 17th.  The book fair is November 18th and 19th.

Ask you students about our reading and writing work in Google Docs!

Picture day is coming up.  It is Wednesday, September 30th.  Information for ordering is going home in today's Friday Folder.

Also, the Walk-a-thon is coming up.  It is one week from today.  Fundraising envelopes went home on Monday.  Please send the envelope back to class even if it is empty.

We need a few volunteers for the classroom.  I would love some help with Friday Folders.  If you can come in and help on Fridays it would be wonderful!  Also, the last Tuesday of each month I need a volunteer to help with Map testing.  The students are given a map at the beginning of the month and they get to chose a level, 1-5 to test too.  On the last Tuesday of the month they will be asked to identify places on a map.  I need a volunteer to help with the testing.  It usually takes about 30-45 minutes.

We have finished Unit 1 in math and now students can start Unit 2 videos and quizzes.

Have a great weekend!

Hello,

We are at the end of the math unit and I would like to clarify a few things.  We will have a couple of nights at the end of each unit that students do not need to do a math video and quiz.  In class we are finishing up Homework and Remembering and reviewing.  On the day we take the unit test, that evening they will start the next unit videos and quizzes.  This week it looks like we will be taking the Unit 1 test tomorrow, Thursday, which means Thursday night they will have the Unit 2 Lesson 1 video and quiz.  I hope that helps to clarify things.

Happy Monday,

Thank you to everyone that turned in the JA Biztown permission slip and $15.  We are going on October 6th.  If you haven't yet turned in the money please do so as soon as possible.

Students have been doing a great job of keeping up on their homework.  Typically they have a math video and quiz online each night.  They also need to do 30 minutes of reading and fill out their reading log every night.

This week we are finishing up Unit 1 in Math.  We will take the test either Wednesday or Thursday.  It depends on how much we need to review.  Watch the homework calendar to see which day we schedule it for.

Next week we will start spelling.  We will be using www.spellingcity.com for pretests, posttests, and activities.  It will mainly be done in class.  However, you will be able to have your child log in so you can see what they are doing.

They also have had great questions to help them clarify things that they have not understood.  Besides learning new information in all subject areas, we are also working on our self control and direction following.

That is all that is racing through my brain right now.  As I can update you on more things I will.

Hello Everyone,

We are off to a great start this year.  Last week was a little hot in the room and the cooler weather this week has helped a lot!

Last night was the first night I assigned the first Flipped Math video and quiz.  Hopefully, everything went well.  If not we will trouble shoot problems today.

Everyone has turned in their Emergency Cards, but, from some people, I am still looking for $6.00 for National Geographic magazine and a letter from parents telling me about your student.  If you have not sent these in to me, please try and get them to me soon.  I would appreciate it.

There is a homework calendar link on the website and I realized yesterday it is not working.  I will work on getting it up an running soon.  Please keep checking back.


Here are some messages from the PTA:

PTA Kick-Off Meeting

September 15, at the Lake Elmo Inn

5:30 - social, 6:00 - program

Maybe you're new to Lake Elmo Elementary, or it's been a little while and you want to know what's new and happening with the PTA...we've got you both covered at this event! Come mingle with other parents and teachers, enjoy a few appetizers, and hear from the PTA co-Presidents on what we're planning for the year ahead. Bring any questions you may have about the PTA, and we'll answer them.

 

Spirit Night

September 18, Lake Elmo Elementary Gym

4:00 - 6:00

It's Friday! It's Homecoming night at the high school! To celebrate in spirit (but earlier in the afternoon, in case you want to catch the game), come join us in the gym for some fun activities, a few snacks, and spend a little time getting to know the other students, families, and teachers at school.

Have a great day!  Thanks for checking my blog and staying up-to-date!

Back to School

Hello Everyone,

Summer is quickly coming to an end and we need to prepare for our year ahead.  August 26th we have Meet and Greet at school from 4:00-6:00 PM.  During that time I will give a presentation to parents and students at 5:00 PM.  That presentation will contain some important, hands-on information.  You will want to be there to learn how to log into Flipped Math, Google Classroom and Skyward.  You will be given your passwords and a chance to log in.  We will also visit my website so that everyone will be able to quickly locate important information throughout the school year.

I am looking forward to meeting all of you!