Late Work Policy

Starting TERM 2, OCTOBER 28, 2013. October 23, 2013 Dear Parents, With the beginning of the second term the sixth grade team will be implementing a new late work policy. At the beginning of the year many parents expressed concern for how prepared their child would be for the transition to middle school. We as teachers shared our goal as a grade level was to help students develop and maintain academic responsibility. As a grade level we will adopt this policy beginning October 28, 2013, the first day of term 2. - Work is to be turned in on time. If students are asked to fix and return an assignment it will not be marked late. - Late work will be accepted up until 1 week after the due date. ALL LATE WORK WILL RECEIVE HALF CREDIT, NO EXCEPTIONS. - Any work handed in after the 1 week period will receive NO CREDIT. - If your child is absent they will be responsible to get the work they missed. Absences DO NOT absolve students from classwork or homework. If a student is absent they will have one week to complete missing work. After one week they can only receive half credit. Thank you for your help and support in this matter. Our hope is to help our students adopt positive work habits that will aid in their academic success. Thank you, Mrs. Andersen, Miss Foster, Mrs. Hansen, and Miss Holthaus

October 2013

Looks like I forgot my biweekly goal! The first term has FLOWN BY!! I can't believe it is already time for SEP's. I had the students make a goal for term 2 today and my goal is to be a better blogger!. I've got the post it already taped to my computer! October is always a fun month to be in school. The leaves are changing colors, fall weather is here, and Halloween is right around the corner. We were able to lots of fun things. In social studies we have been studying Egypt and the kids have created their own tomb art and cartouches. We even did an artist study and focused on the artwork of Pablo Picasso. The students then created Frankenstein in the style of Picasso.

Thanks to Harward Farms every student in the school got a pumpkin and we helped our buddies estimate how many seeds were in the pumpkin and then see how close their estimations were. The kids had a great time getting messy!

Remember no school on Friday. Hope you all enjoy your long weekend!

New School Year, New Students and New Goals

I AM going to be better about posting on our class blog; every year it seems something gets in the way. The blog becomes the last priority, but my goal is to keep it updated with the goings on in class biweekly. Fingers crossed I can keep myself to that! The last two weeks of school have flown by. A child of one of the teachers told her mom that it felt like she had already been here all year on the second day of school. It doesn't feel like we've been here that long, but it sure does feel great to get back into the swing of things. Our first week was full of activities to help the students get to know their classmates, their teachers and to have some fun. Things it can take a summer to forget and a few days back in to school to remember! This year we get to buddy with Mrs. Jensen's second grade class and it is great to see the students helping out the kids in younger grades. It is quite a change for me but I am excited to be teaching sixth grade this year and to be working with your students. The first two weeks have been great and I am excited for the year!

100th Day

I sent this note home with our weekly homewrok, but in addition to our normal homework we have one more assignment. Friday we will be celebrating our 100th day of school. We have planned some activities, but we need your help. Please send a bag containing 100 small items (ie. Cheerios, paperclips, beans, grains of rice, etc) with your student on Friday so they can participate.

Thanks!

Homework in Term 3

Parents,
In term 3 I will be grading homework, putting a score on the papers and sending it home. This will allow you to see their homework score more immediately and why they recieved that score. Please keep in mind for a full score, of 5, your student must complete all math pages, the writing page(with at least 5 sentences) and the spelling for the week. If we do not have school on Monday they are not required to do that day of spelling. I have had quite a few homework assignments come back with one day of spelling done, or the writing prompt answered in one sentence. Please encourage your students to complete the assigned work. Many of us spoke at SEP's about writing and its importance in second grade. Homework is a perfect time for your students to develop their writing and add details!!! Thank you for your support!

Miss Foster

Crazy Start to the New Year!

Hello Everyone!

I hope you had a great holiday. It was great to hear all about it as your students wrote their stories. I was glad to meet with all of you last week. I, again, want to apologize for how hectic the last few weeks have been. We will be back to normal this week! I was absent Tuesday the 17th for a district assignment, but it will be the last day Ill be out for a long time. Homework and spelling will come home Wednesday the 18th with shortened spelling lists. Thanks!

Miss Foster

Our Program

Parents,

Our Program is scheduled fot Thursday, Decemeber 1, 2011 at 7:00pm. If you are unable to attend that even we are putting on the show for the student body Wednesday afternoon at 1:00pm and Thursday morning at 10:00am. We would love to have you there if you can not make it for the evening performance.

Past Posts

I have plenty of posts typed and ready to be published but am missing my pictures. I had to back up my hard drive before restoring my computer...technology can be so glitchy...I will have posts from our field trip, assemblies, and pumpkin day up soon!! Thank you for all you do to help support your students.


Miss Foster

Addendum for Spelling

I have had a few parents voice concern regarding spelling. I was able to speak to parents at Parent Orientation about the program more in depth but I will again share my confidence in this program. I can remember when I was in elementary school, as I am sure many of you will, when my teacher gave me a list of 20 words that I memorized one week, took a test, and promptly put them from my mind to make way for the new words. I believe that can be an effective spelling tool. However, I utilize Words their Way as a program that helps not only spelling improve, but in other academic areas as well. I love that this program functions to help students notice patterns in words, so that not only does it help them spell that one word for that week but it translates into their writing and their reading. The focus on patterns will help solidify an understanding of language.

I have had a few parents worry that their child is used to getting 90-100 percent on spelling tests, as it has been that way for the last two years. Some have said their student is frustrated that the scores are not as high this year. While I do not mean to say the score doesn't matter, a high score on a spelling test is not my main objective. I want your students to benefit from the objectives of this program and use the strategies they learn in spelling in all academic areas. This program is specifically built to streamline understanding of language patterns into those areas.

I have also noticed a trend with spelling scores these past few weeks. We did a few practice weeks, getting everyone acquainted with the new program, they were practicing spelling words every day at school, and should have done the same for homework. Many of the students are spelling their words correctly,however they do not put the word in the correct column. The test is scored out of 20 points, each of the ten words will be awarded a possible 2 points, one for correct spelling, and one for correct placement. When they are practicing their spelling words at home focus on the patterns, have them identify the sort headers, and explain the distinctions between them. This will help them on Friday spelling tests.


Please know I want to see your children succeed and that starts with building their repertoire, expanding their vocabulary, increasing their exposure to literature. That repertoire is based on SO much more than a percentage. These students are bright, creative, artistic, academic minded students who will become lifelong learners. It is my goal to set them up for success, to teach them skills, and give them tools to help them on their path in education.

Thank you for letting me have a part in their learning, and allowing me to do my job and love it.

September Book Orders

Parents,
I sent home September book orders, I am going to be sending in an order this weekend, so the LAST DAY I will accept book orders is this Friday, September 23rd. Please make sure you have them turned in by Friday!

Thanks!

September 19-23rd

This Week's Vocabulary Words
1. photographer
2. explored
3. hobby
4. imagination
5. camera
6. through
7. artist
8. thought
9. favorite
10. amusement

Week of September 12th-16th

Our vocabulary words for this week are:
1. victory
2. confidence
3. consoled
4. encouraged
5. improve
6. probably
7. rarely
8. squad
9. suddenly
10. tryouts

Spelling Program

Dear Parents,

Some of you have asked how your child is to complete their homework. Every day your child is expected to practice their spelling words. I use a program called Words their Way, which is a program designed to better meet the needs of your student rather than a set list for everyone. Every Monday I introduce the sort to the students and they cut them out and sort them. After they sort it in class, they write the words in their spelling notebooks.


Your child will take a page of words home to practice during the week. They are to cut out and sort their words at home the same way they have practiced in class. Once they have sorted their words they should be written on the homework packet in the appropriate column. Depending on the words that week, your child may have up to 5 groups of words. Each group has a sort header which is to be written at the top of the column on the homework page. For example,





I know how beneficial this program will be for your students and want to make sure they are getting the most of it.
Once students have mastered the new spelling routine I will also include math and writing prompts. There will most often be 4 math pages, one to be completed a day and 1 writing prompt that can be completed at any point during the week. All portions of homework are to be returned on Fridays.


Miss Foster

Field Trip

Parents,
We are going on a walking field trip on September 21st. We had to do a little shifting when our farm field trip was switched to the Spring. A note is coming home tomorrow, Thursday September 8th. Please make sure it is sent back to school on Friday so that we can turn in our lunch count and have enough sack lunches for those who do not bring them from home.

Also, the link with homework policies and instructions will be up and running by Friday.

Miss Foster

Week of September 6th

We had A TON to get through today, seeing as we had a lovely Labor Day holiday. We have not had a chance to complete our vocabulary words, but for reference later this week so your students can earn a treat here are the vocabulary words...

1. tiptoed
2. murmured
3. whispered
4. scribbled
5. beautiful
6. announced
7. modeled
8. recited
9. coincidence
10. pleasant


And, in case they need them here are our spelling words...
zip, bit, but, big, jug, pin, tub, rip, will, him, cut, rub, hum, win, fun, six, nut, run, put, did, gum.


I appreciate all that you do, for your support both for me and the students. Enjoy this short week!

Parent Orientation

Thank you to everyone who came to the Parent Orientation Night. I had lots of information to hand out, especially about homework and spelling. I am working on a quick link that will explain homework and spelling to post on the blog. If you were unable to make it please emaiil me with questions. I will do all I can to make sure the assignments are clear. I have magnets for everyone with my email, blog address, and twitter name. If you did not get one please email me and I will send it home with your student! Thanks!!

Miss Foster

New School Year

I am so excited for this new school year. As much as I love my summer vacation, nothing compares to the start of a new school year. I am so excited you are all in my class and look forward to a great second grade year!!

2nd Grade Program

Parents,
I have heard from some of you that you will be out of town for our program Monday May 16th. The 2nd grade will be performing 2 times during the day for the school and if you would like to attend then you are more than welcome. We will be performing Friday May 13 at 2:00pm and Monday May 16 at 10:00am in the auditorium. The students have worked very hard these past few weeks to put the final touches on the program and we'd love you all to see it!

Thanks.

Testing Information

April 29, 2011

Dear Parents and Students,

As this year comes to a close, and testing season begins, students have the opportunity to show all they have learned in 2nd grade. We plan on beginning testing May 3rd. Before we begin there are a few things I will need your help with. It is very important that students get a good night sleep and eat breakfast during testing. It is imperative your children are here on time and if possible, do not leave school early. These practices will help your children feel awake, alert, and help them to perform their best. Thank you for your help and support this year and during testing.

These are the days we plan on testing; please make sure your child is at school on time.

May 3-May 5

May 10- May 12



Sincerely,


Miss Foster

Back from Spring Break

This morning was full of sleepy students itching for another day of Spring Break. There were a select few who said they were ready to be back at school. I hope you all enjoyed your week off and were able to relax. We will begin reviewing these next few weeks for testing to help everyone feel better prepared. I will be sending a note home with specfic testing dates. We are almost to the end! This year has just flown by, but it has been an incredible one and I owe much of that to you and your students.