THANK YOU to all the parents who helped make our field trip today to the Philharmonic possible. Special thanks to Mark Gogolewski and Alissa Morganti for volunteering. Our kids did amazing today and showed great interest in the orchestra. Their favorite was the last song from the soundtrack of Harry Potter.

Below you will find our spelling words for this week. Homework is posted on the Documents page, and the Newsletter is also posted. Please be sure to read the email that went out this morning to get a better idea about STAR testing. Additionally, you will find a check-off list on the Resources page will be a great guide to let you know what is on the STAR test as well as end of the year goals for the last report card.

Next week we need to sign our Master Agreements before March 8th. Come by the classroom between 8:30-8:45am, any day during the following week.

You may have forgotten about it (I know I did), but as a school we signed up for the Six Flags Read to Succeed program.  I sent home an individual reading log to each student to fill out and return to class. This program gives away a free ticket to Six Flags as long as they fill out a reading log. It is an easy way to earn something fun! Download the form below and then return to the classroom before March 6th.  Fill out the log using any books you have read the entire school year.

Sign up for a conference by clicking on the "Change Name PTC" link by the time you would like. Click on MORE DETAILS. Click on  "Change Name PTC" and it should let you type in the name or names of parent or parents that will be attending. Then click SAVE. And "only for this event."

There is one opening everyday at 8:10am, if the afternoon times do not work for you.

If you are unable to use the calendar below you can email me immediately by filling in the form below the calendar (in this post) and I will sign you up as soon as possible. If I do not respond by the end of the day, please feel free to email me again.

Just to remind everyone, I will be out of the classroom on Monday and Tuesday of this week. I will still be available by email and phone, so don't hesitate to contact me [Unfortunately, not on vacation :( working on important Creekside business :) Yeah!] The newsletter and math homework is posted for the week on the Newsletter and Documents page.

Our conferene to check off the all those lovely boxes is on Thursday, February 7th at 8:30am. Please arrive promptly to hear a few announcements and sign our learning records. If this time period does not work for you contact me and we can arrange a specific time in the following week before ski/skate week.

Download spelling words below....

Check the Newsletter page for the most current information.

SECOND GRADE: On the Documents page I have included the high frequency words that they should know how to read automatically and be able to spell correctly. In the newsletter I will include high frequency words that are being introduced in our curriculum weekly. Daily practice is great to increase speed and fluency.

EVERYONE: The IS from January 4th is also on the Documents page. There is some valuable information on there that you can use for reference that states what your student is expected to know. It can also be a guide for creating your own IS on unexpected absence days. Remember, that even on days of unexpected absences, IS needs to prove that at least 4 hours of work was completed. It is helpful if you make a list of tasks or subject areas practiced at home. Also, if your student is very sick and isn't up for too much activity I recommend checking out education websites that may have videos or audible information texts that your student can watch or listen to. Please include the video or audio in your list with the amount of time spent watching or listening.

Example List of IS:

Student Name & Date
1. Reading - "Bunnicula" - 30 minutes
                    Played grammar and spelling games on iPad - 40 minutes
                    High Frequency Word Flash cards - 30 minutes
2. Math - Studied geometric shapes with parent - 30 minutes
                Practice math facts on chalk board - 20 minutes
                Completed worksheet - 20 minutes
3. Writing - Journal Entry on student blog - 20 minutes
                    Friendly letter - 40 minutes
4. Science- Nature walk observation - 60 minutes   
                    Discussed plants and animals with parent - 30 minutes
           
                                                    __________________________
                                                        (parent signature & date)

Great Interactive Websites:
http://pbskids.org/
http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/

Free Printable Worksheets:
http://www.education.com/
http://www.discoveryeducation.com/free-worksheets/
http://www.adaptedmind.com/Math-Worksheets.html?


Also, our Learning Conference is Thursday, January 10th. Be sure to arrive promptly at 8:30 AM.