Blog #4

                                                                 September 21-25, 2015

Piper, Nadia and Tyndall explain
their "cooperation/teamwork"precept. 

Parth and Finn display their PrinciPal
certificates from Mrs. Russick.

Bennett, Finn, Liam and Jesse
share their "teamwork project"
with our crew.

Julia and some girls from Mrs. Malloy's
class display their gymnastic's skills.

Kaiden leads one of our Crew activities.
Please check out the pics and ask your child
about the different activities. 

Jesse reads the kickball rules so we
can review them to see how things
are going on the playground. 

     We have a wonderful and busy week! Please double click on any bolded and brown captions for more pics.  Our Crew goals were to learn everyone's first and last name and to be an active crew member. 

One of our Crew demonstrations.
Toothpaste is like hurtful words and
actions.  Once they are out, they can
not be put back in.

Parth, Tristan and Noah figure
out how to tell the level of our
classroom books and which basket
to put them in. 

     In Reading Workshop, students wrote reading goals.  Students also made a self to text connection on a sticky note about the JR book they are reading. We also watched a short video interview by R.J. Palacio and why she wrote the book Wonder. 

     In Writing Workshop, students continued to learn that authors write stories about their lives. They wrote places that mattered to them and small moment ideas about each place.

Mary Jane and Matthew do
"quiz, quiz, switch"on data
analysis terms. 

     In Math, in Mrs. Malloy's class, students are reviewing Unit 1. In Ms. Sakai's class, students collected data and figured out maximum, minimum, etc., along with creating a graph. They also created number boxes and made a model to show number boxes in multiple ways. Students learned about Everyday Math online and received information to use at home.  All students also took the MAP math assessment.

Zhi, Matthew and Cole use the
Mac=book Airs to try out IXL

      In Computers, students learned how to log into the Mac Airbooks and used them to log into our classroom website (quick links for kids) and try out IXL.  This program is available to students through a SEED grant and from our Curriculum Instructor Director's, Dr. Nicholas, department.   Students received information about IXL in their Thursday bag so they can try it at home.

      Also, in Science, students made kale and brussel sprout chips.  They enjoyed these with carrots, tomatoes and veggie coconut bacon.

In Science, Rose, Nadia and Tyndall
categorize vertebrates and
 invertebrates into different classes.

Aiko, Rose and Noah mindfullly
draw nature as they wait
their turn to help
in the garden plot. 

Julia waters our garden plot. 

Kaiden and Maya help arrange kale
to make kale chips. 

     In Social Studies, with Mrs. Malloy, students are learning about government to prepare for our Madison field trip. 

Rose leads our Mindfulness time. 

Liam and Zhi wait patiently for their
turn during a choice time after
MAP testing.

Special Notes and Friendly Reminders for Parents

 
1.  Thursday bags are due by Monday (or the first day of the next week.)

2.  Please turn in the Reading Log (totaled) by Monday, Sept. 28th.

3.  Please check over and initial or sign your child's binder each day through September to help get into the routine of checking it each day. Thank you for your help with this!

4.  Band lessons are on Tuesday and Orchestra lessons are on Thursday. 

5.  Here is the link to the conference page.  http://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b0444a9a72da64-fall1. Please sign up for a conference. :)


Important Dates

Monday, Sept. 28th-Thurs. bag and reading log (totaled) due

Wednesday, Oct. 7th- International Walk to School Day and permission slips due for Madison field trip

Thursday, Oct. 15th- Conferences (12:30 pm-7:40 pm)

Friday, Oct. 16th-No School in the am-Conferences 7:30-11:30 am. 

Friday, Oct. 23-Madison field trip! Please bring a disposable bag lunch and drink.

Have a wonderful weekend!


Deb

Blog #3

September 14-18, 2015

Jesse, Zhi, Cole, Piper and Tyndall
practice bus safety with Ms. Nash.

Parth and Finn represented our Crew at
the PrinciPal meeting with Mrs. Russick.

Bennett grappled and found
a way to cut a piece of paper
large enough forMr. Rinka
to fit through.

Rose, Mary Jane, Julia and Aiko
worked as a team to save Sammy.

   Welcome to our first five day school week and we were busy! Please click on bolded (brown) captions for more pics. 

     Our Crew goals were to be respectful to others and to include people in our activities.  We also created a T-chart for "What respect looks like and sounds like." Our crew created kickball rules for recess. Mrs. Russick also introduced the Buddy Bench to our class which fits in with our crew goals.    Ms. Sakai started reading Wonder by RJ Palacio.  Please ask your child about this read aloud.  Thank you to Mr. Rinka for running Crew today!

Piper leads our class in
 Bippity Boppity Boo. 

Our Crew opens up a crumpled piece
of paper to show what it looks
like when we say something hurtful. 

Rose shares a characteristic about
herself as she introduces her last name.

Maya and Aiko role play
how to askRose to join them
during our Crew.

Eleanor and Tyndall enjoy
LibraryBook Exchange.

Zhi, Matthew and Cole show their
excitement after they saved Sammy.

     In Reading Workshop, our learning target is to choose just right books. Ms. Sakai is also starting to give running records. Students took the MAP reading assessment this week. Students also read a Scholastic News called "How Teamwork Built America." 

     In Writing Workshop,  students learned that authors write stories from their own experiences.  They thought about a person that mattered to them and listed small moment ideas about that person.  Students also took a spelling preassessment. We introduced Word Masters (analogies) and interested students signed up. 

Sebastian and Nadia find informa-
tion in their SRBs.

     In Math, Mrs. Malloy's class is reviewed geometry, including polygons and quadrangles.  Ms. Sakai's class worked on a scavenger hunt using their Student Reference Books (SRB's) and used different math tools.  They also started Brain Powers.  Both classes also used a learning activity called "Quiz, quiz, switch."  

Students are observing and picking
veggies from our garden plot. 

   

     In Science, we visited our garden plot and picked a few veggies.  We enjoyed a veggie snack, along with some veggies from a farmer's market.  Students also read a short passage about the upcoming science topic and used the clues to predict what it might be. 

     

During a Brain Break, our Crew
does some yoga. 

After MAP testing, we had
some choice time.  Mary Jane
and Kaiden play a retro game.

Noah and Jesse do a body scan
during Mindfulness.

     

   

Special Notes and Friendly Reminders for Parents

    Thank you for attending the 100th Anniversary Celebration and a special thank you to the parent volunteers that helped that night!  It was such a memorable experience and so much fun! I am so grateful to be a part of the Atwater family!



1.  Thursday bags are due by Monday (or the first day of the next week.)

2.  Please turn in the Reading Log (totaled) by Monday, Sept. 21st.

3.  Please check over and initial or sign your child's binder each day through September to help get into the routine of checking it each day. Thank you for your help with this!

4.  Band lessons are on Tuesday and Orchestra lessons are on Thursday. 

4.  If you would like to purchase the 100th Centennial Commemorative Book (created by your children), there was an order form in the Thursday bag. Students have started to look at our Crew copy.  Also, on the order form, is the DVD created by Atwater students and teachers which includes a wonderful history with interviews. 

5.  Here is the link to the conference page.  http://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b0444a9a72da64-fall1

6.  Besides Plein Air Shorewood, Doors Open Milwaukee (a citywide architectural open house) is happening. Atwater will be open from 12:00-2:00 on Saturday, Sept. 19th. 


7.  Picture Day is Monday, September 21st.  

8.  We have the math MAP assessment on Friday, Sept. 25th.



Important Dates



Sat., Sept. 19th-Doors Open Milwaukee at Atwater from 12:00-2:00 pm 


Monday, Sept. 21st-Picture Day, Thurs. bag and reading log (totaled) due

Friday, Sept. 25th-MAP testing

Have a wonderful weekend!


Deb

Blog#2

September 8-10, 2015

Students taking part in "Stop Walk" (opposite) in our
Crew Meeting.

Cole, Zhi and Matthew explain their team name and 
something they learned about their Rookie 
or Vet buddy as they share their team flag.

     Here is our second blog!  

  We had a fast three days of school this week!
We continued to practice procedures and learn more about each other.

  Our crew learning goals were to learn that fair doesn't mean equal.  Also, we learned that we are all different and need different things at different times (band-aid activity.)

      At the end of the week, we ended with a Crew "whip around."  Our crew members shared our favorite activity and our goal for next week.

 
   Please click on any caption that is bolded or a different color for more pictures. 

Finn shares during our Crew
meeting.

Using phrases from their explanationof "We are 
Crew, not Passengers,"Maya, Kaiden and Eleanor
 categorize them under each of 
"The Four Bees "and added others. 

Nadia leads our crew in the 
"duck"activity.

Parth is looking over his reading 
log and sharing about his book.

           In Writing, students wrote friendly letters to their parents and are eagerly awaiting their parent's replies on Monday.

Liam takes time to write a beginning
of the year writing sample after 
Ms.Sakai read 
How I Spent My Summer Vacation
 by Mark Teague.

       In math, in Mrs. Malloy's room, students are reviewing lines, rays and line segments, along with polygons and angles.

Tristan, Aiko, Adrina and Claudia 
brainstorm  for different kinds of numbers 
in math class to show that 
they use math every day.

Mary Jane explains how 
she found numbers about 
cupcakes in an ad. 

Piper helps us breath during a
Mindfulness activity.

Jesse chooses a Brain
Break for our class.

Special Notes and Friendly Reminders for Parents

     Thank you so much for attending Parent Orientation last night! It was
wonderful seeing all of you. I'm sorry if I missed speaking to someone. If you have any questions, please ask.  

     Thank you also for the very thoughtful "camping" card, along with the delicious Indulgence dark chocolate bars and truffles.  They will not last long in our house!  Also, thank you for the generous gift card to Collectivo as I love a refreshing coffee as much as I enjoy their soups and chilis.  You are so thoughtful to think of me at such a busy time of the year.  I had a wonderful birthday thanks to all of you!

     Today we spent the morning in Crew (just like our students!) with combined teaching and administrative staff from Lake Bluff and Atwater. We also had an opportunity to delve deeper into the online Expeditionary Learning (EL) resource and create Crew meetings to use with our classes. We ended with a crew meeting reviewing our goals.  We are fortunate that both Eric Norland, LB Principal, and Kayla Russick are committed to integrating the EL principles with all of us.  The afternoon was spent preparing lessons and meeting with grade level teams. 


1.  Thursday bags are due by Monday (or the first day of the next week.)

2.  Please turn in the Reading Log (totaled) by Monday, Sept. 14th.

3.  Please turn in the $10.00 (check or cash to Atwater School) for Scholastic News and the planner.

4. Please turn in $5.00 for a special end of the year book to help cover the cost of pictures to Ms. Sakai (cash or check.)

5.  Please check over and initial or sign your child's binder each day through September to help get into the routine of checking it each day. Thank you for your help with this!

6.  I found out today that we have a new student, Breckan, joining our crew on Monday!  Please mention this to your child so s/he can greet her Monday morning.  Eleanor has agreed to be her Vet buddy.

7.  Here is the link to the conference page.  http://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b0444a9a72da64-fall1

8.  MAP testing begins next Thursday, Sept. 17th for us.  We also have the other MAP test on Friday, Sept. 25th.

9.  Book orders are due on Friday, Sept. 18th in class or by midnight on-line.  Separate email sent.

10.  I will have a sub on Friday, Sept. 18th as I have to take John Stanco to the doctor and drive him home. I will be back at the end of the day to pick up Miya and I'll be available via email during the day.




Important Dates


Saturday, Sept. 12th-Atwater's Centennial Celebration-5:00-9:00 pm.

Monday, Sept.14 , 2015-Thursday bag and reading log (totaled due)

Please check your Thursday bag for information about the Plein Air Shorewood 2015 which runs Monday, Sept. 14th-Sat., Sept. 19th.

Thursday, Sept. 17th-Finn, Matthew and Parth have a PrinciPal meeting with Mrs. Russick

Thursday, Sept. 17th-MAP testing

Friday, Sept. 18th-Ms. Sakai will not be at school as she is taking Mr. Stanco in for a doctor's appt. I will be available via email.

Saturday, Sept. 19th-Atwater will be a part of Doors Open, a citywide architectural open house,  from 12:00-2:00 pm.  doorsopenmilwaukee.org

Monday, Sept. 21st-Picture Day, Thurs. bag and reading log (totaled due)

Friday, Sept. 25th-MAP testing


I know that I'll see some of you Saturday at our 100th celebration!  

Have a wonderful weekend!


Deb

Blog #1

     

Our wonderful Crew!

     Hi everyone!  Here is the first blog for the year!  I hope it will give you an idea of what happens in our room.   We had an amazing start to the school year!  I am thoroughly enjoying getting to know each of your children! When you see a caption that is bolded or it may show up as a different color on your computer, please click on it for more pictures.  I'm going to try to shorten my explanations so please ask your child to explain in more detail. (I'm sorry if the formatting is uneven.) You can also check homework on the blog page. Please subscribe to my blog. After September, my blog will only come to subscribers. Thank you!

     As part of Expeditionary Learning, we met in Crew every morning after announcements. Our goals for Crew were 1.  Learn each person's name in our crew and 2. Learn something new about every person in our crew.  Many of our activities this week helped us reach our goals. We greeted each other in different ways and took part in many get to know me activities.  We also spent time learning about the quote "We are crew not passengers" by Kurt Hahn.  Some of our Crew's explanations of crew included, "A crew is like a family. They always stick together and help each other out." "Crew never leaves one person all alone." "Crew always finishes."  "Crew does our best work."

     We also learned about protocols and procedures, along with labeling folders and notebooks.  Mr. Blanchette reviewed lunch procedures with us.  Ms. Sakai read Why Can't I Fly? by Ken Brown.

Tyndall leading the neighbor game
during Crew.

Kaiden sharing her 
"Getting toKnow Me" 
summer object!

Mrs. Malloy's and our class walking 
from one end of the playground
 to the other and ending 
at the same  time.
Please ask your child about this. 

Mary Jane shares her summer
mystery object.

Liam shares the rope he made and his
baseball. 

Rookie and Vet buddies, Noah, 
Parth and Tristan, interview 
each other.

Students rotate through each paper
and write a compliment or something
they learned about each person in
our crew.  This was for our 
Crew goal #2.They brought 
these home!

Finn is reading his comments written by each crew member.

Noah, Jesse, Bennett and Parth 
write their explanation of 
"We are crew not passengers."

Julia gets comfy while reading.

We want to welcome Mr. Rinka to our 
crew!  Please check out his family pics. 
Mr. Rinka and his daughter, Madison!

Matthew, Noah and Aiko 
help to create our birthday
 graph.  We also analyzed the data. 

Thank you to Maya, Rose and Piper,
along with their families, for tending 
to our garden this summer!

Maya, Kaiden and Eleanor enjoy 
tomatoes, cucumbers and beans
from our garden plot! 
We ate mint,too! 
Six people liked the cucumbers
best compared to five that likedt
omatoes and mint the best while
four crew members liked beans the
best. Ms. Sakai read Mrs. Spitzer'sGarden 
by Edith Patton. 

Zhi, Matthew and Cole role play
"Knock on the door" before 
students practiced. 

Nadia leads our Mindfulness time. 

Mrs. Nolan and Mr. Hughes talked
with our crew about band and orchestra. 

Aiko leads us in Bippity Boppity Boo!

Gonoodle is one of our favorite brainbreaks.

Special Notes and Friendly Reminders for Parents


1.  Thursday bags are due by Monday (or the first day of the next week.)

2.  Please turn in the purple walking permission slip by Tuesday, Sept. 8th.

3.  Please turn in the $10.00 (check or cash to Atwater School) for Scholastic News and the planner.

4. Please turn in $5.00 for a special end of the year book to help cover the cost of pictures to Ms. Sakai (cash or check.)

5.  Please check over and initial or sign your child's binder each day through September to help get into the routine of checking it each day.

6.  Band and orchestra sheets are due on Tuesday, Sept. 8th.

6.  We will begin our Reading Log on Tuesday, Sept. 8th.  Students should read at least 20 minutes every day and record it on the log.  Because we know that special events, family gatherings, and children are involved in out of school activities, they may choose to skip one or two days a week as long as they make it up on other days.  For example, in a 7-day reading day log, students may read 5 days but a total of at least 140 minutes.  Next week (6 day log since we don't have school on Monday), students may read 4 days for a total of 120 minutes.  Some families find it easier to read 20 minutes each day.

7.  Vet parents:  Here is Senor Becker's blog address.  http://www.srbecker.blogspot.com.  It is also on my Website's Parent Page.

8.  My website address is: www.two4kids.net/room210review.  My conference schedule, class photo and Parent Orientation packet will be updated soon.



Important Dates

Monday, Sept.7, 2015-No school-Labor Day

Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2015-Thursday bag and purple walking permission slip due

Thursday, Sept. 10th-Parent Orientation-7:00-7:30 pm

Friday, Sept. 11th-No School-Planning and Record keeping day for teachers

Saturday, Sept. 12th-Atwater's Centennial Celebration-5:00-9:00 pm.

Friday, Sept. 18th-Ms. Sakai will not be at school as she is taking Mr. Stanco in for a doctor's appt. I will be available via email.

Monday, Sept. 21st-Picture Day



It has been a pleasure meeting and seeing you the past week!

Thank you for your cooperation as we begin our year!

Have a wonderful weekend,

Deb