Winter Break

I hope everyone is enjoying their winter break! Thank you for your kindness with gifts and gift cards!

Just a friendly reminder that students are expected to complete several chapters and assignments from Charlotte’s Web, along with get up-to-date on Zearn. Students are encouraged to work past our current lesson, 23.  The end of Module Assessment will be our 2nd week back.

The week that we return from break, Winter NWEA testing will begin. There isn’t any studying to prepare for this. We have been working on many strategies, much content, and some test taking skills that will (hopefully) show growth in Math, Reading, Science, and Language. (No schedule yet for which tests will occur on which days – we typically accomplish the tests as we have time.)

Here’s to a great 2019 for everyone! Happy New Year!

Full Moon and Winter Solstice

We were talking about this today in class: a full moon (Supermoon, too!) occurring on the Winter Solstice, and with a meteor shower.

Here are the links for my young star gazers:

https://www.timeanddate.com/astronomy/meteor-shower/ursids.html

https://nypost.com/2018/12/20/fridays-winter-solstice-2018-features-a-full-moon-and-meteor-shower/

Cocoa with Mrs. Claus and Gingerbread Houses

Surprisingly enough, we accomplished quite a bit of learning today in between our beginning and end to our school day.

We earned “Cocoa with Mrs. Claus” this morning from our “Cleanest Class Award” in October. Additionally, we showed our creative side with our gingerbread houses this afternoon.

PTA Candy Cane Exchange

From the Howard P.T.A.:

Hello Families!

This holiday season we will be having a candy cane sale in which students can send “candy-grams” to their friends.  Please look for a note to come home with your child.  Students can order candy canes for their friends for $1 each.  Candy canes will be sold starting 12/3.  The last day to send in money for candy canes is 12/6.  The candy-grams will be delivered to each class on Friday.

Children with Hair Loss: Ponytail Cutting and Howard Elementary School Sing Along

Please see this attachment for information on the annual ceremony:

Children for Hair Loss

With Gratitude

I am very grateful for all I have – not only the blessings, but the life lessons as well. However, this year I am especially grateful for a classroom of 25 incredible students that I cherish, along with their parents who show me their kindness, appreciation, and support. Thank you all! XO

Happy Thanksgiving!

Module 1 Math Assessment and Math Thoughts

The end of Module 1 assessment will be Monday. Students should be familiar with everything we have done throughout all of Module 1, not only the second half of it. (That might seem like a lot, but the lessons have accumulated to where we are with our knowledge now. We have built knowledge along the way.)

Overall, I was pleased with their performance on the mid-module assessment. Please keep in mind students (and I) are getting used to this new format. It is NOT “new Math.” It is simply another way of looking at it. As a math major and math geek, I see the value in this program. The students are learning more strategies. They still, too, get my little tricks along the way.

Pumpkin Raffle Wednesday and Thursday

Howard teachers and staff will be decorating pumpkins to raffle off for Halloween.  Tickets will be sold on Wednesday and Thursday during lunch.  Each ticket is $1.00.   Please send money in an envelope or baggie.  Proceeds will be used to purchase fleece to make blankets for the animals at the animal shelter.  If your child wins a decorated pumpkin, it will need to be picked up on Thursday after school or Friday.

PTA Reflections Contest

Today we had an assembly for the 2019 PTA National Reflections Contest. The theme this year is “Heroes Around Me.” Students are encouraged to enter. (However, no time or instruction will be given in class. This is an outside activity.)

Stay tuned to the Howard PTA page for more information. Here is the note sent home with students that contains more information: PTA Reflections Contest

Late Start, Better Made Chip Orders, Box Tops & PTA Meeting