Thursday, December 4, 2008
Before the Holiday Break
Hi all!
I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Only 7 full days left in the second quarter! AR tests for the second quarter will need to be taken by Monday, Dec. 15.
Our Holiday Party will be a day long celebration to supplement our history unit on the colonial period in Virginia. This will take place on Friday, Dec. 12. The children are encouraged to wear clothing reminiscent of the time period. Boys can wear their pants tucked into white socks to simulate breeches, and the girls can wear a skirt and blouse with a white cap. There is a wealth of information on colonial dress available online on the Colonial Williamsburg website at http://history.org/History/clothing. Be creative, that’s part of the fun. Keep your eyes open for an email from Karen O’Donnell and Chris Repp who are planning the celebration for us.
We will be holding our second Book Swap on Monday, Dec. 15. The children are encouraged to bring in up to five previously read books that they are willing to swap.
Your child should be practicing their recorder each night as part of their homework routine. They will be playing a selection for the Holiday Program on Dec. 16, and some children are not practicing as much as they really should.
Speaking of the Holiday Program, the schedule for that day has changed slightly from previous years. The program will begin at 10:15 and the children will be dismissed from the classroom following its completion. This should be around 11:00. Please make sure your child dresses up for the occasion.
I will be sending home a letter introducing the Invention Convention later next week. This will give the children the Holiday Break to brainstorm numerous ideas for their final invention. The date for our Invention Convention will be Friday, February 20.
Monday Folders will be sent home Tuesday of next week because I will be out both Friday and Monday. The children continue to do very well, but they must continue to focus on their school work until the holiday break begins. We will have tests up until Friday, Dec. 12 that will go towards their second quarter grades. This is our shortest quarter of the year which does not give us any time to waste. Thank you for your help with thisJ.
Upcoming Tests:
Friday, Dec. 5: Word Study Tests
Thursday, Dec. 11: Wordly Wise Test
History Quiz
Friday, Dec. 12: Word Study Tests
I will also be collecting their science folders to assess their electricity lab write-ups we have done so far in class. This will constitute a test grade. We will finish up our study of electrical circuits when we come back from the holiday break.
That’s all for now!
Kim Bushman
I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Only 7 full days left in the second quarter! AR tests for the second quarter will need to be taken by Monday, Dec. 15.
Our Holiday Party will be a day long celebration to supplement our history unit on the colonial period in Virginia. This will take place on Friday, Dec. 12. The children are encouraged to wear clothing reminiscent of the time period. Boys can wear their pants tucked into white socks to simulate breeches, and the girls can wear a skirt and blouse with a white cap. There is a wealth of information on colonial dress available online on the Colonial Williamsburg website at http://history.org/History/clothing. Be creative, that’s part of the fun. Keep your eyes open for an email from Karen O’Donnell and Chris Repp who are planning the celebration for us.
We will be holding our second Book Swap on Monday, Dec. 15. The children are encouraged to bring in up to five previously read books that they are willing to swap.
Your child should be practicing their recorder each night as part of their homework routine. They will be playing a selection for the Holiday Program on Dec. 16, and some children are not practicing as much as they really should.
Speaking of the Holiday Program, the schedule for that day has changed slightly from previous years. The program will begin at 10:15 and the children will be dismissed from the classroom following its completion. This should be around 11:00. Please make sure your child dresses up for the occasion.
I will be sending home a letter introducing the Invention Convention later next week. This will give the children the Holiday Break to brainstorm numerous ideas for their final invention. The date for our Invention Convention will be Friday, February 20.
Monday Folders will be sent home Tuesday of next week because I will be out both Friday and Monday. The children continue to do very well, but they must continue to focus on their school work until the holiday break begins. We will have tests up until Friday, Dec. 12 that will go towards their second quarter grades. This is our shortest quarter of the year which does not give us any time to waste. Thank you for your help with thisJ.
Upcoming Tests:
Friday, Dec. 5: Word Study Tests
Thursday, Dec. 11: Wordly Wise Test
History Quiz
Friday, Dec. 12: Word Study Tests
I will also be collecting their science folders to assess their electricity lab write-ups we have done so far in class. This will constitute a test grade. We will finish up our study of electrical circuits when we come back from the holiday break.
That’s all for now!
Kim Bushman
Monday, November 17, 2008
Upcoming Thanksgiving Break
Hi all!
Less than two weeks until Thanksgiving. Then when we come back, we have two weeks and two days until the end of the quarter and the Holiday Break! The Wordly Wise test for Lesson 6 will be next Wednesday which is also an early dismissal day for the Thanksgiving Holiday. There will be no word study next week because of the holiday. I will also be giving the children a reading log that will cover the break. They will receive this on Friday, and it will be due on Tuesday, Dec. 2.
I am sending your child’s Wordly Wise and Word Study tests home today in their Communication Folder. Monday Folders will come home tomorrow with the remainder of your child’s work.
Wednesday your child must bring their materials for music, and Thursday will be our last swimming day for the fall. We will swim first, before Mr. Evans’s class, in the spring.
I am sending home book orders for November and December. If you are interested in ordering, please return the form(s) by Wednesday, November 26 with a check made out to Scholastic Book Clubs. This will be the last book order before the holidays.
That’s all for now!
Kim Bushman
Less than two weeks until Thanksgiving. Then when we come back, we have two weeks and two days until the end of the quarter and the Holiday Break! The Wordly Wise test for Lesson 6 will be next Wednesday which is also an early dismissal day for the Thanksgiving Holiday. There will be no word study next week because of the holiday. I will also be giving the children a reading log that will cover the break. They will receive this on Friday, and it will be due on Tuesday, Dec. 2.
I am sending your child’s Wordly Wise and Word Study tests home today in their Communication Folder. Monday Folders will come home tomorrow with the remainder of your child’s work.
Wednesday your child must bring their materials for music, and Thursday will be our last swimming day for the fall. We will swim first, before Mr. Evans’s class, in the spring.
I am sending home book orders for November and December. If you are interested in ordering, please return the form(s) by Wednesday, November 26 with a check made out to Scholastic Book Clubs. This will be the last book order before the holidays.
That’s all for now!
Kim Bushman
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
This Week
Hi all!
November already! Before we know it the Holiday Break will be upon us as well as the end of the second quarter. This is the shortest quarter of the year, and of course, the busiest.
Monday Folders are coming home today. I am not making any comments in them, since many of us just met on Friday. You will notice that the Wordly Wise test was a bit more challenging. Some of the children had some difficulty with the antonym section of the test. We’re going over these today, and I will give them the opportunity to correct their mistakes tonight for additional partial credit.
Word Study words will be coming home today. Due to the shortened week, we will have the spelling test for these words on Monday.
Windsocks are due tomorrow, and the children will begin sharing them on Thursday.
Don’t forget swimming on Thursday!
Writing
I have given back the children’s most recent writing assignment which was a spooky story. We used a four square as our pre-write, though many children put too much detail into this graphic organizer. Their four square became like a rough draft. Our current focus, in writing, is organization. The four square really lends itself to developing a beginning, middle, and end of a piece before the actual writing begins. We will be using this device at least one more time as a tool for planning the organization for a writing piece. I am stressing that the four square should contain only words and phrases and not complete sentences.
The spooky stories were graded solely based on the organization components of the piece. I asked the children to complete as much as they possibly could in the classroom, so I could see their writing process first hand. There is a scoring guide attached, and I have made notes concerning any questions that came up while reading their story. The average grade on this writing assignment was 80%, which is very good for their first real attempt at a narrative focusing on organization. I’ve met with each child to discuss their story and areas for improvement. We will be going back to a piece we had begun before our spooky stories to apply what we’ve learned. I’m trying to instill in the children how important thinking ahead and planning is in the writing process. I think we’re getting there!
That’s all for now!
Kim Bushman
November already! Before we know it the Holiday Break will be upon us as well as the end of the second quarter. This is the shortest quarter of the year, and of course, the busiest.
Monday Folders are coming home today. I am not making any comments in them, since many of us just met on Friday. You will notice that the Wordly Wise test was a bit more challenging. Some of the children had some difficulty with the antonym section of the test. We’re going over these today, and I will give them the opportunity to correct their mistakes tonight for additional partial credit.
Word Study words will be coming home today. Due to the shortened week, we will have the spelling test for these words on Monday.
Windsocks are due tomorrow, and the children will begin sharing them on Thursday.
Don’t forget swimming on Thursday!
Writing
I have given back the children’s most recent writing assignment which was a spooky story. We used a four square as our pre-write, though many children put too much detail into this graphic organizer. Their four square became like a rough draft. Our current focus, in writing, is organization. The four square really lends itself to developing a beginning, middle, and end of a piece before the actual writing begins. We will be using this device at least one more time as a tool for planning the organization for a writing piece. I am stressing that the four square should contain only words and phrases and not complete sentences.
The spooky stories were graded solely based on the organization components of the piece. I asked the children to complete as much as they possibly could in the classroom, so I could see their writing process first hand. There is a scoring guide attached, and I have made notes concerning any questions that came up while reading their story. The average grade on this writing assignment was 80%, which is very good for their first real attempt at a narrative focusing on organization. I’ve met with each child to discuss their story and areas for improvement. We will be going back to a piece we had begun before our spooky stories to apply what we’ve learned. I’m trying to instill in the children how important thinking ahead and planning is in the writing process. I think we’re getting there!
That’s all for now!
Kim Bushman
Monday, October 27, 2008
Halloween and Swimming
Hi all!
Thank you to all who were able to help make Camp Out Day such a huge success! The children seemed to really enjoy the change of pace.
Thursday morning at 9:00 will be the Lower School Halloween Parade. The children may come to school dressed in their costumes, but they should bring clothes to change into later in the day. We will be going to PE (swimming) right after the parade, so your child also needs to bring their swimming materials. I would like for them to change into their regular clothes after they swim. In order to be able to swim, I must plead that the children wear no makeup, face paint or hair coloring for the parade. I asked the children, and the vast majority said they had no intention of using these products anyway. Anything that is easily removed is fine, and masks may be worn for the parade. Last year my class was only able to swim twice in the fall because our sessions were cancelled for various reasons, and Mrs. Wimble was never able to reschedule us. I would really like to make sure that doesn’t happen again.
We will also have a small “party” in the afternoon on Thursday. We ask parents to bring in precut fruits and vegetable, drinks, and other goodies for Mr. Evans and me to put out around 2:15. I am so sorry that this is the first you are hearing of this from me, but with Camp Out Day and report cards I completely forgot about Halloween. Just drop me a quick note if you can bring anything in for the children to enjoy while they socialize.
Today, our class is browsing the book fair. If your child finds something they would like to purchase, I will allow them to return later this week if they have brought in money for purchases. Also, don’t forget that the children must have their recorders and books for music on Wednesday.
Tomorrow mini-goal #2 is due for the book project. There will be no further mini-goals for this project, and the completed windsock must be turned in by Wednesday, November 5.
Friday there is no school for parent/teacher conferences. I am attaching an updated list. Please let me know if you are unable to make the time we have scheduled. There is also no school on Monday for a teacher work day.
I will not be sending Monday folders home this week because of conferences.
That’s all for now!
Kim Bushman
Thank you to all who were able to help make Camp Out Day such a huge success! The children seemed to really enjoy the change of pace.
Thursday morning at 9:00 will be the Lower School Halloween Parade. The children may come to school dressed in their costumes, but they should bring clothes to change into later in the day. We will be going to PE (swimming) right after the parade, so your child also needs to bring their swimming materials. I would like for them to change into their regular clothes after they swim. In order to be able to swim, I must plead that the children wear no makeup, face paint or hair coloring for the parade. I asked the children, and the vast majority said they had no intention of using these products anyway. Anything that is easily removed is fine, and masks may be worn for the parade. Last year my class was only able to swim twice in the fall because our sessions were cancelled for various reasons, and Mrs. Wimble was never able to reschedule us. I would really like to make sure that doesn’t happen again.
We will also have a small “party” in the afternoon on Thursday. We ask parents to bring in precut fruits and vegetable, drinks, and other goodies for Mr. Evans and me to put out around 2:15. I am so sorry that this is the first you are hearing of this from me, but with Camp Out Day and report cards I completely forgot about Halloween. Just drop me a quick note if you can bring anything in for the children to enjoy while they socialize.
Today, our class is browsing the book fair. If your child finds something they would like to purchase, I will allow them to return later this week if they have brought in money for purchases. Also, don’t forget that the children must have their recorders and books for music on Wednesday.
Tomorrow mini-goal #2 is due for the book project. There will be no further mini-goals for this project, and the completed windsock must be turned in by Wednesday, November 5.
Friday there is no school for parent/teacher conferences. I am attaching an updated list. Please let me know if you are unable to make the time we have scheduled. There is also no school on Monday for a teacher work day.
I will not be sending Monday folders home this week because of conferences.
That’s all for now!
Kim Bushman
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Camp Out Day is Coming!
Hi families!
Report cards will be coming home Friday in your child’s Communication Folder. There is no school on Friday, October 31 for Parent/Teacher Conferences. I’m attaching a copy of my list so far, if you haven’t signed up, and are available to meet, please let me know. If you will be unable to meet on the 31st, please let me know and we can schedule a 20 minute conference for a different day.
Don’t forget that the children begin swimming on Thursday. Please make sure your child brings their swimming materials on that day.
I’m attaching information from Mrs. Calloway about the upcoming recorder unit. Please make sure your child has purchased their recorder and book by Wednesday, October 29.
Campout Day will be held on Friday, October 24 from 10:45 – 2:00. Please join us for the third year for this event. For a culminating activity that has its ties to geography, literature, and science, we have decided to take our class outdoors! Below is a series of events that will take place on this day.
Set-up a good campsite, tent, gear, etc.
Nature hike
Lunch “cook-out”
Sleeping bag stories
Nature hike #2
Field games
Clean-up “leave no trace”
Karen O’Donnell is coordinating volunteers and supplies for the day. More information will come home later this week.
The October Book Project is well under way. If your child has not finished reading their fantasy book, they need to finish as soon as possible so they do not fall far behind on their project. Mini-Goal #1 is due tomorrow. This goal is to finish their book and create their windsock top. The illustration does not need to be colored at this point, though it must be when the project is due.
That’s all for now!
Kim Bushman
Report cards will be coming home Friday in your child’s Communication Folder. There is no school on Friday, October 31 for Parent/Teacher Conferences. I’m attaching a copy of my list so far, if you haven’t signed up, and are available to meet, please let me know. If you will be unable to meet on the 31st, please let me know and we can schedule a 20 minute conference for a different day.
Don’t forget that the children begin swimming on Thursday. Please make sure your child brings their swimming materials on that day.
I’m attaching information from Mrs. Calloway about the upcoming recorder unit. Please make sure your child has purchased their recorder and book by Wednesday, October 29.
Campout Day will be held on Friday, October 24 from 10:45 – 2:00. Please join us for the third year for this event. For a culminating activity that has its ties to geography, literature, and science, we have decided to take our class outdoors! Below is a series of events that will take place on this day.
Set-up a good campsite, tent, gear, etc.
Nature hike
Lunch “cook-out”
Sleeping bag stories
Nature hike #2
Field games
Clean-up “leave no trace”
Karen O’Donnell is coordinating volunteers and supplies for the day. More information will come home later this week.
The October Book Project is well under way. If your child has not finished reading their fantasy book, they need to finish as soon as possible so they do not fall far behind on their project. Mini-Goal #1 is due tomorrow. This goal is to finish their book and create their windsock top. The illustration does not need to be colored at this point, though it must be when the project is due.
That’s all for now!
Kim Bushman
Monday, October 13, 2008
Specials News
Hi all!
Don’t forget to check our blog at www.kbushmansclass.blogspot.com. I post each of my emails and an updated list of upcoming important dates and events.
Mr. Evans and I are looking over the volunteers we have gotten for Camp Out Day for Friday, Oct. 24. We will compile a list and get it out to you by the end of the week. If you would like to help, but haven’t let one of us know, just send me a quick email.
News From Specials Teachers:
From Mrs. Atkins:
As much as I like to procrastinate, Book Fair time is almost here! The fall book fair is scheduled October 27th -31st in the Middle School MPR. The 31st is a Lower School Conference Day, but parents can still come in to shop and it is a regular school day for Middle and Upper School. As always, we need help with setting up, assisting students on "preview days", customer service before and after school, and packing up at the end. Setup is scheduled for October 24th after lunch. Please contact me catkins@fredericksburgacademy.org if you would like to volunteer a few hours or more.
From Mrs. Calloway:
The fourth grade classes will begin recorder instruction the week of October 27. The recorders and the accompanying book will be sold as a set and are available at the FA bookstore for $9.00. If your child already has a recorder, he or she can use it at home for practicing the lessons, and have the other available at school.
From Mrs. Wimble:
Swimming will begin on Thursday, Oct. 23. Don’t forget to send the necessary items to school with your child on that day.
Volunteer Needed:
I would like to bind copies of our “Grown-up Rules” book for each child, and an original copy to keep in the classroom. Is there anyone who could volunteer their time to come in to copy and bind them using the spiral binder that is in the teacher’s workroom? I, unfortunately, have no clue how to use the binding machine, so if you have “the know how”…HELP!!! Please let me know if you could come in one day this week to do this for us. Anytime would be absolutely fine since the work can take place in the workroom. ThanksJ!
Other News:
The book swap was a huge success! We will have another swap during the first week of December. I will let you know the exact date once we have decided.
We are looking over the October Book Project and will be modifying due dates for mini-goals. If your child is not using their fantasy book as an AR test for the first quarter, they have until Wednesday, Oct. 22 to finish reading. This will be the new mini-goal date for the windsock top, also. All AR tests for the first quarter must be finished by the end of the school day Friday! Most of the children have already met their goal of four books.
I will send another email tomorrow with other important upcoming dates.
Kim Bushman
Don’t forget to check our blog at www.kbushmansclass.blogspot.com. I post each of my emails and an updated list of upcoming important dates and events.
Mr. Evans and I are looking over the volunteers we have gotten for Camp Out Day for Friday, Oct. 24. We will compile a list and get it out to you by the end of the week. If you would like to help, but haven’t let one of us know, just send me a quick email.
News From Specials Teachers:
From Mrs. Atkins:
As much as I like to procrastinate, Book Fair time is almost here! The fall book fair is scheduled October 27th -31st in the Middle School MPR. The 31st is a Lower School Conference Day, but parents can still come in to shop and it is a regular school day for Middle and Upper School. As always, we need help with setting up, assisting students on "preview days", customer service before and after school, and packing up at the end. Setup is scheduled for October 24th after lunch. Please contact me catkins@fredericksburgacademy.org if you would like to volunteer a few hours or more.
From Mrs. Calloway:
The fourth grade classes will begin recorder instruction the week of October 27. The recorders and the accompanying book will be sold as a set and are available at the FA bookstore for $9.00. If your child already has a recorder, he or she can use it at home for practicing the lessons, and have the other available at school.
From Mrs. Wimble:
Swimming will begin on Thursday, Oct. 23. Don’t forget to send the necessary items to school with your child on that day.
Volunteer Needed:
I would like to bind copies of our “Grown-up Rules” book for each child, and an original copy to keep in the classroom. Is there anyone who could volunteer their time to come in to copy and bind them using the spiral binder that is in the teacher’s workroom? I, unfortunately, have no clue how to use the binding machine, so if you have “the know how”…HELP!!! Please let me know if you could come in one day this week to do this for us. Anytime would be absolutely fine since the work can take place in the workroom. ThanksJ!
Other News:
The book swap was a huge success! We will have another swap during the first week of December. I will let you know the exact date once we have decided.
We are looking over the October Book Project and will be modifying due dates for mini-goals. If your child is not using their fantasy book as an AR test for the first quarter, they have until Wednesday, Oct. 22 to finish reading. This will be the new mini-goal date for the windsock top, also. All AR tests for the first quarter must be finished by the end of the school day Friday! Most of the children have already met their goal of four books.
I will send another email tomorrow with other important upcoming dates.
Kim Bushman
Friday, October 3, 2008
First Week in October
Hi all!
Amazing that here we are in October. Where did September go? We finished sharing book projects today, and they all were wonderfully well done! The information for our October book project will come home on Tuesday. The children will be creating a windsock for a book from the fantasy genre.
Book orders should be in by the middle of next week. We are also having a fourth grade book swap on Friday, October 10. The children are encouraged to bring in up to five previously read books that they are willing to swap. They may bring these in throughout the week for our Friday swap.
Campout Day will be held on Friday, October 24 from 10:45 – 2:00. Please join us for the third year for this event. For a culminating activity that has its ties to geography, literature, and science, we have decided to take our class outdoors! Below is a series of events that will take place on this day.
Set-up a good campsite, tent, gear, etc.
Nature hike
Lunch “cook-out”
Sleeping bag stories
Nature hike #2
Field games
Clean-up “leave no trace”
If you can come and donate your time, skills, or food, please let Mr. Evans or I know. Below are some of the items needed. We can cook the hotdogs here in the teacher’s kitchen and deliver out to the lower fields.
hotdogs
buns
chips/pretzels
Water/juices
fruit
The end of the first grading quarter is Friday, October 17. The children should have completed four AR tests, including Because of Winn-Dixie by that date.
Don’t forget next week is Spirit Week. The events are as follows:
Wednesday: Hat Day
Thursday: Slipper Day (This is our PE day, so don’t forget tennis shoes.)
Friday: Blue/Green/Logo Day (Tattoos will be sold for $1.00 in the breezeway during morning carpool.)
Upcoming Important Dates
Monday, October 6: No school for Fall Holiday
Friday, October 10: Fourth grade book swap
Friday, October 17: End of first quarter
Monday, October 20: No school (Teacher Work Day)
Thursday, October 23: First day of swimming for our class
Friday, October 24: Campout Day
Saturday, October 25: Fall Carnival
Thursday, October 30: Halloween Parade
Friday, October 31: No school (Parent/Teacher Conferences)
Tuesday, November 4: October book project will be due
Well, that’s all for now.
Kim Bushman
Amazing that here we are in October. Where did September go? We finished sharing book projects today, and they all were wonderfully well done! The information for our October book project will come home on Tuesday. The children will be creating a windsock for a book from the fantasy genre.
Book orders should be in by the middle of next week. We are also having a fourth grade book swap on Friday, October 10. The children are encouraged to bring in up to five previously read books that they are willing to swap. They may bring these in throughout the week for our Friday swap.
Campout Day will be held on Friday, October 24 from 10:45 – 2:00. Please join us for the third year for this event. For a culminating activity that has its ties to geography, literature, and science, we have decided to take our class outdoors! Below is a series of events that will take place on this day.
Set-up a good campsite, tent, gear, etc.
Nature hike
Lunch “cook-out”
Sleeping bag stories
Nature hike #2
Field games
Clean-up “leave no trace”
If you can come and donate your time, skills, or food, please let Mr. Evans or I know. Below are some of the items needed. We can cook the hotdogs here in the teacher’s kitchen and deliver out to the lower fields.
hotdogs
buns
chips/pretzels
Water/juices
fruit
The end of the first grading quarter is Friday, October 17. The children should have completed four AR tests, including Because of Winn-Dixie by that date.
Don’t forget next week is Spirit Week. The events are as follows:
Wednesday: Hat Day
Thursday: Slipper Day (This is our PE day, so don’t forget tennis shoes.)
Friday: Blue/Green/Logo Day (Tattoos will be sold for $1.00 in the breezeway during morning carpool.)
Upcoming Important Dates
Monday, October 6: No school for Fall Holiday
Friday, October 10: Fourth grade book swap
Friday, October 17: End of first quarter
Monday, October 20: No school (Teacher Work Day)
Thursday, October 23: First day of swimming for our class
Friday, October 24: Campout Day
Saturday, October 25: Fall Carnival
Thursday, October 30: Halloween Parade
Friday, October 31: No school (Parent/Teacher Conferences)
Tuesday, November 4: October book project will be due
Well, that’s all for now.
Kim Bushman
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Some Quick Information
Hi all!
I am sending home Monday folders today. Unfortunately, I did not have enough time to make any comments in them. Despite this, I did not want to wait any longer to send folders home. Please go over your child’s work and return the folder tomorrow.
Book projects are due tomorrow. Your child should bring their bag of items and information sheet with them tomorrow. Late projects are deducted an additional 10 points for every day they are late.
Next week is Spirit Week. The lower school children have been encouraged to participate in the festivities. Wednesday is Hat Day, Thursday is Slipper Day, and Friday is Green/Blue/FA Logo Day. Please remember that Thursday is our PE day, so the children should have a pair of sneakers with them. There is no school on Monday for a short Fall Break.
That’s all for now. You will be hearing from me again a bit later this week.
Kim Bushman
I am sending home Monday folders today. Unfortunately, I did not have enough time to make any comments in them. Despite this, I did not want to wait any longer to send folders home. Please go over your child’s work and return the folder tomorrow.
Book projects are due tomorrow. Your child should bring their bag of items and information sheet with them tomorrow. Late projects are deducted an additional 10 points for every day they are late.
Next week is Spirit Week. The lower school children have been encouraged to participate in the festivities. Wednesday is Hat Day, Thursday is Slipper Day, and Friday is Green/Blue/FA Logo Day. Please remember that Thursday is our PE day, so the children should have a pair of sneakers with them. There is no school on Monday for a short Fall Break.
That’s all for now. You will be hearing from me again a bit later this week.
Kim Bushman
Monday, September 22, 2008
Last Full Week of September!
Hi all!
It is hard to believe that September is winding down, and we are now officially into autumn! Time is flying!
We have begun our Word Study for the year. The students are divided into S group and D group. S students are reviewing doubling the consonant, e-drop, and no change when adding -ed. This is a simple enough skill, but on our beginning of the year assessment the children missed an average of 3 our of 5 words with that feature. We will review this feature for the next two weeks and then move on to more challenging features.
Monday folders are in book bags. Please look over your child's work, sign the folder, and return it tomorrow.
Just a reminder that book orders are due Thursday. I will be placing our order on that day.
We have a case of chicken pox in our class. Regan will be out for the week. It is a much milder case since she was vaccinated, but I just wanted to let everyone know so you can keep an eye on your child....just in case. We all hope you're doing well, Regan!
Book project mini-goal #3 is due tomorrow and the final project is due next Wednesday. The children are doing a fantastic job keeping up with their goals!
There is a sign-up sheet outside our classroom for conferences on Friday, October 31. Please stop by and sign up for a time.
That's all for now!
Kim Bushman
It is hard to believe that September is winding down, and we are now officially into autumn! Time is flying!
We have begun our Word Study for the year. The students are divided into S group and D group. S students are reviewing doubling the consonant, e-drop, and no change when adding -ed. This is a simple enough skill, but on our beginning of the year assessment the children missed an average of 3 our of 5 words with that feature. We will review this feature for the next two weeks and then move on to more challenging features.
Monday folders are in book bags. Please look over your child's work, sign the folder, and return it tomorrow.
Just a reminder that book orders are due Thursday. I will be placing our order on that day.
We have a case of chicken pox in our class. Regan will be out for the week. It is a much milder case since she was vaccinated, but I just wanted to let everyone know so you can keep an eye on your child....just in case. We all hope you're doing well, Regan!
Book project mini-goal #3 is due tomorrow and the final project is due next Wednesday. The children are doing a fantastic job keeping up with their goals!
There is a sign-up sheet outside our classroom for conferences on Friday, October 31. Please stop by and sign up for a time.
That's all for now!
Kim Bushman
Monday, September 15, 2008
Back to School Night is Coming!
Hi all!
We’re three weeks into the new school year and getting up to speed. Word study and our first novel study will begin next week.
Back to School Night is this Thursday from 7pm – 8:30pm. The evening begins in the Reed Theater with classrooms opening at approximately 7:30. I am attaching a copy of my Back to School information packet, and am sending a hard copy home with your child today. Please look over this prior to Thursday night and bring any procedural questions with you that night. Please remember I will not be able to speak with you about your individual child on that evening.
Monday folders will be coming home this afternoon. Please review the work with your child, sign the folder, and send the empty folder back tomorrow.
Book orders are also coming home today. I am sending orders for September, October, and an Accelerated Reader catalog with your child. These orders are due by Thursday, Sept. 25. I will submit the orders by computer on that day. Please make checks payable to Scholastic Book Clubs.
Important Upcoming Dates:
Thursday, Sept. 18: Wordly Wise Test
Back to School Night
Book Project Mini-Goal # 2 Due
Friday, Sept. 19: No School (Teacher Work Day)
Tuesday, Sept. 23: Book Project Mini-Goal # 3 Due
Thursday, Sept. 25: Book Orders Due
Friday, Sept. 26: First Word Study Tests
Monday, Sept. 29: I am deleting the Mini-Goal due on this day.
Wednesday, Oct. 1: Finished Book Project Due
Thursday, Oct. 2: Wordly Wise Test Lesson 2
That’s all for now!
Kim Bushman
We’re three weeks into the new school year and getting up to speed. Word study and our first novel study will begin next week.
Back to School Night is this Thursday from 7pm – 8:30pm. The evening begins in the Reed Theater with classrooms opening at approximately 7:30. I am attaching a copy of my Back to School information packet, and am sending a hard copy home with your child today. Please look over this prior to Thursday night and bring any procedural questions with you that night. Please remember I will not be able to speak with you about your individual child on that evening.
Monday folders will be coming home this afternoon. Please review the work with your child, sign the folder, and send the empty folder back tomorrow.
Book orders are also coming home today. I am sending orders for September, October, and an Accelerated Reader catalog with your child. These orders are due by Thursday, Sept. 25. I will submit the orders by computer on that day. Please make checks payable to Scholastic Book Clubs.
Important Upcoming Dates:
Thursday, Sept. 18: Wordly Wise Test
Back to School Night
Book Project Mini-Goal # 2 Due
Friday, Sept. 19: No School (Teacher Work Day)
Tuesday, Sept. 23: Book Project Mini-Goal # 3 Due
Thursday, Sept. 25: Book Orders Due
Friday, Sept. 26: First Word Study Tests
Monday, Sept. 29: I am deleting the Mini-Goal due on this day.
Wednesday, Oct. 1: Finished Book Project Due
Thursday, Oct. 2: Wordly Wise Test Lesson 2
That’s all for now!
Kim Bushman
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Back to School!
Dear Families,
Thank you all for sending back your information forms with your email addresses last week. I’d like to save some trees this year and send home pertinent classroom information through emails. I will try to title these as “Class Information.” Please send back a quick reply so I can verify your email address. I will begin to contact those I do not hear from later this week to see if I’ve made a mistake with your information.
Your child placed the information concerning our first book project in their binders yesterday. I set a number of mini-goals for students to complete along the way. Hopefully this will help motivate any procrastinators we may have in our classJ. Please go over this information with your child sometime this week. We went over it fairly extensively in class, so they should be able to answer any questions you might have. This project will be due Wednesday, October 1.
A “Genres at a Glance” study guide is also in your child’s binder. We will have a test on this information on Friday, September 12. Your child should know the different genres listed and be able to match them to their definitions.
Any materials that are clipped in your child’s binder should remain there. Items that are to be given to you, or left at home, will be placed in your child’s Communication Folder.
Important Upcoming Dates:
Thursday, Sept. 11: Student picture day (information should come later this week or early next week)
Thursday, Sept. 18: Back to School night for parents
Friday, Sept. 19: No school for students (Work Day for teachers)
I hope everyone had a fantastic holiday weekend! The children did a wonderful job getting back into the swing of things yesterday.
Thank you.
Kim Bushman
Thank you all for sending back your information forms with your email addresses last week. I’d like to save some trees this year and send home pertinent classroom information through emails. I will try to title these as “Class Information.” Please send back a quick reply so I can verify your email address. I will begin to contact those I do not hear from later this week to see if I’ve made a mistake with your information.
Your child placed the information concerning our first book project in their binders yesterday. I set a number of mini-goals for students to complete along the way. Hopefully this will help motivate any procrastinators we may have in our classJ. Please go over this information with your child sometime this week. We went over it fairly extensively in class, so they should be able to answer any questions you might have. This project will be due Wednesday, October 1.
A “Genres at a Glance” study guide is also in your child’s binder. We will have a test on this information on Friday, September 12. Your child should know the different genres listed and be able to match them to their definitions.
Any materials that are clipped in your child’s binder should remain there. Items that are to be given to you, or left at home, will be placed in your child’s Communication Folder.
Important Upcoming Dates:
Thursday, Sept. 11: Student picture day (information should come later this week or early next week)
Thursday, Sept. 18: Back to School night for parents
Friday, Sept. 19: No school for students (Work Day for teachers)
I hope everyone had a fantastic holiday weekend! The children did a wonderful job getting back into the swing of things yesterday.
Thank you.
Kim Bushman
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Two Months Since We've Blogged!
It has been a very long time since we blogged, but we've been extremely busy. (How is that for an excuse?) In January we worked on our "Pet Stories." Some of us will be entering these in a contest with the Freelance Star. Then we started our work on the Invention Convention. We've all decided on our inventions and are working on them. In history we've been studying laws and have started our own government from scratch. We even got to go see the State Capitol building in Richmond! Each member of our class made very creative and unique floats out of shoe boxes. This is how we tied together American history and Mardi Gras. In reading, we've been reading the book, Ben and Me. Amos reminds us of some of our classmates from time to time. As you can see, we actually have been a very busy, spectacular class!
The Class
The Class
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