September 30, 2015

Splash, Splash, Splash...

Thank you for coming out for last night's Open House.  Much was covered and students were delighted to see the notes that were left for them.

In an effort to create a solid learning routine, I did not meet with individual groups during Language Arts, We did have 3 mini lessons though which was not only necessary, but encouraging.  

Homework

Language Arts 

Weekly Packet:  by tomorrow all pages 13-22(there is no pg 17) should be completed

additionally Critical thinking page 6+7 and the "Responding"  page.

This may seem like a lot, but 3 of those pages were assigned last night, and 4 of those pages were begun and given time today during class.   (mini-lessons)

Math: 

Aley:SPB 19-20 all

Blais: SPB 21+22

Perry Mod2; lesson 3; page 1

Ropitzky: properly finish page SPB 13

I am sending home the library Media Center's tips sheet.  One side lists helpful databases and their login information

Reminders: Howe Caverns permission +$   due date 10/2 

Stay dry.

 

September 29, 2015

I saw a lot of great work today.  I met with all students in leveled reading groups and we cycled through what a typical Tuesday might look like for that block of time. 

Homework

Spelling: Day 2 they do their own sort and write the words into their journal 

Vocabulary: Study vocabulary

Reading:  reread the Anchor text, (on line),and read leveled reader

Math

Aley: SPB 15 evens, 16 all 

Blais: SPB 19 odds

Ropitzky: SPB 13 (1-10) and #15

Reminder:

Howe Caverns Permission slip and $ 

Open House is Tonight. 

Bully Prevention Program:

All Shenendehowa Elementary Schools will be facilitating a bullying prevention program the week of October 5^th-9^th 2015.  During the course of the week we will be doing a number of activities to raise awareness and prevent bullying from happening in our schools.  As part of this week we are encouraging students to wear specific colors to show support for a kinder, friendlier and safer school.  The colors/themes are as follows:

Golden Rule Monday: Wear YELLOW for “treat others are you would like to be treated”

Loyal Blue Tuesday: Wear BLUE to promote loyalty, kindness, and being a “true blue” friend

Red Wednesday Madness: Wear RED to show your awareness that it’s okay to be angry but….words are not for hurting and hands are not for hitting

Peaceable White Thursday: Wear WHITE for peaceful friendships and problem solving

School Spirit Friday: Wear GREEN to show pride in making our school, community, and country a safer place

If you are interested in finding out more about bully prevention here are a few websites that can be helpful:

http://www.violencepreventionworks.org/public/index.page

http://www.pacerkidsagainstbullying.org/

http://kidshealth.org/parent/emotions/behavior/bullies.html

http://pbskids.org/itsmylife/friends/bullies/

http://newyork.adl.org/albany-no-place-for-hate/

September 28, 2015

Language Arts:
Students received their weekly plan.  In their binder is where most of their work is kept. We read and discussed this week's anchor text: A Royal Mystery, and discussed the Fairy Tale, The Princess and the Pea.
They received their spelling and vocabulary words.

A regular Monday's work:
Read the Anchor Text focusing on the weekly skill and strategies.
Say and enter this week's vocabulary words and definitions into journal. They are looking up the word legume.
Cut and say this week's spelling words and put them into the sleeve
Read Thinkmark book 15-30 minutes and respond by entering a summary onto record paper
They also must write the next 10 student names into their journal 1X

Some of this is accomplished in school, but the rest is due Tuesday Morning.

Science:  we are focusing on the origin, and properties of Light

Math
Aley: SPB pg 15 evens + pg 16 all
Blais: SPB pg. 19 odds
Ropitzky: Mid Chapter checkpoint pages 25 and 26 in text.  Please do not assist your child in completing this assignment.  I need to properly assess where each student is in-progress.  Thank you.

September 25,2015

Happy Friday!

 "The day went very well!" This is what started off the notes I received from Mrs. Hennigan after returning from an in-house workshop today.

Mrs. Suzanne Hennigan is my "preferred" substitute and I try to secure her each time I need to be out of the classroom. She is familiar with our routines and looks forward to being with your children.
We took our assessments today.  I soon will be posting them to the gradebook.  You are able to access these if you are connected to the parent portal.  The students will bring graded work home on Monday.

Homework:
Their homework is similar to last week's...give you their Friday Letter, have you read and sign it, return it to school on Monday.
 
Math

Aley:none
Blais: SPB 17 all, 18 odds
Ropitzky: SPB 8,10,12

Reminder:  Howe Caverns permission slips.

September 24, 2015

A good day!

Language Arts:  There is a parent letter coming home outlining the "Thinkmark"requirements for this year.  I ask that you sign it and return it to school.  
I discussed with the class today that they should be reading outside of school daily.

Students have assessments tomorrow:
Lesson 1 "A Package for Mrs. Jewls"' comprehension, vocabulary, spelling, and grammar.  In addition to their regular spelling words is some of their classmates' names.  (Shh..Please don't tell...The spelling of their names will not appear in the grade book, but I feel strongly that people should take the time to know people they are with daily. The best way I see to start this is by knowing each other's names.)

They each should be working on a short 3-4 paragraph piece of writing also.  It is specific to their Leveled Reader.

We did not fit Science in today and our schedule on Thursdays does not include SS.

Math        SPB=Standards Practice Book

Aley: SPB 13 evens, 14 all
Blais: none
Ropitzky: SPB 7,9,11



Reminders:
Howe Cavern permission slips

It's 5%talent,15% skill, and 80% hanging in there." 

                                                          Lucy Lawless

September 23,2016

Dear Parents of Mrs. Ropitzky's class of 2015-2016,

I am sending this to you to let you know that I will try to use this blog spot to update daily assignments and events that are occurring in Shatekon and our classroom.

We have had a great beginning.  I am enjoying getting to know your child.  Each has an established job and we are developing our classroom constitution.
 I have been teaching fifth graders for many years.  I love coming to work everyday and experiencing the enthusiasm and eagerness to learn that your children bring with them.

Homework:
I have an assignment board in the classroom that has the daily assignments listed on it for homeroom, all math classes, and social studies. Students are given homework daily. I consider this practice. Rarely will a student be expected to complete an assignment that they aren't prepared for. We avoid giving homework on Fridays so all can enjoy the weekend. If your child should finish the "paper" portion of their homework, in school,  they should still be completing daily reading; 20-30 minutes.The students are given time, daily, to write these assignments down, begin working on, and get themselves prepared for dismissal.
It is my hope that you NEVER need to return to school to get any of your child's forgotten materials. In fact, I request that you never do. You and I need to work as a team to guide your child into independence where appropriate.
On the Shatekon home page is a link to Think Central...the Journeys series we use in Language Arts and the Go Math program we use in Math are located there. Your child's username for both of these is the first four letters of their last name followed by the first four letters of their first name.  Their password is the word student.

Events:You should've received a permission slip for our first field trip.  We will be traveling to Howe Caverns on October 23.  If you have not seen this yet, please ask your child for it.

Respectfully,
Mrs. Tracey Ropitzky

P.S. currently on the assignment board