Dear Parents,
We have had a super short week this week because of the New Year Holiday so not a lot of time to cover a lot of material.
We did read a story called "Arthur Writes a Story". Arthur is an aardvark that some kids recognized from story books or cartoons. In the story Arthur's teacher tells the class to write an interesting story. Arthur immediately decides to write about how he got his dog, Pal. Every time he reads his story to someone he changes his mind and his story. Arthur becomes more worried each time he changes his story and by the end, his story makes no sense. His teacher asks him to tell his original story about his dog. Everyone likes this story much more than his silly one. This story helps the students understand that they should do things they believe in and not worry about what others think. This was a long story with lots of new vocabulary so it took a while to get through it.
Due to the short week the students do not have to do their student journals this weekend. We will continue with them next weekend.
We also talked about New Year's Day and what students will do for the holiday. I hope everyone has a wonderful long weekend and a wonderful New Year!
All the best,
Teacher Andy
Progress reports were sent home today (12/31) with detailed comments about your child.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Friday, December 26, 2008
Merry Christmas!!!
Dear Parents,
I hope that all the students enjoyed having Christmas Day off from Tree House! I surely did. A lot of students are unfamiliar with the origin and traditions of Christmas, so we spent some time this week learning about Christmas in a fun way. We did a Christmas word search and the kids learned some new Christmas vocabulary. We read a traditional Christmas poem called "The Night Before Christmas". Many American families read this story together the night before Christmas to get ready for Santa's arrival. The evening class got to watch "The Simpson's Christmas Special"
We continued to learn about habitats in science class. Deserts are a hot and dry habitat that get very little rainfall. To get the water their bodies need, many animals are able to get water from the food they eat. The arctic is a super cold habitat that has snow on the ground for most of the year. Plants can only grow in the summer. Some animals' fur changes color in the winter to help protect them from predators. We will review the chapter on habitats and test next week.
This weekend the students will have to do their student journals for homework. We read the story "Giving Thanks Around the World" together in class. As usual, they are to read the story to parents first, answer the questions with complete sentences in their student journals, draw and color a picture from the story, and bring them back to school on Monday.
Last week the students took mid-term tests in vocabulary and reading. I am very proud to announce that EVERY student improved their reading test scores from the first test! I still took the time to go over the tests after grading them so that the students will understand the mistakes they made on the test.
Have a wonderful weekend!!!
All the best,
Teacher Andy
INDIVIDUAL COMMENTS:
(Since some students were absent and had to make up tests, the progress reports with detailed comments will go home with the students early next week. Apologies for the delay.)
I hope that all the students enjoyed having Christmas Day off from Tree House! I surely did. A lot of students are unfamiliar with the origin and traditions of Christmas, so we spent some time this week learning about Christmas in a fun way. We did a Christmas word search and the kids learned some new Christmas vocabulary. We read a traditional Christmas poem called "The Night Before Christmas". Many American families read this story together the night before Christmas to get ready for Santa's arrival. The evening class got to watch "The Simpson's Christmas Special"
We continued to learn about habitats in science class. Deserts are a hot and dry habitat that get very little rainfall. To get the water their bodies need, many animals are able to get water from the food they eat. The arctic is a super cold habitat that has snow on the ground for most of the year. Plants can only grow in the summer. Some animals' fur changes color in the winter to help protect them from predators. We will review the chapter on habitats and test next week.
This weekend the students will have to do their student journals for homework. We read the story "Giving Thanks Around the World" together in class. As usual, they are to read the story to parents first, answer the questions with complete sentences in their student journals, draw and color a picture from the story, and bring them back to school on Monday.
Last week the students took mid-term tests in vocabulary and reading. I am very proud to announce that EVERY student improved their reading test scores from the first test! I still took the time to go over the tests after grading them so that the students will understand the mistakes they made on the test.
Have a wonderful weekend!!!
All the best,
Teacher Andy
INDIVIDUAL COMMENTS:
(Since some students were absent and had to make up tests, the progress reports with detailed comments will go home with the students early next week. Apologies for the delay.)
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Test Week
Dear Parents,
This week the Egyptians reviewed and took their vocabulary and reading tests. We found some interactive and fun ways for the students to review. We played vocabulary review basketball outside on nice days. They really enjoyed doing Mad Libs, short stories with some words left out that the students have to fill in with words from their vocabulary book. The tests will be graded very soon and progress reports will be sent home next week.
The Egyptians learned about rain forests in science class. Rain forests are habitats that get rain almost every day and many plants and animals live there.
After lots of reviewing and testing, I am giving the students a break from their student journals for this weekend. We will start back with those next weekend.
Christmas is coming up soon so we will do some fun Christmas reading activities next week! Have a great weekend!
All the best,
Teacher Andy
Individual Comments:
Austin: Was really good at vocabulary basketball! Great job of finishing work on time.
Harris: Try to speak louder and more clearly in class. Be sure to listen carefully when work instructions are given.
James: We miss you!
Lauren: Sometimes does not understand workbook instructions clearly.
Lily: Needs to find her vocabulary book!
Allen: Has been getting easily distracted this week and not paying a lot of attention. Was great at basketball.
Arvin: Doing a great job in the class.
Chanel: Missed some class time because of Drama Club but worked hard to make up the work. Great!
Chloe: Was not our tallest basketball player but had fun playing basketball.
Jade: Seems very prepared for her vocabulary test. Great job!
Joshua: Has been getting easily distracted this week and not paying a lot of attention, especially during review time.
Sam: Seems very prepared for his vocabulary test. Super Duper!
This week the Egyptians reviewed and took their vocabulary and reading tests. We found some interactive and fun ways for the students to review. We played vocabulary review basketball outside on nice days. They really enjoyed doing Mad Libs, short stories with some words left out that the students have to fill in with words from their vocabulary book. The tests will be graded very soon and progress reports will be sent home next week.
The Egyptians learned about rain forests in science class. Rain forests are habitats that get rain almost every day and many plants and animals live there.
After lots of reviewing and testing, I am giving the students a break from their student journals for this weekend. We will start back with those next weekend.
Christmas is coming up soon so we will do some fun Christmas reading activities next week! Have a great weekend!
All the best,
Teacher Andy
Individual Comments:
Austin: Was really good at vocabulary basketball! Great job of finishing work on time.
Harris: Try to speak louder and more clearly in class. Be sure to listen carefully when work instructions are given.
James: We miss you!
Lauren: Sometimes does not understand workbook instructions clearly.
Lily: Needs to find her vocabulary book!
Allen: Has been getting easily distracted this week and not paying a lot of attention. Was great at basketball.
Arvin: Doing a great job in the class.
Chanel: Missed some class time because of Drama Club but worked hard to make up the work. Great!
Chloe: Was not our tallest basketball player but had fun playing basketball.
Jade: Seems very prepared for her vocabulary test. Great job!
Joshua: Has been getting easily distracted this week and not paying a lot of attention, especially during review time.
Sam: Seems very prepared for his vocabulary test. Super Duper!
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Shark Attack!
Dear Parents,
This week we read an article about sharks. The students really enjoyed learning about sharks and found out that sharks have more to fear from people than people fear from sharks. They learned many interesting facts about sharks, such as they have no bones and about 100,000,000 sharks are killed by people every year. Some sharks are in danger of dieing out, which would mess up the food chain. This was a short story so we had lots of time for students to talk about how people can help save sharks and their habitat.
We also talked about bar graphs and how to read them.
While the other students at Tree House took their tests this week, we spent some time reviewing instead. Next week my class will take their reading test and a vocabulary test on the words from weeks 9 - 15. We will test just the week 15 words on Monday. The students do not have to do Student Journals this weekend so that they can have more time to study their vocabulary for their big test. I hope the students use this time wisely so they will be prepared for the test. Detailed progress reports will be sent home after next week.
All the best!
Teacher Andy
Individual Comments:
Arvin: Participates a lot in class and is handwriting is becoming much better.
Allen: Scored 100 on his vocabulary test! I'm super pleased about how well he works to learn vocabulary now.
Chanel: Scored 100 on her vocabulary test. Seems to have a much improved attitude in class.
Chloe: Scored 100 on her vocabulary test. Follows instructions well in class.
Jade: Always very alert and attentive in class.
Joshua: Scored 100 on his vocabulary test. Great job! Gets very distracted when doing classwork so takes too long to finish work.
Sam: Scored 100 on his vocabulary test. Continues to do a fantastic job in class.
Austin: Scored 100 on his vocabulary test! Class attitude has been great lately!
James: Showing improvement with vocabulary. Please be sure to study for the big vocabulary test next week.
Harris: Scored 100 on his vocabulary test! Really enjoyed the lesson about sharks.
Lauren: Doing well in class. Still gets shy at times but seems happy the rest of the time.
Lily: Scored 100 on her vocabulary test! Sometimes speaks when others are speaking so please be more considerate of others.
This week we read an article about sharks. The students really enjoyed learning about sharks and found out that sharks have more to fear from people than people fear from sharks. They learned many interesting facts about sharks, such as they have no bones and about 100,000,000 sharks are killed by people every year. Some sharks are in danger of dieing out, which would mess up the food chain. This was a short story so we had lots of time for students to talk about how people can help save sharks and their habitat.
We also talked about bar graphs and how to read them.
While the other students at Tree House took their tests this week, we spent some time reviewing instead. Next week my class will take their reading test and a vocabulary test on the words from weeks 9 - 15. We will test just the week 15 words on Monday. The students do not have to do Student Journals this weekend so that they can have more time to study their vocabulary for their big test. I hope the students use this time wisely so they will be prepared for the test. Detailed progress reports will be sent home after next week.
All the best!
Teacher Andy
Individual Comments:
Arvin: Participates a lot in class and is handwriting is becoming much better.
Allen: Scored 100 on his vocabulary test! I'm super pleased about how well he works to learn vocabulary now.
Chanel: Scored 100 on her vocabulary test. Seems to have a much improved attitude in class.
Chloe: Scored 100 on her vocabulary test. Follows instructions well in class.
Jade: Always very alert and attentive in class.
Joshua: Scored 100 on his vocabulary test. Great job! Gets very distracted when doing classwork so takes too long to finish work.
Sam: Scored 100 on his vocabulary test. Continues to do a fantastic job in class.
Austin: Scored 100 on his vocabulary test! Class attitude has been great lately!
James: Showing improvement with vocabulary. Please be sure to study for the big vocabulary test next week.
Harris: Scored 100 on his vocabulary test! Really enjoyed the lesson about sharks.
Lauren: Doing well in class. Still gets shy at times but seems happy the rest of the time.
Lily: Scored 100 on her vocabulary test! Sometimes speaks when others are speaking so please be more considerate of others.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
December Is Here!
Dear Parents,
Thanks to everyone who came to share our Thanksgiving Dinner on Friday. We hoped you enjoyed the traditional food.
This week we read a story called "Jamaica Tag-Along" about a girl named Jamaica who wants to play basketball with her brother's friends. Her brother, Ossie, says she can't play because she is not old enough. Jamaica is playing in a sandbox when a young boy comes over and begins bothering her. She gets angry at the boy for trying to play but soon realizes that she is acting the same way her brother does to her. Jamaica lets the boy play and decides to be nicer to others.
For grammar, the students learned how to make singular and plural nouns possessive by using an apostrophe ( ' ).
We studied 2 science lessons this week. The students learned that habitats are places where animals live and meet their needs. Woodland forest is one habitat that gets lots of rain and sunlight so the plants and trees grow lots of leaves. Animals use plants for shelter and food.
We read the take-home reader together in class called "June and Pepper Grow Up". Please have your child read the story to you, answer the questions with complete sentences in their Student Journal, color a picture, and bring the books back on Monday.
The students will have a vocabulary test on Monday on the words from weeks 13 and 14. Please help study with your child over the weekend so they will feel confident and ready to take the test.
We will have a BBQ for Friday Fun Day. Yummy!!!
All the best,
Teacher Andy
INDIVIDUAL COMMENTS:
Austin: Has participated a lot this week. Great Job!
Harris: Did great job of reading and understanding our story.
James: Made 100 on his science test and did well on vocabulary too! I'm very proud of him, keep it up!
Lauren: Still shy sometimes in class but did very well on her tests!
Lily: Read and understood the story really well. Be sure to listen carefully during class time.
Allen: Has been trying super hard in class and has a wonderful attitude.
Arvin: Getting better at getting his work done on time. Raises his hand often.
Chanel: Participates a lot in class and attitude has improved a lot.
Chloe: Enjoyed our story and read really well.
Jade: Understands stories very well and is able to remember details well.
Joshua: Needs to be more confident when doing work and listen carefully to directions.
Sam: has been super! Works hard in class!
Thanks to everyone who came to share our Thanksgiving Dinner on Friday. We hoped you enjoyed the traditional food.
This week we read a story called "Jamaica Tag-Along" about a girl named Jamaica who wants to play basketball with her brother's friends. Her brother, Ossie, says she can't play because she is not old enough. Jamaica is playing in a sandbox when a young boy comes over and begins bothering her. She gets angry at the boy for trying to play but soon realizes that she is acting the same way her brother does to her. Jamaica lets the boy play and decides to be nicer to others.
For grammar, the students learned how to make singular and plural nouns possessive by using an apostrophe ( ' ).
We studied 2 science lessons this week. The students learned that habitats are places where animals live and meet their needs. Woodland forest is one habitat that gets lots of rain and sunlight so the plants and trees grow lots of leaves. Animals use plants for shelter and food.
We read the take-home reader together in class called "June and Pepper Grow Up". Please have your child read the story to you, answer the questions with complete sentences in their Student Journal, color a picture, and bring the books back on Monday.
The students will have a vocabulary test on Monday on the words from weeks 13 and 14. Please help study with your child over the weekend so they will feel confident and ready to take the test.
We will have a BBQ for Friday Fun Day. Yummy!!!
All the best,
Teacher Andy
INDIVIDUAL COMMENTS:
Austin: Has participated a lot this week. Great Job!
Harris: Did great job of reading and understanding our story.
James: Made 100 on his science test and did well on vocabulary too! I'm very proud of him, keep it up!
Lauren: Still shy sometimes in class but did very well on her tests!
Lily: Read and understood the story really well. Be sure to listen carefully during class time.
Allen: Has been trying super hard in class and has a wonderful attitude.
Arvin: Getting better at getting his work done on time. Raises his hand often.
Chanel: Participates a lot in class and attitude has improved a lot.
Chloe: Enjoyed our story and read really well.
Jade: Understands stories very well and is able to remember details well.
Joshua: Needs to be more confident when doing work and listen carefully to directions.
Sam: has been super! Works hard in class!
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