Dear Parents,
We had a fun and entertaining time on Yan Ming Mountain last weekend. It was very hot and the mosquitoes decided to join us but I hope the students enjoyed the trip.
This week we did something different, we read words to songs and then listened to recordings of the song. I think music is a great way for kids to learn and speak English in ways outside of their regular reading books. I also played different styles of music for them to learn the English names. We will try to do more of this before the end of the semester.
This week the students reviewed the unit on simple machines and force in science and took a test
We read a story in our reading books called 'Swimmy' about a speedy black fish that has to go out into the big, deep sea after a large tuna swallows his friends in one huge gulp. His fear soon goes away once he begins to see all the wonderful new things that there are to see. Swimmy finds a school of fish hiding away that was a lot like the friends he knew before. They are scared to go out because they're afraid of the big fish. Swimmy shows them how to work together and be brave so they can go out.
The students took a vocabulary test this week. They will have another test on Thursday or Friday of next week.
For the take-home readers we read a excellent story called 'You Can Make A Difference' about taking care of the Earth. It went into great detail about recycling, reusing, and reducing and also told about a group of students that worked in their free time to plant trees, make bird feeders, and pick up trash. It also told about one schools waste-free lunch program that encouraged using reusable containers instead of plastic bags that just create more waste. Please read this story with your kids and help them understand that they CAN make a difference in protecting the environment. Student Journals are due on Monday.
Today for Fun Day we will go to the water park! It has been very hot and I hope the rain stays away. Have a great weekend!
All the best,
Teacher Andy
INDIVIDUAL COMMENTS:
Albert - seemingly showed very little or no effort studying vocabulary!
Allen - getting much better, studying more
Arvin - great all week! working hard
Chanel - had a great time camping
Chloe - I'm VERY upset that you didn't bring me with you to Bali! Hope you had a great time.
Joshua - was disappointed to hear he didn't do well on his math test.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Friday, June 19, 2009
Happy Campers!
Dear Parents,
This week for Fun Day we will take the kids camping in Yan Ming Mountain! I really enjoy camping and hope the kids will enjoy getting away from busy Taipei City. This may be many of the students' first time so I hope they enjoy it. Since the kids will be away for most of the weekend, they will not have to do their Student Journals.
We will have a vocabulary test on Monday on the week 19 words. Please study for this! Some students did not do so well on the last test and had trouble finding adjectives, so I hope they will improve this time.
This week we read a long story called "Princess Pooh" about a girl who gets very jealous of her handicapped sister. This story was very important for the students to understand that handicapped people should be treated with respect and need friends just like people that aren't handicapped.
I hope you have a great weekend!
All the best,
Teacher Andy
This week for Fun Day we will take the kids camping in Yan Ming Mountain! I really enjoy camping and hope the kids will enjoy getting away from busy Taipei City. This may be many of the students' first time so I hope they enjoy it. Since the kids will be away for most of the weekend, they will not have to do their Student Journals.
We will have a vocabulary test on Monday on the week 19 words. Please study for this! Some students did not do so well on the last test and had trouble finding adjectives, so I hope they will improve this time.
This week we read a long story called "Princess Pooh" about a girl who gets very jealous of her handicapped sister. This story was very important for the students to understand that handicapped people should be treated with respect and need friends just like people that aren't handicapped.
I hope you have a great weekend!
All the best,
Teacher Andy
Friday, June 12, 2009
Ramps and Levers
Dear Parents,
This week we had a really fun time doing experiments in science class! The Egyptians learned about ramps and levers and that they are both simple machines that make moving things much easier than lifting them. We did experiments using a book, a stick, and a water bottle to make a lever. We also used a tray, lots of books, and a load attached to rubber bands to make a ramp. With the books, we changed the height and steepness of the tray to let the students determine which way was easier to lift the load. I like doing experiments with the students so they can see how science works and not just from the book.
The students learned long 'e' and long 'i' sounds in their practice book and using capital letters for proper nouns.
For their take-home readers we read a story called "Hubert and Frankie" about a family that gets a new puppy, Hubert, that has a hard time listening. Frankie, the older dog, decides to teach Hubert to listen and be a good dog. The students should bring their Student Journals back to Tree House on Monday with the questions answered and colored drawing about the story.
The students will take a vocabulary test on Monday on the Week 18 words. Please be sure to study and be ready! Most students have been doing quite well learning the new vocabulary words, keep it up!
This week for Fun Day, each teacher will show off a science experiment they have prepared. The students will get a chance to go around to each teacher's classroom for the experiments. I hope none of the students blow up the school!
Progress Reports for each student went home on Monday, June 8. You may return the reports with comments to the office or with your child.
Have a wonderful weekend!
All the best,
Teacher Andy
This week we had a really fun time doing experiments in science class! The Egyptians learned about ramps and levers and that they are both simple machines that make moving things much easier than lifting them. We did experiments using a book, a stick, and a water bottle to make a lever. We also used a tray, lots of books, and a load attached to rubber bands to make a ramp. With the books, we changed the height and steepness of the tray to let the students determine which way was easier to lift the load. I like doing experiments with the students so they can see how science works and not just from the book.
The students learned long 'e' and long 'i' sounds in their practice book and using capital letters for proper nouns.
For their take-home readers we read a story called "Hubert and Frankie" about a family that gets a new puppy, Hubert, that has a hard time listening. Frankie, the older dog, decides to teach Hubert to listen and be a good dog. The students should bring their Student Journals back to Tree House on Monday with the questions answered and colored drawing about the story.
The students will take a vocabulary test on Monday on the Week 18 words. Please be sure to study and be ready! Most students have been doing quite well learning the new vocabulary words, keep it up!
This week for Fun Day, each teacher will show off a science experiment they have prepared. The students will get a chance to go around to each teacher's classroom for the experiments. I hope none of the students blow up the school!
Progress Reports for each student went home on Monday, June 8. You may return the reports with comments to the office or with your child.
Have a wonderful weekend!
All the best,
Teacher Andy
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Short Week, Long Week
Dear Parents,
Our normal schedule has been shaken up a bit here lately with the Dragon Boat holiday but next week will be back to normal.
This week we read a story called "Officer Buckle and Gloria" about a police officer who gets help with his safety speeches from his K-9 partner. The students learned that working together makes most jobs easier and to stick with your partner. This story was very funny and appreciated by the students.
We learned about force and friction in science class. Friction is a kind of force that happens when 2 things rub together and cause moving things to slow down.
For the take-home reader we read a story about animal shelters and how different animals have different shelters. The students should read the stories to parents, answer questions in complete sentences, make a drawing, and bring them back to school on Monday.
This week the students got to be carpenters-in-training, or rather, we put together water mill wood kits. This required lots of punching out of small pieces and fitting them together, kind of like a jig-saw puzzle, but the kids seemed to enjoy the final product.
We took a vocabulary test on Saturday and they will be graded and returned on Monday. Also on Monday I will send progress reports home with each student which will contain comments on how each student is coming along in the class.
All the best,
Teacher Andy
Our normal schedule has been shaken up a bit here lately with the Dragon Boat holiday but next week will be back to normal.
This week we read a story called "Officer Buckle and Gloria" about a police officer who gets help with his safety speeches from his K-9 partner. The students learned that working together makes most jobs easier and to stick with your partner. This story was very funny and appreciated by the students.
We learned about force and friction in science class. Friction is a kind of force that happens when 2 things rub together and cause moving things to slow down.
For the take-home reader we read a story about animal shelters and how different animals have different shelters. The students should read the stories to parents, answer questions in complete sentences, make a drawing, and bring them back to school on Monday.
This week the students got to be carpenters-in-training, or rather, we put together water mill wood kits. This required lots of punching out of small pieces and fitting them together, kind of like a jig-saw puzzle, but the kids seemed to enjoy the final product.
We took a vocabulary test on Saturday and they will be graded and returned on Monday. Also on Monday I will send progress reports home with each student which will contain comments on how each student is coming along in the class.
All the best,
Teacher Andy
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