The weeks are running out before DSTP!

 Remember, the practice we do in school, for homework and in small groups all prepares us for DSTP.  Do your homework!!

The year is halfway over!  Wow that is difficult to imagine!

News……

Many parents know that we have placed one of our guinea pigs, Snowball, with a student whose elder brother had just lost a guinea pig a little while ago.  I am in search of another friend for Fluffy although he seems pretty happy alone for now.  

 In other news both report cards and interim reports on IEPs have gone out in the last week.  I am really pleased with all the hard work that students are showing.  Some of them have come as far as two grade levels in reading this year!  This is amazing and a real example of how motivated our students are.  Congratulations to everybody who has been working SO hard!

Winter vacation is a wonderful time of year!  This is a time of year to relax, enjoy the family, do some visiting with friends and neighbors and READ!  Yes, read!  It is critical for all students to read all of the time, winter vacation is no different.  Parents, find books that interest your child and get them excited about reading.  Comic books are OK some of the time, but not all books should be comic books.

 Students – remember, reading is key to everything!  As you get ready for middle school you need to be a good reader.  With so many choices out there, try one of them!

Just do it……READ!

Here’s the link to author Bruce McMillian’s website:  http://www.brucemcmillan.com/

Check out the updated info on the pages for Reading and Math. 

Parents:  weekly assignments for reading homework are listed.

Students:  No more excuses as to why you can’t do your homework!

Just a reminder to parents that we have a short week next week; there are teacher in-service days on Thursday and Friday. 

Hi Ellen:

I am so happy to hear from you…..I am glad that everything has worked
out so well for you and your students with both Mahatab( aka Fluffy) and
Lychnite( aka Snowball)….LOL.
Animals really work wonders with children with self esteem issues….I know the calming
effect animals can have on them…..they don’t have to prove themselves
to an animal…they are accepted for who they are.
It also teaches children responsibility and empathy for others, whether
it be people or animals.
The boys will settle in….not only have they had to get
used to each other, but they have had to get used to a new
environment….but they adapt pretty quickly and easily and I am sure
they will be calmer as they are handled more.
Giving them vegetable treats in the classroom as part of a daily routine
will also go a lot further in helping them adjust….even having the
children give them lettuce as they sit with them.
Let me know how things are going from time to time.
Talk to you soon
Leigh

Here is a link to a great website for parents of children in my class.

http://www.ldonline.org/

The pets are here and they are……GUINEA PIGS!!!

A kind guinea pig breeder donated two pigs for our classroom.

 The fourth grade named the younger pig and the fifth grade named the older pig.  Names were voted on by Ms. Meragous’ third grade class.

 Above is a picture of Snowball.  A picture of Fluffy is coming soon.

I can’t believe that the first week of school is over already! 

I have enjoyed meeting individually with the students in the class and getting to know them a little bit on a one-on-one basis.  What a great group of kids we have this year! 

 The homework will be posted on the new page “Homework” beginning this week.