Matter Project & UN Trip Chaperones

Good Evening!

I just wanted to apologize for all the posts that I have been putting up this month.  I promise it will lessen as the year goes on, at least I hope so :-)

Matter Project

The project was gone over thoroughly with the class the day it was given to them as well as, today, I went over the directions again and even modeled for them a sample of what the project should look like.  The entire class was in agreement that this was sufficient time for them to get it done.

All the directions are self explanatory on the sheet that the children received.  There may just be one confusion... Where it states there needs to be well written sentences about each category, that is exactly what should be done.  For ex: for the states of matter: 2 sentences about solids, 2 sentences about liquids and 2 sentences about gases, which would be a total of 6 sentences.
It would not be a total of 5-7 sentences for each state of matter.

Also, the project is due Monday, October 26. The children were given a week which is more than ample time to complete this project.

UN Trip Chaperones- Oct. 29th

There will be 3 chaperones for this trip:  Mrs. Zhu, Mr. Petrova and Mrs. Chaudhry.  Please bring a photo i.d., otherwise you will not be allowed into the building.
All parents have paid!
We are eating lunch there, so please have the children bring a bagged lunch.  If they cannot, school bagged lunch will be provided for them.

Thank you for all your continued support.

Ms. Sullivan

Organizational Skills

Good Evening!

The children, not all but most, are having quite a bit of difficulty getting organized.  They have a bunch of folders and notebooks that they need to keep track of.  This is why we have them color coded so that it is easier for your child to identify which books and folders they need.

We have been working through this matter together and it will be an ongoing work in progress,

Please remind your children frequently that they need to be organized.

They tend to be forgetting folders, notebooks and even homework on a daily basis.  This has and will result in grades being lowered due to things missing or not being turned in on time.  Now remember, we do have the late policy where if a child forgets a homework, they have a day to make it up without getting penalized.  However, if they still do not hand in the homework the next day, then they will receive a zero.

Some children have received zeroes already for missing homework and not making it up.

On another note, which has to do with being organized... Papers and packets and such being sent home (or even in class).  They are responsible for these papers and packets.  I make extra copies for everything, but it just seems to be getting out of control with the amount of papers the children are misplacing.  It then becomes an issue for me to make extra copies.  I am unable to make copies at the time of the missing papers because I do not have a copy machine. So this may take days for me to make another copy.

Please work with your children like I am and will continue to, to become more organized.

Thank you for your support.

Social Studies Project Update

All the directions are mainly on the front cover of the social studies packet.

There are just a few things that weren't included but were told to the children over the past week or more. These include:

1. The children must include 7 examples of each term. (In some cases there aren't 7 examples, for those just put as many as are possible).

ex:  Hemisphere- only 2 normally, but you can refer to 4

ex: Country- there are more than 7 countries in the U.S.

2. The children are also asked to include 7 geographical features on their made up map.

3. End product- They may do the project on the sheets provided or they go the extra mile and either:

- create a poster (not too large) to add to their packet

- create a powerpoint

- take all the items on the packet and create it into a book instead.

- create a 3-d model of their made up country

-etc.

These are just some examples...

Hope this clarifies some concerns that we had.

Can't wait to see what they come up with!

Ms. Sullivan

UN Trip Update

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Due to the amount of security and such for the UN, we are only allowed to have 2 parent chaperons per class... right now I have 3, so I may have to cut one.  
I want to apologize to anyone who wanted to attend, but we have plenty of trips coming up and look forward to you joining on future trips!

Thank you for your consideration :-)

Ms. Sullivan

News and Concerns for Class 3-203

Good Evening!

Concerns:

It was brought to my attention that there have been a couple cases of items being 'stolen/taken' within the classroom.  I have spoken to the class about this matter and so far there has been no change.  Please speak to your children about this.  If this negative behavior continues, we will have to bring the guidance counselor in to speak to the class.  

News:

- UN trip slip was handed out on Friday, please hand in the money for the field trip in an envelope with your child's name.  If you are chaperoning, please include the money for the chaperon as well.
Money is due by this Thursday, October 15.  We have to give the money to them early. 

- Picture Day is this Wednesday, October 14.  Please be advised that our appointment is not until after lunch.  Make sure that you have handed in all necessary money and such for pictures.  Have students dressed appropriately. 

- Notebook- Have your child prepare a new notebook for writing (On the supply list, most children have an extra notebook but some do not). Please hand this in by Wednesday, October 14.   I will be asking them to personalize it on the cover with a design and/or things about themselves. You can add a picture if you'd like. 

Every weekend:            

Please have your child empty returned work from their red folders.  Also, sign and return additional forms.

Friday, October 16th

Weekly Enrichment Program begins.

Monday, October 19th

Weekly Global Language Program begins. The children will be learning Spanish.

Wednesday, October 21st         

Social Studies Geography Projects are due.

Studio in a School Weekly Art Program begins.

Thursday, October 29th

Trip to the United Nations

Friday, October 30th

P.S. 85 Character Parade

Towards the end of the month, the children will engage in examinations as we wrap up our units in Social Studies and Science. More information is forthcoming in next week's posting on my blog.

I want to take this time to express how much I appreciate your support. 

Have a wonderful week and Thank you for your cooperation in all matters.

Ms. Sullivan

Homework Routines

Welcome to Class 3-203!

Every night, the children will get homework in the following subjects:
1. Reading Log- read and log for 30 mins (Recently revised)
2. Math- depending on how they do during the lesson each day, the hw will vary and will be differentiated based on their performance during class.
3. Vocabulary- 10 words will be provided to the children each week, on Monday.  The following Monday, there will be an assessment on those words assigned the previous week. (work should be completed in their Vocabulary notebook.)

- Common Core Vocabulary Homework

Monday	Write each word 4 times each in your Vocabulary Notebook. Be sure to use your best handwriting.
Tuesday	Sentences- Write each of your vocabulary words in a sentence.  (You may change the form of the word ex: allow- My mom allowed me to play on the computer after I finished my homework.
Wednesday	Create a word search using the “graphic organizer”. -      Using all of your vocabulary words, write the words horizontally, vertically, or diagonally in the boxes. Then write the words in a word box at the bottom of the word search.  Finally, hide your words by filling in the empty boxes with random letters. DO NOT SOLVE.
Thursday	Match the Meaning, Synonyms and Antonyms: -      Look at the definition and match it to the correct word. -      Circle the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word or phrase in dark print. -      Circle the word that is most nearly the opposite in meaning as the word or phrase in dark print.
Friday	Definition Match- Using all your vocabulary words.  List these words on the left side of your paper.  Then write the definitions of each word on the right side of the paper but mix them up so a partner will be able to match the words and definitions.  DO NOT SOLVE. -      Study for your Vocabulary Test on Monday. -      Have mom or dad give you a practice test.

4. Science/ Social Studies-  Depending on what work was done in class, they may or may not get homework daily in these two subjects. (work should be completed in their Science/Social Studies notebook.)

5. Writing/Grammar- Depending on what work was done in class, they may or may not get homework daily in this subject. (work should be completed in their ELA notebook or otherwise advised.)

*  If your child forgets their notebook, this is not a problem. They can do it on looseleaf paper and glue it into the notebook upon their return the next day.

I am excited about working with your children! Thank you!