Thursday, January 24 Newsletter Updates

I will do my best to get everything in here from home. Ethan went home sick yesterday with his mom. She took the morning off with him today, and now I am home with him for the afternoon. While he sleeps I'll get the newsletter done.

Pancake Supper
Tonight is the night! Pancakes, pancakes, pancakes!!! There is still time to help out. Come tonight and ask where people are needed. I'm sure there is a place for you. Remember, it's the volunteers that make these amazing events...well...amazing! Enjoy the great meal!

End of the Quarter Today - Report Cards Next Week
Today is the end of the quarter. With only a few exceptions all homework and missing work was turned in. Grades will be calculated tomorrow and report cards printed on Monday. After double checking and adding comments, report cards will be ready to go late next week.

Best Work?
This morning students and I talked about the importance of always doing your best.

Here's an example: Since last week I have been reminding students that all work needed to be completed by today for the end of the quarter. This morning we added 30 minutes to memory time and when it was all said and done I still filled in 11 zeros in the gradebook.

Here's another example: Students know what I expect on math assignments - labels on story problems, showing work (like on large addition problems), writing addition problems vertically, showing regrouping, etc. I don't do this to be the big, mean teacher. It's because when kids don't do these things they make mistakes. Too many students continue to repeat these mistakes.

And here's the most frustrating part. This is simply NOT what this class is like. They are smart, do great work, help one another, and have the ability to be excellent students. Let's do everything we can to get back on track as the third quarter starts.

Monday Speed Stacks Meeting Cancelled
Due to a suddenly scheduled appointment that is out of the building, I won't be at school for Speed Stacks that night. We will continue with the schedule as planned. There will probably be an added meeting in February.

The Upcoming Week
Memory - I don't remember what the assignments are, but all third quarter papers will come home on Monday.

Religion - Jesus' earthly ministry.

Reading - Finish timeline of Look to the North, start next story.

English - Nouns

Math - Continue lessons 54, 55, etc.

Science - Planets and the solar system.

Social Studies - Finish the Great Lakes States

Spelling - List will come home on Monday.