Friday Candy Sale!

Hey everyone! A quick reminder: Tomorrow the 5th graders will be selling candy bars following lunch. The bars are $1 if you would like for your child to purchase one!

Star Student of the Week... Eli!

This week's Star Student is ....

Eli!

Eli is 6 years old.

His favorite color is green.

His favorite thing to do is play games.

When he grows up he wants to be a stuntman.

Eli says the best part of him is his eyes.

Today in Math...

Today, we started our unit on data analysis and graphing. In our opening, I challenged students to consider the following: Suppose you could be a whale or an eagle for the day. Which one would you rather be? Once our decisions were made, we had to consider how we would show our data using connecting cubes. The students suggested we let blue cubes stand for the whales since whales live in water. They suggested using black for eagles. We passed around the container of cubes from which students chose either a blue or black cube depending on which animal they picked. Next, students decided we should connect our cubes together so that we could tell which animal more people chose. We ended up with thirteen blue and four black cubes.

During work time, students were asked to make a representation of the Eagle or Whale data. Below are some examples created by students. 

Math Workshop

This week in Math Workshop, we have been working on the following Georgia Performance Standards:

Representing numbers less than 100 using a variety of models, diagrams, and number sentences. 

Representing numbers larger than 10 in terms of tens and ones using counters and pictures.

Correctly counting and representing the number of objects in a set using numerals.

Comparing small sets using the terms greater than, less than, or equal to (<, >, =)

Understanding the magnitude and order of numbers up to 100 by making ordered sequences and representing them on a number line.

On Wednesday, we learned a game to help us with counting forward and backward. The game is called Start With/ Get To. To play pairs of students need numeral cards 0-30. Student 1 chooses a number. This number becomes the Start With number. Student 2 chooses a number card which becomes the Get To number. Based on which numbers are drawn students will be counting either forward or backwards. If I drew the number 24 and my partner drew 16, we would count together beginning at 24 and counting backwards to 16. Once students got the gist of the game, they loved it. More students liked counting backwards than forwards. We had fun playing Start With/ Get To. Check us out.

                

Clipart by Whispy Hollow Graphics

Shout Out

I'd like to give a shout out to...

Haley Underwood!

(former student)

Happy Birthday, Haley!

Have fun at your party this weekend!

The Giving Tree

On Friday, we visited Mrs. Massey in the Media Center. She share the most wonderful story with us, The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein. It begins... "Once there was a tree who loved a little boy." The tree goes on to watch the little boy grow up to be a man. She gives him everything she has to give. 

Mrs. Massey used The Giving Tree to teach us about the two kinds of character. One type of character refers to the people, objects, or animals in a story. In this book, the tree and the boy were the main characters. Mrs. Massey also taught us about another character which refers to the attributes that determine a persons moral and ethical actions and reactions, in other words "who we are in our hearts".

Mrs. Massey challenged students to think of one way they could show good character as we created an art project. Students did an awesome job with this project.  

Alexis said, "I will feed my bunny."

Isaiah said, "I will clean the house and the school."

Kai said, "I will help my baby sister."

A Look at Math Workshop

Who knew math could be such fun? 

Today in Math Workshop, students were introduced to a counting game, Collect 20 Together. Students took turns rolling a dot cube and taking that many counters. Play continued until students had at least 20 counters. The dot cubes allowed students to practice automatic recognition of sets and adding two sets together to see how many counters they got to add. Students worked with a partner to count the counters altogether. Students learned the game quickly and had a great time playing. Take a look...

Camden was my partner. He's very good at counting!

Ethan and Chyanne counting away.

Tyler's counting the dots on the dot cube

Samuel and Bailey like this game!

Kai and Destiny are pretty fast counters!

Week 3 Newsletter

Good news! I have finally completed the beginning of year assessments for reading and phonics. This means we will begin our regular schedule.

Class Schedule

Arrival - 7:45 Morning Work/ Journals

7:45 Gilbert Morning News

7:50 Calendar

8:15 Phonics

8:30  Math Workshop

9:15  Independent Reading

9:45  Reader's Workshop

10:30  Writer's Workshop

11:15  Lunch

11:45  Handwriting

12:00  Skills Block

12:30  Specials

1:15  Accelerated Reader

1:40  Recess

2:00  Afternoon Announcements

2:15  Dismissal

This week we will begin our spelling program. For tips on helping your child study his/her words, be sure to check out the list of spelling activities that was included in the blue parent folder.

AR has officially begun! Mr. Hayes and Mrs. Massey has agreed to provide the top readers with a Walmart shopping spree. Be sure to read your AR book as part of each night's homework! Each child should be ready for an AR test when he/she returns to school the next morning.

This Week at a Glance

Here's a peek at what we'll be learning this week!

• Math Workshop - Number line, Numeration to 30
• Writer's Workshop - Habits of Good Writers, Pencil Reminders
• Reader's Workshop - How to choose appropriate level books for independent reading
• Phonics - Letter Sounds U-Z
• Word Wall Words - Individualized Lists
• Handwriting: T, O, A, C, and D

This Week's Specials

Monday - P.E.

Tuesday - Computer

Wednesday - P.E.

Thursday - Art

Friday - P.E.

Reminders

• Be sure to initial behavior and homework sheets each night.

• Send in Box Tops and Campbell's Soup labels. Thank you to everyone who has already done so. We are up to 690 points. 

• If you have questions or concerns about your child's progress, please feel free to contact me. I may be reached via email (elisarichardson@walkerschools.org) or by phone (706-638-2432).

Star Student of the Week

Congratulations, Bailey! You are our very first Star Student!

Interesting Facts About Bailey:

I am 6 years old. 

My favorite color is pink.

My favorite thing to do is play.

When I grow up I want to be an artist.

The best part of me is my heart! I have a big heart full of love.

Week 2 News

This week, I will be checking your child's sight word recognition in preparation for next week's individualized word lists. Reader's workshop will begin this week as well. I will not be in class on Monday due to a planning meeting. Mrs. Fisher will be our substitute.

Daily Specials

Monday - P.E.

Tuesday - Computer

Wednesday - P.E.

Thursday - Art

Friday - Computer

This week, we're learning...

• Letter Sounds K-T
• Number words
• Math Workshop: Numeration to 30
• Writer's Workshop: Rituals and Routines
• Reader's Workshop: Introduction and Routines
• Social Studies: Getting Better at Getting Along

Please feel free to email me with questions, comments, or concerns.

elisarichardson@walkerschools.org

Phone: 706-638-2432

Available after school:

Monday - Tuesday until 3:15

Wednesday - Friday until 4:00

Friday Ice Cream!

Whew! We made it!

We've survived our first week of school! 

It has been a very busy week! We have successfully started Writer's Workshop and Math Workshop. Students have reviewed color words, number words, numerals to 10, and many other skills. 

I have assessed everyone's reading levels and early literacy skills using the DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills) and the DRA2 (Developmental Reading Assessment). Mr. Lemons administered the STAR test which allows us a starting point for the Accelerated Reading Program. Both of these assessments allow me to target instruction based on individual student needs. 

Mr. Lemons has administered the STAR test. The STAR test gives us a Zone of Proximal Development for your child's reading. Mrs. Massey uses this information to put "dots" on student AR folders. Students will be allowed to check out books according to their "dots" to be read for our Accelerated Reading Program. 

Our week ended with a visit to Mrs. Massey in the Media Center for orientation. Mrs. Massey shared her expectations and rules for our weekly visits. She also shared Sergio Makes a Splash,  a wonderful story about a penguin who was afraid of the water. We checked out our first library book! It was a great way to end a perfect week!

Week 1 Newsletter

I hope you had a restful weekend! After spending the first day getting to know each other, we will be going to work this week. Everything at Gilbert is up and running smoothly. We are already visiting Computer, Art, and P.E. On Friday we will visit the media center for orientation and our first check out. I will administer several different assessments including the STAR test, DRA (Developmental Reading Assessment), and DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills to gain a better picture of your child's instructional needs.

On Monday, we started word wall words, letter sounds review, and math workshop. We also began homework. Although we do not assign written homework, we do expect your child to review letter sounds and practice reading the word wall words each night. Please be sure to initial both the homework sheet and behavior sheet daily. This lets me know your child is completing his/her homework and you are aware of his/her behavior.

Weekly Specials

Monday: P.E.

Tuesday: Computer

Wednesday: P.E.

Thursday: Art

Friday: P.E.

Please be sure to wear tennis shoes for P.E. days!

This week we're learning...

• Letter sounds A-J
• Sight Words - Color Words
• Math Workshop - Numerals, sets, and number words to 10
• Writer's Workshop - Writing a Story, Procedures
• Reader's Workshop - Procedures, Finding the right book
• Social Studies - Rules, Procedures, and Getting Along

Our schedule does not allow us time to have a snack. Do not send snack with your child. Students may and are encouraged to bring a water bottle to class. Please make sure the water bottle has a lid to avoid spills. Only water is allowed. No juice, Kool-Aid, soft drinks, or other beverages.

Our school is once again collecting Box Tops. Please continue to save and bring in these tops. Our class earns ten points for each one. The winning class receives a special treat/reward each month. Our school earns $0.10 per Box Top. Since beginning the program in 2002, our school has earned $7211. Every little bit helps!  Jaylia, Ethan, and Alexis have already brought several Box Tops in for our class.

Coach Neal is collecting Campbell's Soup Labels again this year to help our school earn free equipment and supplies for Physical Education classes.

As always, if you have questions, concerns, or comments, please do not hesitate to contact me. You may send a note in your child's folder, call, or email me.

elisarichardson@walkerschools.org

Phone: 706-638-2432

Available after school:

Monday - Tuesday until 3:15

Wednesday - Friday until 4:00