October 1st

Howdy Tiger Readers! Hopefully everyone had a great weekend, with a bit of rain, and a lot of fun. I apologize for missing the cookout Friday, I hope it was a blast for all. I hope our Dads and family enjoyed coming to school and enjoying our classroom!

This week is THE WEEK. Fall Fair is this Saturday, October 6th from 11-3. Stop by to enjoy the fun. See the teachers and staff and all of your tiger friends as we work the booths, have fun playing games, and visit the silent auction. Bid on your favorite baskets and teacher auction items. This year's fair promises to be full of fun and family time. We hope to see you there.

Thanks to all the parents who have donated items for the treasure box and snacks for students. We are very blessed to have such supportive parents!

Parent conferences are coming up. What you can expect in these goal setting conferences -

• written information from your student's teacher that will give information on your child's academic and behavioral progress; and further tips and ideas for working with your child;
• students will lead the conference by sharing goals that they have developed using reflective questioning and actions steps that they will have started and ask for your input on;
• students will share journals and work samples;
• parent, teacher, and students will sign the goals and action steps, and these goals will guide student instruction, assessment, and learning plans for the year.

Other notes about parent conferences:

• Conferences may look a little different in each classroom. Ours will be scheduled 10 minutes a part and will last approximately 20 minutes. Students will be in charge of sharing information. I will visit the conferences, but students will be leading and sharing about their goals. 
• If you have any questions about information that has been shared, there will be an opportunity to set up a conference for concerns that you may have. These conferences are for student sharing and goal setting. Additional conferences may be set directly after at the "individual conference" time frame (we will combine goal-setting if this type of conference is needed). It is my goal to have as many student led conferences as possible :)
• since the conferences are student-led, students will need to be present.
• conference times:
• 7:00-11:00 in 10 minute intervals - student led goal conferences (no parent concerns at this time) - these will over lap and there may be many conferences going on at one time -Please email me and select a time - I will send a confirmation :)
• 1:00-3:00 in 30 minute intervals - student-parent-teacher goal conferences (15 minutes for student sharing and goal setting; 15 minutes for additional discussions, questions or concerns). Also, you may email me and select a time; I will confirm your time via email. Please list in the email your reason for concern, and I will collect information, thoughts, and ideas as well as determine time frame needed for discussion

My goal is to have a full conference day with a conference opportunity that meets each student and family need, Please let me know how best I can serve you :)

Curriculum:

Reading: Characterization and Inference; Sequencing of Events continued; Guided Reading and Tiger Time groups for eligible students

Math: Addition Concepts and Problem Solving Expectations; Subitization (Number Stability - 10 is always 10, no matter which model you use)

Science: Properties of Matter

Leadership: Putting First Things First

Reminders:

Please be sure that students are following dress code and all other code of conduct rules. In the last week, our class has struggled a bit with "Doing the Right Thing When No One is Looking." I have had missing pawprints (students earning Tiger Tickets when I am sure that I have not given them that many pawprints); and make up and toys have showed up at school. Make up is never allowed, and toys can be distracting. The one exception would be if a toy was earned THAT day at school, or as a teacher choice (my discretion) I have allowed a student to bring a toy as a reward for a tiger ticket.

This week in class we discussed our Resolution of Respect. We discussed thoroughly every student and their right to learn. Procedures for reporting when a student felt like their right to learn had been taken away were reviewed, and the importance of communication and reporting emphasized. Please feel free to report if you feel like something is interfering in your child's right to learn.

Thanks again for your support and communication. I look forward to Student Led Conferences. Please sign up soon to get your spot :)

Calendar:

October 4th: Rock Solid Fire Safety Assembly

October 6th: FALL FAIR (Be there or be quadrilateral)

October 8th: Parent Conferences as Scheduled. Students ARE required to be present.

October 16th: Student Leadership Council Meeting