Ahoy Mateys and Welcome to
Mrs. Berkshire's Parent Information Page!
This be for all the parents of my shipmates on board the 207.
(Most recent information is on the top while you can
scroll to the bottom for Parent Websites)
Check out NEW Homework Helper section in the websites ...scroll to the bottom!
E-mail from October 19th
I hope that you all had a wonderful Fall Break! Here are some reminders as we get back into the swing of things:
Specials Change: This week we will have art on Tuesday, PE on Wednesday, Music on Thursday, and Library on Friday. For the rest of the quarter we will have the same schedule with Library on Monday as well. If you can also refer to your child’s communication folder or find this on the website.
Homework: New quarterly homework is coming home tomorrow. Attached you will find the latest sight word checklist for your child. Since it is a short week, please do everything but the journal writing since the format is new. I will address it on the website for a deeper explanation. Speaking of the website, you can now find math blasters in Adobe (see below) to download and print for your math maniac. Thank you to Cathy Smith for taking the time to input all that info!
Scholastic: Scholastic book orders are going home for our class tomorrow. Online ordering information is attached. Many people choose to do that last time – thank you. You will also be getting information on the book fair as well. The book fair helps our school by providing books to our library. The book fair is open during parent teacher conferences on Wednesday and Thursday.
Fall Conferences: Wednesday and Thursday will be early release days so that we may have our Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences. I am attaching the final conference schedule so that you may double check your child’s time.
WALK TO SCHOOL (SRTS - Safe Routes to School) Wednesdays: All students are encouraged to walk to school during the month of October and beyond. Wednesdays teachers are watching for those kids that are walking to school to reward them with coyote cash.
Classroom Needs: If you have some snacks, we will need some in the next couple of days. Thank you.
Upcoming Events:
October 28th - Early Release
31st - Field Trip and Halloween Party/Parade
| 2a.pdf |
| 3a.pdf |
| 4a.pdf |
| 5a.pdf |
| 6a.pdf |
| 7a.pdf |
| 8a.pdf |
| 9a.pdf |
| 10a.pdf |
E-mail from October 8th
For the 3 families that I e-mailed earlier today about the conference slips, feel free to look at the openings available and send me 2 times that would work for you. (Everyone's changes have been made so this is the final schedule.)
Tuesday 10/20/09
4:40 Noah (I know you are meeting for your kindergartner that day.)
Wednesday 10/21/2009
Time Student
7:00 Makenzie
7:20 Austin A
7:40 Sadie
1:20 Caleb
1:40 Jenna
2:00 Ariana
2:20
2:40 Brycyn
3:00
3:20
3:40
4:00
4:20 Brynlee
4:40 Austin S
5:30 Hunter
5:50 Dillon
6:10 Brandon
6:30 Carter
6:50 Tyler
7:10 Collin
Thursday 10/22/2009
Time Student
7:00 Brooke
7:20 Lauren
7:40 Madison
1:20 Nick
1:40
2:00 Isaiah
2:20
2:40 Sophie
If for some reason this day and time does not work for you, let me know ASAP so that I can make changes if possible. Please know that sibling schedules and other factors go into making this work and sometimes it is hard to get you the exact time that you want.
I am looking forward to bragging about how wonderful your children are!
E-mail from September 28, 2009
Theme 2 Test (Language Arts): Our class rocked their theme 2 test!! 82% of the students had 80% or better with 23% getting 100%! Those are coming home. Please look at the material with your student. The area of real and not real was a little tricky for some.
Homework: This Friday will be the last time you can turn in the homework notebook for this quarter. The following week, you may work in the homework notebook, and please continue to read with your child, but do not turn it in on the 9th. If you owe spelling homework, you still need to complete that.
Homework Help: Don’t forget about the websites on my website that can help you with sight words and more.
- Go to http://mrsberkshire.weebly.com/
- Click on “Parent Pages”
- Scroll to the bottom of the page where the websites are
- Under “homework helper” is the sight word website and under “reading” is the website for AR Home Connect
New Sight Word Lists: They will go home after the break. I am reassessing in many areas right now. I am looking to see where your children have grown and what areas need addressing.
Spirit Award: We had 100% participation last Friday! We will be “howling” on the announcements on Wednesday morning. This is our 3rd time! It is very exciting!
Movie Night: Friday right after school, first grade team is sponsoring Movie Night. Permission slips and money is due Friday in the morning.
Friday Volunteers: The First grade team is in need of a few volunteers to help prepare for movie night, during the day, on Friday, October 2nd. Volunteers would be helping out with any of the following:
- Filling coolers up with soda and loading them with ice.
- Wheeling coolers to the gym.
- Popping pop corn and bagging it up.
If you are interested in helping (morning or afternoon) please let me know. Any help is greatly appreciated! Thank you!
Thank You- I just wanted to extend my appreciation for all of you. You are all awesome! I had an amazing response to the call to make balls of yarn – wow! The October volunteer master calendar is coming home. I didn’t get a lot of parents responding so if you are interested, but didn’t turn it in, please fill out the days you are available and return it.
Scholastic Orders: The September order forms are going home tomorrow. You can get a sneak peek at them online at www.scholastic.com/bookclubs.
- User Name: mberkshire
- Password: Coyotes
Field Trip- Our first field trip will be on Friday, October 30th to see the play “Strega Nona” at the Higley Center for the Performing Arts. Permission slips will be going home this week(it said that last week, but the paperwork wasn’t approved)! Field trips can be paid for through a tax-credit donation of $45. It covers the costs of field trips for the whole year. If you need help doing this please let me know
Dates to Remember: Early Release 9-30 Movie Night 10-2 As soon as school lets out
Scholastic Due 10-6 No School 10-12 to 10-19 (See you on Tuesday!) Early Release 10-21 & 10-22 (Parent Teacher Conferences)
Missed something? I always post these e-mails on the website! Please e-mail me with any questions or concerns!
E-mail from September 22,2009
Theme Test This Week: Our 2nd language arts theme is coming to an end. Packets for last week went home. This week’s packets will come home Wednesday or Thursday. Please review the packets with your child. I also review items we have touched on these last 3 weeks before we take the test.
Spelling: We will assess students next week. After Fall Break, we will redistribute the students into spelling groups.
Homework: Homework is due on Friday. Sometimes things happen and homework is not turned in on Friday. Please don’t turn it in on Monday. I take them home or grade them after school, and then you’ve lost a day of homework! You can write a little not it in the next week. I do check off if it’s done each week.
PE Tuesday – Good job remembering tennis shoes!
Library Thursday – Library books should be kept in the backpack when not being read.
Snacks- Please make sure your child has a healthy snack to bring to school each day. We have a late lunch this year and little tummies get very hungry mid-morning! Some snack suggestions include slices of fruit, a granola bar, or carrot sticks. Thanks to the families who donated to our classroom for those kids who don’t have snack.
Shop for Schools- Fresh and Easy is generously donating $1 to our school for every $20 spent in the store now through December 31st. Please send in your receipts and your child will receive Coyote Cash!
Coyote Bracelets- Mr. Johnson has the flexible bracelets for $1 in coyote colors if you don’t have any purple or teal at home! We got 100% participation on Friday – Way to Go!
Student Numbers- Students have been working hard to get logged on to the computers at school. In order to log onto the computers at school and take an A.R. test students must memorize their student number. Please have them practice this number at home! If you don’t know your child’s number, please look at the communication folder.
PASS – Perfect Attendance Spells Success!- Coronado is starting a new Attendance Incentive Program. All students with perfect attendance and zero tardies will get their names in a drawing for a chance to win a great prize. A bike will be awarded to one student in grades K-2, and one in grades 3-5. An MP3 player will go to a student in grades 6-8. The bikes are being donated by Horace Mann rep Chris Ruiz.
Walk to School- If you would like to participate in the WTS (Walk to School) Program, Mr. Johnson is looking for some volunteers to lead a “walking school bus.” We would like to do this on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Walking to school reduces pollution and makes less traffic. If you are interested or would like more details, please contact Mr. Johnson at ryan.johnson@husd.org.
Thank You- I just wanted to extend my appreciation for all of you. You are all awesome Thank you for the time spent here with the kids. Thank you for the donations of ear buds from many families (they are available at the Dollar Tree at Queen Creek and Higley). Thank you for the donation of notebooks from the Smith Family. Thank you fo the Plowman family for the WalMart Gift card. The October volunteer letter will go home this week. Please return it if you would like to help in the month of October.
Classroom Needs- hand sanitizer, cell phones/empty ink cartridges
Box Tops- We are in competition mode…the kids want to fill the whole box. If you could send in your box tops we would love to win that pizza party. We are collecting them until October 9th.
Field Trip- Our first field trip will be on Friday, October 30th to see the play “Strega Nona” at the Higley Center for the Performing Arts. Permission slips will be going home this week! Field trips can be paid for through a tax-credit donation of $45. It covers the costs of field trips for the whole year. If you need help doing this please let me know!
Dates to Remember:
Early Release 9-30
Movie Night 10-2 As soon as school lets out(A permission slip went home Monday!)
No School 10-12 to 10-19 (See you on Tuesday!)
Early Release 10-21 & 10-22 (Parent Teacher Conferences)
Please email me if you have any questions! Thank you for your support at home!
E-mail from September 4, 2009
President Obama’s address to the students is on Tuesday, September 8th. The following is the latest from the District about the speech:
“ On September 8th at 9:00 AM, public schools in the United States have been asked to have President Obama address students on the importance of education. The speech speaks to challenging students to work hard, set educational goals and take responsibility for their education. A summary of the speech is available at http://www.ed.gov/admins/lead/academic/bts.html. A similar speech was delivered before by President George Bush on October 2, 1991.
In order to manage our technology bandwidth across 10 schools and 500 classrooms, we will video record the speech and provide it to classroom teachers to use at a later time. The video recording will be posted on our HUSD website so that community members will also have an opportunity to review the speech. As a district, we will respect the Office of the President and present the speech appropriate to our learning levels and curriculum. Classroom teachers will notify parents about when the video recording will be shown. Parents will have the opportunity to determine if their student will view the speech.”
As of right now, I will not be showing the speech in class. I don’t want anyone missing out on our class activities. Our state standards require the students to be able to recognize the current President so we will take this opportunity to discuss who he is and show pictures. I feel that is appropriate for this age group. If you would like your child to view it, as it states in the district message, it will be available on our website.
Grandparent’s Day Celebrated: Monday, September 14th – invitations going home on Tuesday. Grandparents are invited to have lunch with the students. For my repeat families, we will not be doing the story afterwards as it will cut into our math time. The grandparents come to the front office, sign in, go to the lunchroom, and meet their grandchild for a lunch date! Lunch can be provided by the grandparents if they would like to bring in something special.
Information about Diamondback Tickets came home today. I have also attached it to this email. If you are interested, please send it back before September 14th. Thank you.
Start times: Please read and respond to the following if you have a feeling about when school starts.
“The Governing Board wants to find out whether or not the district should consider rotating starting times, having early start schools move to late start and late start to early start every few years. I’m not wanting to know which start time is better (early or late), but rather the issue of whether or not the district should rotate the times. If you respond to this email, your child will receive coyote cash. J”
Hope you all have a wonderful holiday weekend.
E-mail from September 3, 2009
Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedules to attend Curriculum Night. I hope that you found the information helpful. For those who were unable to attend, I have attached the power point that I presented and a paper copy of it came home with your child today as well.
I want to remind parents that the AR Home Connect information is on my website, on “Parent Pages” scroll to the bottom where the parent websites are. I put that information under “reading”. Your child’s school number is on their communication folder. I also have some sites to help with homework under “homework helpers” right above the “reading” section.
If you are having trouble with anything, please feel free to shoot an e-mail back to me.
FYI – Crazy hair day was cancelled for tomorrow. It has been rescheduled for the 18th.
Reminder: Spirit Day is tomorrow! Show your spirit by wearing purple or teal! Homework is due tomorrow.
Thank you, again!
E-mail from August 31, 2009
Today, sight words came home on an orange paper. The line in the response box means that your child correctly identified the word within 3 seconds, including a self-corrected mistake. They need to identify within 3 seconds and not sound it out. The words that have another word in the response box means that your child said this word instead of the proper response. If there is nothing written, your child did not attempt this word or did not say it within the first 3 seconds.
Here’s what the week of homework should look like this week and every week until the end of the quarter:
Monday – sight words, journal, and read
Tuesday – sight words, spelling, and read
Wednesday – math facts, journal, and read
Thursday - math facts, spelling, and read
When students are writing in their journals please have them stretch the words out and write what they hear. Please check the kid safe sites on my website for lots of math facts practice sites. The homework notebooks looked good. I will go over a couple of things on Wednesday at Curriculum Night.
WE WON THE SPIRIT TROPHY THIS WEEK! We wore our spirit colors on Friday and received the spirit trophy today. Tomorrow, we will go down to the front office and “howl” during announcements! Let’s do it again this week! Wear purple and teal to show your spirit on Fridays! Way to go, coyotes!!!
Don’t have any teal or purple to wear? Or want to accessorize with your coyote t-shirt? Buy a Coronado Coyote wristband and help raise money for PE equipment. There are black and purple wristbands available and each say “Get Fit Coyotes.” See Mr. Johnson in the gym to purchase your wristband after school on Fridays. Thank you to PTO for sponsoring our PE program! Wristbands are only $1 each
Volunteers need to be cleared with the district before helping in the classroom. It is quite extensive – it includes fingerprinting, but it is for the safety of your children! J
Curriculum Night, Wednesday from 6 to 7:30. I will speak to families from 6 to 6:40. The Administration has a short blurb, and I speak again, on the same thing, from 6:50 to 7:30.
Classroom Needs: Thank you for all your generous donations at the beginning of the year. We are doing quite well with student supplies. If you have new or gently used birthday bags that are between 8 ½ X 11 and 10 ½ X 12 ½ , we could use those for our b’day friends. If your child has ear buds for the computer or if you would like to donate headsets for the class to use, that would be greatly appreciated. Don’t forget to continue to collect old phones and ink cartridges. Thanks!
Thank you for your support and encouragement! I look forward to seeing you all on Wednesday night.
Michelle Berkshire
First Grade Teacher
Coronado K-8
http://mrsberkshire.weebly.com/
E-mail from August 24, 2009
The math blasters (timed math fact tests) will be coming home tomorrow. We take the tests at least 3 times a week. The time is 1:30 minutes. These are what you will look at to help your child with learning facts. We started with adding zero to numbers. If your child has 100% on a test, they have passed that level and a new test will be attached to it to practice. If your child made a mistake, that problem is circled so you can know what area to cover. If your child didn't finish the test, try practicing it faster. My website has many timed math fact websites. Find one that works for your child. http://mrsberkshire.weebly.com/ If you prefer pencil and paper, well, that works too! :)
Spelling groups will start tomorrow. We assessed where all the students are in their knowledge of spelling rules. Mrs. Johnson, Mrs. Dede, and myself will split the students into groups. They will start in a group that is "using and confusing" the same spelling rule. Students meet with their spelling teacher on Tuesday and Thursday. This helps us to differentiate for students wherever they are academically. Homework will come home on Tuesday for spelling. They will not have lists. They are working on a spelling rule so that no matter what the word is, if it follows the rule, they will know how to spell it.
Attached you will find the volunteer master calendar. I will also send a hard copy to all parents who signed up. You have been very generous with your time - thank you!
2 more things that have come up from parent e-mails:
1. AR Reading: Read with your child every night. Ask questions about the book. When they are ready, they can sign up to take an AR test at school. As soon as their name is called off the list, they will go and take their test. I taught every child how to log on and take a test today with our 4 computers in class. Tomorrow, they will start with the books they are reading. Once they take an AR test, a new book can be checked out from the library. Make sure the library books are in their backpack everyday.
2. The homework notebook: Journals are to be written in it. Please also use it for math fact practice or writing sight words. If your child practices on the computer or with flashcards, please just write a sentence stating that. Note time spent reading as well.
Thank you for helping me to communicate easily with you.
E-mail from August 17, 2009
Communication folders did not come home again today because they are getting re-laminated as I type. I didn’t send any papers home because I want them to get into the habit of always putting the papers in the folder. Thank you for your patience.
We finished up STAR testing (testing for our AR program). This will help us when we go to the Library on Thursday so we can pick out books at our level as well as a picture book. A paper with the results on it will come home tomorrow. GE is grade equivalent with the first number being the grade and the second number being the month in that grade. For example, a 0.8 means that your child’s reading is at the equivalent of a kindergarten student in the 8th month of school. I highlighted the GE and the ZPD (Zone of Proximal Development) which is the independent reading level. These are usually very close or the same. All students will start at the lowest number on the ZPD unless I indicate otherwise. Once a child gets 100% on a test, they can move up to the next level – 0.8 would move up to 0.9. I retest students at the end of the quarter.
Volunteer calendar will come home tomorrow. Please fill in a day with the times that work best for you. You can come in anytime, but times when I really need you will be in bold. If you have questions, you can always call or e-mail.
We talked about wearing their spirit colors, purple, teal, or a coyote shirt, on Fridays. This Friday is picture day. Do not feel that your child has to wear their coyote shirt for pictures. We will really push the spirit colors next week!
We have not heard about gifted testing for students in K-2 classes. As soon as I know something, I will pass that information on to you. The following is for your information if you have third through 8th graders.
FYI - Testing for Gifted Program admittance for students in grades 3-8 will take place on Saturday, August 29th at Centennial Elementary School. If you are interested in having your child tested, complete a “Parent Consent for Evaluation” and ‘Parent Gifted Screening” forms, which are available at all HUSD K-8 school offices, and return both to your school’s gifted specialist. The permission form must be signed and returned before your child can be tested.
Tomorrow is Tennis Shoe Tuesday – PE! J
Looking forward to a great week!
Email from August 12, 2009
3 items came home today: a letter from the music teacher, picture envelope/ info, and a blue ½ sheet with an envelope attached to it. Inside that last item are 4 fund raiser cards worth $10 each. I asked the children to leave them alone until they were home with you. Please check their backpacks for them. If you want to participate in the fundraiser, give the card to whomever purchases it and return the money in the envelope. If you do not want to participate, please have your child return the cards ASAP to avoid losing them. Each child is responsible for 4 cards or $40. This fund raiser is neat in that 10% of whatever our class makes goes directly into our PTO class fund - wow! This is our BIG fundraiser this year!
Starting tomorrow, your child will be coming home with a communication folder that needs to be checked and returned each day. I apologize for not starting the year with them, but I have been waiting for them to be laminated so they will last.
I promise not to e-mail so much in the future! I just like my parents well informed!
Email from August 11, 2009
3 items came home today: a letter from the music teacher, picture envelope/ info, and a blue ½ sheet with an envelope attached to it. Inside that last item are 4 fund raiser cards worth $10 each. I asked the children to leave them alone until they were home with you. Please check their backpacks for them. If you want to participate in the fundraiser, give the card to whomever purchases it and return the money in the envelope. If you do not want to participate, please have your child return the cards ASAP to avoid losing them. Each child is responsible for 4 cards or $40. This fund raiser is neat in that 10% of whatever our class makes goes directly into our PTO class fund - wow! This is our BIG fundraiser this year!
Starting tomorrow, your child will be coming home with a communication folder that needs to be checked and returned each day. I apologize for not starting the year with them, but I have been waiting for them to be laminated so they will last.
I promise not to e-mail so much in the future! I just like my parents well informed!
Email from August 10, 2009
We had a wonderful first day! We are learning procedures – how to walk in a line, how to play on the playground, how to eat in the cafeteria, etc. There is a lot to remember and some of this is new to them.
Thank you to the parents and siblings who came up to me and let me know they were taking their child. You will only need to do that for the first 2 weeks. If you are in the car, this is unnecessary.
In their backpacks, they have a white lunch bag with homework instructions attached to it. Please place 5 items that represent them that they can share with the rest of the class. We will use it for getting to know you as well as writing prompts. Inside the bag is a little gift to you, the parent. Please turn the bag in by the 12th. If you haven’t turned in the book box, please turn that in ASAP. This is the only homework until the 24th besides reading for 15 minutes each night.
Meet the Teacher
The first day of school is upon us. Make sure that your child returns their book box, journal, and signed paperwork. The first couple of weeks of school, reading every night is your only homework. We will start homework August 24th.
The ticker above is ticking down the days to Curriculum and Literacy Night on September 2nd. On that night, I will go over what we are doing in class and explain any questions for homework.
I am looking forward to a great year with you and your child!
Mrs. Berkshire
Here's Hoping that the Year 2009-2010 be Pleasin' to Ye
July 31 - Summer Testing
Please come in any time between 8 am to 11:30 am and 1:30 pm to 3 pm. By coming in early for assessments, you help teachers to make good use of the time your child is in the classroom by knowing everyone's needs before school starts. Thank you for bringing your child in at this time. We appreciate your paitence while going through the assessment process. Bringing in items from the supply list is fine during this time. If you are unable to bring your child in at this time, it is ok. Your child will be assessed the first week of school.
FRIDAY, August 7 - Meet the Teacher
From 6 to 7:30, Coronado will host it's Meet the Teacher night. In the past, it has been on Thursday so please note that it is on Friday! Please feel free to bring in any items from the supply list during this evening. I am looking forward to meeting you and your child! To add to the fun, your child can come dressed as a pirate!
August 10 - First Day of School
It is important for your child to get a good night's rest the night before the first day of school. Send your child to school with a tummy full of yummy breakfast and a mind full of positive attitude! The first day, the kids come home beat! They will get use to the schedule and the routine. Make sure to send a snack and water bottle with your child. Our lunch time is late this year so we will have a snack time in class in the morning.
Summer Info and Good-Bye to Class of 2008-2009
Please check out the summer sites page to help engage your child this summer in fun, but educational activities. If you wish to share this site with others, please do! It is not just for the students in my class, but anyone who wants to have a resource as a teacher, a parent or as a student.
Give your big 2nd graders a hug for me!
Have a Great Summer,
Mrs. B
Student Led Conference Survey
Please take a moment to take a survey regarding student led conferences to let me know what you think.
<a href="http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=QUY90Ll5bpPh_2bEfN3Ezgew_3d_3d">Click Here to take survey</a>
Conferences during the week of February 9th
All of the students in class will be taught how to share their work with you during this week's student led conferences. If this is your oldest child, it is most likely that you have not experienced this before. The following is from another district's website. I thought it might be helpful to share with all of you so that you have a better understanding of what will take place.
What's the Role of the Parent in Student-Led Conferences?
We believe that student-led conferences are an important experience for all students and hope that all parents will be able to participate. Your role is critical to the success of the conference.
Your first role is as a listener. Having a parent audience for learning gives students a powerful reason to learn and work hard.
Your second role as a parent is to talk with the student about the work that will be presented. You will gain a better understanding of the academic expectations set for your child.
Your third role as a parent is to identify ways you can support the student to achieve goals that will be set for the next grading period.
What's the Role of the Student During Student-Led Conferences?
Students should be able to explain classroom learning that takes place, discuss how that learning is reflected in their classroom work, and be able to set goals for improving performance during the next academic term.
What's the Role of the Teacher in Student-Led Conferences?
Teachers have several roles in preparing and conducting student-led conferences. Critical to the success of the conferences are three major activities:
The teacher makes sure that all students know and can discuss the academic standards. The teacher makes sure conference materials are available for students and parents. The teacher schedules and organizes the conferences to ensure successful communication.
As always, if you have concerns, please share them with me: MBerkshire@coronado.husd.org.
I look forward to seeing all of you!
Happy New Year!(from an e-mail)
I have had a relaxing two weeks with my family and friends. I celebrated my 40th b'day - which I am quite happy to do! I love where I am in life: wonderful family, my faith, my health, and a great job! I hope that the new year finds you all well!
As tomorrow approaches, I want to get everyone on board with what is happening.
New Homework Packets will go home next week. For this week, work on reading. We will no longer be doing journal this quarter, but we will have book reports. 4th quarter will be animal reports. We will continue to use the spiral notebook to include completed work. (The 3rd quarter homework calendar is below)
Tutoring/Enrichment Afterschool - Before school let out, packets went home with students who were being invited to attend classes taking place after school. If your student received one, it is because I suggested your child attend. The tutoring program is to help those students who need a little extra help in an area. The enrichment group is for students who would benefit from a challange. If you got a packet, and you are interested, or even if you aren't, please return the packet ASAP. Spaces are limited. If your student didn't get a packet, but you feel that this might benefit your child, please e-mail me. I will discuss it with you, and put your child on the waiting list. This is a program that the site council has made possible with Tax Donations as well as payment from parents. It all starts next week.
Looking forward to a great 2nd half! :) Michelle Berkshire
| 3rd_qtr.doc |
Character Counts Week!
The week of October 19th is Character Counts Week! Each day we will celebrate a different character trait. See below for details!
Monday - Responsibility
Wear green.
Tuesday - Caring
Wear red. (and this will be Random Acts of Kindness Day)
Wednesday - Respect
Wear yellow.
Thursday - Fairness
Wear orange.
Friday= Citizenship and Trustworthiness
Wear blue and school spiritcolors
Let's show that we have character - yes, we do!
Fall Break
Thank you to all of you for coming out to parent teacher conferences. Our class had 100% participation! You guys rock! What that tells me is that you are dedicated to encoraging your child's growth. You want to work with me to see that happen. You are also sending your child a strong message that education is important to you.
Take time to enjoy your child during the break! We get so busy during the school year that we forget to just enjoy the kids! As the weather cools, take a walk and talk. They are some of the funniest people I know! In Scottsdale, there is a drive-in movie theater(if you didn't know). Get a group of friends together to enjoy the new kids' movie at the drive-in theater. Play video games with them. Whatever you choose to do, it will be a memory they cherish because they are with you!
After break, we will start the 2nd quarter. I handed out the 2nd quarter homework at conferences, but it also below for you to download. After the break, your child will bring home a copy of the sight words that they know and need to know.
| 2nd_qtr.doc |
Community Helpers
Thank you to all of our community helpers that came out to share their careers with the students!
Officer McClimans not only told the students about being a police officer, but also shared with the students how they can keep themselves safe in different situations. They learned that police officers protect people as well as "get the bad guys". Thanks for the coloring books and badges!
Mr. Seare shared with the students what it takes to be a physical therapist. He brought in a large balance ball and a small trampoline. The students had an chance to try out the trampoline. You can try at home the difference between standing on both feet and one foot. The girls loved that he said they were "stonger"!
Mrs. Miller, a friend of mine, talked to the students about being an author. She read a book that she wrote for her children when they were little about her childhood. She talked about writing about what you know. She shared with them a graphic organizer that they can use for writing of fictional stories.
After the break, Mr. Layton will come in to talk about his job at the nursery as well as farming. I have heard him speak before, and the kids are in for a big treat!
Email on September 7th
Good Afternoon, I wanted to remind you of a few things that are happening this week.
Tomorrow: Grandparents' Day will be celebrated tomorrow with a lunch and story at school. Even though a flyer came home explaining this, I just want to remind everyone what will be happening. Grandparents school arrive at the school at 11:20. They will sign in at the front office and proceed to the gym to wait for their little darling. This way they can scope out a seat. The students will come in the gym at 11:25. There is seating outside under an awning. Grandparents should bring their lunch. They may also bring a lunch for the grandchild. It's up to them. Grandparents in the past have brought in anything from McDonald's to Pizza Hut. Let your child know if grandparents are coming for lunch. Sometimes they get worried when they don't have their lunch. I will come out 5 minutes early as it is hot outside. At 12 noon, I will get the students and their VIP guest to go inside and read a story. We will say good-bye about 12:15.
Tomorrow is also PE day - remember tennis shoes are best on days like this.
Tuesday is Library day. AR and picture books should be kept in the backpack that way the students always know where they are. When we have time for AR, students can read their AR book if they are not ready to take the test. If they are ready, they can read to someone and take the test. We have lots of volunteers this month - thank you. Volunteers will be used sometimes to help with this while the students are still learning how to ask questions of other students' reading!
Friday is muffins for moms at 7am to 7:30 at the gym. Students aren't allowed on campus alone until 7:50 so I think that time might be extended a little. Have a Great Week! Mrs. B
Second Week of School (E-mail)
Our 2nd week is coming to an end. We are still discussing rules and the expectations at school. Earlier this week, Mr. Jerry, Mrs. Schiro and Mr. Berkshire spoke with all first graders about school rules. Please ask your child about rules and how they can do their best at school.
Friday is Spirit Day! Don’t forget to dress your child in coyote shirts or in teal and/or purple. It is the day we show our spirit!!
If your child has sold one item from the fund raiser, please send me an e-mail stating that. I have cool, flying, foam rockets for anyone who just sells one item!
Next week, we have a busy Wednesday. During the school day, we have picture day. Order forms came home today. That evening is curriculum night. You can come from 5 to 5:40 with me and then go into the cafeteria for the administrators' presentation until 6:10, or you can come at 5:50 for the administrators presentation and then go to my room from 6:20 to 7.
It Was a Great First Week!
Thank you for sharing your children with me! We talked a lot about rules and expectations this first week. Ask your child about what they will do to show "Pride in the PACK" next week. They came up with some terrific ideas!
Homework will come home next week with a homework journal (spiral notebook). Please complete all of the homework, except the sight words, and return on Friday. Sight word lists will come home the following week. The quarterly homework is available to download below.
| first_qtr.doc |
Want to give feedback on Meet the Teacher night?
Please click on the link below
<a href="http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=xHX_2bGU54Bo_2bw2qPWLvetsw_3d_3d">Click Here to take survey</a>
What to Bring To School
Hi and welcome to a new school year! I hope that this website will be a place that will keep you informed throughout the year. I will add information above this section so the latest information will always be at the top. Websites for Parents will always be at the bottom. I will add to both!
During "Meet the Teacher", please bring in the items mentioned in the summer letter that you were able to purchase. It is easier than having your child carry it into school! The items that belong in your child's pencil box may be placed in there. The pencil box, composition book, and 2 notebooks will go inside your child's desk.
During Summer assessments, I gave you a book box to decorate so that your child will have a place for the books that are just right for your child. (If you were unable to go to summer assessments, I will give it to you at Meet the Teacher.) The box was accompanied by 2 papers. One paper gave instructions on how to decorate the box. Please return the box by the end of the first week of school. The paper about your child should be returned by the first day of school.
Everyday your child should bring a backpack with the communication folder inside. That is the laminated folder with the frogs on the front and the school calendar on the back. Please look in the folder for information. The right side has papers that need to come "right back". The left side has papers that should be "left at home". Please return library books to the backpack after you read them so they don't get lost.
If you need more information about class supply lists, check out our school website: http://www.husd.org/Coronado/Coronado.aspx click "Coronado Supply List 2008-2009".
| child_info_from_the_parent_for_me.mht |
| bookbox_info.doc |
Check Out History in our Backyard!
Get your Indiana Jones on - San Tan Archaeological Society meeting Aug. 13
The San Tan Chapter of the Arizona Archaeological Society will meet Aug. 13 for a showing of photographs from the Rittenhouse Ruin excavations where Queen Creek’s Home Depot is located today.
The meeting will run from 7-9 p.m. at the San Tan Historical Society Museum, 20435 S. Ellsworth Road, on the southeast corner of Queen Creek and Ellsworth Roads in the Historic Rittenhouse School.
The meeting is free and open to the public. For more information call
(480) 204-2732 or e-mail ggage@northlandresearch.com.
Websites for Parents
Parenting
http://www.pbs.org/parents/ Great site for information about child development to birthday party planning.
http://family.go.com/ As a huge fan of all things Disney, I like their family magazine website. It has a wide variety of interesting stuff!
Homework Helpers
http://rbeaudoin333.homestead.com/sightvocab_1.html for all sorts of help with sight word practice.
http://rbeaudoin333.homestead.com/files/short_vowels/phonics_cvc_pattern_practice_1.html
practice making CVC words. Are they real or nonsense?
http://www.quia.com/ba/41785.html A fun game to help children with inferencing in reading mixed in with a game of strategy.
Research
Reading
https://hosted195.renlearn.com/711563/homeconnect/login.aspx Home Connect for AR. Use your child's lunch number for their user name and cc for their password.
http://www.colorincolorado.org/ Para padres hablas espanol. (Pardon, mi Espanol es mal! For parents who speak spanish to help their child with reading.)
http://pbskids.org/lions/parentsteachers/ Get ideas and support to help your child with reading.
Math
http://mathforum.org/dr.math/ Ask Dr Math for tough questions or just curious!
Writing
http://coe.west.asu.edu/students/dcorley/writing/writing.htm Information about Understanding Your Child's Writing
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa4116/is_200410/ai_n9465332 Research behind developmental writing ("kidswrite")
Please e-mail me with anything that you find out on the web that you think other parents will appreciate! Thanks, Michelle Berkshire