Our First Week of School is Over!

Dear Parents of Room 10,

Our first week of school has come to a close, and we have had an amazing start to the 2013-2014 school year. The class is coming together as a learning community, and it is really nice to see them work together cooperatively.  It was a busy and fun-filled week as we prepare for Open House.

Our Open House is next Thursday, September 19^th at 7:30pm in Room 10.  My presentation will last approximately 45 minutes.  At 8:15pm, you will move to your child’s math teacher for a 15-minute presentation on their math program.  And the evening will culminate with a presentation in the cafeteria on this year’s Nature’s Classroom trip.  We expect this presentation to last about 30 minutes.  I look forward to the opportunity to meet you Thursday evening.  During the Open House you will have the opportunity to sign up for your Fall conference and for sending in treats for one of our four parties.

Our first read-aloud for the school year, Along Came Spider by local author James Preller has been the catalyst for our discussions about bullying.  The main characters are 5^th graders, so the children can really relate to their experiences.  I encourage you to ask your child about the book.  The reason I selected this book is that it’s important for the children to know that it is okay to be different!

Next week we will begin to discuss and chart the guidelines for reading workshop.  We will also begin to practice literacy stations in preparation for guided reading.  The variety of stations I have prepared offer practice in various language arts skills.  I also include other curricular areas in stations such as non-fiction reading about crayfish.

Each week the children will bring home a “Weekly Reflection” in which they will reflect on their week. Generally, I will include a brief statement about how your child’s week went. I will ask that you read through and sign their weekly reflection.  Also, feel free to write a note on the bottom.  Having the Weekly Reflection signed is your child’s weekend homework, so please remind him/her to return the reflection to the red binder as soon as you have read, discussed and signed it.

If you haven’t already done so, please sign up for BC@Home.  The only way to view your child’s report card is through this webpage.  Also, it is important for you to include an email address as that is my way to communicate with you electronically.  

        See you Thursday night! 
        Lester Betor & class