Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Getting Started

Technology
Ms. C and I are Speed 21 teachers. This means that we create technology rich lessons aligned to the district curriculum. This also means we have some pretty cool technology in our rooms! :) One of the technologies available to us are iPads. We will begin utilizing this technology this week. In order to ensure proper usage, we have an iPad Acceptable Use Policy paper that your kiddo brought home today. Please review this with your student, then sign and return it to us by Friday. Even though we have class iPads, we don't have enough for every student. Therefore, if you kiddo has a device they can bring to class, please allow them to do so. Please don't feel obligated to send a device if you do not have one readily available. Your kiddo will still be able to use technology!

We have also sent home a brochure on Digital Citizenship which outlines elements to being a responsible and safe Digital Citizen. These are elements that will be discussed in class. We just wanted to make you aware of what the expectations are related to technology usage.

Science Safety
We have finished composing our science notebooks for the year and are ready to begin our investigations! Included in our notebooks are student safety contracts. Your kiddos brought home a safety contract for you to sign. Please sign it and return it to school by Friday. The rules that we discussed are as follows:

  1. I will act responsibly at all times during science activities.
  2. I will follow the teacher's instructions and investigation procedures carefully.
  3. I will wear safety goggles and protective clothing when instructed to do so.
  4. I will tie back long hair, remove jewelry, and wear closed-end (both toes and heels) shoes when told to do so.
  5. I will not taste, eat, drink, or smell anything during science class unless instructed to do so by the teacher.
  6. I will tell the teacher if I see someone or something that is unsafe.
  7. I know the class emergency plan.
  8. I will immediately notify the teacher of any emergency.
If you have any questions, please let me know! We begin experimenting with properties of matter next week!

Super Hero of the Week
To coincide with our school theme and build relationships in our classroom, we would like to highlight a "super hero" of the week. We will begin the rotation in 2 weeks. This "super hero" will have responsibilities/privileges both in and out of the room. Students will be notified on Fridays as to who the super hero is for the following week. Some of the privileges are:

Monday- Have a buddy sit with him/her at the side table at lunch.
Wednesday- Read a special letter written by his/her parents highlighting his/her wonderful qualities. 
Friday- The super hero will share the "Share Sack", containing (3) items special to him/her.

**Parents- Please write a short letter to your child expressing what qualities you appreciate about him/her. Place it in a sealed envelope (with the name on the front) and send it to us as soon as possible. Thank you!



Upcoming Dates
Labor Day Holiday- Monday, September 1st
Grandparent's Breakfast - Monday, September 8th

Thursday Folder Volunteers
Ms. C and I appreciate the help offered to stuff folders. It is one less job for us and we are thankful for the help! We would love to get on some sort of schedule or rotation. Please feel free to respond (make comments) on this blog to offer specific dates or rotation ideas. Any mom/dad willing to organize this rotation is more than welcome. :)

We have enjoyed our first week so far and feel very blessed with our students this year! Thank you for sharing your kids with us!

6 comments:

  1. I would like to be part of the Thursday folder rotation.:)
    -Eve Nelson

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    Replies
    1. FYI- I am unavailable to stuff folders tomorrow, 8/28.:(

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  2. I would love to help. Is this something that I can pick up and do or is this something that must be done there? Just let me know how to help.

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    Replies
    1. Typically it is done at school. Sometimes we don't have the papers to go in the folders until that morning and they are put in our boxes while we are teaching. Ms. C and I have bins on the counters in our rooms (mine is black with a label :) and Ms. C's is white). If we are giving the papers ahead of time, they will be in the bins with the folders. Just come on in a grab the bins!

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  3. Mrs. Milot or Ms. Christian,
    Can you send me the emails of the parents who would like to help? I can make a rotation list.
    -Eve Nelson

    ReplyDelete