March 10, 2013

Mud Season!
PLEASE make sure your child has boots, snowpants, mittens/gloves, a jacket and a hat every day.  The weather is a little warmer but our playground is a muddy mess.  Children must be dressed in their winter clothes so they will stay dry.  Your support is appreciated.

Raz-Kids
Has your child mentioned Raz-Kids?  This is an online reading program where children can listen to and read stories that are at their individual reading level.  I introduced the program to the class this week and all of the children have tried it twice.  If you would like to access Raz-Kids at home, I have included the information below.   To listen to a story, they will click on the ear.  After they have listened to it, there will be a green check mark under the ear.  If they click on the eye, they can practice reading aloud without hearing the story.   It would be ideal if the children could practice reading stories they have already listened to.  Once you log in, your child will see the screen that they are used to from our classroom.

This is an optional home activity.  If you do not have internet access or you would prefer that your child not spend time on the computer, please do not feel that this is a "must do".

www.raz-kids.com/main/Login

When the screen asks you for the "Teacher Username", enter:  bmaurerc

Staffing Change
Mr. Sedlack has been reassigned to Milton High School.  This is lucky for Milton High School and a good match for Mr. Sedlack's skills as a licensed secondary social studies teacher.  Our class, however, will miss him.  Luckily for us, Mrs. Lamphere will be returning to our classroom on Thursday.  I have been assured that she will remain with us for the rest of the school year and that there will be no further changes.  A guest teacher will be working with me until Mrs. Lamphere returns on Thursday.

Parent Teacher Conferences
It is time to schedule spring conferences.  Most will be held March 19 - 21.  If you are interested in having a conference, they can be held in person or by telephone.  Please click on the link below to sign up for a date and time.  If I have already contacted you regarding scheduling a conference at an alternate time, please do not sign up on this schedule.

Spring Conference Sign Up 

Beehive Update
Our class beehive is almost filled up with the initials of students in our classroom who have been "caught" making good behavior choices.  Once we get to 100 hexagons, we will schedule our "Wear Pajamas-Bring a Stuffed Animal-Eat Popcorn and Watch a Movie-Day".  We were at about 88 hexagons on Friday, so we are almost there!

People of the Week
Every week two people from our classroom will be our "People of the Week".  They will have a special responsibility each day.  This is a fun way for everyone to get to know one another better.  If you are unable to participate, it is not a problem.  The schedule and responsibilities are listed below.  If I have chosen an inconvenient week, please let me know.

Monday:  Share some family photos.  (If you would prefer to email them to me, that is fine. They can also be prints that we can project using our document camera.)
Tuesday:   Show us a favorite toy.  (It must be non-violent and silent.)
Wednesday:  Bring in a favorite story.  (A story that can be read in one sitting.  No chapter books please.)
Thursday:  Fill our estimating jar.  (Our estimating jar is a one quart glass jar.  Be creative.  Legos, shells, marshmallows, hair ties, etc.)  Your items will be returned to you unless you tell me otherwise.
Friday:  Bring a healthy snack to share with the class.  Please try to avoid red dye as a student is allergic.  

March 11 - 15:  Mrs. Maurer and Mark
March 18 - 22:  Mrs. Eddy and Ella
March 25 - 29:  Aidan and Brianne
April 1 - April 5:  Alexia and Bryleigh
April 8 - 12:  Isabelle and Devin
April 15 - 19:  Arianna and Gabe
April 22 - 25:  School Vacation Week
April 29 - May 3:  Mrs. Lamphere and Sam
May 6 - 10:  Gavin and Jazmyn
May 13 - 17:  Kaitlyn and Olivia
May 20 - 24:  Lucian and Paige
May 28 - May 31:  Rayne and Matthew (No school Monday.  Photos AND toys on Tuesday)
June 3 - 7:  Ms. Kittell

Coming Events:

Bring snowpants and boots every day!!!

Monday, March 11:  Library today.  Please return your book.  (Mrs. Maurer am/Mrs. Eddy pm)

Tuesday, March 12:  Art today.  (Mrs. Maurer all day)

Wednesday, March 13:  PE today.  Please bring your sneakers and a water bottle, if desired.  (Mrs. Eddy all day)

Thursday, March 14:  Music today. Welcome back, Mrs. Lamphere!  (Mrs. Maurer am/Mrs. Eddy pm)

Friday, March 15:  PE today.  Please bring your sneakers and a water bottle, if desired.  (Mrs. Maurer all day)

Next Week:

Thursday, March 21:  Mrs. Eddy will be in all day as Mrs. Maurer's daughter is having her wisdom teeth removed.