Reading

The importance of reading to children cannot be over emphasized. The importance of reading to children is significant in child development, and reading books to little ones at an early age is essential. In fact, reading childrens stories aloud is one of the most important activities we, as parents, grandparents, teachers, and care-givers, can do for our kids. The importance of reading to children plays out in a myraid of developmental, emotional, and learning issues from bonding and security . . . to learning to read . . . to future success.

As your child gets older and can understand the stories you read, take time to ask questions, e.g. What do you think will happen next? Do you know what that word means? Which character is your favorite? You can have her retell the story or make up a new one with the same characters.Reading to children is so crucial that parents should find time to do it every day. You will be surprised at how creative you can be at finding time to read aloud to your child. Read while waiting to see the pediatrician, having a treat at a restaurant, waiting in line at the store, or cooking dinner. Instead of watching the news, turn off the TV and read aloud. You can read aloud in the morning before school and, of course, at bedtime. Read a story aloud while waiting for the bus. Make tapes of yourself or another family member reading stories and play them in the car on the way to school or daycare.

Older siblings, relatives,

and friends may alsoenjoy reading aloud. When your child is ready, encourage him or her to read aloud to you and the rest of the family. This will pave the way for a love of reading.

Math Attack

We have been working hard with different combinations of coins. The children are doing a great job. If you have coins in your pocket or purse, lay them out for your child to add. Extra practice will help them to become successful with money.

Book A Night

Book A Night is a program to help your child's reading increase with speed and fluency. Please work with your child for ten minutes a night. If your child is reading a chapter book, sign a chapter a night until the book is done. If it is a smaller book have your child read the book that night and send back the next day for another one. I work on the honor system. The children check out one of my books and bring them back. If they loose one of my books, I ask that they replace it.

Math Sharks

• I wrote and received a grant last year and was able to purchased 6 math sharks for our classroom.
• Using Math Sharks is a way to build skills through math practice. It is timed drills, non-stop feedback with lights and sounds!

Children Builds Math Skills Fast! It is a portable electronic game and a full-function calculator that really makes math easy and fun! Students play against MathShark's clock with random or sequential drills. Math Skills include: Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division, Fractions, Decimals, and Percents. MathShark's progressive levels build and sharpen mental math skills from basic math facts to pre-algebra practice. Students can improve at their own pace with a timed, no-fail game format. Lights and tones make math exciting and learning effective!

Listening to Reading

As teachers we are dealing with a generation that is totally wired. Students who grew up in a techno-drenched atmosphere that has trained them to absorb and process information in fundamentally different ways than we ever did. This generation of students are armed with cell phones, laptops, and iPods, instead of spiral notebooks and No. 2 pencils.

We compete with social technologies --such as blogs, wikis, mys space, facebook and other media-syndications. This media allows anyone to shift from consuming to being a media creator. This technology gives students a powerful media-authoring tool. As teachers, student centered learning means relinquishing a degree of control, but doing so also makes it possible to help them learn in more effective ways than ever before.

We have six ipods that we are using in our classroom for listening to reading as well as educational podcasts. The children are using the ipods for comprehension, fluency, and interests in science and social studies. We hope to get more ipods for our classroom through donations and grants.

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Welcome Class 2009-2010

It is so exciting to start a new year with such a wonderful group of students. I am looking so forward to working with your children and truly want to thank you for trusting them in my care. Our future is in their hand and great leadership and leaders will come from them.

Computers

We will start using our computer lab for Waterford next week. Everyday children around the globe ask the same question: "When will it be my turn?" Children burst with excitement at the changce to use Waterford programs. They sing along to familiar melodies, trace letters on the computer screen, and read colorful books. Not only is it an engaging, entertaining form of education -it's effective. Inspired by the idea that every child should receive the best education possible, Waterford delivers innovative, explicit instruction that adapts to each child’s needs

Summer Is Here

I hope all of my students are reading, reading, reading! What great readers you have become. Please practice reading aloud to someone. Read a second time for fluency. I hope you have a great summer and hope to see you in the fall. What a great year of learning.

Mrs. J's Class News

REAL LIFE MATH

Google Safe Search For Kids

Big Thanks!

Thank you parents for helping make our party special! We had smoothies and lots of goodies. The kids had a great time as you can see from the video they made. Thanks to all the moms who sent food and those who came and helped at the stations. We appreciate you giving your time to invest in our lives and classroom.

Science Fair

The children are having a blast getting ready for the science fair. We are working with shadows. With a little pair and share with a partner we generated a number of questions about what they wanted to learn. The question we generated was, "Does the position of the sun effect shadow?" The students then shared their thinking and we began to generate a hypothesis (maybe two). Our only obstacle.....no sun! The Science Fair has been moved to March 16. Thanks to Dr. Henry, we will have more time for shadows.

Valentine Party Feb. 13

I have bananas but no strawberries or blueberries (frozen or not) for our smoothies. We had only had 3 slips come back for snacks for the party? Please send back those slips or call. I also still need a couple more moms, dads, or grandparents to help out for the party. We will start the learning stations at 12:15. Parents please be here at 12:00. We are looking forward to having fun!
See You Then,
Mrs. J

Waterford Computers

Our Waterford Lab is up and running. The program automatically provides individualized instruction and easy-to-use reports. It’s built on basic computer skills many Pre K–2 students already have and helps build computer literacy for those who don't. Students get the time they need to absorb initial instruction. Teachers are alerted if additional intervention is required. Learning is self-paced. Students get the time they need to absorb initial instruction. Teachers are alerted if additional intervention is required. This is to support a commitment to quality education that Miles Avenue provides for your child.

Winter Carnival - Second Grade Cooking Basket

Our winter carnival is coming up. Second Grade chose the theme "Baking Basket." We would very much so appreciate if you could send items to school to fill our basket. If you don't want to shop send five dollars and we will do the shopping. Suggested items:electric mixer, measuring cups, measuring spoon, aprons, hand towels, pot holders, candles, cake or muffin pans. We need items by Tuesday, Feb. 3.

Order Scholastic On Line

You can now order books on line through scholastic. Click on the Scholastic Symbol and go in under my username and password. Our class will receive points to help purchase other books for our class library. It is very easy just a little click. We will check periodically to see how many points we have received from orders.

President Obama's Inauguration

We decided to be a part of history. The children watched and became a part of President Obama's inaguration. We talked about congress and that each state has two senators and legislative representatives of the house. The number of house representatives depends on the size of the state. The were so excited to learn that our representative for Montana, Denny Rehberg, was Dr. Henry's brother. The children then took the campaign slogan that Obama had used throughout his campaign, "We Can Change," and wrote a letter in their journals. They asked President Obama what change needed to take place in our country. They generated some pretty good ideas and change that needs to take place today.

A Visit From Snakie

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Get your own

After studying snakes, we thought it would be a great time to invite Snakie into our classroom. The children loved holding and touching Snakie. They had lots of questions and information of their own to share.