Thank you so very much for allowing me to be part of your child's education this year. I've enjoyed getting to know your student and am excited to see how they will continue to develop throughout the rest of the year. I also appreciate the support that you provide at home to ensure your student is as successful as he/she can be. I hope that you and your student have a relaxing and refreshing holiday break.
Sincerely,
Melanie Allen
PS - Thanks also for the holiday gifts! You are too kind :)
Friday, December 16, 2011
New Semester
When we return in January, we'll be beginning a new semester. To start off the year on the right foot, please encourage your student to:
* Clean out their binder and recycle old worksheets, papers, etc.
* Use some time each day to read an AR book
* Restock their backpack with new notebooks, pencils, pens, and other supplies
* Come back refreshed and ready to learn!
* Clean out their binder and recycle old worksheets, papers, etc.
* Use some time each day to read an AR book
* Restock their backpack with new notebooks, pencils, pens, and other supplies
* Come back refreshed and ready to learn!
W-L Education Foundation
For anyone looking for a good end-of-the-year tax donation:
The Warrensburg-Latham Educational Foundation is a non-profit organization that supports the work we do here at WLMS. In the past, the Educational Foundation has provided novels, classroom materials, newspaper resources, and other items to my classroom. Their generosity provides students with resources that we would otherwise not be able to provide. You can visit the following link to find out more information: http://www.wl.k12.il.us/community/makegift.asp
The Warrensburg-Latham Educational Foundation is a non-profit organization that supports the work we do here at WLMS. In the past, the Educational Foundation has provided novels, classroom materials, newspaper resources, and other items to my classroom. Their generosity provides students with resources that we would otherwise not be able to provide. You can visit the following link to find out more information: http://www.wl.k12.il.us/community/makegift.asp
What's Going on in Writing?
In Writing, we've taken a short break from diagramming to review some of the important punctuation rules, specifically those dealing with commas. When we return in January, we will be studying compound and complex sentences and begin the process of learning to diagram them.
We've also recently implemented a new Diagramming Challenge. Posted on the board and outside my door is a challenging sentence that students are asked to diagram and label. Those that complete it correctly earn the kudos of their classmates and a bit of extra credit as well. Please encourage your student to take advantage of this opportunity when we return.
I've begun the (slightly daunting!) process of reading all of the NaNoWriMo novels and will begin posting those grades as I read. As I reminded students, with 50+ stories to read ranging from 10-50 pages, it's a healthy reading load. I will continue to read over Christmas break and post grades as I finish stories.
Over break, students can also visit the NaNoWriMo page to receive their promo code for the free novel. The page will direct you to the website where you can work with your student to design his/her novel. If you have questions, please feel free to email me.
We've also recently implemented a new Diagramming Challenge. Posted on the board and outside my door is a challenging sentence that students are asked to diagram and label. Those that complete it correctly earn the kudos of their classmates and a bit of extra credit as well. Please encourage your student to take advantage of this opportunity when we return.
I've begun the (slightly daunting!) process of reading all of the NaNoWriMo novels and will begin posting those grades as I read. As I reminded students, with 50+ stories to read ranging from 10-50 pages, it's a healthy reading load. I will continue to read over Christmas break and post grades as I finish stories.
Over break, students can also visit the NaNoWriMo page to receive their promo code for the free novel. The page will direct you to the website where you can work with your student to design his/her novel. If you have questions, please feel free to email me.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
What's Going on in Reading?
We're quickly wrapping up our drama unit by reading a play version of The Christmas Carol. The students enjoyed being able to perform the play in a reader's theater-style and several really took to their parts. At the conclusion of the play, we compared the traditional version of our reading to some of the more nontraditional versions of the tale. When we return in January, we will begin our study of poetry!
Over break, please encourage your student to take some time each day to read silently from their AR book. The first project on third quarter is due at the end of January, but many students have made it a personal goal to have the project complete when they return from break.
Over break, please encourage your student to take some time each day to read silently from their AR book. The first project on third quarter is due at the end of January, but many students have made it a personal goal to have the project complete when they return from break.
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