A lot of things are going on in our classroom.  This past week week we met with our buddies (intermediate students) for the first time.  My students get an opportunity during our buddy times to read with an older student.  During this past week’s meeting my students also were able to hear about Chinook long houses and try drawing them.  Recently, during our gorge study we discussed how people could use the natural surroundings for shelter.

During our math time — we have divided up into groups.  Students either work with Miss Tucker, Mrs. Shaw, Mrs. Wold or myself.  My math group has been working on learning the following facts:  doubles addition and subtraction, adding and subtracting by one, and adding and subtracting by zero.  We have also been working on two-digit by two-digit addition and subtraction problems that contain the facts we have been studying.   Further – we have studied:  telling time to the half-hour; odd and even numbers; as well as skip counting by two, five and ten.

Recently — we started exploring balance during science.  I started the unit by having students balancing on one foot with their hands down and then with their hands out.  Students also balanced books on their head while walking  — they had a lot of fun doing this.

In writing the students are working on immaginative writing (specifically a story about a dog), as well as writing daily in their journals.  Finally — I have read three books to the class by Dan Gutman from the My Weird School series.  The kids laugh out loud a lot during these stories.

I had a great time chatting with those of you who were able to make it out to the open house on Wednesday.   I will be conferencing after school, with parents and students, during the week of October 24 –27.   I had parents — who were able to make it to the open house Wednesday — sign up for a time.  If you do not yet have a time — I will be calling shortly to set up a conference time.  You can also call me at:  503 -261-4248.

During the past week in science — we discussed how to classify animals.  Additionally, students drew animals that were either ones that would live on a farm, be kept as a pet, or live in the wild.  We will continue to talk about community during our social studies time.  Please remember that Tuesday and Thursday are our PE days.

Our first week of school was productive and fun!  We spent time going over rules and procedures.  Additionally, the students worked on art projects where they did coloring, cutting and gluing.  During our social studies time — we defined and talked about what makes a community.

I need to let you know that our music time is 8:10 on Monday and Wednesday mornings.  Our PE time is 10:30 on Tuesday and Thursday mornings (please make sure your child has good running shoes on those days).

On Wednesday, September 7th, there is a community open house.  From 5:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. there will be a barbecue and bazaar at the football field.  There will be a kick off the year program, at the Jeff Lucas Memorial Stadium, from 6:30 p.m. until 7:15 p.m.  Then from 7:15 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. you are invited to visit child’s classroom.

Other topics for the year include:  what a scientist does, buildings and structure, personal hygiene, and personal safety.  Certainly one of the biggest subjects we focus on during the year is reading.  It’s and honor and a joy for me to help open up the world of reading for your children.  I encourage you to read regularly to your child, and have them practice reading to you at home as well.

It is a great privilege to be your child’s teacher.