Friday, February 3, 2012
February 2012
What a busy fun filled week we had in room 14! Thank you to all the parents who were able to help out this week with the field trip (3rd grade) and Chinese New Year Centers (2nd grade). We will be having another fun celebration day coming up on Valentine’s Day (Feb. 14th) with centers involving all 3rd graders and our 2nd graders. A note went home about this today. If you are able to help us out for centers please fill out the form and return it next week, thank you! I will have a sign up sheet out next week as well for items that we will need for our centers as well as the class party in the afternoon. This week the 2nd graders also wrapped up their math unit on subtraction and started the next unit on geometry. 3rd graders will finish up their current math unit on division next week and will then start their next unit on fractions. We continued working on writer’s workshop this week and students are working hard to write their narrative stories. In reading we are still working on the questioning strategy. Students practiced this during the week while reading independently and recording their questions in their reading response journals. At the end of reader’s workshop they have time to share what they’ve been reading and any questions they had and the answers if they found them.
Friday, November 4, 2011
Friday, November 4, 2001 Update
I realized today that I made a mistake on the directions sheet for the mystery book report the class is working on. There was a typo for the due date. It reads that it is due Tuesday, November 18th which doesn’t exist. It should have read Tuesday, November 8th. I realize that this date is only a few days away so I don’t expect the class to get their reports all done by next Tuesday on such short notice. I have decided to change the due date to the following Tuesday, November 15th which I hope will work for everyone. Sorry for the confusion, I’m glad that I looked at the sheet today and figured out the mistake.
I also wanted to let you all know that the next spelling unit the class does will be for two weeks again since next week is a short week (no school on Friday) and the following Friday we have a field trip. I will pretest the class this coming Monday (11/7) to determine their spelling word list and then they will have until the following Thursday, November 17th to complete their spelling activities and study their words. I will expect them to turn in their packet that day and they will take the final test then as well. If you have questions about this please let me know.
In writing we have started working on writing summary paragraphs. During the past two weeks we have done two examples together as a class. First we read a fiction story and then we wrote a summary paragraph together. We also did this will a non-fiction example, one of the articles that we read in our National Geographic. I have included these summaries in this weeks Friday Folder. They are stamped that I checked them but there is no grade on them because we wrote them together as a class. They are currently working on another summary in class that will be due early next week, this will be graded since they are doing it on their own.
Both grades took their unit tests in math this week which are in their Friday Folders. Most did very well on the tests. We also started a new units this week as well—2nd grade will work on adding 2 digit numbers while 3rd grade will work on Measurement an Geometry. Both grade levels also finished up their first science units this week. 3rd graders took part one of their unit test and will do part two on Monday and turn in their science notebooks then as well. The next science units will be started the week after Thanksgiving. In the mean time we will be working on our drug and alcohol awareness units, Too Good For Drugs.
I realized today that I made a mistake on the directions sheet for the mystery book report the class is working on. There was a typo for the due date. It reads that it is due Tuesday, November 18th which doesn’t exist. It should have read Tuesday, November 8th. I realize that this date is only a few days away so I don’t expect the class to get their reports all done by next Tuesday on such short notice. I have decided to change the due date to the following Tuesday, November 15th which I hope will work for everyone. Sorry for the confusion, I’m glad that I looked at the sheet today and figured out the mistake.
I also wanted to let you all know that the next spelling unit the class does will be for two weeks again since next week is a short week (no school on Friday) and the following Friday we have a field trip. I will pretest the class this coming Monday (11/7) to determine their spelling word list and then they will have until the following Thursday, November 17th to complete their spelling activities and study their words. I will expect them to turn in their packet that day and they will take the final test then as well. If you have questions about this please let me know.
In writing we have started working on writing summary paragraphs. During the past two weeks we have done two examples together as a class. First we read a fiction story and then we wrote a summary paragraph together. We also did this will a non-fiction example, one of the articles that we read in our National Geographic. I have included these summaries in this weeks Friday Folder. They are stamped that I checked them but there is no grade on them because we wrote them together as a class. They are currently working on another summary in class that will be due early next week, this will be graded since they are doing it on their own.
Both grades took their unit tests in math this week which are in their Friday Folders. Most did very well on the tests. We also started a new units this week as well—2nd grade will work on adding 2 digit numbers while 3rd grade will work on Measurement an Geometry. Both grade levels also finished up their first science units this week. 3rd graders took part one of their unit test and will do part two on Monday and turn in their science notebooks then as well. The next science units will be started the week after Thanksgiving. In the mean time we will be working on our drug and alcohol awareness units, Too Good For Drugs.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Back To School Night
Dear Parents,
I would like to welcome you all to room 14 and the 2nd and 3rd grades here at Dilworth Elementary. I look forward to working with your children this year. I hope to provide them with the social and academic skills that they will need in order to be responsible and productive citizens. I have put together a packet for you of several items. Attached you’ll find our daily schedule, a parent volunteer sheet, and a sheet that I ask you to fill out this evening for my information this school year.
Classroom Management
Working together, the class has come up with a set of agreements to ensure that our days run smoothly. Students have all agreed to the following:
- Always be kind
- Always be respectful
- Always be safe
- Always raise a quiet hand
- Always follow directions
- Always cooperate with others
Students are aware of the consequences if they decide not to follow any of the agreements. Warnings are given as a chance to correct their behavior. Students who persist will miss part of recess so that the two of us may sit down and discuss the problem and possible solutions. If the problem still does not improve, then he/she will sit down with me again during recess and fill out an Action Plan, which will need to be signed and returned the following day.
Homework
It is important that there be a block of time set aside each night for your child to complete homework, 15-20 minutes for 2nd grade and 20-30 minutes for 3rd grade. Homework is meant to be a review and done independently. Parents are expected to help as needed and sign the homework log each night after reviewing completed homework. I expect all homework to be returned the following day unless otherwise noted. Please ask your child about their homework log and help him/her to develop organizational skills this year.
Students who do not bring their completed homework to school will still be responsible for completing the assignment, either during the day or that evening. If a student is consistently not turning in assignments, I will be making a phone call home so that we can discuss the issue.
Homework will generally be assigned Monday through Thursday and not given on weekends or holidays. Students may sometimes need to work on long- term projects on weekends (the use of time management on the students part will determine this). Be sure to watch your child’s homework log, and newsletters for due dates of special reports and/or projects as well as for test dates.
Please look at the school calendar before planning your trips or vacations. Missing valuable school time can be difficult to make up for many students and puts them behind when they get back. A homework packet cannot replace lost time and instruction.
Every Friday, the Friday Folder will be sent home with completed work samples as well as notes and information from the school. Please look through these with your child, sign, and send the folder back to school every Monday.
Spelling
Spelling practice will be completed inside the classroom this year. Each child will be working on an individual list and set of activities throughout the week. I will be pre-testing students at the beginning of the week on a large set of words. The first 10-15 words that they spell incorrectly will become their spelling words for the week. After completing their spelling activities they will once again be tested on their words at the end of the week (usually Friday).
Communication
Communication is the key to making this year a productive one for your child. Since my job is to educate your child, we will be in close contact throughout the year. Conferences are scheduled in October to set individual goals for achievement. This year they will take place October 6-14. We will be talking about where your child currently is and where we want them to be by the end of the school year. Progress reports will be sent home only for those who are not meeting grade level standards. Report cards come home 3 times a year on December 2, March 23, and the last day of school in June. If you have social or academic concerns about the school day please send a note with your child, call me at school at 253-2850 ext. 214, or email at barkve_jessica@cusdk8.org. Also please be sure to check out our classroom website when you have the chance. The address for our site is http://dilworthroom14.blogspot.com/ I try to update it as often as possible with my classroom newsletters, important dates, spirit days, etc. Please let me know any way that I can assist your family with your child’s learning this year.
Book Clubs
I will be sending home book orders approximately once a month with your child. You are under no obligation o buy anything. I will send home forms from Scholastic Lucky and any other special editions that look good. These clubs offer a variety of books and many different reading levels. They are a great way to add to your child’s library and the prices are usually very good! The more books ordered by you, the more bonus points that the class gets, and the more books that I can get to add to our classroom library.
Birthdays
Birthdays are a very special time in a child’s life. If you would like to celebrate your child’s birthday with the entire class, please let me know a week in advance. In order to promote healthy choices for children and because of food allergies that many students have, I ask that you not send in cookies, cupcakes, or other sweet treats. A box of juice and/or a goody bag (pencils, stickers, etc) work well. You could also donate a book to the classroom or the Dilworth Library instead. Students with birthdays in the summer are also invited to celebrate during the school year. If your child is going to have a birthday party, please make sure that unless EVERYONE in the class is invited, invitations are not to be passed out at school. You will need to arrange for invitations to be given outside of school. This will prevent hurt feelings because someone was left out.
Field Trips
We have planned a number of wonderful and exciting field trips for the year that will tie into both the 2nd and 3rd grade curriculum. You will get permission slips before all field trips. If you are interested in chaperoning any of our trips just volunteer on the permission slip. Remember that even chaperones on field trips must have a current PPD (TB) test on file with the office. I will try to inform you of all the dates as early as possible so that you can make arrangements ahead of time. We make a field trip T-shirt four each of our students to wear on the field trips. This way it is easy for us to spot our students. We are asking for a $10 donation to cover the cost of the shirts. Checks should be made out to Jessica Barkve. If you wish to use last years shirt that is fine, just please send in your child’s shirt so that I have it for all our field trips. I will have the shirts by our first trip.
I look forward to a wonderful year of working together with you and your child.
Thank you,
Jessica Barkve
Welcome!
I want to welcome you all to a new school year and to our class blog. My goal is to use this site as an easy communication tool between home and school. Please check back often for updates and to learn more about what we are up too in room 14.
I am delighted to be teaching the 2nd and 3rd grades at Dilworth! I was born and raised in Woodland, California (a small town outside of Sacramento). I attended Chico State in Northern California to obtain my Bachelor's Degree in Liberal Studies and then went on to Sacramento State where I earned my teaching credential. I moved to the San Jose area in August 2003 and am enjoying living here. When I am not teaching, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, reading, camping, and playing with my 2 1/2 year old son Cooper and my 10 month old Logan.
Friday, February 5, 2010
February 5
We've had a busy past couple of weeks here in room 14.
In writing most students are wrapping up their first narrative story and many have begun to write their second story. Students are enjoying being in the "Author's Chair" and sharing their stories with their classmates. In the coming weeks we will continue to focus on narrative writing with an emphasis on On Demand writing in preparation for the upcoming District Writing Assessment. Instead of having weeks to work on a story and spending a lot of time focusing on editing and revising their works students will practice having only a short period of time (about an hour) to write their stories and turn them in.
In math we are wrapping up our unit on Measurement and Geometry. The current chapter is focusing on solid objects and finding their volume. I will be assessing them on this on Wednesday of next week. After the February break we will start a new unit on Division.
The Mystery Book Reports that were turned in today were wonderful. I really enjoyed listening to their oral presentations as well. I can tell that most students put a great deal of time and effort into preparing for today. Well done!
In Science we are just to about to wrap up our unit on Structures of Life. Students had to bid farewell to the crayfish that they were observing this week but I know that they really enjoyed getting a chance to explore this wonderful organism. We are still watching our bean plants grow, some of them are as tall as 33 cm now! This has been a fun unit that I can tell students have really enjoyed. After the February Break we will finish the unit and then spend some time on our Drug and Alcohol Awareness program, Too Good For Drugs, before starting the 3rd science unit, Sun, Moon, and Stars.
Our class will be celebrating Valentine's Day next Friday, Feb. 12th. On Monday I will send home a class list with each student that they can use for their Valentine's in they wish. I will also put a sign up sheet outside the classroom door if you would like to contribute to our class party.
As always, if you have any questions don't hesitate to call or send an email.
In writing most students are wrapping up their first narrative story and many have begun to write their second story. Students are enjoying being in the "Author's Chair" and sharing their stories with their classmates. In the coming weeks we will continue to focus on narrative writing with an emphasis on On Demand writing in preparation for the upcoming District Writing Assessment. Instead of having weeks to work on a story and spending a lot of time focusing on editing and revising their works students will practice having only a short period of time (about an hour) to write their stories and turn them in.
In math we are wrapping up our unit on Measurement and Geometry. The current chapter is focusing on solid objects and finding their volume. I will be assessing them on this on Wednesday of next week. After the February break we will start a new unit on Division.
The Mystery Book Reports that were turned in today were wonderful. I really enjoyed listening to their oral presentations as well. I can tell that most students put a great deal of time and effort into preparing for today. Well done!
In Science we are just to about to wrap up our unit on Structures of Life. Students had to bid farewell to the crayfish that they were observing this week but I know that they really enjoyed getting a chance to explore this wonderful organism. We are still watching our bean plants grow, some of them are as tall as 33 cm now! This has been a fun unit that I can tell students have really enjoyed. After the February Break we will finish the unit and then spend some time on our Drug and Alcohol Awareness program, Too Good For Drugs, before starting the 3rd science unit, Sun, Moon, and Stars.
Our class will be celebrating Valentine's Day next Friday, Feb. 12th. On Monday I will send home a class list with each student that they can use for their Valentine's in they wish. I will also put a sign up sheet outside the classroom door if you would like to contribute to our class party.
As always, if you have any questions don't hesitate to call or send an email.
Friday, January 22, 2010
January 22
What a crazy week we had with this rainy weather. The poor kids were trapped inside all day long for most of the week but thankfully things cleared up a bit this afternoon and they we able to go outside for lunch and free play. Thank you to all the parents that were able to make it to last Friday’s performance of the Martin Luther King reader’s theater. They all did a wonderful job!
I have been asked to remind everyone about school arrival times. Students should not be arriving on campus before 8:15am since there is no yard duty supervision until this time. If your child does want to come to school early to play then you must accompany them to ensure the safety of all our students. On the flip side of this, it is important that all students be inside the classroom no later than 8:30am. Even a few minutes late can add up to a large amount of lost instructional time over a period of time. Lately we have had several students arrive late to school from our classroom which can be disruptive and puts them behind for the day. Thank you for your help on getting your child to school at the appropriate time.
A few reminders:
Please sign your child’s reading log each week and make sure that it is completed and turned in on Friday
Please help your child study for the weekly multiplication facts quiz, it is given each Thursday
Please sign the Friday Folder and return it on Monday morning
Please take the time to read and respond to your child’s Home-School Journal each week and return on Monday
I have been asked to remind everyone about school arrival times. Students should not be arriving on campus before 8:15am since there is no yard duty supervision until this time. If your child does want to come to school early to play then you must accompany them to ensure the safety of all our students. On the flip side of this, it is important that all students be inside the classroom no later than 8:30am. Even a few minutes late can add up to a large amount of lost instructional time over a period of time. Lately we have had several students arrive late to school from our classroom which can be disruptive and puts them behind for the day. Thank you for your help on getting your child to school at the appropriate time.
A few reminders:
Please sign your child’s reading log each week and make sure that it is completed and turned in on Friday
Please help your child study for the weekly multiplication facts quiz, it is given each Thursday
Please sign the Friday Folder and return it on Monday morning
Please take the time to read and respond to your child’s Home-School Journal each week and return on Monday
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
January 13
Happy New Year!
I hope that you all had a wonderful Winter Break and enjoyed some time off. I know that many of you were fortunate to be able to take some amazing trips. I enjoyed hearing all about them when students returned last week. I want to thank all the families for their very generous holiday gifts. During the holiday season I am always reminded of how lucky I am to be working with such wonderful families at Dilworth.
In our short time back at school we have been very busy. In math we are continuing with our unit on Geometry and Measurement. We are just about to wrap up Chapter 9 which is all about plane shapes like triangles and quadrilaterals. We are even working on a project in the computer lab that goes with this chapter.
In writing students are busy tapping into their creativity and writing their first narrative stories.
In science we have sprouted our seedlings and are ready to plant them and grow them further so that we can see the entire life-cycle of a bean plant. Students are very excited as they are watching this amazing process. Later this week, our crayfish will arrive and we will study and observe them for a few weeks as well.
In social studies Mrs. Kirsh is working on a unit about Martin Luther King Jr. and the class is getting ready to perform a reader's theater. I hope that you all will be able to join us for the performance this Friday, January 15th at 12:45 pm in the GLC.
This week I am also assigning a book report for the 2nd trimester. Students are required to read a mystery book and complete a banner and do an oral presentation. The detailed instructions will be going home with them this Friday.
I hope that you all had a wonderful Winter Break and enjoyed some time off. I know that many of you were fortunate to be able to take some amazing trips. I enjoyed hearing all about them when students returned last week. I want to thank all the families for their very generous holiday gifts. During the holiday season I am always reminded of how lucky I am to be working with such wonderful families at Dilworth.
In our short time back at school we have been very busy. In math we are continuing with our unit on Geometry and Measurement. We are just about to wrap up Chapter 9 which is all about plane shapes like triangles and quadrilaterals. We are even working on a project in the computer lab that goes with this chapter.
In writing students are busy tapping into their creativity and writing their first narrative stories.
In science we have sprouted our seedlings and are ready to plant them and grow them further so that we can see the entire life-cycle of a bean plant. Students are very excited as they are watching this amazing process. Later this week, our crayfish will arrive and we will study and observe them for a few weeks as well.
In social studies Mrs. Kirsh is working on a unit about Martin Luther King Jr. and the class is getting ready to perform a reader's theater. I hope that you all will be able to join us for the performance this Friday, January 15th at 12:45 pm in the GLC.
This week I am also assigning a book report for the 2nd trimester. Students are required to read a mystery book and complete a banner and do an oral presentation. The detailed instructions will be going home with them this Friday.
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