Parents, I enjoyed speaking with you at back to school night.  We have such amazing support from you as parents, so much so, I know I wasn’t able to visit with a few of you.  I know you had the chance to chat with Ms. Lily, she is fantastic.  If you need to contact me, please email me.

I wanted to make you aware that we may have hand-foot-mouth spreading in our classroom.  This spread last year as well.  It generally starts with a sore throat and then the rash appears later.  I have not said anything to the students, but if they are complaining of an unusual sore throat, it may be best to keep them home in order to keep it from spreading further.  I know as parents it is sometimes hard to know if they are really feeling ill and wanted to make you aware that this is a possibility.

Reading in the classroom has really taken off and the students are enjoying their personal libraries.   Thank you for your donations, they really are going to a great cause.  I hate to even ask, but we could really use an increase in beginner early emergent books. If you have any to share, please do so. I would even be willing to take character books at this level.  If you are interested in getting in some volunteer hours by creating some early emergent books for the classroom, please let me know.

I spoke with the students Thursday about work that needs to be completed outside of the classroom.  It is expected that all students read 20 minutes daily.  This could include being read to, as well as, reading to others.   We have completed most of our back to school reading assessments and we see a huge difference in students who are consistently reading.  Please help your child be successful by helping to establish a reading routine in the home.  I will not require a sign off sheet, unless I come to find it necessary.  Please don’t fall into the misconception that MMA does not require homework.  We do, it is just not traditional in nature.

I also talked to the students about their first home project for this month.  They are to present a personal talent, hobby or interest.  This is a great warm up for getting to know each other more and becoming comfortable presenting in front of the class.  I will not be creating a due date, but it needs to be completed by the end of the month.  They are required to have a visual aid and a completed written work according to their ability level.  Level 3’s will be talking the SAGE written test on the computer in the spring and home projects would be a great opportunity to practice typing.  Some students ability level is just learning to write their own name, this would be a great opportunity for your child to dictate what they want to say and you could write it out using a highlighter.  Your child could then practice tracing over your highlighter writing.  I really want this to be their own work.  I had to smile when a little girl last year came up to me and said, ” My mom isn’t finished with my home project yet.”  You know what your child’s ability level is and encourage them to spread just a little further.  This should be fun and create excitement and love for learning.  I dislike stories of students who are forced to stay up past 10:00 p.m. rewriting their home projects, because they were not perfect.  Some examples ideas for this project:  A student who takes karate could demonstrate or teach some karate moves to the class, this would qualify as a visual aide.  Then they could write about how karate is good for the body and mind.  You may have a child who is a great skier and they could present a project on one of their favorite skiers.  I had a student last year create a poster board with pictures of him in front of significant places in his life., such as the hospital he was born.  He then wrote a little bit about each picture.  A student who just learned a new skill, like tying shoes, could teach the class and write out the steps needed to complete the process.  The sky is the limit on this project.  Please have your child bring their work once it is completed and we will work to present it that day.  This works well to have a few each day rather than a large number all at once.

I forgot to mention to the students that we have P.E. on Monday.  Please make certain your child is dress for this activity and has proper shoes.  Thanks.