We are working on the order of operations in math this week, and have shifted focus in science to studying animal adaptations. Any special visitors who come to Grandparents Day on Friday afternoon will get to do a fun activity that goes with our science unit, as well as see the tiny shoots that we have growing (we have 5 so far!!) In history, we have advanced to studying the original 13 colonies. Students will have a mapping test on this in a few weeks, but will be bringing home a giant map with which to study. The 8 sentence paragraph about Shackleton is due this Friday, and we are also finishing up an essay discussing why so many people died in the early Jamestown colony. And last but not least, it is Book Fair week!
With the start of the new term, I’ve made some changes in our classroom management system. I’m rewarding students who are doing well, being respectful and showing good citizenship and character with classroom money. If I reward them three times in one day, they get a choice of either calling home to tell you how amazing and fabulous they are, or having me write a note to send home that says how amazing and fabulous they are. I’ve already written several notes this week! When they are misbehaving, or not showing good citizenship or character, they receive a warning in the form of a piece of blue tape that sits on their table for the rest of the day to remind them to think before they act or speak. If they continue to misbehave, they will fill out a Think Sheet, which they will discuss with me, we will sign, and then send home for the parents to sign and return to school. If there are more than two Think Sheets in one week, or several weeks in a row with two, I will schedule a meeting with the student and parents to discuss the problems. If the student continues to misbehave after their Think Sheet, they will call home from school to let their parents know that they are really struggling and making poor behavioral choices. This is to let you as parents know what is happening, as well as to give the student a chance to talk to someone who might be able to help them reset and make better choices going forward. If you have any questions about this new system, please let me know!
Next week, we only have school on Monday and Tuesday. I wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving and safe travels if you are venturing away from home.