Big, long, sad sigh.
I have started writing this post many times and have deleted each word repeatedly. Somehow a post on a blog does not adequately express how grateful I am for the opportunity to teach your children for two years.
When I was first hired at Beye I was dubious at best about looping. I couldn't imagine spending TWO YEARS with the same students! What would I do with them? What if they were a really hard class? (What if the parents were difficult?) Then last May something happened. I realized just how invested I was in this class. Their unique energy and enthusiasm for all things was infectious. I was eager to start another year and grateful for the opportunity to see the students really grow up! Over the last two years we became a family away from family. We got to know each other on levels beyond academic achievement. We grew comfortable laughing with each other and comforting each other on bad days. I am proud of the academic progress we made and marvel at the physical and emotional growth!
I am so glad I got to be a part of your child's life. Thank you for trusting me and supporting me. Please use me as a resource and an advocate for your child if you ever need one. I hope you will keep me informed about little celebrations and milestones.
Have a wonderful summer!
Betsy Parkinson
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Outdoor Learning Day
We will be outside tomorrow from 8:30-10:00. Your child might want a water bottle. Make sure your child's name is clearly written on the bottle.
Block Party
Even if you can't help during the party-it's time to get creative! Do you have any games that children from all three classes can play? Ideas for activities? They can be formal or less structured. We want to make sure that students have a variety of games and activities to choose from. This will make the party easier to supervise and safer for the children. We don't have a budget for games, but most activities should be simple enough that we could gather supplies pretty easily. Please send in $4.00 to cover the cost of a craft and food.
Pizza Lunch/Coins for Kids
Wow! The students held a very productive class meeting on Monday about using our math coins for our Student Council fundraiser instead of a pizza lunch. It was impressive the way all ideas were respected and considered. After the meeting they took a vote and decided to give the coins to the fundraiser. It was a very unselfish act and I was proud of all the students for sharing their opinions. I am proud of the students for being so generous. In fact, I am so proud and so impressed that I have arranged for a pizza lunch that day through other means. I plan on sharing this information with them tomorrow. I want them to bask in the glow of being generous for now.
Writing
You should have received the writing assessment last week. Congratulations to all the students who scored a 6! Students enjoyed doing Madlibs in the computer lab, (see the link to the left) and during our writing time. I'm sure they are all ready for third grade. What I remember most about teaching third grade was the potty humor. If a toilet flushed 3 miles away I would lose my class to uncontrollable laughter for a good 10 minutes. The madlibs were filled with nouns like "underwear" and "toilet". Now-your sweet children seem ready to take on the challenges of third grade! (I'm sure the third grade team will thank me later.) At any rate, the madlibs were a great opportunity to review parts of speech. Try some with your kids this summer. It's a great way to fill up time in the car.
We will be outside tomorrow from 8:30-10:00. Your child might want a water bottle. Make sure your child's name is clearly written on the bottle.
Block Party
Even if you can't help during the party-it's time to get creative! Do you have any games that children from all three classes can play? Ideas for activities? They can be formal or less structured. We want to make sure that students have a variety of games and activities to choose from. This will make the party easier to supervise and safer for the children. We don't have a budget for games, but most activities should be simple enough that we could gather supplies pretty easily. Please send in $4.00 to cover the cost of a craft and food.
Pizza Lunch/Coins for Kids
Wow! The students held a very productive class meeting on Monday about using our math coins for our Student Council fundraiser instead of a pizza lunch. It was impressive the way all ideas were respected and considered. After the meeting they took a vote and decided to give the coins to the fundraiser. It was a very unselfish act and I was proud of all the students for sharing their opinions. I am proud of the students for being so generous. In fact, I am so proud and so impressed that I have arranged for a pizza lunch that day through other means. I plan on sharing this information with them tomorrow. I want them to bask in the glow of being generous for now.
Writing
You should have received the writing assessment last week. Congratulations to all the students who scored a 6! Students enjoyed doing Madlibs in the computer lab, (see the link to the left) and during our writing time. I'm sure they are all ready for third grade. What I remember most about teaching third grade was the potty humor. If a toilet flushed 3 miles away I would lose my class to uncontrollable laughter for a good 10 minutes. The madlibs were filled with nouns like "underwear" and "toilet". Now-your sweet children seem ready to take on the challenges of third grade! (I'm sure the third grade team will thank me later.) At any rate, the madlibs were a great opportunity to review parts of speech. Try some with your kids this summer. It's a great way to fill up time in the car.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Reading/Writing/Math
It's that time of the year again. I'm doing lots of assessments with the children in addition to our regular curriculum. Be sure to look for these assessments in your child's folder. We will finish The Stories Julian Tells on Friday and we are working on money in math. We are writing poems.
Cinco de Mayo
See Below for a YUMMY recipe for Mexican Buñuelos, a traditional treat that may be prepared for The Battle of Pueblo, celebrated on May 5. They might also be prepared for Independence Day in September or Mexican Revolution in November. Many thanks to Ana Paula's family for sharing this recipe and also sending in traditional Mexican Candies for us to sample as we worked on our Mexican crafts.
Field Trip
All permission slips must be turned in by Monday! If you have not already done so, please sign and return the slip. There is no cost for this trip.
Outdoor Learning Day
Wednesday, May 19th is our outdoor learning day. We will be playing a 50 states game on our large map. We will practice math facts by jump roping the answer. We will practice spelling words with sidewalk chalk-I still need some. Finally we will be reading a story in the shade. If you would like to volunteer on this day to help at one of the stations that would be AWESOME! If I have enough volunteers we can rotate stations with small groups, rather than trying to do everything as a whole class. We'll be working outside for most of the morning~if the weather cooperates. In the afternoon we will stay inside so we can go to computer lab and library.
Other News
Be sure to check the dates below and look for an email from our second grade coordinators about our block party on June 2nd.
Ingredients
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 6 (8-inch) flour tortillas, whole or cut into shapes
Directions
On a plate, mix the sugar and cinnamon. In a medium, heavy-bottomed saucepan, add enough oil to come halfway up the sides of the pan. Heat over medium-high heat until a deep frying thermometer, inserted in the oil, reaches 350 degrees F. (If you do not have a thermometer, test the oil with a piece of tortilla, which should sizzle when it touches the oil and should brown in about 2 to 3 minutes.) One by one, fry tortillas until golden brown. With a slotted spoon, transfer the crisps to paper towels to drain. While still warm, transfer to cinnamon-sugar mixture, turn to coat and serve.
It's that time of the year again. I'm doing lots of assessments with the children in addition to our regular curriculum. Be sure to look for these assessments in your child's folder. We will finish The Stories Julian Tells on Friday and we are working on money in math. We are writing poems.
Cinco de Mayo
See Below for a YUMMY recipe for Mexican Buñuelos, a traditional treat that may be prepared for The Battle of Pueblo, celebrated on May 5. They might also be prepared for Independence Day in September or Mexican Revolution in November. Many thanks to Ana Paula's family for sharing this recipe and also sending in traditional Mexican Candies for us to sample as we worked on our Mexican crafts.
Field Trip
All permission slips must be turned in by Monday! If you have not already done so, please sign and return the slip. There is no cost for this trip.
Outdoor Learning Day
Wednesday, May 19th is our outdoor learning day. We will be playing a 50 states game on our large map. We will practice math facts by jump roping the answer. We will practice spelling words with sidewalk chalk-I still need some. Finally we will be reading a story in the shade. If you would like to volunteer on this day to help at one of the stations that would be AWESOME! If I have enough volunteers we can rotate stations with small groups, rather than trying to do everything as a whole class. We'll be working outside for most of the morning~if the weather cooperates. In the afternoon we will stay inside so we can go to computer lab and library.
Other News
Be sure to check the dates below and look for an email from our second grade coordinators about our block party on June 2nd.
Mexican Buñuelos Recipe
Ingredients
• 1 c milk .
• 1 tsp baking powder .
• 1 tsp salt .
• 4 tbsps butter .
• 4 c flour .
• oil (for frying) .
• cinnamon-sugar mixture .
• 1/2 c sugar .
• 2 eggs
Directions
• Step #1 In large bowl, mix flour, baking powder, salt & sugar.
• Step #2 In smaller bowl, beat eggs & milk.
• Step #3 Add this slowly, beating, to flour mixture.
• Step #4 Add a half a stick melted butter, beat.
• Step #5 Place dough on floured surface & knead til silky & elastic.
• Step #6 Roll into balls or ropes, & flatten with the palm of your hand.
• Step #7 Fry in hot oil, (370º), til golden.
• Step #8 Drain on paper towels.
• Step #9 Roll/toss in cinnamon/sugar mix.
• Enjoy the Mexican Buñuelos recipe
Easy Mexican Buñuelos Recipe
Ingredients
• 1 c milk .
• 1 tsp baking powder .
• 1 tsp salt .
• 4 tbsps butter .
• 4 c flour .
• oil (for frying) .
• cinnamon-sugar mixture .
• 1/2 c sugar .
• 2 eggs
Directions
• Step #1 In large bowl, mix flour, baking powder, salt & sugar.
• Step #2 In smaller bowl, beat eggs & milk.
• Step #3 Add this slowly, beating, to flour mixture.
• Step #4 Add a half a stick melted butter, beat.
• Step #5 Place dough on floured surface & knead til silky & elastic.
• Step #6 Roll into balls or ropes, & flatten with the palm of your hand.
• Step #7 Fry in hot oil, (370º), til golden.
• Step #8 Drain on paper towels.
• Step #9 Roll/toss in cinnamon/sugar mix.
• Enjoy the Mexican Buñuelos recipe
Easy Mexican Buñuelos Recipe
Ingredients
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 6 (8-inch) flour tortillas, whole or cut into shapes
Directions
On a plate, mix the sugar and cinnamon. In a medium, heavy-bottomed saucepan, add enough oil to come halfway up the sides of the pan. Heat over medium-high heat until a deep frying thermometer, inserted in the oil, reaches 350 degrees F. (If you do not have a thermometer, test the oil with a piece of tortilla, which should sizzle when it touches the oil and should brown in about 2 to 3 minutes.) One by one, fry tortillas until golden brown. With a slotted spoon, transfer the crisps to paper towels to drain. While still warm, transfer to cinnamon-sugar mixture, turn to coat and serve.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
We have a lot of upcoming dates. Please mark your calendar accordingly. As each event comes closer more details will be provided.
Cinco de Mayo
Our class will be learning about Mexico next week. I'll be providing Chips and Salsa as a snack on Wednesday to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. It's not very creative-so if your family celebrates Mexican Independence or has a special recipe they would like to share with the class let us know! We'll have our snack in the afternoon.
Dates
May 5 Cinco de Mayo celebration
May 11 New Rebozo Field Trip during lunch-See permission slip for more information
May 12 Safety Trailer
May 14 All school photo.
May 19 Outdoor Learning (Weather permitting) -We need lots of sidewalk chalk for this.
May 21 Buddies Celebration
May 24-28 International Week
May 24 Mouse and the Motorcycle Movie-Anyone want to provide some popcorn?
May 25 PBIS Board Game Day/Pizza lunch from Math Money
May 26 Meet Olympic Team
May 27 Mrs. Parkinson gone in p.m.
May 28 Olympic Day
May 31 Memorial Day
June 1 Read-a-thon and Clean-a-thon
June 2 Block Party
June 3 Last Day of School
Other Announcements
Student Council is sponsoring the last fundraiser of the year called "Coins 4 Kids." This non-for-profit asks children to collect coins to help other children with cancer. It's a great way to show our children that they have the power to effect change and help others, just by donating coins, and that coins really add up!
Cinco de Mayo
Our class will be learning about Mexico next week. I'll be providing Chips and Salsa as a snack on Wednesday to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. It's not very creative-so if your family celebrates Mexican Independence or has a special recipe they would like to share with the class let us know! We'll have our snack in the afternoon.
Dates
May 5 Cinco de Mayo celebration
May 11 New Rebozo Field Trip during lunch-See permission slip for more information
May 12 Safety Trailer
May 14 All school photo.
May 19 Outdoor Learning (Weather permitting) -We need lots of sidewalk chalk for this.
May 21 Buddies Celebration
May 24-28 International Week
May 24 Mouse and the Motorcycle Movie-Anyone want to provide some popcorn?
May 25 PBIS Board Game Day/Pizza lunch from Math Money
May 26 Meet Olympic Team
May 27 Mrs. Parkinson gone in p.m.
May 28 Olympic Day
May 31 Memorial Day
June 1 Read-a-thon and Clean-a-thon
June 2 Block Party
June 3 Last Day of School
Other Announcements
Student Council is sponsoring the last fundraiser of the year called "Coins 4 Kids." This non-for-profit asks children to collect coins to help other children with cancer. It's a great way to show our children that they have the power to effect change and help others, just by donating coins, and that coins really add up!
Saturday, April 24, 2010
April 23, 2010
Earth Week
The students enjoyed all the activities sponsored by Beye School's Green Team.
Reading
We wrapped up our unit on Courage. Our last story was a story about a boy who was nervous about entering the school spelling bee, Brave as a Mountain Lion. We did not take a comprehension test on this story. Instead we had an in-class spelling bee. Congratulations to our first place speller, Luke Meister, and our second place speller, Jewell Johnson!
Writing
We shared our autobiographies this week. As you read them keep in mind that the students did their own editing and revising. I left notes for students about things to look for as they edit. Students were then responsible for making these changes on their own. I was VERY impressed with their independence on these stories. Our focus was on writing interesting details to support a main idea. Way to go, second graders!
Math
You should have seen the math test on fractions in the folder this week. We are moving on from fractions into measurement. This includes a review of time, money and linear measurements. I will be supplementing our Everyday Math Curriculum with a lot of computation practice.
Science
Our butterflies have formed chrysalids. Thanks to Kate Ulrich for transferring them to our butterfly house. We eagerly awaiting the butterflies! In the meantime we are reading about frogs and toads and about their life cycle.
Calendar
I will update the blog next week with a list of upcoming events and dates for the rest of the year. We have a lot of exciting things happening in May!
The students enjoyed all the activities sponsored by Beye School's Green Team.
Reading
We wrapped up our unit on Courage. Our last story was a story about a boy who was nervous about entering the school spelling bee, Brave as a Mountain Lion. We did not take a comprehension test on this story. Instead we had an in-class spelling bee. Congratulations to our first place speller, Luke Meister, and our second place speller, Jewell Johnson!
Writing
We shared our autobiographies this week. As you read them keep in mind that the students did their own editing and revising. I left notes for students about things to look for as they edit. Students were then responsible for making these changes on their own. I was VERY impressed with their independence on these stories. Our focus was on writing interesting details to support a main idea. Way to go, second graders!
Math
You should have seen the math test on fractions in the folder this week. We are moving on from fractions into measurement. This includes a review of time, money and linear measurements. I will be supplementing our Everyday Math Curriculum with a lot of computation practice.
Science
Our butterflies have formed chrysalids. Thanks to Kate Ulrich for transferring them to our butterfly house. We eagerly awaiting the butterflies! In the meantime we are reading about frogs and toads and about their life cycle.
Calendar
I will update the blog next week with a list of upcoming events and dates for the rest of the year. We have a lot of exciting things happening in May!
Friday, April 16, 2010
Earth Day
Please look for information from our green team about Earth Day activities. We will have no PAPER homework next week except a spelling list and a reading log. Try to make time to practice math facts. Use some of the links to the left to practice other math concepts, the 50 states and look for new links about butterflies and frogs.
We will walk to the theater on Thursday with our buddies and two other classes immediately after eating lunch. No one will be allowed to purchase a snack. We will have a treat when we return. Yvonne Collins has coordinated this with the parent coordinator from Ms. Hallerberg's class.
Reading
We enjoyed reading the story The Empty Pot this week. It was a springboard for a discussion about honesty and doing the right thing-even when it is hard. During our reading groups children chose a biography to read. We will be doing some simple reports on these biographies next week. We will practice taking notes and summarizing.
Writing
We are finishing our autobiographies. We focused on using supporting details to make our writing interesting. The students did a great job demonstrating an understanding of this. These will go home next week.
Math
We are learning about fractions in this unit. We are practicing writing fractions, finding fractions from a whole and finding fractions of a set. These are difficult concepts and are expected to be developing, not secure. We also practiced our addition facts this week. Keep practicing those facts at home! A 75 problem test will be given at the end of April.
Social Studies
We wrapped up our unit on American Government and are really focusing on learning the remaining 50 states.
Science
It is amazing what students can learn in one week! We made careful observations of our caterpillars this week. Ask your child what a true leg and a pro leg is. Your child should also be able to tell you about bristles. We will focus next week on the life cycle of the butterfly and learn a little about a frog's life cycle as well.
Please look for information from our green team about Earth Day activities. We will have no PAPER homework next week except a spelling list and a reading log. Try to make time to practice math facts. Use some of the links to the left to practice other math concepts, the 50 states and look for new links about butterflies and frogs.
We will walk to the theater on Thursday with our buddies and two other classes immediately after eating lunch. No one will be allowed to purchase a snack. We will have a treat when we return. Yvonne Collins has coordinated this with the parent coordinator from Ms. Hallerberg's class.
Reading
We enjoyed reading the story The Empty Pot this week. It was a springboard for a discussion about honesty and doing the right thing-even when it is hard. During our reading groups children chose a biography to read. We will be doing some simple reports on these biographies next week. We will practice taking notes and summarizing.
Writing
We are finishing our autobiographies. We focused on using supporting details to make our writing interesting. The students did a great job demonstrating an understanding of this. These will go home next week.
Math
We are learning about fractions in this unit. We are practicing writing fractions, finding fractions from a whole and finding fractions of a set. These are difficult concepts and are expected to be developing, not secure. We also practiced our addition facts this week. Keep practicing those facts at home! A 75 problem test will be given at the end of April.
Social Studies
We wrapped up our unit on American Government and are really focusing on learning the remaining 50 states.
Science
It is amazing what students can learn in one week! We made careful observations of our caterpillars this week. Ask your child what a true leg and a pro leg is. Your child should also be able to tell you about bristles. We will focus next week on the life cycle of the butterfly and learn a little about a frog's life cycle as well.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Our third trimester is in full swing! We have so much going on right now in the classroom it would make your head spin! As the weather gets nicer and the sun is up longer it is tempting to push the bedtimes back. Please try to maintain a bedtime and healthy mealtime routine as much as possible. I notice when those heads get droopy!
Earth Day Movie
We'll be walking to the Lake with our buddies and a few other classes on April 22. Please return the permission slip and $6.00 as soon as possible. (Permission slip went home on Thursday.)
Reading
We read A Picture Book of Martin Luther King this week. The reading strategy that we focused on was identifying the main idea and supporting details. This is a difficult concept and most of the students needed help identifying which ideas were the most important and which ideas supported the idea.
I am reading a biography of Malcolm X out loud to the students. We learned that Malcolm X's childhood was very different from Martin Luther King's.
Writing
We continue to work on our autobiographies. Like in reading, we are focusing on a main idea and details in our writing.
Math
Fractions! We love fractions! We spent a good deal of time exploring fractions this week and talking about the whole. We also reviewed multiplication arrays and we keep practicing those facts. I'm sure you noticed on the homework calendar that the students will be expected to answer 75 mixed addition facts in five minutes by the end of the month. Practice!
Science
Caterpillars arrived! We will be studying the Painted Lady caterpillar and butterfly for the next few weeks. We will take what we learned last year and build on it this year as we focus on making detailed observations. We will also be learning about the frog's life cycle through various books and activities.
Peaceful Problem Solvers
As a school and as a class we are working on solving problems peacefully. That means trying to talk things out, ignoring inappropriate behavior, walking away, laughing, and getting an adult when you've tried everything else. Take a minute to talk to your child about what they would do if someone cut in front of them in line or if they got teased on the playground.
Earth Day Movie
We'll be walking to the Lake with our buddies and a few other classes on April 22. Please return the permission slip and $6.00 as soon as possible. (Permission slip went home on Thursday.)
Reading
We read A Picture Book of Martin Luther King this week. The reading strategy that we focused on was identifying the main idea and supporting details. This is a difficult concept and most of the students needed help identifying which ideas were the most important and which ideas supported the idea.
I am reading a biography of Malcolm X out loud to the students. We learned that Malcolm X's childhood was very different from Martin Luther King's.
Writing
We continue to work on our autobiographies. Like in reading, we are focusing on a main idea and details in our writing.
Math
Fractions! We love fractions! We spent a good deal of time exploring fractions this week and talking about the whole. We also reviewed multiplication arrays and we keep practicing those facts. I'm sure you noticed on the homework calendar that the students will be expected to answer 75 mixed addition facts in five minutes by the end of the month. Practice!
Science
Caterpillars arrived! We will be studying the Painted Lady caterpillar and butterfly for the next few weeks. We will take what we learned last year and build on it this year as we focus on making detailed observations. We will also be learning about the frog's life cycle through various books and activities.
Peaceful Problem Solvers
As a school and as a class we are working on solving problems peacefully. That means trying to talk things out, ignoring inappropriate behavior, walking away, laughing, and getting an adult when you've tried everything else. Take a minute to talk to your child about what they would do if someone cut in front of them in line or if they got teased on the playground.
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