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.
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