Due to the recent increase of toys being brought to school, we have recently had a classroom discussion.  As a classroom community, students decided on a new classroom policy.  That being said, from now on, any toys brought to school and removed from backpacks distracting friends from learning will be donated to kids that do not have toys.

Leading up to our break, students have a focus on the skill of comparing and contrasting literature.  We incorporated holiday fun through using different historical versions of the story, Twas the Night Before Christmas, as well as more modern versions, such as a Pirate’s Night Before Christmas.  Students discussed the main idea of these stories while also comparing and contrasting the details.

During our large break from school, please continue to support your student and encourage a time to read each day.  Students have special journals to reinforce a time for writing during the break as well.

Lastly, if your family does not yet share a winter tradition with a special book or story, I would recommend beginning a seasonal tradition of reading something special each year.  Have a wonderful time resting and being together as a family.

Today we celebrated a special date at school, 11-11-11.  We discussed that today is the 11th day of November (the 11th month) of 2011.

We also celebrated today’s holiday, Veterans Day.  Since today is such a monumental date, as a class we voted to save our Veterans Day (11-11-11) activity in our Portfolios.

Some students might want to play learning games at va.gov a special website with information about veterans of war.

Our class completed our Pen Pal letters to Ireland.

We have learned about the following:

• Ireland – the country, the kids, the sheep, the green hills, and more
• Letter writing – How to start a letter, how to end a letter and more
• Geography – we found Ireland on multiple maps
• Math – we calculated distance and time a flight would take
• Writing interesting questions with purpose and meaning

We had great whole class discussion, as well as small group discussions on the types of questions we should ask our Pen Pals.  Now, students have more developed writing and communication skills through the multiple drafts of their letter.  Our Middle School Reading buddies helped us complete our final draft.

We hope our new friends in Ireland enjoy reading our letters, as much as we enjoyed writing the letters.

Please read some of the student letters in the hallway during Conferences.

We had a fantastic Halloween celebration on Monday, October 31st.  Our class was invited to Trick or Treat at Grace Pointe Assisted Living.  We were able to walk in beautiful sunshine.

Students were polite and gracious towards all of the generous elderly individuals sharing candy.

After we received loads of candy, we sang “I’m a Little Ghost” to share Halloween cheer with people at Grace Pointe.

Louise Buckley, our Music teacher helps students learn new songs all the time.  Feel free to check out her website and read about what 1st and 2nd grade students are learning in music class.

Later, during the afternoon, all elementary students shared in a time to parade costumes.  Fortunately, we had incredible weather and we were able to have our Halloween Parade outside in our stadium.

Look closely, and you will see some amazing costumes, you can even find Mrs. Duran’s great pumpkin costume.  Whether it was a Lego, a ghost, or a few wildcats, Boyd’s Bugs really know how to dress up for Halloween.

Do you recognize your music teacher?  She is dressed up as Coach Sue Sylvester from GLEE, while I posed as Rachel Berry in a leaf bug costume.

Boyd’s Bugs had a great Halloween!

Thank you for all of our parent volunteers who made our day great.

We began presenting our Personal Learning Plans (PLP) for the first trimester.  Last week students shared many interesting topics including, “How to Cook Spaghetti” and “Japan”.  As always, if you are available to support your child and attend their PLP presentation, please join us.  If you are not able to attend the presentation, thank you for your at home support conducting research and assisting your child as they plan what they will share with the class.  During the evening, after your child has presented, you may ask your child what types of questions other students asked.  Listed below, are a few examples of popular questions students ask each other.

• Who helped you with your PLP?
• What is your favorite picture?  Why?
• How did you think of your topic?

As a part of the University Schools philosophy we are a student centered school.  Personal Learning Plans are a way for students to share what they have learned and a time for students to teach one another.  November conferences will be here soon.  It is never too early to start planing for our Second Trimester PLP’s.

Everyone did their best at the track meet on Wednesday!

Since we have a shortened week, we will not have homework due.  No school on Friday, October 14th or Monday, October 17th.

Due on Friday, October 21st:

• Spelling packet
• Skills packet
• Field Trip permission form (green)
• $2 cash for field trip

PLP presentations begin on Thursday, October 2oth.  Make sure you are working on your Personal Learning Plan (PLP) and how you will present to our class.

Many students have been bringing in Box Tops for Education.  Thank you!  Carol Riggs has informed us that most of these go towards purchasing new balls and equipment for recess.

Don’t forget to visit our class website to learn about important dates coming up.  Including, a special Movie Night in the auditorium.  

University Schools Spirit Week 2011 kicks off tomorrow.  

• Monday, October 3rd – Favorite Team Day
• Tuesday, October 4th – Blue and White Day (our school colors)
• Wednesday, October 5th – Formal Fun Day (Track Meet/not too formal)
• Thursday, October 6th – Clash Day (clothing that doesn’t match)
• Friday, October 7th – Retro Day (clothing from a favorite decade)
• Saturday, October 8th – Homecoming Football Game – 1:00 kick off

Reading Activities 

For the past few weeks 1st and 2nd grade students have been participating in Literacy Groups.  Each group meets for 30 minutes and will rotate through many different skill activities throughout the school year.  Students join one of nine participating teachers and learn with a variety of new students.  This also allows us to support smaller groups of students.

Literacy Groups take place before P.E. Monday through Thursday.  After P.E. we are together in our classroom for Reading Groups.  Students are assigned to different color groups.  Each reading group reads either a nonfiction or fiction book.  Every 2 weeks reading groups have a new book to read.  Groups complete activities and assignments that promote new skills and abilities.

Although we didn’t have Spelling last week, we will resume our normal schedule this week.  In fact, a second grade student in our class shared an online resource, Spelling City.  Use this website in order to study your specific spelling words throughout the week.

Don’t forget that books come home on Fridays.  Each Friday, we end our busy week at our school library.  First, we sit in the Cove (pictured above) and listen to a book read by one of our librarians.  Next, we get to explore books, read, and check out up to 3 books.  Make sure you pick one book in particular to read carefully, a few times, while preparing to take an AR (Accelerated Reader) test.  Then on Monday, when we visit the computer lab, bring the book and take the AR test.  Some students are close to reaching their first trimester Reading Goals.

In the Classroom:

Thank you for your attendance and support during PLP conferences last week.  I am excited for each of the student’s goals and project plans.

A special thank you for Mrs. Aurzada, Ella’s mom, as she visited our classroom last week as a guest speaker.  We appreciate Stacey Aurzada as she shared about Greeley, and how she works and cares for the city each day.

This week we are transitioning from Geography (for the time being) to focus on Earth Science for the next few weeks.

Instead of a “Skills Packet”, this Friday students will bring home an outdoor activity for the weekend.  As observers of science we will observe both the day sky and the night sky.  Please take the time to go outside with your student during the evening.  Make some observations on what you see in the night sky.  Then write down some of these observations.  Thank you for taking the time to become a geoscientist with your child.

Around our school:

Next week, we will not have a “Spelling Packet” either.  Friday, September 30^th is our official school wide count day.  We would like to ensure that all students attend and arrive on time, ready to learn.  We will have a Sing Along on Friday, and lots of other fun activities in our class.  Make sure everyone stays healthy and gets lots of rest, so they do not miss out.

For the students who sold enough items during the fundraiser and earned the “Limo Ride Lunch”, this will take place in October, after the fundraising products have been delivered.

Today in our school library Homework Help began.  Every Tuesday and Thursday, Homework Help will occur until 4:00.  I would like to encourage our students to attend and receive help on our homework, or reviewing for a spelling test.  If your child has no homework assignments they can ask an honors middle school or honors high school student to read them a book.  They can even take an AR test after they finish a book.

This morning students were able to visit the library for our Book Fair Preview.  The Book Fair allows our school library to earn new books.  The Book Fair will be active until Friday, and the library will be open until 4pm each day.

After you meet with me tomorrow, during our PLP Day, feel free to walk down to the library and browse some of the great books.  They even have a few books for only $1.99 (best value books).  Happy reading!

For the past two weeks we have enjoyed the opportunity to meet with our Middle School Reading Buddies.  Every Thursday, from 2:30-3:00 during our UNIT time, each student is able to spend quality time with an Honors Reading middle school student.  In fact, their are 24 Boyd’s Bugs and 24 Honors Reading students, so everyone has their own permanent buddy.

This week, to go along with the Geography we have been learning about, we will focus on our city, where we live.  I plan on putting our “My City” activity in the hallway.  Next Wednesday, on our Elementary PLP Day, you may take a look at what each student wrote about our city.

Today, every student was sent home with a PLP sign up schedule.  Select your 1st, 2nd and 3rd choice on the schedule and return it as soon as possible.  I have also sent home a Personal Learning Plan (PLP) goals sheet to be completed at home.  Remember to bring the completed sheet next Wednesday.  We can’t wait to set our academic and personal learning goals for the first trimester.

Important:  Wednesday, September 14th we have no school.  Each student is expected to stop by during the school day, with a parent, to discuss their Personal Learning Plan (PLP) with their teacher.  I will try my best to honor everyone’s 1st or 2nd choice on the schedule.  As soon as I have received a response from all parents I will send home the schedule for PLP day.