Open House

Thank you so much for all the parents who came to Open House. It is always so wonderful to talk with each of you and get reacquainted. Having a close parent/teacher relationship is key to me and I love having a chance to talk with each of you. Remember, I am always an email, or phone call away if you ever have any questions. :)

The students were very excited to take you around the room and show off their classroom. They really have been working extremely hard and I am so proud of them. I hope they all enjoyed the experience of teaching you a few things about school.

Here are a few reminders:

-Weekly Reader sponsors are still needed as about half of the class has submitted their $4.00.

-Progress Reports will be sent Monday

-There are no longer + or - signs used on Report Cards

-You can order Scholastic Books online and earn a free book for our class. Refer to the handout that was sent for our class password or let me know if you need it again. Scholastic Books

-Volunteers are needed for the Fall Carnival. The carnival is from 6-9 and we need parents to help run our class booth. Please send in a note in your child's planner if you would be willing to help run it for 30 minutes/hour. We really appreciate your help and support with this event!

-Tree Hill Field Trip is next Thursday, Oct. 1. I recommend putting bug spray on your child before they come to school. Also, pack a brown bagged lunch for your child.

If you missed Open House tonight, or want to review something covered, the Powerpoint that was shown is on the left side of my blog under "Class Updates."

Cheers to another great week in the Caribbean!

Spelling Test Practice

Looking for ways to become a better speller? In our classroom the students are given an option to select for their weekly spelling homework. I felt that students would enjoy having a choice in which method of studying and practicing their weekly words. They were given a handout on the choices and have to turn them in each Friday before our test.

Here are the options again.

1. Write them 3 times each


2. Write them in alphabetical or reverse alphabetical order


3. Illustrate the words


4. Write each in a sentence


5. Write them in a paragraph


6. Divide the words into syllables


7. Write them in cursive


8. Write them in a pyramid


9. Rainbow write your words with colored pencils
   

Rainbow Writing was very popular this week!

It sure made me smile seeing how excited they were to show each other which way they picked to complete their homework.

Also, make sure to visit http://www.spellingcity.com/ to view the weekly words. I post them so you don't have to enter them. Your child can take practice tests and play games with our words.

Steps to Follow:
Go to "Find a list". Click "Teacher". Type EVANKO. Pick the correct week to see the words.

Great job on your first spelling test this week spellers. Keep up the superb work!

Book of the Month: 14 Cows for America

“…there is no nation so powerful it cannot be wounded, nor a people so small they cannot offer might comfort.”

When was the last time you did a selfless act? Each month Mrs. Phillips shares a book with us that she selects to represent the book of the month. For September, she has chosen 14 Cows for America. This true story shows the generosity and compassion one tribe in Africa has for America after hearing about the events that took place on 9/11.

As I read the story to the students, they were deeply moved by the kindness this tribe had for Americans. We discussed the symbolism of the cows and why the tribe was willing to give them to Americans to show life and hope. Then, we pointed out how sometimes objects can stand for a certain feeling or emotion. I challenged to students to create their own personal similes and metaphors for common emotions. Below are their responses to what stands for these emotions to them.

"Sadness is letting a puppy go." Cynthia
"Happiness is like a big house full of frozen yogurt." Adam
"Disgust is old eggs." Alexandra
"Happiness is like a walk in the park." Caitlyn
"Happiness is my dog Hershy." Zachariah
"Happiness is like new presents and flowers." Katie R
"Grumpiness is like being the second kid in line." Veronica
"Happiness is like a big bowl of ice cream." James
"Happiness is puppies." Maritza
"Laziness is a bed sleeping with nothing to do." Rex
"Sadness is a cut in the leg." Katie S
"Happiness is a water park." Garrett
"Happiness is a new Game Cube." Mario
"Disgust is a meat loaf." Ian
"Sadness is like looking at the moon with nobody to talk with." Yatzaret
"Sadness is getting rid of dogs." Alyssia
"Rage is my brother annoying me." Baylee

"To me, rage is homework." Alex
"My monkey is life." Brendan
"A tight warm blanket is happiness." Maryssa
"Hope is a play date waiting." Anne
"Rage is a lady driving. " Danny
"Security is a bed." Parker
"Laziness is a early morning." Brenna
"Sun is hope." Evelyn
"Happiness is a trip to North Carolina." Roberto
"Disgust is my sister's diapers." Affan
"Rage is a F on a test." Monique
"A skateboard is life." Victor
"Hope is getting inside a rainbow." Emily
"Happiness is a Wii remote." Luke
"Sadness is a snakebite." Anasia
"Grumpiness is taking out the trash." Vincent

To learn more about this book you can view the homepage below.
14 Cows for America