It's October already!

Wow - September flew by faster than I ever remember it going.

This week, we will be working on estimating then adding, and estimating then subtracting.  I'm confident that we have the estimation piece mastered - so now it's just a matter of knowing our math facts!

On Monday - we will be announcing group leaders, and group members.  These small groups will work together as a team to support and encourage each other throughout the year.

We'll be looking at informational text in reading.  This week will be the start of our election unit, as well.

Keep playing those estimation games online!  If you don't have computer access, you can play "estimation top-it" with a deck of cards.  Remember as well to practice math facts nightly.

Have a great week!

A couple of links!

As I was browsing the web tonight - I found a couple of great resources for parents.  Remember - you're not the "only one" that is going through challenges having a child that is highly capable!!

Article:  "Top 10 things I wish teachers understood about giftedness"
http://lifewithintensity.blogspot.co.nz/2011/06/top-ten-things-i-wish-teachers.html

Links:  50 Essential Websites
http://oedb.org/library/beginning-online-learning/50-essential-links-for-the-parents-of-gifted-children

Article regarding learning styles, and their tendencies:
http://www.gifteddevelopment.com/Visual_Spatial_Learner/vsl.htm


Have you read anything interesting lately?  Post it in the comments!

Sept 24-28

Hi everyone!  I hope you're having a great September.

Don't forget - tomorrow is picture day!

This week, we're working on main idea in reading, and estimation in math.

Try these main idea activities online!

http://www.studyzone.org/testprep/ela4/h/mainideap2.cfm

http://www.studyzone.org/testprep/ela4/h/mainideap3.cfm

http://www.manatee.k12.fl.us/sites/elementary/samoset/rcmi1.htm

Here's some great math games you can practice with online:

http://www.gamequarium.com/estimation.html

http://pbskids.org/cyberchase/math-games/glowlas-estimation-contraption/
(This one might be challenging!)

http://www.free-training-tutorial.com/rounding-games.html

http://www.eduplace.com/kids/hmm/practice/templates/rules.jsp?ID=hmm07_ep/gr3/0203&GRADE=3&UNIT=1&CHAPTER=2&LESSON=3&UNIT_TITLE=Place%20Value%20and%20Money&CHAPTER_TITLE=Compare,%20Order,%20and%20Round%20Whole%20Numbers

Let me know if you enjoy these activities!!!

This week in math.....

We're working on place value and comparing numbers this week.  In addition to the practice we're doing in class, as well as reviewing work at home, here are some EP links to play at home:

http://math-play.com/football-math-place-value-game/football-math-place-value.html

http://education.jlab.org/placevalue/index.html

http://www.gamequarium.com/placevalue.html

Please let me know if you have a challenge with one of the links!!  Have a great Monday morning, everyone!

Day #1

The first day has come and gone.  Feeling very frustrated that I didn't get to teach a reading lesson today... but when I reflect on all my other accomplishments, I suppose one day without intentional reading instruction will be survivable.  (Maybe?)

"First day packets" were sent home today.  I added to it by inserting our specialist calendar and the EP policy.  Just in case yours gets lost in the shuffle (can you tell I'm a mom?!?!) - I thought I'd link them here as well.

I'm looking forward to getting that reading lesson in tomorrow... be sure to ask the students about Miss John's hiking heels!!!

Sept/October Calendar

EP Guide

See you tomorrow!!!

It's "school week" at my house!

When we celebrate things, our family has the theory of "go big, or go home."  Forget having a birthday - we have a birthday WEEK, where we celebrate each day.  Easter tends to be a month long (it's my mum's favorite holiday).  Although Jaely likes to think her birthday is a year-long event, we've at least muted that idea!!

This is "school week" around my house.  It's full of traditions, excitement, and celebrations.

We did our last summer "hurrah" over the weekend by going to Silverwood in Idaho.  It only took one roller coaster before Jaely decided that she was NOT a "roller coaster kind of kid."  So, we migrated to the water park for the majority of the day.  After a night in Spokane, we headed back to Seattle.  Ten hours of driving within a 28 hour period was exhausting - but memorable.  (Thinking next year, we'll do our "summer hurrah" in Tacoma.  Much better drive time.)

Today (Monday), we will be going into the classroom to get the last set of things arranged, and the last few activities completed.  Tomorrow, I will be in (more) meetings all day, and we'll spend the evening packing our lunches and putting our school supplies in our backpack and work bag.  Have to say, one of the things I'll miss most about the summer is having lunches with my best friend Jenn - it's amazing how many laughs you can have sharing stories over mealtime.  Thinking Jaely will reply with a similar answer about her best friend - we love spending time together.

Wednesday will come quicker than expected, and I'll have these awesome 24 kids to help bloom.  I'm excited to give hugs or hi-fives to my returning kids, greet the new students into our team, and share a laugh or two with the parents about "first day jitters" (including mine).

Remember to email me with any questions you have - I can't wait to see you then!  Happy school week!!!!

T-minus two weeks!!!

Good morning, GATErs!

I'm amazed at how quickly this summer has gone by.  As much as I love summer (imagine "love" in a 352423-sized font!), the second week of August is my favorite time of year.  This is when I start transitioning back into "teacher" mode, and when I start getting refocused on what I want to accomplish in the next nine months.  However - I can't believe my official report date is already this week!!!!!!!!

The room is coming together well - I'm excited about the new layout, and how it will be a great place to learn.  Jacob and Teddy's families popped in a couple of weeks ago and saw the DISASTER my room was at the time.  I'm excited to see the kids' faces when they see it complete!  Thanks to Sophia's family, we now have two couches to snuggle up in while we're enjoying our favorite books.  I'm hoping that my ceiling mounted projector will be... well... mounted! by the first day of school, which frees up a ton of floor space.  I hope the kids love being in the room as much as I have.

I will not be accessible by phone for a few more days, but am always available via email.  (Just don't laugh when you get a response at 3:00 a.m.!!!)  Please, don't hesitate to ask any questions or voice any thoughts you have.  We're in this together - and I don't know how to best serve you until you tell me!

I'm looking forward to seeing everyone on the first day of school - if not earlier!

Miss J