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Pre-K News
Magnificent Marvelous Pre-K
The children in Pre-K will be finishing the theme, Growing and Changing. In this theme, we have discussed the changes that they have observed over time. We started by looking at a baby’s picture and talking about what they did as a baby. Then we have talked about what they can do now. The changes in animals, like butterflies and frogs, will be discussed next. The last week, we will observe the sign of growth in spring.
In math, we will be combining and separating groups; comparing lengths, size, and heights of objects; and collecting data to make graphs.
The last theme is entitled Ready for Kindergarten. This is a review of the alphabet and math skills that we have learned in Pre-Kindergarten, and it prepares them for the Kindergarten experience!
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Kindergarten Corner
It is hard to believe that we are beginning our 10th and final theme for reading. Our new theme, “A World of Animals”, revisits the comprehension skills of Questioning, Predicting and Inferring. We will continue to discuss the beginning, middle and end of stories. The new letters will be Uu and Jj. We will also begin to review all skills previously taught.
During math we will continue to model for addition and subtraction using manipulatives. Fractions will be introduced as we discover the relationship of part –to- whole. Finally, we will begin one of the students favorite skills to explore and that is telling time to the nearest hour. Students should continue to review the numbers 1-20.
Encouraging your child gives confidence that any task can be completed. Children who are confident in their ability to learn will be willing to try new things and meet new challenges. Talk to your child about something that has been accomplished and it how felt to be successful. Was there anything that your child thought would be too difficult this year and now it is easy to complete? Many students began Kindergarten thinking that reading was for the “big” kids and now all students have some words in their sight vocabulary. This is an accomplishment that each teacher is very proud of.
We realize “ball” season has begun and parents are very busy. We would like to remind parents to continue to read and discuss stories on a daily basis. Folders and agendas need to be checked and cleaned out each evening. Remind your child that we have a few weeks of school left and have not completed all the skills needed to prepare for First Grade. A good night’s sleep is very important at this time of the year. As always, thank you for your continued support!
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First Grade News
The weather is perfect and the end of the school year is near! In reading we are currently in unit 9 “Wonders” which leaves unit 10 to finish in may and June. Students will be working on the following comprehension strategies: noting details, story structure, compare and contrast, problem solving and drawing conclusions.
In math, your child will be completing Adding and Subtracting one step further with two digit numbers and fractions. They will begin to have math facts tests every Friday, so have your child practice the facts every night.
We are currently in our Social Studies unit “The Study of Mexico” which will end with a Fiesta celebration on Friday, May 2. After completing social studies, your child will begin the last science unit, “From Seed to Plant”. Children will have the opportunity to learn about the various types of seeds and how they grow.
On Wednesday, May 21, we will be going on our trip to the Washington D.C. Zoo. Information regarding the trip will be in your child’s folder in the next couple of weeks!
Here are a few interactive Reading Websites that reinforce what your children are learning. ENJOY!!!!
www.adrianbruce.com/reading/games.htm
Gamequarium.com/phonics28.html
www.starfall.com
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Second Grade News
We are continuing to complete reading homework by filling out the “Go Hog Wild About Books” sheet. Third grade will be continuing the same homework practices.
Our reading theme is called “Talent Show.” We will be reading about talents that people may have as they grow up. If you have a special talent and could share it with us, please let us know. Some of the strategies will be to summarize and question while reading.
Our next Math unit is called Weights and Measures. Students will learn to estimate, measure and record weight in grams, cups and liters. Baking together would help to support these math concepts. Continue practicing basic addition, subtraction, and multiplication math flashcards. Congratulations to all of the students who have passed on to subtraction or multiplication.
In Science we will begin, the Butterflies and Moths unit will be continuing. There will be a study guide sent home in May for the test. The second grade Service Learning Project will support the Science and Social Studies lessons on recycling and community. The end of the school year is filled with important dates. Remember to check the agendas and folders for important activities and events.
Our field trip to the Maryland Zoo at Baltimore will be on May 22, 2007. Permission slips have been sent home. Parents may follow the bus if seats are filled up. The bus will leave the school at 9:00am and return around 5:00pm. Please listen to the local radio stations for any delays. Also listen to the weather so that your child is dressed appropriately. All should wear good walking shoes. There is a gift shop if your child would like to purchase a souvenir. Please do not send a large amount of money. Pleases remind your child that they will be responsible for their own money.
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Third Grade
Third graders are currently in Theme 6 of the reading series. We are reading stories in which the characters have problems that they must solve with a “smart solution.” Please make sure your child is reading and recording what they have read every night. At the end of the year we hope that all of the third graders have earned their gold medal so that they will be able to participate in the special activities that have been planned.
In math, we are finishing up our unit on fractions and will soon begin our unit on decimals. Please practice math facts with your child every night.
We will begin a new science unit later this month entitled “Small Things and Microscopes.” We hope this will be a fun, hands-on learning experience for all involved.
We are learning all of the letters in cursive and will be working on writing whole words and sentences.
Our class trip to the Baltimore Science Center is on May 12th. Please make sure that your child’s permission slip and money are turned in by Wednesday, May 7th. Please make sure your child gets to school on time because we will be leaving promptly at 9am. Be sure to pack a bag lunch that day and make sure your child is wearing comfortable clothes.
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Fourth Grade News
Welcome to the fourth term. Those that earned Gold Cards for term three enjoyed their movie and treat. We hope that each student will be able to participate during the fourth term. To earn this reward the students need to follow the school rules and always do their best with their assignments. Please check your child’s checklist each week to make sure they are working towards this goal.
In Reading the students have been reading stories about heroes. We will continue to practice comprehension skills to prepare them for next year.
In Math students are working on measurement. We are working on converting feet, yards, inches and miles. This is a difficult skill so they might need additional help on their homework. In Science we will be working on Erosion.
On Thursday, May 8th we will be taking our field trip to the Smithsonian in Washington D.C. Don’t forget your child should be here by 7:45 and be ready to be picked up by 5:00 pm. Keep an eye out for any other reminders about the field trip.
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News from the Fifth Grade
The past month has been a real roller coaster ride for your fifth grade student. We have been through three MSA tests, (reading, math, and science) and all of the students performed excellent. The students were well prepared and worked as hard as they possibly could for the three tests.
We have been exploring plant and animal life this past month in science class. Students are learning about the life cycle of beans and the life cycle of fruit flies. The students learn how a bean starts as a seed, grows to a seedling, then to a sprout, and final into a mature plant. During this time the students are observing their plants by measuring the height, looking at the leaves, and see if any new flowers grow. Students also made germinator bags. These bags contain three been seeds that grow on a paper towel. This allows the students to see the roots from a growing seed. The students are also observing the life cycle of a fruit fly. The fruit fly stages go from larva to an adult fly. Ask your child to see if they know what the two stages are in between.
In math students have been learning about number sense. This unit ranges from order of operations to roman numbers. At home test your students on their roman numbers.
In reading we are finishing theme 5 “One Land, Many Trails.” This theme is all about westward expansion. The students like to learn about how their ancestors used to live.
Finally, on May 30 we will be going to Assateague Island to learn about salt water habitats. Look for a letter coming home about this trip very soon.
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News from the Art Teacher
I’d like to thank everyone who attended our Fine Arts Night last week here at HES. It was a great turnout, and everyone seemed to enjoy the artwork produced by our students. Visitors were able to experience both two and three dimensional art forms ranging from the art of the Middle Ages through the concept of modern robots.
May promises to be an exciting month also, for our artists. One lucky and talented fourth grader here at HES will soon be winning a $100 prize for their poster reflecting “Forests are a renewable resource”. Someone will win a $50 second prize, and there will be other prizes for honorable mention. Fifth graders are participating in the Dorchester County Humane Society Poster Contest, and winners will be selected soon for the next Dorchester County Public Schools Calendar. Stay tuned for news of these winning artists!
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News from the Media
This year the library will be doing a full inventory of all books. This process takes a very long time. Please return all library books back to the library by Friday, May 9th. We will continue to visit the book mobile so students are able to have books to read. I am sorry for this inconvenience!
Book Fair
We will be having the spring Scholastic Book Fair in the media center on May 2nd to May 9th. Family Night will be on Monday, May 5th from 5:00-7:00. Flyers with book previews have been sent home. Please help by participating in the “One for Books” program. This money allows the library to purchase books from the book fair and put them on the library shelves. On the book fair inventory there are both “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” books and several High School Musical and Hannah Montana Books. All of the profits from this fair will go toward updating our non-fiction and biography section, which is a popular section with our students. Please let me know if you are interested in volunteering at the book fair.
Type to Learn
Type to Learn is a countywide software program for keyboarding. It includes typing instruction, practice, and assessments to teach students this valuable lifelong skill. Students learn keyboarding skills while reinforcing spelling, grammar, composition, and punctuation skills. All letter and number keys are taught and it is designed to help students increase speed. Each lesson takes approximately twenty minutes and there are a total of 26 lessons. Students must complete this program by the end of 5th grade. Students begin this program in 3rd grade. This year the 2nd graders were doing so well with their computer skills I began this program with them. The goals are the following.
3rd grade- Lesson 10
4th grade- Lesson 18
5th grade- complete the program (Lesson 26)
Technology Fun
http://animal.discovery.com/
No matter what your favorite animal is, there's a good chance you'll find it at Animal Planet. Explore animals by subject, learn more about your dog or cat with the pet guides available, play fun games, and much more.
http://www.childrensmuseum.org/cosmicquest/spacestation/index2.html
Design a Space Station - with help from the Children's Museum of Indianapolis. See if you can earn a Mission Specialist's certificate.
For a recommended list of internet websites please email(douglask@dcpsmd.org) or call me (410-943-3303).
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Music News!!
All music students are busy this spring. Students in Kindergarten and first grade are learning more about how music brings about emotions in people. We are also learning new class songs. Second graders are learning about rhythm and the instruments of the orchestra. We are getting ready to complete an art and music project. The third graders are finishing our flutophone unit and learning all about 4th grade band. Girls and boys in the fourth and fifth grade are completing our original selection of music. We have learned how to compose the form, melody, and rhythm of a piece of music. We will finish our unit with lessons on harmony, tempo, and dynamics.
Band members are working on technical exercises in the band books. We had a great spring performance season with our Fine Arts Night and the County Band Concert. The members of the 5th grade band are getting ready for middle school band. They are especially working on scales to use as warm ups in 6th grade.
Mr. Cooper is looking forward to many more musical opportunities in the years to come!
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Physical Education News
May is finally here and we have a lot to do in the last six weeks of school. Jump Rope for Heart was a major success again with 6,188.48 dollars raised for the American Heart Association! Great job everyone! I am so proud of everyone who participated and volunteered in this great event. Students who will receive prizes associated with the Jump Rope for Heart should allow 2-3 weeks for delivery of the prizes.
Activity Day will be on Friday, June 6th with the rain date being June 9th. Your child’s P.E. class will be continuing with our Softball/Tee-ball unit and then we will be reviewing all games and activities for Activity Day. Weather permitting we will be going outside for class for the rest of the year so please dress your child appropriately for physical activities.
Thank you!!!
Mr. Ewing
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