SNOWdays and Parties!

Well, in case your little smarties didn't pass on the news we already have a plan for our party. But because the weather doesn't always follow suit we have plans A, B, and C :) Please pass this information along to any parent who doesn't have access to the internet or our facebook page.

So here are the PARTY plans:

A. If we have school tomorrow we will have our party at 9:45 AM just as it was planned for today. Please send your stuff in the morning so that we can have it ready for party time. If you would like to come early to help set up or read a Christmas story while I set up that would be great!! :)

B. If we have school tomorrow but are on any type of delay we will do our party after lunch at 12:15 PM. Please send your stuff in the morning so that it will be ready at party time! The offer is still there to help set up before 12:15.

C. If we have another crazy snow day with this crazy winter weather that really isn't supposed to come prior to January..... we will have our party the Friday, January 7th at 12:15 PM. This will give us the opportunity to have a NORMAL week when we return from Christmas break.

Thanks for your help! Pass on the news! And do your ice-melt dance before bed tonight!

Smorstad's Scoop- December 10th

**WEEKLY SCOOP!**

It was another great week with the Smarties! We completed our Native American unit. You would be impressed at all the information they learned and know about the four tribes that we studied. We also wrapped up two digit addition. We will continue to practice this skill throughout 2^nd grade. Next week we will spend time getting in the holiday spirit with crafts, parties, and some of my favorite read alouds!

...Classroom News for You...

* I have completed reading assessments with our class and WOW- they are doing wonderful! I was impressed with their growth over the last few months.

* If you volunteered to send an item for our Gingerbread party please send it in on Thursday morning. If you would like to partake in our celebration we would love to have you!

* We are still in need of candy and gum donations for our Bonus Buck prizes! Thank you for helping to make our reward system a success! J

-- Homework Preview ---

The homework packet will only include a reading log and a math practice page. We will not have spelling list and will not be doing a reading story. We will spend the week doing Christmas activities!

Please take time to work with your child to practice 2 digit addition with carrying. This is a difficult skill. We will continue to revisit this throughout the year.

~UPCOMING EVENTS~

December 16^th Class Christmas Party (INFORMATION COMING SOON)

December 17^- January 2

Christmas Break

January 7 Progress Reports

January 17 No School

Martin Luther King Day

Specials Schedule:

December 13th – December 17^th

Monday: Library

Tuesday: Computer

Wednesday: Music

Thursday: Gym (Spanish)

Friday: Art

Smorstad's Scoop- December 3rd

WEEKLY SCOOP!**

WOW!! I have returned to the same SMARTIE class that I left in September. We have had an excellent week catching up, giving hugs, and getting back into our routine. I hope the adjustment has been okay for your little ones!

We finished up studying Native Americans with the Navajo and Iroquois tribes. I have learned alongside them and it has been fun! They have made several crafts and taken notes on their reading. This social studies unit has been so fun!

...Classroom News for You...

Drew was a wonderful Star Student this week!

* I am doing lots of assessing over the next 3 weeks and plan to do conferences with each of you after report cards in January. I will send home a sign up sheet after Christmas break. These students have grown so much!

* We will start our time unit next week. Have your child start telling time (not on a digital clock) for extra practice!

* Please return your bookmarks for United to read. They are due Dec. 10^th. Please write your titles down if you lost your bookmark.

--- Homework Preview ---

Spelling Words:

1. each

2. which

3. teaching

4. path

5. teeth

6. fishing

7. wishbone

8. watch

9. matching

10. dish

11. white

12. chase

13. body

14. pretty

15. young

BONUS Words: Tlingit, Iroquois

Homework will sent home on Friday and is due the following the Friday.

~UPCOMING EVENTS~

December 16^th Class Christmas Party (INFORMATION COMING SOON)

December 17^- January 2 Christmas Break

January 7 Progress Reports

January 17 No School Martin Luther King Day

Specials Schedule:

December 6th – December 10^th

Monday: Computer

Tuesday: Music

Wednesday: Gym (A.M. Spanish)

Thursday: Art

Friday: Library

Bonus Bucks Needs!

I am so appreciative of all the ways that you help in my classroom!! You all set everything up for my Bonus Bucks system at the beginning of the year. I left with a treasure box overflowing with trinkets.... old and new.... and a candy basket that was filled to the brim. Guess what???

13 weeks later things are running out!

If you would like to help build our Bonus Bucks prizes back up you would be helping encourage good behavior in our classroom! Send donations whenever you are ready.

Thank you so much!

Where has your teacher been?

Hello, Smarties!! I will be back to school in the blink of an eye. While you have been busy reading, writing, and mastering those math skills.... this is what I've been doing!

Spending time being a mommy to these 2 beauties!

After enjoying all the yummy food on Thanksgiving you can expect to see me greeting you at the door early Monday morning! I am excited to see your smiling faces and hear about all the great things you have been doing. Mrs. Kusche has been bragging about what a great group of SMARTIES I have and she's not lying.... you all really are the best class ever!

Dear Smartie Parents,

Here is the classroom blog address! I will be updating it with weekly newsletters, last minute information, and classroom updates. I will only send paper newsletters to those who requested paper and I assume the rest of you will be watching for your Friday updates via the web. I am ready to get back in the classroom and see what your kiddos have been up to over the last 12 weeks! Thanks for keeping up the good work at home.... Mrs. Kusche has been bragging on you all too!

I will see you all soon!!

The LAST Smorstad's Scoop

**WEEKLY SCOOP!**

This is the last newsletter you will receive this year!! I can’t believe how fast this year has flown by. I want to tell you again how special your children have been to me this year. They are an exceptional class and never stop amazing me! I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to teach so many of them again next year. Thank you for all your support this year. Have a fabulous summer vacation!

...Classroom News for You...

We will be sending home all of their supplies over the next few days!! Keep up with headphones to use next year in computer.

Specials Schedule:

NO SPECIALS NEXT WEEK!!!

~UPCOMING EVENTS~

May 31^st Memorial Day

June 1^st OOVOTO (Field Day)

June 2^nd Round 2 Talent Show (Grade level during specials)

June 3^rd Awards Ceremony

Top 10 Talent Show

June 4^th Last Day of School!!

Dismissal at 11:45

**ENJOY YOUR SUMMER BREAK!!**

Spelling Word Mix Up!!!

OOPS!!!

This week's spelling words are incorrect on the newsletter. Please use the words that are on the homework and the bonus words that are on the newsletter. Sorry about the confusion! Next week will be the last week of spelling homework/spelling test.

We are so close to summer :)

Smorstad's Scoop- May 14th

**WEEKLY SCOOP!**

**We will be tie-dying our shirts on Monday. If you have not sent a white, pre-washed t-shirt for your child please do so ON Monday.

We had a great week and were very thankful for our normal schedule to return. We completed our money unit and will start a fun graphing unit next week. It will be a nice brain break from counting money! Our farm unit is so much fun. They have now purchased their house, barn, silo, tractor, and goat! I am so excited about the farm coming to us on May 27^th.

Homework Preview

Please read with your child Monday through Thursday and fill out their reading log. Return the reading log and the spelling packet each Friday.

Spelling Words:

broom moon

room hood

pool took

cool laugh

soon ever

Bonus:

interesting, farmer, election

...Classroom News for You...

This week we did our final on demand writing. On demand writings have to be a letter to persuade or inform. They wrote persuasive letters about our last book order of the year. Please take to time to read your child’s and see how much they have grown as a writer!

· FINAL BOOK ORDERS ARE DUE ON MAY 20!!!

Specials Schedule:

Monday: gym/music

Tuesday: no school

Wednesday: computer

Thursday: library

Friday: spanish

~UPCOMING EVENTS~

May 18^th Election Day (No School)

May 27th Farm Day

May 31^st Memorial Day

June 1^st OOVOTO (Field Day)

June 2^nd Round 2 Talent Show (Grade level during specials)

June 3^rd Awards Ceremony

Top 10 Talent Show

June 4^th Last Day of School!!

Dismissal at 11:45

May 7th- Smorstad's Scoop

**WEEKLY SCOOP!**

We have one more week of our crazy schedule. However, the kids seem to enjoy this flip-flop day! We are starting our farm unit where we will be studying economics. I am excited to get started! We will also be taking our money math test next Friday. This unit is very difficult and I recommend that you have your child practice counting mixed coins at home. Thanks!

Please read below about making t-shirts. Send in a white prewashed t-shirt for your child by next Friday.

Homework Preview

Please read with your child Monday through Thursday and fill out their reading log. Return the reading log and the spelling packet each Friday.

Spelling Words:

book took

look hood

cook wood

town mouth

earth bear

Bonus:

shook, explore, sunshine

**WEEKLY SCOOP!** We have one more week of our crazy schedule. However, the kids seem to enjoy this flip-flop day! We are starting our farm unit where we will be studying enconomics. I am excited to get started! We will also be taking our money math test next Friday. This unit is very difficult and I recommend that you have your child practice counting mixed coins at home. Thanks! Please read below about making t-shirts. Send in a white prewashed t-shirt for your child by next Friday.

...Classroom News for You... * We are making classroom tie- dyed T-shirts. Please send in a WHITE pre-washed t-shirt for your child by next Friday. If you would like to volunteer to help make shirts please email me or write me a note. Specials Schedule: Monday: computer Tuesday: library Wednesday: spanish Thursday: art Friday: music/gym *library checkout ~UPCOMING EVENTS~ Apr 26th-May 14th Testing Schedule May 18th Election Day (No School) May 31st Memorial Day June 1st OOVOTO (Field Day) June 2nd Round 2 Talent Show (Grade level during specials) June 3rd Awards Ceremony Top 10 Talent Show June 4th Last Day of School!! Dismissal at 11:45

Smorstad's Scoop- April 30th

**WEEKLY SCOOP!**

We survived our first week of the testing schedule! It is a long afternoon for them but they are hanging in there. Please remind your child that there are NO warnings given if you are talking in the hallways or bathroom due to third graders testing on our hallway.

We have really gotten into counting money in math. We use touch money where we count each coin using counting by 5’s (nickel is touched once, dime twice, quarter five times). Please allow your child to show you what they have learned by counting your change at home!

Classroom News for You...

*We completed our 21^st SMART chart and enjoyed a shoes off day in the classroom.

*Thank you so much for sending in so many items for practicing our word work outside. We will enjoy it!

Specials Schedule:

Monday: library

Tuesday: spanish

Wednesday: art

Thursday: music/gym

*library checkout

Friday: gym/music

Homework Preview

Please read with your child Monday through Thursday and fill out their reading log. Return the reading log and the spelling packet each Friday.

Spelling Words:

cow how

town mouse

out mouth

her burn

gone been

Bonus:

found, shouting, invisible

~UPCOMING EVENTS~

Apr 26^th-May 14^th Testing Schedule

May 18^th Election Day (No School)

May 31^st Memorial Day

June 1^st OOVOTO (Field Day)

June 2^nd Round 2 Talent Show (Grade level during specials)

June 3^rd Awards Ceremony

Top 10 Talent Show

June 4^th Last Day of School!!

Dismissal at 11:45

Smorstad's Scoop- April 23rd

**WEEKLY SCOOP!**

This week we started our animal unit. We held some great class discussions comparing and contrasting the animal groups. Next week we move to talking about their homes and animal needs. We also will start our money unit in math. This is a great time to have your child practice counting change.

Remember our schedule change for next week. We have specials first thing in the morning and the rest of the day is long. We have some fun things planned but continue to prepare your child for the changes!

Homework Preview

Please read with your child Monday through Thursday and fill out their reading log. Return the reading log and the spelling packet each Friday.

Spelling Words:

her fern

bird dirt

fur burn

fork corn

from beautiful

Bonus:

thirsty, furry, turtle

...Classroom News for You...

Yesterday I sent home a letter informing you of my grade change for next year. I am excited about this opportunity and hope that you are too. Please send back the bottom of the form indicating your wishes for next year as soon as possible. You do not have to fill out any other request form if your child plans to stay in my classroom for the 2010-2011 school year. Thank you

~UPCOMING EVENTS~

Apr 26^th-May 14^th Testing Schedule

May 18^th Election Day (No School)

May 31^st Memorial Day

SUMMER BIRTHDAYS!! If your child has a summer birthday that is NOT celebrated during the school year I am dedicating April to celebrate their days.

Specials Schedule:

Monday: Spanish

Tuesday: art

Wednesday: music/gym

*library checkout

Thursday: gym/music

Friday: computer

Smorstad's Scoop- April 16th

**WEEKLY SCOOP!**

This week we wrapped up our fairy tale unit. It always saddens me that it is over but I am excited to start animals next week. I know that are looking forward to getting back into the science books. In math we have been working on ordering numbers 1-100. It has been difficult for some students to find numbers on a hundreds chart. This is a good time to practice this skill!

If you would like to donate supplies to make outdoor learning possible I would love sidewalk chalk, large paint brushes, spray bottles, and buckets. Thanks for your help!!

...Classroom News for You...

Starting on April 26^th and lasting for three weeks our intermediate students will begin testing. Even though this does not involve first graders we will be having some changes. The major change in our day is that we will start our day with specials and then have the rest of the day in the classroom. It makes for a long day. Please start preparing your child for the schedule changes ahead. We try to do a lot of fun afternoon activities to help with long days!

Homework Preview

Please read with your child Monday through Thursday and fill out their reading log. Return the reading log and the spelling packet each Friday.

Spelling Words:

born corn

cork fork

horn pork

barn art

nothing thought

Bonus:

sport, suddenly, animal

~UPCOMING EVENTS~

May 18^th Election Day (No School)

May 31^st Memorial Day

SUMMER BIRTHDAYS!! If your child has a summer birthday that is NOT celebrated during the school year I am dedicating April to celebrate their days.

Specials Schedule:

Monday: art

Tuesday: music/gym

*library checkout

Wednesday: gym/music

Thursday: computer

Friday: library

Smorstad's Scoop- April 9th

**WEEKLY SCOOP!**

We had a great week back from spring break! It was wonderful to transition back to school with excellent weather. We were able to read outside for read to self and do word work outside with chalk. I would love to continue to do more outdoor activities as we get closer to the summer time. If you would like to donate supplies to make this possible I would love:

· sidewalk chalk

· large paint brushes

· spray bottles

· buckets

Thanks for your help!!

...Classroom News for You...

Our behavior management system has taken the final turn to prepare them for second grade. The system has not changed but our warning clips are not in place and students have to respond to verbal warnings. We gradually adjust to this, starting with three clips and going down to two, one, and now none. Some students have a difficult time adjusting to responding to a warning without removing a warning clip. It may take a bit to get used to this new plan but they will be ready for second grade!

Homework Preview

Please read with your child Monday through Thursday and fill out their reading log. Return the reading log and the spelling packet each Friday.

Spelling Words:

cart yarn

art right

barn by

arm better

harm children

Bonus:

discovery, start, flowers

~UPCOMING EVENTS~

May 18^th Election Day (No School)

May 31^st Memorial Day

SUMMER BIRTHDAYS!! If your child has a summer birthday that is NOT celebrated during the school year I am dedicating April to celebrate their days.

Specials Schedule:

Monday: music/gym

*library checkout

Tuesday: gym/music

Wednesday: computer

Thursday: library

Friday: Spanish