Thursday, May 26, 2016

End of the Year and Summer

Below are some links that your child may enjoy to help them get motivated for summer reading~




 
 
 
Below is a GREAT opportunity for your child:
 

Please let any kids know about this wonderful opportunity if any of your students may be interested!  I'd love to have an Iowa student do this!  They need to be 10-14 years old.

How to Join the Scholastic News Kids Press Corps for the 2016-2017 School Year

The application process for the 2016-2017 Scholastic News Kids Press Corps is now OPEN!

In order to be considered, you must be between the ages of 10-14 (must be 10 years old by November 1, 2016) and complete an application, which includes writing a news story and an essay. 


Send your complete entry to:

Scholastic News Kids Press Corps/Apply
557 Broadway
New York, NY 10012-3999

All applications MUST be postmarked by September 23, 2016. NO LATE APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED!

Kid Reporters are chosen by Scholastic News Kids Press Corps editors, and the 2016-2017 Kid Reporter team will be announced in early November. 

Have questions about the application? Email kidspress@scholastic.com

About the Scholastic News Kids Press Corps
Members of the Scholastic News Kids Press Corps cover news stories for scholastic.com/news and select Scholastic classroom magazines. The program is open to all students ages 10-14 with a desire to be a journalist. The selection of Kid Reporters is based on writing ability, interviewing skills, and attention to detail.

 

APPLICATION FORM:


 

Thank you & Good Luck!

Michelle Simoneau

Book Fair Support

Scholastic Book Fairs – Mid America Region

Phone: 319-573-5830




 Monday, May 30:  No School
Tuesday, May 31:  Battle of the Books
Wednesday, June 1:  Report Cards sent home, Cherry Hill Park Picnic
Thursday, June 2:  Last day of school


Monday, May 23, 2016

Wax Museum and End of the Year Activities

Wax Museum

You are invited to attend our Wax Museum on Thursday, May 26 at 2:30-3:30 in the cafeteria and gym. Students did research about a person and they become that person by giving a speech summarizing their life. The Wax Museum is operated like an open house. Students from other classes will be visiting us as well.

Cherry Hill Park

We will be walking to Cherry Hill Park for a picnic on Wednesday, June 1st. We will leave school around 10:30 and return between 2:30 and 3:00.  Children will need to have a lunch and plenty to drink.  Please make sure that your child has applied sun screen before coming to school that day.
You are welcome to join us at the park.  We do NOT have a rain date.  If the weather is not cooperating we will be doing some activities at school.


Upcoming Events:
Thursday, May 26:  Wax Museum 2:30-3:30
Monday, May 30:  No School
Tuesday, May 31:  Battle of the Books
Wednesday, June 1:  Report Cards sent home, Cherry Hill Park Picnic
Thursday, June 2:  Last day of school

Thursday, May 19, 2016

Class Celebration

We have earned 2000 Tiger tickets!  The kids would like to have their celebration tomorrow.
They have picked pajama day, with a stuffed animal, movie, popcorn, and a junk snack.

Thursday, May 12, 2016

Awards Assembly

The awards assembly will be on Friday, May 20th.  Please check Mrs. Kuba's weekly email for the time.
There kids will be receiving an award from me.
Joshua
Alexia
Loeke
Faith
Kimmy
Maliyah
Mackenzie
Adrik
Cody K.
Mazzy
Ava
Joey
Marissa
Michiel
Dominic
Maddox
Cody S.
Sophia
Austin
Jeymar
Daijah

Monday, May 2, 2016

Fishing and Homework


 Fishing: We go on May 3rd in the afternoon.

Bring extra sweatshirts/jackets

Hats

Mittens/gloves


Everyone must wear jeans

 

Old shoes/boots.

 

If it looks like it is going to rain you might have kids bring extra clothes to change into.  Obviously, we will not be out if it is a down pour.

 

May bring snacks and plenty of drinks (no pop).
 
Children will NOT have homework this week. :)

Thursday, April 14, 2016

Upcoming Events and Tests

We are on the final stretch of the school year! With the warmer weather the kids are getting anxious for summer.  We had a "family meeting" this week and talked about how we have to finish strong and keep following the behavior expectations.

In reading we are working on reading non-fiction and writing a summary with text evidence.  All the books are based on ocean life.  We have been really working to cite text evidence that is relevant to the main idea. We continue to work on fluency and comprehension.  Our fluency goal is 154 correct words per minute.

Next MONDAY AND TUESDAY the children will be taking the state mandated reading test.  This is the "Fast" test that we report to you at conferences.  PLEASE have your child at school these two days! 
In math we are working on measurement ,capacity, and volume.  Children are working to recognize which measure to use in a given situation.  We are also working on conversions.

In Social Studies we will start our famous Iowan project next week.  Your child will be bringing home a paper with an at home project that will be due on May 6th.

Upcoming Events:
Fast testing - April 18th and 19th
Book orders due - April 18th
Family life - April 22nd
PTO Spring Event - April 24th
District Reading Test - April 25th
District English Language Arts test - Week of May 2nd
Fishing Trip - May 3rd in the afternoon
Social Studies project due - May 6th
District Math Assessment - Week of May 9th
Taft Play - May 12th
No school - May 13th
Hoover Field Trip - May 17th
Awards Assembly - May 20th
Memorial Day - May 30th
Battle of the Books - May 31st
Park Day - June 1st (no rain date)
Last Day of school - June 2nd (half day)

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Spring Carnival


 


Truman Spring Carnival Baskets

          

The Truman PTO will be sponsoring a Basket Raffle as part of the Spring Carnival activities on Sunday, April 24th.    We are asking that each student contribute something to create the basket.  Please consider donating a theme related item (some suggestions are listed below) or you may choose to give a small monetary donation to be used to purchase items for the basket.  All donations are to be given to your classroom teacher by Monday, April 18th.  You will have an opportunity to purchase raffle tickets for one dollar each the night of the carnival; these can be used to enter into the individual drawings to win the basket of your choice.
 
 

4th-5th grade - Let’s Bake/Foodie : cookbook, pot holders, cookie cutters, measuring cups, measuring spoons, muffin mix, cookie mix, rolling pin, baking pans, cake mix, frosting, spatula, apron, timer, bowl

Friday, April 1, 2016

The Week of April 4th

The kids had a great week!
 We completed the district writing prompt and I am pleased to see all of the great growth in writing and conventions. After checking their writing prompts I can tell that we still need to work on using transition words in our writing.
In reading we are reading informational non-fiction books and working on a graphic organizer so that they  are able to write a detailed paragraph about the big idea of the story. 
In math we continue to work on geometry.  The kids are doing a great job in Karate Math and are excelling on their levels.
Please remember that I will be gone all next week.  I will be attending a national swim meet that my daughter has qualified for.  Mrs. Snell will be here Monday - Thursday. On Friday the kids will have Mrs. Griffith. I am confidant that they will continue to be on their best behavior, like they always are.  
The Truman Spring Carnival is Sunday, April 24 at Planet X. Information was sent home regarding the raffle basket that 4th and 5th grade will sponsor.  Our theme is Let's Bake/Foodie. You may donate a theme related item, or you may choose to give a small monetary donation to be used to purchase items for the basket. Please turn in your donated item by Monday, April 18. You will have the opportunity to purchase raffle tickets for one dollar each the night of the carnival. The tickets can be used to enter into the individual drawings to win the basket of your choice. Suggested items for our basket is:  cookbook, pot holders, cookie cutters, measuring cups, measuring spoons, muffin mix, cookie mix, rolling pin, baking pans, cake mix, frosting, spatula, apron, timer, bowl.



Upcoming Events:
Monday, April 4:  K-1 Music Program at Taft 1:30-2:00. We will start to walk over around 1:15.
Wednesday, April 13:  1:30 Early Dismissal
Friday, April 22:  Family Life Presentation (Additional information will be sent closer to date.)
 at the end of the day.. (Additional information will be sent closer to date.)
Friday, May 6:  Pride Day
Thursday, May 12:  We will go to Taft to see a play 1:30-2:30. We will start to walk over around 1:15. Friday, May 13:  No School
Tuesday, May 17:  Hoover Museum (We will leave at 9:00 and return around 3:00. Additional information will be sent closer to the date.)
 
 
 
 
 

Thursday, March 24, 2016

Picture Day is Monday

The children had a great week at school! We have been busy adjusting to daylight savings time and getting back to a regular schedule.
Please welcome Deijah to our class. She joined our room Tuesday.
This week we worked on geometry in math. We measured angles and used academic vocabulary to categorize the angles.
In reading we are reading books on whales and working on writing a complete summary with good conventions.
We have started the Iowa unit in social studies. We have just finished era one which taught the kids how the land changed with glaciers.

Next week we will continue these things and take the district writing prompt.

My high school daughter has qualified to swim at the YMCA National Swim Meet in North Carolina.  It is a very huge accomplishment for her.  I will be attending this with her.  I will not be in school the week of April 4th.  Mrs. Snell will be here for me.  Some of your children had her as a substitute in first grade when Mrs. R. was on maternity leave.  I am NOT giving the children homework that week.

Upcoming events
Friday, March 25:  No School
Monday, March 28:  Spring Pictures
Wednesday, April 13:  1:30 Early Dismissal
Friday, April 22:  Family Life presentation (information will be sent closer to the date)

Monday, March 7, 2016

Science Week

I am so proud of how hard the kids worked on the Iowa Assessments! They were focused and determined the entire week!  Thank you to everyone who sent in things last Friday to help us celebrate the end of this test!
This week we will be doing mainly science.  Our unit is called Soil, Rocks, and Landforms. We will be exploring soil and different properties of rocks.
We are also going to be working on the region unit this week is Social Studies.

The children have earned a classroom celebration for their Tiger Tickets. I am planning a special afternoon for them.  Our school wide celebration is also that day and it will be sports day.. wear team jerseys etc.

Please have your child bring in 5 - 10 small to medium special rocks that they find outside.  Please do not send in collectable rocks as we are using them for our celebration.


Upcoming Events:
March 14-18:  Spring Break
Friday, March 25:  No School
Monday, March 28:  Spring Pictures
Friday, April 1:  Pride Day
Wednesday, April 13:  1:30 Early Dismissal

Thursday, February 25, 2016

Iowa Assessment Week

We are taking Iowa Assessment next week (Feb. 29th - March 4th). We will be testing every morning. Please have your child get a good night sleep and eat a good "brain boosting" breakfast.

THERE WILL NOT BE ANY HOMEWORK NEXT WEEK!  I told the kids their homework is to be ready to rock the assessments!

Please send in donations of gum and extra healthy snacks if you are able!
Upcoming Events:

Friday, February 26:  No School
Monday, February 29-March 11:  Iowa Assessments
Friday, March 4:  Pride Day
Monday, March 14-18:  Spring Break
Friday, March 25:  No School
Monday, March 28:  Spring Pictures

Thursday, February 18, 2016

Iowa Assessments


Dear 4th grade families,

Your student will be taking the Iowa Assessments on Monday, February 29th.  As you know these tests are very important!

As a class we have been practicing our skills and test taking strategies for weeks to prepare for this test.  The children have worked very hard and I am confident that they are ready to take the test!

There are a few areas that you could help me with during this week:

1.       Please have your child to school daily and on time.  We will be testing every day from 9:00 – 10:30.

2.       Please make sure that your child is getting enough rest.  A tired child does not test well.

3.       Please encourage your child to eat a hearty breakfast. The brain needs food!

4.       Please encourage your child with little notes, high fives, or a “you can do it” daily.

5.       Please ask your child how they felt like the testing went each day! If a kiddo has anxiety about the test this will allow them the opportunity to talk about it.

I would like to have some extra snacks on hand so if a child comes to school hungry they can have a quick snack before testing.

I am looking for donations of extra snacks so that I can have them to offer to the kids.  Even dry cereal would be great!

Research shows that chewing gum helps with focus so I am also looking for donations of sugar free gum.  I will be having the children chew gum during testing.

 

After everyone has completed testing we are planning on having a celebration of our learning!  More information will be coming about that!

Thanks for all you do!

Mrs. Thompson
Upcoming Events:
Tuesday, February 23:  Grades 2/3 music program at Taft 2:00 (we will be walking over)
Friday, February 26:  No School
Monday, February 29-March 11:  Iowa Assessments
Friday, March 4:  Pride Day
Monday, March 14-18:  Spring Break
Friday, March 25:  No School
Monday, March 28:  Spring Pictures
 

Thursday, February 4, 2016

Conferences, Glow Dance, and Illness

Conference night begins tonight at 4:00.  I will also be holding conferences on Tuesday, Feb. 9th.  A hard copy of the conference schedule was sent home last week.  Please be sure to attend your child's conference so that we can celebrate all of the wonderful growth that he/she has made.

The Truman Glow Dance is Friday, February 5 from 6-8p.m. Information was sent home Friday regarding this event. Pizza, pop, water, dessert for $2 will be available. Please bring a canned food or nonperishable food item for admission. Students must be accompanied by an adult. Desserts are needed and if you are able to bring 2 dozen individually wrapped desserts, they can be dropped off at school on Friday.

Our room is doing a lot of sniffling, coughing, and sneezing!  We continue to Lysol our desks and wash our hands.  Please help your child stay healthy but getting them to bed at a decent time and having them wear warm clothes to school. (especially for recess)



Thursday, February 4:  Conferences 4-8
Friday, February 5:  Pride Day, Truman Glow Dance 6-8pm
Tuesday, February 9:  Conferences 4-8
Wednesday, February 10:  1:30 Early Dismissal
Friday, February 12:  Valentine Party 3:00-3:30
Friday, February 26:  No School
March 1-March 11:  Iowa Assessments (Please try not to schedule appointments during this time.)
Friday, March 4:  Pride Day

Friday, January 29, 2016

Valentine's Day List



Mrs. Thompson’s Class List for Valentines

Your child does not have to bring in Valentine’s Day cards if they don’t want to. However, if they do bring them in please bring in enough for the entire class.  You may put candy on them but the kids will not be allowed to eat the candy at school.

Joshua

Alexia

Loeke

Faith

Kimmy

Maliyah

Mackenzie

Adrik

Cody K.

Mazzy

Ava

Joey

Marissa

Michiel

Dominic

Maddox

Cody S.

Sophia

Austin

Jeymar

Mrs. Thompson

Monday, January 11, 2016

Reward Party

The class has earned 2000 Tiger tickets and has voted to celebrate with "electronics day."
We will have this celebration on Friday, Jan. 15th at the end of the day.
I will have Surface Pros reserved for the kids or they may bring in an electronic device. I will lock these in my closet.

Music Program and Conferences

The 4th and 5th graders will have their music program on January 21st at 6:30 at Taft.  Please have your child wear nice clothing.

You may begin to sign up for your child's conferences by going to the Truman Website.  A portion of this conference will be student led.  There are a limited number of evening hours so please sign up soon if you need an evening time.  Your child will need to attend this conference with you.

We continue to work on long division in math.  Most have mastered this concept. I have contacted the families of the kids that need more practice so that we can work together to have your child learn this skill.
We will begin the district math testing today and I will have those results at conferences.
Most children still need to learn their multiplication facts fluently.  PLEASE have your child practicing at home.

We are finishing up our Historical Fiction unit which relates to our Social Studies Great Depression unit.  The children have been working on a Great Depression power point and are very interested in the time period.  We will begin our science unit of rocks and minerals as soon as we finish up the Great Depression.
Our class won the winter reading challenge.  Each child was able to pick a book from our current book order as a prize.  Just a reminder that the book orders are due on Friday, Jan. 8th.
The week of Jan. 19th we will be doing the state FAST testing. This is the reading test.  Please make sure that your child is at school on time and well rested.

Upcoming Events:
Monday, January 18:  No School for students
Thursday, January 21:  4-5 Music Program at Taft 6:30
Thursday, January 28:  Report Cards sent home
Thursday, February 4:  Conferences
Friday, February 5:  Pride Day
Tuesday, February 9:  Conferences
Wednesday, February 10:  1:30 Early Dismissal
Friday, February 12:  Valentine's Day Party 3:00