Happy Thanksgiving

There is so much to be thankful for this time of year.  I am thankful to share that I had 100% participation at conferences. I so enjoy talking to all of you and learning more about your child!
I am thankful for your kiddo!  I am very lucky that I have a job that involves such sweet kids with great hearts!  I am thankful to be a part of such a wonderful community. Truman is such a caring and kind environment.

As you relax and think about all that you are thankful for take a minute to hug your child a little closer. Be thankful that you have that minute with them.  You will blink and that minute will be gone.

A few things to remember before returning to school"
1. Please have a pencil at home for your kids to do their homework with. We are seeing a lot of crayons, markers, and pens.  They don't erase very well.
2. Please send warm clothes with your child and snow gear if needed.
3. Mrs. Smith's last day will be Dec. 13th. How will I ever do it without her?

Upcoming Events:
 Dec. 3rd - Half day
Dec. 6th - Awards Assembly 3/5 at 2:15.
Dec. 10th - I will be gone for a teacher training. Mrs. Lewis will be here.
Dec. 12th - Taft play
Dec. 18th - half day
Dec. 19th - Movie " Little House on the Prairie/Blizzard"
Dec. 20th - Winter Party - 3:00
Dec. 23- Jan. 1st - Winter break
Jan. 2nd - Return to school

Have a relaxed and family filled Thanksgiving! Thank you for all you do!!

Book Orders

Book orders are due this Friday, Nov. 15th.  Please let me know if this order is a holiday gift and I will contact you when it arrives.
Thanks!

Paramount Trip Tomorrow

We will be going to the Paramount Theater to listen to the symphony on Tuesday, November 12. We will leave at 9:10 and return around 11:00. We will be traveling by bus and we will eat lunch at school.

In reading the kids will be reading about different kinds of snakes next week.
 They will take the Topic 5 math test  While we are waiting for our next science kit to arrive the children will be reading  articles and watch news clips regarding the topic: Should students wear uniforms to school? with Mrs. S. during their science time.  Students will gather information regarding this topic and write their opinion using facts to support their side of the debate. This is a similar format to our new district reading test that was/will be shared with you at conferences.
We will continue to work on multiplying larger numbers in math. In writing we are working on drawing conclusions.  Our S.S. states and region unit is off and running. The kids have a lot to share about the regions and different states.
As I write this there is a lot of snow flying around outside. PLEASE make sure that your child has warm clothes on for recess!!  We still go out as long as the temperature is ok.


Upcoming Events:
Tuesday, November 12: Symphony 9:10-11:00, Conferences
Wednesday, November 13: Mrs. Hall Guidance lesson 2:45-3:10
Thursday, November 14: the author Nancy Carlson visits Truman, Conferences
November 25-29: No School
Wednesday, December 4: Early Dismissal 1:30
Friday, December 6: Awards Assembly, Pride Day, Winter Fun Night Dance 6-8

Conferences have started

The weather has taken a change and we have many kiddos that are still not wearing appropriate warm clothing for outdoor recess.  Please make sure that your child has warm clothing.  I know that it is often "not cool" to wear a hat and gloves but after the kids get cold enough they won't care how "cool" they look. :)
This week we are starting a new math unit.  The unit 4 math scores will be shared with you via email later today. We have started unit 5 in math which is multiplying by one digit numbers.  We have started taking a multiplication Tiger Test.  The class met their addition and subtraction Tiger Test goals for being 70% accurrate.  They actually were in the high  80-90%'s.
We are continuing working on drawing conclusions and inferencing in reading and reading groups. We have not met our goal on having all kids at mastery on finding the main idea and supporting details in a grade level passage so we are continuing to work on that in intervention. We have started learning how to write a compare/contrast paper.  This is the topic of our next writing assessment.

Mrs. Smith has started her full time teaching. She will be teaching until Dec. 4th.  I will still be in the room and working with kids much of the time. 

Report cards will be sent home today.  Conferences start tomorrow.  Please be mindful of the time so that everyone gets their "time with the teacher."  I still don't have all the parent conference questionaires returned.  I am using these as a way to make sure I have your questions answered and that we make sure we spend time talking about things that you have concerns/questions about.

Upcoming Events:
Monday, November 4:  From the Ground Up  2:15-3:00
Tuesday, November 5:  Report Cards sent home
Wednesday, November 6:  1:30 Early Dismissal, Conferences
Tuesday, November 12:  9:10 Symphony performance, Conferences
Thursday, November 14:  Conferences, author Nancy Carlson visiting Truman
Monday, November 25-29:  No School

Red Ribbon Week is Next Week

Here are the activities for Red Ribbon Week: ( Oct. 28th - Nov. 1st)

Monday - Wear sunglasses.. My future is so bright I have to wear shades
Tuesday- Wear hats.... Hats off to a drug free life
Wednesday - Wear sneakers... sneak away from drugs
Thursday - Wear your t-shirts backwards - Turn your back on drugs
Friday - Wear "Read" or red t-shirts ... Feed your brains.. don't harm them.

As the weather turns colder there are many children that are not wearing warm enough coats to school. Children WILL go outside as the temperature permits. There is no one to watch them at recess if they don't have a warm enough coat.

Golfing and More

          Your child has been an active participant in Physical Education, learning about golf as a great lifetime activity.  We have been hitting practice balls outside at Truman during P.E. classes, and our focus has been on correct technique, using a driver and an iron, as well as safety.  Students have also been able to practice putting while participating in a mini golf course that was set up around the library.  I was awarded a “Kids in the Community” grant that is paying for our field trip to Airport National on Friday October 25^th. Mrs. Sercu-Fredericks class will go from 9:15-12:00 and Mrs. Thompson’s class will go from 11:30-2:30.  Students will get an hour on the driving range as well as an hour on the mini golf course.  Classes will be eating lunch at school. Students need to dress warm, I recommend jeans/sweat pants, hooded sweatshirt, jacket, hat and mittens/gloves.  It is easier to take off items if the weather allows verses not having what you need to stay warm.  Students may also bring water bottles.  If you have any questions please contact me at lshaver@cr.k12.ia.us.

 

Miss Shaver

 

 

This week we will be working on main idea , character traits, and setting in reading.  Mrs. Smith has started to teach more and she is teaching reading and reading groups.

We took the Unit 3 math test. Your child's score will be sent to your email tomorrow.  Our next unit in math addition and subtraction of whole numbers. That would be "big" numbers.

The Master Gardeners came last Monday and will be coming for the next three Mondays. They are teaching the kids about plants and how they grow.

 

Thank you to all of our readers on Friday for America Reads Day.

Upcoming Events:
Monday, October 21:  From the Ground Up  2:15-3:00
Wednesday, October 23:  Early Dismissal 1:30
Friday, October 25:  Airport National Golf 9:15-12:00
Monday, October 28:  From the Ground Up  2:15-3:00
Thursday, October 31:  Fall Party 2:45-3:00  (No costumes and no parade)

 

Something to Keep in Mind

Our class is looking for donations of gum and wrapped candy for ticket rewards.  If you have some Halloween candy that your family won't eat we would appreciate the donation. I draw ticket winners daily.
Thanks!