It has been awhile since I have babbled on. But with three-day weekends and a virulent respiratory flu hitting most of us, including myself, I think this is okay. In technology some students are independently researching an animal that I hope will turn into a keynote presentation on this site. In ELA class we are finalizing our exploration of folktales and writing summaries with responses to the text. In ELD we are now playing academic vocabulary games to engage students in more complex verbalization and prepare them for the new common core curriculum standards that expect higher level critical thinking and communication. In math we are starting fractions. In all classes we are attempting a new approach to teaching and learning which includes clear objectives, modeling, think time, share time, and showing understanding time for every student. All teachers at Nuffer want all students to succeed and never give up. Soon it will be report card conference time. Please let me know if you want to meet and discuss your child's progress.
Well, the nasty upper respiratory flu hit me like a boxer being knocked out. I am back to my rapping and getting fitter by the breath. In ELA we are continuing to explorie folktales from different cultures and applying story element knowledge to them. In addition, we are comparing and contrasting stories, and we are thinking about how would these stories change if the ending changed. In math we are measuring anything and everything with nonstandard and standard tools, paper clips to rulers. In ELD we are still singing and performing our little hearts out. Finally, I have been busy absorbing our new ELA Common Core Standards to which our District is transitioning.
I found out that I need to use School Tunes instead of I Tunes for our school network. I appreciate Ms. Veronica for helping me.
I am ill with bronchitis but still thought it important to communicate to you. We are starting to study folktales. Compare and contrast of different stories from different cultures and story's purpose is our focus. In math we are plodding ahead; we just finished the math benchmark assessment for trimester 2. At least we experienced all that was on the test unlike trimester 1. I hope everyone is staying semi-dry and well. "If you have good thoughts it will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely." -Roald Dahl
Today, I spent some time telling my students how much I missed them and love teaching them. They were so very well-behaved on the carpet listening to me. We went right back into the swing of things with personal narrative writing, ar-controlled vowel words, and review of money math. In ELD we told our Christmas stories using complete sentences. We listened to Granny Annie rapping away at the end of the day while we practiced writing our spelling words. Two new students joined us today. It was a joy to welcome them to our class. Happy New Year to all and may we be healthy and find tranquility and balance.
Rain brings students sequestered inside. This is the final week of school in 2012. We are pursuing academic knowledge even though visions of sugarplums dance in our heads. A happy holiday season to all and to all a goodbye! I'll be in Chicago visiting my sister, so my writings will not ramble away until after the first week in January.
Parent/teacher conferences are in full swing this week. In second grade we are starting to investigate more informational texts and beginning narrative writing. Our entire school is participating in writing objectives that include content, behavior, and assessment. Our students are receiving intense intervention to help them succeed. Soon our grade level will have a singing teacher. My students love songs! Soon it will be winter break. I know I am looking forward to spending time with family. For me it is Hanukkah to celebrate this week. But I wish all a Feliz Navidad, Happy Christmas to all and to all a good night. Oops that's Charles Dickens!
I wish more students had finished their haiku poems, but those whose works are on this site did an awesome job. Also, the students are highly motivated to use our class set of i-pads. What a wonderful world this is!
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AuthorMs. Peggy Horwitz Archives
July 2014
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