It is my sincere hope that you will bookmark this blog and visit it regularly! It will provide you with a virtual "glimpse" into our school day and alert you to important information such as homework assignments, upcoming events and strategies we learn. Please feel free to leave questions and comments on the blog or email me at dana_c_holman@mcpsmd.org.
As I told your children this morning, the first day is always crazy, busy and can get kind of boring! The students spent a lot of time learning about routines and procedures...this is a necessary evil that ensures they know the expectations so that we can have a fabulous year!
So...let's find out what your children did all day...
The day began with a visit to the media center! Mrs. Rose and Mrs. Dodson reviewed their expectations and the students had a chance to check out books.
When they returned to class, the children learned and practiced the morning routine.Additionally, I taught the procedures for needing a new pencil, going to the bathroom, and getting a tissue.
Next, we set up our morning work and math journals. Then we completed our first math warm up and reviewed how to identify numbers as odd or even using the virtual manipulative web site. As a review, to identify any number as odd or even, you look at the digit in the ones column. If that digit is 1, 3, 5, 7, or 9, the entire number is odd. If the digit in the ones column is 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8, the entire number is even.
Next, I introduced the concept of math rotations, as well as the issue bin. This year in math instruction will take place in small groups. The class will be divided into three separate groups. These groups will change, often, during the year. The groups will rotate between meeting with me, a seat work type of written activity and some sort of hands-on/technology related activity. Activities will be described daily on the blog. The issue bin is a tool the students will use when they need my help but I am busy with a small group. Students can write their "issue" on a post-it note and I will help them when I am available.
Finally, before going to lunch and recess, the students continued working on their students survey, which they began for morning work. Those who completed it, had the chance to share it with me and some of their classmates.
Following lunch and recess, time just flew!! We began by reviewing the school expectations during a fire drill. After that we practiced what we had learned during our first fire drill of the school year.
Next we organized the students' binders. In short, when you open your child's binder, the pencil pouch should be on top. Below that is the planner and then the green take home folder. Underneath that is where unused notebook paper is stored. Finally, the dividers, and eventually, students work, will be kept in the following order; math, reading, writing, science and social studies.
We ended the day by preparing for our tables which will arrive this evening. Each student received a "folder holder" to store their composition books. Supplies, such as pencils, erasers, glue sticks, etc. are to be stored in pencil pouches or in the communal tin which will be located in the middle of each table.
Finally, students wrote their homework in their planners (or on a copy of the planner) and papers were distributed, that need to be brought home this evening. HOMEWORK: read for 20 minutes and visit the blog at mhtg.blogspot.com (here!!) PAPERS: Green Back to School PTA folder, lunch menu and a welcome letter (without schedule on the back) from me
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