August 30, 2013 Dear Families, In an effort to “go green” this year, I will be posting information about our classroom activities, classroom assignments and homework on this classroom blog. When you visit the blog, please sign up to follow by email and become a follower. The blog is set up so that if information is posted on the blog, you will receive an email between 5pm and 7pm that day. If you are not able to access the blog and would like to receive information regarding our classroom, homework and assignments in another way, please let me know. I would also like to set up a system to email all the parents in the classroom and will use the email address you sent in on the school information packet. If there is a different email address you would like time to use, please let me know as soon as possible. I will still be sending home important information for you in the Friday folder. We had a great first week and all of your children are wonderful. We have been participating in many Positive Behavior and Intervention Supports (PBIS) activities and teambuilding activities. Students have been building up their silent reading stamina and we have started our first class read, No Talking, by Andrew Clements. In math, we are spending time reviewing math operations and making sure students have a solid command of their facts. Practicing math facts with flash cards is a great way to help your child work on their facts. 6th graders should have complete mastery of their multiplication skills. We will begin our first science unit, Bubbleology and The Scientific Process, next week. I want to give a huge thank-you to all the parents who volunteered to drive students to Spruce Mountain next Friday, September 6th, for our class hike. Please be at school by 9am on Friday, September 6th. We will leave shortly after attendance is taken and head out to the mountain. We will be back by 3:35 for busses. Cross your collective fingers for good weather. I will be sending home information about what students should bring/wear for the hike next week. I am excited about this year and all the students seem eager to learn and are putting their best foot forward all the time. Have a splendid holiday weekend. Ellen Knoedler