Hello Parents and Students,
I am excited to be starting my 3rd year here at Hunter Elementary and my 9th year of teaching. While every year is different I am happy to see many familiar faces as your students and I have all risen into the Third Grade.
There are many changes afoot this year such as your student having a Basics 1 (B1) and Basics 2 (B2) class where they will switch teachers to a variety of new electives. Please be sure to check the gold "Monday Folder" each day for new information from the school and all of us teachers. I will relay information to you as soon as I get it but for the first few days of school there will be so much information coming home that it will be necessary for your child to bring home their "Monday Folder" daily. It is my hope that this will prevent information overload.
Big things to keep in mind...
*No School on September 3rd
*Open House is September 10th! It starts with a PTA Meeting at 5:30 followed by K-2 Open House from 6:00-7:10 and 3-5 Open House from 7:10-8:00. There will be a CogAt Information Meeting at 8pm.
If you need to reach me for anything feel free to email me at gharvey@wcpss.net. You can also follow us on Twitter at HarveyHeroes.
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Monday, June 4, 2012
Last Week of School!
Hello Parents & Heroes,
It is with bittersweet emotions that I write the last blog of the year. We have walked down the Second Grade academic year together and as we all prepare to journey toward our first year in 3rd Grade there are a few things to keep in mind. This summer, it is important that everyone continue to read at home and practice their math facts. Next year, we will all be learning multiplication (through the twelves tables) and the firmer our foundation in addition and subtraction the better we will all achieve. Secondly, we will all be learning cursive next year which is daunting enough. It is vital that we all keep a journal (or diary) over the summer so that we can continue to improve the quality of our work. Each sentence that we write must have a subject (noun), a verb (action) and at least two adjectives. Each paragraph must be indented. We have successfully done this all year and I know that we can continue to do this over the summer break.
Next year we will all face challenges...more homework, more tests, more projects. It will be difficult but remind your student that all challenges must be met with courage and perseverance. A little bit of work each day this summer (20-30minutes) will yield great rewards next fall. Every student is receiving a packet of assignments to help them become stronger students for next year. Please encourage them to work at them. Otherwise, next year will be fraught with more challenges.
Thank you all for helping to make this such a wonderful year! I look forward to seeing you all next fall at the Open House! Have a terrific summer!
-Mr. H
Important Announcements
*Thursday is the last day of school, please do not come to school on Friday
*Camp Day is on Thursday. Please make sure to send in all supplies by then.
*Wednesday is the Talent Show from 1-3pm in the gym. Any parents that wish to attend should plan on being at school by 12:50pm.
*The Spelling Bee is Tuesday at 12:30 in the Library. The students competing are: Ellia Jones, Genesis Covington, Darius McCleod, Amy Joo, Will Ellyson, & Noah Anderson. Our alternate is Eve Medvetz. Parents that wish to attend should arrive at school by 12:20 so that they can be seated.
*Math Day was today. Be sure to ask your child how they liked going to 3rd Grade and meeting some of their future teachers.
*Report Cards go home on Thursday. Please be sure to look over them with your child. I am truly proud of all of the students progress this year! Every student has made at least one years progress in their reading ability. Please be sure to give your child a hug and tell them how proud you are of them.
It is with bittersweet emotions that I write the last blog of the year. We have walked down the Second Grade academic year together and as we all prepare to journey toward our first year in 3rd Grade there are a few things to keep in mind. This summer, it is important that everyone continue to read at home and practice their math facts. Next year, we will all be learning multiplication (through the twelves tables) and the firmer our foundation in addition and subtraction the better we will all achieve. Secondly, we will all be learning cursive next year which is daunting enough. It is vital that we all keep a journal (or diary) over the summer so that we can continue to improve the quality of our work. Each sentence that we write must have a subject (noun), a verb (action) and at least two adjectives. Each paragraph must be indented. We have successfully done this all year and I know that we can continue to do this over the summer break.
Next year we will all face challenges...more homework, more tests, more projects. It will be difficult but remind your student that all challenges must be met with courage and perseverance. A little bit of work each day this summer (20-30minutes) will yield great rewards next fall. Every student is receiving a packet of assignments to help them become stronger students for next year. Please encourage them to work at them. Otherwise, next year will be fraught with more challenges.
Thank you all for helping to make this such a wonderful year! I look forward to seeing you all next fall at the Open House! Have a terrific summer!
-Mr. H
Important Announcements
*Thursday is the last day of school, please do not come to school on Friday
*Camp Day is on Thursday. Please make sure to send in all supplies by then.
*Wednesday is the Talent Show from 1-3pm in the gym. Any parents that wish to attend should plan on being at school by 12:50pm.
*The Spelling Bee is Tuesday at 12:30 in the Library. The students competing are: Ellia Jones, Genesis Covington, Darius McCleod, Amy Joo, Will Ellyson, & Noah Anderson. Our alternate is Eve Medvetz. Parents that wish to attend should arrive at school by 12:20 so that they can be seated.
*Math Day was today. Be sure to ask your child how they liked going to 3rd Grade and meeting some of their future teachers.
*Report Cards go home on Thursday. Please be sure to look over them with your child. I am truly proud of all of the students progress this year! Every student has made at least one years progress in their reading ability. Please be sure to give your child a hug and tell them how proud you are of them.
Monday, May 14, 2012
Hello Parents & Students!
Can you believe that Memorial Day is in EXACTLY TWO WEEKS! It seems like the end of the year is upon us! However, there is still so much more to do! This week we are wrapping up our research on our Famous Americans. By the end of the week your child should have a brightly colored (large) index card with their finished speech. I hope that your student will be able to memorize their speech and really make it pop. They have worked so hard on this all I want if for them to have a little fun with it. As I stated before, we will be sharing our speeches with the First Grade on May 30th & Kindergarten on May 31st before presenting it to you all the 31st of May.
Last week, we finished reading We Can't All Be Rattlesnakes which was a comical story told from the perspective of a captive Gopher Snake. Your student was asked to explain many higher level concepts such as "Is it better to be a Gopher Snake in the wild or captive?" and "Do you think that animals from different species can really coexist?" I was floored by some of the creative and unexpected answers I received such as "It's better to be free in the wild than have everything you need and be a pet. Having someone make all the decisions for you isn't fun especially if you were born free," I also thought it was interesting how several students supported their answer for the question regarding different species based on interactions that they have had with their pets such as dogs/cats living in harmony. That is one thing I love about the new core curriculum, it makes you asks questions that you may think students will have difficulty with but then you see how observant kids really are realize how much they already know.
This week and next week we are reading Tuck Everlasting as our read aloud book. In it, we will examine how the characters and community of TreeGap have changed and haven't through the course of the book. Then, we'll examine a little closer some of the ways that Raleigh has changed. I'm hoping that we'll be able to fit in a Venn Diagram or two and explore a few higher level thinking questions too. Be prepared for some interesting questions and comments around the dinner table. Please be sure to sign off on the back of the sheet each night so that your child gets credit. Remember, you child only has to record one answer in writing on the back.
Our Math extension groups have wrapped for the year. During the rest of the year all of the Harvey's Heroes will be back in the saddle in my room. We will continue to explore fractions, word problems, and problem solving strategies so that your child will be a strong student next year. The 4th Quarter Math Assessment will be coming up next week (before the Memorial Day Weekend). That way once we're back I'll be able to remediate and extend all the students who need it.
That is about all that I have to say. If you have any questions then please feel free to email me or contact me at school. As always, I can be reached at Gharvey@wcpss.net. Have a terrific week and be sure to turn in those IMax movie forms. They cannot be accepted after Friday, May 18th.
**Don't Forget***
Can you believe that Memorial Day is in EXACTLY TWO WEEKS! It seems like the end of the year is upon us! However, there is still so much more to do! This week we are wrapping up our research on our Famous Americans. By the end of the week your child should have a brightly colored (large) index card with their finished speech. I hope that your student will be able to memorize their speech and really make it pop. They have worked so hard on this all I want if for them to have a little fun with it. As I stated before, we will be sharing our speeches with the First Grade on May 30th & Kindergarten on May 31st before presenting it to you all the 31st of May.
Last week, we finished reading We Can't All Be Rattlesnakes which was a comical story told from the perspective of a captive Gopher Snake. Your student was asked to explain many higher level concepts such as "Is it better to be a Gopher Snake in the wild or captive?" and "Do you think that animals from different species can really coexist?" I was floored by some of the creative and unexpected answers I received such as "It's better to be free in the wild than have everything you need and be a pet. Having someone make all the decisions for you isn't fun especially if you were born free," I also thought it was interesting how several students supported their answer for the question regarding different species based on interactions that they have had with their pets such as dogs/cats living in harmony. That is one thing I love about the new core curriculum, it makes you asks questions that you may think students will have difficulty with but then you see how observant kids really are realize how much they already know.
This week and next week we are reading Tuck Everlasting as our read aloud book. In it, we will examine how the characters and community of TreeGap have changed and haven't through the course of the book. Then, we'll examine a little closer some of the ways that Raleigh has changed. I'm hoping that we'll be able to fit in a Venn Diagram or two and explore a few higher level thinking questions too. Be prepared for some interesting questions and comments around the dinner table. Please be sure to sign off on the back of the sheet each night so that your child gets credit. Remember, you child only has to record one answer in writing on the back.
Our Math extension groups have wrapped for the year. During the rest of the year all of the Harvey's Heroes will be back in the saddle in my room. We will continue to explore fractions, word problems, and problem solving strategies so that your child will be a strong student next year. The 4th Quarter Math Assessment will be coming up next week (before the Memorial Day Weekend). That way once we're back I'll be able to remediate and extend all the students who need it.
That is about all that I have to say. If you have any questions then please feel free to email me or contact me at school. As always, I can be reached at Gharvey@wcpss.net. Have a terrific week and be sure to turn in those IMax movie forms. They cannot be accepted after Friday, May 18th.
**Don't Forget***
- IMax "To the Arctic" is next Thursday, 24th. We are leaving at 9:20am and will be back in time for lunch. Please make sure that your child is on time to school.
- Field Day will be in Tuesday, May 29th.
- Electives end this Wednesday.
- ArtPlosure is Saturday in Moore Square. It is a great time where kids can see local artists, create items, and see the huge sandsculpture that is created every year in Moore Square. It's free so mark it on your calendar! Here's the link: http://www.artsplosure.org/artsplosure2012/index.html
- Lego is also having a thing at the NR Hilton (on Wake Forest Rd). This event is not free but you can find more information about it at: http://events.triangle.com/raleigh_nc/events/show/248388544-help-lego-builder-dan-parker-build-a-6foot-wide-lego-deathstar-see-a-huge-hall-filled-with-custom-lego-creations-see-top-secr
Monday, May 7, 2012
May 7th-11th
Hello Parents & Students,
I hope that everyone had a terrific Cinco de Mayo! Your child should have reminded you of a few reasons that this holiday is celebrated (think Battle of Puebla). Just like last week, we will be revved up to cover a lot of information in only a little bit of time. We've only got another 22 days of school left but there is still several assessments that must be done as well as Muffins for Mom (this Friday @ 8:45am in the courtyard). Electives are winding up and will conclude on May 24th! Please also stay tuned for announcements about FIeld Day which is slated to be on Tuesday, May 29th.
Reading/Writing-We are working on our research projects this week and all of next week. Our finished projects have to be completed by May 29th so that we are ready for our Wax Museum Test Runs! We will be presenting our Wax Museum for First Grade on May 30th & Kindergarten on May 31st. The "Tour de Force" presentation will be on Friday, June 1st. This alligns with our curriculum in that your child is reading a variety of literary sources and generating a report in their own words.
Math-We have wrapped up our Mini-Unit on 3-D shapes and Measurement and now we are on to Fractions! The most common fractions that students see in 2nd grade are 1/2, 1/3, 1/4, as well as 2/3, 3/3, 2/4, 3/4, 4/4. In the next two weeks I will be helping your child to see the relationships between the numerator/denominator of the fractions as well as solve word problems involving fractions. It is vital that your child have a firm foundation of these skills so that they are able to thrive next year. Some of the students will be exposed to LCD (least common demoniator) as a problem solving strategy. This skill can be difficult if your child does not have a firm number sense (what numbers add up to, how they relate to each other) so please be sure to practice this at night!
Science-Do you hear sobs? Perhaps sniffles, and the cascading of tears falling on the hot pavement outside? If you do...it's because we have wrapped up our Unit on Sound. We played with cork-board guitars, examined pitch through creating pan flutes, how wind creates sound using wind-chimes & poppers, as well as many other fun and creative labs. However, the time is now up and we are moving onward to Social Studies again/ However, don't cry to hard...there will be a few science experiments (easy ones I promise) coming home over the next few weeks and during the summer to help keep your son/daughters' skills sharp.
Social Studies-We are beginning to look at communities across various regions of America and the globe. Your child should be able to identify and describe people, vegetation, and animal life that is specific to certain regions around the world as well as be able to explain how their are interconnected. Local and World news has a variety of nonfiction articles about communities around the world. Please consider reading some of these with your child so that they are a. exposed to various cultures b. can build their schema c. be exposed to NonFiction text.
Etc, etc...
*North American Market was today and it was great! I hope that your child tells you all about the deals they found and what they learned. There were many great bargains and it was exciting to see all the entrepenurs around Hunter.
*Elective end on the 16th! However, Orchestra kids...please keep playing those instruments over the summer...practice makes perfect:)
*Dads, Mother's Day is THIS SUNDAY. I've told your student to remind you.
*ArtPlosure is next Saturday in Moore Square. It is a great time where kids can see local artists, create items, and see the huge sandsculpture that is created every year in Moore Square. It's free so mark it on your calendar! Here's the link:
http://www.artsplosure.org/artsplosure2012/index.html
**Lego is also having a thing at the NR Hilton (on Wake Forest Rd). This event is not free but you can find more information about it at http://events.triangle.com/raleigh_nc/events/show/248388544-help-lego-builder-dan-parker-build-a-6foot-wide-lego-deathstar-see-a-huge-hall-filled-with-custom-lego-creations-see-top-secr
Have a terrific week!
Mr. H
I hope that everyone had a terrific Cinco de Mayo! Your child should have reminded you of a few reasons that this holiday is celebrated (think Battle of Puebla). Just like last week, we will be revved up to cover a lot of information in only a little bit of time. We've only got another 22 days of school left but there is still several assessments that must be done as well as Muffins for Mom (this Friday @ 8:45am in the courtyard). Electives are winding up and will conclude on May 24th! Please also stay tuned for announcements about FIeld Day which is slated to be on Tuesday, May 29th.
Reading/Writing-We are working on our research projects this week and all of next week. Our finished projects have to be completed by May 29th so that we are ready for our Wax Museum Test Runs! We will be presenting our Wax Museum for First Grade on May 30th & Kindergarten on May 31st. The "Tour de Force" presentation will be on Friday, June 1st. This alligns with our curriculum in that your child is reading a variety of literary sources and generating a report in their own words.
Math-We have wrapped up our Mini-Unit on 3-D shapes and Measurement and now we are on to Fractions! The most common fractions that students see in 2nd grade are 1/2, 1/3, 1/4, as well as 2/3, 3/3, 2/4, 3/4, 4/4. In the next two weeks I will be helping your child to see the relationships between the numerator/denominator of the fractions as well as solve word problems involving fractions. It is vital that your child have a firm foundation of these skills so that they are able to thrive next year. Some of the students will be exposed to LCD (least common demoniator) as a problem solving strategy. This skill can be difficult if your child does not have a firm number sense (what numbers add up to, how they relate to each other) so please be sure to practice this at night!
Science-Do you hear sobs? Perhaps sniffles, and the cascading of tears falling on the hot pavement outside? If you do...it's because we have wrapped up our Unit on Sound. We played with cork-board guitars, examined pitch through creating pan flutes, how wind creates sound using wind-chimes & poppers, as well as many other fun and creative labs. However, the time is now up and we are moving onward to Social Studies again/ However, don't cry to hard...there will be a few science experiments (easy ones I promise) coming home over the next few weeks and during the summer to help keep your son/daughters' skills sharp.
Social Studies-We are beginning to look at communities across various regions of America and the globe. Your child should be able to identify and describe people, vegetation, and animal life that is specific to certain regions around the world as well as be able to explain how their are interconnected. Local and World news has a variety of nonfiction articles about communities around the world. Please consider reading some of these with your child so that they are a. exposed to various cultures b. can build their schema c. be exposed to NonFiction text.
Etc, etc...
*North American Market was today and it was great! I hope that your child tells you all about the deals they found and what they learned. There were many great bargains and it was exciting to see all the entrepenurs around Hunter.
*Elective end on the 16th! However, Orchestra kids...please keep playing those instruments over the summer...practice makes perfect:)
*Dads, Mother's Day is THIS SUNDAY. I've told your student to remind you.
*ArtPlosure is next Saturday in Moore Square. It is a great time where kids can see local artists, create items, and see the huge sandsculpture that is created every year in Moore Square. It's free so mark it on your calendar! Here's the link:
http://www.artsplosure.org/artsplosure2012/index.html
**Lego is also having a thing at the NR Hilton (on Wake Forest Rd). This event is not free but you can find more information about it at http://events.triangle.com/raleigh_nc/events/show/248388544-help-lego-builder-dan-parker-build-a-6foot-wide-lego-deathstar-see-a-huge-hall-filled-with-custom-lego-creations-see-top-secr
Have a terrific week!
Mr. H
Monday, April 23, 2012
April 23rd-27th
Hello Parents & Students,
Welcome to another glorious week of school. Please keep in mind that this Friday is an Early Release! We will dismiss at 1:15pm. For all of you that were able to make it out to Hunter Heritage...THANK YOU! It was a profound success and everyone I talked to had only positive and encouraging things to say. The Second Grade Team and myself especially enjoyed all the kids who came out to dunk us!
This week in....
Reading/Writing-We are continuing to work on researching our Famous Americans (for our Wax Museum projects). Please be sure to turn in those forms so that I know what person your child is researching. In addition, we are also going to researching reptiles this week. In our Read Aloud, we have begun reading We Can't All Be Rattlesnakes which is a hilarious adventure story featuring...you guessed it, a snake. However this snake is a Gopher Snake and not a Rattlesnake. In class we are discussing the similarities between these reptiles and working to create visual aids (Venn Diagrams) to show what we have learned. This week should be a lot of fun!
Math-In Math we have jumped back into another unit of measuring. This time we are working in the metric system as well our United States Customary Units. Today we made decimeter rulers and tomorrow...well the sky is the limit. This is a mini-unit though so do not be surprised when we start a new topic next week! I also wanted to thank all the parents who ensured that their students corrected any mistakes on their students' last quiz. Second grade students have to demonstrate mastery with addition/subtraction of two and three digit numbers for the Third Grade. With continued support I know that every students will be successful.
Science-Your son or daughter is learning about hertz, decibels, and various other sound terms. We have played with a dog whistle and have a few more sounds experiments up our sleeves. Be on the lookout for some wacky homework Tuesday night involving Science & sounds.
FYI...
*Early Release on Friday
* Green Picnic on Friday
*Field-Trip to Duke Homestead next
Wednesday!
**Parent Chaperone's are WELCOME and APPRECIATED!
Welcome to another glorious week of school. Please keep in mind that this Friday is an Early Release! We will dismiss at 1:15pm. For all of you that were able to make it out to Hunter Heritage...THANK YOU! It was a profound success and everyone I talked to had only positive and encouraging things to say. The Second Grade Team and myself especially enjoyed all the kids who came out to dunk us!
This week in....
Reading/Writing-We are continuing to work on researching our Famous Americans (for our Wax Museum projects). Please be sure to turn in those forms so that I know what person your child is researching. In addition, we are also going to researching reptiles this week. In our Read Aloud, we have begun reading We Can't All Be Rattlesnakes which is a hilarious adventure story featuring...you guessed it, a snake. However this snake is a Gopher Snake and not a Rattlesnake. In class we are discussing the similarities between these reptiles and working to create visual aids (Venn Diagrams) to show what we have learned. This week should be a lot of fun!
Math-In Math we have jumped back into another unit of measuring. This time we are working in the metric system as well our United States Customary Units. Today we made decimeter rulers and tomorrow...well the sky is the limit. This is a mini-unit though so do not be surprised when we start a new topic next week! I also wanted to thank all the parents who ensured that their students corrected any mistakes on their students' last quiz. Second grade students have to demonstrate mastery with addition/subtraction of two and three digit numbers for the Third Grade. With continued support I know that every students will be successful.
Science-Your son or daughter is learning about hertz, decibels, and various other sound terms. We have played with a dog whistle and have a few more sounds experiments up our sleeves. Be on the lookout for some wacky homework Tuesday night involving Science & sounds.
FYI...
*Early Release on Friday
* Green Picnic on Friday
*Field-Trip to Duke Homestead next
Wednesday!
**Parent Chaperone's are WELCOME and APPRECIATED!
Monday, April 16, 2012
April 16th-20th
Hello Parents and Students,
This week we are celebrating the 85th Anniversary of Lucille Hunter GT Magnet Elementary School! Spirit Week will be happening all week so please be sure to participate. Today was "Plant a Tree Day" where one lucky 2nd Grader got to help plant a tree to celebrate Hunter Elementary. Tomorrow is "Exhibit Day" and Wednesday is "Alumni Day." Please read the blue sheet in your Monday Folder to learn more about those days. Thursday offers an opportunity for your child to dress up as a student in any decade since the 1920's, so whip out those bowler hats and flapper dresses or the bell-bottoms and big hair. Thursday will be a lot of fun, but it's always more fun with YOUr participation. Finally, on Friday please make sure to wear your "Hunter T-Shirt" and to attend the "Hunter Heritage" event from 5:30-7:30pm. I'll be in the dunking booth 5:25-5:40pm but don't feel like you have to come that early. Mrs. Tympkin, Mrs. Baird (formerly Dew), Ms. Durizch, and many others will be there after me so why not dunk them instead? Let's have a great week and if you need anything please email me!
Sincerely,
Mr. H
Top News
*Mr. Harvey's Math Students will be having their Unit 11 Math Test on Thursday. Please make sure that your student is well-rested and ready to achieve success.
*Report Cards have gone home today. There were some issues with the system losing the comments so each report card that was affected (the later half of the class) will be recieving a word document stapled to the report cards with the comments. I am working closely with NC Wise and the front office to fix this but the system doesn't understand how I am registered at Carnage Middle (for my internship) and Hunter (as a teacher). If you have any questions please email me at gharvey@wcpss.net
*Thank you for everyone who sent in money for the High Touch/High Tech Sound Field Trip. We cut it close but we were able to raise enough to cover the cost. We only have 1 more Field-Trip left this year (to Duke Homestead in Durham ) and we are working hard to make it cost as little as possible. We should be sending out a permission form in the next Monday Folder regarding it. There will be a need for Parent Volunteers:)
*Today the information sheet for "The Wax Museum" project went home in the Monday Folder. Please take a few minutes this week to discuss who your child should choose. Keep in mind that it cannot be a Pop-Culture Icon but rather a Famous American who impacted the world in a positive way. All to often, celebrities and pop-icons serve as negative role-models rather than positive ones. Also, your child will have the opportunity to dress up as this person for the wax museum so encourage them to select a person that they would like to emulate.
*NEXT FRIDAY (April 27th) is an Early Release. Please plan your child care accordingly.
This week we are celebrating the 85th Anniversary of Lucille Hunter GT Magnet Elementary School! Spirit Week will be happening all week so please be sure to participate. Today was "Plant a Tree Day" where one lucky 2nd Grader got to help plant a tree to celebrate Hunter Elementary. Tomorrow is "Exhibit Day" and Wednesday is "Alumni Day." Please read the blue sheet in your Monday Folder to learn more about those days. Thursday offers an opportunity for your child to dress up as a student in any decade since the 1920's, so whip out those bowler hats and flapper dresses or the bell-bottoms and big hair. Thursday will be a lot of fun, but it's always more fun with YOUr participation. Finally, on Friday please make sure to wear your "Hunter T-Shirt" and to attend the "Hunter Heritage" event from 5:30-7:30pm. I'll be in the dunking booth 5:25-5:40pm but don't feel like you have to come that early. Mrs. Tympkin, Mrs. Baird (formerly Dew), Ms. Durizch, and many others will be there after me so why not dunk them instead? Let's have a great week and if you need anything please email me!
Sincerely,
Mr. H
Top News
*Mr. Harvey's Math Students will be having their Unit 11 Math Test on Thursday. Please make sure that your student is well-rested and ready to achieve success.
*Report Cards have gone home today. There were some issues with the system losing the comments so each report card that was affected (the later half of the class) will be recieving a word document stapled to the report cards with the comments. I am working closely with NC Wise and the front office to fix this but the system doesn't understand how I am registered at Carnage Middle (for my internship) and Hunter (as a teacher). If you have any questions please email me at gharvey@wcpss.net
*Thank you for everyone who sent in money for the High Touch/High Tech Sound Field Trip. We cut it close but we were able to raise enough to cover the cost. We only have 1 more Field-Trip left this year (to Duke Homestead in Durham ) and we are working hard to make it cost as little as possible. We should be sending out a permission form in the next Monday Folder regarding it. There will be a need for Parent Volunteers:)
*Today the information sheet for "The Wax Museum" project went home in the Monday Folder. Please take a few minutes this week to discuss who your child should choose. Keep in mind that it cannot be a Pop-Culture Icon but rather a Famous American who impacted the world in a positive way. All to often, celebrities and pop-icons serve as negative role-models rather than positive ones. Also, your child will have the opportunity to dress up as this person for the wax museum so encourage them to select a person that they would like to emulate.
*NEXT FRIDAY (April 27th) is an Early Release. Please plan your child care accordingly.
Monday, April 9, 2012
April 9th-13th
Welcome Back Students and Parents!
I hope that you are all well-rested and ready for the next eight weeks of school! The break seemed to fly by for me, but I'm even more afraid that the rest of the year is going to fly by too. We still have a lot of educational objectives to hit in order for your child to be ready for 3rd Grade. The natural reaction to Spring is to kind of relax and coast through the rest of the year, some people call it "Spring Fever" but let me allay any concerns you have. We HH (Harvey Heroes) are going to continue to go full throttle until the end of the year. With great expectations come great rewards and I know that with our continued focus on academics your child will be ready to lead the pack next year!
Here is what you can expect for your child to be working on over the next week or two...
Reading: We are exploring genres such as historical fiction, humorous stories, and mysteries. Hopefully, your child will be bringing home books from our school library which fall into these genres. Specifically, we are exploring the structure of these texts (do they follow the setting/characters/plot/problem/ solution?) and discussing why we would read these genres.
Writing: Over the few weeks your child will continue to work on writing paragraphs (4 or 5 complete sentences about a topic). It is important that your child master concepts such as starting sentences with capital letters, using descriptive adjectives, and ending the sentences with a punctuation mark. Writing paragraphs will lead into the next big concept of researching animals and generating our own non-fiction reports.
Math: In Math we are continuing to explore strategies to solve multiple step math problems. There is still some difficulty when solving word problems as to which operation to perform (addition or subtraction). Please continue to remind your student to ask themselves if the answer they get makes sense. Most times students are able to understand where they went wrong when I probe them however, my goal is for them to realize this themselves so that next year they will achieve to their full potential on all their assessments.
Science: I am excited to say that we are kicking off our unit on SOUND this week! Be sure to pick up a pair of earplugs as your child may be coming home this week with some rather random sounding homework. We also will be having our High Touch/High Tech In-House Field Trip this Thursday. Our time is from 11:05-12:40 but we will be eating lunch from 10:30-11am so that your child will not be to hungry to concentrate on all the fun experiments.
Social Studies: I want to start by saying how wonderful all of the projects were! The students demonstrated a lot of pride in their work and of course the class learned best by learning for themselves. I can see that many of the students have become more comfortable in front of an audience and are better able to explain their ideas. Thank you parents for any help you offered your child. This week we will be wrapping up our land form unit. We will have a short assessment on Friday but do not worry about how difficult it will be. All of the students should know everything that will be asked. Hopefully, you've learned a little bit too about some of America's diverse regions.
FYI: The Titanic Sank on April 15th, 1912 (although it struck the iceberg on the 14th). As it is the 100th anniversary, your student will have a short lesson on Friday on the engineering behind the Titanic, class structure that existed back then, and be introduced to a few of the famous passengers (think J.J. Astor & The Unsinkable Molly Brown). My goal is to pique your child's interest in this topic and encourage them to learn more about it. I know that Keith O'Brien has been ravenous about this topic all year).
Hunter Heritage is April 20th (next Friday). Please plan on coming to attend this school wide fellowship. In fact, if you come please feel free to swing by the dunking booth where I'll be for ten minutes (poor pitchers only, good pitchers need not attend).
Friday from 1:50-2:35 we will have our 3rd Quarter PBIS celebration! Please do not plan on checking your child out during this time. We will be in the gym and it may be hard to hear the office asking for your child. If you do need to check your child out early that day please let me know in the morning so that I can plan accordingly.
Report Cards go home on next Monday (April 16th). Spirit Week also kicks off next week. As it is a major milestone for our school I encourage everyone to motivate your students to participate in all the daily activities (hat day, etc.). Middle Schoolers do not get to generally participate all week like we do here in elementary. There should be a pink letter in your Monday Folder describing all of the fun we will have next week!
Have a terrific week back and thank you all for reading!
Sincerely,
Mr. H
I hope that you are all well-rested and ready for the next eight weeks of school! The break seemed to fly by for me, but I'm even more afraid that the rest of the year is going to fly by too. We still have a lot of educational objectives to hit in order for your child to be ready for 3rd Grade. The natural reaction to Spring is to kind of relax and coast through the rest of the year, some people call it "Spring Fever" but let me allay any concerns you have. We HH (Harvey Heroes) are going to continue to go full throttle until the end of the year. With great expectations come great rewards and I know that with our continued focus on academics your child will be ready to lead the pack next year!
Here is what you can expect for your child to be working on over the next week or two...
Reading: We are exploring genres such as historical fiction, humorous stories, and mysteries. Hopefully, your child will be bringing home books from our school library which fall into these genres. Specifically, we are exploring the structure of these texts (do they follow the setting/characters/plot/problem/ solution?) and discussing why we would read these genres.
Writing: Over the few weeks your child will continue to work on writing paragraphs (4 or 5 complete sentences about a topic). It is important that your child master concepts such as starting sentences with capital letters, using descriptive adjectives, and ending the sentences with a punctuation mark. Writing paragraphs will lead into the next big concept of researching animals and generating our own non-fiction reports.
Math: In Math we are continuing to explore strategies to solve multiple step math problems. There is still some difficulty when solving word problems as to which operation to perform (addition or subtraction). Please continue to remind your student to ask themselves if the answer they get makes sense. Most times students are able to understand where they went wrong when I probe them however, my goal is for them to realize this themselves so that next year they will achieve to their full potential on all their assessments.
Science: I am excited to say that we are kicking off our unit on SOUND this week! Be sure to pick up a pair of earplugs as your child may be coming home this week with some rather random sounding homework. We also will be having our High Touch/High Tech In-House Field Trip this Thursday. Our time is from 11:05-12:40 but we will be eating lunch from 10:30-11am so that your child will not be to hungry to concentrate on all the fun experiments.
Social Studies: I want to start by saying how wonderful all of the projects were! The students demonstrated a lot of pride in their work and of course the class learned best by learning for themselves. I can see that many of the students have become more comfortable in front of an audience and are better able to explain their ideas. Thank you parents for any help you offered your child. This week we will be wrapping up our land form unit. We will have a short assessment on Friday but do not worry about how difficult it will be. All of the students should know everything that will be asked. Hopefully, you've learned a little bit too about some of America's diverse regions.
FYI: The Titanic Sank on April 15th, 1912 (although it struck the iceberg on the 14th). As it is the 100th anniversary, your student will have a short lesson on Friday on the engineering behind the Titanic, class structure that existed back then, and be introduced to a few of the famous passengers (think J.J. Astor & The Unsinkable Molly Brown). My goal is to pique your child's interest in this topic and encourage them to learn more about it. I know that Keith O'Brien has been ravenous about this topic all year).
Hunter Heritage is April 20th (next Friday). Please plan on coming to attend this school wide fellowship. In fact, if you come please feel free to swing by the dunking booth where I'll be for ten minutes (poor pitchers only, good pitchers need not attend).
Friday from 1:50-2:35 we will have our 3rd Quarter PBIS celebration! Please do not plan on checking your child out during this time. We will be in the gym and it may be hard to hear the office asking for your child. If you do need to check your child out early that day please let me know in the morning so that I can plan accordingly.
Report Cards go home on next Monday (April 16th). Spirit Week also kicks off next week. As it is a major milestone for our school I encourage everyone to motivate your students to participate in all the daily activities (hat day, etc.). Middle Schoolers do not get to generally participate all week like we do here in elementary. There should be a pink letter in your Monday Folder describing all of the fun we will have next week!
Have a terrific week back and thank you all for reading!
Sincerely,
Mr. H
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