Ms. Huebener's Blog

Huebener Highlights March 23, 2009

Word or the Week - Motivation

Upcoming Events:
March 25 - TOSS teacher, Ms Ragsdale is full time
March 27 - Wear grey t-shirt for a picture
April 1 - Environment Field Trip
April 3 - Eggs-tra Special Rotation & Book Buddie Egg Hunt
April 6 – 10 - Spring Break

April 16 - Golden Corral for Math Blasters’ Dinner
April 18 - Spring Fling
April 21 - CRCT testing week
May 4 - Evening in the Garden
May 8 - May family celebration – more information later – 8:00 a.m.

Reading – Fictional reading, character, setting, plot and patterns of the beginning, middle and end, Buckle Down strategies

Spelling – Unit 25 Compound Words

Writing    Narrative writing is the focus for the quarter

Grammar – Types of verbs, using ear-tingling verbs in writing

Math – Only a few more weeks of for the 7 minutes timed test before we have the April 16th Math Blasters Golden Corral dinner, multiplication with two and three digit numbers is the focus the quarter – Study Facts!

Social Studies – Last week for social studies unit

Miscellaneous

~ Thank you for returning the signature cards and the self-addressed stamped envelope quickly
~ Send or buy school lunch on April 1st and dress for outdoor weather – wear grey t-shirt
~ The students enjoy the individual help with reading skills with the reading volunteers – thank you
~ Thanks to all the parents who volunteer as Mystery Readers

Huebener Highlights February 9, 2009

Word or the Week - Acceptance
Word of the Month - Tolerance

    Today’s pizza “hit the spot”.  We extend our greatest appreciation to Mrs. Musial and Ms. Newton for organizing the Fun Run Boosterthon as Ford Foundation’s first fundraiser.  The pizza was served to classes who collected 100% of the pledged amount.    

Please join us for Curriculum Night this Thursday.  Relay for Life is hosting a lasagna dinner from 6 – 6:45.  The classroom activities will start at 6:45.  Third grade teachers invite you to a Smartboard demonstration in Ms Hargrove’s room, and a Science Olympiad activity in Mrs. Turner’s room.  Families have the opportunity to travel to many rooms, so join us for an evening of interactive learning.

The money we collect from the Pike’s receipts and the sale of the “green bags”, are used for maintaining the gardens and outdoor classrooms around our school.  Ford Elementary is recognized both locally and nationally for the outdoor education opportunities, so we encourage families and the community to help us by submitting Pike’s receipts and purchasing the “green bags”.

Tellus Museum Update:
~Students may bring no more that $10.00 for the gift store, many items are under $5.00
~Lunch will be outdoors, dress accordingly
~Bring or buy a school lunch and drink

Upcoming Events:
Feb. 11        Book Buddie Valentine Activity, Make or bring a Valentine for your Book Buddie
Feb. 12        Curriculum Night
Feb. 13        Bring Valentines and container for transporting
Feb. 13        Desktop biographies due on or before this date
Feb. 13        Banana Split Party
Feb. 19        Six Flags Reading Forms due
Feb. 25        Tellus Science Museum Field Trip
April 1        Environment Field Trip
April 16        Golden Corral for Math Blasters’ Dinner
April 21        CRCT testing week
May 4            Evening in the Garden

Reading – A Time for Andrew/ strategies to use for comprehending fictional text/ Read Around the Library/ Buckle Down Test Taking Strategies/ Time for Kids

Spelling – Unit 18 – Homophone
No activities this week from the Spelling Contract
Grammar book pages 172 – 174
Parent Letter
Two-sided homophone page

Core:  young, sun, thing, whole, hear
Pattern Words: two, to, too, there, their, they’re, do, due, dew, know, no, hole, whole, right, write, threw, through, poor, pour, pore
Challenge Homophones: principal, principle, night, knight, capital, capitol

Writing –  Persuasive writing projects

Grammar – Possessive nouns – singular and plural/ Tues.

Math – Decimals fractions/ fractions/ 7 Minute test/ 30 Second test/ Multiplication facts, last 30 second test will be Thurs.

Social Studies – Government

Huebener Highlights February 2, 2009

Word of the Week - Self-Reliance
Word of the Month - Tolerance

Conference week is one of the best opportunities to meet with families to discuss the successes as well as establish goals for the second semester.  This is another example of the exemplary families we have at Ford Elementary with 100% attendance for a conference.  I appreciate your feedback during the year via the agenda or e-mails.  The county is asking for feedback on when parents would prefer to have conferences. Please write a note in your child’s agenda your preference:  October or January

Please check out the Science Lab, Art and Music BLOGS on the Ford Home Page.

Valentine’s Day:
Children are to decorate a box or bag at home to transport their Valentines.  We will exchange cards on Friday, February 13th.  

Welcome:
Abbie Novak, a Harrison High School Rise student, works in our classroom for one hour each morning.  She is such an asset.

Ashley Ragsdale, a KSU TOSS student, works in our classroom each Wednesday.  Mrs. Webster was our TOSS student the first semester.  We are glad Miss Ragsdale is helping with small group instruction.

Upcoming Events:
Feb. 2-6        Severe Weather Awareness Week
Feb. 6            Jump Rope for Heart
Feb. 11        Book Buddie Valentine Activity
Feb. 12        Curriculum Night
Feb. 13        Desktop biographies due on or before this date
Feb. 13        Banana Split Party
Feb. 19        Six Flags Reading Forms due
Feb. 25        Tellus Science Museum Field Trip
April 1        Environment Field Trip
April 16        Golden Corral for Math Blasters’ Dinner
April 21        CRCT testing week

Reading – A Time for Andrew/ strategies comprehending fictional text/ Read Around the Library/ Buckle Down Test Taking Strategies/ Time for Kids

Spelling – Unit 17- Contractions
Core:  sure, knew, it’s, try, told
Pattern:  don’t, can’t, isn’t, didn’t, couldn’t, shouldn’t, aren’t, won’t, let’s, what’s, who’s, there’s, they’re, you’re, we’re, I’d, I’ve, should’ve, he’ll, she’ll

Writing – Finish informational writing/ start persuasive writing projects

Grammar – Possessive nouns – singular and plural/ test next Tues.

Math – Decimals fractions/ fractions/ 7 Minute test/ 30 Second test/ Multiplication facts

Science – Georgia plants and animals

Social Studies – starts next week

Huebener Highlights January 12, 2009

The Science Lab is up and running.  Our class will attend every 8 days for 50 minutes of FUN, DISCOVERY, & LEARNING!  Today was the first day.  The Science Lab teacher’s name is Ms Belmonte and she is so excited to be at Ford.

The children will bring home a letter with their ID number and the web address for the CRCT practice site.  Please have your child complete at least one reading test and at least one math test each week as well as one test from another curricular area. That is a total of at least three CRCT practice tests per week.  Once they have completed the test, you have reviewed the results with them, then the percentage and subject area should be recorded in the agenda.  Reading 85% is an example of the documentation in the agenda.  The intent of the practice tests is to review skills as well as become familiar with the test format and test language.  The third graders must pass the reading portion of the CRCT in order to go to fourth grade.

“Read Around the Library” is a center activity used during Language Arts.  The children select a book from the media center, from the home library, a book from the county library or the classroom library.  It must be on their independent reading level.  After the book is read they complete one activity.  They have 52 different activities from which to choose.

The spelling assignment has been changed this semester.  The students will continue to take the pretest on Wednesday and the posttest on Tuesday.  The homework is due on Tuesday.  The students will select 4 different activities from the contract to have completed on Tuesday.  They will write the date completed on the contract and staple all the assignments to the contract.  The parent letter is in addition to the 4 self-selected activities.

<strong>Thank you:</strong>
Read Around the Library parent:  Mrs. Glass
Reading parents: Mrs. Norton, Mrs. Rybarczyk and Mrs. Pullium
Mystery Reader: Mrs. Johnson

<strong>Upcoming Events:</strong>
Jan. 12        Six Flags Reading Program begins
Jan. 14        High School Musical Forms Due
Jan. 15        Jump Rope for Heart info. goes home
Jan.16        Chick-fil-a biscuits in the a.m.
Jan. 19        No School- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Jan. 20        Northwest Banking Days
Jan. 23        Chick-Fil-A in the a.m. and Spirit Day
Jan. 24     Ford Elementary School Dance Alatoona High School
Jan. 26-29      Conference Week
Feb. 13        Desktop biographies due on or before this date
Feb. 13        Banana Split Party
Feb. 19        Six Flags Reading Forms due
Feb. 25        Tellus Science Museum Field Trip
April 16        Golden Corral for Math Blasters’ Dinner

<strong>Curriculum:</strong>
Reading – Focus on comprehension skills – Inferences, Comparing fiction
Accelerated Reader – Class goal is 10 points
Grammar/Writing – possessives for singular and plural

Spelling – Unit 14 – Skill to be tested – er and est words
Core: soon, story, since, white, ever
Challenge: sooner, greater, greener, founder, owner, reader, thinker, merrier, sillier, younger, ugliest, thinnest, meanest, messiest, tightest, earliest, speediest, greediest, smartest, clearest
Math – 30 second and seven minute tests Tuesday/ fractions and decimals
Science – Magnets and environmental aspect of the Georgia habitats

 

Huebener Highlights December 8, 2008

Students should be working diligently on their geometry quilts.  They are due on Thursday, December 18th. The students saw final product examples from previous students. We will be discussing the various geometric terms at school each day, but the work on the quilt must be done at home.  The children should have completed many of the squares.  This isn’t a project that can be finished in one or two nights.

Conference week is January 26-29.  As you mark your calendars please look to see if you or your child has a conflict. The children are dismissed at 12:30 that week.  Teachers will send out a schedule after the break.  If you have a day that is better or is worse for meeting, please let me know.  I am requesting that the students attend the conference too so that we may discuss the successes, the challenges, and the goals.

This is a busy time of the year and students need help with remembering to read each evening, study the math facts, and complete homework.  The students need to read at least 4 out of 7 nights.  Thank you for your continued support in placing education as a priority.

Thank you:
Reading parents: Mrs. Dusek, Mrs. Rybarczyk, and Mrs. Pullium
Mystery Reader: Mrs. Norton

Upcoming Events:
December 8-15      Book Shares
December 10          Identi-Kid
December 16          Gingerbread Houses with Book Buddies
December 18          Geometry Quilts due
December 19          Breakfast and winter crafts/ Refer to Mrs. Glass’s letter for details, everyone is welcome to come    
December 22         Students have winter holiday, return to school Jan. 6^th
January 26-29      Student/Parent/Teacher Conferences

Curriculum:
Reading – Focus on comprehension skills -Cause and Effect, Inferencing/ Time for Kids

Accelerated Reader – Final days to earn 10 points or more

Grammar/Writing –/Plural spelling patterns/ start possessives for singular and plural/ Informational writing projects/ Family Traditions writing

Spelling – Unit 12 – Skill to be tested – compound words

Core: mother, light, country, father, let

Math – Seven minute test Tuesday/ Multiplication/ 30 second tests given daily/ Focus on all the facts from zero through 9

Social Studies – Economics

Huebener Highlights December 1, 2008

Book Buddie Feast was a lot of fun as we celebrated the new friendships we are making with our kindergarten class.  Thank you to Mrs. Glass for organizing the food and volunteers.  We really appreciate all the donations of food and paper products as well as the volunteers.

Wednesday was a time of celebration during the Ford Thanksgiving Feast with third grade families and friends.  The cafeteria was abuzz with laughter, wonderful conversation and a warm feeling among students and adults.  The photos sent from Mrs. Glass gave a glimpse of how delighted the children were in having you come to school.

Starting our day, on Friday, with families was a great way to end our busy week.  Personalities and interests came out in many of the Turkey Tales stories. Guests and students were entertaining by the stories and the cleverly disguised turkeys.  Thank you for joining the class for breakfast and listening to the children’s writing. We appreciate the donations of food and paper products.  Mrs. Glass even baked her world famous coffee cake.

I have jury duty the week of December 1st, so Ms. Koontz will be the substitute and Miss Webster will be here to assist.  I will be unable to respond to your emails or questions until the evening.

Upcoming Events:
December 5        Last day for Miss Webster, KSU TOSS student
December 8-15    Book Shares – Reading folder were sent home
December 16    Gingerbread Houses with Book Buddies
December 19    Breakfast and winter crafts/ Refer to Mrs. Glass’s letter for details      
December 22    Students have winter holiday, return to school Jan. 6th

Curriculum:
Reading – Basal story – “Nature’s Great Balancing Act” - Reading for information, nonfiction text note taking for writing reports and summaries/ Book Shares will be Dec. 8-15 on a book your child has read this quarter, see Reading Folder requirements and suggestions, students have the assigned date in their agenda
Accelerated Reader – Only 3 more weeks to get the required 10 points for second quarter/  Read, read, read!
Grammar/Writing – Plural noun rules/  Informational writing projects/ Family Traditions writing
Spelling – Unit 11, Silent letters
Core:
need, far, hand, high, year
Pattern Words:
know, knot, knee, knob, knack, knowledge, wrap, wrong, write, wrist, wreck, wrench, wrinkle, doubt, debt, listen, column, campaign, foreign, aisle
Math – Seven minute test Tuesday/ Multiplication/ 30 second tests given daily/ Focus on all the facts from zero through 8
Social Studies – Economics

Huebener Highlights November 10, 2008

Boosterthon Fun Run is to be held Monday.  Checks are made out to: CCSF - Ford ES Foundation & pledges are due December 2nd.  The students will benefit from the Science Lab addition to the Ford educational program.  Thanks to the Ford families - it is a reality.

Please have your child wear their grey class t-shirt on Tuesday, Nov. 18 for a class photo for the yearbook.

Book Buddie Feast will be Wednesday at 9:00.  The students may wish to make a card for their Book Buddie.  Thank you for the donations of food and your time.  Special thanks to Mrs. Glass for her organization.

The turkeys and stories will be shared during the Turkey Tale Coffee House.  Get ready to sit back and enjoy some clever stories with your child.  What a great way to start your day.  All stories and turkeys will be sent home on Friday.

December is another busy month with curriculum, family commitments, and Christmas celebrations.  I will keep you informed of the various special activities through your child as a messenger, emails, the student agenda, and/or the Huebener Highlights.  Reinforce consequences if your child leaves things to the last minute.  It is not your responsibility to “scramble” if they forget something.  Routines, as much as possible, helps the children stay focused.

Upcoming Events:
November 17    Fun Run – wear tennis shoes, and clothes for outside
November 18    Class photos in the grey class t-shirts
November 19    Book Buddie Feast – Mrs. Glass will contact parents
November 19    Thanksgiving Feast for 3rd graders to eat with family
November 21    Turkey Tale Coffee House 8:00 - 9:00 a.m. in our room
November 24-28    No school
December 5        Last day for Miss Webster, KSU TOSS student
December 8-15    Book Shares – Reading folder were sent home on Friday,     Nov. 14 – gives all the information needed
December 22    Students have winter holiday, return to school Jan. 6th

Curriculum:
Reading - Reading for information, nonfiction text note taking for writing reports and summaries/ Book Shares will be Dec. 8-15 on a book your child has read this quarter, see Reading Folder requirements and suggestions, students have the assigned date in their agenda
Accelerated Reader – Thanksgiving vacation is a good time to catch-up on the reading.  Thank you for supporting your child in earning their 10 points for the quarter.
Grammar/Writing – Informational writing projects
Spelling – No new words will be sent home over Thanksgiving vacation.  Students can study words on the orange sheets glued in the front of the Spelling Journal.
Core:
No new words
Pattern Words:
No new words, review previously tested words and No Excuse Words
Math – Seven minute test Tuesday/ Multiplication/ 30 second tests given daily/ Focus on all the facts from zero through 6
Social Studies – Start new unit of study with Mrs. Turner

Looking forward to seeing families for the scheduled November events.

Huebener Highlights November 10, 2008

Stampeded to Read was a great success with numerous hours of reading.  Thank you for reinforcing the joy of reading.  Hannah and Joseph read the greatest number of minutes, with many children very close.

Wall of Honor is the opportunity for the students to honor past and present family members and friends in the military.  Go to the Ford Website to access the scrolls and instructions if you wish to participate.

Boosterthon Fun Run will be held this Thursday, Nov. 13th.  Students will eat in the classroom.  They may buy a bag lunch from the lunchroom or bring one from home.  Third graders are scheduled to run from 12:10 – 1:45.  We look forward to families coming to support the students.  Students will be given an official Boosterthon Fun Run t-shirt to wear over their clothes.  Please have your child wear or bring comfortable walking shoes.  Watch the weather forecast to help determine the proper clothing.  Thank you for your part in raising funds for the science lab by getting pledges for the Fun Run.

Please have your child wear their grey class t-shirt on Tuesday, Nov. 18 for a class photo for the yearbook.

Upcoming Events:
November 13      Fun Run for Ford Foundation's effort to secure a science lab
November 18      Class photos in the grey class t-shirts
November 19          Book Buddie Feast – Mrs. Glass will contact parents
November 19          Thanksgiving Feast for 3rd graders to eat with family
November 21          Turkey Tale Coffee House 8:00 - 9:00 a.m. in our room
November 24-28    No school
December 5           Last day for Miss Webster, KSU TOSS student
December 8-15      Book Shares - more information to come
December 22         Students have winter holiday, return to school Jan. 6th

Curriculum:

Reading

-

Reading

for information, nonfiction text note taking for writing reports and summaries/ animal books will be checked out soon for reporting

Accelerated Reader – WOW!  Many books read and tests successfully taken tests/ thanks for support at home

Grammar/Writing - Note taking from non-fiction text/ nouns/ run-on sentences/ turkey disguise story

Spelling – /j/ sound can be spelled with the following patterns: j  ge  gi  gy dge

Core:
almost,  page,  got,  live,  earth

Pattern Words:

Stage, large, giant, danger, change, charge, legend, message, general, original, bridge, edge, postage, village, imagine, genius, geography, courage, oxygen, genuine

Math – Seven minute test Tuesday/ Multiplication/ 30 second tests given daily/ Real Deal test on 5's

Science - Habitats of the

Georgia

Regions/ study guide Wednesday/ test Friday

Looking forward to seeing families for the scheduled November events.

 

Huebener Highlights November 3, 2008

Character Words: Democracy and Citizenship

Our class was well represented in the PTSA Reflection entries with 16 students participating and 3 place winners.  Thank you for your support in this program.
Participants: Trinity, Kristin, Elizabeth, Nicholas, Tim, Zachary, Patrick, Lauren, Sarah M., Joey, Hannah, Rebecca, Taylor, Sarah S., and Rachel.
Place winners:
Rachel          First Place   Photography
Trinity         Third Place   Photography
Sarah S.       Third Place   Literature

If you are thinking of upcoming occasions to give your child a gift, I have some suggestions.  Third graders struggle with telling time so an analog clock or watch is a way the children can practice telling time as well as figure elapsed time.  Computer games that reinforce multiplication skills and other curricular areas are popular among children, but a good old-fashioned board game can offer hours of fun for the family and wonderful interaction opportunities with friends.  Games that incorporate logic and strategic thinking skills help children become better problem solvers.  Flashcards may be handy for memorizing the multiplication facts.

The CRCT study guides for 2008 have been updated and posted to the GaDOE website:
http:www.gadoe.org/ci_testing.aspx?pageReq=CI_TESTING_CRCT

Pumpkinology week involved activities that supported the math and language arts curriculum.  The students read about pumpkins, wrote about pumpkins, read recipes and baked with pumpkin, used estimation with pumpkins and practiced multiplication concepts.  The festive healthy snacks were devoured by the appreciative students and adults.  Thank you to the families who provided the snacks. We extend our thanks to all the families for sending supplies for the Pumpkin-Chocolate Chip Bars.  We appreciated the parents who helped with the activity and baking of the bars.

Thank you to parents who have reinforced the reading skills through Reading Parent volunteering. The Mystery Reader program is always a treat with guest illustrators, parents - both mom or dad, and even relatives such as grandparents.  The children's education is supported by so many people.

Mrs. Glass continues to organize parents for donations of time and "goods" so we thank her a lot. 

Reminder from the office:  any absence due to a doctor/dentist/orthodontist appointment requires a doctor note

Upcoming Events:
November 4           Election Day,  no students have school
                             Turkey Tale letter and bag for decorations will be sent this                                      week
November 7           Stampede to Read ends, send forms to school
November 11          Progress Reports sent home
November 13          Fun Run for Ford Foundation's effort to secure a science lab
November 19          Book Buddie Feast – Mrs. Glass will contact parents
November 19          Thanksgiving Feast for 3rd graders to eat with family
November 21          Turkey Tale Coffee House 8:00 - 9:00 a.m. in our room
November 24-28    No school
December 5           Last day for Miss Webster, KSU TOSS student
December 8-15      Book Shares - more information to come
December 22         Students have winter holiday, return to school Jan. 6th

Curriculum:
Reading - Reading for information, nonfiction text note taking for writing reports and summaries/ animal books will be checked out soon for reporting

Accelerated Reader - Students set new goal of 10 points or higher/ we will go to the library every week and students may go any morning before 7:45 and other times during the day/ Current number of points earned are written on a strip of paper and stapled to your child’s agenda page

Grammar/Writing - Note taking from non-fiction text/ nouns/ run-on sentences

Spelling – /S/

Core:
once, animal, life, enough, took

Pattern Words:

ice, nice, city, price, chance, since, pencil, cent, notice, science, twice, office, advise, cease, bicycle, sacrifice, practice, choice, conference, circumference.

Math - Multiplication/ 30 second tests given daily/ Real Deal test on 4's

Science - Habitats of the Georgia Regions/ completed the Mountain and Piedmont Regions/ Coastal and Swamp Regions this week

Thank you for your continued support and help.

Huebener Highlights October 6, 2008

Character Word: Cheerfulness and Positive Attitude

Elizabeth set the Poetry Share bar high by memorizing multiple poems, on one topic, along with clever visuals that kept the audience’s attention. Our compliments to Aimun for memorizing a lengthy poem for the Poetry Share. We look forward to hearing other presentations this week. Thanks to families for listening to the poems and assisting with the visual aid.

Speaking of families, a future family outing idea:
Weinman Mineral Museum is replaced with the Tellus:Northwest Georgia Science Museum, still located in Cartersville. Please go to the website for more information: www.tellusmuseum.org or call 770-606-5700. Weinman was an incredible experience, so I know the new museum will be spectacular.

Our class is so fortunate to have the support of grandparents, family friends, and parent participation. Thank you for placing education as a priority in your family value system.

Recently I met a Ford Elementary bus driver and she said that the Ford students and families were the best around. She had tried another school for only one year and raced back to the wonderful children, and never plans to leave again. Compliments to students and families.

Updated Upcoming Events:
• October 6 - 10 Book Fair in the Media Center
• October 10 End of first nine weeks
• October 10 Fossil making, bring a small plastic item to make a mold and cast fossil- 1st time didn’t work
• October 14 Environmental Field Trip – wear class t-shirts, bring or buy school lunch and drink, dress for outdoor weather and tie shoes
• October 15 Early Release
• October 17 Report Cards go home
• October 30 Ford Barnes and Noble Night 4:00-8:00
• November 21 Third Grade Turkey Tale Celebration

Thank you:
Parents for assisting with salt dough map painting: Mrs. Pominville, Mrs. Glass, Mrs. Musial, Mrs. Cardillo, and Miss Webster (our student teacher from KSU)

Reading Parents: Mrs. Musial, Mrs. Welch, Zachary’s wonderful grandmother

Mystery Reader: Mrs. Abbinanti, Taylor’s family friend

Art Awareness: Mr. Musial shared his talents with the class by introducing the students to another artist and technique

Curriculum:
Reading – Poetry Shares this week, finish traditional literature unit of study

Accelerated Reader – Reports are being sent home today with the number of points earned, Friday is the deadline to have 10 points, read, read, read to reach the goal

Grammar – Simple and compound subject and predicate

Writing – Response to Literature – summary writing which are the facts, and review writing which are the reader’s connection and opinion

Spelling – Unit 6 Core: until, form, food, keep, children
Skill focus: long vowels

Math – Telling times, ways to say the time, elapsed time, completing schedules with elapsed time

Social Studies – Students will have homework worksheet on Mon. and Tues. The study guide is assigned for Thursday night, with the test on Monday, Oct. 13th.