September 18-22, 2023

We began rotations this week. Our class went to Mrs. Helseth's class for art and made beautiful perspective pieces with oil pastels.

We also walked to our off-site evacuation meeting place.

Imposter Uno is a new game we're playing to practice executive functioning skills. We're in a race for a special snack party. I pick a random student (unknown to the kids) and for five minutes we work quietly. If the anonymous imposter student stays focused for the five minutes they get to pick an Uno card which tells how many places their group can move on the game board. If the imposter wasn't successful during that time period, the student is not identified. It has been a hoot! 

September 11-15, 2023

This was a jam-packed week!

It's time to celebrate multiplication! We started learning our 1s, 2s, and 3s by discovering multiplication is just the repeated addition of equal groups. On Friday we ran around the room, separating into equal groups to demonstrate division. Kane was a master of organizing this activity! If you want an earworm stuck in your head, watch this YouTube video of the 1s, 2s, and 3s multiplication facts (especially the ones)!

My husband, Josh, has a long history of sad Christmas stories. As we were learning about the prefixes mis- and un- we Facetimed him to learn how unfair it was when his brother received the chemistry set that was at the top of Josh's list. The students were introduced to Mr. Morigeau and his big white beard as well as Georgie, the spoiled Cavapoo.

Our vocabulary for the week included the words mismatched and scrunches in addition to others. Brady, Odin, Harper, and Mariah were caught using our vocabulary words in conversation! Way to go!!! Be sure to ask your child what the word is for someone who speaks two languages. It's adorable when they use the vocabulary word "bilingual." Pronunciation is still in the works...

Our first Friday Journal letter should be shared with you this weekend. If you have time, your child would be delighted if you wrote them a little note in return.

Our First Full Week Coming Up!

It's adorable to see how tired the students get towards the end of the week. Last Friday it was noticeable as they climbed the stairs, but they always perked up to begin a new activity.

We have been exchanging "Tootles" at the end of every day. Children write notes of appreciation to their classmates and they are becoming abundant. I offer to send them home or the recipients can choose to hang them on our Tootle bulletin board. Many times the choice is to display the Tootles but don't worry, they will come home. Just bask in the knowledge of the wonderfully kind kids you have.

Now that fall benchmarking is complete, we are diving deeper into academics. I have posted this week's spelling list and a graphic organizer under the appropriately dated tab at the top of this page. 

Out Top Bananas so far have been Kane, Ady, Brenna, Aspen, Reagan, and Kaylee. You'll notice that Kane was our only boy (we draw student numbers at random). Now Macrae will continue the "boy streak" as Monday's Top Banana.

Finally, we have been talking about Executive Functioning skills. This is a great article to read about these success mindsets: What Age Does Executive Functioning Develop? An In-Depth Look. I posted an infographic under the Brain Booster tab as well.

Happy Tuesday of Week 2!

Pictures on Friday!

Whew! The first week blew past in a blur! What an abundance of generosity we saw in school supplies and snacks. Thank you for your support.

We have a very nice class who have shown kindness in all sorts of ways: Jax is our regular door holder, Harper is always willing to provide assistance when we're in the process of getting organized, and Kaylee loves to read aloud to her classmates.

Each day we pick a "top banana" who is our VIP for the day. The banana is part of a strange trophy with a petrified piece of fruit on top thanks to my days in the Capital High Library. It was a "treasure" I found behind the books on one of the shelves.

This week we are starting iReady testing on the computers. The tests are long, but give us a lot of information to best help your children on their academic journey. Remember, the most beneficial "homework" your children can have is screen-free time and reading, reading, reading!

August Newsletter

Beginning a new school year is always scary - for teachers too! As the summer winds down I've been reflecting on my own years in school and how it has shaped my teaching and my life philosophies in general.

I was an anxious child in the '70s before anyone believed children could feel stress; I was just "too sensitive." Some of my formative memories are of my first-grade teacher giving me an exhausted groan whenever I asked a question, tamping down my creativity and enthusiasm. My second-grade teacher was just plain scary and my third-grade teacher didn't think I should be released for gifted and talented because, frankly, she "didn't see anything special" in me.

Thank goodness for my parents! They were my champions and supported me in anything I wanted to do and even made me challenge myself by doing things I didn't want (t-ball, showing horses, moving to a new town).

I've had the rare experience of following hundreds of students from elementary through high school. The observations I have made by building relationships with "my Jim Darcy kids" have left me with some insights and here they are:

Success in school and life is not determined by who's the brightest, the fastest, or the one with the most advantages. I truly believe those who have the tools to rebound from disappointments, those who can entertain themselves (without technology), and those who get along with others will be graduates who embody motivation and excellence regardless of awards or class rank. Curiosity helps, stamina is pretty essential too, and loving adults are critical.

I believe predictable routines and transitions, consistent expectations, and a nurturing environment is so important in supporting lifelong learners. I want every student to feel welcomed and like a treasured addition to our classroom.

Meeting your children on move-up day last June was such a delight! I know Hudsyn was having a birthday right after school; Macrae was going to get a perm like the big guys; Brian wanted to spend the summer playing with his new kitten. I can't wait to learn what the rest have been up to!