Photobucket

Parents-

All of the photos taken during the school year are in the Photobucket site. If you would like to order pictures please do so before the end of August.

I will be deleting the contents of the Perrien Photobucket site at the end of August in preparation for the new school year.

Thanks!

Summer--what to do?

During the summer vacation my kids are allowed to be "school work free" for the first two weeks of the break. After that...mom has a plan!

My girls each work on their handwriting (cursive for Evelyn) skills over the summer. This is done through thank you letters (or other types of written correspondence) to family and friends. They also will be keeping a summer journal.

They will also be working on a summer skills workbook. I have chosen a grade level workbook from Barnes and Noble. My goal is for them to practice the skills they learned during the last school year (not to introduce something new and potentially frustrating) so they don't appear "rusty" in the fall. They work on these workbooks for about 30 minutes per day. (They will be quick to remind you that they don't work on the weekends!)

We also do occasional flash card practice (to keep those basic math facts fresh) and we READ EVERY DAY. Reading in our home usually is done before bedtime. My husband or I read a chapter from a book chosen as a family story. Then the girls read for 15-20 minutes on their own in their bedrooms. Reading is a great way for them to wind down and relax before it's lights out!

Other Summer Activities:
Go to the beach!
Get outside and play
Turn OFF the TV
Visit with family and friends
Go to the zoo (the John Ball Zoo is Grand Rapids is inexpensive)
Spend time together as a family!

Have a wonderful summer! If you have any questions for me I am always available through email at croelperriena@westottawa.net.

Thanks!

Mrs. Perrien

Counting down to summer

As we count down to summer, a few items are worth mentioning!

This Friday (May 29th) students may wear a hat for the day if they pay $1.00. This is a charitable fundraiser, Caps for a Cure," with all the money going to help fund a cure for Type 1 (juvenile) Diabetes. One of the Waukazoo teaching stuff, Mrs. Gallagher, is riding in a biking event this summer to raise research funds. I will be collecting the $1.00 donation Friday morning and in return, your son or daughter may wear a hat all day!

We will begin cleaning out lockers and sending home posters and other projects this week. Please be on the lookout throughout the week. More will come next week as well!

Friday "Read in the Dark"

We enjoying our read in the dark day so much that we are doing it again! This Friday students may bring flashlights and camping gear for an afternoon of "campfire" reading. Fun!! We will begin after special and recess Friday afternoon.

Classroom News

Friday morning is also our last "Parents and Pastries." If you came last Friday you are welcome to come again!

Mrs. Perrien's class will continue with homework all this week and next week. If this changes in any way I will let you know. However, spelling is completed for the year! (All the children were so sad...)

The Photobucket account is currently up-to-date. However, I am planning (hoping) to take pictures next week and give the kids the opportunity to reflect on how much they have changed this school year by comparing their new picture to the one taken on the first day of school.

5th Grade Luncheon

Next Wednesday, June 3, I will be treating the 5th graders to a special luncheon. They do not to bring a lunch or order a lunch that day.

Have a great week!

--Mrs. Perrien

Summer Pet Sitting

Are you interested in taking our four baby guppies or the Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches? They are looking for a summer home. Please let me know if you are interested.

Classroom Update

Lots of new pictures have been posted from the Celebration of Learning and our field trip to Windmill Island. Thanks to Genevieve and her mom for sharing their photos!

The photos will remain in Photobucket until the end of August. Make sure you order whatever you'd like during the summer. Shortly before school starts I will be deleting the entire contents of the Perrien Photobucket album.

Science in the Spring/Classroom Updates

One of my favorite teaching seasons is Spring. So much is happening outside! Today we went into the woods behind the school to do a tree study. Students picked a tree and observed it closely. They recorded visual observations as well as took measurements. Later this week students will return to the woods to more closely observe their tree in its environment. Next week we will return to look for CHANGE.

When we were back in the woods we looked at the Trillium flowers growing so beautifully. We discussed why it is not appropriate in Michigan to pick the Trillium.

Students are studying the rock cycle. We have also learned about the science of a volcano. Later this week they will begin an environmental impact study as we continue to learn about the Earth.

OTHER CLASSROOM NEWS
Today we watched the West Ottawa Theater Departments traveling show, "Sir Slob and the Princess." I am always thrilled to see student actors and we at Waukazoo do enjoy seeing our students come back to put on these amazing shows! West Ottawa is very fortunate to have talented drama teachers, who also practice their craft!

SOCIAL STUDIES--Although we heard about the constitution at the recent celebration of learning we didn't study it too closely...yet! Over the next two weeks we will do more research to learn more about the United States Constitution.

DATES TO REMEMBER--May 22 and May 29. Each Friday morning we will welcome parents for a "Parents and Pastries" morning. Parents are welcome to join us as we finish our workplan or do a whole class lesson. Each event will run from 9:00 a.m. -10:00 a.m.

Missing Boys Blazer

On the night of the celebration of learning a boys navy blue blazer went missing. Jamesohn's family was kind enough to loan us a navy blue boys blazer/sports coat (with a missing gold button). Unfortunately, this sports coat disappeared the night of the big event. It is a boys sport coat, navy blue, with a missing gold button.

Please check to see if the jacket was accidentally taken home with your son or daughter the night of the celebration of learning. I would very much like to return it to Jamesohn's family.

Thanks!