New Fall Photos!

Classroom Items Needed:

If you are willing and able, the following items are needed in our classroom.  Some of these can be found quite cheaply at dollar stores and the like:

Large (5 X 8) index cards
Small lined and unlined index cards
Scotch Tape (the school's tape doesn't hold well)
Wooden clothespins (not the kind that clasp)

Any help with these items is appreciated!

--Mrs. Perrien

Animal Research Project

5th Grader, Logan W., typed the following information for parents:

Dear parents,

For a couple weeks we have been working on an animal research project. We started making a rough draft of a report. But the report will not be kept as is because we are going to take it apart for a poster, a book or a diorama.  The students made a project choice. 

This project will be a homework project. The project must be done and turned in by November 23^rd. The project must be done by the student, but the parent can help with little tiny things. 

From Mrs. Perrien:  Students have their research and notes, plus their rough drafts in their research folders.  We’ve discussed the project at school, plus created a rubric for each type of assignment.  This rubric is also in the research folder.

We’ll have a “project share” on the afternoon of the 23^rd.  If you have time, please stop in to see the students’ hard work.  We’ll be inviting the lower Montessori classrooms to visit as well.  Stop in anytime from 2 p.m. – 3 p.m. on the 23^rd (if you’re able).

Pictures from Moms and Muffins!

Thinkmarks

What are "thinkmarks?"  Thinkmarks are a way we keep track of our thinking in the Upper Montessori classroom.  We have been discussing these in reading workshop this week.  Students have been learning about leaving reading tracks--visual cues and reminders of our thinking about books.

Estimation Note

Parents-

Please pick a week for estimation this year!  Students and parents are asked to bring in something to fill the estimation container.  During your estimation week, the students will take turns guessing the number of items that are in the estimation container.  The sign-up form has been emailed to all the Upper Montessori families.

You may send in food items for the estimation container.  Other ideas include rice, cereal, jelly beans, cotton balls, Q-tips, and wine corks.

Please count how many of your item is in the estimation container and email me the answer.  Please don’t tell your child the answer as we would like him or her to be a part of the weekly estimation.

Estimation is a wonderful math activity.  We use each weekly estimation lesson to learn how to estimate more accurately.  It’s also a lot of fun!

If you have questions please be sure to let me know!

Amy Perrien

Post Conference Reflection

Thank you, parents, for some wonderfully productive parent-teacher conferences!  Be sure to email me if you have questions or would like further information regarding your son's or daughter's parent/teacher conference.