Hope you had an amazing Thanksgiving Break

I hope you had an amazing Thanksgiving break! I know I did.  Today a lady came around to talk to the kids about doing health careers.  This is an after school program that takes 10 kids from 5th grade to go to the hospital and do activities such as touring the hospital.  They will also be paired with one of the volunteers from the hospital.  Once the children are selected it will start in January and be on the 3rd Thursday every month.  If you have questions please contact Donna Zornes.

Progress reports were due back today! If your child has not brought their signed report back they can do so tomorrow.  Spelling pretest started today. Some students were testing and will take it tomorrow.

Testing has started this week and will finish up next week for MTSS.  This test measures their fluency and accuracy while reading.  So far everyone that has been tested is making progress compared to the fall scores.

Book orders are due on Friday.  I will be out of the building Friday morning for a Dr. Apt.  I will be back at lunch.  So I will send in the book order after school.  Please remember that if you are wanting it to be a surprise for your child to let me know!

In science/social studies labs your child is starting a big colony project.  They just finished social studies with me and should have completed their "fakebook" page about their explorer.  Ask your child about it.

Students need to bring a paint shirt to keep in their locker by Friday.


Spelling Words!

1. human
2. exact
3. award
4. behave
5. credit
6. basic
7. vivid
8. evil
9. modern
10. nation
11. robot
12. panic
13. select
14. cousin
15. item
16. police
17. prefer
18. menu
19. novel
20. deserve
Challenge
autumn
nuisance
logic
column
laser

November 14th

Good evening,

Wow has it been a crazy couple of weeks!  There is spelling this week!!! And we DO have school on Friday!

**Spelling list will be at the bottom of this post and it will be added to spelling city.

**There are several things going on over the next few weeks please make sure to check everything.

**Over the weekend 5th grade teachers sent home a huge paper turkey feather.  Here is the letter that accompanied it.

Dear Families,

As we approach our Thanksgiving season, we will be discussing the many things we have to be thankful for in our lives.  As a display of our thanks, I have given each student a feather to decorate with all of the people and things they are grateful for.  Please make sure their name is written LARGE somewhere on the feather for everyone to see.  Please copy and cut pictures of family and friends, draw items, use stickers (and any other craft items)- whatever you and your child would like to use to decorate.  This will be their personalized feather of thanks.  next week we will add each feather to the fifth grade turkey to show the school how much we have to appreciate.  Please enjoy some time with your child over the next few days to reflect on how much good we really do have in our lives.  The feathers should be finished and brought back to school on Monday NOVEMBER 14th.  Thank you so much for your involvement and support!

**Only 8 students turned in their feather today!  Please help your child finish their turkey feather and bring it in to school tomorrow!


**The 4th and 5th grade musical is this Thursday. The dress rehearsal for Garfield will be at 2:30pm.  The public performance will be at 6:30 PM that night! Please have your child in costume and in the gym at 6:20pm that night!!  I look forward to seeing you there.

**I am sending a packet home tonight that is due on Friday!  It includes math and reading practice.  The point of this packet is to help prepare them for state assessments in the spring.  It was a joint 5th grade decision to send them home.  They have all week to complete the assignments.  We want to give every advantage to our students to allow them to be successful during state assessments.

**Last week we started using new classroom money.  The students have a log on for learningearnings.com They can earn class paper money for different various things during the day.  I can also send them a direct deposit.  Students earn $5 for having a no tally day, $20 for being entered into the student of the week drawing, $10 for every A that is put in the gradebook, $5 for every B.  Students have also applied for jobs and earn $5 a day for their job.  I encourage you to have your child log into their account and show you all the cool prizes they can buy and how it works.  They can even earn money for playing the educational games on the website.  :)

**In class we have been talking about respect.  I have talked with the kids about how I am going to have to really be strict until they prove they can handle some freedom.  This may mean that one minute we are a little laid back and another we have to tighten up our rules.  I have discussed with the students that sometimes life is not fair and I do not want to hear them shout out that that isn't fair.  IT will be an automatic tally if I hear them say it isn't fair.  So far we have been much better since I have become more strict.  I do not like to be so strict, but it seems to be working for now.   If after Thanksgiving break they seem to still have themselves under control I will start giving them back some of their freedoms.



Spelling words


1. bargain
2. journey
3. pattern
4. arrive
5. object
6. suppose
7. shoulder
8. permit
9. sorrow
10. tunnel
11. subject
12. custom
13. suggest
14. perhaps
15. lawyer
16. timber
17. common
18. publish
19. burden
20. scissors
Challenge
narrate
mentor
attempt
collide
ignore

Happy Halloween and other treats...

The following is an email from Dean Katt our Superintendent about Dr. Jean McCally. 

I have some sad news to share with everyone.  Dr. Jean McCally passed away early Saturday morning.

Jean has been an inspiration to many of the USD 290 staff over the past 14 years.  She worked in the Paola school district for 8 years before coming to the Ottawa school system as the Garfield Elementary Principal for three years.  Jean then served as the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction for 11 years, where she was instrumental in developing many innovative programs and a progressive curriculum that has benefited thousands of Ottawa students.   She was a true educational leader that always put kids first.  She will be sorely missed by everyone in the educational community. 

USD 290 will not have school on Friday November 4.  The number of staff attending the service is too great to provide coverage of all the classrooms.  All staff will be off on Friday and leave request will not be required. 

The district office will be open for a short time Friday morning for the Chamber of Commerce Coffee that is scheduled for 8:00 AM.   

Service arrangements are as follows: 

Funeral services for Jean McCally, age 47, of Ottawa, who died October 29, 2011, after a two year battle with breast cancer, will be held at the Ottawa University Chapel, 10:00 a.m. Friday, November 4, 2011, interment will follow at Highland Cemetery.  Mrs. McCally will lie in state at the Lamb-Roberts Funeral Home from 11:00 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday prior to her visitation. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8:00 Thursday evening at the First Baptist Church, Ottawa.  The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Susan G. Komen for the Cure or University of Kansas Cancer Center, c/o Lamb-Roberts Funeral, 325  S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.  Condolences may be sent to the family through www.lamb-roberts.com. 

Dean Katt

USD 290

Superintendent of Schools

1404 South Ash St. Ottawa, KS 66067

(785) 229-8010

Tonight is Halloween.  Please remember that there is school tomorrow and students need plenty of sleep.  Please also try and limit their sugar intake tonight.  I am asking that no candy be brought to school.  (Unless there is enough for everyone.)

Most of all be safe and have fun!!

Spelling list is at the end of this blog post.  I will post it on Spelling city later tonight or tomorrow. 

1. cellar

2. flavor

3. cougar

4. chapter

5. mayor

6. anger

7. senator

8. passenger

9. major

10. popular

11. tractor

12. thunder

13. pillar

14. border

15. calendar

16. quarter

17. lunar

18. proper

19. elevator

20. bitter

Challenge Words

21. stellar

22. clamor

23. tremor

24. circular

25. adviser

Free Cell Phones!!! This is not spam!!

Hi Everyone!

Below is an awesome link to the Reachout Wireless government program that allows for individuals/families to receive a free cell phone (and maybe some of you already know about it).
To apply, a person needs to qualify by being enrolled in Medicaid, Food Stamps, SSI, TANF, Section 8, LIHEAP, and the National School Free Lunch Program.
A person may qualify if they fall under the Federal Poverty Guideline.
Check the web site out below, or call the toll free number at: 877-870-9444.
I called to try and get more applications, but they only allow the individual/family needing the phone to apply. They do not send out applications to agencies...
People can also apply online.
Please pass this information on to whoever you think can use it, or feel free to have any families contact me that you know of, and I will be happy to assist them in getting a phone.

https://www.reachoutmobile.com/

Thankls!!

The letter sent home by Mrs. Cannady about the Music Program

October 20, 2011

To the 4^th & 5^th grade Parents/Guardians,

The 4^th and 5^th grade classes have started preparations for their fall musical, “Go West!,” A Musical Celebration of America’s Westward Expansion.  Auditions for Speaking Parts & Solos have already taken place during class time.  All students were given the opportunity to audition for a part during music class, and all students who want a part will get a part.  Speaking parts are completely voluntary.  Those with speaking parts will receive a copy of their scene and lines with this letter.  Please help your son and/or daughter memorize the scene they are in, who they follow and their speaking lines. 

The performance date is set for Thursday, November 17^th, and will feature the 4^th & 5^th grade students in the musical, “Go West!” For the program, the students will need to arrive by 6:20PM on the risers in the Garfield Gym.  The program will begin at 6:30PM in the gym and should conclude by 7:10PM.  The program is a graded assignment.  If your son/daughter will not be able to attend for any unforeseen circumstance or falls sick the day of the performance, then please send a note, call or email, and I will make sure that your son/daughter has the opportunity to make up the 100 points for the night performance and 50 points for the school performance during the day. 

Students who are portraying actual characters with speaking parts need to dress similar to that character. These students have been asked to research their character here at school and/or possibly at home.  Students are to find out how said character dressed and any information pertaining to said character. 

Students without speaking parts should come dressed either in nice dress clothes or as any historical figure we are discussing in the musical; Pioneer, Cowboy/girl (Cowpoke), Gold Miner, Railroad Worker, Native American, Steamboat Traveler, Train Engineer, Texan, Townsperson, Trapper Man/Woman, Farmer, Sailor, Mountain Man/Woman.  (If no special attire can be found, then a plain, simple shirt and pants will work just fine.  No sweat pants or holes in jeans please.)

All students are working extremely hard learning songs, choreography & speaking parts, and we are looking forward to sharing it all with each of you!  We’ll see you on the 17^th!  If you have any questions please call or email me at school, 229-8060 ext. 4621/ cannadys@usd290.org.  The best time to reach me by phone is 9:00 – 9:40AM.

Sincerely,

Stephanie Cannady

K-5 Music

4-5 Honors Choir

Garfield Elementary

Last full week of October

First I want to say thank you to everyone who made their parent teacher conferences.  This is very important for both your child and myself.  I had several very good conversations with you, and appreciate everything you are doing at home to make your child successful.

This week is red ribbon week. During red ribbon week we promote being drug free.  It also doubles as a type of spirit week.

Monday: Wear Team Apparel
Tuesday: Wear red, white, and/or blue
Wednesday: wear Garfield apparel
Thursday: wear tennis shoes
Friday: wear your favorite clothes.  (it is also our jammie party day, so you could wear your favorite jammies)

Our students were able to earn enough party points to get their class party.  We will have a game/extra recess/pajama party on Friday.  If your child has had 3 or more strikes, (4 tally days), they do not get to participate in the class point party.  The couple of students who do not get to participate in the class party will have work that they can catch up on and other things to do outside of our room. Students may wear their pajamas and bring a game to play.  I will lock up any personal player devices (Nintendo DS, PSP, gameboy, iPod touch, etc) in my cabinet so it will not be stolen out of lockers.  They also have the option of bringing a board game to play.  Any games brought to school must be rated E for everyone or 10 and up.

Friday afternoon at 2:45 is our Harvest party.  You are welcome to attend and hang out.  Jessica Slocum is the room mom.  If you have any questions please email her at jslocum30@gmail.com  I believe she is reminding everyone what they signed up to send with their child/bring.  I will also include it here.

Napkins: Shane Gibbs
Plates: Jamie Walters
Salty Snack: Jamie Keiter and Shelly Mason
Healthy Snack: Shelly Frank and Rachel Smith
Sweet Snack: Marilyn Grube and Tina Edwards
Volunteers that have signed up to be in the room for sure are Leslie Miller, Shelly Mason, Angela Roberts, and Jessica Slocum.  Others are welcome to come in as well.

Spelling Test is also on Friday.  No one passed the pretest so everyone has to take the test on Friday. The nature of this weeks list does not allow for me to put them on spelling city.  Spelling city does not recognize the words that are really 2 separate words.


Spelling Unit 9:

wildlife
uproar
home run
headache
top-secret
teammate
wheelchair
light bulb
well-known
throughout
life preserver
barefoot
part-time
warehouse
overboard
post office
outspoken
up-to-date
awestruck
newscast

Challenge Words:
motorcycle
overseas
quick-witted
stomachache
bulletin board
                                                                                                                                                                 

Tuesday, Oct. 4th

Yesterday a letter from Mrs. Wormington went home about the situations we have been experiencing in 5th grade.  Please make sure you find and read that.  For your convenience I am also putting it here on the blog.  I have several students who have missing math work.  I'm willing to work with them after school on this  Fri, and next Mon, Tues, and Thurs.  Next Thurs is the last day for students to get things done and turned in.  That Friday there is no students because I am working on grade cards.  If your child needs to stay please email me so that I can make sure I am here. 

I just now uploaded spelling words to spelling city.  Sorry I did not get to that yesterday. 

The letter from Mrs. Wormington:


October 3, 2011

Dear Parents,

I wanted to make you aware of three concerns that were discussed with all of the fifth graders on Friday.  The first concern addresses behaviors that have been challenging the ability for each classroom to have an effective learning environment.  in the Elementary Handbook, the students received an explanation of the expectations/guidlines under the Student Conduct/Discipline section.  it reads in the handbook;

                                                               Student Conduct/ Discipline

Students may be disciplined for any of the following reasons:

Willful violation of any published adopted student conduct regulation;

Conduct which substantially disrupts, impedes, or interferes with school operation;

Conduct Which  endangers the safety or substantially impinges on or invades the rights of others;

Conduct which constitiues the commission of a felony;

Conduct which constitutes the commission of a misdemeanor;

Defiance of school authority;

Disruption or interference with school operation;

Possession of a weapon at school, on school property or at a school-sponsered event.

Violation of any provision of the behavior code may result in disciplinary action up to and including suspension and/or expulsion.

The meaning of the two areas of conduct that are underlined was the focus.  Behaviors that disrupt, impede, or interfere with learning are blurting out, interrupting the speaker, talking during instruction, arguing with the teacher, or any inappropriate comments or actions that are deemed disrespectful.  These behaviors invade the rights for others to obtain an effective learning environment as outlined by the students and their teachers at the beginning of the year.

The teachers will be developing a contract to reflect the expectations for an effective learning environment.  We will ask each student and parent to sign and agree that they understand the expectations.  Please look for this to come home before the end of the week.

The second area of concern is the jelly bracelets that some students are wearing.  You may or may not be aware that these bracelets have an inappropriate meaning attached to them.  Apparently, each color bracelet has a different sexual meaning.  if someone snaps a colored bracelet off of the wearer; it results in one of them performing an act with the other.  now, just because your child is wearing the bracelets, does not mean he/she is attaching the meanings, but the "talk" is out there.  I am discouraging that these bracelets be worn at school.  The conversations become a distraction to learning.

The third area of concern is that there is some talk among students that involves content with sexual innuendos.  These are turning in to rumors that become concerning to the students involved.  I sent a strong message that this will not be tolerated at Garfield Elementary.  Any student who spreads a rumor becomes part of the problem.  the students were instructed to tell a teacher, the counselor, the principal, or a parent if thy are told a rumor.  They don't tell another student.  Their response should be, "I don't spread rumors." Any future problems with rumors of this nature will be investigated and documented as a bullying incident.

Please have conversation with your student about each of these concerns.  Keeping an open line of communication with your student will be instrumental in helping him/her to deal with the content that they may or may not be read to be exposed to at such an early age. 

I appreciate your support with all of these concerns.  Please don't hesitate to call if you have any questions.  

Amy Wormington

Princiapl

Spelling

1. earth

2. peer

3. twirl

4. burnt

5. smear

6. further

7. appear

8. worthwhile

9. nerve

10. pier

11. squirm

12. weary

13. alert

14. murmur

15. thirsty

16. reverse

17. worship

18. career

19. research

20. volunteer

21. yearn

22. engineer

23. interpret

24. dreary

25. external

Calling all parents!!!

Are there any parents out there who could volunteer to help during either reading (1:00-2:30) or Math (10:15ish-12:00) or both?  It doesn't have to be every day.  Just consistent if at all possible.  You would be helping students who had questions during centers or rotations, while I work with a small group on that days concept.  I can really use another set of eyes in my classroom.  I am by myself most days without any adults in the room to help out at all.  If you are interested please let me know!!  Email, text, call.  I remember a couple of people saying they could at the beginning of the year but I don't remember who had said they could!  :) Thanks for your help!

Spelling Lists and News

Good morning,

At the bottom of this page you will have the spelling list.  I will also update Spelling City.

Tomorrow we are going to COWS at Lincoln.  COWS stands for Careers on WheelS.  The purpose of the presentation is to show 5th graders why they need to graduate high school.  It shows the different career possibilities using different vehicles.  Make sure you ask your child about it tomorrow!

We will be going to the ACT Ottawa performance of Sleeping Beauty on Oct. 6th.  The cost is $1.  Please send this to school with your child ASAP.  I will be collecting it.  If you have ANY questions please do not hesitate to contact me.

There are some students that I will be sending a note home with.  This note is in regards to putting their class projects on the class website.  We will be doing a big explorer project and I want to be able to post it on here so that you can share it with your friends and families all over.  I'm very excited about it.  If you filled out the technology (orange) sheet both front and back at the beginning of the year during enrollment you do not need to worry about this.  There were only 5 students whose parents forgot to fill it out.

Conferences are very quickly approaching.  If you have not set up a time with me please do so!  I will post on the calendar at the bottom of this page who is when.  This way you will know what I have available if you have not signed up yet.

Spelling List Unit 6 Test on Friday Sept 30


glory
aware
carton
adore
aboard
dairy
ordeal
pardon
warn
vary
barely
torch
barge
soar
beware
absorb
armor
stairway
perform
former
Challenge Words
discard
forfeit
orchestra
rarity
hoard

Have a fantastic Weekend

Good evening.  Friday I did send home the unit 2 social studies test.  It was open book with a partner and if they did not get it finished they were to finish it last weekend.  There were only 4 students who turned in a test on Friday and several left their social studies books here over the weekend.

Spelling is up on spelling city.  We are working on theme and visualization in reading.  Our story this week is "Elisha's Diary."

In math we are working with probability.

Here is this weeks spelling list.

ounce
sprawl
launch
loyal
avoid
basketball
moist
haunt
scowl
naughty
destroy
saucer
pounce
poison
August
auction
royal
coward
awkward
encounter
Challenge Words
poise
loiter
exhaust
assault
alternate

Also....

Please be sure to read the previous post. :)

Scholastic Book orders are going home tomorrow.  They are due on Sept. 30.  I will be submitting the order that morning.  Remember you can order online securily with your debit or credit card.  And if you order online I get bonus money/points to spend on books for our classroom!

There is a link to the left showing you where to go to order books. :)

Help me win a Project from Limeades for learning!!!

Please help our classroom!!! Goto http://www.limeadesforlearning.com/ and search for my project.  I am one of only 2 people in Franklin County trying to fund a project for my classroom.  http://www.limeadesforlearning.com/pages/search?src=start I'm not sure if this link will bring up my page to vote for. If it does not then click on search by location. Put in Kansas then click Franklin County and the Garfield.  You will find my project there.  But please spread the word via facebook, email, phone calls etc.  You can vote everyday until Sept 29.  IF you get a code from a sonic drink you get 2 free extra votes!  Please help fund this project for your kids! 

Thanks for supporting me!!!

Happy Monday!

Good morning,

Spelling words are written down in your child's planner.  They are also posted to spellingcity.com/bekahjwadkins.

In math we talked about number stories that use addition and subtraction. We talked about variables (when a letter represents a word), and open sentences (number sentences that use variables.)

In reading we talked about vocabulary and we are starting a story called "Double Dutch: A Celebration of Jump Rope, Rhyme, and Sisterhood."  While reading this story we will be talking about sequence of events, common and proper nouns, and the suffixes -ion, and -tion.

On Friday we will be visiting Lincoln School for the COWS (Careers on Wheels) Program.  This is from 9:30-10:30. 

Spelling Words

glue

flute

youth

accuse

bruise

stew

choose

loose

lose

view

confuse

cruise

jewel

execute

route

cartoon

avenue

include

assume

souvenir

Challenge Words

conclude

pursuit

intrude

subdue

presume

Friday Sept 9th

Today in class we watched this video http://www.nick.com/videos/clip/nick-news-what-happened-the-true-story-of-september-11th-full-episode.html It seperated fact from fiction about the attacks on our country. It is only 20 minutes long and well worth watching. It inspires hope and makes students informed.  I urge you to watch it and talk about it with your child.  You may never forget that day, but they will never know that day if we don't tell them about it.

On a lighter note.  We took our spelling test today, caught up on missing work, and finished up our reading selection about elections.  The main focus for reading this week was comparing and contrasting. 

Remember to continue working on multiplication facts with your child.

Change in Dismissal Pick Up for 3rd-5th Grade

Good Afternoon,

Today we took the spelling pretest.  If your child received an A+ on the first 20 they do not have to take the test on Friday.  If they did not get all of the challenge words correct they will need to take that part of the test.  If they received an A+ on all 25 words they do not have to take the test at all.  Your child is bringing home their pretest.  If they have a purple star on it they do not have to take the test on Friday.  There are only 4 students who do not have to take the test on Friday.  The list for this week is at the bottom of this post.  Words are also up on Spellingcity.com/bekahjwadkins

Slight Change in Dismissal Pick Up for 3rd-5th Graders

The city has requested that we make a slight change to the dismissal traffic pattern.  Students will still be picked up on College in the loading zone.  Instead of waiting on 13th street between College and Cedar, parents are asked to enter the line from 13th and Mulberry along the school property. However, buses will need to be able to exit the circle drive and make the turn toward Mulberry.  Because of this, staff members will be at the entrance of the circle drive and at the exit of the circle drive helping to direct cars and keep cars from stopping between those two points.  Thank you for your patience as we find the safest way to pick up your children.  If you have nay questions, please don't hesitate to contact the school. 

School Picture Day
Picture day is on Tues, September 27th. 

Spelling List

sign

groan

reply

thrown

strike

mighty

stroll

compose

dough

height

excite

apply

slight

define

odor

spider

control

silent

brighten

approach

Challenge Words

require                       

plight

reproach                    

opponent

defy

Good Afternoon

Hello,


I'm so sorry that this week I did not get the spelling list out until today.  It is in your child's planner. 

Spelling Words
awake
feast
stray
greet
praise
disease
repeat
display
braces
thief
ashamed
sleeve
waist
beneath
sheepish
release
remain
sway
training
niece

Challenge Words
stale
afraid
freedom
eager
explain

These words are up on spelling city now.  www.spellingcity.com/bekahjwadkins

Important Dates

Thursday Sept. 1st- Parent Information Night

5:45-6:10 – Session 1

6:15-6:25 – Gym, Message from Mrs. Wormington

6:30-6:55 – Session 2

 

You only have to come to 1 session. 

 

 

Don't for get to "Brown Bag It!"

Today was another awesome day.  :)  We were slightly chatty but no big deal really. 

Remember your healthy snack and to wear deodorant!!  We are switching our schedule around some, nothing is finalized yet, but when it is I will post our schedule. 

Thank you everyone who joined the facebook page!  We now have a direct link to it.  http://www.facebook.com/mrswadkinsclass

Homework for tonight:
Brown Bag it! 
Students were provided with a brown paper bag today.  They are supposed to fill it with an item from each of the following categories.  They will share it with the class through out this week.  I told them to try and get something from each category, but at the very least 8 categories.

CATEGORIES
* a hobby or free-time activity that you enjoy
* one of your favorites (food, color, music, book, etc.)
*future plans or goals
*something you'd like to do better
*a place you'd like to visit
*something special about your family
*the best part of summer vacation
*something that reminds you of a memorable event or time in your life
*something that you really dislike
*a talent or special ability that you have



A flyer went home with the girls today about cheer camp.  OHS Cheerleading Clinic is Saturday, August, 27th.  9am-10:30am.  Ages 4 through 5th grade.  Registration starts at 8:45.  Cost for the clinic is $10 and for an additional $10 you can get a T-Shirt.

Tomorrow a flyer will go home about the 2nd annual cupcakes for kids event.  Support Communities in School and the Back Snack Program!  Purchase a cupcake from Ottawa Country Mart on August 26th and 27th and proceeds will go to help students in need in the Ottawa School District.

Our behavior system is a system of tallies.  Students will get a tally anytime they are blurting, off task, disrespectful (both to adults and peers), messing around in the hallways, etc. 

Tally 1 is a warning
Tally 2 is a warning
Tally 3 lose 10 mins of recess
Tally 4 lose entire recess
Tally 5 a note goes home
Tally 6 is a visit to the Principal Mrs. Wormington

In order for our class to earn a party they have to earn 600 points.  At the end of the day any student that does not have a tally earns the class 1 point.  Students can also earn party points by obtaining compliments from adults and for doing well in class and line.

If a child has a 4+ tally day they get 1 strike.  If a student ends up with 3+ strikes they do not get to participate in the class party.  Parties will be determined when they are earned. 

Thank you for your continued support and I look forward to an amazing year!

What a great start to the year!!!!

If you are reading this CONGRATULATIONS you found our class blog!!  I will be posting schedules, notes, updates, homework, and lots of other miscellaneous information on here.  If you notice down below this post there is a google calendar that has important dates on it.  I will be adding conferences to this as they are signed up for.  And anything else that is coming up as well.

We got today off to a GREAT start.  We toured the school, went over expectations, and procedures.  We will have P.E. on Mon., Wed., and Fri.  Please make sure your child has tennis shoes on these days. 

It is very warm outside.  Please remember to have your child wear shirts that are at least 2 fingers wide at the shoulder.  They may bring water bottles to sit on their tables.  Also please, please, PLEASE have your child wear deodorant.  Many of them are about to hit puberty or already have.  When they run around in this heat and then come back into our stuffy classroom it is very odorous in here.  And I don't mean a fresh clean smell.  ;)   

I will also post on here when there is homework due and my expectations for each item.  Students should be reading for at least 20 minutes every night on top of whatever other homework they have. (I forgot to mention that to the students today. I will let them know on Monday.)

Please don't ever hesitate to contact me if you have concerns, celebrations, or anything else on your mind that you think I would find beneficial to know. 

I have unlimited texting and unlimited T-Mobile to T-Mobile.  Me email comes to my phone, so I am usually able to respond to email rather quickly after school hours.  785-229-5793 is my number.  If you call and I don't answer please leave a message and I will return your call.  I have an almost 2 year old at home, so often I am chasing him and do not hear my phone, but I do check it regularly. 

Free Ice Cream tonight!

Here is the School Calendar for this year.  Please also check the google calendar below. 

Meet the teacher and supply drop off is tonight from 4:30-6:30.  The ice cream social is from 5:30-7:30.

I'm very excited for this year.  I will be adding resources and any notes that I send home will also be on here. 

Ice cream social

 
PTA would like to sponsor an ice cream social on August 18th from 5:30-7pm in the school courtyard for all Garfield families following the "Meet the Teachers" night.  It will be an informal gathering as a welcome back to school.
 
Below is a list of donations we are looking for to support the ice cream social.  Please respond to Staci Weingartner at staciweingartner@hotmail.com if you are able to donate any of the supplies or are able to assist serving.
 
supplies for ice cream social
gallon vanilla ice cream (approx $7 gallon)
chocolate syrup (approx $2 bottle)
caramel syrup (approx $2 bottle)
whipped cream (approx $2 bottle)
strawberry topping (approx $2 bottle)
styrofoam cups
napkins 
spoons
oreo cookies (approx $2 bag)
root beer (option for individuals who prefer a root beer float)
 
Thanks again for your support and looking forward to a fabulous school year.
 

School is almost here!

I'm not sure if there are any parents checking the blog over this summer, but I thought I would update it.  Especially since some of your children I'm sure to have again.  I'm going to put the school supply list on here as well.

Enrollment went well yesterday.  I saw several of you come out.  It is always a pleasure to see my students and their families. 

Class lists will be posted on the the doors Monday, Aug 15th, by 4pm.  After this time if you do not want to come in and check the list you can call or email me and I will let you know.  I cannot let you know before this time as the list is subject to change before then. 

Meet the teacher night and school supply drop off is Thursday Aug 18th from 4:30-6:30.   When you come in you will go to your new classroom and get everything dropped off.  Depending on who your teacher is, well depend on what they want you to do with your school supplies. 

I'm looking forward to a fantastic year!  If you haven't checked out the class facebook page yet please do so!  I will also be updating the fb page when I update this blog. 

Colored Pencils . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . At least 24
Erasers (Pencil Top). . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  1 Box
4 Pack of Dry Erase Markers. . . . . . . . .  1 pkg.
Highlighters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Glue Sticks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  1 pkg.
Scissors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Markers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 pkg.
Pencils . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . .  2 Pkgs.#2 or Mechanical
Pens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Blue, 1 Red
Tissues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  2 Boxes
Small, Self-Contained Pencil Sharpener . . 1
Crayons (Optional)
3 Spiral Notebooks . . . . . . . . Red/Blue/Green
Disinfecting Wipes . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Pencil Box or Bag
Hole Punched Pocket Folders . . . . . . . . Red/Blue/Green
Black Sharpies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  2
1 Box Sandwich Bags . . . . . . . . . . . . .  Girls
1 Box Gallon Bags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   Boys
1 Refill roll of Scotch Tape
1 Roll of masking Tape

Fifth Grade...

Is it bad that it is June and my new room is almost completely set up and I am SO EXCITED for the school year to start?! I can't wait to see who all are officially in my class next year!! This blog is now going to be named Mrs. Wadkins' 5th Grade!!

The last day....

Today was bitter sweet. There were tears, laughs and even chocolate chip pancakes.

As I look back at this year I do nothing but smile. Each and everyone of my students felt like my own child. They have grown and matured so much.

I think back to one of my students starting the year so quiet and shy. Today she was laughing and giggling and having a great time.

A couple of others were so frustrated with math that they would be in tears. Last week they came up to me and showed me how they had done it on their own.

My rough and tumble boys that would bicker and fight gave me a challenge, but they always stuck up for each other on the playground.

I will never forget my two that were stuck together the first month of school because they couldn't get along.  Though the last few days of school they were back to bickering, they actually enjoyed each others company most of the year.

Then there was my "the answer is ninja!" As he struck a pose. That will always make me laugh.

This group is so dear to my heart. They have been a joy to get to know. Not only have the kids been great, but I have amazing parents this year. Thank you for all of your help both at  home with your child and at school with me.

I hope everyone's summer is marvelous and on the bright side I will have some of you again next year!  Love you all!

Pet Show and Tell

Monday 5/16

8:15 Makayla

8:25 Molly

8:35 Isaac

8:45 Bayleigh

10:25 Chris

10:35 Susie

10:45 Ryan

1:40 Sean

1:50 Westen

3:20 Nikki

Tuesday 5/17

8:15 Moriah

9:05 Payton

10:15 Amaya

10:25 Jeremaih

11:35 Aidan

3:20 Rami

Wednesday 5/18

10:45 Katie

2:40 Regan

5.5 Days! Boy has this year gone fast!

Good morning!

There are many different items going on these next few days!  Be checking your child's planner daily.

5/13 AM  Gaming Party.  Students can bring board games, hand held games, wii games.  I will bring in my wii for the kids to play Just Dance and Guitar Hero.  Any games that the kids bring in need to be rated E for everyone.  I will lock their games in my cabinet so that they are not in lockers.

5/13 2pm State Assessment Recognition assembly.  The tickets will be drawn for prizes.

5/16-5/18 Pet Show and Tell.  I will be sending home the schedule tomorrow for this.  I will also post it here.  If you have not sent in your preferred times please do so by tomorrow morning.

5/16  2pm  Outside assembly for students who scored exemplary and had the best effort.  Everyone will attend.  The Big Kahuna will be here. 

5/17 1:30pm 5th Grade Promotion.  4th graders will watch so they know what is expected of them next year.  Honors Choir is also singing at Promotion.  If your child is an Honors Choir student please have them wear their shirt to school.

5/18 Field Day Make sure you wear Tennis Shoes and Shorts

5/19 Movie and Pancakes.  If you would like to help me with this in the morning please contact me asap.  I have 1 volunteer so far.  We will also be cleaning out lockers and getting ready to leave for the summer.  Students will get their yearbooks on this day.  Noon dissmissal.  NO lunch served. Please send bags with your student so they can bring home everything out of their lockers. 

Happy Monday! Only 12.5 Days of school left and tons to do!

Dairy Queen will not be back open in time for our outting. So our class made suggestions for a different party and revoted.  They chose to watch The Karate Kid with Jaden Smith. 

12-year-old Dre Parker could've been the most popular kid in Detroit, but his mother's latest career move has landed him in China. Dre immediately falls for his classmate Mei Ying - and the feeling is mutual - but cultural differences make such a friendship impossible. Even worse, Dre's feelings make an enemy of the class bully, Cheng. In the land of kung fu, Dre knows only a little karate, and Cheng puts "the karate kid" on the floor with ease. With no friends in a strange land, Dre has nowhere to turn but maintenance man Mr. Han, who is secretly a master of kung fu. As Han teaches Dre that kung fu is not about punches and parries, but maturity and calm, Dre realizes that facing down the bullies will be the fight of his life. Written by Columbia Pictures  

This is a PG movie. It has the following profanity in it: 4 uses of "ass" 1 use of "dammit" ''4 uses of s**t'' '' 5 hells '' and 10 uses of oh my god.  I will be sending home a note.  I told the kids that parents might not agree to us watching this.  I am ok with that and so are the kids.  If you do not want your child to watch this video please let me know ASAP.  Email is fine and no one will be outed for being the one to "ruin" it for everyone else.  All but 3 kids wanted to see this movie.  Please let me know what your desire is. 

A reminder about the upcoming events in our classroom.

Tuesday 5/3 Last Art Class for the year
Wednesday 5/4 Honors Choir Tour If your child is not in Honors Choir they will be staying at school
Friday 5/6 Picnic at the Frank house and Kick Ball with Book Buddies.  We will walk over to the Frank's house right after specials.  We will picnic there and play a few games.  We will head back to the school around 1.  We will then play kick ball with our book buddies at 3:00.
Friday 5/13 Gaming Party The students may bring electronic games or board/card games to play.  I will lock all gameboys ect in my cabinet when they are not being used.  Please remind your child that games should be rated E for everyone for them to play at school.  I will be bringing in my Wii and several group games that they can play.
5/16-5/18- Pet Show and Tell I will schedule when parents can bring in pets for the kids to share.  Be watching
5/19 Movie Party/Last Day of school. We will be dissmissed at noon.  We will watch our movie and clean out lockers and our classroom.  We will also be signing yearbooks this day.  If you want your child to have a shirt signed please provide the shirt and the sharpie.  Without written consent from parents I will not be allowing students to write on each others clothes. 

School Calendar for next year

Here is the link for the school calendar for next year. :)

Wow has the year flown by....

Good Morning,

For most of the 4th graders the math and reading assessments are over! Wahoo!!  Science assessment is next week and then we will be done with state testing! Everyone give a cheer!

We have several things going on in the next couple of weeks, so make sure and check the calendar at the bottom of the page.

The students have earned several parties for the end of the year for trying so hard on State Assessments.  As long as they do their best on the Science Assessment they will also earn the animal show and tell the last week of school.
This Thursday is the class respect party.  We will be watching Tangled, wearing PJs, and snuggling with a pillow or a stuffed animal.

May 6th we are going to Katie Franks house for a picnic and ice cream.  We will leave after specials at 10:10 and be back after lunch.  We will be walking.  If your child needs a school lunch for that day please let me know by tomorrow so I can order it.  Does anyone have a wagon we could borrow to put our lunches in? I know I'm a horrible mom that doesn't have a wagon for her child yet.  :)

May 13th is our gaming party.  The students may bring their handheld games.  I will lock them in my cabinet when they are not playing them.  Games must be rated E for everyone to play.  I will be bringing in my Wii for the kids to play.  If anyone has a ps3 or xbox they would be willing to let us hook up to the tv that would be awesome.  Preferabbly with games for 4 people.

May  17th is when we will walk to DQ and get ice cream and go to the park.  Students need to bring their own money to purchase ice cream.  If DQ is not open by then we will reevaluate what party we will do instead.

The last week of school May 16-19  will be our pet show and tell.  Please email me with the animal you are bringing 3 times during that week you will be able to bring in your child's pet and I will get a master schedule to you.  From 9:20 until 10:10 we are in specials.  We are at lunch from 12:00-12:45.   

Next week will be our last spelling test.  So if your child's grade is low you will want to really encourage studying this week!


Spelling List 31 for test on Thurs., Apr. 28     
you’ll
there
then
than
first
people
great
school
important
once
began
remember
letter
strong
already
follow (ing)
someone
along
bottom
check
reading
fall
Our skill this week is homographs.
Homographs are words that are
spelled the same, but sound
different and mean different
things.     
wind     close     lead    live
does     use   bow   wound
present     excuse

City Wide Track Meet

The track meet is today.  Hopefully the rain stays away. 

The snow cone mobile will be at the track selling snow cones for $2.  I will not be responsible for holding your child's money. 

If your child would like to bring a water bottle that is fine.  Please make sure their name is on it and Garfield.  All elementary schools from Ottawa will be there.  I will not be responsible for their water bottle.

I will take pictures at the meet and put them on a cd for anyone who would like a copy.  Just email me or send a note with your child.  I will try to get pictures of everyone, but with the nature of a race it is difficult to get everyone.  I would ask for a 50 cent donation to help with the cost of the cds for pictures. 

Thank you for your continued support of our class!

There is school tomorrow!! I plan on seeing your child in class!

Crazy Week

Today Randy Nadler is coming to talk with us about his travels.  The City Wide Track Meet is on Thursday at noon.  4th grade runs first.  There is school on Friday!

Science Assessment is the first week of May.  Once that is complete will will be completely done with testing!!! Wahoo!!!

Spelling List 31 for test on Fri., Apr. 22     

      

their

after

through

because

sound

something

always

form

kind

father

night

picture

across

example

stand

surface

carefully

gold

build

glass

rock

tall

How are a prefix and a

suffix different? A prefix

is added to the beginning of

a word and ALWAYS changes

the meaning.  A suffix is added

to the end of a word and some-

times changes the meaning of the

word.  Practice giving your child

words and have them add a prefix.

un-  re-  in-  im-  mis- de- ex-

sub- anti-  multi-

The Cats out of the Bag...

For a very long 3 weeks I have had to keep my mouth quiet about some exciting news... no I'm not pregnant, but I get to move to 5th grade!!!  Mrs. Steelman from Eisenhower will be taking my spot.  She is amazing and will do awesome here! I'm so excited to possibly get some of my students again next year!  I hope you are enjoying this beautiful afternoon!

Spelling List

Spelling List 30 for test on Thurs., Apr. 21     

      

there

then

than

another

because

again

something

thought

enough

change(d)

himself

didn’t

though

quite

easy

walked

least

happened

foot

care

low

else

We are proofreading homophones

this week.  Please go over the differences between these homophones.

there/their/they’re

your/you’re

there’s/theirs

to/two/too

who’s/whose

lets/let’s

its/it’s

One test down 2 more to go!

Good morning parents,

It has been a crazy couple of weeks.  The next to last group of testers is working on the Reading assessment as I type.  Next week we will finish up the reading assessment as a grade level.  The science assessment is the first week of May.

In math, we are working with reflections and division.  Please continue to stress multiplication facts and the steps of long division with your child. 

There are a few important dates coming up as the year draws to a close.

On Monday Randy Nadler will be presenting to the 3rd-5th graders about his most recent trip.  Next Thursday is the city wide track meet in the afternoon. 

We do have school on Good Friday. 

Snow?!!

Thankfully the snow has melted!   This week brings the start of Assessments for some.  The ones taking assessments have notes in their planner to remind them.  It will be the math assessment this week.  Please continue to work with your child on these important skills.  Especially multiplication and input/output tables.  A great website to help with assessments is http://www.ixl.com/math/standards/kansas/grade-4. 

Spelling test is on Friday.  Take home task is due on Thursday.  Remember that the take home task is what the skills part of the spelling test goes over.  \

Please remember that we do have school on Good Friday, April 22nd.  There is a PTA meeting this Thursday in the library at 7:00. 

Please make sure your child is getting plenty of sleep (around 10 hours) and eating a healthy breakfast.

Assessments are looming

Good afternoon,

I hope Spring Break was relaxing and reenergizing for everyone! 

The next group of students test in Math next week.  Please make sure your child is eating breakfast and getting plenty of sleep.  Continue to work with your child on their multiplication facts.  This years fourth graders are very lacking in this department.  Remember over to the left under resources there is a multiplication game that students can play.

To prepare your child for the reading assessment please work with them on prefixes and suffixes. 

Especially these ones:

-ness

a state, quality or condition of being

-ment

act of, state of, result of, process of

-less

without, missing

-ful

filled with, having, giving, marked by

-en

make or made of

under-

below, beneath

non-

not, no, absence of

ex-

out, out of, from

dis-

opposite of, lack of, not, negative, undo

anti-

against or opposite

Spelling test is on Friday, take home task is due on Thursday.

In math we are talking about fractions, percents, and decimals. 

Book orders are due on Friday. 

Spelling List 27 for test on Fri., Mar. 25     

      

there

their

its

water(s)

through

again

animal

enough

half

American

instead

gone

beautiful

everyone

watch

distance

although

pattern

sky

walked

main

someone

This week’s skill involves

recognizing words that end

with the long i and long e sound.

The words usually end in y.

sky             happy

by               fluffy

my              any

qualify       body