Week One and Done!

Every single year I am amazed at how quickly I form attachments to my class.  This group of 21 is an extremely sweet group of kiddos.

We survived Week One ... and I'm grateful it was only a four day week.  As a class we're starting to get up to speed.  We've touched on all subjects except for Spelling/Word Work which will officially start next Monday [the mysterious red spiral!]

The units we will be studying for next week are as follows:

• Delving deeper into Fiction in Reading
• Writing a personal narrative in Writing
• Long and short vowels in Spelling
• Multiplication continues in Math
• Energy in Science

Third grade is an adjustment for students.  They are asked to be more independent.  I've noticed that socializing is a skill we do NOT need to work on, but listening carefully and working independently is.

I am not a silent classroom!  Ask your kids, we have played several games for "pride" not "prize" in science and do partner and group work frequently.  The difficulty is turning that level of conversation off and getting started on a task.  This next week I will contact you if your child in particular needs support in this area.

This is a GREEN week, so our specials area will be Music.  Monday is our new FCE Spirit wear day so dig out those coyote shirts and all hues of purple and green.  If you haven't already done so, consider signing up for Remind.com for class announcements.  The directions are in the post below.

SAVE THE DATE:  Thursday 9/3 is Back to School Night.  We'll meet at 6:00 - 6:30 in the classroom and then move to the cafeteria at 6:45 for some information from Mrs. Lehnick (if you attend that session with another grade it will be the same).

As always ... if you have a question or concern please drop me an email or give me a call.  I am happy to clarify in any way I can.

Back to School

It was wonderful meeting my new Salamander families on Friday.  Already I can see the personalities in our class.  

If you were here and filled out a blue form for me, you just got invited to "Remind".  This is a great site that allows me to send updates to you quickly via text (or you can choose email).  You have the option to unsubscribe at any time.

One reason I really like this site is that our grading system that has all the contact information for the school only includes one primary guardian.  This way I can include multiple people on messages.

The way I see it working is I may send a reminder that a project is due.  I do not anticipate sending out weekly reminders for homework, library day or spelling tests.  

This class is my guinea pig and I will be learning along with you.  "Remind" will not replace my other long winded emails or the weekly updates posted on this class site.

To receive messages via text, text @2015sala to 81010.  If you have trouble using the 81010 you can try texting @2015sala to (830) 355-2416.  To receive messages via email instead, send an email to 2015sala@mail.remind.com.  Again with either option you can unsubscribe at any time.  Please note that standard text message rates apply.

If it turns out you are a Salamander ...

First of all ... Yippee! Secondly ... about those school supply lists: Everything is really important, but if you haven't already made your trip to buy the big bag of supplies please know that you do not have to bring sandwich or quart bags. They doubled the quantity this year and we just aren't going to be using that many. 

What we will need is tissues! Those allergies hit, and we run through the tissues pretty quickly. I would greatly appreciate an extra box throughout the year. 

Third (best grade "evah" by the way) One last thought: Students are allowed to have a water bottle at their desks. Sports nozzles are the best spill-proof option. This does not have to be enormous! We have water cooler in the room, and I want the kids to be hydrated and enjoy a cool drink -- ideally without wasting a few gallons a day. 

 If you are a Salamander, I hope very much to meet you at Supply Drop Off. 
This will be Friday August 21st. The official times are as follows:

• 3:00 pm Kinder/Special Ed, TAG 
• 4:00 - 4:30 for grades 1-5 Last Names A-L 
• 4:45 - 5:15 for grades 1-5 Last Names M-Z

I love meeting the new class and having them meet each other.  Rest assured if the schedule above doesn't quite fit your schedule I will be here starting at 3:00pm for kids that may need a quiet introduction and will be here until 6:00pm.  If for some reason you would like a different day or time, drop me an email and we'll see what we can work out.

The smell of School Supplies is in the Air!

Welcome to the Shogan Salamander webpage. It is a little sparse as we have changed programs from last year.  I assure you this space will be chock (chalk! 😝) full of information for students and families.  I am back at school preparing the classroom and wondering who my new favorite faces will be.  ((For my former salamanders, a piece of my heart and all my pride and support venture forth with you)).