Primary students have heard I Took My Frog to the Library by Eric Kimmel and some classes heard The Shelf Elf by Jackie Hopkins. Ms. DiCenzo’s class read the pictures of a Chinese edition of Stella Louella’s Runaway Book by Lisa Campbell Ernst. Third, fourth, and fifth grade classes are being introduced to Gooney...
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Look for Lewis Elementary Chess Club Applications coming home today.
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School pictures tomorrow!! Yesterday, while we were coming in from a morning recess, a pigeon landed on the top of our door. He sat there while students entered the classroom and Micah, our door holder tried to keep the door still. Surprisingly, once we were inside, the pigeon was still there. I threw a...
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Thank you for coming to our “Back to School Night.” Many of our students really enjoyed having their parents in the classroom, and I was happy to share some of the third grade expectations for the year. If I didn’t get to answer all your questions, I will be available after school, except for...
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It was great to meet with families at Open House last week. It’s always helpful to have the time to discuss children’s progress face to face. While I will do my best to attend as many of the classroom teacher/parent conferences, because of scheduling I will probably miss a few. I encourage you to...
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We had a busy day on Monday! We learned about Bike Safety in the morning and walked to Jean’s Farm in the afternoon. Our next trip to Jean’s Farm is on October 31st; please make sure your child is wearing walking shoes and brings a water bottle along. This week your child was assigned...
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Thanks so much for the great Open House turn-out! It looked like just about everyone was here! If you didn’t get a chance to sign up for conferences, stop by, send a note, or give a call and I will place you in a slot! If I don’t hear from you, I would have...
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It was great to see so many of you at Open School Night. Thank you all for the books from the Scholastic fair!  Our classroom library is growing quickly.  This week we have begun reading groups.  Our focus is to study the main characters of the books.  Later on in the month, students will...
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It was a delight to see so many of you at our Back to School night.  The students really enjoyed showing off “their room” and making the introductions that we had practiced in class.  Many of you who were here that night had the opportunity to meet our student  teacher, Melanie Armstrong, from Pacific...
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Many of you are wondering about Band, Boomin Beats and Recorder Club. Well, I have sign-up sheets ready for these groups. I’ve already talked with the students about the differences and requirements for each of these groups. You can pick one of these forms in the music room. I’m also working on publishing them...
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We had a great turnout at the Lewis Open House and Picnic this year! Thank you to all the families who were able to attend. Your children did an awesome job with their “Show Me” classroom exploration sheets and I hope I answered any questions you may have had. If you were unable to...
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I enjoyed seeing so many families at Back To School Night and talking with everyone.  The children were so proud of their work; I know you are very proud of your child.  This week our poem is “Color Bears” and students will be making and reading their own books.  The class will also focus...
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All classes have been discussing library behavior, the check-out process, and book care. Most of our new books are paperback and will need especially gentle care in order to last for future students. Clean Hands. No Food or Drink. Safe Place. 4th & 5th graders have been introduced to the Young Reader’s Choice Award...
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Our first full week of school was filled with learning and fun. We have met new friends and are learning about things we have in common. Since new routines can be very challenging, I am impressed with the patience your children have shown as everyone adapts to first grade. This week we will continue...
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Looking forward to seeing all of you all on Thursday at Open School Night.  On Tuesday we began our garden curriculum with Jean’s Farm.  Students learned about how we will participate in planting on our school grounds and made journals.  We began reading The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster.  It is about a fantasy...
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A big welcome to Leah Grant, our Portland State University student teacher. She is currently working on completing her Master’s degree in both elementary and special education. Under Tim Lauer’s guidance, Lewis School is really an adult teaching school as well. This allows us to train student teachers to help get them off to...
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Read Naturally On Monday, we sent home letters to some families about Read Naturally, a supplemental reading program designed to enable students to improve reading fluency.  Selected students in grades 3-5 will work with teachers in the computer lab everyday after lunch from 12:35-1:00. Children select interesting, non-fiction passages at reading levels best suited...
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We are working hard on an essay this week.  I read a beautiful picture book to the class about someone who had a big influence on another’s life.  Each student is writing about someone who is, or has been, special to them.  They are trying to incorporate their good ideas with details and descriptions,...
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In addition to our monthly themes and stories, room 5 has daily routines. Each day of the week has different transition music, which we listen to as we change activities. Every Monday we listen to a recording of the music of Chopin which was made just for children. On Tuesdays we transition with “Silly Songs.”...
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Hopefully, your child gave you the letter about our geography projects on Monday so that you can support his/her efforts!  Just a reminder…everyone needs to bring a whole orange to school by Thursday for a special geography project.  We are easing into homework slowly; a basic math page was assigned on Monday and is...
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I am so excited to be back at Lewis, I hope you are too. I’ve had a great summer, gardening, playing with my kids, traveling to the Bay Area and taking some great classes. I’ll be sharing my knowledge with Lewis students over the course of the year, hoping to create some amazing music...
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“If a child lives with acceptance and friendship, he/she learns to find love in the world.” Author unknown Our first week as a classroom community was terrific! Your children are inquisitive, kind, and great singers! We have many exciting things happening in Room 1 this week. We have begun our science curriculum about trees...
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