As we end the school year, I wold like to remind everyone to look in the school bags daily for extra things coming home. We will be sending home school projects, extra clothing, and anything of the students that does not belong at school. I would also like to note the following activities for the...
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In June we transition from planting in the dirt, to watering the plants. Usually we spend time time outdoors with water play, water balloons, water toys, and bubbles. If it doesn’t warm up, we will just go out in the rain and blow bubbles inside. Again, if anyone has questions or concerns about the upcoming...
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As part of our study of seeds we have been messing about with dirt, using our hands, feet, elbows, whatever works and is most sanitary for the particular child. We clean them up, but if you have happened to notice them coming home with dirt, you know where it came from. Also as part of...
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Just a note to all the parents and caretakers who have students in my Life Skills with Nursing classroom. There has been a lot of confusion about the changes being made to the special education self-contained classrooms. Here is what I know as of today: There will be no more Life Skills with Nursing...
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The May story poem is: 5 little pansies growing by the lake. The 1st one said, “I love a sun break.” The 2nd one said, “We’re all standing in a row.” The 3rd one said, “Watch us grow & grow & grow.” The 4th one said, “Here comes a thunder cloud.” The 5th one said, “Oh, my, that sound...
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May themes for room 5 feature the color BROWN and seed shapes. We will be making seeds out of small paper bags. These will be our circle shapes. They will be used with the May poem which is: Brown, brown, the world goes round. Put the seed into the ground. Then you’ll see, the seed has power, For...
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Dear Parent: This week the central office of Portland Public Schools sent out letters informing parents of next years school placement for their children in self-contained classrooms. Please call 503-916-3931 if you did not get a letter which starts like this: This letter is to inform you of the classroom your student will attend in the...
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Last week our third grade readers helped name the chicks. They suggested Fluffy and Spot, and Room 13 students agreed that those were good names. Fluffy and Spot will probably be leaving us early. They have grown too fast and are so big and active, they may not be able to stay until the...
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We are enjoying our baby chicks. They seem to like us and will sit quietly on a student’s hand or tray. They were so small when they came into our room last week, but seem to have doubled their size. You can almost see them growing. Their wings are longer and they actually...
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This week our baby chicks will be arriving. As we get to know them, we will be thinking up names for them. The third graders who come in to read usually have some good ideas for names for the chicks, but we take suggestions from everyone. So, feel free to come into the classroom,...
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April does not have a single color, instead we review all the colors we have studied so far by focusing on their lighter version — pastels. The shape of the month is oval. Here is our circle poem: Oval, oval, you’re so bright. Oval in the morning light. When the egg begins to crack….. A little chick peeks out...
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This week Room Thirteen students will finish the month of March by continuing our study of green. Green books we have been reading are: Green Eggs and Ham, and The Killer Brussell Sprouts. There are still a few students in room five who have not yet had their annual IEP. If you have not...
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At this time of year we begin state testing. Third, fourth and fifth graders all participate in the Scaffolded version of the Extended State Test. All participate in the reading and math. Fourth graders also participate in the writing test. Fifth graders participate in the science test. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate...
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In room 13 we focus on a different color and shape each month. As we enter March our color of the month changes from red to green. And, of course, the shape will be a clover. March’s color poem of the month is: Three leaf clover, you’re so green! Three leaf clover you grow in the spring...
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Just like the rest of the students in Lewis Elementary, room 5 the students are working on statewide assessments. Our assessment is a version of the same state tests the general ed students take. It is called the scaffolded administration of the Elementary Extended Tests for math, reading, writing and science. This assessment...
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Last week we looked at several programs about Martin Luther King, Jr. to help celebrate his life and learn more about what he did. We are also continuing with our study of the color white and our discussions of cold weather. Do you think it will snow again this winter? Last month we said good-bye...
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January themes for room 13 feature the color WHITE and the snowflake shape. Everyone has a paper snowflake for morning circle. The January poem is: White, White, my snowflake is white In January I know that it might snow And the air will be full of the white Snowflakes like mine My snowflake is white. We are all happy to be...
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As we begin the second trimester of the year, the weather is chilly, and the days are short. Because repetition is so important for the students in room 5, we have lots of routines. So far, in the classroom notes, we have talked about our monthly themes. We also have daily and weekly routines....
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December themes for room 5 feature the color SILVER and the star shape. Everyone has a silver star for morning circle. The December poem is: Silver, Silver is my star. Twinkle, Twinkle from afar. Silver is the color of, All the stars in the sky above. The December Number Story is: Five Silver...
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November themes for room 13 are the color blue, and the shape of a turkey. Routine is very important for all students, especially the students in room 13. The students begin each day with greetings from staff as they get off the bus and go to the classroom. Even though the students may need...
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We continue our November themes with the color blue. The color poem of the month is: Our Turkeys are Blue, November is here And you know what happens this time of year, The air gets so cold, people full of cheer, But the Turkeys are blue, when November is here. The number story for November is: 5 Little Turkeys, sitting...
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We continue out November themes with the color blue. The color poem of the month is: Our Turkeys are Blue, November is here And you know what happens this time of year, The air gets so cold, people full of cheer, But the Turkeys are blue, when November is here. The number story for November is: 5 Little Turkeys, sitting...
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