Friday, September 28, 2007

The Week of 10-2-7

Dear Parents,
Just a reminder…..our local libraries have a copy of each of our textbooks and workbooks. They can’t be checked out, but instead they can be used in the library or photocopied.
Many reminders are given during the day and at the end of the day about homework. I hope your child has been responsible and organized.
*Tuesday is the last magazine turn in day!
Thanks to the many parents who have donated many useful items to our classroom!

HERE’S WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS WEEK:
Spelling
Lesson 5 and Word of the Week

English
Unit 5 Capitalization & Punctuation (we will be going back to Unit 2 after this)
Unit 1 tests are graded and returned!

Reading
ISAT skills workbook. We will be focusing on main idea/supporting details, and determing word meaning with prefixes, suffixes, context clues, synonyms and antonyms.

SCOOPer Reading
If your child does not have a book read and activity completed, you will be notified on Monday with your child bringing home a late slip.

Social Studies
Chapter 5 - Ask your child what happened to the colonists on Roanoke Island? This week we learn about Jamestown and new European colonies.

Science
Your child has received a "How to Study Sheet" for Unit 1. We will be discussing
and checking their study guide on Monday. Tuesday we will review together. Wednesday = Test! How to Study sheet due Weds. for 2 bonus points!

Book orders….check to Scholastic or exact change, thanks!! Due Friday!!
There are many good selections in this months order reasonably priced.
Math
Your child has taken the checkpoint quiz for chapter 2, and it has been graded and
returned.
Chapter 2 Test = Thursday.

Go Bears!!!! Go Cubs!!! Go Downers South!!!
Miss Trefonas

Friday, September 21, 2007

The Week of September 24th in Miss Trefonas's Class

Dear Parents,
Your child has taken their first social studies test. It has been graded and returned. I am requiring all tests to be signed and returned, so I can be assured that all parents have their child's results. Many grades were lower than I had anticipated. Please contact me if you have concerns that you feel we need to discuss.

Tuesday & Thursday = Magazine sales turn in days!!!

HERE’S WHAT’S HAPPENING IN OUR CLASSROOM:

Spelling = Lesson 4 and Word of the Week worth 2 bonus points!

English = Unit 1 Sentences - Test on Thursday, Sept. 27th.

Your child needs to bring in a picture...They will be given the specific directions on Monday.

Reading = India - We will be working on our final project this week!
The students will also learn about India's white elephants and how they are believed to bring good luck! We will also learn a game, Tchuka Ruma, that originated in India.

SCOOPer Reading = I have met with several students who have completed book activities. Each child should have one done by the end of September!

Social Studies =
Chapter 5…the students will be learning about the lost colony of Roanoke, the Battle of the Spanish Armada, and the first successful colony, Jamestown.

Science = Matter - Physical and Chemical changes.
Your child should be able to give you examples of both types of changes by the end of the week.
**Math = (This is for the students in Miss Trefonas's math class)
We have started Chapter 2.
Quiz = Thursday! The quiz comes directly from the checkpoint in the textbook.
This means your child can do actual quiz problems at home prior to
the quiz.
Homeroom =
***Your child has brought home graded work today. Please remember to empty the “Leave at Home” section of your child’s binder!!!


Go CUBS!!! Go DGS!!! Go BEARS!!!
Miss Trefonas

Monday, September 17, 2007

The Week of September 17th!

Dear Parents,

Tuesday is an Early Dismissal Day. Prairieview dismissal time is 11:00 am.
The Magazine Sales fundraiser begins Monday.
The children will be attending an assembly Monday afternoon and getting packets to bring home.



HERE’S WHAT’S HAPPENING IN OUR CLASSROOM:



Spelling = Lesson 3 and Word of the Week which is worth 2 bonus points on Friday's test!



English = Unit 1 Sentences. We will be testing the week of September 24th.

Reading = India
We have been reading a non-fiction book on India and outlining
main ideas and supporting details.
We will be writingparagraphs based on our notes with
interesting topic sentences and concluding sentences.

SCOOPer Reading = I have met with several students who have
completed book activities. Each child should have one done by
the end of September!



Social Studies = Chapter 4 Test is Thursday, September 20th.
How to Study sheets will be filled in on Monday.


Please ask your child to show you this important sheet.


The How to Study sheet is worth 2 social studies bonus points if the bottom section is filled in and it has a parent signature. It will be collected on test day.

Science = Matter
We will be learning about evaporation and condensation, melting and boiling points, physical and chemical changes.



***Your child is given graded papers to bring home every Friday. Please take a look at their daily work.The “Leave at Home” section of your child’s binder should be empty when they come to school every day!



Have a nice weekend!
Miss Trefonas

Friday, September 7, 2007

Week of 9-10-7

Dear Parents,
It was nice seeing all of you who were able to attend Curriculum Night. If you were unable to attend, I am sending the packet and other sheets home with your child. I need parents to complete and return the STUDENT INFORMATION SHEET as soon as possible.



HERE’S WHAT WE ARE LEARNING THIS WEEK:


SPELLING: Lesson 2 and Word of the Week!
Learning how to spell the Word of the Week is worth a spelling bonus point and the definition is worth a bonus point too!!
Ask your child on Monday what our Word of the Week is!



ENGLISH: We have started Unit 1 “Sentences”.
Your child has learned about declarative, imperative, interrogative and exclamatory sentences!
Can they give you an example of each?


READING: We are working on main ideas and supporting details.
SCOOPer Reading….Your child should be reading a book toward their 1st trimester goal!



SOCIAL STUDIES: Chapter 4 “Spain Builds an Empire”

We have learned about Christopher Columbus's voyages and the importance of the Columbian

Exchange. Your child has learned many interesting facts. Have they shared any with you?

SCIENCE: We are learning about matter and the physical properties of matter. We will be doing an experiment with suspensions and solutions. This week we will also discuss the three states of matter.

Otis Lennon Tests of Intelligence: Thursday, September 13th. These are used for identifying students who need extra help or who qualify for our Project Challenge program.


Scholastic Book Club orders.....


The children will be receiving these order forms monthly. There are many great books offered at reasonable prices. It is optional to order books.


If ordering books, the due date isFriday, September 14th!


Please send exact change or write a check to Scholastic Books.


Take time to show someone how much they mean
to you this weekend in remembrance of 9-11-01,
Miss Trefonas