Mrs. Whitworth's Class - Team 33

Mrs. Whitworth's Class - Team 33
What a good looking group!

Friday, December 19, 2014

Friday, December 19

Ho, Ho, Ho!  Merry Christmas! 

What a wonderful day we had!  We began with a Silly Safari Show. It included Owls, snakes, and even reindeer! Then we worked with Dr. Pettet on setting new educational goals.  After that we had our Unwanted Christmas gift exchange - which was a hoot!! Click here to check us out opening our gifts.  Then we even worked in a Read-In in the hall. The sad part of our day was the end.  It will be hard not to hang out with our friends for two whole weeks. 

I wish everyone a safe and happy holiday and hope the underneath of your tree is filled with books, and maybe a pair of headphones too :)  Merry Christmas!

Thursday, December 18, 2014

Thursday, December 18

What a Very Merry Day!!

Hopefully you saw our Christmas Readers Theater Presentation.  If not, you can still catch it, and even share it with Friends and Family. Just click the following links:

TEAM 33: http://youtu.be/24MP1Pde1gA
TEAM Shoultz: http://youtu.be/M_NiygZym-s

In the afternoon we had a wonderful Holiday celebration provided once again by our AMAZING parents!  Thank you so much!!


Tomorrow is the last day before break and it will ZOOOOM right by.  There are several special programs planned for the students and don't forget our Unwanted Christmas Gift Exchange!  If you haven't already brought in your wrapped Unwanted Gift, please do so tomorrow.  Tomorrow you may also wear PJ's and bring some cozy supplies like pillows, blankets, or stuffed animals - no slippers please.

Tonight is also the Needham Winter Program.  I am sad that I will miss it - my son has a swim meet - but wish all our performers well!!

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Wednesday, December 17

Tomorrow is the big day!  We have practiced and practiced, rehearsed and  rehearsed.  Now we would like for you to join us as we present:

A Live Christmas Readers Theater!

To see your performance, no matter where in the world you are you can just click on our Event Link to join us live. You can even clap for us right from your computer!  If the performance schedule does not work for you, don't worry...you can use the YouTube Link to watch the performance any time.  This is a great way to share the Holiday Spirit with family and friends all the way through break. They can even add their applause to our presentation as they watch.

OUR SCHEDULE:

TEAM33 - Thursday, December 18 8:00-9:00
TEAM Shoultz - Thursday, December 18 11:00 - 12:00

Additional Updates:

  • Tomorrow afternoon will also be the TEAM33 Holiday party from 1:30-2:00. All parents are welcome.
  • Friday will be a fun day with PJ's, Unwanted Gift Exchange, and Academy wide Read-In, and much more!  Be ready to celebrate the season! Students will be eating picnic style in the gym.  Many will be bringing their own sack lunch, but this is not required.
  • The can food drive contest ended today, but we are still collecting cans through Friday.  

Friday, December 12, 2014

Friday, December 12

Today way TEAM33's Day! So proud of for their hard work on the Literacy NWEA! They definitely OWNED IT!!  One student even went up an amazing 33 points. Keep in mind, most students are expected to grow 7-8 points in a YEAR!  The majority of students have already passed their end of the year goal!!!  Way to go TEAM33.  Now I guess it is time to make new goals! :)


A few notes about next week...

  • First, I will not be at school on Monday.  I have some personal business that I regrettably need to attend to.  The students are already aware and know what their tasks are for Monday.  Please take a moment to give them a pep talk Sunday night or Monday morning.  We do not have the best track record with guest teachers, but I am hoping we can change that. 
  • I must admit to another mistake, and a big thanks goes to the parent who helped me realize it.  Our classroom party IS on THURSDAY the 18th.  (I put it as Thursday the 19th earlier.)
  • Remember, we are now collecting for the Good Cheer Basket. Any can or boxed food donations are greatly appreciated. By donating you help local families in need for the holidays and you help our class win a Pizza Party!!
  • Needham Winter Program is Thursday night at 6:30. The Needham 3rd graders and Mrs. Ludwig's Be' Boppin Bulldog Choir will preform along with a special presentation of several student writings. 

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Tuesday, December 9

Time is flying by!  Only 8 more short days until break and still so much learning to fill in!  Today TEAM33 worked very hard during centers.  We were interpreting idioms, creating sentences, and summarizing text.  The time flew, but we all felt good about what we had accomplished.  Team Shoultz worked extra hard today on the Literacy NWEA assessment and their hard work definitely showed! All students went up and many have already accomplished their end of the year goal! Time to set new goals :) TEAM33 will have the chance to show of their hard work this Friday when they take the Literacy NWEA assessment.  We are so ready for this!


Remember, we are now collecting for the Good Cheer Basket.  Any can or boxed food donations are greatly appreciated. By donating you help local families in need for the holidays and you help our class win a Pizza Party!!


Team 33 shopped at Santa Shop today.  If your child was unable to shop today they can bring money in tomorrow and can visit the shop then.


Needham Winter Program is NEXT Thursday night at 6:30. (Sorry for any confusion I may have caused.)  The Needham 3rd graders and Mrs. Ludwig's Be' Boppin Bulldog Choir will preform along with a special presentation of several student writings.


Team 33 Winter Party will be on Thursday, December 19.   A huge Thank you goes to Linda Murillo for organizing the party, and all the parents who are volunteering their time and talents to this festive occasion. WE ARE STILL IN NEED OF REFRESHMENTS, GAMES AND TREAT BAGS>  If you are able to assist, please contact Linda at babygirl_monroe@yahoo.com The party will begin at 1:30. All parents and family members are welcome.



Friday, December 5, 2014

Friday, December 5

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. So we are making a list and checking it twice!

Our handmade Christmas tree is beautiful!
There are so many exciting things happening  this season and we don't want to miss any of them.  Here are a couple of items that you won’t want to miss out on!

NWEA: 
Team33 will test Friday the 12th for Literacy and Tuesday the 16th for Math.  
Team Shoultz will test the Tuesday the 9th for Literacy   and Monday the 15th for Math.  

Good Cheer Basket: We are now collecting food for our Good Cheer basket.  Any can donations are appreciated. Donations will be accepted through December 17.  The class with the most donations will get a Pizza Party. I do love pizza - just saying. 

Santa Shop: Team 33 will visit the Santa Shop on Tuesday after noon.  Envelopes for money and shopping list have already been sent home.  If you have misplaced yours, you can always just use a black envelope.  Please seal the money in a envelope before sending it to school to alleviate lost money.

Needham Winter Program: The Needham 3rd graders and Mrs. Ludwig's Be' Boppin Bulldog Choir will preform Thursday night at 6:30.  What a great way to experience some holiday cheer. 

Team 33 Winter Party:  Team 33 will be celebrating the season on Thursday, December 19.  A huge Thank you goes to Linda Murillo for organizing the party, and all the parents who are volunteering their time and talents to this festive occasion.  The party will begin at 1:30. All parents and family members are welcome.

Unwanted Christmas Gift Exchange:  This exchange is cherished TEAM33 tradition. You may have heard stories from past classes.  For any of you that are new to the program, here is how it goes….  Students find something at home that they DO NOT WANT anymore (one student’s trash is another student’s treasure). They ask their parents for permission to give it away. Then they wrap it and bring it to school.  We then play dirty Santa with the gifts.  The students love it!  The funnier the gifts the better, and I am always surprised how each year at least one child tells me how they got exactly what they wanted from the Unwanted Christmas Gift Exchange. We will have our exchange Friday during class time. 

Teacher/Classroom Gifts:  If you are planning on purchasing a gift for the teacher/classroom this year please...keep it small.  A great suggestion would be to give games.  Our indoor recess selection is slim, and we have many more indoor recess days ahead of us.  Board games, card games, etc.  New or used.  They would all be greatly appreciated by the students and teacher alike.


Christmas Break:  Christmas Break begins at the end of the day on Friday, December 19.  Please plan for a safe and happy holiday!  We will resume school on  Monday, January 5th.

Thursday, December 4, 2014

Thursday, December 4

What a wonderful day we had!  To start our morning off in the right spirit we listened to some holiday music as we ate our breakfast. Then it was right to work!  We reviewed the 4 sentence types - which students seemed to do well with.  We collaborated on interpreting idioms - which is just a lot of fun. We even worked on preparing for the Unit 3 assessment. Students came ready to work hard and get an education.  I am sure our hard work will show tomorrow on the assessment!  The only learning object that we may not have spent enough time on was studying the spelling and meaning of the Word Parts Lesson 8-9.  Please review these at home tonight!

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Wednesday, December 3

Today we focused on the four types of sentences.  Students took notes in their Literacy Notebooks and then tried making a few of their own.  Tonight's homework will give them a little more practice.  Students should also still be reading every night.  Only 12 more school days to meet our reading goal of 5 books in increasing lexile level.  Remember, at least 3 must be chapter books.

I know it has been said before, but I think it is worth saying again - TALK TO YOUR CHILD ABOUT THEIR READING.

What book are they reading?  What Lexile level is it? When is their goal date for finishing and quizzing on the book? What is the book about? What is the setting of the book?  Who is in the book? Have they made any connections to the book? What do they think will happen next in the book?   Are they having trouble visualizing any parts of the book?

That's right...ask a lot of questions.  Then ask them all again tomorrow.  Let them know READING IS WORTH ASKING ABOUT!

Monday, December 1, 2014

Monday, December 1

WELCOME TO DECEMBER!!
It is so hard to believe how quickly the year is passing!  Just 3 more weeks until Christmas Break!  Wow!

With that said, we jumped right into our education today like there was no time to waste!  I was very proud of the number of students who came in ready to pass a lexile book today!  We also were passing Compass Learning activities right and left!  There is no better way to prepare for the NWEA coming up!  These are lessons focused on your student's individual needs.  Remember this program is available at home too.

With the little bit of time that was left we also got started on our Flash Card Foldable for Lesson 8-9 words.  This week is the spelling test.  Students should finish the foldable for homework as well as review last weeks Math test in their Feedback and Data Binder and fill out a reflection sheet.

Although today was filled with education, we did take some recess time to mourn the loss of our dear fish Nemo.  The students arranged a touching ceremony with several students taking a moment to say some loving kind words about our dear friend.  We will miss you Nemo.