Thursday, October 10

Missed my team like crazy today, but learned lots of cool things we can try. If anybody wants to talk to me about how the day went, just click the link below to chat with me. I will be on starting about 5:30. I will check it throughout the evening.

Here is the link to the meeting: http://todaysmeet.com/Team33October10

Monday, October 7

"Barrette" you can't guess who is in the
Behavior Log  Hall of Fame.

Fall is here and it is beautiful! The end of the 1st nine weeks is here too!  I really cannot believe how quick this year is going.  Already 1/4 over :(

Today, students were given two important pieces of data.  One was their Week 9 test results. (The scores were incredible - so proud.) The other is the almost report card grades.  Each student has a sheet for Language and Reading that tell exactly what their grade is at this point.  If they do not like something about their score they can bring me the completed/corrected work tomorrow and I will fix their grade.  The only scores that are not changeable are the Weekly Assessments.  Students are able to check and change their answers once while taking the test so the score already reflects them having a chance to redo it.  The only scores that have not yet been accounted for is the Personal Narrative in Language and the Lexile Score in Reading.  Students have until tomorrow to finish their personal narrative and they also have until tomorrow to quiz on books at their lexile. Passing 1 book at your lexile =C, 2 books = B, 3 books = A, 4 or more books = A+, 0 books = F.  This includes all books read and passed since the beginning of school, except the Chris Van Allsburg Books.  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email me.  Although I would encourage you to ask your child first - they generally know the answer.

Sunday, October 6

Dear Parents,

This week is full of important dates and exciting events.  I have listed some of them below, but remember you can always stay informed by checking the Classroom Calendar on the Website and reading the School Newsletter.

10/7 October Book orders due. For ordering information please refer to the Wednesday, Oct 2 Updates.

10/10-11 Mrs. McCain will be out of the classroom to attend an educational conference. Please direct any inquires through email and I will respond as quickly as I am able.

10/7/13 United Way Fundraiser begins. Donate your change to help United Way make a change in Johnson County.

10/9/13 Wednesday is a corporation wide PJ Day in celebration of United Way donations.
              Cookie Dough Fundraiser DUE

10/11/13 – Report cards available for online viewing on PowerSchool.  Students may use their regular login or parents may create a login for themselves.

Oct. 14-18, 2013 - Fall Break

10/24/13 - Dinner Date and PTO McDonald’s Night - Wear your costume, hang out with friends, and raise money for Needham.

Nov. 1, 2013 - Classroom Fall Party

Friday, October 4

We had a ball today.  Students did a wonderful job on the Week 9 assessment, and then they had time to work on posting their personal narrative to our Kidblog page.  Recess was a little soggy outside so we stayed in, cleaned our desks and watched Kid Snippets. They are hilarious!  If you have a chance you may want to have a laugh and watch some yourself.

Tomorrow is the parade!  I hope to see everyone there showing their Bulldog Pride.  We are meeting at 12:30 in the middle school parking lot.

Thursday, October 3

Today was a wonderful of education.  Both Team Shoultz and Team33 deserve recognition for their wonderful transitions.  They have really caught on to transitioning from center to center and room to room "quickly and quietly." That means more education and, as we all know, more education equals more money!

Tomorrow we will have a short assessment and then spend time finishing up projects.  With the end of the grading period coming up, I want to make sure everyone has the opportunity to make their grade the best it can be.  The assessment will include the following learning objectives:

Literacy Learning Objectives for Sept 30- Oct 1, 2013 - Week 9

• Identify sequence of events.
• Determine text importance.
• Identify and create personal narratives.
• Categorize long and short a patterns in words: ai, aCe, ay, short a, Opening a (u)
• Increase spelling skills through the study of word parts.

PARADE IN JUST 2 DAYS!!

Just a quick reminder that third and 4th grade students and parents will be showing their bulldog pride this Saturday at the Franklin Fall Festival Parade.  All parents and family members are welcome.  (Any student below 3rd grade must be accompanied by an adult.)

We will meet at the Franklin Community Middle School parking lot in the bus parking area.  We will be in Corral D.  Please note, you will not be able to drive into the parking lot.  All students will need to walk into the parking lot to meet the group. Just look for the purple.

Everyone should wear as much Needham gear and purple as possible. Any candy donations are appreciated.

All students should be picked up at the Caisson Drive & S. Main Street parking lot, by the skate park.

Parade Route

Start: Franklin Community Middle School, 625 Grizzly Cub Drive.  Banta street east to Walnut Street, south on Walnut Street to Jefferson Street, east on Jefferson to Home Ave, south on Home Ave. to Caisson Drive.

End: Caisson Drive & S. Main Street parking lot.

Wednesday, October 2

Dear Families,

Encouraging reading is one of the most important things we can do to help your child succeed. It can be tough finding the right books to keep them interested, which is why I am so excited that our class will be participating in Scholastic Reading Club this school year.

With Scholastic Reading Club:

• Every book you buy earns FREE Books for our classroom library
• You can choose from handpicked, grade- and reading-level-specific books for your child
• You'll find the best values on a variety of formats, including eBooks

Each month, your child will bring home Reading Club flyers. Together you can choose from books hand-selected by teachers and experts, and then order online or by returning your order form and payment to me.

If you choose to order online, you will have access to many more titles and can pay by credit card.

If This Is Your First Time Ordering Online:

•  REGISTER at scholastic.com/readingclub
•  ENTER the Class Activation Code at the bottom of this email
•  CHOOSE from thousands of print titles, value packs, and Storia eBooks
•  SUBMIT the order to me by the due date listed on the website
•  EARN FREE Books for our classroom too!

Shop Online: scholastic.com/readingclub
One-Time Class Activation Code: MKKJQ

Thank you for your support,

Mrs. McCain

Tuesday, November 1

Welcome to October!  (How did we get here already?)

I hope everyone can take some time to check out our new Reading Comprehension Strategies page on the website! It is full of great information and informative student videos.  Check it out tonight and use the strategies as you complete your homework on A Need to Build.