THE

Thompson Times
A Newsletter for Miss Thompsons Class

Aug. 23rd, 2014

Issue 1: The First Days of School

About Miss Thompson:

An Educational Autobiography
It seems as if I was born a teacher. As far back as I can remember. I assumed the teacher role in almost every setting of my life. My mom was a single parent and, because of her work schedule, I spent a good deal of time at the babysitters house. I can remember sitting around the table every afternoon helping the other children with their homework. I strongly believe that knowledge is power and that children can be whatever they choose to be. It doesnt matter where they come from as long as they take learning seriously. I will give my all to my classroom full of students for at least 180 days a year. I will teach them the power of learning and show them that no matter whom they are or where they come from they are capable of accomplishment. I think that is my strength--loving children enough not to sugar coat things, but to help challenge them to be the best that they can be.

Figure 1 - All About Miss Thompson

Table of Contents
About Miss Thompson.Page 1 Purpose..Page 1 Class Rules & SuppliesPage 2 Test Taking TipsPage 3 Projects and CalendarPage 3

Each month you will receive a newsletter to help the child to get a preview of what they will be doing and the parents to get a better understanding of what their child is doing at school. This months will help you get acquainted with the teacher and the classroom.

What YOU need to know to get through the first days of school!

Classroom Rules:
We use our inside voices We keep our hands and our feet to ourselves We raise our hand to speak We respect each other and school property We do what we are told FIRST time, EVERY time.

Needed Supplies:
o 2 Plain Composition Notebooks o 24 #2 pencils (not mechanical) o 2 Boxes of Crayons o 1 Box of Colored pencils o 2 Elmers White Glue o 1 Glue Stick o 2 Expo Dry Erase markers (blue or black) o 1 Pencil Box o 1 Large Box of Kleenex o 2 Bottles of Hand Sanitizer
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Test Taking Tips:

1. Read ALL directions before you answer your questions. 2. Read each question carefully! 3. Answer ALL questions! 4. Get a good nights sleep.

Class Calendar:
Aug. 18: FIRST DAY of school! Aug 21: All About Me project Aug. 26: Bring in your favorite book Aug. 29: First spelling test! Aug. 19: Getting to know each other Aug. 22: First school pep rally! Aug. 27: Science project Aug. 20: Back to School night! @ 6:30 p.m. Aug. 25: Show & Tell Aug. 28: School Assembly @ 1:45

Science Project: We will be completing a project in class on August 27. All supplies will be provided (you will not need to send any items with your child). It addresses standard: S1CS3. Students will use tools and instruments for observing, measuring, and manipulating objects in scientific activities. Gummy Bear Science: Supplies: 8 gummy bears per child (2 Red, 2 Green, 2 Yellow, and 2 Orange) 50 ml. of water, salt water, vinegar, and baking soda water (in separate cups) Procedure: 1.Place 1 red gummy bear in into the water cup. 2.Place 1 green gummy bear into the salt water cup. 3. Place 1 orange gummy bear into the vinegar cup. 4. Place 1 yellow gummy bear into the baking soda water cup. 5. Let all gummy bears sit over night. 6. Measure length of each unused gummy bear. 7. Remove gummy bears from cup, measure length of those gummy bears. 3

An At Home Activity: (Optional)

Make A Morning Routine Book:

What You Need: At least 7 pages of card stock paper Digital camera Markers Three hole punch Clip on rings What You Do: 1. Start by folding a sheet of typing paper in half lengthwise. Sit down with your child, discuss what really happens every morning, and in the left hand column, make a list of six common features. Be prepared to laughfirst graders can be amazingly observant. In our house, for example, a standard event was, Mom forgets her cell phone and we have to double back to get it. At the top of the page, you can mark this list, Nonfiction, and explain to your child that that means its a statement of true facts. 2. Now, on the right hand side, ask your child what might change in each case to make things run smoother. (If you already have a smooth morning routine, go ahead and jump straight to this phaseyou can just record what you already do.) Write the ideas on small post-itsyou can then move them around when youre done to make a logical sequence. 3. Now youre ready for some reading and writing. Have your child write each of the six things you just discussed onto a horizontal card stock

Contact Info:
Best way to contact me is through my email:

bthomps5@radar.gsw.edu
If there is an emergency, do not hesitate to call the school: (555) 555-5555

page, creating six pages in order that convey a sensible, sane, orderly morning routine. At the very least, youll want to include items like putting on clothes (right side out), eating breakfast, and brushing teeth, and make sure you include a page for a warm goodbye before the school day starts. 4. Now have your child use the markers to illustrate every page, with himself in a starring role, of course. 5. Place three holes in the left margin and clip the book with clip on rings. This way, you can add or subtract pages later. 6. At night before bed, have your child read the book to you. Talk it through and envision how the morning will go. Do it again and again ... and prepare to be amazed by the improvements in your morning routine

Of course, on another day, feel free to take out that other list. There may be quite another tale to write about (perhaps one to laugh about once better routines are in place). As seen at: http://www.education.com/activity/article/Read_the_morning/ 4