Larkin

March 22, 2009

I cannot believe we have entered the 4th nine weeks!  Where has this year gone?  I have truly enjoyed this year and would love to keep your children in 4th grade for just one more year!?  I don't think anyone will agree to this, but it was worth a shot!

Spring fever has taken over, but remind your children that we are not done!  We have quite a bit of curriculum to cover and of course, the CRCT!  With that being said we are going to be covering:

Reading-  Author Study

Writing-  Persausive Writing

Math-  Multiplication and Division of decimals and 3D figures

Social Studies-  The Revolutionary War , A New Nation, Westward Expansion and Reform Movements

Science-  Ecosystems and Protective Adaptations

 

Thank you for allowing your children to participate in the last 2 field trips.  Even though we did not leave Dowell for the High Touch, High Tech field trip, the kids had a blast with the scientist!  They learned about   food chains and webs and of course, disecting the owl pellets!  They were amazed to find the bones and math them up the correct animal.  High Touch, High Tech always provides excellent lessons for students!  The students also enjoyed participating in the Youth Museum's plays about the Revolutionary War and becoming a New Nation.  We may have some future Oscar winners in the class!

Once again I was pleased to purchase pizza for 14 students who met their AR goals for the 3rd nine weeks!  We ate pizza and watched a movie during lunch time in our classroom.

I am sure that your child has informed you that WE are First in Math winners for the school for the 3rd nine weeks!  They worked so hard practicing their math facts.  We beat Ms. Droms' class by "the hair of our chinny, chin, chin"!  Their class had a sticker average of 1058 per student and our class average was 1070 per student.  We will celebrate this Friday with a pizza party provided by the school!

Our last PTA meeting for the year has been moved to Tuesday, March 31 in conjunction with Technology Night.  Session 1 is from 6:45-7:00, PTA 7:00-7:30, Session 2 is from 7:30-7:45.  I look forward to seeing you at our last PTA meeting of the year.

Upcoming Events:

Wednesday, March 25-  Mellow Mushroom Night

Wednesday, April1- Kindergarten registration

Monday, April 6-Friday, April 8- SPRING BREAK!!!!

Tuesday, April 21-  CRCT testing begins!  We test for 5 days!

Tuesday, May 12-  4th,5th Field Day

Friday, May 22-  Last day of school

 

November 20, 2008

Happy Thanksgiving! 

The children have been working hard!  I hope your child has shown you his or her typed response to literature piece.  Your child took this piece of writing through the writing process.  We decided to type our final copies.  I was quite amazed at their typing skills!  They were much faster than I had imagined.

I am sure that you are aware that the students are out of school Nov. 24-Nov. 28 for the Thanksgiving break.  School will resume on Monday December 1, 2008.

We will only have three weeks left in the second nine week grading period when we return from the break.  Please continue to encourage your child to keep working hard and not let the grades slip. 

We are currently working on our holiday party plans.  Our room mother, Mrs. DeBord, will send out information when the plans are finalized.

Over the break please encourage your child to read at least an hour a day.  The hour can be broken up.  Also, please have them practice their math facts so they stay sharp!

As I stated in my email, I will not be able to access my Cobb County email after 5:00 PM Friday, Nov. 21 until 6:00 AM Monday, Dec. 1 due to the county's server update.

I hope you and your family have a safe and restful break!

October 20, 2008

What an AWESOME field trip we had last week!  The students were able to see a cabin from the colonial times.  They were able to see how the wash was done and the how Mom cooked dinner.  There was a working blacksmith that the children were able to observe making nails.  The wood worker showed us how to make shingles for the house.  The children were also able to play with toys from the colonial period.  Most important was the fact that the children back then worked and worked hard!  I don't think the students enjoyed that fact!  Thank you for supporting the 4th grade on this field trip!

AR-  I had the pleasure of purchasing pizza for 11 of my students who made their AR goal for the 1st nine weeks!  Last Tuesday the these 11 students ate pizza in the classroom during our lunch time and also enjoyed a movie and brownie!  I would love to purchase pizza for all of the students at the end of this nine weeks!  Please encourage your child to read every night!

The week of October 27-31 will be Red Ribbon Week.  During this week we talk with the students about drugs and the problems they create.  More information will be comong home later as to dressing up, etc.

Halloween falls on a Friday this year.  Please remember that students are not permitted to wear costumes to school on that day.  There will be a dress up chance that day for Red Ribbon Week.

Curriculum:

Math- division and geometry

Reading- traditional literature

Writing- response to literature

Social Studies- Native Americans and Explorers

Science- Simple Machines

Upcoming Dates:

10-20:  Please return the report card envelope and signature card

10-27/10-31:  Red Ribbon Week

11-4:  Election Day- NO SCHOOL

11-7:  Dowell Barnes and Noble Night

11-24/11-28:  Thanksgiving Break

August 29, 2008

Have a great Labor Day weekend!  There is no school on Monday.

School pictures will be Wednesday, September 3, 2008.  All students will have their picture made for the yearbook, but if you want the pictures you will need to purchase them.  Order forms are coming home today!

Please join PTA if you have not done so!  It is only $5.00 and the PTA does the following for our school:

Why Join PTA:

--Get Connected:  Know what’s happening in your school.

--Discover Great Resources:  PTA offers various programs designed for both parents and students

.

--Tap into a Network: Great way to share ideas, concerns and experiences with other parents and teachers.

--Watch Yourself Grow: you gain valuable experiences and put your skills and hobbies to good use by volunteering.

--Witness Improvement:  Be part of the solution and help make positive changes in your school and community.

--Be a Role Model: You’ll be demonstrating to your child the importance you place on education.

PTA Membership Benefits:

--Alliance Theatre: 20% Discount

--

Atlanta

History

Center

: 10% Discount

--

Atlanta

Spirit: Various Discounts through the year

--Chattahoochee Nature Center: 10% off Family Membership

--Fernbank:  10% Discount on Membership

--Georgia Force:  Promotes Family involvement

--HoneyBaked Ham:  10% Discount

--Zoo

Atlanta

: $10 off Memberships

--Barnesandnoble.com:  5% off online Purchases

--

Liberty

Mutual:  Special Group Rate Discounts

--Sharp Electronics Corporation:  Special Purchse Opportunities

--Southwest Airlines Vacations:  5% Savings of Vacation Packages

--T-Mobile:  Special Discounts on Selected Promotional devices& Monthly discounts

What are we studying?

Social Studies- Economics , Map Skills and the Native American cultures

Sciecne- Water

Math-  Place Value and Multiplication

Language Arts- Narrative Writing and Narrative Literature

Important Info:

9/1- NO SCHOOL

9/3- School Pictures

9/9-  Fire Safety Class

9/11- Fire Safety

9/15- Fundraiser Due!

9/16- EARLY RELEASE (students dismissed 2 hours early)

9/17- Progress Reports sent home

9/18- Fire Safety

9/19- Fire Safety

9/23- Fire Safety

9/25- Fire Safety

9/26- Dowell Fall Festival

Monday, August 18, 2008

What an AWESOME first week!

The students were ready and willing to begin a new year of learning!  Of course the first week is a little different, but we did begin getting into our academics.  What are we learning this first nine weeks?

Social Studies- Economics , Map Skills and the Native American cultures

Sciecne- Water

Math-  Place Value and Multiplication

Language Arts- Narrative Writing and Narrative Literature

Thank you for having your child prepared for 4th grade.  If you have not purchased a 5 subject notebook, please do.  We will use these to take notes during the year and keep up with important papers.

I send home graded papers, flyers from school, etc. as soon as I grade them or receive them from the office.  Make sure your child gives you the papers he or she brings home.

Thank you for signing the agenda and behavior sheet nightly.  This is a way you and I can communicate daily.

PTA / Open House is this Thursday, August 21, 2008.  The times are:

5:30-6:15  Primary Open House

6:30-7:30- PTA Meeting

7:30-8:15- Intermediate Open House

Please note:  In order to relieve parking congestion at Open House this Thursday, we will be offering a shuttle service from Macland Road Church of Christ to Dowell starting at 5 PM.  The shuttle will run every 10 minutes.  Please use this service.  Unfortunately, children younger than kindrgarten age will not be allowed to ride the shuttle.

Upcoming Events:

8/21- PTA / Open House

9/1- NO SCHOOL

9/9- School Pictures

          Fire Safety Class

9/11- Fire Safety

9/16- EARLY RELEASE (students dismissed 2 hours early)

9/17- Progress Reports sent home

9/18- Fire Safety

9/19- Fire Safety

9/23- Fire Safety

9/25- Fire Safety

9/26- Dowell Fall Festival

Constitution Games

http://www.texaslre.org/preamble_intro.html

http://www.texaslre.org/branches_game.html

http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/conlaw/LIN_QUZ.HTM

http://www.historyteacher.net/USProjects/USQuizzes/Constitution1.htm

http://www.texaslre.org/BOR/billofrights.html

http://www.usconstitution.net/constkids4.html

http://www.archives.gov/national-archives-experience/charters/constitution.html

http://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/constitution-day/signers.html

http://www.constitutioncenter.org/constitution/

http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/conlaw/images.htm

http://www.nccs.net/constitution/index.html

February 8

Hello!  Mrs. Wooton and I enjoyed seeing you all at your conferences.  Thank you for all of your help and support! 

It is hard to believe that we are half way through the nine week grading period.  We will be sending home progress reports to students who are making a C or having behavior concerns.  They will be sent home on Wednesday.

High Tech, High Touch -  This is an in-school science field trip.  Our day is next Monday.  If your child has not brought back the permission slip, he or she will not be able to attend. 

The students will be out of school on Monday, February 18 and Tuesday, February 19.  They will return to school on Wednesday, February 20.  Enjoy your long weekend!

Parent Surveys-  Parents are picked randomly in 4th grade to receive a parent survey.  If you receive one of these, please fill it out and return it to school.

UPCOMING DATES:

2-13: Progress reports home

2-18 and 2-19:  NO SCHOOL

2-29:  Spirit Day

3-4: Stevi B's Pizza Night

3-4: EARLY RELEASE

3-6:  Parent Resource Night

3-7:  Spring Pictures

December 17, 2007

Happy Almost Winter Break!

I am sorry that so much time has passed between postings.  Since so many other memos have gone home and the info. located on the behavior sheet, I have accidentally put this on hold. 

This 2nd nine week grading period is coming to an end.  We have been working very hard this nine weeks.  We are trying to complete our tall tale books.  We will be having conference week when we return from our winter break.  They will be held January 22-January 28.  Look for the conference form to come home when we return to school.

Thank you for all of your support with our field trips this year.  We have had great trips and experiences!  We look forward to a couple more trips in 2008!

ALL STUDENT LIBRARY BOOKS ARE DUE TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18.

Our 4th grade party will be Friday, December 21.  Our class is responsible for providing 6-packs of Coke and Mountain Dew.  PLEASE send these in by Friday.  Thank you to everyone who has already sent in their drinks!

Friday is Dowell Spirit Day!  Wear your Dowell Dolphin shirts and show your spirit!

Please remember that all students are out for winter break starting Monday, Dec. 24 and return to school on Tuesday, January 8.

Mrs. Wooton and I would like to wish everyone a happy holiday season and a happy new year!

October 15, 2007

I hope everyone is doing their rain dance!  We desperately need all we can get!

AR Goals for the 1st nine week grading period-  We had 11 students make their AR goals for the 1st nine weeks!  That is awesome!  We will have our AR celebration soon!

FALL FESTIVAL!  This Friday, October 19, 2007, Dowell is having our Fall Festival.  You may purchase tickets ahead of time for $5.00 a person.  Yes, adults need a ticket to enter.  The price to get in the night of the festival increases to $6.00 a person.  Purchase ahead of time!  It's going to be AWESOME!

Fire Safety is going well.  The fire fighters will not be coming this week or next.  Please have your child tell you what was learned in fire safety.  Please make sure you and your family have a fire escape plan!

Early Release is this Wednesday, 10/17/2007.  Students will be dismissed at 12:20.

Report cards will be sent home next Monday, October 22, 2007.  Please sign the signature card and return it in the envelope.  You keep the report card.

The Book Fair is next week! 

Dates:

10/17- Early Release

10/19- Fall Festival 5:00-8:00 PM

10/22- Report Cards sent home

10/26- Spirit Day

10/30- Fire Safety

11/1- Fire Safety

11/5- No School

11/6- No School

11/8- Fire Safety

          PTA/ Primary Science Night

Science Across the Grades

For K-2 Grade Students

Please join our primary grade levels for our 1^st Science Night!

Thursday, November 8, 2007

5:30-6:30 Dinner (pizza & soda)

6:00-6:20 PTA Meeting

6:20-7:00 Science Experiments

(For science experiments please go to your child’s grade level hall.)

Dowell’s Student Council will be selling a slice of pizza and a coke for $2.00.

Explorer Websites

Magellan:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferdinand_Magellan

http://www.stemnet.nf.ca/CITE/exmagellan.htm

http://library.thinkquest.org?J002678F/magellan.htm

http://www.studyworld.com/ferdinand_magellan.htm

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/explorers/page/m/magellan.html

Dias:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bartolomeu_Dias

http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761572862/Bartolomeu_Dias.html

http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9030289/Bartolomeu-Dias

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/explorers/Indexd.shtml