Larkin

March 26, 2007

4 MORE DAYS!

Spring Break is right around the corner, but spring fever has hit hard in the classroom!  I hope everyone has a restful and well deserved break. 

Congratulations to Jazmin, Meyer, Abigail, Christopher and Magall for meeting their AR goal for the 3rd nine week grading period!  I rewarded them with a voucher to purchase something in the book fair.  I hope they enjoyed shopping!

It is hard to believe that we are in our last nine week grading period of the year.  This school year has gone quickly, but we have one more large hurdle to clear.  Yes, you guessed it, the CRCT!  We will be taking the test two weeks after we return from spring break.  I stapled in each child's agenda a username and password so they may practice for the CRCT online at home.  You simply go to Dowell's homepage and scroll down past the pictures.  You will see a link to click on the practice for the CRCT.  Good luck!

Upcoming Dates:

4/16-4/20- CRCT Testing

4/26- PTA

4/27- Academic alerts sent home

5/15- 4th and 5th Field Day

5/25- Last Day

February 23

AR-  Congratulations to Meyer Willis for meeting his AR goal!  He actually made it earlier this nine weeks and I reset his goal.  I am so proud of him!  Jazmin Thomas has also met her first goal for this nine weeks.  She is now working on her second goal and I know she will make it soon!

Way to go~  Meyer, Justin, Kayla M.,  Kayla T. and Danielle  all read for at least 6 hours and earned their Six Flags ticket!  See you at Six Flags this summer!

The students did an AWESOME jobs with their presentations!  Parents, thank you with helping them find their costumes.  Mr. Manson, our AA, was also impressed with the students and their work.

HELP!  We are in desperate need of tissues.  When you go to the grocery store next time, we would greatly appreciate it if you would pick up a box of tissue for the class.  Also, we are running low on band-aids.  It's amazing to see the number of "boo-boos" we get at school!

UPCOMING EVENTS!

3-7:  Early Release (students dismissed 2 hours early)

3-15:  Picture Day (class and individual)

3-19/3-23:  Book Fair

3-21:  Report Cards sent home

3-22:  PTA

February 15

Thank you for all of the Valentine goodies that Ms. Peters and I received!  We surely felt loved! 

Social Studies- We started our Revolutionary War presentations today.  They were excellent!  Please help your child find a costume to wear as they present.  It really adds to their presentation, plus it's part of their grade. 

Six Flags reading club is currently going!  Please remind your child to write down the number of minutes read and have you initial the paper so your child can earn a ticket.  The sheets are due to me February 23.

Fox Theater-  We had a great time at the Fox Theater.  We saw the play, "Freedom Train" about Harriet Tubman.  Unfortunately, we arrived late and missed the beginning of the play.  I believe the students enjoyed the play despite our late arrival.

AR- I meet weekly with the students to discuss their AR goals and where they are with their 9 week goal.  Please encourage your child to be diligent with their reading so they will meet the 3 parts of their goal ( point goal, average % correct and book level goal).

Dates:

2-19 & 2-20- OUT OF SCHOOL

2-22- PTA

2-23- Indent-A-Kid Cards made

3-7- Early Release

3-15- Picture Day (class & individual)

3-19/3-23- Book Fair

3-21- Report Cards sent home

 

Abigail Cherry as                        Jazmin Thomas as

Abigail Adams.                            Molly Pitcher.

January 12

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

We had a great first week back!  The students were a little tired on Monday, but quickly woke up.

Welcome Ms. Peters!  We are fortunate to have a student teacher join us for the next 15 weeks.  Her name is Cydney Peters.  She is a Cobb County graduate and is currently enrolled at Kennesaw University. She will slowly take over classroom responsibilities.  She is responsible for teaching the students for 8-10 weeks with guidance from me.  She adjusted quite nicely this week!  We look forward to working with Ms. Peters!

Report cards went home today.  I went over every child's report card with he or she.  Please review your child's report card and return the signature card and envelope to me on Tuesday.   Let me know if you have any questions.

I've noticed since returning to school that some of my students who normally eat breakfast at Dowell are not.  If your child eats at home or school doesn't make a difference, but if your child doesn't eat breakfast at all, truly does make a difference.  It has been proven that eating breakfast gets the brain "going" for the day.  I see a huge difference in a child's performance when he or she doesn't eat breakfast.

AR- Way to go Eric, Abigail, Alise, Kahlil, Magall, Dante, Christopher and Jazmin for meeting your AR goal for the 2nd nine week grading period!  We had a great pizza celebration!  I hope to celebrate all students at the end of this grading period!

Academics-

Math- Review of Multiplication (2 or 3 digit times 2 digit), Review of division (2 digit divisors, Addition/Subtraction with fractions and decimals) and Geometry

Language Arts- Informational Writing

Science- Water

Social Studies- Building a Nation (American Revolution)

FIELD TRIP- We have planned an excellent trip to the Fox Theater on February 12.  We will be seeing "Freedom Trail" about Harriet Tubman.  Please send in all permission slips and money ASAP!

Congratulations to Jordan for representing our class in the school Spelling Bee!  You made us proud!

Upcoming Dates:

1-18- Assembly in cafeteria

1-25- PTA

2-12- Field Trip

2-19- Out of School

2-20- Out of School

2-22- PTA

3-7- Early Release

3-15- Picture Day (Class and Individual)

3-21- Report cards for the 3rd 9 weeks sent home

3-22- PTA

November 10

Oops, I forgot to add:

About the blog:We have added a service to the blog called "Get email update. Put in your email address, click the button, and follow the directions after that. It's pretty simple and your email will still not be shared with others. This will be the best way for you to stay up to date with what's going on in my classroom. After two more weeks, I will no longer email you directly to notify you that my blog is updated and will be relying on this service to keep you up to date.

November 10

CONGRATULATIONS on the following:

*Passing the fire safety course and earning our class plaque!

*Doing an AWESOME job on the explorer presentations!

Parents- Thank you to those of you who were able to attend the VIP lunch!  We enjoyed having you.

PTA/Performance- Please send in the form sent home indicating whether your child will be able to attend the performance on Nov. 30.  Thank you!

Field Trip- The students need to bring a sack lunch for our field trip on November 21.  They may either bring one from home or purchase one at school.

Library Books
Dowell's media center will be switching to a different software system over the next few weeks.  Due to the changing of software systems all books that students have checked out need to be brought back to school by November 15.   Students will still be allowed to read books through the 17th, but again all books need to be back at school by November 15.  Students will be allowed to check out books again on December 4.  Thank you for your cooperation!

Arts Night-

Parents, family and friends, please mark your calendars and join the celebration of your children's art creations and a performance of the Dowell Singers. This is a fundraiser for both the music and visual arts programs.  Please come enjoy this exciting evening with us. Every child will have an original piece of artwork in the show! We will have refreshments and singing in the cafeteria and the art show will be in the gym!  Please look for more information in the next few weeks!!

Tuesday, Dec.5  6:30-8:00pm.

Upcoming Events-

Nov. 14- Picture Retakes

Nov. 17- Academic Alerts sent home

Nov. 21- Field Trip

Nov. 22-24- Thanksgiving Holidays

Dec. 6- Early Release

Dec. 20- 4th Grade Party

Dec. 22-Jan. 5- Winter Break

October 6

October 6

I cannot believe the first nine week grading period is coming to an end.  It seems as though I just meet you at Sneak-a-Peek.  We have a wonderful class and I enjoy working with them every day.  I look forward to meeting with each of you during conference week.  Please remember that the students will be dismissed 2 hours early during conference week.  Any changes of transportation MUST be in writing.  You may email me any changes or fax a note to the office if you forget to send one with your child.

IMPORTANT DATES~

10/9-  Book Fair Preview

10/10- Picture Day   

                  Fire Safety

10/12- Fire Safety

10/13- NO SCHOOL/ Teacher Workday

10/16-10/20- CONFERENCE WEEK!

10/18- Class to shop in book fair

10/19- PTA and Publix Night

10/24- Fire Safety

10/26- Fire Safety

10/27- REFLECTIONS Projects are due!

11/2- Fire Safety

11/7- NO SCHOOL- Election Day!

11/9- Fire Safety

11/14- Make-up Picture Day

11/22-11/24- THANKSGIVING  HOLIDAY!  Gobble, Gobble!!

10/31- Fire Safety

                

I cannot believe the first nine week grading period is coming to an end.  It seems as though I just meet you at Sneak-a-Peek.  We have a wonderful class and I enjoy working with them every day.  I look forward to meeting with each of you during conference week.  Please remember that the students will be dismissed 2 hours early during conference week.  Any changes of transportation MUST be in writing.  You may email me any changes or fax a note to the office if you forget to send one with your child.

IMPORTANT DATES~

                

October 6

I cannot believe the first nine week grading period is coming to an end.  It seems as though I just meet you at Sneak-a-Peek.  We have a wonderful class and I enjoy working with them every day.  I look forward to meeting with each of you during conference week.  Please remember that the students will be dismissed 2 hours early during conference week.  Any changes of transportation MUST be in writing.  You may email me any changes or fax a note to the office if you forget to send one with your child.

IMPORTANT DATES~

Friday, Sept. 15

Dowell Dolphin Spirit Day!!!  The students looked great all dressed in their spirit wear.  I can't believe that we are half way through the first nine weeks.  Time flies!  I sent home an "Academic Alert" to everyone today, even if all academic areas are a "B" average or higher.  I wanted to touch base with everyone.  Please let me know if you have any questions.  I met individually with each child so that he or she would not be surprised when discussing the report with you.

EARLY RELEASE is this Wednesday.  Students will be dismissed 2 hours earlier.  Please send any transportation changes in writing.  Thanks!

Performing Arts Permission Slips were sent home today.  PLEASE fill out the permission slip and send it back ASAP.  I can not take your child to a performance without the slip, even if it's a performance on campus.

Science/Social Studies- We have one more day of switching classes for science and social studies.  My students will go to Mrs. Foster on Monday and then come back to me on Tuesday for the next two weeks.  We will be studying the Early Explorers.

Homework- Your children know that part of their nightly homework is to read at least 30 minutes nightly and study their math facts.

Typing- Whew, I checked out the laptops today for the students to type their narrative writings that we have been working on.  Boy, was I tired!  Please have children practice typing at home if they have access to a computer.  Have them work on selecting a font style and size, centering text and indenting, using spell-check and saving their work.  I want to check out the laptops many times this year and if the students can have some extra practice at home our projects at school will run a little smoother.

A Look Ahead:

• Sept. 20- Early Release (Dismissed 2 hours early)
• Oct. 10- FIRE SAFETY begins for 4th grade
•                   Picture Day (Individual Only)
• Oct. 13- NO SCHOOL- Teacher Workday
• Oct. 16-20- CONFERENCE Week and Book Fair

Please let me know of any questions or concerns.  erin.larkin@cobbk12.org

• Sept. 20- Early Release (Dismissed 2 hours early)
• Oct. 10- FIRE SAFETY begins for 4th grade
•                   Picture Day (Individual Only)
• Oct. 13- NO SCHOOL- Teacher Workday
• Oct. 16-20- CONFERENCE Week and Book Fair

September 1, 2006

HAPPY LABOR DAY!

I hope everyone enjoys their 3 day weekend.  I think we can all use a break with the amount of sniffling, sneezing and coughing going on in the classroom (me included).  Please remember that if your child needs to take medication at school, you must send a note along with the medication.  I will send it to the nurse and she will give the medication at the appropriate time.  If your child needs cough drops, please send me a note and your child can take them as needed.  I hope everyone comes back rested and ready to continue our 4th grade adventure!

AR- 

Speaking of having a cold, our AR database has a serious illness!  Mrs. Johns, our computer lab specialist, has been diligently working on getting it fixed.  I know the children are VERY anxious about beginning AR and I promise we will start as soon as we get the GREEN light!  Please be patient.

Fundraiser-

Please make sure that your child returns his or her fundraiser packet on Tuesday, September 5, 2006.  That is the deadline.  This was not mandatory, so if your child chose not to participate, please keep your packet material.  Remember, this fundraiser requires payment at the same time the order was placed.

Science-

We begin switching classes on Tuesday with Mrs. Foster for science!  If your children seem to be in "outer space" when they come home, don't panic!  They are only thinking about or researching items discussed in science class.  I know one question heavy on their minds, "Why is Pluto no longer a planet?"

Transportation Changes-

Thank you to all of you that have kept me informed of afternoon transportation changes through your notes.  It is a requirement that I must have in writing how your child will go home if it is different from their normal routine.  I apologize if you feel this is a hassle, but it is for your child's safety!

Please let me know of any questions or concerns that you may have!

A Look Ahead:

• Sept. 4- OUT OF SCHOOL
• Sept. 5- Fundraiser Ends
•                  Performance Series Testing Begins
• Sept. 7- PTA/Open House
• Sept. 20- Early Release (Dismissed 2 hours early)
• Oct. 10- FIRE SAFETY begins for 4th grade
•                   Picture Day (Individual Only)
• Oct. 13- NO SCHOOL- Teacher Workday
• Oct. 16-20- CONFERENCE Week and Book Fair

• Sept. 4- OUT OF SCHOOL
• Sept. 5- Fundraiser Ends
•                  Performance Series Testing Begins
• Sept. 7- PTA/Open House
• Sept. 20- Early Release (Dismissed 2 hours early)
• Oct. 10- FIRE SAFETY begins for 4th grade
•                   Picture Day (Individual Only)
• Oct. 13- NO SCHOOL- Teacher Workday
• Oct. 16-20- CONFERENCE Week and Book Fair