News

Week of 8/23/10: Please contact Ms. Glaser at rhondaglaser@nixaschools.net with questions or comments. Thanks!

What’s Been Cooking (What Happened Last Week)

• I’d like to start by saying THANKS for sending me such a FABULOUS new bunch of Blazers! I’d also like to ask you to please be patient as I work to update our website. The weekly News–which you’re reading right now is good to go, but…you’ll notice I’ve not yet had a chance to upload new photos in the Gallery, change the Events, or add new student work to the Showcase. Don’t worry, I’ll keep at it and keep you posted!�
• As you know, last week was our first week of school, and we had a FULL week–literally and figuratively! We got to know each other better during our “Get Off My Back” and “I Am Like…” activities. We refreshed our Math skills and memories a bit with a Math Inventory test, practiced multiplication (and just to see if we knew anything about it at all–division!), and played “Inside-Outside Circle” with math terms. The Blazers took time to show me their comprehension skills with a Reading Inventory, and we talked briefly about “Book Reports”–an essential part of our classroom (although there are MUCH more details to come on that this week). We set up our folders, organized our desks, and began filling out our Planners (thanks to you parents for staying on top of signing those for your Blazer each day :-)). The Blazers wrote friendly letters to me, using Letter Generator (a frequently-accessed tool linked to our classroom website). We did SO much more; I just don’t have enough room to tell you everything! I hope, hope, hope your Blazer shared with you about our week! I also hope they’re all as excited as I am to keep going!
• Last week, the Blazers also learned more about our first Blazer of the Week (B.O.W.)–me (Ms. Glaser)! Some things they learned include that I have two Golden Retrievers (Jazz and Sammy); I’m a fanatic of Life Is Good stuff; I collect some Antiques–teacups and saucers, old “school” memorabilia, and old family photos; I probably have too many pairs of Shoes (but you can never have too many shoes!!!); I enjoy Eating out (especially sushi, pizza and guacamole); and believe it or not, I Ride a Harley occasionally (was out briefly this weekend as a matter of fact)! Carsen, my daughter, wrote a letter to the class about me (in which she told them how silly I was–although I think most of them have already figured that one out for themselves :-)). If you’d like more details, you’ll have to ask your Blazer!

What’s in the Fire This Week (What We’ll Do This Week)

• Blazer of the Week (B.O.W.): Announcing…drumroll, please…this week’s B.O.W.–Sara N.! We all can’t wait to learn more about Blazer #14! Stay tuned for details next week. 
• Math: We’ll kick off our first Math unit on Numbers & Operations. This unit covers study of place value, number patterns, etc. then heads right into calendar and time. Heads up, parents! During our “time” lessons, we’ll introduce and practice with the concept of “elapsed time” (e.g., how much time has passed between this time and another time). This is NOT an easy concept to grasp; however, it is not required nor do we expect mastery at the 4th grade level. I’m just preparing you for some frustration that may occur. It’s probably second nature to most of us, which often makes it difficult to explain and help our children understand. Remember: NO STRESS! Your at-home support is always appreciated!
• Working with Words (W.W.W.): This is our Spelling, and we’ll start our typical weekly routine–which we will follow the entire school year (unless it’s not a typical week; I’ll keep you posted of any changes in the News). On Monday, “Teachers” will teach the week’s words. (This week, I’ll teach all words. Next week, the Blazers will start “teaching”–not because I’m lazy :-), but because it helps them take ownership of their words (just one more way to make that learning more meaningful–to make it “stick”). This week’s words are: because, people, friends, composer, impossible, fruit, bruise, suit, cruise, juice. We’ll have ten primary words each week (which the Blazers will write in their WWW notebooks), plus ten “transfer” words. Transfer words focus on specific words parts and will be worked in throughout our weekly activities. This week’s transfer words focus on the suffix -er (as in composer and writer), the prefix im- (as in impossible and improper), and words with the phonogram ui (as in fruit and liquid). Tuesday, we complete an in-class practice activity and assign the weekly Practice Quiz (a homework assignment due every Thursday). Wednesday, we complete more in-class practice. Thursday, we play a review game (and the Practice Quiz is due). Friday, we take our weekly Quiz and assign “teachers” for the following week. 
• Reading & Writing: We’ll begin talking about our “Book Reports,” by going through the packet in detail together. (Remember: There’s a copy of all this information inside my handout from Parent Orientation.) The first one is due Monday, October 4. This will also kick off our curriculum studies of literature genres. We’ll focus first on realistic fiction–although remember that your Blazer can choose any genre from the list for his/her Book Report. As a class, we’ll begin reading and completing activities for the realistic fiction novel, Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo. Later in the week, we’ll also write friendly letters to this week’s B.O.W. (another weekly routine of Blazerville). 
• Unit Studies (Science or Social Studies): We will alternate Science and Social Studies units; in general, spending approximately 1-2 weeks per unit. We’ll begin with a Social Studies unit on Map/Geography Skills from a worldwide to a country to a state perspective.
• Other:  This will always be here to cover any “other” topics/activities we’ll be doing that may not fit the typical core subject areas. As of right now…I can’t think of any for this week. Stay tuned…

Hot Tips and Topics (See “Events” Link for Additional Events.)

• Thursday, 8/26: WWW Practice Quiz is due!
• Friday, 8/27: WWW Quiz
• Friday, 8/27: It’s our first “last Friday of the month,” so I guess we’ll have our first Blazerville Boutique (the Blazers’ first chance to spend some of those Blazer Bucks they’ve already earned)! Woohoo!!!
• Tuesday, 8/31: Fall pictures (Wear your favorite outfit, style that “do” just the way you want it, and SMILE, smile, smile!)
• Tuesday, 8/31: First general PTA meeting at 6:30 P.M. (Bring the kids, as they’ll be scheduled activities for school-aged kiddos and free babysitting for little ones!) 
• Monday, 9/6: Labor Day holiday (no school!)
• Monday, 10/4: Book Report #1 is due!

The Blazerville Burn (Thoughts from This Week’s Blazerville Reporter)

Dear Blazers & Blazerville Parents,

Hi! It’s back to school and back to Blazerville–where we have jobs, do fun activities, and always stay smart! Last week, it was super cool! We worked on our Star Posters, learned about Ms. Glaser (our B.O.W.) and the Espywood theme, and even started working on multiplication and division! I hope everyone likes Blazerville just as much as I do! Have a great day! 

Your Blazerville Reporter,

Ryan H. #9 (WOW! Ryan, that was an AWESOME first Blazerville Report of the year! Woohoo!!!)