August Update, 2007

Miss Greene     Pre-Kindergarten

Our school year is underway. We are off to a great start.   During the first weeks of staggered enrollment, we have enjoyed exploring  our new classroom and meeting new friends. Already we have completed the story The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn with a corresponding art activity to give to our parents. The process is on display outside the classroom  door. Come by and check it out.

Mrs. Smelcer     First Grade

We have been busy reviewing the alphabet and our Kindergarten "popcorn" words.  We are anxious to start our new reading book in 2 weeks.  In math, we have been practicing on how to write our  numbers and on coloring towers to match numbers.  We like using the  linking cubes.  We have started our Science and Social Studies using our  new "Studies Weekly".  We loved the experiment on making square bubbles!!!

Mrs. Dobyns     Kindergarten

We are off to a great start in Mrs. Dobyns' Kindergarten  class.  We have been learning how to walk in line quietly and learning  where everything is
in this big school.  We have already started our new  reading series with
the story of The Little School Bus.  Our class has been enjoying color
days, where we wear the color, sing about the color, and find the color that
is being highlighted for the day.  As we get used to being  here we will
dive into learning our letters, numbers and popcorn words.  There is lots
to learn in Kindergarten!

Mr. Horner     Fifth Grade

We have hit the ground running this year in 5th grade.  My class is made up of hard workers who are dedicated to learning.  We are already studying early exploration and settlement in Social Studies.  Our new reading series is
fun, exciting, and challenging.  Math is moving right along as we review from last year and prepare our minds for new skills.  We  are also already working diligently toward the writing test in  February.  Science is always challenging as we are studying cells and their functions. I feel like this year has much promise as long  as we continue to push ahead and stay dedicated.

Mrs. Pless     Computer Lab

The Computer Lab is up and running.  Students, please  remember these very simple rules...  Never turn on or off a computer.  Keep your hands to
yourself and your computer.  Be gentle with the mouse and keyboards.  Stay on task.  And, of course, follow all school rules while in the lab.  Welcome back everyone!  Hope this is a great year for all!

Mrs. Silver     First Grade

We are off and running in first grade! Vocabulary practice of sight words
and decoding of word families are two of the main strategies we are using
to begin learning to read.  It is difficult for many first graders (and parents) to get into the habit of memorizing words after becoming expert kindergarten decoders.  In math, we are reviewing the basic shapes and counting to 100.  We will soon being learning to add and subtract using "some, some more," and "some, some went away" stories.  The extreme heat has kept us indoors except for a few minutes each day, but we are getting our exercise by marching, dancing, hopping, and stretching to music.  We will have our first healthy eating class on Tuesday, Aug. 28, led by Ms. Paula Watkins.  We look forward to her class.

Mrs. Morell     First Grade

In Mrs. Morell's first grade class, we are working on reviewing our letters and sounds.  We are also memorizing very basic sight words.  Students are also working on recognizing, writing, and using the numbers 0-10.  We are learning about shapes and angles.  In Science, we are learning about our 5 senses.  We took a nature walk and made a book illustrating our use of the 5 senses on our walk.  Students are also learning how to use a mouse on the computer.  We are also working on using the back button and scrolling down a page.  Students have been playing word games with Clifford the Big Red Dog using the  Internet.

Mrs. Wiles     Second Grade

Our 2nd grade will shine this year!!!  We have gotten off to a great start.  Our 
class has 18 wonderful boys and girls.  We have a new reading series and we are 
ALL  learning together.  Our math is sooo cool.  We have already learned our 
double facts, put our birthdays into a graph, learned about an ABABAB
pattern and learned much, much more. Everyday is a new adventure.  We are
all ready for cooler weather.  Fall can't be too far away. Check back next
month to find out what we have been up to.

Guidance activities are kicking off the year with study skills; especially about having good listening skills and making new goals for the school year.  We are also going to get into activities that emphasize that having good character DOES count!

Mrs. West     Second Grade

Where am I?  That is the question our class was asked this  month.  Our class read a story called Walter and Iris.  Iris had lived  in the city, but recently moved to the country.  She thought there was nothing to do and became very bored until she met a new friend named Walter.  The students compared urban and rural areas using a Venn diagram.  They found that both are very different, yet they share some similarities too.  We made a flip book to show just where we could be found in this big world of ours.  Our school is in a rural area - Piedmont.  Our city is Dandridge.  Our state is Tennessee.  And we live in the United States of America.  Students also constructed puzzle pieces of the United States.  Now that we know where we are, next month we'll ask the question: Who  am I?

Mrs. Whitley     Second Grade

What a wonderful group of 18 students in 2A this year.  Reading, using our new series, has been a challenge but the kids are being very patient as the teacher wades through.  We have reviewed the short and long vowel sounds and have begun our Exploration unit.  We have enjoyed two stories: Iris and Walter, Exploring Space with an Astronaut.  Our writing lessons come from themes in these stories.  In math we work on the Morning Meeting everyday and have started our doubles fact.  Students are learning the classroom routines and have adapted quite well.  Bring on September!  Second Grade enjoyed a visit from Mrs. Paula Watkins who spoke with the kids about the importance of eating a good breakfast.

                                      Telling Time                                                    Playing "Sparkle"

Playing "Sparkle"

Mrs. Garner     Second Grade

Mrs. French       Third Grade

Mrs. Ruby French's class is off to a great start. We are so excited about all of the things we are learning and going to learn this year. We have been looking at fossils and rocks. We have even made volcanoes and learned about chemical and physical changes. We have realized how important the English language is to the world. We have made it our goal to learn how to speak and write it correctly with pride. Our new Reading series has many new and exciting concepts. We are determined to learn many words, read faster, and have a better understanding of what we read. We are going to have a fantastic year.