The Eagle Examiner FOSTERSchool Foster Elementary January/February 2015 Two whole weeks without school...what has your student been doing with all that time? What is your student looking forward to in the New Year? We look forward to finishing out this school year strong and you can help your student do this successfully. February is Black History Month Do you know who one of Principal Thompson’s favorite historical Black Leader’s is? Here’s a hint, her original given name was Isabella Baumfree and her nickname was “Belle” but in 1843 she changed her name. Have you figured out who this influential leader is? It’s Sojourner Truth; she changed her name when she was 46 years old. “I went to the Lord and asked Him to give me a new name. And the Lord gave me Sojourner, because I was to travel up and down the land, showing the people their sins, and being a sign unto them.” —Sojourner Truth (biography.com) Sojourner Truth lived a very hard life through many trials and difficulties in her young life. Because of the things she experience she became an abolitionist and women's rights activist. “Truth is remembered as one of the foremost leaders of the abolition movement and an early advocate of women's rights. Although she began her career as an abolitionist, the reform causes she sponsored were broad and varied, including prison reform, property rights and universal suffrage. Abolition was one of the few causes that Truth was able to see realized in her lifetime. Her fear that abolitionism would falter before achieving equality for women proved prophetic.” (biography.com) What can you learn from Sojourner Truth? No matter your circumstance you are an amazing human being and that you can rise above anything. As Sojourner Truth stated, ““Truth is powerful, and it prevails.” —Sojourner Truth. In Kindergarten, we will have kindergarten round up on January 29th. We are also excited about going on a field trip (details to come). In math, we are learning addition and subtraction. In reading, we are preparing for a close read about how characters change throughout a story. In Science, we will finish our unit on motion and start a unit on earth science. What We Are Learning… Reading: This month we are identifying the Author’s Purpose for writing a text, identifying the main idea and details in a text, identifying text features and what we learned from the features and retelling a text using key details. Math: We are building and understanding numbers within 120 and identifying place value. Writing: We are responding to the texts we read, retelling a text using key details and identifying main idea and key details within a text. Science: The students are learning about the sun and stars. Wow! It’s already half way through the school year. Here are a few reminders to our awesome parents. Please make sure your child gets enough sleep at night so he/she can come to school ready to learn. Also make sure he/she comes to school on time, and prepared to learn. Academic time starts at 8:00 AM, and all students should be in the classrooms at that time. Now, we will share a quick overview of what our students have been learning in Second Grade. In Reading, students are learning to find words that will help them to determine the author’s perspective in a text. They are also reading to determine the main idea, understanding cause and effect relationships, comparing similarities and differences between two texts, characters and topics, and using text features to help them understand the text. Parents: your child should be reading 30 minutes to 60 minutes at home every night. Writing is embedded with our reading, so many times students are responding in different ways; sometimes by writing their opinions about certain topics or an author’s perspective, and others by writing a letter or an essay about a specific topic. At the same time, when students write we are looking for the quality of their writing pieces. Our goal is for our students to be able to elaborate by using evidence from the text, to write sentences with the correct grammar, punctuation/ capitalization marks, and correct spelling. In Math, our next unit (Unit 5) is an extension of our previous ones. We are still working with addition and subtraction within 100 to solve one- and two-step word problems involving situations of adding to, taking from, putting together, taking apart, and comparing by using drawings and equations with a symbol for the unknown number to represent the problem. We are also working on becoming fluent in adding and subtraction using strategies based on place value, and explaining step-by-step what strategy is more efficient and why. Parents, please make sure to work with your child at home and have him/her explain to you step-by-step the strategy that was used to solve the problem and why was that strategy more efficient than others. Science has been a lot of fun! We have been working on our Science Fair Projects, using the scientific method. Our projects are looking great, Mrs. Aponte’s class is working to find out which food (apples, bananas, or potatoes) turns brown faster when exposed to air, Ms. Thornton’s class is working to determine which food does hamsters like best, Ms. Barolo’s class is working on which liquids hold the most weight, and they are using, oil, soda, water and juice. Mrs. Guy is working on which popcorn brand pops the best, and Ms. Van Natter’s class project is about what kind of liquid (vinegar, Pepsi, or water) will dissolve marshmallows faster. As you can see, these projects are fun. Thank you all for your support and for helping our children. Your Second Grade Team would like to wish everyone Happy New Year. It is time to apply for the Magnet, School Choice, and Career & Technical Education programs for the 20152016 school year! Elementary applicants (entering Kg – 5th grade) Begins January 13, 2015 – February 11, 2015 It is time to apply for the Magnet, School Choice, and Career & Technical Jan. 7th iMom Event Smoothie King Day Jan. 14th All Pro Dads Event Jan. 16th End of Quarter Jan. 19th MLK Holiday – No School Jan. 20th Non-Student Day – No School Jan. 21st Smoothie King Day Jan. 22nd Literacy Night Jan. 26th Meals for Minds Jan. 29th Kindergarten Round-up Feb. 4th iMom Event Feb. 6th Fair Day – No School Feb. 11th All Pro Dads Event Feb. 16th Meals for Minds Feb. 18th Smoothie King Day Feb. 19th Science Night Feb. 23rd Spring Picture Day ELA When we return from winter break, students will be working on describing characters and their traits, comparing and contrasting characters and key details across texts, and determining the central message, lesson, and moral in texts. Students will also be working on writing opinion essays, as well as compare and contrast essays. When writing these essays, we will concentrate on remaining focused throughout the essay, using evidence from the text to support our thoughts, and the organization of the essays. Mathematics In math we will be working on comparing fractions, measurement, and 2dimensional shapes. Please continue to work on multiplication and division fact fluency, as well as 3-digit addition and subtraction using regrouping at home. These are skills students should have mastered by fourth grade. Through reinforcing previous learned concepts students will have a greater retention and understanding of the concepts. Science After winter break, students will be working on design challenges. These are hands-on challenges that present students with a problem and the students have to work in a group to create four different plans and test their plans to try to come up with a solution to fix the given problem. Through these challenges students will learn about the scientific process scientists go through when they solve problems. We will also begin learning about Earth and space, how the sun is a star that emits energy and what the law of gravity is and how gravity can be overcome. Hand washing: Clean Hands Saves Lives; Hand washing is like a "do it yourself vaccine. It involves five simple and effective steps. (Think WET, LATHER, SCRUB, RINSE, DRY) You can take to reduce the spread of diarrhea and respiratory Illness so you can stay healthy. Regular Hand washing particularly before and after certain activities, is one of the best ways to remove germs avoid getting sick, and prevent the spread of germs to others. Always remember when coughing please cough into your Sleeve and not your Hands. Stay Healthy. Foster Elementary Nursing Staff st Interesting Facts about January 1 it is not only the First Day of the New Year, but look what else happened in history on this day. January 1 Paul Revere was born in Boston, 1735 Flag maker Betsy Ross was born in Philadelphia, 1752 Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, 1863 Ellis Island in New York formally opened, 1892 Students started a Literacy Design Collaborative (LDC) Module for Reading and Social Studies. It is a seven day lesson where students really dig deep in learning about the history of Florida. The end goal is for students to be able to complete the following Performance Task: St. Augustine is the oldest permanent settlement in the US. After reading the sources provided, write an article for a fourth grade history magazine explaining the importance of St. Augustine. Tell why it needed to be protected and defended and how the three major forts provided protection and defense. Use your own words when writing and include citations for sources that you quote. In writing, students are writing Opinion Speeches on whale captivity. Students were provided with a plethora of articles regarding whale captivity and formed their own opinion about the topic. They are writing their opinion pieces based on evidence from the texts and their insight. We are wrapping up Fraction Equivalence and Comparison in math. Your child should be able to compare and order fractions, tell you equivalent fractions, find the common denominator, and put fractions in the simplest form. Coming up we is Unit 7: Addition and Subtraction of Fractions with Like Denominators. In Science, we are working on Magnetism. Students are investigating and describing how magnets can attract magnetic materials and attract and repel other magnets. Coming up we will be investing Sound. Also, make sure your child is reading every night for at least 30 minutes and practicing their basic multiplication facts. We just finished The Taste of the Battle and I know your child was inspired to read several of the books. Ask your child what Battle Book they are reading. 5th Graders have been extremely busy! In science STEM Fair Projects have been turned in and are in the process of being judged. Students are currently learning about physical and chemical changes and their effects. In math students continue to work with fractions and are now focusing on multiplying fractions. In English and Language Arts (ELA) students recently completed a Learning Design Collaborative unit in reading and social studies about the trades and economy during Colonial times. Please remember to save some time over the holidays for independent reading and using I-Station if your child has an account. Finally, Happy New Year 2015! As we reflect on 2014, more and more of our young children have gained access to the Internet with a hand held device. It can be very difficult to monitor what our children are exploring during their alone time. Below is a list of kid friendly websites for our children to enjoy. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. http://pbskids.org/ Kids have fun learning on this site. http://wonderopolis.org/ If your child wonders about amazing facts and intriguing questions such as: Why are they called Lava Lamps? What Badger has a sweet tooth? http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/ This site is for animal fanatics. https://www.pottermore.com/en-us/ This site is for kids that love Harry Potter. http://www.spatulatta.com/ This site has recipes and fun videos for kids that love to cook. http://www.sikids.com/ This site is for the sports fans. Please make sure to visit Parent Resources Tab on http://foster.mysdhc.org/. We have made it convenient for you to fine helpful areas on the district page. Email: [email protected] The PE CoUrT RePoRt Phone 555-125-5789 Room # 532 Website: http://www.mrsmiller.edu Mr. Martin’s Art Cart What in the world has been going on in PE? PRIMARY GRADES – The primary students have been working on GAMES, STRATEGY, and FITNESS with games like Turkey Trouble which was played around the Thanksgiving Holiday. Currently, the primary grades are working on a PUZZLE DANCE. Each person in the group gets a part of the dance and combines that part with others to make up the whole SEQUENCE. They are learning about SEQUENCING with a BEGINNING, MIDDLE, and ENDING. Upcoming, the primary students will be working CARDIORESPIRATORY ENDURANCE and SEQUENCING with Jumping Rope! INTERMEDIATE GRADES – The intermediate students have been working on CARDIO RESPIRAORY ENDURANCE and currently have been working on Educational Dance! In partnership with the Hillsborough County Arts Council, Ms. Marsh, a professional dancer from the Vybe Dance Studio has been coming out to teach the students about BAM – Bust A Move- and the “Move” urban dance! The students are learning about Dance, the history, meaning, purpose, and how Dance is used in current times vs. the original uses of Dance. Upcoming, the students will be focusing on Games, Rules of Play, and Sportsmanship. ESE STUDENTS – The ESE students have also been participating in the Puzzle Dance with the primary grades and for the older ESE students; they have joined in with the BAM – Bust A Move – dance project as well! Some of the ESE classes are also continuing to work on the Adaptive Equipment: using upper body Strength and Endurance, Centrifugal Motion, and the Vestibular Saucer. Ask your child(ren) what they have been learning out at PE and see what amazing things they are able to tell you! Coach Holden Hello parents and guardians! 2014 has been a fun year for art! We have been exploring many different things, from colors and shapes to contrast and balance. Your students have been creating amazing art; including beautiful snowflakes we decorated the entire media center in, fantastic landscape pictures, amazing portraits and brilliant still life drawings! In the coming year I am excited to be starting some fun and interesting new projects, and I am going to need a little help from some of you to make these things as great as they can be! For starters, 2nd Grade parents, as this is Foster’s first year with an Art program, I have no magazines or materials for collages! If each of you could send in a school appropriate magazine with your student, I would have a great resource to start with! To be clear, these do not need to be new magazines, just any old magazines or catalogues that you happen to have lying around would be perfect. 4th and 5th Grade parents, if you could send your child with a few twist off plastic bottle caps, in whatever colors you have, we can use them to create a really great collaborative project that can be hung up somewhere in the school. I do not need thousands of these bottle tops, but a couple from each student would be fantastic. These can be from juice, soda or sports drinks! Thank you so very much for your time, I hope your children’s appreciation and excitement for art has made its way back home! Parents, Parent flyers are sent home at the beginning of every unit in math. The flyer explains the content that your child will learn in that unit, as well as the strategies he/she will use throughout the unit. Please assist your child with homework using the strategies that are sent home. Please contact your child’s teacher or the Math Resource Teacher, Mrs. C. Jordan, with any questions. The Book Nook from Ms. Heben, Reading Coach It is important to encourage your child to read nightly. Consider the research below. The most critical piece of student success is time spent reading. Minutes Reading per Day Achievement Percentile 40.4 minutes 90th 12.9 minutes 50th 1.6 minutes 10th Adapted from Anderson, Wilson, & Fielding, 1988 th January 29 2015 9:30am – 11:30am Student must be 5 years old on or before September 5th Students may access MyON, Istation, and Think Central to practice their reading strategies with a variety of text. If you have questions regarding how to access these programs, please contact your teacher. Happy Reading! EXTRA!!! Extra!!!!! Read ALL about it!!!! News from the Media Center It’s hard to believe that the first half of the school is already over. The time has really flown by in a blur. It is still very important for all of our students to read each and every day. In 2001 Governor Jeb Bush signed Executive Order 01-260 designating Just Read, Florida! as a comprehensive and coordinated reading initiative. We're already building excitement for Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida! which will be held January 26-30, 2015! Our theme encourages our students to connect literacy with all kinds of careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). February is known as Black History Month but not only do we celebrate those Black leaders we also celebrate the month of Love. We hope to develop our students to learn how to fall in LOVE with Reading. I look forward to working with our students to help them find new and exciting things through reading. Foster Elementary School ~ HOST Program Foster Elementary is now enrolling students for the Hillsborough County Out-of-School Time program. This fee based program will provide After School care for your child from 2:00-6PM. If you are interested in participating in this exciting program or have any questions please contact: The HOST Program @ 813-276-5573 ext. 251 In the next grading period, students in music class will learn a variety of skills and concepts including singing, playing and creating simple melodic patterns. 2nd and 3rd grade students will match and compare patterns. Notating pitches and rhythms using traditional notation will be one of the goals for 3rd and 4th grade students. 4th and 5th grade students will expand their melodic focus with creating variations. Music students will use their thinking skills to form interpretations, describe influences, and develop appreciations for music found in many artful cultures. Foster’s Fun Page