Garden City Elementary School

May 2010

“BEE” A STAR (SHINE) At Garden City

Be Involved in Your Child’s Education

 

Thank you for your involvement in your children’s school.  Please plan to attend the remaining monthly family involvement activity. 

 

May 11          Grade 3 Program and   Arts   Showcase

 

May Principal’s Book of the Month

The Swing

By Joe Cepeda

Young Josie's parents constantly embarrass her. Everything they own always seems to be lost or broken, so they rely on their neighbors to lend them the things they need, from kitchen utensils to lawn mowers. Their house needs painting, their dog ran away–they can't even keep track of the time they're supposed to spend with their daughter. Where does everything keep going? Up into the tree in the backyard, of course! One wonderful day, Josie swings on her new swing and soars into the thick branches of the old oak tree. First, a missing lantern clatters down to the ground, then a toaster, and, eventually, everything that her parents have ever lost is recovered. Everyone is elated, especially Josie, who looks forward to finally being more like her neighbors.

• Ms. Bias and Ms. Walsh’s kindergarten students planted sunflowers on Earth Day.  They will observe the plants as they grow.
• Ms. Broughton’s and Ms. Turner’s kindergarten students will study plants and animals this month, as well as, measurement and how to respond to literature.
•  Ms. Deckert’s kindergarten students will be perfecting their addition and subtraction skills using story problems and manipulatives.
• Ms. Short’s kindergarten students will begin responding to literature in Writers Workshop.
• Ms. Walsh’s kindergarten students are reading, reading, reading.  Parents are reminded of on-line books to read.  Reading levels can be found in your child’s folder.
• First grade students will begin a unit on “Bigger, Taller, Heavier, Smaller” in math investigations.
• Ms. Cook’s second grade students are awaiting the arrival of their caterpillars so they can observe the life cycles of butterflies.
• Ms. Prophitt’s and Ms. Washington’s second grade students will study the life cycles of butterflies during science instruction.
• Ms. Small’s second grade students are working on place value to the one thousands in mathematics.  They will begin an author’s study unit in Readers Workshop.
• Ms. Solomon’s second grade students will have a cumulative review of all mathematics concepts and skills taught this year.
• Ms. Blaylock’s and Ms. Sheffield’s third grade students are beginning cursive writing and reviewing fairy tales in reading.
• Ms. Cooper’s and Ms. Naccarato’s third grade students will learn how stories that focus on problem solving can help them to solve problems in their lives.
• Ms. Rollins’ third graders will learn about elements of fairy tales in Readers Workshop.  They will also focus on writing skills this month.
• Ms. Bliss’ and Ms. Herbert’s fourth grade students will be putting their spatial sense to test in mathematics.  They will be tangled up in Charlotte’s Web during Readers Workshop.
• Ms. Joseph’s fourth grade students are taking adding and subtracting fractions with unlike denominators and decimals to the next level.  They will be ready for fifth grade math!
• Ms. Peterson’s fourth grade students will work on their country reports in social studies.
• Ms. Wilder’s fourth grade students will study force and motion in Science.
• Mr. Betts’ and Ms. Young’s fifth graders will read the novel The Report Card this month.  They will complete Presidents reports in social studies.
• Ms. Britt’s and Dawson’s fifth grade students are reviewing computation skills and mixed numbers in mathematics.  They have begun a unit on plants in science.
• Ms. Greenfield’s fifth graders will continue the novel Number the Stars by Lois Lowry.  They are loving this book. 
• Ms. Gibson, our art teacher, asks that you view artwork displayed in our main hallway when you visit Garden City.
• Ms. Hampton’s music students will continue learning about American composers this month.
• Ms. Karpus’ PE students will complete physical fitness testing this month.
• Garden City students are required to read at least 20 minutes every night.  Reading is important!  Remember to log your reading.
• Stay informed about your school…The Parent Portal is located at https://dcps.mygradeportal.com.   You can use your parent username and password to monitor your child’s grades, assignment completion and attendance.  You may also visit your child’s teacher’s webpage.

 

 Family Involvement Activities

May 6…PTA Cookie Dough Delivery

May 11…Grade 3 Program /Arts Showcase…6:30 p.m.

May 27…Students of the Month Reception…1:45 p.m.

June 4…Reading Celebration

June 3; 7-9… Awards Programs…See calendar

June 10…Class Parties

 

 

 

Reading Is Essential to Learning

Don’t Forget to Read Each Day During the Summer Break

 

When parents help their children learn to read, they open the door to a big, exciting world, and provide them with the necessary tools to become successful students and lifelong learners. Here are reading activities you can do with your children:

• Read aloud to your child.
• Read poems aloud together to learn the rhythm and repeated sounds in language.
• Point to the words on the page when you read to your children.
• Listen to your children read every day.
• Have books, magazines, and newspapers around the house, and let your child see you read, too.
• Pick a story or poem that repeats phrases; assign each child a phrase to repeat each time you read a new part of the story.
• Take turns reading. You read a paragraph and your child can read the next one. This activity helps to keep the story alive.
• Be flexible enough to not quickly abandon a book that does not appeal after a reasonable try at reading it. No one is meant to enjoy every book.
• Go to the library to check out books often. Have each family member use his or her own library card.
• Provide your child with a dictionary and a thesaurus.
• Encourage your child to make a special dictionary by putting together several sheets of paper for a booklet. Have your child write a recently learned word at the top of the page, the meaning of the word and a sentence using the word on the same page. Cutting pictures from magazines or with their own drawings can illustrate words.
• Encourage your child to keep a journal. Include thoughts on books that have been read.
• Cook with your child and read the recipe together.
• Label the things in your child's room.

Encourage your child to use the following reading strategies:

Clarify/Phonics
Think about words, and when you come to a word you don't know:

·        Look for the largest chunks you know (syllables, prefixes, suffixes). Try to say the word.

·    Look at the letters and think about the sounds. Try to sound out the word.

·    Re-read the sentence. Does it make sense?

 

Strategies for Success

·        Clarify - Re-read or discuss words or points that were not clear.

• Predict - What will happen or what will we learn?
• Question - After reading, ask a question for others to answer.

Kindergarten

K. Alexander

J. Bagley

K. Black

J. Hickson

A. Sheffield

D. Uylee

J. Wynn

 

Grade 1

K. Edwards

D. Johnson

C. Mayo

F. McClain

T. Smith

D. Terry

 

Grade 2

A. Geddes

A. Hamilton

D. McFadden

H. Plyler

K. Reynolds

M. Stansell

K. Verner

 

 Grade 3

R. Acosta

J. Dopson

B. Johnson

A. Joshua

Y. Lockett

J. Madison

M. Wills

 

Grade 4

K. Bradley

A. Passley

D. Smith

A. Sutton

Q. Troup

 

Grade 5

J. Jackson

D. O’Neal

K. Shack

A. Spates

D. Sutton

We wish the very best to our fifth grade students as they move on to middle school!  You are ready for success!  Remember this!

·        Parents who sent in wish list items

·        Parents who attended a family involvement activity

·        Parents who chaperoned fieldtrips

·        Parents/families who have joined the PTA

·        PTA Board Members

·        Ms. Jacquenee Wynn

·        Ms. Cheron Chestnut

·        Ms. Drena Alvin

·        Ms. Elsie Hopkins

·        Ms. Tanieca Citizen

·        Ms. Jackson (Junior Achievement)

·        Ms. Katrina Duncan

·        Ms. Jeffery

·        Mr. & Mrs. Watson

·        Mr. Green

·        Ms. Cassandra Knight

·        Ms. Alicia Smith

·        Mr. George Henry

·        Ms. Deborah Hopkins

·        Ms. Lucy David

·        Ms. Kimberly Dopson

·        Thomas Hilson

·        Qunta Hatch

·        Ms. Catherine Jackson

·        Ms. Kim Parker

·        Ms. Evalinda Sanchez

·        Ms. Amanda Wimberly

·        Ms. Laquindra Dunlap

·        Ms. Tiffany Johnson

·        Ms. Nikeejah Riggins

·        Ms. Lynn Hancock

·        Ms. Olivia Murray

·        Ms. Amelia Stapleton

·        Chaperones for the first grade fieldtrip to Little Talbot Island – May 27, 2010.  A volunteer card is required.  Volunteers are needed to help decorate tee shirts.

·        Chaperones for the second grade fieldtrip to Diamond D Ranch – May 18, 2010.  A volunteer card is required.

Wish List    Wish List·       

Ms. Bias wishes for donations of hand sanitizer, copy paper and individually wrapped candy treats.

·        Ms. Brandon wishes for donations of hand sanitizer.

·        Ms. Broughton and Ms. Turner wish for donations of tissue, disinfectant wipes and snacks.

• Ms. Deckert wishes for donations of snacks for 22 students and tissue.
• Ms. Short wishes for donations of snacks and juice boxes.
• Ms. Walsh wishes for donations of tissue and glue sticks.
• First grade teachers wish for donations of fabric paint and ocean shaped sponges.
• Ms. McCray wishes for donations of pencils, snacks and hand sanitizer.
• Ms. Prophitt and Ms. Washington wish for a donation of tissue, pencils and treats.
• Ms. Small wishes for donations of liquid soap, hand sanitizer, baby wipes and Fun Friday treats.
• Ms. Solomon wishes for donations of ribbon or lace, fabric glue, glue stick, stickers and pencils.
• Ms. Atkins and Ms. Tompkins wish for donations of pencils and copy paper.
• Ms. Blaylock and Ms. Sheffield wish for donations of tissue, hand sanitizer and notebook paper.
• Ms. Bliss and Ms. Herbert wish for donations of pencils, eraser tops and notebook paper.
• Ms. Joseph wishes for donations of tissue and hand sanitizer.
• Ms. Peterson wishes for donations of pencils and tissue.
• Ms. Wilder wishes for donations of copy paper and Clorox wipes.
• Mr. Betts and Ms. Young wish for donations of copy paper.
• Ms. Britt and Ms. Dawson wish for donations of Clorox wipes, copy paper, hand sanitizer, notebook paper, pencils, individually wrapped snacks and tissue.
• Ms. Greenfield wishes for donations of copy paper and treats.

We greatly appreciate your donations!