Mrs. Maurer

2-7-10

I was completely amazed by the high-quality science projects in our classroom!  I feel like every single child learned something new, and enjoyed presenting to the class. 

Thanks to all who came to math/science night.  It was a great success!  It seemed like everyone was having a great time looking at projects, playing math games, and buying books at the bookfair.

I'm sorry Thursday folders went home a day late again.  They were packed this week!  Lots of papers went home, so try to take a minute to review your child's work with him or her.

Miss Matoska has been a great addition to our classroom.  She has jumped right in, helping with all students, working with small groups, and observing while I'm teaching.  Next week she'll do her first whole-class lesson about Black History Month, cultural stories, and author's purpose. 

1-21-10

On Monday we will have a new addition to our classroom!  Miss Matoska will be joining us from UT on Mondays and Wednesdays.  She is an intern, just one year away from becoming a teacher!  She'll be observing, teaching small groups as well as the whole class, helping me plan lessons and grade papers, and being another role model for your children.  I haven't met her yet, but have heard wonderful things, and I can't wait for her to join us!


Information from the counselor:

http://www.engr.utexas.edu/wep/k12/girlday

Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day is a free event for girls in the 1^st – 8^th grade. Students at Girl Day will work on fun activities that highlight math and science, meet engineers and UT engineering students, faculty and staff and get a free t-shirt after completing a survey at the end of the day. This event is free but REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. For more information, and to register a girl (or a boy) to attend, please visit: http://www.engr.utexas.edu/wep/k12/girlday

1-14-10

Science Fair is the big buzz in the classroom.  Kids are discussing topics and hypothesis (don't know how that's spelled in plural form!), talking about neat things that they've found out about, and planning how they're going to set up their display boards.  I'm amazed at their scientific thinking! 

The registration for the science fair has been extended until TUESDAY, January 19th due to lack of participation.  I've had some students fill out their forms in the classroom, and others who have had your help to fill them out at home.  Be sure that it is turned in by Tuesday if your child would like their project to be judged and displayed at the fair (they're doing the project anyway, so why not?).

Tomorrow is the date that all students need to turn in a research form letting me know what research they've done so far and how theyr'e doing with their project.

I have put all science fair paperwork on the HANDOUTS section of the website for you to print copies that you need.  Please be sure to read the section in the packet about what you can and can't bring to the fair.  For some projects, you will need to be taking lots of pictures to display!!  I will be sending home a picture of what a 'good' science fair display board should look like and include.


1-7-10

Happy New Year!  Hope your break was restful!  More to come soon, but wanted to let you know that there will be SCIENCE FAIR information coming home today in Thursday folders.  One is a timeline for science fair projects, and the other is a letter of explanation with a section at the bottom that each child is required to have signed and turned in by Monday.  In the HANDOUTS section of the website, there is a link to the official science fair packet....please check it out!

REMINDERS:

*Don't forget to sign up for our PTA - I would love to have 100%
participation!  Our PTA works very hard to help both teachers and students
have the best year possible.

*If you don't already, please start saving Box Tops for Education labels. 
You can find them on a ton of food items, as well as Ziploc bags and
Kleenex.  Forest Creek also collects Campbell's Soup labels and Tyson
labels.  They all help earn money for our school!

*Assignment notebooks should be read and signed by a parent every night.

*Thursday folders should be signed and returned on Friday.  Take some time
to look through the important information that comes home, and review your
child's work with him/her.

*Your child may want to have a jacket or sweater in the classroom in case
they get cold.

*Please have your child wear tennis shoes on PE days - Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday

*Please check out the wish list page...there are some things that we need in
the classroom!