Maybeury Elementary School
Hey Test-Makers, we see what you’ve got….and we aren’t scared!
We ROCKED the reading and math mid-year benchmarks! We even invited in Mr. Koontz (who took this picture) and Ms. Jones to surprise them with how much we have learned since our last benchmark tests. There’s much to learn still…but there’s MUCH to celebrate!
We are so thankful to have Mrs. Lahrman at Donahoe. Here are some of our thoughts!
Have you all heard? We officially have a new superintendent of schools here in Henrico! We are so excited for Dr. Pat Kinlaw to be our leader and we decided to give him some tips. Enjoy!
ps. I PROMISE I only gave them the prompts. All the ideas belong to the students!
This week we have been learning about Ancient Greece. We’ve learned about their contributions to arts (pottery, mosaics, sculptures), architecture (columns, Parthenon), sports (first Olympic Games), and government (direct democracy). We know where Greece is (in Europe on the Mediterranean Sea), what it’s like (limited rich soil, terraced hillsides, peninsula) and how the people adapted to their land (traders, farmers, shipbuilders). If you asked my students, I’m sure they’d say the best part was drinking and eating Greek food. From grapes we drank……GRAPE JUICE, of course, and I had them taste TZATZIKI (which is a delicious cucumber-yogurt dip) which is a greek favorite! Check out our toast!
IMG 3269 from Whitney Beck on Vimeo.
PS. The kids loved the tzatziki dip – I got it at Martin’s near the fancy cheeses! It’s a healthy(ish) and delicious dip that’s great on wheat thins, fresh veggies, burgers, and french fries! Try it out and let us know how you liked it!
Parents,
As I’m sure you know, your child has a poetry project due on Wednesday, December 18th! They have to memorize a poem (they have a copy of the one they chose in their binders) and they have to write their own poem. The poem they write needs to be a final copy; decorated and beautiful! Please ask your child for the packet that explains all that they are required to do. The most exciting part of this project is the Poetry Recital! We will be standing up and reciting our memorized poems on Wednesday, December 18th at 9:30 am in the classroom. Please join us for light refreshments and some great poetry! Feel free to bring a copy of your own favorite poem to share with us – you don’t have to memorize yours! Send me a quick e-mail if you will be joining us if you haven’t sent back the pink form yet! Tell grandparents, aunts, uncles, and neighbors who are available that they are more than welcome to join us!
wabeck@henrico.k12.va.us
Have you heard about the Rice Krispies matter lesson with Mrs. Dunham’s class? Here’s a video our amazing Technology Teacher filmed of the lesson. Thanks Mr. Stein!
We had a phenomenal trip to the Capitol Building of the Commonwealth on Tuesday! I am still working on the video with all the pictures – but check out this “Photosynth” that I took. Check back by Friday for the Virginia Capitol video!
I don’t know if you ladies out there get to go to work and see stud-muffins every day – but I sure do! Check out two of my twenty-one good-lookin’ students! Happy Picture day!
Parents,
There will be a packet of papers coming home today on blue paper that outline your child’s November project on Geography. Please read it carefully with them and note that the due date is Tuesday, November 26th – the last day before Thanksgiving Break. Let me know if you have any questions!
We all know those hilarious Geico commercials. I think our favorite one is “Hump Day!” We have talked about how the author of that commercial was trying to entertain us and to persuade us to buy their insurance policies. Personally, I think they did more entertaining than anything else. Terrell, what do you think?
Hump Day from Whitney Beck on Vimeo.
Last week when talking about animals, I had my students designed their own animals with adaptations to help it survive. Once they were done with those, I had them design a predator that would be able to attack their first animal. You wouldn’t believe how much fun this was!
We had SUCH a great time at Tredegar Iron Works on the James River today! I’m working on a slideshow of pictures tonight, but until it’s done, enjoy this picture of us in our phenomenal tie-dye t’s! Check back to our blog soon for pictures from all of us!
A special thanks to our chaperones, Mrs. Burks and Mrs. Zampieri. We couldn’t have held it all together without you two!
Parents,
Don’t forget we have a field trip to Tredegar Iron Works tomorrow! We’ll leave around 9:30 (so we need our two chaperones here by 9:15am – remember to sign-in in the front office first). Have your child wear their tie-dye t-shirt, pants, and tennis shoes. It’s going to be a lot of walking!! Remember to send in a lunch for your child if you opted to send one in. Please do not send any glass bottles or sodas. Let me know if you have any questions! Thanks so much!
Check out this picture of how my t-shirt turned out! Didn’t I tell you that Bonny Rike is a tie-dying genius? We’ll be taking class pictures tomorrow in our t’s!
At the end of a long day, I often need a pep talk to get myself focused. What do you need to stay focused?
Jayshon earned his yellow belt this week! Who’s next, friends??
Here are some photographs of our time tie-dying t-shirts with Mrs. Rike today. We had such a large time. Thanks Mrs. Rike!
Check out our “thank you” video we made today to thank them for our own personal dictionaries!
Mr. Stein came in and worked with us to make a video about our life in third grade. Check it out!
Parents,
These cards were created by the Virginia Department of Education and they are cards we have printed and hanging in our classroom all year. You can access them, print them, and line them up in your child’s room or print them small and keep them in a box to review!
http://www.doe.virginia.gov/instruction/mathematics/resources/vocab_cards/math_vocab_cards_3.pdf
Have a great idea how to use them? Share your ideas below!
Amongst many other things, this past week we talked about using a graphic organizer to help us understand and solve math word problems. Check out Madison hard at work! She wrote and solved this problem all by herself!
And here’s a picture of Kammi working hard on her surprise addition, subtraction, and word problem assessment today! That girl is working so hard to solve the problems!
Have a great weekend everyone!
We’ve not only survived…but have done it in style! Your children have learned about many things this week but the most important thing we have done this week was to discuss and demonstrate being ready, respectful, and responsible. Ask your child what it means to be respectful! I have been amazed at their politeness and manners! You have raised lovely children!
Every day is jam-packed with learning and I can assure you that I keep them so busy that they should sleep well every night! Here’s what’s coming up next week:
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Reading *story elements: character, setting, problem, solution *building stamina (Ask your child about it!) *We’re starting a new writing program |
Math *adding and subtracting with regrouping to the 100’s place (Practice makes better!!) *word problems: understanding, solving, and creating |
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Social studies Government *rights & responsibilities, rules & laws *levels of government: federal, state, local *heads of government: President, Governor, County Manager/Mayor Government Test on Friday (Ideally – stay tuned!) |
Overall *responsibility *using the daily binder *first week of homework *classroom expectations *take Reading NWEA (national reading assessment) |
Please put the PTA Back to School night on your calendar! I’d love to see you all at Donahoe on Wednesday, September 25th at 6:00 pm. You’ll get to hear about some of the things your child has been learning and will have the opportunity to ask questions! Please consider joining the PTA this year. It’s only $5.00 and the money goes straight to your children’s activities and classrooms. The class with the most families joining usually earns a pizza party – so I’d never argue with that! I’m joining – are you?
Homework will begin next week, so expect to see it EVERY NIGHT! Your child will also be bringing home their Daily Binder (with an explanation note for you to read and sign). Their agenda book will have each night’s homework and requires parent signature. Any questions are certainly welcome when they arise!
Remember to check out our blog and think about signing up for Remind101 on your phone or e-mail! Check your child’s back to school blue folder for a paper to tell you how to sign up. 11 parents are already receiving text/e-mail updates! If you want another copy e-mail or send me a note!
If you haven’t already, please go to http://www.tinyurl.com/beckinfo and fill out contact information for your child. I am the only one to use this information and I promise to not share it! Have a great weekend and we’ll see you on Monday!
wabeck@henrico.k12.va.us https://blogs.henrico.k12.va.us/wabeck (804) 328-4035
Parents, if you haven’t done so already – please click on the link below and complete the information for me. This contact information only comes to me. I use it to keep you updated or contact you in case of emergency. Enjoy your last weekend of summer!
Our favorite defensive lineman, Alex Mosely, from the James Madison University football team came back to Donahoe and visited with us again. He talked about life at JMU, particularly his schedule, his work, and how important it is to be prepared for tests! What a great pep talk he gave us just one week before SOLs begin! Check us out showing our Duke Dawg muscles with Alex!
What did you do this weekend that was fun? Tell me what you did and why it was fun!
Your child has a January Math Project instead of a book report. Be sure to check their folders to see what is expected for this poster project. Below is a picture we did for Ms. Beck’s Number Poster. Have fun!