Friday December 21, 2012

What a wonderful day! In your child's homework folder you will find a great deal of projects, pictures, and papers that have been hanging up in the classroom as our decorations. Please enjoy them at home, they are beautiful. There is aslo a regular homework packet and a fun Optional packet if you choose to have your child complete it. Thank you for all of your donations for our Christmas party and for allowing me to spend this time with your son or daughter. Have a wonderful Christmas and a very Happy New Year.  See you in 2013.

Thursday December 20, 2012

Happy Thursday! We have had a great couple of days. Today we completed and reviewed Unit 6 in math, test tomorrow. We read Angel Pig and Santa Cow and focused on comparing and contrasting the two. We also enjoyed the Parcells Concert yesterday and Holiday Instrumental Concert Today.  Tomorrow HOMEWORK is due and our Christmas Sing at 8:45, parents are welcome.  We also will have a spelling test, math test, and Christmas Party.

Tuesday December 18, 2012

What a terrific day we had today. Not only was everyone on Green we also all participated in making peanut butter & Jelly,  and cheese sandwiches for homeless children. Our class party is this Friday starting at 12:45. Also chapter 6 math test is on Friday, we will review on Thursday. Have a great night.

Friday December 14, 2012

We had a great week! I hope to see many of you tonight at the Pancake dinner. Today we talked about common and proper nouns, area and perimeter, parts of a story, and character traits. Here are a few pictures from the week. Have a great weekend.

Thursday December 13, 2012

Today we had three students from the freshman assists program come in and read biographies to us and talk about how to become a better reader! Students worked on subtraction problems that involved borrowing and identified character traits of  the crocodile from the story, The Christmas Crocodile. Don't forget tomorrow is our Pancake Dinner featuring Santa Clause starting at 6:00 p.m. I look forward to spending time with all of you that are able to attend tomorrow evening. Homework is due tomorrow. Have a great night.

Favor!!

If anyone subscribes to the Detroit free press or news, could I please have your copy from Monday the 10th?? I want to save it as a birthday keepsake for Emma-Kate. I would be so grateful!!

If you have one, please have your child give it to Ms Stocks so she can give it to me. Thank you so so so much!!!!

Baby News!

Hi everyone!!! I wanted to share with you a quick pic of my sweet new baby girl :)

Emma-Kate Elise Stewart
6lbs 14oz and 19 in long
Born Monday Dec 10th at 6:53pm at St John Hospital
She's perfect and healthy! Andy and I couldn't be happier :)

Congratulations Mrs. & Mr. Stewart, as they welcome Emma-Kate. Mrs. Stewart and baby Emma-Kate are doing well. Today the school dentist was here, although they did not get to see all of the students. They will schedule another time and I will let you know when it will be. Students learned about contractions, completed their Gingerbread Person final copy, and received adjusted and/or new guided reading groups. Have a great night

Monday December 10, 2012

Happy Monday! We had a great day today and students were prepared for my arrival.  Students learned about Kwanzaa, took a survey on our favorite food, and used the data to complete a graph. We also had special guest judges looking at the school doors that were involved in the door decorating contest. We are waiting to hear the results! Remember that student council is collecting change from each class to buy a toy for a child in need. Hope you can help by donating your spare change.

Friday, Dec. 7th

Thank you to those who came for conferences on Thursday! I am so glad that I made it to all the conferences and got to meet with everyone one last time before I take my leave.  I am also so grateful that many of you also got to have Mrs. Zizelman (our substitute while I am gone) attend your conferences as well. I have gone over EVERYTHING with her multiple times to make sure that she is 100% familiar with each of your children and is prepared to make this a smooth transition :)

I told the students on Friday that I recently found out that I will be having my baby this coming Monday (yaye!!) This means that Friday was my last day at school.

I want to thank all of you for your support and kindness during my pregnancy this year. My husband and I have been blown away by the thoughtfulness, generosity, and kind words given to me by everyone at Poupard these past months. This has been a very exciting time for us and it was made even more special being able to share it with my Poupard Family. I think one of my students said it all on Friday when she told me, "Mrs. Stewart, our class is like a family and now we're going to have a new baby in the family!!" then she gave me a hug goodbye and then another hug around my stomach "for the baby." So sweet!! I am going to miss them all while I am gone but I know they will be in great hands!

If you need something while I am gone (questions about homework, daily activities, ects) please email Mrs. Zizelman at Amy.Zizelman@gpschools.org or call the office as usual at (313) 432-4800.
I will also be in close contact with Ms. Stocks during my leave so if there is anything you need from me, she will certainly give me the message

I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season! I will post a picture of the new baby on the blog when she arrives! :)

Wednesday, Dec 5

No school tomorrow!!! The book fair will be opening during conferences tonight and tomorrow all day.
Homework due Friday :)

Ask your child tonight to tell you the story of the gingerbread baby :)

Tuesday, December 4th

LOTS of things were given to me by the office to send home today!!! Most importantly, the report card is in your child's backpack tonight. You will also find 2 fliers about the book fair, a flier about pancake breakfast and one about toys for tots.

Here's what we worked on in writing and reading today:

Monday, dec 3rd

Everyone was on green today!!! What a great day :)
Tomorrow we will be visiting the school book fair. If you would like, send your child with money to make a purchase. The book fair is also open this week in the evening and all day Thursday if you're around for conferences.
We have no school on Thursday due to conferences.
Tomorrow I will be sending home report cards. I was going to send them Friday but the whole school will now be sending them tomorrow so I will as well! Please look for it!!!

Last week update!!

I'm so sorry I've missed a few posts last week! I've been so busy after school with doctors appointments and conferences (I was also out with the flu on Thursday!) that time to update the website has slipped away from me quickly! Here are some pictures from around the room to let you know what we've been up to.

Nov 27, Tuesday

Thank you to those of you who made it to conferences yesterday and today!! I've been so busy meeting with parents in the afternoons & evening that I haven't been posting about all the fun things we've been doing in class this week! Tomorrow ill update with pictures of all that we've been doing :)

Monday, Nov. 26th

Hope you all had a wonderful break :)

Don't forget that the homework given our the last Friday we were in school (Nov. 16th) is due THIS friday! This includes the Thanksgiving break journal.

Tuesday, Nov. 20th

Happy Thanksgiving Break!
I hope everyone has a restful and enjoyable time off with their families!
I am thankful for all your children this holiday season  :)

Today I sent home conference reminder slips for those of you who have conferences with me on either Monday or Tuesday.  There are a few of you who have a conference scheduled for Dec. 6th-- I won't be sending those reminders until your date gets closer.

**If you can't make it, pleae let me know! I won't be mad at you-- I just want to know so that I don't come up to the school to meet you and have you not be here :) I can always do a phone conference or send you written conference notes--you just need to let me know what is going to work best for you. Thanks!!!

As for the rest of you, I am looking forward to meeting wtih you and discussing your child's growth thus far in my class :)

If you need a reminder of your time, feel free to email me at Katharine.Stewart@gpschools.org

Monday, nov 19

Thank you so much to those who donated food for our Thanksgiving feast today : Jordynns family, Joe's family, Cam's family, Karvell's family, Amanda's family, and Alayah's family!! You made our day!! An especially big thanks to Alayah's mom and Karvell's Grandma for helping set up and lean up :)

The kids did a GREAT job on their plays today as well. They performed for the kindergarten classes and did a so so so good! I was very proud of them.

I know many people may be taking off early for the holiday so I sent home a few of our Thanksgiving projects today so that you'd have them before break. Check the backpack!

Friday, Nov 16th

Thank you to all of you for responding quickly to the fan-out phone call sent today and coming inside to pick up your children.
I felt it was best not to make the children aware of the lock-down situation and instead just told them we were going to have a special treat and watch a movie :) They were happy and unaware of any trouble while safely locked in our classroom.

Hope you all have a safe and calm weekend. Keep the family affected by this situation today in your prayers!

Thursday, nov 15th

Don't forget to check over the homework tonight to be sure that the reading log, 3 spelling activities, and math pages are done!

Donations for the Poupard Thanksgiving baskets for those in need are due tomorrow! Please send any canned or boxed food that would go well with a Thanksgiving menu.

If you are willing to send something in for our class thanksgiving feast, please write me a note by tomorrow!

Have a good night :)

Wednesday, Nov 14

Today we went to the computer lab to work on the stories we've been working on. We also started writing our "how to" piece- how to cook a turkey!

Tues, Nov 13

Poupard is having a Thanksgiving can/boxed food drive to help provide Poupard families in need with a Thanksgiving meal. We are putting together baskets with everything you'll need for a family TDay meal. Please send contributions this week if you are able to.

Monday, Nov 12

Today in class we learned about the characteristics if plays and practices roles in a new play about pilgrims and native Americans. We will be practicing this play all week and then we will perform it for the kindergarteners next week :)
In writing we began developing fiction stories about pilgrims and native Americans. We will be working on our stories tomorrow again and then we will type them on Wednesday!

Mrs zizelman (our substitute when I leave for maternity leave) was with us all day today. She also spent last Thursday and Friday with us. She has been working hard to memorize all the students names and has been spending every second getting to know the students academic levels as well as their personalities :) She will also be attending some of your parent teacher conferences with me in the next couple weeks.

Hope everyone had a good weekend! Don't forget to write me a note if you can bring a dish for our Thanksgiving meal next Monday! So far I have a turkey, green beans, apple juice and rolls. I still need mashed potatoes, stuffing, and dessert. Thank you!

Friday, nov 9th

Today in class we finished our Pilgrim Suitcases! We filled them with writing and drawing to show what we'd want to take on the Mayflower :)

In math we practiced measuring with a ruler and a tape measure. If you have a ruler at home, try practicing at home :)

Please read the thanksgiving flier in the orange folder!!

Monday, nov 5th

No school for students tomorrow!!

I found out today that our class was chosen to read to the reading dogs THIS WEEK on Wednesday!! I received the permission slips today so I sent them home in hope that you can send them back on the Wednesday!

I also sent a reminder home today about our field trip on Wednesday. Don't forget to send a booster seat!!!

See you Wednesday!

Friday, Nov 2

Thank you to those who turned in all their HW and the field trip permission slip today :) Unfortunately, there are still 2 children who do not have their forms and/money turned in- these children will no longer be able to attend :( Ask your child if they turned in their forms today!

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend! Remember, no school on Tuesday next week-- make sure to vote!!!

Thursday, nov 1st

Homework due tomorrow!! Don't forget to sign the reading log and for 3 completed spelling activities!!

In class today we practiced making connections as we read. We also worked on addition and subtraction story problems. We will be starting a new social studies unit on Monday about history and will be focusing a lot on the life of the pilgrims :)

Field trip form due tomorrow!! Some students thought they lost theirs so I sent extra copies home with them tonight.

Happy Halloween!

We had a great day today!! The pictures say it all :) Thank you to Mrs Randazzo and Mrs Schafer for organizing everything!!!

Candy corn Adjectives

Today in writing we tasted candy corn and came up with a HUGE list if adjectives to describe how they look, feel, taste, and smell. Ask your child tonight to tell you what an adjective is :)
Also, today the school pictures came back!! I sent them home so that you can decide if you'd like retakes on Friday.
Please read my previous post about Halloween changes that were put into into effect today.

Tomorrow is Halloween!

Tomorrow is the big day! Please send your child to school dressed and ready in their costume :) The parade will start soon after school begins so there won't be much time for changing once they have arrived.
Due to the weather, we have made some changes to our annual parade route.  We will having our costume parade indoors.  The parade will begin on the first floor, travel to the 2nd floor and then circle around in the gym.  We would like parents who are attending to stand in the gym while watching the parade.  The hallways will be lined with students and we wouldn't want to block their view or get over crowed with parents in the hallways as well. The parade will begin at approx. 8:45am.
After the parade we will be having our class halloween party in the classroom.  The party will be hosted by 2 of our parent, Mrs. Randazzo and Mrs. Schafer.  They will be supplying the snacks and games for the students. A portion of the $6 party money you turned in at the beginning of the year was used to help cover the cost.  If you havn't yet brought your $6 party money, please do so ASAP so that we will continue to have enough funds for future holiday parties. Our party will last approx. 1 hour until it will be time for the students to head to the gym for an assembly.  If you are planning to attend the party, please come ready to help out with games, serving food, clean up, and general classroom control :) This is a VERY exciting day for students and we could use all the help we can get!
Tomorrow is a HALF DAY. The students will be let out at 11:34.

Monday, oct 29th

I gave all the students your conference times today!! Many of you chose times at back to school night, but if you did not, please fill out the form and return it to me ASAP! Thanks!

Mrs. Ranieri's Baby

Many of you know that the 1st/2nd grade teacher, Mrs. Ranieri recently had her baby! The students were DYING to see a picture of him so I showed them this one I took over the weekend while visiting. I thought I'd share it with you as well :)

Anthony Joseph Ranieri. Born October 26th :)

Witches Brew!

We've been reading the book Cinderhazel in class.  This is a perfect book to practice problem & solution as well as sequencing. In writing right now we are alwso working on "How To" pieces, so we wrote our own recipes for 'How to Make Witches Brew.'  The students had to write their own steps and put them in the correct sequence.  To celebrate our hard work, we made 'real' witches brew using my top secret recipe :) (shhhh.....it's hawiian punch + Sprite!)