COME BACK SOON!

I hope to let the students start blogging by next week. Blogs are a great way for students to write and receive feedback on their thoughts and writing skills. I hope you will make comments to the students to give them encouragement to keep writing with a purpose. Visit us again soon!

Why Homework?

There are many views on the value of homework. Here are some of my views:
1) it allows a student extra practice
2) parents can actively take part in their child's learning
3) it establishes good study habits for later in life
4) it sets priorities in learning

Your child's education is the most important thing to me next to my own family. I encourage each of you to want to see what your child is learning and the process they take to learn the information. Homework gives you the insight to learning struggles as well as learning successes. It is not meant as a punishment to ANY child for any reason. It is to enhance the learning done in the classroom.

Take the time to sit with your child as they do their homework. We are all busy and most of the time, as parents, we tell our children to get their homework done and then let us check it. We rarely sit and actively participate. Sit on the sofa, on the bed and read books together. Let your child know you are interested in what they do at school!

Our Charity Project for the Year

Each year I try to incorporate charity work into our learning experience. In the past, classes have donated school supplies to hurricane victims, toiletries to tornado victims, and money to feed hungry children in Honduras. This year I would like to continue the efforts of raising money for the Honduras children. There are literally families living at a dump in Honduras that dig through other people's garbage to find food, clothing and shelter. A group from the U. S. is there feeding these people once a week and they need money to continue this effort.

Last year, Trey Morgan held a fund raiser on his blog to help feed these people. My class brought money to donate and had only raised $8 the first day. What we thought was a meager amount encouraged others to give. Those students inspired many others to donate $8 so our amount multiplied more than we will ever know.

This year I am asking students to think about the pictures we see and realize that children just like them live in this dump and depend on others to feed them. The government in Honduras is not able to step-in and intervene so it is left up to us to help. There will be a collection jar in the classroom for students to bring their change at any time. We will collect the money throughout the year and send our money in periodically to help with the efforts of feeding these starving Hondurans. I plan for us to draw pictures about things we do in the U. S. and send along to maybe be distributed to some of the children. I have not had this project approved through the workers in Honduras so we may have to choose something else to brighten the day of these children.

I have attached a few pictures and hope your hearts are pricked with compassion just like mine!

Back-to-School Night

I want to thank all those that came to Back-to-School Night. We have 17 students in our class and 12 of them had a parent or grandparent attend. I enjoyed getting to visit with each and everyone of you and hope you feel comfortable to come back to visit our classroom again. The packet you received has extremely important information so hold on to the materials and refer to them if you have any questions. If you cannot find your answer there, then please contact me.

For those of you that were not able to attend, you may come by the classroom before or after school or during my conference time (8:50 - 9:35). I will be happy to share the information with you.

I look forward to working with your children this year!

WOW, It Is Almost Here!

Greetings my summer friends! School is quickly approaching and we just have to accept it. Part of me is really dreading having to get out of bed early and getting ready but part of me is excited about the new year and all the possibilities it holds. It is time to kick it into gear and psyche ourselves out and just do it. Have fun shopping for school clothes, school supplies, taking last minute trips, those last trips to the pool and anything else you may have lined out until August 24!!!

See you in a few weeks. It is going to be great!

I am so proud...

Your kids are amazing! I gave them the opportunity to help and they came through like champs. About two weeks ago, I showed the students a blog where a fund raiser would take place to help feed families who literally ate from a dump in Honduras. They were all so touched and wanted to help.

On Tuesday, the fund raiser was taking place and a few students had brought some money but the majority had not. They were so upset with themselves. All morning I hear "man, I can't believe I forgot." So, I tell them to bring their money the next day.

I sent a comment to the blog fund raiser that we had $8 and would bring more the next day. That story spread like wildfire!!!!! People were so inspired by your children. When I showed the comments from others about the class those kids went nuts. My favorite comment was "We are feeding Honduras!" It was so touching to me.

When it was all said and done, the class brought in $24.50. It was amazing. I know they are givers! Your kids have learned what it means to help someone else. They now know they have to get involved! I could not be any prouder of these kids!

Read the comments from "The Dump Fund" post and see how inspired others have been from your children!

The Dump Fund

Today our class is participating in a fund raiser for families that live in an actual dump in Honduras. Daily they dig through other people's trash to find enough for themselves and their families to eat. They do not have homes, they do not take baths, they do not have cars.....they live in a dump!

You can go to www.treymorgan.net and see the details. Our class raised $8 and is going to try and bring more tomorrow. We ask you to join us in the effort to raise money to feed these people. We want to help and we hope you do to.