XtraMath Homework

XtraMath.com is a fantastic new math website we have been using at school to practice math facts. I am encouraging families to also access this website at home for additional math practice. I am able to monitor progress both at school and at home. Student usernames and passwords can be located in your chid's binder. I have assigned XtraMath 2 times per week as homework. Each drill is 3-5 minutes. Students practice by themselves and then sometimes have the opportunity to challenge the online teacher. The hardest thing I have found is that it takes students some practice using the keypad. Students have shared that on occasion parents or older siblings are using the computer and they aren't able to log on. Please visit website when it's convenient for your family. All students are enrolled in addition facts. As they complete each level, they will get closer to moving to Subtraction and then Multiplication (and possibly Division). This is a free website that parents can also enroll siblings. Each time students progress to a new operation they will receive a certificate. Congratulations to Charlie for receiving the first addition certificate. 

www.xtramath.com

December Reading Challenge Calendar

Paper copies coming home in Monday Folders 12/3/12

Link: https://www.box.com/s/0i2owom4p8bsin6zucnx

December Glendale Lunch Menus

Link: https://www.box.com/s/6wkldkxsqura3lbopnmk

Argyle Wednesday 11-28-12

Music Sharing Day - December 20

Music Sharing Day is coming in music class. This is an optional activity when a student can sing a song, play an instrument, including the piano or show a dance. They should practice and be prepared to do their best. Any questions, contact Mrs. Gillette - 226-0258 or rgillette@priorlake-savage.k12.mn.us

Day 1 - Friday, December 21 - Mrs. Gordon 

Day 2 - Monday, December 17 - Mrs. Schumacher

Day 3 - Tuesday, December 18 - Mrs. Anderson

Day 5 - Thursday, December 20 - Mr. Deris 

Holiday Book Swap

This holiday season, we would like to promote literacy and the spirit of giving in our classrooms. Students have been invited to participate in a book exchange.  If they would like to participate, we would like for them to earn some money (helping you around the house) to pick out a brand new book for another girl or boy in our class.  The books need to be less than $5.00 (the Scholastic book orders might be a good option with many reasonably price choices) and age appropriate.

If your child has permission to participate, please send the book wrapped and tagged by Tuesday, December 18^th.  If you do not want your child to participate, please let me know. Everyone who brings a book and decides to participate will also get a new book to bring home.  Please tag your book as follows:

If you are a boy:  To:  Boy

                              From: Your name

If you are a girl:  To:  Girl

                              From: Your name

Coats for Como

Student Council is sponsoring Coats for Como from now through December 21.  Please help by donating new or clean gently used coats, snowpants, hats, gloves, mittens and regular pants.  A deposit box is set up by the Art room in the Hall.  Thanks for helping to provide for students at Como Elementary School in St. Paul!

Tree Project

Today, your child will be bringing home a green paper tree to decorate at home. This is an optional family project. Be creative. Feel free to use any materials you find fitting. You are welcome to cut the tree out or leave template on paper. Please return once complete. We will be hanging these trees in our hallway for the winter party. 

Winter Party Volunteers - Thursday, December 20

Our 2nd grade winter party will be held on Thursday, December 20. We will begin at 1:50 and end at 3:10. Our plan is to rotate through all 2nd grade classrooms (each room for 20 minutes). If you would like to volunteer for this event, please email me. Parents will not rotate with the classes. We are asking that parents stay in the classrooms and help with the room events: Mr. Deris - Games, Mrs. Schumacher - Bingo, Mrs. Gordon - Snack and Mrs. Anderson - Craft. 

Thanksgiving Coloring Worksheet

As students completed their work today, they had the chance to color this Thanksgiving worksheet. They requested that I post this worksheet on the blog in the event they want to download, print and color another copy over Thanksgiving break. I had to laugh when I realized the center was an argyle pattern. 

Link: https://www.box.com/s/3hn468g12kmu2a8tdu7e

Communication Journals Coming Home over Thanksgiving Break

Communication Journals are coming home over Thanksgiving break. Students have written a letter to you. Please take time to write back to them and return notebooks to school by Wednesday, November 28. As you see extended family this week, you are welcome to have Grandma, Grandpa, aunts, uncles, cousins etc. write in place of you. Students often enjoy a variety of letters throughout the year. 

Parent Survey

2012-13 Parents Only

Please take a few minutes to visit this quick classroom survey. 

Thank you :) Mr. Deris

Link: 

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/K2J7X89

Check out what's New on Shutterfly, Twitter and Facebook

I posted new photos on Shutterfly recently. Also check out lots of recent Tweets on our classroom Twitter page. Remember, you don't have to have a Twitter account to view Tweets. Check out Glendale's Facebook page as well for building news and events. 

www.mrderis.shutterfly.com
www.twitter.com/MrDerisClass
www.facebook.com/GlendaleElementary

Is it Nice? Is it Necessary?

Mr. Richardson and Mrs. Ryan (school social worker) came to each classroom to do a presentation on bullying. They talked about making kind choice with others and making Glendale a Bully Free Zone! They also discussed two questions to ask yourself when you are talking with others. Students are encouraged to ask themselves: IS IT NICE? IS IT NECESSARY? They also talked about the 3 things to do if students are being bullied or bothered: Talk, Walk and Squawk. Having that guideline in their head will help them make good choices.

Is it Nice?

Is it Necessary?

Report Cards Now Available Online through Family Access

Report cards for the first quarter are now posted to Family/Student Access. Please take time to check your child's report card. If you need assistance with your Family Access log-in information, please contact the Glendale Elementary office at 952-226-0200. Parents who are unable to access the report card information online can request a paper copy from the school.  If you have any questions please contact me.

Toys for Tots November 26 - December 7

The holidays are fast approaching and the staff at Glendale would like to get our 12th annual "Toys for Tots" campaign under way.  You can donate an unwrapped game or toy for "Toys for Tots" by it dropping off in the office or sending it to school with your child. WE will be collecting donations starting November 26th through Friday, December 7th.  Last year we donated over 350 items!  Let's aim even higher this year!  Thank you!

MN Center for Book Arts Field Trip Collage

Great iPad Apps for 2nd Grade

The following are a handful of apps we have been using with our 2nd grade iPads. Each grade level at Glendale has 4 iPads. Second grade rotates the iPads so every classroom gets the iPads 1+ day a week. Students have asked that I share some of these apps with you. I have also included some basic info about each app. Click image to enlarge. 

November Scholastic Orders Due - Great Ideas for the Holidays

Scholastic Book Clubs orders will be due Friday, November 16. There are lots of great books for the holidays! Orders will arrive prior to winter break if you are interested in gifts for your child or other relatives. If you are purchasing books as gifts and do not want your child to see the books, please email me and I will send the books home covered up. In December, we will again be doing a book exchange where boys will buy a book for another boy and girls will buy a book for another girl. The book limit is $5. Therefore, the November Book Club offers lots of shopping at discount prices and will arrive in time for the book exchange and the holiday break. 

Website: www.scholastic.com/bookclubs

Class Activation Code: GTYHZ 

Due Date: Friday, November 16, 2012 

DOGS Pancake Breakfast Saturday, November 17th

Please join the D.O.G.S. on November 17th for the 2nd Annual Pancake Breakfast at Glendale Elementary!

What: 2nd Annual DOGS Pancake Breakfast

Where: Glendale Elementary School Multipurpose Room

When: Saturday, November 17th, 8:30-11:30am

Cost: Adults  $5; Children under 12  $3

Pancakes, sausage, milk, juice, and COFFEE will be served along with fun toppings for the pancakes!! Proceeds from breakfast will go towards new PhyEd equipment

Scholastic Tweet - Diary of A Wimpy Kid: The Third Wheel

Today, the new Diary of A Wimpy Kid book The Third Wheel came out. Students who pre-ordered the book in September recieved their books today. They were super excited as they dove right in. As students read, I tweeted the photo and Scholastic saw and retweeted our photo calling it their "Picture of the Day". 

Winter Gear Reminders and Procedures

As the weather begins to change... please send your child to school every day with: hat, gloves, snow pants, jacket and boots. Please know that if your child does not have boots, they have to stay on the blacktop during recess and are not allowed to go in the snow or play on the playground. If your child does not have snow pants and boots they are not allowed to go sledding on days noon supervisors take out sleds. Please also ensure your child's hat, gloves, jacket, snow pants and boots all have either your child's last name or their initials written in permanent marker. Many students in the classroom have the same jackets, boots, hats, snow pants or gloves and it makes finding your child's winter gear much easier. Students will bring their winter gear home everyday unless I get a note from you that you would like their snow pants or boots to stay at school. Some families prefer to leave a set of snow pants and boots at school. 

Save the Date: April 26th - 2nd Grade Music Performance/Poetry Reading

For those of you who like to plan ahead, we will be having our annual 2nd grade music performance followed by our classroom poetry readings on April 26th. Please mark your calendars. We hope to have lots of parents attend if possible. For those with siblings in 1st grade, they will be doing their music performance in the morning on the same day. We will begin with a music performance in the gym at 1:30. Following the music performance, parents are invited up the the 2nd grade classrooms. Each room will be doing a poetry reading. Each student will read 1+ poems. Refreshments for students and parents will also be provided. 
Since this will likely be one of the last times our group (students and parents) will be together, we will also be showing a video recapping highlights from our 2 years together. 

We will have one final send off the last week of school. I will be planning a looping party during that final week of school (date to be determined) where parents and students will be invited. In past years looping parties have been held at the local park or beach. If you are interested in helping me plan this farewell event, please let me know. I would appreciate any help. 

2nd Grade Pizza Party on November 20th

Second grade raised the most money for the Read-A-Thon. Therefore, PTC is rewarding students with a pizza party for the entire grade level on November 20th. We will eat lunch at our regular time in our classrooms. Thank you PTC. 

Glenmart School Store Visit on November 15

Our class will visit Glendale (school store) on Thursday, November 15. Your child is welcome to bring in money to purchase items. All items will come directly home. Each teacher sets up different rules for items purchased. My rule in our classroom is anything student purchase is for home use only. Students who do bring in money go shopping during their recess time. Starting in December Glenmart will be open only on Fridays. This week is a preview. 

Lunch from Home on Wednesday - MN Center for Book Arts Field Trip

On Wednesday, November 14th, we will be going on a field trip to the Minnesota Center for Book Arts. This will be a great experience for our children!  They will get a chance to make their own book and make paper they they will get to add stories to at school and eventually bring home to share with you.  WE will leave Glendale at 9:45am and return around 2:00pm.  Your child will also need to bring a bag lunch that day. Please send it in a bag so we can toss everything after we eat and don't have to worry about bringing items back on the bus. I am able to take only 2 parents to chaperone this trip. Christa Erickson and Renee Walter will be joining us as chaperones.

MN Weatherguide Environmental Calendars Now on Sale

Weatherguide Calendars:  Glendale will be selling the Weatherguide Environment Calendars again this year. They are excellent calendars with tons of information about astronomy, clouds, phenology, sunrise/ sunset times, moon phases etc.  They make excellent gifts!  The cost is $17.00. ($9.00 of that of that is profit for the Environmental Education Program!)  Look for the orders slips coming home soon.  Calendars will be for sale until Friday, November 30th.  Thanks for your support!

2012 TIES Exceptional Teacher Honor

This week, I found out that I will be receiving a TIES Exceptional Teacher honor at the TIES Educational Technology Conference in December. I was nominated by Superintendent Gruver. I will also be presenting twice. One session on my 21st century classroom model and secondly on suing iPads in the classroom. I'm honored to be reciveiing this award from TIES and excited to share the many tools we use in our classroom with teachers across the state of Minnesota. I am grateful to work in a district that supports new technology innovations and best practices. 

MN Center for Book Arts Field Trip Form Due November 8

Link: https://www.box.com/s/gdzbg2xf95rcq39em1rb

New Photos on Shutterfly

Photos from the Harvest Party are now on Shutterfly! 

Link: http://mrderis.shutterfly.com