Happy New Year

I hope everyone had a great New Year. I am very excited about the new year, though I am beginning to get nervous. I am nervous because I know that students need to get ready and prepped for third grade. Third grade is a big jump. Students are required to be much more independent and the expectations are much higher. WE have a lot to do! Let's get started...

Holiday Party

Thanks to all the parents who sent in money for the holiday party. Almost all students brought thier money in. Therefore we will be able to have a great party come Friday. Remember that Friday is a half day. Students are released at 11:40.

Chores for Change

Keeven school is raising money for needy kids by doing chores! Have your chilid do a few extra chores around the house and give them change for doing so. They in turn, bring the change in to school and I collect it. The classroom that earns the most money from doing chores wins a popcorn party. This not only teaches students about giving back to the community, it also shows them that to get something extra they must do something extra. They must work for it. (Feel free to send in a bill if you want.) Remember, the goal here is to work for small amounts to make a big difference. Don't feel like you need to give your kid 10 dollars for doing the dishes. Give them a quarter or fifty cents or some small amount. Your child will enjoy watching the small amounts get bigger each day.

Counting

In Math, students are learning how to count by 2s, 3s, and 5s. This is an easy thing to work on at home. Have your child skip-count for you at bedtime or at the table. You can practice in the car. You may even want to have them practice counting 1-50. Many students make mistakes when having to count high. Spend some time this week on this skill and watch the 3s and 4s come home!

Peace Ball

As you are probably already aware, one of Keeven's main focus points is "peace". In fact it is one of you Hi-Five Rules. Hi-Five rules are the five rules we expect every student to follow.
1. Be Peaceful
2. Be Respectful
3. Be Responsible
4. Be Safe
5. Be Ready

Students say a pledge each morning to help remind them of these expectations. (As your student to recite this, it begins....We,, the students of Keeven school promise to be.....)

Back to the subject

It is November and that mean Peace month. Instead awarding good behavior with golden tickets, we have been passing out peace strings. These strings are wrapped up into a peace ball. Our yarn ball is getting bigger every day. I will post pictures in December of our ball.

Tungsten

Each month, students take two Tungsten tests. These tests align to Hazelwoods district curriculum. The tests are used to show teachers which students have mastered which skills. To encourage students to try their best, Keeven is beginning a new tradition. All students who score 75% or higher on the test will be given a special treat at lunchtime and eat in a "special" area of the lunch room. Students are very excited about this. Be sure to encourage your child, and congratulate them when they meet the goal.

Telling Time

Your student is learning to tell time to the nearest five minutes. Most students understand how to count around the clock by 5s. However, a few are still having a hard time remembering which hand tells the hour and which hand tells the minutes. Whenever possible, have your child look at a clock that has hands (called an analog clock) and tell you what time it is. I know most of us have digital clocks around the house but this is a necessary skill for your child. Use your cell phone if you can, most cell phones have an analog clock feature.