Families~
Hope you are enjoying your snow day!!! Here's a few updates with what's going on in class:
1. Multiplication Tests. Things are going well...but could still use improvements. Please keep encouraging and checking in with your child about their progress on the timed tests.
2. STAR Tests. We will STAR test the 1st week of December (next week)!!! These are the tests we looked at during conferences, and I'm expecting to see some awesome growth during this half-way check! I'll be conferencing with each student individually this week to let them know of their goal on the STAR and fluency checks for the winter checkins.
3. Book Orders. The flyers went home right before Thanksgiving Break. This will be the last opportunity to order a book or two for your student in time for Christmas!
4. Please keep the conversations about school going every night! Last week, we had 9 students not turn back in a form, even though we had it written in the planner and it was in their home folder. Please just continue the full triangle of student-teacher-parents going so we can keep working towards independent success.
5. Blog. Please remind your child that when they say they are bored at home, they have the ability to log in to many different programs on the blog that would really benefit them in the long run. (And I have checked every day to see which students have logged in over this extended break - very proud of them)! It's such a good routine to get in, especially with Christmas Break around the corner!
Monday, November 26, 2018
Friday, October 19, 2018
October Classroom Update
Families~
1. Conferences are coming up the week of October 29th-November 2nd!!! I have sent final confirmation times out to everyone. PLEASE let me know ASAP if you cannot make the indicated time so we can reschedule.
2. Respect. As a class family this year, we have struggled with our consistency in which we show respect to each other and to teachers. It's been a slow grind and I understand the kiddos are only 8-9 years old. However, as I've told the students 100s of times now, I refuse to lower my high expectations just because they are not being met. I will remain flexible in HOW we meet those expectations. This week has been SOOOOO much better than the previous 2-3 weeks, so I'm optimistic that we've turned a corner. I think the kids have finally realized how much more fun we can have as a class if we just keep operating at a high level.
Please remind your child that you expect them to be giving 100% respect not just to Mr. Buono and their classmates, but also Specials teachers and TAs.
3. X Timed Tests. We are 3 weeks into our timed tests. We've been writing in our planners to study our basic facts, but a lot of our beautifully honest children have reported that isn't happening in every family. Now, some students have been working hard at home doing things like Flashcards, playing a game called Math Magician on the computer, printing of X quizzes from the Math tab of my blog, or finding other games to play with 2 dice with an adult at home. Those students who have made those choices feel sooooooo proud about their progress, which makes them feel confident, which makes learning fun, which turns into them always working hard, which makes them successful not just this year, but for the rest of their lives. Please help them at home with their facts by suggesting ways to study and how you can be a part of their learning.
4. Nightly Activities. I know I'm starting to sound like a broken record, but please keep positive conversations flowing about their learning. Checking/Discussing their planners (vs asking do you have homework) is a great place to start. In addition, we have about 10-12 students who have made AMAZING progress in both Reading and Math, and more importantly just in their attitudes towards learning and now embrace that Achievement Via Individual Determination mindset. It shouldn't be too much of a surprise to know that those are the students who have those conversations with an adult each night, log on to the blog to play Dreambox or MobyMax or even Typing Club, and study for their tests and multiplication facts. If you have been all over this throughout the year, then keep it going! If not, now would be a perfect time to start getting into a new routine :)
5. Students' Activities Outside of School. If your child participates in anything that is important to them outside of school (Sports, musicals, etc.) feel free to share their schedule/date of performance. I've already made it out to several students' activities and I enjoy it so much! Our school days are quite rigorous these days, and any chance I get to show the kids how much I care about them individually, I really try to take advantage of. After all, I started teaching 12 years ago because of how much I believe in and care about children, not because of how much I care about curriculum or the politics of education!!! Your child means so much to me, and I can't remind them of that enough.
Sorry so long, but as always, I appreciate the support from your end! It will help your child on their road to future independent success!
1. Conferences are coming up the week of October 29th-November 2nd!!! I have sent final confirmation times out to everyone. PLEASE let me know ASAP if you cannot make the indicated time so we can reschedule.
2. Respect. As a class family this year, we have struggled with our consistency in which we show respect to each other and to teachers. It's been a slow grind and I understand the kiddos are only 8-9 years old. However, as I've told the students 100s of times now, I refuse to lower my high expectations just because they are not being met. I will remain flexible in HOW we meet those expectations. This week has been SOOOOO much better than the previous 2-3 weeks, so I'm optimistic that we've turned a corner. I think the kids have finally realized how much more fun we can have as a class if we just keep operating at a high level.
Please remind your child that you expect them to be giving 100% respect not just to Mr. Buono and their classmates, but also Specials teachers and TAs.
3. X Timed Tests. We are 3 weeks into our timed tests. We've been writing in our planners to study our basic facts, but a lot of our beautifully honest children have reported that isn't happening in every family. Now, some students have been working hard at home doing things like Flashcards, playing a game called Math Magician on the computer, printing of X quizzes from the Math tab of my blog, or finding other games to play with 2 dice with an adult at home. Those students who have made those choices feel sooooooo proud about their progress, which makes them feel confident, which makes learning fun, which turns into them always working hard, which makes them successful not just this year, but for the rest of their lives. Please help them at home with their facts by suggesting ways to study and how you can be a part of their learning.
4. Nightly Activities. I know I'm starting to sound like a broken record, but please keep positive conversations flowing about their learning. Checking/Discussing their planners (vs asking do you have homework) is a great place to start. In addition, we have about 10-12 students who have made AMAZING progress in both Reading and Math, and more importantly just in their attitudes towards learning and now embrace that Achievement Via Individual Determination mindset. It shouldn't be too much of a surprise to know that those are the students who have those conversations with an adult each night, log on to the blog to play Dreambox or MobyMax or even Typing Club, and study for their tests and multiplication facts. If you have been all over this throughout the year, then keep it going! If not, now would be a perfect time to start getting into a new routine :)
5. Students' Activities Outside of School. If your child participates in anything that is important to them outside of school (Sports, musicals, etc.) feel free to share their schedule/date of performance. I've already made it out to several students' activities and I enjoy it so much! Our school days are quite rigorous these days, and any chance I get to show the kids how much I care about them individually, I really try to take advantage of. After all, I started teaching 12 years ago because of how much I believe in and care about children, not because of how much I care about curriculum or the politics of education!!! Your child means so much to me, and I can't remind them of that enough.
Sorry so long, but as always, I appreciate the support from your end! It will help your child on their road to future independent success!
Tuesday, October 2, 2018
October Already???
Families~
WOW! October already!!! We are really rolling right now with our routines and expectations. The students have settled in nicely and they are feeling pretty good about meeting some of those high expectations we set at the beginning of the year. Here's a couple updates:
1. Conferences. Notes went home yesterday for times to sign up. Please send it back ASAP to ensure we find a time that works for you. As the note indicated, I LOVE for students to attend the conference as well - I've done that every year and it allows for FULL transparency between that perfect triangle we mentioned at curriculum night - student, parent, teacher together. If you wish for them not to attend, I support that choice as well :)
2. Personality types. Hopefully your child has come home and discussed their MBTI letters with you! They have explored all the links provided on the blog during class, and they have been VERY excited to learn about some possible strengths and weaknesses in themselves. In addition, the main reason we take the tests is to understand that not everyone in the class may think and feel the same way they do, yet we need to find a way to be respectful of ALL classmates thoughts/feelings. What a beautiful and important thought process when you consider the way the world is today!
3. Multiplication. Starting THIS Friday, we will be doing a 3 minute timed multiplication test for the rest of the year. We start with only the x0,1,2,3,4, and 5 fact families. This does include problems like 9x4, because it is a 4 fact. Please buy flashcards, find games through my blog or other websites, and encourage your students to practice whenever possible. We will have all facts MEMORIZED up to 10x10 by the end of the year, and hopefully these first "basic" facts memorized by Thanksgiving. We're looking to improve our score each week, so please assist at home any way you can!
4. Continued work at home. For the 178th time, PLEASE check their planners nightly as everything we are doing in class can be found in there. In addition, they can work on MobyMax, DreamBox, or Typing Club on a nightly basis.
WOW! October already!!! We are really rolling right now with our routines and expectations. The students have settled in nicely and they are feeling pretty good about meeting some of those high expectations we set at the beginning of the year. Here's a couple updates:
1. Conferences. Notes went home yesterday for times to sign up. Please send it back ASAP to ensure we find a time that works for you. As the note indicated, I LOVE for students to attend the conference as well - I've done that every year and it allows for FULL transparency between that perfect triangle we mentioned at curriculum night - student, parent, teacher together. If you wish for them not to attend, I support that choice as well :)
2. Personality types. Hopefully your child has come home and discussed their MBTI letters with you! They have explored all the links provided on the blog during class, and they have been VERY excited to learn about some possible strengths and weaknesses in themselves. In addition, the main reason we take the tests is to understand that not everyone in the class may think and feel the same way they do, yet we need to find a way to be respectful of ALL classmates thoughts/feelings. What a beautiful and important thought process when you consider the way the world is today!
3. Multiplication. Starting THIS Friday, we will be doing a 3 minute timed multiplication test for the rest of the year. We start with only the x0,1,2,3,4, and 5 fact families. This does include problems like 9x4, because it is a 4 fact. Please buy flashcards, find games through my blog or other websites, and encourage your students to practice whenever possible. We will have all facts MEMORIZED up to 10x10 by the end of the year, and hopefully these first "basic" facts memorized by Thanksgiving. We're looking to improve our score each week, so please assist at home any way you can!
4. Continued work at home. For the 178th time, PLEASE check their planners nightly as everything we are doing in class can be found in there. In addition, they can work on MobyMax, DreamBox, or Typing Club on a nightly basis.
Tuesday, September 11, 2018
Up and Running!!!
Dear Families~
We are already a month into the school year!!!! WHAT??? Seems crazy, so I'm here with a few updates and reminders that I'd love for you to help me out with:
1. Antidisestablishmentarianism. Yes. It really is happening on Friday. Please help your child break down the word to ensure they will spell it right on Friday. And no, I'm not totally insane. We talk so much in school about being gritty and never giving up and having a growth mindset! Once they know they can spell the longest word in the English language, they can and will conquer ANYTHING! (Plus, it works to my advantage when they are struggling with something later in the year and say/feel that they won't ever get it, I just look at them and say, "Spell antidisestablishmentarianism," and that reminds them what hard work feels like. (There's normally a method to my madness).
2. Similarly, there is a continents and oceans quiz on Friday. They have a study guide. Please help ensure they are ready!
3. CHECK THEIR PLANNERS WITH THEM!!! I know it's easier for you to just grab the planner and check their folder by yourself, but PLEASE don't. Instead, look over their tests with them to help them learn from the mistakes that were made. And please go over their planner and allow them to explain what they learned here.
4. They have their usernames/passwords for multiple sites on my blog. MobyMax is a great opportunity for the individual child because they preassess them in each academic area and only give your child lessons that are on their level (whether that means reading like a 1st grader or a 7th grader) and progresses them through! TypingClub will help them meet my expectation that they will at least know the keys on the keyboard by the end of the year. Math and Reading games through the interactive classroom are broken down by standard/skill. Encourage them to spend 15 minutes a night on one of those sites. It WILL make a huge difference in their growth throughout the year.
5. YOU ROCK!!! I know I'm asking a lot in terms of supporting their learning at home, but come on, that's what you signed up for as a parent right? 😂 I at least say Please a lot! Have a great week, and sorry this is so long!
We are already a month into the school year!!!! WHAT??? Seems crazy, so I'm here with a few updates and reminders that I'd love for you to help me out with:
1. Antidisestablishmentarianism. Yes. It really is happening on Friday. Please help your child break down the word to ensure they will spell it right on Friday. And no, I'm not totally insane. We talk so much in school about being gritty and never giving up and having a growth mindset! Once they know they can spell the longest word in the English language, they can and will conquer ANYTHING! (Plus, it works to my advantage when they are struggling with something later in the year and say/feel that they won't ever get it, I just look at them and say, "Spell antidisestablishmentarianism," and that reminds them what hard work feels like. (There's normally a method to my madness).
2. Similarly, there is a continents and oceans quiz on Friday. They have a study guide. Please help ensure they are ready!
3. CHECK THEIR PLANNERS WITH THEM!!! I know it's easier for you to just grab the planner and check their folder by yourself, but PLEASE don't. Instead, look over their tests with them to help them learn from the mistakes that were made. And please go over their planner and allow them to explain what they learned here.
4. They have their usernames/passwords for multiple sites on my blog. MobyMax is a great opportunity for the individual child because they preassess them in each academic area and only give your child lessons that are on their level (whether that means reading like a 1st grader or a 7th grader) and progresses them through! TypingClub will help them meet my expectation that they will at least know the keys on the keyboard by the end of the year. Math and Reading games through the interactive classroom are broken down by standard/skill. Encourage them to spend 15 minutes a night on one of those sites. It WILL make a huge difference in their growth throughout the year.
5. YOU ROCK!!! I know I'm asking a lot in terms of supporting their learning at home, but come on, that's what you signed up for as a parent right? 😂 I at least say Please a lot! Have a great week, and sorry this is so long!
Wednesday, August 22, 2018
New School Year
Dear Past Families~
Hahaha...you thought you were done with me :) Actually, that's what this message is about! I'm getting ready to "roll over" my blog so my new families can subscribe. Your job should be pretty easy. Just follow these steps:
1. Jump below this message to the bottom of the email.
2. Look at the second line that says To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.3. It will pop up in a second window and just confirm that you will unsubscribe.
4. Smile to know you're finally FINALLY done with me!
Thanks again to each of you for making last year an awesome one. As always, please feel free to stop me or email me with ANY concerns you have this school year! Enjoy the beautiful weather while it lasts!
~Mr. Buono
Hahaha...you thought you were done with me :) Actually, that's what this message is about! I'm getting ready to "roll over" my blog so my new families can subscribe. Your job should be pretty easy. Just follow these steps:
1. Jump below this message to the bottom of the email.
2. Look at the second line that says To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.3. It will pop up in a second window and just confirm that you will unsubscribe.
4. Smile to know you're finally FINALLY done with me!
Thanks again to each of you for making last year an awesome one. As always, please feel free to stop me or email me with ANY concerns you have this school year! Enjoy the beautiful weather while it lasts!
~Mr. Buono
Friday, January 19, 2018
Mid-Year Update!!!
Families~
YAY FOR 2018!!! As we start a new year, we also start a new quarter. Here's an update on some things we just finished up as well as a look ahead:
1. Report Cards - 2nd Quarter report cards are available online TONIGHT @ 4:00. I have showed all the students their report cards individually and addressed any concerns I had as well as their own concerns.
2. STAR (Standardized) Tests - We took our Mid-year STAR tests and the students did really well! I individually conferenced with each student to see if they made their individual goals. Those scores will be sent from the district as soon as they are finalized.
3. Upcoming Field Trip - The field trip to the Little White School Museum is coming up. It is scheduled for MONDAY, March 5th (one of the sheets I sent home had a misprint...SORRY!) The students will need a disposable lunch on that day. Our chaperones are all set, and thanks to all who volunteered...YOU ROCK!
4. Overall Reflection/Moving Forward - The halfway point is a perfect time to reflect so we can move forward in the most successful way possible. By now, most students are taking accountability for their success this year. They can also tell you what has made them feel that way: studying multiplication facts, engaged during the day through participation, working hard in Power 1/2 Hour when they visit different teachers, and enjoying reading self-chosen books more than ever! I still believe another big piece is having those conversations about school at home, so please keep checking the planners and talking to your children about how they feel school is going!
As always, please reach out if you have any concerns moving forward. I truly want this to be a year your child will always remember as magical!!!
YAY FOR 2018!!! As we start a new year, we also start a new quarter. Here's an update on some things we just finished up as well as a look ahead:
1. Report Cards - 2nd Quarter report cards are available online TONIGHT @ 4:00. I have showed all the students their report cards individually and addressed any concerns I had as well as their own concerns.
2. STAR (Standardized) Tests - We took our Mid-year STAR tests and the students did really well! I individually conferenced with each student to see if they made their individual goals. Those scores will be sent from the district as soon as they are finalized.
3. Upcoming Field Trip - The field trip to the Little White School Museum is coming up. It is scheduled for MONDAY, March 5th (one of the sheets I sent home had a misprint...SORRY!) The students will need a disposable lunch on that day. Our chaperones are all set, and thanks to all who volunteered...YOU ROCK!
4. Overall Reflection/Moving Forward - The halfway point is a perfect time to reflect so we can move forward in the most successful way possible. By now, most students are taking accountability for their success this year. They can also tell you what has made them feel that way: studying multiplication facts, engaged during the day through participation, working hard in Power 1/2 Hour when they visit different teachers, and enjoying reading self-chosen books more than ever! I still believe another big piece is having those conversations about school at home, so please keep checking the planners and talking to your children about how they feel school is going!
As always, please reach out if you have any concerns moving forward. I truly want this to be a year your child will always remember as magical!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)