September 27, 2012

Graphic Organizer for Narrative Writing

Students Working September 20, 2012

September 20, 2012

Dear Parents: 

Continue the great work in reading with your child from 20-30 minutes each day and recording it in their RAH folders. 

Please help your child get set up with Xtra Math. Last week I sent home instructions.  Only 8 students have used it so far.   Please have your child use it regularly (about 10 minutes/per session/daily if possible!) throughout the year.  Later I’ll send home user names and passwords to another math website, Sumdog.

Please also have your child use the website on “Links” on my website, titled “Telling Time” and “Place Value Game by Soft School”.

Don’t forget the speeches will begin on September 25.  All students need to be ready to present at that time!  If you’ve lost information, go to our classroom website.

Don’t forget book orders are due online by Tuesday, September 25.  I’ll send the order in that day.

Parent Night is tonight!  I hope to see you at school!

Sincerely,

Ginny Ryan

Name: _______________________

September 13, 2012

Classroom Speeches begin: Tuesday, September 25, 2012 (That’s less than 2 weeks away!!  Be ready!)

Each term 2^rd and 3^rd graders will be assessed on their speaking ability.

The areas assessed include:

Content/Ideas

™       Ideas are conveyed clearly.

™       It is evident the speaker knows what he’s talking about.

Organization:

™       It is evident the speech was prepared ahead of time.

™       The speech includes a beginning, middle and end.

™       There are interesting and clear transitions.

Language

™       Words used make the speech interesting.

™       Words are appropriately used.

™       Diction is clear.

Delivery

™       The student carries him/herself with confidence.

™       Smiles appropriately.

™       Stands straight.

™       Uses appropriate hand gestures and at other times keeps hands comfortably at sides.

™       Makes eye contact with students and teacher.

™       Projects his/her voice.

Effort

™       There is clear evidence that the child has rehearsed the speech several times in front of an audience.

Create a timeline for preparing your speech

™      Pick your items and fill in the below speech. Read over it a couple of times.

™      Read over your speech 3 times in front of a mirror using a loud, pleasant voice. Figure out some hand gestures that go nicely with the speech. Practice a couple of times without your script in front of the mirror. Practice in front of an adult

™      Practice more in front of an adult and in front of the mirror. Time yourself at an appropriate pace and make yourself slow down so you don’t say it too fast. Memorize your script.

™      Tuesday, September 25: give a perfect, memorized speech that will blow our socks off!

Extra Credit!

To gain a 5 in Content/Ideas rearrange the script and make it your own, but include the information in the script and add extra interesting details

To gain a 5 in organization make your transitions clever.

To gain a 5 in language look for some new vocabulary words that can be appropriately placed to spice up your speech.

To gain a 5 in delivery practice, practice, practice and let someone hear you speak before you present your speech and give you pointers on how to make yourself sound and look better during your presentation. Then practice what you are told to do!

Topic: Bring one item to school to show the class.  The item should define an important part of who you are as a person.

(For example, I might bring in my laptop and talk about teaching and all the things I have to do on my laptop: grading, e-mailing, lesson planning to be a teacher.)

Template: here is a template to help you prepare your speech. If you follow this template you can earn a 4 in ideas and content

Good afternoon B1 and Mrs. Ryan,

I am so excited to share with you one things from my life. (smile)

I brought in ____________________ because _______________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________.

If I didn’t have _______________ in my life I would ___________________

_____________________________________________________________

because _____________________________________________________.

I _____________ (received, bought, have or other) it from _____________ _____________________________________________________________.

One time I ____________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________.

If you had ____________ you could _______________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________.

Thank you for listening about _____________________ I truly enjoyed sharing with you today. (smile)

(Applause!)

Good luck!!!

September 13, 2012
 Dear Parents:

 We’re off to a good start!

 Most students are reading from 20-30 minutes each day, and they are recording it in their RAH folders. I’ve attached a list of 100+ books to read to your child and for your child to read. Reading to your child and talking about books develops character, strengthens families, and prepares children for long-term success in school and in life.

 For math practice, I’m sending home instructions for Xtra Math. Please have your child use it regularly throughout the year. Later I’ll send home user names and passwords to another math website, Sumdog.

 Also attached is the first speech information. Don’t put off working on this! Speeches will begin on September 25. All students need to be ready to present at that time!

 Bring It on Home is a home assignment on one of the 40 Assets Forest Ridge has adopted. The activities are extra credit. It is due on the last school day of the month (September 28). Each month a new activity sheet will be sent home.

 Don’t forget book orders are due online by September 25. I’ll send the order in that day. Parent Night is coming up on Thursday, September 20.

Matt Myers, Illustrator, Visits Students

Back to School Night Part 2

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Back to School Night 2012

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