Dr. Johnson's Reading Blog

Thanks to everyone who came out to EdVenture. Everyone had a great time! Here are some pictures from the evening. On another note, this Friday (or next Monday), our classroom will be taking part in an in-school field trip called CSI: Forensics in the Classroom . A mock crime scene will be set up and students have to inquire, and use their knowledge of science, to solve the crime scene. Some of the things students will do is learn how to fingerprint, collect DNA samples, learn how to use microscopes, and enhance their observation skills. The price of the field trip is $20 per child, but we are not collecting money at this time. Later in the school year, we are taking a field trip to historic Brattonsville. Mrs. Debeaugrine is combining the two field trips so that payments can be made, little by little, through Powerschool. If I'm correct, the total amount due ($45) would not have to be made until the Brattonsville trip, which will be in April. ...

Dear Families, I wanted to let you know that I will be absent from the classroom this Thursday, September 15 , Friday, Sept. 16 , and Monday, Sept. 19 . Last week, Debbie Manning , one of mentors and closest friends passed away after battling cancer. I will be flying to California to attend the memorial service on Saturday, September 17. I would like to share a little about her just so you understand how special she was to me. In 1996, I did my student teaching with Debbie and we had an automatic connection. In the midst of doing my student teaching, I was hired at Dailey Elementary (in California) and worked alongside Debbie for the next 10 years. She mentored me professionally, demonstrated the importance of inquiring alongside children, and instilled in me a love for children's literature. It was at her insistence I move to South Carolina to work with Dr. Mills and the Center for Inquiry, as I earned my Ph.D. I would not be the person I am without her. The local paper in Fre...

This week we continue to complete assignments left off from last week. We are finishing looking at the different regions of the United States before starting our first project. For this project, students will get into groups and make a poster about one of the regions we looked at. They will share these posters at our gathering next week (Friday, September 16). Students will also begin sketching out their logos. I will hand out sketchpads for students to draft their personal logos. They will share these logos at our gathering next week. In math, we are working on measurement. Right now we are working on creating benchmarks that will help us estimate the size of an object. For instance, a forearm is about the size of a foot. We are working on both American and Metric measurements (you will see practice sheets in their homework for this week). In reading and writing, I am finishing up conferring with students. For homework, packets will go out today and be returned on Friday. Ha...

On Monday, August 29,  I will be sending out homework. Since this is the first homework, let me spend a minute explaining how homework works in my classroom. At the beginning of the week, most likely Monday, I will send home a clear, plastic folder with your child's name on it. In that folder contains a packet of homework. The first page of the homework is like a calendar and says which homework to do on a particular day.  Homework packets are not due to me until Friday. Homework packets should be turned into me with the plastic folder. Really . . . I don't want to see the homework until that day! On Friday, we will go through the homework so that I can provide feedback to your child. Once your child has completed their homework, please sign your name at the bottom of the homework packet, letting me know you have made sure your child completed their work before turning it in. I don't give much homework, but I have high expectations that what I hand out will be complet...

Here a few things about the week . . . 1) I will begin sending homework this week. I will make another blog post with more information on how homework works in my class. 2) I have updated the calendar that can be found on the blog (on the right hand side). You will find dates for our upcoming gathering (Friday, September 16), an overnight trip at EdVenture (September 23-24), and an in-school field trip called CSI: Forensics in the Classroom (which I'll talk more about later). 3) As we head into the final week before Labor Day, we continue to establish classroom routines and procedures. While this has led to moments in which I have had to fuss for chattiness (which is to be expected at this point), I am finding that this group is sweet and caring. They have already taken an interest in many of the "making" items I have to offer during explorations. They have also taken an interest in computer programming through Scratch . I can't wait to show them what they can c...

As we move into our first full week of school, I wanted to share some of what I will be focusing on during this time. I will spending this week trying to get to know your child as a reader, writer, mathematician, and historian. Understanding your child as a learner will help me map out short-term and long-term goals In math, students are working on some math sheets in place value, additions, subtraction, multiplication, and fractions. As I observe their work, I am noticing their attitudes, how much they take risks, knowledge of basic facts, etc. In history, I want to understand your child's historical thinking. Do they enjoy reading non-fiction? Historical fiction? Do they understand the importance of primary documents? Do they understand the importance of multiple sources? Are they skeptical, and question the validity of various sources, or do they simply believe everything that is stated? In reading, I want to know what kinds of strategies your child uses as they construct ...

Welcome back to another school year! I can't wait to see everyone tomorrow. I have met your child on numerous occasions over the last year - now I just have to put the name to the face. The process of getting to know each other may be slow, but hopefully I can help bridge that through communication. While I will try to keep in contact concerning your child's academic and social behavior, please contact me at any time. I wanted to share some important information that I think you will need as we begin the school year. My primary way of communicating is through email ( scjohnson@richland2.org ). I am pretty good about checking my email throughout the day, though I will probably only respond during my special areas time (10:00 - 10:50) or after school. I will also communicate though this blog ( inquiryforlife.blogspot.com ). I try to publish on the blog as least once a week. When I do publish, I will send out an email letting you know I have updated the blog. I have links to...