Dr. Johnson's Reading Blog

Dear Families, Welcome back to a new school year! I know the next couple of days are going to be hectic so I'm going to share a few things before we head back to school on Tuesday. The first week of school is going to be a busy one for all the kids. Since 5th graders have many more responsibilities, we spend this week going over those expectations. Our two main responsibilities are kindergarten buddies and carpool, both will start on the first day of school (I will be sending out a carpool schedule on Tuesday that will need to be returned by the end of the week Friday).  Ms. Whitecotton and our classroom will be sharing gathering duties. September 1, our classrooms will be doing a gathering on CFI's Rights & Responsibilities, and September 8th, our classes will be talking about the Book of the Month (a new CFI tradition we hope to start this year). I also wanted to remind you of my communication plan.   My primary way of communicating is through email ...

Hi Everyone - I hope everyone has been having a nice summer break. I know it's still a bit early to be thinking "back to school" anything, but I wanted to send a quick note before you went out and did back to school shopping for school supplies.  As I look at the district school supply list, there are some things you can leave off because 1) I have an abundant supply and don't need anymore of the item, and 2) there are some items you purchased last year that we will continue using. Here are items from the list you will need. Items crossed out you DON'T need to get: 1 Book bag  1 3-ring binder (2-inch) - (I have kept their binders from last year) Pocket Dividers 2 24-Pack No. 2 pencils (Ticonderoga)  2 Erasers (Pink Pearl)  4 Glue sticks (Elmer’s)   1 Pack Dry Erase Markers (EXPO 4 color pack)  4 Marble composition books  2 8-oz Hand sanitizer   2 Packs (200) wide-ruled notebook paper - (most children have a lot o...

We have a lot of stuff going on this last week, so I wanted to share some information on what is going on: Tuesday  - Tuesday is our last full day of school. Graduation is from 8:30 - 9:30. As rising 5th grade parents, you are invited to the graduation ceremony. We will spend the remainder of the day cleaning some of the room, preparing for 5th grade appreciations, and possibly watching a movie (after graduation, kids are mentally in another world as the realization sets in they are almost in 5th grade). The movie would be Percy Jackson: The Lightening Thief. Wednesday - Half day. 4th grade classroom are in charge of the 5th grade appreciations. 5th grade appreciations run from 8:30 - 9:30. The remainder of the day is cleaning the room, and taking things home. 11:30 dismissal. Thursday  - Half day and last day of school. This will be a game day and signing yearbooks. Students can bring in a game to share, and play with other students. We will be playing games with Ms. Wh...

I wanted to post some information concerning this last full week before the end of school. Monday  - We are reviewing science and social studies in anticipation of our upcoming science and social studies test. Tuesday  - Science testing in the morning. Review social studies for test in the afternoon. Wednesday  - Social studies test in the morning. Practice for graduation ceremony. Thursday  - We will have a game day (board games, card games, etc.). Practice for graduation. Prepare for 5th grade appreciations. Friday - Preparing for 5th grade appreciations. Graduation practice. Friday gathering and Splash Day. In the midst of all this, we will be taking care of a carpool schedule for graduation, and choosing a 4th grade speaker for graduation ceremony. Needless to say, we have a very busy week ahead of us!

Thanks to everyone for helping our class have a successful trip to Brattonsville! This was by far the best trip to Brattonsville I have ever had. The bus ride (quiet), students listened and paid attention to the docents (perfect), lunch went great (no running around), and the buses got to Brattonsville, and back to CFI on time. And parents ... you helped make this a great trip. I appreciate taking time out of your schedule, and rising to the occasion when necessary. Thanks again! Here are few things to remember: 1) The book faire is this week so be prepared to be asked a million times if your child can get a book : ) 2) On Wednesday, students will be field testing a version of the writing SC PASS test. This test will not count for them, and will be good practice when we take the real test in two weeks.

Next Friday, April 28 is our 4th grade field trip to Brattonsville . If your are not familiar with Brattonsville, it is a 775 acre Revolutionary War site. We will be attending a session on life in the backcountry, eating lunch, then chaperoned groups will have the chance visit the other houses and sites located at Brattonsville. We have specifically created this opportunity for "free time" because there is so much to see, taking two session would not allow us to see all that Brattonsville has to offer. With that said, I wanted to go over a few expectations. 1) First of all, thank you so much for taking the time drive to Brattonsville to chaperone this trip. This is my favorite field trip, and Brattonsville has much to learn from. 2) Chaperoned groups will be small, so you will have only a few kids in your group. Feel free to team up with another group as we tour the grounds. Smaller groups make it easier to tour the houses and trails that are located at Brattonsville. ...

Before I share a few things about what's going on in class, I wanted to send out a reminder that our 4th Curriculum Night will be this Thursday, March 16th from 7:15 - 8:00 . Also, the MAP testing window begins this week. I plan on testing student the very last week of March (March 28 & March 30), so we can get as much math instruction before then. And one final piece of info, I will be at Camp Kanuga (5th grade camp) for three days next week (March 22 - 24). The kids and I will begin putting together several projects I will be expecting them to complete when I return back to school. Our kids have been great when they've had substitutes, but any reminder about expectations and behavior while I'm gone would be appreciated. Reading: We will begin our first literature study of the year. This literature study will be a whole class literature study so we can discuss expectations for future small group literature studies. Writing: We have been working on creating a bro...