Positive Milestones Notes

New Nation Test and GoFar

The New Nation Test is scheduled for Thursday, April 2. Your child should have received a study guide today. If you need an extra, I have uploaded a digital file in Dropbox under "The New Nation" Folder. 

Also, I am trying to get new tests uploaded into GoFar. Unfortunately, the site is very, very slow and difficult to navigate. I will give you new codes when the tests are created. Next week, we will be working on a few Constructed Response (Paragraph writing) Milestones practice passages during Reading. 

Parents' Guide to the New Georgia Testing

Follow this link to view information and an overview of the new GA Milestones:


National PTA


If you are unable to view it, send me an email. I will be happy to forward the document to you.

Week of March 9th

This week in Reading, we are continuing to practice comparing and contrasting firsthand and secondhand accounts. Students will be working on two passages and answering constructed response questions to help prepare for Georgia Milestones. Students will work on Greek and Latin Roots task cards, complete a module on Study Island, and read an independent book on or near your child's level.

We are finishing up the American Revolution this week. We will learn about the Battle of Yorktown and the Treaty of Paris. The test over the American Revolution will be Wednesday, March 11th. A study guide was given last week, but your child will need to use his or her textbook and SS notebook to help with studying. We will begin learning about the new nation and government this week.

Math-Numbers of the Week are taking a hiatus.  Replacing them are weekly problem solvers.  Each Monday, students are given a word problem with three different tasks designated as Part A, Part B, and Part C.  The students will complete Part A for Monday night homework, Part B for Tuesday and C is for Wednesday night.  There will be a similar word problem at the end of the week for an assessment. 

Chapter 10(decimals) test is this Friday.

Science:  Students are learning about roles within ecosystems.  There will be a decomposer lab this week and reading comprehension assignments.

Enjoy!

I love this photo of Nick "reading" with a student. It's good to be a guinea pig!

This week!

Tonight is the Bebop with Aesop play.  Students are to report to the classroom at 6:00.  Parents can stay in the cafeteria for a quick PTA meeting followed by the play at 6:15.  When the play is over, the kids will return to the classroom where parents can come by and get them.

On Saturday, there is a 5k in downtown Kennesaw.  Other than exercise and good health, sign up for this because Big Shanty gets a portion of the proceeds from the run.  I’ll be there.  I’m trying to get Mrs. Gordon to run it as well.  Here’s a PDF with more information:

http://www.cobbk12.org/bigshanty/SchoolFoundationRaceApp.pdf

In Reading, we are comparing two passages. We are thinking about how we can gather information from a firsthand account and a secondhand account on the same topic. We are also writing about how information from one passage can help us learn information while reading a different passage. Students are also asked to complete a module on Study Island and complete work on Greek and Latin Roots.

In Social Studies, we are focusing on battles of the American Revolution and the Declaration of Independence. Information about a unit assessment will be coming home soon!

March 7th-Spring Into Education 5K And Fun Run

·         SPRING INTO EDUCATION 5K AND FUN RUN - Saturday, March 7!

We hope you can join us for our school foundation’s partnership with the Kennesaw Big Shanty Foundation and Awtrey Foundation to sponsor the Spring into Education 5K and one mile fun run on Saturday, March 7.   The race registration form can be printed from http://www.cobbk12.org/bigshanty/SchoolFoundationRaceApp.pdf or you can register online here: http://www.active.com/kennesaw-ga/running/distance-running-races/spring-into-education-5k-2015?int=

Race participants will receive an incredible swag bag as well as experience a post-race party that will be the talk of the town!  We have amazing community sponsors for this special event!  The Kennesaw Big Shanty Foundation and Awtrey Middle School Foundation are pleased to announce that Zoyo has graciously offered to sponsor the Spring Into Education 5K Race in conjunction with their “Zoyo Supports Education” program! 

Beginning Monday, February 23 through Saturday, March 7 (Race Day), for any customer who mentions either Kennesaw, Big Shanty or Awtrey or their respective Foundations when paying for their purchase, Zoyo will donate a portion of that sale to the Spring Into Education 5K Race!  In the end, all proceeds donated will benefit all three schools!  Zoyo is conveniently located in the Kennesaw Walk Plaza at the corner of Jiles and Baker Roads next to Big Pie in the Sky near Publix.

So enjoy a yummy treat from Zoyo all while supporting Kennesaw Elementary, Big Shanty Intermediate and Awtrey Middle Schools.  Please tell your friends and family!

March 16-20th Big Shanty Green Week!

Big Shanty will recognize National Green Education Week March 16-20th

Monday—Make a Difference Monday—bring a reusable water bottle—not a plastic bottle (like Dasani)--and get a homework pass

Tuesday—Wear Your Green— either a green colored shirt or green-themed shirt. Teachers will be encouraged to lower the lights throughout the school in conservation awareness. 

Wednesday—Wear your Waste—each child will collect their trash for the day in individual Kroger bag and sort at end of day into recyclable and actual trash—graph your tally

Thursday—Tip your hat to recycling—students may wear hats made of or decorated with recycled material

Friday—Ferns, Flowers and Photosynthesis— planting in the classroom

ONE MORE THING…One day during the week, walkers and bus riders will receive a treat from the Green Team - because we are helping to “ERASE air pollution”. In December, we celebrated the benefits of turning off your engine at morning carpool with “Hot cocoa for Carpool”!

Carnival Basket

Dear Parents of Mr. Desin's and Mrs. Gordon's classes,

Every year the Big Shanty PTA holds a Spring Carnival with games, bouncies, and more for the families of Big Shanty and the Kennesaw Community. It is a fantastic event that the kids, parents and staff love. The date for the Spring Carnival is Friday, April 24, 2015. More details about the carnival will be sent at a later date.

This is not a fund raising event. In order to keep ticket prices low so everyone has an opportunity to join in the fun, we hold a silent auction with different themed baskets. Each class is responsible for putting together their basket through donations. 

This year, our classes will be working together to assemble one basket.  The theme for our team’s basket is Emergency Preparedness. We want this to be the best basket and are asking all parents in all the classes to donate items appropriate to this theme. We already have some awesome donations, thanks to Noah Martin's grandmother! She is secretary to the county manager and was able to get these items donated for us: smoke detector, carbon dioxide detector, hand cranked battery emergency radio, fire blanket, first aide kit, head lamp, hard hat, door ax! If you have contacts for donations, that is all the better!

All items for the basket need to be turned in to the teacher NO LATER than Friday, April 10th. We know this seems a long way off, but it is never too early to start looking for items! Not to mention, we have Spring Break in the midst. Don’t forget to take advantage of sales!

If you do not have time to purchase items, and would rather make a monetary donation toward items in the basket, please send your donation in with your child in an envelope addressed to: Teresa and indicate that it is for the carnival basket. We will then use the money collected to purchase items for the basket, a big basket/container to hold all of the items, or purchase gift cards to put in the basket. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact either of the room mom's for our classes: Stephanie Martin, martinjstephanie@yahoo.com (Mrs. Gordon's class) or Teresa Bowling, ltbowling@bellsouth.net (Mr. Desin's class).

Thank you very much!

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4CADA72AA31-desingordon1