Homework - 12/13

Reading - 20 Minutes
Spelling - Use in a sentence and do picture flash cards for vocab
Math - Textbook page 113 #s 1 to 25

Spelling and Vocabulary Words 12/13 - 12-17


1. Decorations
2. Candles
3. Cards
4. Carols
5. Chimney
6. Christmas
7. Cookies
8. Fireplace
9. Gifts
10. Lights
11. Mistletoe
12. Mittens
13. Ornaments
14. Ribbon
15. Season
16. Snowman
17. Stockings
18. Winter
19. Wrap
20. Wreath
Bonus - Reindeer

Vocabulary -
Chimney: A vertical opening in a house from the fireplace that allows smoke to escape.
Holly – An evergreen plant with prickly dark green leaves and red berries
Mistletoe – A parasitic plant with white berries, traditionally used as a Christmas decoration
Parasitic – an animal or plant that lives in or on a host (another animal or plant); it obtains nourishment from the host without benefiting or killing the host
Ornament – An object that adds beauty to something; a decoration.
Sleigh – A sled or light cart on runners pulled by horses or reindeer over snow and ice.

Multicultural Celebration Presentation Schedule

Dear Student,

Your paper and poster are due on Monday regardless of which day you are presenting. You need to bring your multicultural food item on the day you present.

As a reminder, your paper should be 1.5 pages double spaced. You have already written your introduction paragraph and you have done two fact charts for a total of six body paragraphs. You will also need to write a conclusion.

Your poster should be a standard size poster. It will share with the class pictures, diagrams, and artifacts (if available) that give information about the multicultural celebration. Please include on your poster a short ¾ page summary of your topic.

Have fun!
Mrs. Plumblee

Monday -
Sebastian
Jenny
Olivia
Savannah
Renee
Skyler

Tuesday -
Kyle
David
Brock
Abigail
Jacob
Lea

Thursday - Brandon
Luke
Austin
Josh
Nicholas
Alexandra

WEEKLY UPDATE

WEEKLY UPDATE


December 11th - December 17th, 2010

· A huge “Thank You” to Mr. Smith, our Elementary Music teacher, for his hard work, energy and enthusiasm in working with our K-5 students and preparing them for the Holiday Musicals. Both performances packed the Sanctuary and our students “shined”.

· Our 9-12 students had a great time at Homecoming 2010 last Saturday. Their behavior was exemplary and we are proud of the image they portrayed.

· We want to recognize our Cafeteria Staff, under the leadership of Ms. Yolanda this week. They provided our students with delicious, hot chocolate for just $1.00 every morning and always work hard to cook us delicious homemade lunches daily.

· Please remember the Cornerstone Academy PTSA Merry Everything Holiday Pancake Breakfast, Saturday December 11th, 8:30 – 11:30 am in the gym. Tickets are $6.00. Come and have your pictures taken with Santa. Proceeds benefit the CCA yearbook. The Holiday Shop will also be open in the Media Center for some fun, festive shopping.

· In order to maintain a safe learning environment for our students we would like to remind all parents of the Parent Agreement that they signed upon enrollment at CCA. If you would like to read it again it can be found on our website at http://www.cornerstonecharter.com/images/PARENT-AGREEMENT.pdf

· With only one week left before Winter break ATTENDANCE is very important. Please make every effort to be in class, on time, every day this upcoming week.

· Next week there will be plenty of Holiday Festivities in our classrooms. Please remember that all festivities must start at 12:30pm or later.

· Chick-Fil-A Spirit Night is Tuesday, Dec. 14th from 5-8 pm. Bring the flyer to the Orange Ave location and a portion of the sales will go to our School. (Good in store or drive thru)

· Wednesday, December 15th there will be a Spring Baseball meeting from 6-7 pm in the gym. Please email TLeStourgeon@cornerstonecharter.com for more information.

· Remember, this week’s update wil only be available via email and on our Website www.cornerstonecharter.com

· Friday, December 17th is our last day of school before our Winter break. We hope all our Cornerstone Families have a wonderful, safe Holiday season and a Happy New Year. We look forward to seeing you all back on Monday, January 3rd, 2011

Homework - 12/8

Reading - 20 minutes
Spelling - Study for practice test
Math - Workbook pages 59 - 60
Social Science - Fact chart for first three main ideas

Homework - 12/7

Sorry about the lapse in homeowrk the past few days.

Reading - 20 minutes
Spelling - Use each word in a sentence. Underline the noun or pronoun in each sentence.
Math - Workbook pages 57 to 58
Social Studies - Write the opening paragraph of your paper. Introduce us to your multicultural celebration.

Homework 12/1

Reading - 20 minutes
Spelling - Write each word one time and then write the word backwards
Math - Workbook pages 55 to 56
Social Studies - Multicultural handout questions due tomorrow

Homework - 11/30

Reading - 20 minutes
Spelling - Use each word in a sentence
Math - Workbook pages 51 to 54, test Thursday
Social Studies/Language Arts - Answer questions on multicultural celebrations worksheet (due Thursday)

Homework - 11/29

Don't forget to dress up in your western wear tomorrow and bring $1.

Reading - 20 Minutes
Spellilng - ABC order in your planner
Math - Workbook pages 47 to 50
Science - 1 example of each type of energy: Light, electrical, heat, mechanical, sound

Spelling and Vocab for Week of 11/29

Spelling and Vocab for the Week of 11/29

1. Without
2. Dislike
3. Untrue
4. Undo
5. Distrust
6. Disagree
7. Unclear
8. Unkind
9. Clearly
10. Kindness
11. Kindest
12. Indirect
13. Informal
14. Preschool
15. Preheat
16. Darkness
17. Sadness
18. Goodness
19. Misspell
20. Misplace

Vocab
1. Undo – To reverse or cancel
2. Preschool - a child who attends a prekindergarten or kindergarten
3. Preheat - heat beforehand
4. Misspell - spell incorrectly
5. Misplace – when something is placed where you cannot find it again

Spirit Week - Monday

K-5 "Pajama Day", Monday, 11/29

The plans for our upcoming Spirit Week are in high gear and what a week it will be!!

One of the most anticipated events will be "Dress Up Days"...a donation of $1 per day will give our students the opportunity to join in the fun!

• Pajamas must be suitable for school and outside recess.
• Full-length pajama bottoms and pajama tops with sleeves (no tank tops)
• Students are to wear uniform sneakers and uniform sweatshirt or jacket
• Students who chose not to participate should come to school dressed in their regular uniform

Homework - 11/18

Reading - 20 Minutes
Spelling - Missed words grouped by vowel sounds
Math - Workbook pages 45 to 46

Homework - 11/18

Reading - 20 Minutes
Spelling - Missed words grouped by vowel sounds
Math - Workbook pages 45 to 46

Homework - 11/17

Reading - 20 minutes
Spelling - 3 times each
Language Arts - Thanksgiving Analogies page 3 only
Math - Workbook pages 43 to 44
Social Studies - Thanksgiving writing prompt - The day before Thanksgiving is "What Do You Love About America Day." Imagine that your parents want to move to another country. Write a letter to your parents with at least ten reasons convincing them why you should day in America.

Homework - 11/16

Reading - 20 min. of reading (or play FCAT Explorer or Ticket to Read for 30 min.) enter choice in reading log
Language Arts - Do Wednesday's cursive practice worksheet at home
Spelling - Use each spelling and vocab word in a sentence
Math - None (took a test today)
Social Studies - None

Thanksgiving Spelling Words

1. Thanksgiving
2. November
3. Turkey
4. Corn
5. Feast
6. Holiday
7. Thursday
8. Indians
9. Pilgrims
10. Dinner
11. Gobble
12. Yams
13. Dessert
14. Potato
15. Butter
16. Pie
17. Cheese
18. Family
19. Ham
20. Pumpkin
21. Bonus - Casserole

Vocab -

1. Pilgrims – Name given to the English Puritans who went to America in 1620
2. Harvest – The cutting and gathering of grains and other crops
3. Corn – Grain plant, also called 'maize'
4. Bounty – Abundance
5. Crop – Amount of plants grown in a season
6. Settlers – People who go to live in a new, developing country
7. Thanksgiving – Expressing gratitude and thankfulness

Homework & Spelling - 11/8

Reading - 20 Minutes
Spelling - Take a practice test at home and rewrite missed words 3 times each
Math - Workbook pages 41 to 42
Science - None
Social Studies - Quiz on Veterans Day

Spelling and Vocabulary Words 11/8 – 11/12

squeal
neat
major
pray
climate
bacon
even
lazy
secret
human
music
fever
silent
writer
rival
shining
moping
motel
hotel
pilot
become

artificial: made by people, not natural
huppa: a canopy under which traditional Jewish weddings are performed
poverty: being very poor
bouquet: a bunch of flowers
veteran: a person who has served in the military
patriot: a person who loves, supports, and defends his or her country

Updated and Homework for 11/10

Dear Parents,

A few quick reminders. Please make sure your students is at school and in their seats when the bell rings at 8:00. If they walk in the door after 8:00 they are tardy. Also, if you student is absent for an excused reason (illness, doctors appointment, death in the family, etc.) please send in a note when they return. It is important to minimize absences and tardy's because OCPS rules mandate detention and/or suspension for excessive amounts of either.

Second, please make sure your students are abiding by the dress code. The means belts when wearing anything other than a skit or skort, white ankle length socks, and a Cornerstone sweatshirt or jacket.

Third, please make sure your student is turning in their homework and classwork. I have A LOT of missing work for the students and I cleaned out a students desk today and found five missing assignments that are incomplete. Please check ProgressBook regularly (at least 2 or 3 times a week) to find out what assignments your child is missing. I will accept assignments up to a week after they are due for partial credit. Papers turned in without a name, especially in math, will receive no credit.

For the time being, I am going to continue posting the homework on this blog, verses ProgressBook. The process of entering the work into ProgressBook is time consuming for me, so I apologize for any inconvenience and/or confusion these past two weeks as I've experimented with which site to use for that purpose.

We have been moving quickly through the Math curriculum in an effort to catch up with the other classes. I know some students are struggling a bit and I am willing to help you/them. If you would like to make an appointment for your and your child, or just your child to stay after school for 30 minutes one day next week, I am willing to give them some extra instruction. There is generally about 15 to 20 of in class work time where the students can get individual help, but it helps to have real one-on-one time occasionally.

We've had a wonderful time this week studying about Veterans Day. We are in the process of writing a letter to a soldier through the organization A Million Thanks. I would like to invite you, your spouse, and your other children at home to participate as well. I would like to collect all the letters by November 12th to mail. The rules are pretty simple:

-No glitter
-Do not put it in an envelope
-Do not attached candy or food to the cards or letters
-The would like us to include the school address, teacher name, and teacher email address for the military personnel to be able to write back to the student if they desire or your home address, email, etc. if you are comfortable with that.
-They would also love photos of the student or class
-The more positive the better. Care should be taken not to refer to anything that may cause grief or uneasiness to the reader who may be serving active duty. (i.e., “I hope you don't get killed” or “Do you miss your family?”

I hope you will join us in thanking our service members.

Tonight's homework -
Reading - 20 minutes (if your child does not have a reading log, please let me know. They need one and it needs to be turned in every Friday for 5 points credit)
Spelling - Group spelling words in groups by vowel sounds
Math - Workbook pages 37 to 40
If you have any questions, please let me know.

Regards,
Mrs. Plumblee

Veteran's Day

Dear Parents,

A quick update on tonight's homework -

Reading - 20 minutes in reading log
Spelling - Write spelling words in ABC order in your planner
Math - Rounding Worksheet
Social Studies - Write 5 things you know about Veteran's Day, 5 things you didn't know, 5 things you want to know. Also write 1 page about a veteran in your family or a veteran you know. You'll share information about your Veteran with the class on Tuesday.

As you can tell we are incorporating Veteran's Day into our social studies and reading/language arts classes this week. Next week will be devoted to the history of Thanksgiving. We are continuing in chapter three of our math book and are still working on adding and subtracting large numbers. We will hopefully test on math on Friday.

Have a great week,
Mrs. Plumblee

Update!

Dear Parents,

I hope you all are enjoying the touch of fall weather we have had the past few days.

We've started a new reading section called Celebrating Traditions. Our story for this week is called The Keeping Quilt. It is about about a family quilt made by Russian immigrants that was passed down many generations. We are focusing on the FCAT skill of author's purpose. Over the next two weeks will will be doing a theme study on Thanksgiving and Fall books. If you child has any books at home that might be applicable, please have them bring them in for me to look at by Wednesday, Nov. 10th. Please don't forget to have your student ready 100 minutes a week. You can split that up however you need to, but they need to be doing 100 minutes a week. If you would like to have them read on the weekends to leave more time during the week for other activities, that is fine.

We had a practice spelling test today, and if your child scored a 100% they will not have to retake the test tomorrow. We will plan on doing this most weeks when time allows. For any spelling or vocab words they missed, they will need to break the word into phonic sounds. For example, paint would be /p/ /ai/ /n/ /t/.

In math we are working on adding and subtracting numbers in the ten and hundred thousand range. Some of the terminology like regrouping instead of carrying may be unfamiliar to you, so please encourage your child to being home their books if they need your help on homework. We will be testing on this math chapter later next week depending on how long we spending getting through the material. They need to complete workbook pages 29 to 32 for homework. They had about 25 minutes to work on it during class today, so they should be close to finished with that.

We are wrapping up our study of Egypt in social studies. Next week will start a two week lesson on Thanksgiving history.

You child should have brought their report card home to yesterday and today they have instruction on how to access ProgressBook with them today. I have started posting the homework on ProgressBook instead of the blog so we'll see how that works for you all. I like feedback, so let me know what you think.

I enjoyed meeting with many of you last night and I am looking forward to the next few weeks as we prepare for our Thanksgiving celebrations through our reading and social studies lessons.

Kindest Regards,
Mrs. Plumblee

Homework - 10/26

Reading - 20 minutes
Math - Workbook pages 17 to 20
Spelling - Use in a sentence

*Cover both textbooks

Spelling and Vocab for Week of 10/25, Homework for 10/25

Homework for 10/25

Reading - 20 Minutes of reading
Math - Workbook pages 11 to 15, even #'s only. Odds for extra credit. (This is review for them, but there will be a test before the end of the week on the material.)
Spelling - Write spelling words 5 times each
Spelling and Vocabulary Words 10/25 – 10/28

1. Hurricane
2. Radio
3. Rescue
4. Florida
5. Disaster
6. Storm
7. Raise
8. Emergency
9. Message
10. Carefully
11. Farmhouse
12. Route
13. Strange
14. Neighbor
15. Action
16. Knock
17. Midnight
18. Whispered
19. Chatter
20. Battle

Vocabulary Words
1. Ferocious: fierce, powerful

2. Hurricane: a storm from the ocean with violent winds and heavy rains

3. Distress: serious danger or trouble

4. Transmitting: sending signals by radio or wire

5. Acknowledged: received and made a reply to

6. Route: way or path

7. Urged: pushed onward
8. Reins: Straps a rider uses to guide an animal

Homework - 10/21

Reading - 20 minutes
Language Arts - For any spelling words missed on the practice test, write 5 times each. For any vocab words missed on the practice test, write word and definition 3 times each. Spelling and vocab test tomorrow. Reading - Poem worksheet.
Math - Test Tomorrow
Social Studies - Egypt worksheet

Homework for 10/20

Reading - 20 minutes on reading log
Spelling & Vocab - Study for practice test tomorrow
Math - Quiz tomorrow. Workbook pages 7, 8, 9, 10
Language Arts - Headline Worksheet

* Covers needed for both textbooks.

Thanks!

Tonight's Homework - 10/19 & Weekly Summary

Reading - 20 minutes & 1 sentence summary
Social Studies - Egypt Worksheet
Spelling & Vocab - Use each word in a sentence
Math - Quiz Thursday, Workbook pages 5 and 6
Language Arts - Poem Worksheet
*Please cover both your Reading and Math textbooks. Brown paper bags are a great/cheap option.

We started talking about Egypt in social studies today. We will be learning more about ancient Egypt over the next week and half.

We we reviewing our math from earlier in the year now that we have our math textbooks and workbooks. We are trying to cover one to two lessons a day so you may see extra math homework over the next few weeks as we move quickly through these review lessons.

Poems are the topic of the week in reading. We will be writing poems to share with our classmates and family later this week.

Have a great week!

Spelling and Vocab for Week of 10/18

1. Sleep
2. Rhyme
3. Sea
4. Peek
5. Leaf
6. Spray
7. Pail
8. Sweet
9. Main
10. Pain
11. Bleed
12. Neat
13. Pray
14. Afraid
15. Weakly
16. Raisin
17. Wednesday
18. Easel
19. Delay
20. Easy

1. Beats - Short sounds that are made again and again
2. Lines - Rows of words on a page
3. Pattern - Something that repeats the same way
4. Rhyme -- Words that have the same sound at the end
5. Rhythm - Sounds that repeat in order
6. Stanzas - Groups of lines in a poem

READ READ READ!

Next week you will receive a very informative letter about your child's reading abilities and recommendations for activities specifically targeted to your individual child's needs. These skills are geared towards improving the skills needed to successfully complete the FCAT this year. Below you will find facts about reading trends. The good news is that I am ready to work with you to improve your child's literacy! Enjoy the long weekend and I will see your children on Monday. Until then, ENCOURAGE THEM TO READ!


1. In 1998, the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)
tested children nationwide for reading skills. The results for reading
tests for 4th graders were:
Below the most basic level 38%
Proficient 31%
Advanced 7%

2. In 1998 there were ten million children between seven and eleven
years of age who performed below the most basic level of reading
achievement.

3. It is very important to note that a substantial number of children
from highly literate households and who have been read to by their
parents since very early in life also have difficulties learning to
read.

4. In 1998, students who reported reading more pages daily in school
and for homework had higher average scale scores than students who
reported reading fewer pages daily.

5. In 1998, students who reported watching three or fewer hours of
television each day had higher average reading scores than students
who reported watching more television.

6. National Institute of Health studies are finding that at least 95%
of even the poorest readers can learn to read at grade level if they
are given proper instruction in sound-letter relationships.

7. Having kids read a lot is one of the crucial components of becoming
a good reader. Young readers need to become practiced at recognizing
letters and sounds. The only way to get good at it is to practice.

8. The average reader spent about 6 minutes per day reading connected
text. Children with reading problems spent about one minute per day.
The amount of time students spent on worksheets did not relate to
gains in reading achievement. What appeared to be most relevant was
time spent reading connected print.

9. Four year old children who were read one alphabet book per day
significantly improved in their awareness of phonemes - tiny letter
sounds that make up words.

10. Children who struggle in vain with reading in the first grade soon
decide that they neither like nor want to read.

http://www.succeedtoread.com/facts.html

Science Test

Dear Parents,

I understand the concerns regarding the results of today's science test. We will retake this test on Thursday, Oct. 14th with the better of two grades as your child's final grade on this test. All students received a study guide last week, please ask them to share it with you. I would also suggest you use their first test as a resource as well since the retest will be very similar. We will review on Wednesday and retest Thursday.

Thank you all for your patience as we transition these first few weeks.
Regards,
Mrs. Plumblee

Spelling & Vocab for this week

Stand
Rest
Plate
Clock
White
Stuff
Spoke
Bend
Frame
Twist
June
Mile
Liquid
Solid
Decide
When
Nonsense
Unusual
Worried
Rumpled
Situations

1. Directions - Lines of paths along which someone or something goes
2. Rumpled - Wrinkled or creased
3. Situations - Set of conditions at certain moments in time
4. Unusual - not usual, common or ordinary
5. Visible - able to be seen
6. Worried - Concerned or anxious

Mrs. Plumblee's Scholastic Book Club

Online Ordering Information
Web address: scholastic.com/bookclubs
Class Activation Code: HGK7P

Dear Parent,

Now it’s easier than ever to find the perfect books for your child—shop our NEW online Book Clubs Web site. Choose from a much-wider selection of books than in the printed flyer. Plus, you can send your orders directly to me online and use your credit card to pay.

Best of all, we earn a FREE book for the classroom library every time a parent places an order online.

It’s so simple! Here’s how it works:

SIGN UP at www.scholastic.com/bookclubs. On the parent page, register by clicking click the “Don’t have a user name or password?” link. When prompted, enter the one-time Class Activation Code shown above. This unique code ensures that your order is sent to me.

SELECT the books you’d like to order—choose from thousands of titles—many more than in our monthly flyers.

SEND your order to me online by the due date and your child’s books will be delivered directly to my classroom.

Ordering online is fast, easy, and secure.

Of course, you can still order using the form from the printed flyer. But why not see for yourself how convenient it is to order online?

Thank you,
Mrs. Plumblee

Next Week

Dear Parents:

It was a great first week together at Cornerstone Charter Academy. Our class is really looking forward to this coming week where we are going to learn about Christopher Columbus. Don’t forget to remind your child to bring three personal items to share with the class on MONDAY for Discovery Day.

The students will also need one Ivory soap bar. We will be making soap boats which they are going to use to "race" their classmates. This will also give them a big of scientific skills as we talk about the buoyancy of the soap in water as well as using the concept of using their physical breath to propel the boat and the transfer of energy that moves the boat forward.

Finally, as part of our Discovery Day, we will also have a history and reading lesson which will be centered on Columbus Day. It will be educational and fun.

We started learning about the parts of a friendly letter this past week. The students will be writing you a letter to read at open house and you will have an opportunity (at open house) to write a response to their letter. Your letter will be read on Thursday when they come to class. We are going to continue a special book study for the balance of the week until we move on to the next story in our reading textbook.

We are reviewing a number of concepts in math including estimating, rounding, and place values. We will continue to review as we move on to addition and then subtraction. We are working on our ones multiplication table but if you would like to working on the twos and threes multiplication tables they will have a little bit of a head start. I find “flash” cards, which you can purchase at most bookstores or educational stores, to be helpful.

Don’t forget the elementary school open house is this Wednesday at 6:00 PM. I hope to see you there. I appreciate your continued patience as we develop new routines and procedures.

As always, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email me.

See you Wednesday night!
Mrs. Plumblee

Get Green Spirit Day

"Get Green Spirit Day" this Friday, 10/8 for the next Phase of our Campus Beautification Project!

This time the class with the highest dollar donation amount wins a Pizza Party!! For a minimum $2 donation, your child can wear their spirit shirt OR jeans of Friday. Mrs. Plumblee's 3rd grade class is hoping to win this week!

PS - Thank you parents who sent in snacks today. I'll make sure you are the last on the upcoming rotation. Mrs. Plumblee appreciates her class parents!

FYI

Dear Parents,

I will try not to overwhelm you with information but there are a few issues we need to discuss:

#1. Snacks - We are out of snacks. I will send home a sign up sheet next Monday, but if any parent would please be willing to send in some snacks, it would be greatly appreciated. Please keep it healthy. NO JUNK FOOD, which means low fat and low sugar. Snacks to do not have to be individually portioned. Healthy examples include Teddy Grahams, Gold Fish crackers, Quaker Oats Chewy Granola Bars, pretzels, raisins/yogurt covered raisins, apple sauce, yogurt (we will have a refrigerator for snacks only on Monday), cheese and crackers, sliced fruit, fruit cups, etc. I will provide spoons.

#2. Reading homework - Please make sure your student is reading AT LEAST 20 minutes a day and they need to record the title, pages, and a one sentence summary on their reading log for me each night.

#3. Dress Code - Please make sure your student is abiding by the Cornerstone uniform policy. A brown or black belt for all boys and for girls wearing shorts is required. Our classroom tends to be very cold. Cornerstone only allows uniform sweatshirts or sweaters and I know some sizes are on back order. Until the school-approved sweatshirts arrive, your child may wear a plain navy sweatshirt.

#4 Water - Frequent water fountain breaks are not allowed so please provide your student with a labeled water bottle to leave at school and use daily. Conversely, frequent bathroom breaks are discouraged. They are a distraction to the class and the students fall behind in their learning activities. Please ask your child to use the bathroom before school starts and they will also have a morning and an afternoon break. As always, consideration will be given to emergency situations.

#5 Tests - Spelling and vocabulary tests are Friday. In addition, there will be a science test on Monday. A science study guide on matter will be sent home this Wednesday for review over the weekend.

There is a going to be an increased focus the next few weeks on proper classroom etiquette. Each student will bring home a calendar nightly indicating their daily behavior for your review and initial. If they receive a yellow or red color (warning and unacceptable, respectively) I would ask you to speak with your child about the rules and why it is important they be followed. The calendar will reflect which rules were broken that day. It is my desire to create a nurturing environment that minimizes distractions and maximizes learning.

As always, please contact me should you have any questions.

Regards,
Mrs. Plumblee

Spelling and Vocab Words

Here are this weeks spelling and vocab words. Your children will now be required to record this information in their planner. This information should only be used to double check your students list. We will test on Friday.

Spelling
1. Stove
2. Safe
3. Vote
4. Rule
5. Spoke
6. Shake
7. Theme
8. Piece
9. Niece
10. Price
11. Knife
12. Explode
13. Divide
14. Polite
15. Telescope
16. Gone
17. Fire
18. Flute
19. Scene
20. Awhile
Bonus 21. Invaders

Vocabulary
1. Sorrowful - very sad
2. Invaders - enemy attackers from another country
3. Frail - weak
4. Harsh - extremely unpleasant
5. Dusk - the time of evening just before dark
6. Swift - fast

A Time of Transition

Dear Parents,

I know that this time of transition will be unique for your children, but my goal is to make the next few weeks as effortless as possible. I am very happy to have your child in my classroom and I believe that by working together, we will make this a very successful year. I consider it of prime importance that you are an active part of your child's education and I look forward to meeting each and every one of you.

You are invited to contact me should you have a questions concerning your child's progress. I will keep you informed by sending home a weekly sampling of your child's work as well as a progress reports.

There will be many updates and papers sent home this first week of October as we all settle into our new surroundings together. I welcome your input and feedback. I am committed to providing your child with a great learning experience and I will do my very best to earn your confidence.

I consider it a great privilege and responsibility to be your child's teacher this year, and look forward to meeting each of you.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Plumblee

Welcome to 3rd Grade

Dear Parents:

Welcome to my blog. Someone once asked me why I wanted to teach. For me, this was an easy question. I want to make a difference.

I was fortunate to grow up surrounded by great teachers starting with Mrs. Prochnow, my Kindergarten teacher and continuing into my college years with Dr. Johe. I had teachers who were excited, challenging and inspiring and they instilled in me a desire to be not just a better student, but a better person. They taught me how to become a person who gives back to others.

I look forward to helping your child live, grow and learn. This blog is a start. I also want to share a few of my beliefs because I think a successful teacher needs a few key ingredients:

1.      A great attitude - Any teacher with the right attitude can help students excel.
2.      High expectations - These are necessary for students to thrive and to help set goals.
3.      Respect - I believe that we need to treat each other with kindness and courtesy. Civility never goes out of style.
4.      Consistency - In teaching, I believe that students will excel in a positive learning environment
5.      Flexibility and the ability to adapt - Things may not always go according to plan, but a good teacher knows how to change it up and keep the students engaged.
6.      Finally, a sense of humor - It’s like the old saying…when life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Not every day will be perfect but we will make every day count and hopefully find the joy in what we do.

I look forward to working with you this year and to helping your children live, grow and learn together. As always, I am available should you have any questions. Let’s have a great year!

Regards,
Mrs. Plumblee

About Your Teacher

I am a native Floridian and I was born and raised in sunny Orlando. I have wonderful parents and two younger sisters as well as a husband and 16 month old daughter.

I am a graduate of the Boone High School Finance Magnet program before attending Salem College in Winston-Salem, NC. I received a BA in economics and business administration and a minor in history.

I believe strongly in community service and have volunteered with a children’s equine therapy program and have volunteered with a greyhound adoption group for the past six years. I am also the vice-chair for the City of Orlando Family, Parks and Recreation board.

I love children and have always had a desire to teach elementary aged students. I am highly qualified by the State of Florida to teach elementary and middle school students as well as high school social studies. I look forward to working with you and your children this school year.