Technically Invisible

After I finish typing up this week’s newsletter and finish correcting your homework assignments, I will get to work updating our Home on the Web.  Every week, I post this newsletter, the announcements below, important dates, weekly homework and anything else I can think of.  Oftentimes, I also add some of the special activities we participate in.

Last year, I attended an all-day training provided by the pros at “Keys to Literacy”. The course focused on teaching students routines for answering reading comprehension open-response questions, which is very tricky for them!  We started learning this new strategy in class this fall, and I’m VERY excited about the progress I’ve seen. I will soon attend the 2^nd half of that workshop. Can’t wait!!

March 3rd I will be a featured presenter at EdTechTeacher’s first Winter Conference – I’m just as excited to attend as I am to present!  I’m also on pins and needles waiting to find out if my proposal to present in March at the MassCUE Technology Leadership Symposium has been accepted.  This will be my 4^th time presenting, if I get the go-ahead…  The course I will teach will focus on how we integrate technology here in Room 204. It is always fun to “simulate” life in our classroom with a group of adults!

This summer, I’ll be co-teaching an EdTechTeacher course for 5 days at Harvard, and 2 days in another district – also on the topics of technology in the elementary classroom. I’m VERY excited about those!

I have always loved school, so taking and teaching classes is something I consider fun.  As much as the added workload is a challenge for me, I always enjoy the opportunity to grow as a teacher and as a learner.

What’s To Come:

🙂 Thank you for returning the math parent questionnaire. I appreciate the insight you have given me into your children and our program.  Keep your eyes peeled, I might even send home an ELA survey!!!  Yaay!!!

🙂 For Valentine’s Day, students should make or bring some sort of mailbox or mail bag to hold their valentines.  I have attached a class list so that no students are left out from card exchanges.  While no child is required to participate, we do ask that if you do, please include everyone. Thank you in advance!!

🙂 Book Talks start on Friday – SPRING is our first group to go!  PLEASE let me know if you have any questions!

Smile Wide,

Mrs. Brooks

Schoolhouse Rock! this week – I have lots of students who have made it to the six tables – so this one might help you!

Ask your child about Rachel, our high school student volunteer. She will be in our classroom 3 days every other week until the end of March.  Students have already started practicing their letter-writing skills, by writing notes back and forth in our whole-class journal.  Rachel is a super pen-pal, and writes back to each and every one of them.  We are very lucky to have her with us and wish (already!!!) that she could stay longer.

Rachel's Journal 🙂