One Week to Go!

Hi parents! We are down to one week and counting. I am so excited for the new year. I can't wait to see all of you again and meet some of you for the first time. I have a lot of fun things planned for the first week and I think we are going to have a great time getting to know one another.

As we are getting down to the last few days, please let me know if there is anything you need. My tonsillectomy went well and I am on my way to recovery. I expect to be back to full speed by next week, but if there is anything you need now, please contact me.

I have posted at the top of the blog our lunch menu for August and September. Lunch will work a little differently this year than last year. Now, students will have the option of choosing which days they would like to eat lunch and paying only for those days. Of course, students are welcome to eat school lunch every day as well. We are asking that you print these calendars, place a check mark next to each day your child will be eating at school that month, and then multiply that number by $3. That is your amount due for that month. Students must bring a lunch from home on any day they do not check. Please return these forms as soon as possible so that we can get everything organized. Menus and payment for August are due on Meet and Greet Day, August 15.

Things are moving forward as we prepare for our journey into the past! Please let me know if you have any questions. See you guys next week!

Gmail Accounts

We are getting closer and closer to the beginning of the year. I am so excited!

Please remember to set up a Gmail account for your child before the first day of school. We are going to begin setting up blogs the first week of school. Your child needs to know his or her gmail address and password. The blogs are such a fun way for the students to express themselves and I love reading what they write.

Also, if you would like to comment / follow my blog, you will need a Gmail account as well. Of course, I am always available via email or phone, but commenting on a particular blog is a great way to stay in touch with other parents and me. You can still receive email updates on my blog without a Gmail account, though. Just enter any email in the space.

Please let me know if you need anything!

First Day of School

On Monday, August 15 we will be having a meet and greet from 9 - 12. This is a day for you and your child to meet the teachers, bring supplies, and explore the classrooms and school. Tuesday will be the first full day of school. I am so excited about meeting everyone and getting started!

This year, arrival will be from 8:00 to 8:15. This is a time for your child to put away his or her things and turn in homework. School will begin at 8:15 so that we have time to incorporate the many activities we have planned. We are striving to set a routine early in the school year. Any morning work missed will be sent home as homework.

I'll be posting more information soon! Please let me know if you have questions. I look forward to working with you and your children!

Preparing for Next Year

We are down to about 5 weeks and counting. I am getting so excited about next year. I've got some great things planned!

If you would like to get your child ready, there are a few things you can do:

1. Set up a gmail account for your child. During the first week of school, we will be setting up blogs. We will often record journal entries and reader responses in these journals. Once your child has a gmail account, he/she is one step closer to setting up the blog. Also, I often email students links and reminders. To set up the account, please go to http://www.gmail.com. From here you can create a new account for your child. Note: email accounts ask that users be 13, so you will have to set this age for your child.

2. Make sure your child can surf the internet easily. We will often research, email, and do many other things on our laptops. If your child is familiar with Google, checking email, and entering web addresses in the address bar, then he/she will be off to a great start!

3. Practice typing skills. Familiarity with the keyboard will help your child as we type blogs and publish copies of our writing. The first site is great for teaching the basics and the second site has games once your child knows the correct finger positions. I recommend repeating the steps of the first site several times over the course of the next few weeks.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/typing/

http://www.freetypinggame.net/play.asp (This site also contains typing lessons, but they are not as kid-friendly as the one above.)

I look forward to working with all of you this year! Please contact me if you have any questions!

Excited About Next Year

Although summer has just begun, I find myself already thinking about and preparing for next year. History is going to be so exciting and challenging. There are some periods I know a good deal about, while others I know very little. I am looking forward to learning some new things this year and helping my students to learn as well. If last year is any indication, they will teach me just as much as I teach them!

The Machine is Us/ing Us

This is a great video that shows not only the evolution of the modern version of the internet, but also how we are now the creators of the internet.

History!