Acts of Kindness

Principal Fitzgibbon spoke last week at the building dedication ceremony.

Have a good time tonight!

Acts of Kindness
As part of our study of the A2STEAM community we have been learning about and practicing acts of kindness in class.  Compliments, helpful actions, greetings--I have challenged students to complete acts of kindness both at school and at home.  In the photo below you can see some of the actions that we have been recognizing in class.  At home I've been encouraging students to do things like help set the table, get ready for bed independently, or play patiently with a younger sibling.  Ask your students what acts of kindness they have done today.  You can also ask them about the book Kindness is Cooler Ms. Ruler, you might even see if you can find that book at the Ann Arbor Public Library.

Seesaw Learning Portfolio
As I wrote last week A2STEAM has been using an app called Seesaw in the primary grades to create a digital portfolio of some of the work students do here at school.  A flyer showing you how to access your child’s work went home last week and again today.  When you access your child’s portfolio you will see photos of work they have done at school.  All of the photos and videos are taken by students so some things end up slightly blurry.  Some of the first items you will see reflect our current study of all the people at STEAM.  Items tagged with blue were created in Room K-3.  You will also see work tagged yellow from students' time with Mrs. Reader in the Media Center, as well as items tagged pink from Sr. Steuer’s Spanish class.

Conferences
I look forward to seeing you next week.  You can review your times here.

Curriculum Overview
STEAM Project - Last week the students and I created photos and video clips demonstrating how to be safe and responsible in the classroom.  On Friday, Officer Hickey visited our class to talk about the importance of being safe in and out of school.  This week all three K classes will be coming together to present what we learned about the different adults here at STEAM.

Reading - This week students will be identifying the characters and setting of fiction books.  We've also had some great discussions around the problems that characters face in a fiction book, how they build and build and are resolved as the book ends.  Ask your children about Curious George Rides a Bike, the problems that George got into, and how things were able to work out okay in the end. 

Writing - Students have been practicing putting spaces in between the words they write.  This week we are also study ending punctuation.

Math - This week we will study and practice all the different ways to break apart ten (i.e. 5 + 5 = 10, 4 + 6 = 10, 3 + 7 = 10, 2 + 8 = 10, 1 + 9 = 10)

Word Study - This week we will finish our study of hearing and counting syllables in words. We will also begin practicing hearing the first sound in words.

Some of the acts of kindness we have experienced in class.

Building Dedication Ceremony This Wednesday

More pictures of kids during partnership reading.

October 31st Family Read-In
Please join us on October 31st for a Room K-3 family read-in at 2:20 PM!  Students and parents will read non-fiction books about pumpkins, non-fiction books about autumn, some 'scary' stories, and some Halloween stories.  If you would like to join us and read to a small group of kids please email our Room K-3 Room Parent at the email address I provided over email.  I have a lot of books to share but if you would like to bring a not-too-long favorite from home let our Room Parent know.  If you do not want to read but still want to join us you are welcome to!  Younger siblings are welcome to come as well.

No Costumes on Halloween Please
For families new to Ann Arbor STEAM please be advised that students do not wear costumes to school on Halloween.  Also, please do not send in any food or sweets, save that for trick-or-treating later in the evening.

Warm Clothes
That cold weather last Friday caught me by surprise.  We go out to recess every morning around 9:30 AM before the sun completely comes up.  Make sure your kids have clothes, jackets, and shoes that can keep them warm inside and out.

Half Day For Students This Wednesday
This Wednesday, October 26th, will be a half day for students.  Students will be dismissed at 10:50 AM.

No School On Election Day
On Tuesday, November 8th, all Ann Arbor schools will be closed so they can be used as voting locations.  There will be no school on Tuesday, November 8th.

Ribbon Cutting & Dedication Ceremony
A2STEAM will be hosting a Ribbon Cutting & Dedication Ceremony to celebrate the final phase of construction being completed.  The ceremony is planned for Wednesday, October 26th from 4:30 - 5:00 PM.  I attached an invitation to my weekly email.  Wednesday will also be a half day for students, for unrelated reasons.  Students will be dismissed this Wednesday at 10:50 AM.

Seesaw Learning Portfolio
A2STEAM has been using an app called Seesaw in the primary grades to create a digital portfolio of some of the work students do here at school.  A flyer showing you how to access your child’s work will go home in student folders on Tuesday.  When you access your child’s portfolio you will see many photos of work they have done at school.  All of the photos and videos are taken by students so some things end up slightly blurry.  Some of the first items you will see reflect our current study of all the people at STEAM.  Items tagged with blue were created in Room K-3.  You will also see work tagged yellow from students' time with Mrs. Reader in the Media Center, as well as items tagged pink from Sr. Steuer’s Spanish class.

Mr. Luxon Out on Monday
I was not in school today.  Ms. Guck a visiting teacher taught in my absence.  I will be back on Tuesday 10/25.

Curriculum Overview
STEAM Project - Last week students made posters illustrating the different roles adults at A2STEAM have.  This week the students and I will create photos and video clips demonstrating how to be safe and responsible in the classroom and in the lunchroom.  On Friday, Officer Hickey will visit our class to talk about the importance of being safe in and out of school. 

Reading - This week students will be identifying the characters and setting of fiction books. 

Writing - Students have been practicing the steps necessary to capture and communicate their experiences using drawing and writing.  This week we will do some writing around Fall.

Math - This week we will study and practice all the different ways to break apart ten (i.e. 5 + 5 = 10, 4 + 6 = 10, 3 + 7 = 10, 2 + 8 = 10, 1 + 9 = 10)

Word Study - This week we will practice hearing and counting syllables in words, including our names.  We will also practice hearing the first sound in words.

Partnership Reading

Students in Room K-3 read in partnerships, more photos in the class photo gallery.

Supporting Education A2 STEAM @ Northside Annual Drive
Donate some money to the PTSO, it really helps our school and directly benefits Room K-3 students!  You can visit the PTSO website for more information.

Ribbon Cutting & Dedication Ceremony
Construction crews have been working late into the night in Room K-3 finishing up some loose ends in the classroom.  The have added shelves to the closets, touched up the paint, and more.  We will be hosting a Ribbon Cutting & Dedication Ceremony for all of A2 STEAM on October 26th from 4:15 - 5:00 PM.  I don't have a lot of the details yet, but I wanted to let you know about it.  That day will also be a half day for students, for unrelated reasons.  Students will be dismissed that Wednesday at 10:50 AM.

Half Day For Students Next Week
Next Wednesday, October 26th, will be a half day for students.  Students will be dismissed at 10:50 AM.

A2gether Fall Family Fun Night
The PTO Fall Family Fun Night is this Friday from 6:30 - 8:00 PM.  More information can be found here.

Box Tops for Education
We are having a school-wide Box Tops For Education collection contest.  If you find any box top cut-outs on your groceries please bring them in.  If possible put them in a plastic bag and write "Mr. Luxon, Room K-3” on the outside.

Curriculum Overview
STEAM Project - Students have been interviewing and photographing the adults at STEAM.  Ask your kids about Mr. Broom , Ms. Burke, Sr. Steuer, and Mrs. Layla.  After each interview we create posters.  I will post some photos of them next week.  Our overall goal is for students to learn about all the people at STEAM and demonstrate how to create a safe, respectful, and responsible school community.

Reading - This week students will be identifying the characters and setting of fiction books.  Ask your students about Big Al, Tikki Tikki Tembo, The Snowy Day, and Library Lion.

Writing - Students have been practicing the steps necessary to capture and communicate their experiences using drawing and writing.  They will also write about the adults at STEAM for our current project.

Math - This week we will looking at different ways to sort and classify objects.  Ask your student about the shoe sort we did today.

Word Study - This week we practice hearing and counting syllables in words.

Be on the lookout for these.

STEAM PTSO Launches Annual Fundraising Drive

Students used their iPads to help them with their self portraits.

Supporting Education A2 STEAM @ Northside Annual Drive
The A2STEAM PTSO has started our school's annual fundraising drive.  The goal is to raise money to help the school fund field trips, student projects, and classroom projects.  The PTSO is a great support to the work we do at STEAM.  If you can help an informational sheet and collection envelope went home last week.  You can also visit the PTSO website for more information.

Walk To School Day
Walk to School Day is this Thursday, October 13th!  This is a great day to get some family exercise first thing in the morning.  This flyer has more information.  Even if you live far away there are drop-off locations that you can walk from.

Box Tops for Education
We are having a school-wide Box Tops For Education collection contest.  If you find any box top cut-outs on your groceries please bring them in.  If possible put them in a plastic bag and write "Mr. Luxon, Room K-3” on the outside.

Photo Gallery
There are many new photos in our classroom photo gallery this week, I sent the username and password to you via email.

Principal Fitzgibbon's Blog
I wrote this last week but I wanted to share it again.  Principal Fitzgibbon has her own blog where she shares information about the school.  You can view it here.  It is also permanently linked on the right side of this website. 

Parent Teacher Conferences
Please sign up for a Parent Teacher conference.  A2STEAM is hosting conferences on Monday November 7th, I also have additional slots open on Thursday the 10th and Friday the 11th.  If you haven't already, please sign up for a time slot here.

Curriculum Overview
STEAM Project - Students have been 'interviewing' the adults at STEAM.  Ask your kids about Mrs. Patterson, Mrs. Dutton, and Mrs. Reader.  Our overall goal is for students to learn about all the people at STEAM and demonstrate how to create a safe, respectful, and responsible school community. 

Reading - This week students will be identifying the characters in fiction books, including understanding which character would be considered the main character.  We will also begin discussing the setting of each book.  These are things you can do when you read at home as well.

Writing - Students have been practicing the steps necessary to capture and communicate their experiences using drawing and writing.  They will also write about the adults at STEAM for our current project.

Math - This week we will be exploring simple addition and subtraction.

Word Study - This week we practice hearing and counting syllables in words.

Last week at recess students tried out these stilts!

Please Sign Up for Fall Conferences

Students created posters to teach the class about themselves and their interests.

Principal Fitzgibbon's Blog
I wanted you to know that Principal Fitzgibbon has her own blog where she shares information about the school.  You can view it at a2steamleader.blogspot.com.  It is also permanently linked on the right side of this website. 

Parent Teacher Conferences
Last Wednesday I sent out a link where you can sign up for parent teacher conferences.  A2STEAM is hosting conferences on Monday, November 7th, I also have additional slots open on Thursday the 10th and Friday the 11th.  If you haven't already, please sign up for a time slot here.

Curriculum Overview

STEAM Project - As you can see in the photo above last week students created posters to teach the rest of the class about who they are.  We also reviewed the family photos you sent in to help each student tell their story a little bit more.  This week students will begin going out into to the school to photograph and 'interview' adults at STEAM like Principal Fitzgibbon, Assistant Principal Broom, and the different special areas teachers.  We will take their photos and make them posters as well.  Our overall goal is for students to learn about all the people at STEAM and demonstrate how to create a safe, respectful, and responsible school community. 

Reading - This week students will beginning identifying the characters in fiction books, including understanding which character would be considered the main character.

Writing - Students have been practicing the steps necessary to capture and communicate their experiences using drawing and writing.  They will also write about the adults at STEAM for our current project.

Math - Our focus this week is learning to recognize and describe two-dimensional shapes and understanding what attributes define squares, rectangles, triangles, and circles.

Word Study - This week we will study the spelling of our names and look similarities in our names like matching beginning sounds and spelling patterns.