Ice Cream Social

Dr. Dayalu spent time with us on Friday morning leading different activities to explain how the brain worked in conjunction with the human body.

Thanks for the great year Room K-3 families!  Ms. Thomas is back with us this week and we have gotten deep in our study of the human body.  The A2STEAM Ice Cream Social is this Thursday evening!

Ice Cream Social
The A2STEAM End-of-year ice cream social is this Thursday from 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM.  It is a big get together to celebrate the completion of the school year.  An email went our last week describing the event in detail.  This year's event will see DJ Myint back as well as the Face Painting Robots team.  We'll also have games (subject to available volunteers) with tug of war, a soccer shoot out, hillside plinko, musical chairs, a ring toss, bean bag toss, a parachute, a rubber duckie guessing game and more!   All games are free.  Food (pizza, cupcakes, ice cream, and dairy/gluten free sorbet) are available with the purchase of tickets, as is the face painting, in order to help cover the costs of the event.  We'll also have a couple raffles at the end of the night!  Interested families can pre-order their pizza at https://squareup.com/store/a2-steam-at-northside-pto.  I will be there with my family earlier in the evening (so don't worry if your K student can't stay up to 8).  I pre-ordered a pizza just to keep it simple and I will helping out mostly at the Rubber Ducky game.  One more note, we want as many families to attend as possible--if the cost of ice cream or food might make you hesitant to attend let me know over email.

Report Cards
Report cards will go home with students in the standard manila envelope on Friday.  I will be sending home student work throughout the week.

Extra-Early Dismissal Friday
This Friday students are dismissed at 10:54 AM.  This is much earlier than our standard short day dismissal time.

Yearbooks
If you ordered a yearbook it will be delivered to your child in class on Wednesday.  All students will be given an autograph sheet they can use to collect the signatures of their classmates.

Curriculum Overview
Science -  We will be making a 2D model of the human body.

Reading -  We have been reading books where there are a lot of details to focus in on.  Ask your children about Pancakes Pancakes and The Underwear Zoo.

Writing - Students will be given an autograph sheet they can use to collect the signatures of their classmates.  Students will be composing a father's day card.

Math - I will be working with students to see how well they understand the foundations of place value.  For example a number like 17 is a ten and seven ones or 10 + 7 = 17.

Word Study - We are reviewing the vocabulary necessary to study the human body.

Color Run!

A Room K-3 student takes on the Color Run!

Color Run!
The Color Run was last Friday!  Lots of pictures and a video are up in Seesaw.  Thank you for all your donations.  If you haven't already donated, even a small amount, five, ten dollars helps our school do great things.  Just put it in an envelope labeled Luxon/Color Run and place it in the PTO drop box in the school office.  Here is a video update about the amount raised so far. 

Thursday, June 6th, Library BOGO Book Sale
Ms. Reader is having a buy one, get one, book fair on Thursday June 6th.  More information can be found here.

NWEA
The students worked really hard on this district-wide assessment.  We have a handful of make-ups which we will complete early this week.

Curriculum Overview
Science -  We will be making models of different types of clouds using cotton balls.  Later in the week moving on to study the human body.

Reading -  We have been reading books where the main character experiences a range of feelings throughout the story.  Ask your students about Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse, Big Bushy Mustache, and Oliver Finds His Way (a book about a bear who gets lost chasing a leaf).  Students have been using words like content, worried, impatient, hopeful, and relieved to describe the characters in the stories we have been reading.

Writing - Students will record weather observations and write about what they find.

Math - I will be working with students to see how well they understand the foundations of place value.  For example a number like 17 is a ten and seven ones or 10 + 7 = 17.

Word Study - We are reviewing vowel sounds as well as vocabulary necessary to study weather and the human body.

Consider Donating to Color Fun Run!

The vertical garden is still growing and it has been needing an impressive amount of water.  It is amazing that our school is able to fund projects like this garden.

Color Fun Run
Please consider donating to the Color Fun Run fundraiser.  The money helps our school provide an excellent academic experience for kids.  Even a small donation of $5 helps our work.  To donate you can send in a check in an envelope and write ROOM K-3/LUXON on the envelope.  You also create an online fundraising page here.

This flyer has a bit more information.  I also wrote about the Color Fun Run in last week's blog post.

The principals are challenging the school with these incentives: $20,000 - Principals on the Roof for a day!, $18,000 - Mrs. Stidham dyes her hair blue!  $15,000 - Mrs. Fenech gets duct taped to the wall!  $10,000 - Mr. Hatt wears a crazy wig for the day.

Thursday, June 6th, Library BOGO Book Sale
Ms. Reader is having a buy one, get one book fair on Thursday June 6th.  More information can be found here.

NWEA Testing
This week students will be taking the NWEA assessment test.  We will take a manageable portion at a time, if a student misses a day makeups are no problem.  Just remind your children to their best and try their hardest.  We will not take the NWEA on days that I am out (see below), or during the Color Fun Run.  Most students finished the reading portion of the exam last week.  I believe we will start up again on Wednesday of this week with the math portion.

Mr. Luxon Out for Training on May 28th.
I am out for science training on Tuesday, May 28th.  Ms. Thomas will be teaching in my place. 

Spirit Week is This Week
Here are the themes for each day:
5/28 - Career Day (dress like a job you’d like to have when you grow up)
5/29 - Swap Day (teachers dress like students, students dress like teachers)
5/30 - Classroom Challenge - Wear Superhero Shirts
5/31 - Spirit Day (School and/or Color Run/Field Day gear)

Curriculum Overview
Science -  We are continuing our study of weather.  Students will be observing the weather, watching the temperature and recording their observations.  We are trying to find patterns in the weather we've seen this year.  We are also trying to understand why meteorologists study weather.

Reading -  We will read some fiction books where we watch character's feelings change across the text.  This is something you can discuss at home when you are reading fiction books with your kids.

Writing - Students will record weather observations and write about what they find.

Math - Students are learning about addition with multiple addends and how to look for a ten fact to help you.  (i.e. 2 + 5 + 5 = 12).

Word Study - We are studying synonyms and antonyms as well as vowel sounds.

Color Fun Run is Next Week!

Students really enjoyed the bowling field trip.  I posted many more photos and videos to Seesaw.

Half Day This Wednesday
This Wednesday, May 22nd is a half day.  Students will be dismissed at 12:52 PM.  We do eat lunch like normal on half days so be sure to still send lunch!

NWEA Testing
This week and next students will be taking the NWEA reading and math assessment test.  We will take a manageable portion at a time, if a student misses a day makeups are no problem.  Just remind your children to their best and try their hardest.  We will not take the NWEA on days that I am out (see below), or during the Color Fun Run (also see below).  I believe we will start on Wednesday of this week.

No School Monday, May 27th
There is no school Monday, May 27th in observance of Memorial Day.

Mr. Luxon Out for Training on May 23rd and May 28th.
I am out for science training this Thursday, May 23rd as well as Tuesday, May 28th.  Ms. Thomas will be teaching in my place.  We will not have any NWEA testing on those days.

Spirit Week is Next Week
Here are the themes for each day:
5/28 - Career Day (dress like a job you’d like to have when you grow up)
5/29 - Swap Day (teachers dress like students, students dress like teachers)
5/30 - Classroom Challenge - Wear Superhero Shirts
5/31 - Spirit Day (School and/or Color Run/Field Day gear)

Color Fun Run
The third annual Color Fun Run fundraiser is scheduled for Friday, May 31st.  The Color Fun Run is a mini-marathon for students where they can run laps to earn money for the school's Parent Teacher Organization.  While they run, color cornstarch is thrown in the air marking their laps.  If you would like to donate you can create an online fundraising page here.  If you would not like to create an online fundraising page, please bring any donations in an enclosed envelope to the PTO drop box. Please include your child's name and write ROOM K-3/LUXON on the envelope. Make checks payable to: A2 STEAM at Northside PTO.  If you would like to volunteer and help out with this event please sign up here.  The money raised is used for many great things that directly benefit students like our field trips and some of our EXPO projects.  Some additional Color Fun Run questions are answered here.

Thursday, June 6th, Library BOGO Book Sale
Ms. Reader is having a buy one, get one book fair on Thursday June 6th.  More information can be found here.

Curriculum Overview
Science -  We are continuing our study of weather.  Students will be observing the weather, watching the temperature and recording their observations.  We are trying to find patterns in the weather we've seen this year.  We are also trying to understand why meteorologists study weather.

Reading -  This week we will be reading more non-fiction books about weather.  We will also read some fiction books where we watch character's feelings change across the text.

Writing - Students will record weather observations and write about what they find.

Math - Students are working at understanding graphs and pictographs.  We are also learning a little bit about reading analog clocks.

Word Study - We are studying synonyms and antonyms.

Volunteer Breakfast This Friday

Ms. Thomas shows students how to use different strategies to solve difficult words when reading.

Volunteer Breakfast This Friday
A2STEAM is hosting a breakfast this Friday morning for any and all volunteers.  If you have helped out in class, on a field trip, or with Motor Moms and Dads you are invited!  More information can be found here.

Field Trip this Thursday
We have our field trip this Thursday to study pushes and pulls at Maple Wood Lanes.  More information here.  Make sure kids are wearing clothes they can bowl and eat pizza in.

Mr. Luxon Out This Friday
This Friday I will be out of the classroom most of the day meeting with students who will start kindergarten next fall.  Fortunately, Ms. Thomas will still be here teaching in Room K-3!

Teacher Appreciation Week
We had quite a week last week.  The teachers at A2STEAM feel very appreciated.  Thank you!

Curriculum Overview
Science -  We are beginning a study of weather.  We will be observing the weather, watching the temperature and learning about the different types of clouds.  We are trying to find patterns in the weather we've seen this year.  Ask your students about cumulus clouds (large puffy white clouds) and stratus clouds (like a gray blanket).

Reading -  Last week we compared and contrasted different fairy tales.  Ask your students about The  Three Little Javelinas.  This week we will be reading non-fiction books about weather.

Writing - Students will write their own simple version of the Three Little Pigs.

Math - Students are working at understanding graphs and pictographs.

Word Study - We are finishing up our study of simple contractions. (I'm / I am,  we'll / we will,  that's / that i) 

We've been teaching students these strategies to use when they are trying to figure out unknown words in their reading.  In the book at the bottom of the picture many students were initially thrown off by the word 'baby'.

Volunteers Needed For Field Trip

Students are working on recording videos of themselves explaining the machines they designed to push or pull rocks.

Volunteers Needed for May 16th Field Trip
If you are interested in joining us for our pushes and pulls field tip to Maple Wood Lanes please send me an email.  We would need your help at Maple Wood Lanes on Thursday, May 16th from 10 AM to 12:30 PM.  More information here.

May 8th - Bike/Walk to School
May 8th is an official Walk & Bike to School Day. More information can be found here.  They need volunteers too.

Curriculum Overview
Science -  We are beginning a study of weather.  We will be observing the weather, watching the temperature and learning about the different types of clouds.  We are trying to find patterns in the weather we've seen this year.

Reading -  This week we will be comparing and contrasting different fairy tales.  Fairy tales usually have: animals acting like people, a group of 3, a villain, and a message for readers.

Writing - Students will write their own simple version of the Three Little Pigs.

Math - Students are learning about fractions especially halves, quarters, and thirds. 

Word Study - We are studying simple contractions. (I'm / I am,  we'll / we will,  that's / that i)

Mcity This Upcoming Weekend!

Last Friday we studied friction!

Thanks for coming out to that Informance/Performance.  The students were excited to sing and play for you!

Homework/Home Reading Book Bag
Bring in your home reading book bags so I can put in fresh books for you to read with you child.  I am hoping you will read with you child for about 15 minutes, about 4 nights a week. 





A2STEAM Mcity Visit Saturday, May 4, 9AM - 12PM
Mcity is a 32-acre mock city and proving ground build for the testing of wirelessly connected and driver-less cars.  It is located on the U of M North Campus.  The A2STEAM community has been given exclusive access to this site for our first-ever Safe Routes to School Bike and Pedestrian Training Program.  This flyer has more information.

May 8th - Bike/Walk to School
May 8th is an official Walk & Bike to School Day.  More info coming from the school soon.

No School May 27th
There is no school on Monday, May 27th in honor of memorial day.

Volunteer Breakfast May 17th
A2STEAM is hosting a breakfast to honor all of our school volunteers.  If you have helped out in any way this year, please come for food and music on May 17th from 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM.  More information forthcoming.

Field Trip
We have another field trip planned!  We are going to be studying pushes and pulls at a bowling alley!  We will feel the friction(or lack of friction) on the bowling lanes!  We will go behind the scenes to see how the machine pulls the pins back to be reset!  If you would like to volunteer, please let me know.  More information here.

Curriculum Overview
Science -  We are finishing up our Project Lead The Way 'Pushes and Pulls' unit covering simple physics.  Students are designing a machine that can push and pull rocks to clear space for a playground.  Look for some pictures to come over Seesaw.

Reading -  This week we will be comparing and contrasting different fairy tales.  Fairy tales usually have: animals acting like people, a group of 3, a villain, and a message for readers.

Writing - Ask you students about some of the poems they have written!  We have also been working on drawing and labeling 'blueprints' for a machine that can move rocks.

Math - If you find yourself with some change ask your kids about the names of values of the U.S. coins.  This week we will be practicing counting by 2s, 5s, and 10s, and we will be working with number patterns.  Ask your child about the 'Function Machine'.

Word Study - Students are studying the sounds made by the letter blends tr, pr, and dr.  We are also studying simple contractions.

Informance Performance this Wednesday!

Students washing the lettuce for our salads.  See a few more photos here.

Musical Performance Informance
Come experience a music lesson and music performance.  Mr. Campbell our music teacher is hosting parents in his room this Wednesday from 1:50 PM to 2:20 PM.  Room K-3 students will be singing and playing instruments.  Check in at the office before you head down to Mr. Campbell's room.

Gallon Milk Jugs
I need some plastic full-gallon milk jugs for a playground project.  If you have one please rinse it out and send it in.

Snacks
Send in some snacks.  For non-perishable snacks I suggest: Wheat Thin Originals, Annie's Cheddar Bunnies, Ak Mak Crackers from Trader Joes, or Goldfish crackers.

Curriculum Overview
Science -  We are in the middle of our Project Lead The Way 'Pushes and Pulls' unit covering simple physics.  Students will design and then build a machine that can push and pull rocks to clear space for a playground.

Reading -  For our Pushes and Pulls unit we will some read non-fiction books about forces, gravity, and friction.   We are also reading some books about the earth in recognition of Earth Day.

Writing - We will be completing some writing around forces, pushes and pulls, and gravity. We will also begin exploring poetry.

Math - We are learning the names and values of U.S. Coins.

Word Study - Students are studying the sounds made by the letter blends tr, pr, and dr. 

Pushes and Pulls

On Friday we explored with the forces needed for bowling. 
Students pushed the ball towards the pins where the force transferred to them, knocking them over with the help of gravity.

K-3 Musical Informance Performance NEW TIME!
There was an error in the original time we were scheduled for an informance with Mr. Campbell.  The new time is now at 1:50 PM on Wednesday, April 24th.  Check in at the office at 1:45 PM and come experience a performance and music lesson simultaneously!  The presentation is in the A2STEAM music room from 1:50 PM to 2:20 PM.

A2STEAM Class Placement/Parent Input Form for 2019-20
A2STEAM would like you to fill out this input form for each student attending A2STEAM in the 2019-20 school year.  Use the form if you have input you'd like the school to take into consideration for next year's class placement decisions.  As a reminder, we do not accept requests for, or exemptions from, specific teachers.

A2STEAM Cross Country Kids
Cross Country Kids is set to begin this Thursday, April 18th!  It is open to any K-5 A2 STEAM students.  Click HERE to learn more and register.

Mr. Luxon Not In Room K-3 on Wednesday and Thursday
This Wednesday and Thursday I will be out for science training.  Ms. Thomas will teach in my place.

Snacks
I appreciate all of the snacks that have been coming in!  If you haven't brought in any snacks lately please do.  For non-perishable snacks I suggest: Wheat Thin Originals, Annie's Cheddar Bunnies, Ak Mak Crackers from Trader Joes, or Goldfish crackers.

Gallon Milk Jugs
I need some plastic full-gallon milk jugs for a playground project.  If you have one please rinse it out and send it in.

Curriculum Overview
Science -  We are in the middle of our Project Lead The Way 'Pushes and Pulls' unit covering simple physics.  Last week students reviewed and wrote about the concept of forces and gravity, this week we will discuss friction.

Reading -  For our Pushes and Pulls unit we will some read non-fiction books about forces, gravity, and friction.   We will also find some time for some fiction books.  Fiction books usually have story lines where a particular problem rises to a climax and then is resolved.  We are working on identifying and tracking those problems.  Ask your children about Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters by John Steptoe. 

Writing - We will be completing some writing around forces, pushes and pulls, and gravity. We will also begin exploring poetry.

Math - This week we will be focused mostly on place value and how large numbers can be organized by tens and ones. We will also look at doubles facts (3+3=6, 4+4=8, 8-4=4).

Word Study - Students are studying the sounds made by the letter blends fl, pl, and cl.  We are also looking at the role of the silent e (cut vs. cute).

Last Week to Order A2STEAM Gear for Your Kids

Students focus on their writing in Room K-3.

I repeated a lot of things here from last week's post in case anyone missed them.

K-3 Musical Informance Performance
Repeated from last week: On Wednesday, April 24th our music instructor Mr. Campbell is hosting an informance for the families of Room K-3 students in the A2STEAM music room.  Check in at the office at 12:45 PM and come experience a performance and music lesson simultaneously!  The presentation is in the A2STEAM music room from 12:50 PM to 1:20 PM.

Rec and Ed Summer Day Camps at STEAM
FYI Ann Arbor Rec and Ed is offering some Rec and Ed camps right here at A2STEAM.  More information can be found here.  There is no easy way that I found to just search for the camps on our campus, but many of them are.  I think they are trying to keep the camps in rooms that have air conditioning.

A2STEAM Class Placement/Parent Input Form for 2019-20
A2STEAM would like you to fill out this input form for each student attending A2STEAM in the 2019-20 school year.  Use the form if you have input you'd like the school to take into consideration for next year's class placement decisions.  As a reminder, we do not accept requests for, or exemptions from, specific teachers.

Order A2STEAM Clothing!
Repeated from last week: The PTO has set up a website where you can order A2STEAM Clothing: AnnArborSteam.ItemOrder.com.  All orders are due by Sunday, April 14th.

Parent's Night Out!
Repeated from last week: A2STEAM is planning a night where students can come to an evening event at school while parents go out for dinner.  More information can be found in this flyer.

Curriculum Overview
Science -  This week we will restart our Project Lead The Way 'Pushes and Pulls' unit covering simple physics.  Students will begin learning about gravity and friction.

Reading -  Fiction books usually have story lines where a particular problem rises to a climax and then is resolved.  We are working on identifying and tracking those problems.  If you haven't already, ask your children about A Bad Case of Stripes by David Shannon.

Writing - Our focus is on writing complete sentences: a complete idea with an uppercase letter to start and punctuation at the end.

Math - This week we will be focused mostly on place value and how large numbers can be organized by tens and ones.  We will also do a little more work with measurement.

Word Study - Students are studying the sounds made by the letters sp, sk, sm, fl, pl, and cl.  We are also looking at the spelling pattern -ay.

Music Informance Scheduled for Wednesday, April 24th

Check out how much the indoor vertical garden has grown!

Hi, welcome back from break!

K-3 Musical Informance Performance
On Wednesday, April 24th our music instructor Mr. Campbell is hosting an informance for the families of Room K-3 students in the A2STEAM music room.  Check in at the office at 12:45 PM and come experience a performance and music lesson simultaneously!  The presentation is in the A2STEAM music room from 12:50 PM to 1:20 PM.

Order A2STEAM Clothing!
The PTO has set up a website where you can order A2STEAM Clothing: AnnArborSteam.ItemOrder.com.  All orders are due by Sunday, April 14th.

Yearbook
I recommend ordering a yearbook for your child if possible.  It covers grades K-8, and students really enjoy having them at the end of the school year.  Yearbook photographers were in our classroom a few weeks ago and I submitted some pictures of all students for the yearbook club to use.  Ordering online is easy at SchoolPictures.com --- “order now” choose 'yearbooks' -- search for A2 STEAM (with a space) -- click next.

Parent's Night Out!
A2STEAM is planning a night where students can come to an evening event at school while parents go out for dinner.  More information can be found in this flyer.

Yellow/Manila Folders
Please send back the report card envelopes that went home Friday before break.  You keep the contents inside, just send back the envelopes.

Curriculum Overview
Science -  This week we are focusing on reading, writing, and math.  Next week we will restart our Project Lead The Way 'Pushes and Pulls' unit covering simple physics.

Reading -  Fiction books usually have story lines where a particular problem rises to a climax and then is resolved.  We are working on identifying and tracking those problems.  If you haven't already, ask your children about Owl Babies by Martin Waddell.

Writing - Students will have the opportunity to choose their own topics this week.  To match what we are studying in reading we will work on writing our stories that have problem that rises to a climax and then is resolved.

Math - In our last PBL unit we were measuring some of the plants we grew.  This week we will dive deeper in to measurement.  We will measure different things using objects like blocks as well as standard units like inches and centimeters.

Word Study - Students are studying the sounds made by the letters sp, sk, and sm.  We are also looking at the spelling patter -ing.

STEAM Expo This Thursday Evening

Last week we practiced moving our bodies calmly and mindfully through the classroom.

STEAM Expo This Thursday
STEAM Expo is set for THIS Thursday, March 21st.  The kindergarten presentation time begins at 5:00 PM and continues through 5:30 PM.  We will be rotating through all kindergarten classrooms just like we did during the first Expo.  Also, just like last time, a guide for each child will be posted and available when Expo begins.  In addition to our presentation I highly recommend checking out the Used Book Sale which runs Thursday evening as well, from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM.  The books are only 25 cents a piece, come early for the best titles!

Extra Set of Clothes
Thank you for sending in those extra sets of clothes.  It is great knowing that we have them available in case of an accident.  With the rising temperatures and leftover ice there has already been a lot of students who have fallen into the mud one way or another.

Yearbook
An school yearbook order form went home last week.  I recommend ordering a yearbook for your child if possible.  It covers grades K-8, and students really enjoy having them at the end of the school year.  Yearbook photographers were in our classroom last week.

Pajama Day
This Friday is an all school pajama day.  Students can wear pajamas and bring in a stuffed animal of their choice (nothing gigantic please).

Curriculum Overview
Science -  We are working on a project-based-learning unit on living things.  The questions driving our learning are:  What do plants and animals need to survive? and What do I need to survive? This week every child will be finishing a non-fiction book about an animal from Michigan.  We will also be hosting the farm manager from U of M's campus farm.  He will give us a presentation connecting the growing of vegetables to the work we have been doing in class and take questions from students regarding our current project.

Reading -  We are reading non-fiction books about animals and studying features of non-fiction texts like table of contents, headings, indexes, captions, glossaries, and diagrams.  We will also read some fiction books that show animals surviving.

Writing - We will continue our non-fiction writing.  We will diagram some animals and begin writing a non-fiction book about an animal from Michigan.

Math - In our PBL unit we will be measuring some of the plants we have growing.  This week we will study 2D and 3D shapes and practice using math vocabulary (vertices/angles, sides, length, longer, shorter, etc.) to describe them.

Word Study - We are focusing on the words we need to for our current PBL unit: herbivore, carnivore, omnivore, mammal, reptile, insect, shelter, and more.

Thanks for sending in all those paper towel roles!  Wondering what they are painting?  Our artwork will be on display at Expo.

Growing Vegatables and Flowers

Students transferred the seedlings they planted into the indoor vertical garden.  More pictures below.

STEAM Expo Save the Date and Time
STEAM Expo is set for Thursday, March 21st.  The kindergarten presentation time is between 5:00 PM and 5:30 PM.  We will be rotating through all kindergarten classrooms like we did during the first Expo.  Like last time a guide for each child will be posted and available when Expo begins.

Head Lice
Numerous families in our classroom have reported problems with head lice.  This morning I read the book Bugs in My Hair to the class and we talked about being careful with hats, heads, and clothes.  All families should check their child's hair tonight.

School Survey Regarding Enrollment for the 2019-2020 School Year
In order for the school to plan classes for the next school year, we need your help. Please fill out this survey for each of your current Kindergarten - 7th grade students by Wednesday, March 13th.

Curriculum Overview
Science -  We are working on a project-based-learning unit on living things.   The questions driving our learning are:  What do plants and animals need to survive? and What do I need to survive? This week every child will be writing a non-fiction book about an animal from Michigan.

Reading -  We are reading non-fiction books about animals and studying feature of non-fiction texts like table of contents, headings, indexes, captions, glossaries, and diagrams.

Writing - We will continue our non-fiction writing.  We will diagram some animals and begin writing a non-fiction book about an animal from Michigan.

Math - In our PBL unit we will be measuring some of the plants we have growing.  This week we will practice counting to 100 and using a numberline to complete simple addition and subtraction problems.  We will also touch-on 3D shapes a little bit.

Word Study - Students are studying the sounds made by the letters sp, sk, and sm.  We are also looking at common spelling patterns with the vowel i.

Filling up the vertical garden with water.

Separating the different seedlings we grew.

Gently moving the seedlings into the vertical garden.

Spring Expo on the Way

Students work on their floorball skills with Mr. Willard.

Paper Towel Rolls
We still need some empty cardboard paper towel roles and toilet paper roles for an upcoming art project.  Keep bringing in any you have this week--we are close to having what we need.

STEAM Expo Save the Date
STEAM Expo is set for Thursday, March 21st.  More information about specific presentation times for different grades is coming.

Curriculum Overview
Science -  We are working on a project-based-learning unit on living things.   The questions driving our learning are:  What do plants and animals need to survive? and What do I need to survive? This week we will begin studying animals that are found in Michigan.  Ask you child about the American robin and the painted turtle.

Reading -  We are reading non-fiction books about animals and studying feature of non-fiction texts like table of contents, indexes, captions, and diagrams.

Writing - We will continue our non-fiction writing.  We will diagram some animals and begin writing a non-fiction book about an animal from Michigan.

Math - In our PBL unit we will be measuring some of the plants we have growing.  This week we will continue studying different ways to break apart the number ten (i.e. 5+5=10, 7+3=10, 9+1=10).  We will continue to compare numbers using 'greater than' and 'less than'.  We will also study weight and use a balance.

Word Study - Students are studying the sounds made by the letters th, sh, wh, and ch.

An Amazing 100th Day of School

Students enjoyed celebrating the 100th day of school last Friday.

Hello, here is the update for the week:

Paper Towel Rolls
We need some empty cardboard paper towel roles and toilet paper roles for an upcoming art project.  Please bring in any you have this week.

Early Release This Wednesday, February 27
This Wednesday students will be dismissed at 12:52 PM.

Extra Clothing
Repeated from last week: If you have any clothing that your children have grown out of, we welcome it here.  The office is looking for clothing as well as the young fives classroom.  Please send it in to me and I will distribute where it can be best used.

Curriculum Overview

Science -  We are in the middle of a project-based-learning unit on living things.   The questions driving our learning are:  What do plants and animals need to survive? AND What do I need to survive? This week we will finish diagramming a plant and begin to learn about animals, what they need to survive, how their needs are both similar and different to the needs of plants.  Hopefully our classroom pets will arrive this week and we will begin taking care of them.

Reading -  We are reading non-fiction books about plants and animals.  Ask your students about the parts of a plant and the function (or job) each part does.

Writing - We will continue our non-fiction writing.  We will diagram plants and write about some of the experiments we have set up in the classroom.

Math - In our PBL unit we will be measuring some of the plants we have growing.  This week we will study different ways to break apart the number ten (i.e. 5+5=10, 7+3=10, 9+1=10).  We will also compare numbers using 'greater than' and 'less than'.

Word Study - Students are learning to count the syllables in words.

Living Things / Send In Your Outgrown Clothes / Friend-SHIPS

Students really enjoyed exchanging valentines last Thursday.

Friend-SHIPS
In order to raise money for solar panels, the middle school students are are having a fundraiser.  They have been busy making paper boats. The fundraiser is called "Friend-Ships".  Middle schoolers will write a custom message on a paper boat and delivered it to the recipient's classroom.  It cost's 50 cents a boat, but if you want to donate more that would be appreciated.  If you are interested purchases are best facilitated at lunch.  They are working on a way for parents to be able to order them for their kids.  You could also sit down with your kindergartner, choose someone to send one too, write out a message and send in 50 cents (or more!).  Putting the whole thing in an envelope would be really helpful.

Home Reading Bags
Keep sending in those Home Reading ziploc bags so I can change out the books.

Valentine's Day
Thank you for helping your child complete those valentines.  They really enjoyed passing them out to each other.  I posted a video on Seesaw.

100th Day of School
The 100th day of school is this Friday!  Bring your 100th day projects by that day.

Extra Clothing
If you have any clothing that your children have grown out of, we welcome it here.  The office is looking for clothing as well as the young fives classroom.  Please send it in to me and I will distribute where it can be best used.

Curriculum Overview

Science -  We have begun our next Project Based Learning unit!  The questions driving our learning are:  What do plants and animals need to survive? AND What do I need to survive? Last Thursday we had a classroom discussion about what plants need to survive and I challenged the students to come up with ways to prove that plants need water, light, and air to survive.  From those ideas we started an experiment to prove what plants really needed in order to live.  This week we will be learning more about the different parts of a plant and their functions.

Reading -  This week we will read some more fiction books that show friendships and caring classrooms.  We will also read some non-fiction books about plants.

Writing - We will do some non-fiction writing.  We will diagram plants and write about some of the experiments we have set up in the classroom.

Math - This week we will read and create graphs.

Word Study - Students are learning the long and short sound of each vowel.

It snowed a lot in Ann Arbor yesterday!

Lacrosse in Gym Class!

Students have been learning the basics of lacrosse in gym class.

Hello, I hope this week finds you well!

This Friday, February 15th
We may or may not have school this Friday, February 15th.  Unfortunately we won't know for sure until tomorrow, February 12th.  Due to the election laws, the district is unable to confirm a May election until the filing deadline of February 12th--after which point we will immediately notify families about the status of the school day on February 15th.  The school is asking that families prepare for either eventuality.  Monday, February 18th, is definitely a no school day.

Home Reading Bags
Send in those Home Reading ziploc bags so I can get some new books for you to read with your children.

Valentine's Day
Please remember to bring in a valentine for every Room K-3 student this Thursday.  No candy or food please.

Curriculum Overview

Science -  We have begun our next Project Based Learning unit!  The questions driving our learning are:  What do plants and animals need to survive? AND What do I need to survive? Last week we discussed living and non-living things and examined a plant that had died.  We also planted seeds that we will grow in our indoor vertical garden.  I will post some photos on Seesaw.

Reading -  This week we will read some more fiction books that show friendships and caring classrooms.  Ask your students about the book The Rat and the Tiger.

Writing - Students have been eager to write each messages so we are taking some time to learn how to write a personal letter.  We also have been designing and writing cards to each other.

Math - We are covering simple computation and how to use and interpret the addition and subtraction symbols.  Later in the week we will also look at and discuss graphs.

Word Study - Students are learning the long and short sound of each vowel.

Living Things

Students in the snow last week.

Hopefully this week ends up more predictable then last week.  Last week Ms. Thomas and I worked hard to make sure the two days of school we did have were predictable and engaging for kids.

Valentine's Day Cards and 100th Day Project
Don't forget to work on these two assignments.  Right now Valentine's Day cards are the most important.  Because of all the snow/cold days the 100th day of school has been pushed to Tuesday, February 19th.

Silent Auction Basket
This is repeated from last week: The Room K-3 families have been asked to donate a basket to the A2STEAM PTO silent auction.  The theme we have chosen is 'All Things Ann Arbor'.  I am going to add a Kerry Town giftcard to the basket.  If you can help please respond to the emails that have been sent out by our room parent Rebecca Noland. 

NAAPID Parent Involvement Day
NAAPID Parent Involvement day is next Monday, February 11th.  There are activities you can attend that are both school-wide and in my classroom.  Use the form I sent over email on Tuesday 2/5 to sign up for the parts of the day in my classroom you would like to attend.  If you don't have much time (especially with all those snow days last week) I recommend coming to the family read-a-thon I have scheduled at the end of the school day.  Siblings are welcome in my room for that last part of the day.  No matter what part of the day you attend you need to check-in with the office first.

Home Reading Bags
Send in those Home Reading ziploc bags so I can get some new books for you to read with your children.

Curriculum Overview

Science -  We will be preparing for our next big EXPO unit.  We will stat by discussing the differences between living and non-living things.  More information to come in the coming weeks.

Reading -  This week we will read some more fiction books that show friendships and caring classrooms.  Ask your students about the book Best Friends.

Writing - Students have been eager to writer each messages so we are taking some time to learn how to write a personal letter.

Math - We are covering simple computation and how to use and interpret the addition and subtraction symbols.

Word Study - Students are learning the long and short sound of each vowel.

Snowball Dance

It was really great seeing so many of you at the Snowball Dance!

I hope you are well and staying warm!

Valentine's Day Cards and 100th Day Project
If you have extra time at home it might be useful to start on your child's project for the one hundredth day of school, or the Valentine's Cards for Valentine's Day--it sounds like many of you already have.  I attached another copy of the classroom names list to the email I sent out this week.  If you are home and need extra activities to do with students you can also use this packet I created of optional activities.

Silent Auction Basket
The Room K-3 families have been asked to donate a basket to the A2STEAM PTO silent auction.  The theme we have chosen is 'All Things Ann Arbor'.  I am going to add a Kerry Town giftcard to the basket.  If you can help please respond to the emails that have been sent out by our room parent Rebecca Noland.  

Curriculum Overview
Science -  The kindergarten teachers have decided to postpone the forces unit until later in the school year.  We would like to focus our attention this week on the opinion writing unit we are working on (see below).  Next week we will begin a Project Based Learning unit we will showcase at our Spring Expo.  We will be studying living things.

Reading -  This week we will read some fiction books that show friendships and caring classrooms.

Writing - We are continuing our work on opinion writing.  Today I read a passage explaining how spiders are misunderstood and asked students to write about their opinions on spiders.

Math - In preparation for the 100th day of school we are learning to count large numbers by tens.

Word Study - Students are learning the long and short sound of each vowel.

Many Events Coming Up

Students worked hard to build numbers into the teens.  Last week we also studied how a teen number includes one ten.  For example 14 is 10 and 4 more.

I hope you are well.  There is a lot of important information included here this week.  For instance there are a couple of different home projects over the next few weeks.  If you have questions, our need help with anything, please email me or send me a note in your child's red folder.

Half-Day Next Wednesday
Next Wednesday, January 30th, is a half-day for students.  School is dismissed at 12:52 PM.

Valentine’s Day Cards, Thursday, February 14th
To celebrate Valentine’s Day I would like you to have your child prepare a valentine for every student in our class.  Today I sent home a list of all the students in Room K-3.  It was printed on bright pink paper to help you locate it.  Stores like CVS and Target sell inexpensive valentines cards in sets specifically for school children.  You can use those cards or make something very simple like cutout hearts.  If you need construction paper from me, let me know.  Students will pass out their valentines on Thursday, February 14th—I just wanted to give enough time to create the cards with your child.  I encourage you to have them do any writing.  No candy or food please.  If you have any questions please email me.

100th Day of School Project
To celebrate the 100th day of school kindergarten teachers at A2STEAM are asking families to help their student complete a project displaying exactly 100 items.

To complete this project you and your child will need to find a way to count and display 100 simple objects.  Think really simple, like stickers, or circles from a three hole punch.  Once you have decided on what you want to count, organize the items by tens.  This way you can easily count to one hundred.

Posted below (scroll down) you will see 2 photos showing examples of 100th day projects.  You will see the items counted are grouped by tens.

I know this is a different kind of assignment.  If you have any questions please email me. The one hundredth day of school is currently Monday, February 11th, but it might change if we have a snow day.  The projects are due on that day.

NAAPID Parent Involvement Day, Monday, February 11th
In honor of National African American Parent Involvement Day (NAAPID) A2STEAM invites ALL parents, guardians and adult family members to visit our school. You can come in for the whole day or just a few activities.  The school is currently working on a schedule for the day.  When it is ready I will post it, along with my classroom activities, so you can choose which events to sign up for. 

Fresh Snacks
If you would like to bring in fresh snacks like carrots or apples, I updated our fresh snack calendar for 2019.

AAPS Weather Guidelines
This webpage shows the guidelines we follow as a district during inclement weather.  I will usually take the students outside unless the temperature or wind chill is below zero.  When closing school may be a possibility the superintendent might mention her thinking or process on her twitter feed.

Snowball Dance This Friday
This Friday, January 25th A2STEAM will hose its annual Snowball Dance.  It is much different then a typical school dance, there are activities, crafts, a movie and popcorn, and crazy kid dancing in the gym.  A flyer went home on Friday.  I plan on attending.

Curriculum Overview
Science -  In our forces unit last week students learned about the basics of pushes and pulls, this week we will learn more abut invisible forces like gravity and magnetism.

Reading -  This week we will also reading non-fiction books about pushes and pulls as well as books showing strong opinions.  We will see how knowing the differen sounds of the vowels can help us be flexible when sounding out words

Writing - We are continuing our work on opinion writing.  Students are currently writing about what their favorite sport or form of exercise is.  This week in addition to working on option writing we will also touch on what makes a complete sentence.

Math - We are learning about the addition and subtraction symbol and we will practice simple addition and subtraction. 

Word Study - Students will learn about vowels and the different sounds each vowel makes.

During quiet time students have been doing a good job finding quiet areas to work by themselves for a few minutes.

Opinion Writing

Students were excited to begin an opinion writing unit.

No School Next Monday, January 21st
In honor of Martin Luther King there is no school this coming Monday, January 21st.  We will be studying Martin Luther King Jr. this week to better understand the reason for the holiday.  A list of activities at U of M and across Ann Arbor was emailed out to families, so there are plenty of choices if you are looking for something for your kids to do.

February 15th
We may or may not have school on February 15th.  Unfortunately we won't know for sure until February 12th.  Due to the election laws, the district is unable to confirm a May election until the filing deadline of February 12th--after which point we will immediately notify families about the status of the school day on February 15th.  The school is asking that families prepare for either eventuality.  February 18th is definitely a no school day.

LEXIA Login Cards
LEXIA is an iPad app we use school wide to help kids with reading and literacy fundamentals.  The app adjusts its content based on the learning needs of each individual child.  Tomorrow I will send home Lexia login cards with all students.  If you would like to have your child use Lexia at home you can download the CORE5 Lexia app and log in with the username and password listed on the card.  Alternatively you can also download an app called CLEVER and it will scan one of the badges I send home and log students into the app automatically with no typing.  I would recommend using this app 10 to 20 minutes at a time a few times a week.  I find that my son often does not do well with too much screen time.

Visit The Library
Even better than Lexia (see above) is a visit to the library.  Here at Northside we are close to both the downtown library and the Traverwood library.  Visiting the library and reading books as a family has amazing benefits for kindergartners.  I am writing about this now because it came up in a book we were reading as a staff.

Upcoming Dates
January 21st - No School
January 30th - Early Release Day, Students Dismissed at 12:52 PM
February 11th - NAAPID Parent Involvement Day - All Parents Invited
February 15th - School To Be Determined
February 18th - No School

Curriculum Overview
STEAM Project - This week we will begin a new project on forces.  We will study pushes, pulls, and other aspects of basic physics like magnetism and friction.  The overall goal of the unit to design a vehicle that can push or pull rocks to help clear space for a hypothetical playground.

Reading - We are reading books to help better understand Martin Luther King Jr.

Writing - We have begun an opinion writing unit!  Last students wrote about what was, in their opinion, the best pet to have.  We worked on stating our opinion clearly and using the word 'because' to explain our argument.

Math - We are studying the teen numbers and basic place value.

Word Study - We are covering the concept of rhyme. 

Hopefully it will snow soon.

Welcome Back From Winter Break!

A picture take today in Ms. Alseri's art class.

Introducing Ms. Thomas
A the end of December a full-day assistant teacher was added to Room K-3.  Ms. Thomas will be in our classroom and will follow the students to most of their special classes.  She is a great teacher, we are lucky to have her.

Cold Weather
It is supposed to get colder this week.  Keep sending kids with what they need to stay warm.

Birthdays
I had a couple of parents ask me about birthdays.  I realized that I haven't addressed the subject since the first week of school.  Here is what I wrote in September:  We love celebrating birthdays at school, but at Ann Arbor STEAM we do not celebrate with cupcakes and sweets.  On the day of your child’s birthday I will make him or her a crown and the class will sing to, and celebrate, their birthday.  If you would like to bring something to share we ask that you bring non-food items such as fun pencils, erasers, stickers etc.  Please keep it small and be sure to send in enough for every student (right now we have 23).  If you are having a party outside of school, birthday invitations can only be passed out in class if all the students are receiving an invite.  You can always contact me if you want the email address of another student's parents.

NWEA
Students will be taking the Northwest Educational Assessment or NWEA this week.  The NWEA is a pair of assessments students take on their iPads to assess their understanding of reading and math. 

Home Reading Book Bags
Bring in those blue and clear bags back so we can get out some fresh books to you.

Curriculum Overview
STEAM Project - Next week we will begin a new project on forces.  We will study pushes, pulls, and other aspects of basic physics.

Reading - We are reading books that feature rhyme.

Writing - This week will begin an opinion writing unit.  More information to come as we get going.

Math - We were not able to complete this before break: I am hoping that this week students will build and photograph numbers up to 15.  We will also work on writing numerals and correcting any reversals.

Word Study - We are covering the concept of rhyme.