Munchkinland News

Today we learned...

2009-10-08T11:45:00.000-07:00

Dear Parents,
Today we learned how to decorate a warrior shield. We learned that Sitting Bull was a Plains Indian Chief. We found that Indians told their stories by mouth or by drawing symbols. In math we learned about "turn around" facts. Like...5+4=9 and 4+5=9! :)

We also learned that we will be working on a class play, "Stone Soup," to be presented on Thursday, December 10th at approximately 10:45. Possible luncheon to follow! :) Parents/families welcome and encouraged to come!

All for now - Love, Munchkins and Teachers

2008-10-02T13:50:00.000-07:00

We're changing the address again - hopefully I will not get confused anymore - the new and hopefully last address is

munchkinlandgrade2.blogspot.com

2008-09-30T12:26:00.001-07:00

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

MAPs tests are finished!!!!
Today we completed our language/grammar portion of the MAPs tests. I do not know when we will get our scores, nor how much will be explained to us. I will share with you what I know at conferences. If you did not get to the Open House last week, I will be sending you a conference time. Please confirm and send back the sheet as soon as possible.Our October reading log is coming home today. Please send back September's if you still have it! I will be recording the minutes on a large chart for the children. If you did not do a September reading log, don't worry, you are not alone. Our goal for October will be 10-15 minutes/5 nights per week. I am not asking you to write down the name of the books read, just the minutes. It is ok for your child to read easier material - but have them read with great expression. Even re-read portions "like an actor!" OREGON MANOR - we have had some trouble getting things arranged, but finally I think we are back on track for the third Friday of the month and a definite time of 9:00. However, the activity lady now tells me that 9 will be too late to do exercise. So I am looking for simple crafts or other ideas for us to do at the Manor. We have about 1/2 hour - HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!???????????Look for an October Calendar for the specials and days off also.Hasta Luego ~ Senora S. y Munchitos
Posted by Mrs. Swenson at 12:16 PM 0 comments
Monday, September 29, 2008

Autumn Weather
It finally feels fall-like! It was almost chilly in our room, also. So far, I haven't figured out if we will be cool or warm all winter, so it is a good idea to always send a sweatshirt/sweater, light jacket along as these days cool down. We may not need the wraps outside, but we might INSIDE! :)Congratulations Brewers! We will have a "Brewer Day" on Wednesday. Your child may wear blue/white/yellow, Brewer's jerseys, t-shirts, other sports-related wear or just regular clothes. I hope to come up with a math game to go along with baseball! Math homework should start coming home several times a week now. Math will be due the following day or as soon as you can get it back. Spelling homework should always come home on Monday and is due on Friday or Thursday if there isn't a Friday in the week. TONIGHT's homework is to write a number story. Number Model is the same as number sentence or equation. UNIT refers to what we are adding or subtracting - like cents, dollars, cookies, shoes, minutes, etc. It's like a new language!Library was today and a few students will be getting overdue notices unless we can get those books back ASAP! We do have Library every 4 days, but I allow the children to return books anyday they bring them in.Also coming home tonight are packets for the PTO fundraiser. Many of the special acivities are paid for by PTO. Assemblies, books for classrooms, sometimes field trips! We teachers really appreciate all PTO does for our school and our children.All for tonight - we're tired - it's Monday! Mrs. S. and The Munchkins

MAPs tests are finished!!!!

2008-09-30T12:16:00.002-07:00

Today we completed our language/grammar portion of the MAPs tests. I do not know when we will get our scores, nor how much will be explained to us. I will share with you what I know at conferences.

If you did not get to the Open House last week, I will be sending you a conference time. Please confirm and send back the sheet as soon as possible.

Our October reading log is coming home today. Please send back September's if you still have it! I will be recording the minutes on a large chart for the children. If you did not do a September reading log, don't worry, you are not alone.

Our goal for October will be 10-15 minutes/5 nights per week. I am not asking you to write down the name of the books read, just the minutes. It is ok for your child to read easier material - but have them read with great expression. Even re-read portions "like an actor!"

OREGON MANOR - we have had some trouble getting things arranged, but finally I think we are back on track for the third Friday of the month and a definite time of 9:00. However, the activity lady now tells me that 9 will be too late to do exercise. So I am looking for simple crafts or other ideas for us to do at the Manor. We have about 1/2 hour - HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!???????????

Look for an October Calendar for the specials and days off also.

Hasta Luego ~ Senora S. y Munchitos

Autumn Weather

2008-09-29T12:36:00.000-07:00

It finally feels fall-like! It was almost chilly in our room, also. So far, I haven't figured out if we will be cool or warm all winter, so it is a good idea to always send a sweatshirt/sweater, light jacket along as these days cool down. We may not need the wraps outside, but we might INSIDE! :)

Congratulations Brewers! We will have a "Brewer Day" on Wednesday. Your child may wear blue/white/yellow, Brewer's jerseys, t-shirts, other sports-related wear or just regular clothes. I hope to come up with a math game to go along with baseball!

Math homework should start coming home several times a week now. Math will be due the following day or as soon as you can get it back. Spelling homework should always come home on Monday and is due on Friday or Thursday if there isn't a Friday in the week. TONIGHT's homework is to write a number story. Number Model is the same as number sentence or equation. UNIT refers to what we are adding or subtracting - like cents, dollars, cookies, shoes, minutes, etc. It's like a new language!

Library was today and a few students will be getting overdue notices unless we can get those books back ASAP! We do have Library every 4 days, but I allow the children to return books anyday they bring them in.

Also coming home tonight are packets for the PTO fundraiser. Many of the special acivities are paid for by PTO. Assemblies, books for classrooms, sometimes field trips! We teachers really appreciate all PTO does for our school and our children.

All for tonight - we're tired - it's Monday! Mrs. S. and The Munchkins

2008-09-25T17:26:00.000-07:00

Well, if you are checking this blog for updates, you have probably realized I goofed! I have TWO blogs going! Here I will try to give you a link to the other blog that I have been updating more frequently - if it doesn't work, the address is the same as this one, without the 1 in it.

munchkinlandnews.blogspot.com

http://www.munchkinlandnews.blogspot.com

Labor Day

2008-08-29T10:03:00.000-07:00

Dear Parents,

I forgot a few (thousand) things in my newsletter...

If you read this and remember, please have your child bring in his/her favorite book on Tuesday.

***Water Bottles are ok and ENCOURAGED! :)

***Your child will be able to bring a snack each day. I will try to keep some animal crackers or something on hand also. It's so hard coming back to school when we were able to snack away anytime we were hungry this summer! Remember, no peanuts or "related" foods.

PLEASE do NOT send boxes of things - your child will not be allowed to keep food items in his/her desk - it's a health and safety concern. We occasionally have ants or mice and do not want to feed them! My classroom snacks will be kept in a Rubbermaid container, tightly covered!

About half of you were unable to make the Meet Your Teacher yesterday - so I will plan on the first half hour or so Tuesday for meeting/greeting. Then we'll try to do our class things.

I was so excited to see the kiddies yesterday and meet new parents and old friends! I can't wait to see the rest of you on Tuesday.

My voice mail is now working - 835-4245. I'd love to hear from any of you by email or phone!

Hope you all have a safe, happy and enjoyable Labor Day weekend! See you SOON.

Mrs. S.

Meet the Teach

2008-08-27T17:07:00.000-07:00

Dear Families,

The room may not be quite finished, but it's filled with love anyway! Hope to see many of you tomorrow, but if you cannot make it, PLEASE know that it is fine to come on Tuesday morning. And you can stay awhile - I won't chase you away for at least five minutes (just kidding!)
Seriously, I know that some of you have taken the day off for this, so please, know you are welcome.

See you very soon,

Mrs. Swenson

Welcome to Munchkinland in Second Grade!

2008-08-15T20:46:00.000-07:00

Welcome Back and Welcome!

For some of you, this will be your second year in Munchkinland - and for most of you this will be your first time. I hope you are excited about our year together in Second Grade! I am excited and know we will be able to conquer Second Grade together! I bet you have all grown (well, hopefully not the grown ups?) over the summer!

My new school phone number is 835-4245. But please don't leave me a message yet - I have no idea how to get at my voice mails! Hopefully soon I'll be able to set it up! In the meantime, if you need or want to reach me, please email me at mas@oregon.k12.wi.us.

I am very excited to learn about second grade units - I know we will have a lot of fun and learn at the same time. I hope you've been reading/writing/practicing math over the summer, but don't worry, if you haven't we will be practicing all those things A LOT in second grade!

More soon,

Love, Mrs. Swenson

Stone Soup Eve

2008-04-30T17:42:00.000-07:00

'Twas the Night before Stone Soup
And all through the school,
The Munchkins were excited,
And that is so cool!

Some were to be soldiers
Who march while they sing,
Some pretty villagers
with veggies to bring.

Together, with teamwork
the kids worked very hard,
To bring you this play
From their sweet little hearts!

So know as you try
to put them into bed,
That they'll be dreaming of applause
And spotlights on their heads.

Give them a kiss and
a tight hug too,
For tomorrow they'll be actors
Who want only to please their parents - you!

See you tomorrow! Love, Mrs. Swenson