Well, we are in the home stretch!  Testing is done, but we continue to learn new things and gain new experiences.
Don't forget...our Magic Tree House cereal box projects are due on Friday.  I can't wait to see how creative your kiddos are!
Magic Tree House
  We also have out field trip this Friday.  Be sure to return the permission slip and send a disposable lunch.
Lots of exciting things to come this year...stay tuned!

We're gonna rock this test, it's the OAA!  Tuesday is the reading OAA and Thursday is the math OAA.  We are SOOOO ready!  We have practiced and reviewed, continued with new learning, and had a fabulous pep rally!  If you didn't get a chance to watch the video we made...check it out!
Worthington Elementary Hall of Fame
We should have some photos and video on the library website this week.
If you haven't returned the "envelope" for your child yet, you can do so tomorrow...just a letter of encouragement to get them relaxed and excited for Tuesday!  PTO is providing lots of treats this week.. Make sure everyone is getting lots of sleep, eating a hearty breakfast, getting to school on time, and ready to use our strategies.  Here we go!!

Well, it is the last week until we show what we know!  These kiddos have been working SO hard.  I couldn't be more proud of them.  Between new knowledge and review, they have been real troopers.  Their work ethic remains strong...this week will fly by!
I will be sending home an envelope with your child.  Please write a letter of encouragement to your child and seal it in the envelope.  I'll have it on their desk the morning of our first test, Tuesday, April 23rd.  PTO has some encouraging goodies planned as well, and of course the teachers have an OAA assembly planned just for the kids.
I'll have some tips next weekend to get them relaxed and ready for test week. Strategies work for reading and math! It's so important to keep them on their schedule, getting lots of sleep, keeping hydrated and eating well, and most importantly-keep reading!  They cannot have enough exposure to new vocabulary.

Quarterlies done-check.
Nine weeks completed-check.
Test in..........20 days!  Woohoo!
Our OAA will be April23rd and 25th.  I'll send home more information as we get closer.  Right now we will continue with new learning and test prep.  Conferences are coming up next week, and if I don't send a slip home and you'd like a conference please text or give me a call!
Here are some really good websites for test prep-some are online practice and some are printable activities.  Let me know if you have any questions-a little bit each night will be a fun way for them to review.  Check your child's agenda book for passwords.
ODE test portal -actual OAA test practice!
Prepdog
Scootpad -password needed
Learnzillion -password needed
EasyCBM -password needed
Internet4classrooms
Have a wonderful Spring Break!  

Thank you...room 17 has THE best parents in the world!!  We had a fabulous Valentine's Day celebration.  Exhausting...but fabulous!

I'm counting the days until March 2nd... 

What's March 2nd?  The Iditarod!!!   We will be investigating, recording, following, charting, reading, writing, computing, measuring, exploring, tasting(!) everything Iditarod. 

Check it out...Iditarod: The Last Great race  We will be reading Balto,  Stone Fox(get your tissues ready), Akiak, and learning about the people who run this great race, as well as those magnificent dogs.  Keep having those great conversations with your little ones.  We should have a lot to say!

We have three students that were selected to talk about the Seven Habits at the Chamber of Commerce meeting on Feb. 28th.  Rachel, Abbey, and Trenton will represent us and share how we use the Leader in Me everyday in every way!

Keep practicing those multiplication facts.  So important to review them every night for 5-10 minutes.  We are starting fractions and measurement,  both great conversation starters at dinner.
As always, thanks for being a partner in your child's education.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!!  "Tis the season for colds and flu, and I know absences can be frustrating for all involved.  Don't send your kiddo if he or she has a fever, and don't forget those written excuses.  We also take the time to organize your child's missing work, so please look for that paper that lists missing assignments.  I try to make up as much as possible at school.  We also are diligent about hand washing and using hand sanitizer.  It will be spring before we know it....right?

Our school is in the running for a grant from NBC4.  Everyone can vote once a day for the Pink Shoe Club at this link: 
http://nbc4i.upickem.net/engine/Welcome.aspx?contestid=65509

$10,000 would go a long way for this cause!!

Also, if you haven't had the chance to come to one of our leadership/CHAMPS assemblies, give it a try!!  Mr. Thornsberry does a great job making these kids feel as special as they are!
This Friday is Hat Day at Worthington...if you donate $1, your child can wear a hat all day on Friday, Feb. 8th. 

We are excited to be back in the swing of things!  Hopefully, everyone had a great break with family and friends.  I feel refreshed and ready for the next half of the year.
Our homework will be changing starting this week.  In order to start preparing for the OAA in April, we will start reviewing skills that we have learned.  On Mondays, we still have Number of the week, which is still due on Friday.  We also will have an OAA-formated story from past tests to complete.  Parents are encouraged to work on these skills with your kiddos. Tuesdays, we will practice language skills with worksheets about a robot called Mosh...this has been a favorite of my classes!  They will also practice attacking word problems using different strategies.  On Wednesdays,  we will tackle OAA frequently tested skills, and practice a math skill from out practice book.  On Thursdays, they will continue to practice those multiplication facts, and they can have a free reading evening!  Over the weekend, I send home a short Read-Aloud worksheet that has comprehension tips for you to discuss.  This looks like a lot of work, but hopefully it is reviewing skills we have mastered.  This should only take 30-40 minutes each evening.  If it gets to be frustrating, please let me know and we can discuss the best way for your child to review.
Next week is quarterly testing week.  Our class will be busy reviewing what we learned right before break, and will be taking the test online again. 
Thank you for getting you children to school on time every day!  Hopefully the flu and runny noses are behind us(she said wistfully)and we can regain the Attendance Trophy that has eluded Room 17 lately!
As always, thank you for being a partner in your child's education.  Involved parents make such a difference!  Thank you, thank you.