Week 2

This week we covered A LOT of information, but the students hung in there all the way. I was very proud of them. They finished the reading book, and next week will move on to a novel. It is titled "The Hatchet" by Gary Paulson and is a great book for their reading level. Writing assignments will accompany the novel as well as new vocabulary.

Science this week was a real task as two lessons had to be covered. All of my students showed tremendous independence and creativity in understanding both how and why Earthquakes occur, as well as what causes volcanic explosions. Ironically enough, we discussed the science curriculum the same week as an Earthquake in the south - it was a natural lesson!

As for the individual kids:

MJ - He continues to work hard and be a leader in the classroom. His enthusiasium is always helpful and he is a great writer and reader.

Teddy - Teddy is also a good reader and writer. He was also a lot of fun this week, but he has a few problems with talking when other people are speaking. But he will work on that.

Howard - Howard not only got the highest score on the vocabulary quiz this week (he only missed one point!), but was also my science star. As smart and hard working as he is, he also has a bad habit talking when other people are, but I'm sure he will improve.

Anne - Anne can sure be quiet, but she works hard and listens very well. She also showed a lot of creativity when working in her reading practice book and is quite the artist.

Betty - Betty is one of the hardest working kids in the class, and is constantly improving. She is a lot of help to me, and always pays attention.

Irisa - She sure is focused. Irisa works hard and has a great sense of humor, and is one of the better readers in the class.

Be sure to check again next week!

First Week of Spring Semester

Dear Readers,
This week was my first week teaching at Tree House, and I was lucky enough to be assigned the grade six class. The kids were so focused last semester that they are nearly done with their level six reading book. This week we read a biography of Alexander the Great. With Teacher Paul's help the students really got involved. We also got to think about our own favorite historical figures with a writing assignment about them.
For science this week we discussed continental drift and plate tectonics, and are starting to talk about how earthquakes happen. Howard and Teddy were great in figuring out how all of the processes worked, from subduction to the convection current. We finished out the week by studying a news article about the California redwoods and then writing one of our own. The boys showed themselves to be quite the journalists.

Teddy - He has a great sense of humor and presence in the class. He also shows himself to be a great student and even better writer when he puts his energy into it. Sometimes he jokes around too much, but he stays on top of his work.

MJ - MJ really gets into the material, especially when there is a way to relate it to sports. A very good reader with tremendous vocabulary, I am excited to teach him this semester.

Howard - Howard was the guy to go to on science day. He really got a grasp of the concepts and was able to retain the information very well. He also is a lot of laughs, but sometimes jokes around too much with Teddy. I hope he is as good at the next lesson about earthquakes and volcanoes.

Betty - What a great student. She is a very hard worker and likes to laugh a lot as well. She is more quiet than the boys, but you can tell she gets along very well and understands the material. I get the feeling Betty will be very helpful and fun to work with this year.

Ann - I only got to have Ann for one day this week, and she was awfully quiet. She pays attention and looks like a good student - I just wish she'd participate more.

Irisa - Irisa is obviously very sharp. One of the top readers, even though she is the youngest person in the class, Irisa is very confident and able to grasp all the material. She seems very interested as well, and I am sure she will do great.

Good first week! Be sure to check in next week.

Dear Parents,
Finally, it's the end of the semester, I'm sure all the students are excited for the winter break. I have taken over this class for about two months now, and I'm glad that all students had worked hard, and I hope that next semester when the new teacher comes, everyone in this class will continue to improve and do well.
This week,
We had gone over the vocabularies we have learned this semester, and took the vocabulary test. Everyone did their best and got good scores.
For our reading, we read about "My friend Flika", it's about taking care of horses.
For writing, we wrote about "What kind of pet do I want?"
Individual comment:
Anne -Although sometimes she doesn't speak out much, she pays attention in class and focuses well, and she would stand up for what she believes.
Betty - She is always considerate, sweet, and gets along with all her classmates. She writes and follows direction well. It is a pleasure to have her in class.
Howard - He is often outspoken and cheerful in class. He is good at Science and he follows directions well. He converses well, and gets along with his classmates.
Irisa - She is a smart girl, and she has good reading comprehension skills, and she takes work seriously. She always writes well when we have writing assignments. It is a pleasure to have her in class.
MJ - He likes to share funny experiences with his classmates, and he likes to talk about something hilarious and make his classmates laugh.
Teddy - He has been studious and he takes his work seriously. He focuses well and likes to talk and share ideas with his classmates. He is friendly and seems to enjoy coming to class. He learns quickly and he is a smart student.

Have a great weekend!
Teacher Jennifer

Dear Parents,

This week’s weather has been really nice, hope everyone had the chance to enjoy the lovely weather.

This week, we completed:

Reading – We read about “History of money”; how money was originated and how people used to barter with camels, shells, etc.

Science – We learned about earthquakes.

Writing – We wrote a dialogue relating to money.

This week,

Anne – She focuses well.

Betty – She did a good job on making the mural.

Howard – He focuses well, and he is good at science.

MJ – He did a good job on creative writing.

Teddy – He has been talkative in class, and he puts effort in doing his work. Good job Teddy!

Have a great weekend!

Teacher Jennifer

Dear Parents,

This week has been busy, and we have finally moved back to our original classroom.

We have completed:
Grammar - we learned about Adverbs.
Reading - we read the story, "Mandela from the life of the South African statement". It is about a brave man who stood firm for what he believed, and because of that, he was admirable.
Science - we took a science test on Chapter 6.
Writing - we wrote stories using 20 adverbs.
Fun day - We toured around Jing-Mei night market, and every student got $50NTD to spend on anything he/she likes, and it was fun.

This week:
Anne - She is more talkative in class.
Betty - She concentrates well.
Howard - He does well in Science.
Irisa - She reads fast and has good comprehension skills.
MJ - He gets along and cooperates well with his classmates. He concentrates and writes well.
Teddy - He is talkative in class. He concentrates well, and put serious effort in the work he does.

Have a great weekend!
Teacher Jennifer

Dear Parents,

The weather has gotten much cooler, and it has been raining a lot, hope everyone stays warm and healthy.

This week, we completed,
Grammar - We learned indefinite pronouns, singular and plural verb.
Reading - We read about the "Rumpelstiltskin's Daughter" and "Adventure in Space". We also created a mural of today's world, that people might see thirty thousand years from now.
Science - We read about Galaxies and Beyond and did workbook.
Writing - The topic was "Manners are important".

Please note the following tests dates:
Science - January 14th
Reading - January 19th
Vocabulary - January 26th

This week,
Anne - She is a quick learner, and she talks more in class. She gets along with everyone and likes to help her classmates.
Betty - She concentrates well. When she came in the class during when her classmates were working on the mural, they were all glad because they said Betty is a good artist.
Howard - He is cheerful in class, and he concentrates well, he does his work nicely and he is a quick learner.
Irisa - She is a quick learner, and she has good reading comprehension.
MJ - He likes to share jokes with his classmates, and he seems to have a lot of ideas. He is expressive and likes to discuss about current events.

Have a great weekend!
Teacher Jennifer

Dear Parents,
Hope everyone had a great year 2009, and is excited for the arrival of the new year 2010!
This week, we completed:
Reading – We read, “Over the top of the world”. It talks about an expedition in the ice cold north pole. The author wrote a series of journals to record the details of the journey.
Science – We learned about "Stars", and the vocabularies, "constellation", "magnitude", "parallax", light-year", "nebula", supernova", "black hole".
Writing – This week our topic is "My New Year's resolution".
This week,
Anne – She is more outspoken in class, and gets along with her classmates. She does her work nicely.
Betty – She takes her work seriously and is attentive in class.
Howard – He speaks with confidence in class, and he has a good comprehension of what he reads.
MJ - He took this week off from class, but we see him at school, helping out with the school's renovation.
Irisa – She does her work nicely, and she has good comprehension of what she reads. She also speaks in good sentences.
Teddy – He takes his work seriously, and he has a good sense of responsibility in terms of finishing the required work.
Wishing you a joyful year of 2010 with great health and prosperity!
Teacher Jennifer