Bulldog Broadcast

100th Day of School Celebration

We're unsure of what is more impressive--that we've reached the 100th day of school or how well our students worked cooperatively on their 100th day activities. :)

To help celebrate this big milestone, students enjoyed selecting partners to put together 100 piece puzzles.

In addition, each student took a shot at estimating how many Skittles were in each of our jars. While one container was short and wide, the other container was tall and skinny. Many children predicted that there were fewer candies in the taller jar, when in fact, there were 100 Skittles in each! Sarah couldn't be fooled--she was our estimation winner. The prize...a bag of 100 Skittles to eat and share with friends.

Our final activity allowed students to work in groups of three friends. Each group was given 100 craft sticks, a roll of Scotch tape, and approximately 45 minutes to construct the tallest free standing tower. Impressed is an understatement in describing the amazing cooperation and sportsmanship we observed! The winners? Sarah, Katie, and Ferris. The lesson learned? The base, or bottom, of the tower MUST be strong and sturdy.

Greyhound Gala

Dear Parents,

We just wanted to let you know that, as a gala auction item, we are offering a "Girl's Day Out."

This will be for the auction winner plus 1 guest. Approximately 2 hours of fun at Town Center Mall.  Includes lunch and $10 spending money.  Date and Time to be worked out between teachers and parents.

The Gala Auction will be held February 4, 2012 at Olde Towne Athletic Club from 7 to 11 PM. Tickets are on sale at http://gmefoundation.org - $35 and $45 at the door or you can Download 2012GALATicketformto purchase tickets in advance. Visit the website for a sample of items to bid on. All proceeds go back to GMEF.

The proceeds will be used to improve our school by providing funding for programs such as technology, educational curriculum and facility improvements. The GMEF will accumulate and distribute resources beyond those provided by Cobb County or the PTA, in order to further enhance, foster and enrich the educational experiences of all students at Garrison Mill.

Thank you for your support!

Are You Missing Holiday Decor?

Thank you so much to those who volunteered their time and holiday decor to decorate our classroom prior to the winter break.

We still have many holiday decorations that have not been claimed. At your convenience, please pick them up from the classroom.

Thank you!

What We're Learning

The start of 2012 has been a busy one, but students quickly dove into their learning following a well needed and deserved winter break.

In reading, students' guided reading groups have been adjusted as needed. While the focus is on reading to learn (versus learning to read), students will continue to practice the skills of predicting, making connections, inferencing, generating questions, and summarizing.

Students will have a great opportunity to practice reading to learn and writing as they select animals on which to research and write a report AT SCHOOL. However, an accompanying at home assignment will require students to make a 3-D model of their animals as part of their final product. (More information will be sent home later after students select their animals the week of January 23.)

As always, math keeps us movin'! Currently, students are learning to count back change to $5.00. Yes, you read correctly and yes, this is a tough skill for 7 and 8-year-olds to comprehend and master. However, here is a helpful trick to help them visualize as they solve:

Pretend as though you purchase an ALABAMA pen for $ 2.45 and pay the cashier with $5.00.

1. Draw 5 rectangles to represent the 5 dollars you pay the cashier.
2. Cross out the first two dollars b/c you spent those on the pen.
3. Divide the next dollar into half and write $.45 on the left.
4. Then, count up and draw the coins from 45 cents to 1 dollar.
5. Write that amount in the last half of the dollar.
6. Finally, count up the dollars that are left and add it to the cents, and you've got your change!!!!!

We'd appreciate it if you can help us be consistent by supporting your child with their homework by using this strategy. The subtraction method for many 2nd graders is too difficult to comprehend.

In social studies, students have enjoyed watching a movie and completing a Martin and Me journal of connections to help learn about MLK Jr.'s contributions.

A unit on the sun, moon, and stars quickly approaches us, but first we must complete our Hi Touch, Hi Tech in school field trip on Wednesday, January 25 to gain some basic knowledge about space.

Phew...not to mention...it's the 100th day of school on Friday! WOO WOO!

Ice Cream for Subtraction Party

It’s subtraction time! To help our students improve their basic subtraction skills and to meet the school improvement goal, we’ll be beginning our “Ice Cream for Subtraction” competition Friday, January 27, 2012. Tests will be administered each Wednesday and Friday. Much like the addition competition, students will earn a part of their banana splits after achieving at least 90% in 7 minutes on their timed subtraction tests. More specifically, students will earn the following:

 -0/1: napkin

-2: bowl

-3: banana

-4: ice cream scoop

-5: ice cream scoop

-6: ice cream scoop

-7: topping

-8: whipped cream

-9: cherry

-10: certificate of completion

 Students who have already achieved at least 90% on their mixed subtraction baseline tests will not be required to take the leveled tests and will receive the entire banana split at the party. Instead, they will transition into (or continue working on) multiplication to help meet their needs.

Parents' Homework

Parents, you have homework too! :) Please take the time to complete the survey that was sent home in your child's Thursday folder last week. Your opinion matters to us.

Thank you to the parents who have already submitted their forms; you are quick, and we appreciate your immediate attention to this.

3rd Quarter Essential Questions

Social Studies:  How did Jackie Robinson and Martin Luther King Junior influence civil rights?

Reading:  How do I read to learn?

Writing:  How do I write to inform and explain what I've learned?

Science:  How do the Earth, sun, moon, and stars relate to each other?

Math:  What is a fraction?  How can addition help me know if I subtracted correctly?  What is the effect of combining and separating numbers?  How can I measure and compare lengths of objects?  How can graphs, charts, and tables help me organize and understand data?  How do I know if I have been given the correct change after buying something?  How can I use money as a medium of exchange?

Technology:  How can graphing help me organize data?

Health:  What is the difference between primary and permanent teeth?  what are the effects of heredity and environment on growth and development?

Dates To Remember

Jan.
23	School Council Meeting 1 PM
24	Paradise Grill/South of the Border Night 5-8 PM
25	Ident-a-Kid 9-10:30 AM Download Form
26	Talent Show Practice 2:30-3:30 PM
27	Relay for Life Baseball Cap Day School Dance 6:30 PM
Feb.
2	Talent Show Rehearsal 2:30-3:30 PM
4	County Science Fair GME Foundation Greyhound Gala       Live and Silent Auction 7-11 PM       Olde Towne Athletic Club       4950 Olde Towne Parkway       Marietta, Georgia
6	PTA Executive Board Meeting 9:30 AM PTA Board Meeting 11 AM
8	New Kindergarten Parent Meeting 10 AM 4th Grade Field Trip - Youth Museum       10:15-1:45 - Beatty and Golden
9	4th Grade Field Trip - Youth Museum       10:15-1:45 - Alvarado and 1/2 Hohn Talent Show Rehearsal 2:30-3:30 PM PTA Meeting and Math Game Night 6:30 PM
10	4th Grade Field Trip - Youth Museum       10:15-1:45 - Epling and 1/2 Hohn
13	Reading Night 6-8 PM Foundation Meeting 7 PM
14	Flower Sale
14-16	Jump Rope for Heart
16	Talent Show Rehearsal 2:30-3:30 PM Progress Reports Go Home
17	Spring Picture Day Box Tops for Education Due
20	NO SCHOOL - Presidents Day
21	CiCi's Spirit Night 5-8 PM
23	Talent Show Rehearsal 2:30-3:30 PM
24	Honoring Our Heroes Essays Due Relay For Life Baseball Cap Day
25	Chick-Fil-A Daddy/Daughter Night
27-29	Read Across America Week

Valentine's Day Boxes

Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching! To help make this a special (and organized J) day, please have your child bring in a decorated shoe box with an opening at the top for Valentines. (Be creative!) It is imperative that his or her name be large and visible so that students can distribute Valentines effectively. In addition, we are requesting that all boxes are submitted by Tuesday, February, 14 the day of our celebration.

 In addition, please have your child prepare a Valentine for each child. Thanks!

1. Charlie B.
2. Molly
3. Jenna
4. Charlotte
5. Elyse
6. Charlie G.
7. Skyler
8. Katie
9. Josh
10. Parker
11. Olivia
12. Ferris
13. Sarah
14. Julianna
15. Rolando
16. Cade
17. Connor
18. Mitchell
19. Wills
20. William
21. James

Hero Essay

Our annual Hero Essay Contest is here! All students are REQUIRED to participate in this PTA sponsored project. The specific details are attached; however this letter will provide you with additional information that may be helpful.

Also attached to the guidelines you received was an optional graphic organizer that students can use to plan their ideas. They should be familiar with this organizer, since we often use it in class. However, for your knowledge, the top box of the organizer is for the topic sentence or opening, the middle boxes for the supporting details, and the bottom box for the closing or ending. While the graphic organizer lends itself well to writing a five-paragraph essay, this is not required. Instead, students may write their essays in a one-paragraph format.

Please stress to your child the definition of a hero, as indicated in the attached information. Also emphasize neat handwriting; essays may be typed if desired. It is imperative that the entry form also be completed and attached to the writing when it is submitted. ALL ESSAYS ARE DUE TO MRS. SMITH AND MRS. BROWN BY THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16 to allow time to submit them to PTA. Additional homework this week only will be minimal; therefore students are expected to do their best work! J

Please don’t hesitate to email if you have any questions. Good luck!