Team Jordan Update

Dear Families,

     It was an absolute pleasure to have the opportunity to discuss your child’s progress.  I enjoy working with your child each day. It was so nice to be able to hear how your child feels about school. As a parent, I hope that my children have teachers who understand and appreciate them for who they are as individuals. One parent said to me, I want my child to do well academically, but more importantly, I want her to be a good person.  I can honestly say that all of the children on Team Jordan are good people.  They learn from their mistakes, take risks in their learning, and care for one another.  I hope that each of you left our meeting feeling confident about your child’s social and emotional progress.    Please know that I appreciate all the work you do as parents.  Your work is what prepares them for learning.  I thank you for your continued support as we begin the last trimester.  Please read on to find out about an exciting project that your child will be working on.

Fondly,

Maureen Jordan

 

Upcoming Research Project

Next week, the children will begin researching a topic of their own choosing.  The topics can be anything from a specific animal, athlete, president, scientist, author, insect, or even a planet. I just ask that they do not pick a topic that they have already researched.  We have discussed this assignment so that children should understand the expectations. They will get to look at our school library on Wednesday so hopefully they will be able to narrow down their topics before that day. 

We will do all of the “work” at school.  If your child cannot find resources here at school please check the Topsfield Library.  All resources must be in school by next Monday.  If your child can’t find information, he/she should choose a different topic.  Please help your child pick a topic by Monday, March 24th.  Also if using additional information from home such as any books or articles please send them in to school by Monday.   Please do not send in resources that your child can’t read or understand.  If you have any questions, please email me.

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A reminder for my players!

 

MCAS are tomorrow and Wednesday!

No homework will be assigned tonight or tomorrow night.

Please pack an extra snack to eat before school. 

Get a good night's sleep and eat a healthy breakfast!

You can do it!

March Update

Hi Families,

I just want to remind everyone of a few important dates this month.
*Report cards will be sent home on Monday.
*Conferences will be held on March 13th and 14th.  Both these days are 12:00 dismissals.
*MCAS Practice will be on March 12th.
*MCAS Testing will be on March 18th & 19th.
It is essential that children get a good night sleep and eat a healthy breakfast on testing days.  Also I would like children to bring in an extra snack if possible.  I will allow children to eat prior to the test.  Children will still have snack time later in the day, but I have found that the extra snack helps.
I will send home another reminder with the children when the dates get closer.

I look forward to meeting with you to discuss your child's progress.  The second trimester is a busy and exciting time.  Unfortunately, our meeting times are short.  Please come prepared with any questions you might have regarding your child's progress.  You can also email me in advance so that I can be prepared to answer your questions thoroughly. 

Please ask your child what he or she knows about blogging.  We have done a lot of work to establish guidelines for your child to follow.  Your child is bringing home a checklist for commenting and blogging.  Please help them find a safe place to keep this tool.  It will help reduce the number of posts and comments that will not be published.  That being said, I am very proud of the thoughtful work that children are posting.

As always, I thank you for your support.  I truly enjoy teaching your children.  They are amazing team players!

                                                                                                       Fondly,
                                                                                                          Mrs. Jordan

 

 

 

Amber MVP Photo

Did you know that Amber love pigs?

 

Ben MVP Photo

Did you know Ben loves writing?

 

 

 

 

Riley MVP Photo

 Riley is an amazing swimmer!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Febuary Update

Dear Families,

     First, I want to thank you all for your support with MCAS practice homework.  Every Friday, we go over the pieces and I ask your child what they deserve for a score.  We are able to use the rubrics to score examples that have been released online.  I also read some exemplary pieces from our class.  When children bring in their homework before Friday, I am able to look it over and give them feedback if they need to add details. Overall, I have been impressed with the quality of work and the progress that I am seeing each week.  If you haven't had a chance, please take a few minutes to look over the work your child has done.  Thanks again for your support!
                                                                           
 

Reading and Writing

 We have learned how to critique both our own writing as well as others.  Using a variety of rubrics the students have shown an increased awareness of expectations and standard for their work. As we looked at our recent opinion piece assessments,  I was thrilled when one student said, "That writing is organized but it is missing supporting details."  We all agreed and talked about what details could be added to strengthen the piece. 

We have finished our unit on opinion writing.  Our next unit of study will be expository writing.  Students will learn about this genre in reading and writing.  We have a working understanding of nonfiction text features and how they help us comprehend.  Now we will look at articles, biographies and autobiographies to use as model texts.  Once we have explored mentor texts we will do research on topics that interest us.  The students will have to propose a topic for my approval.  This will include, topic, questions that they will answer, and reasons why they have chosen the topic.  All of this work will be done in school.

Incorporating Technology into our writing.  We have had the benefit of using our smart board and IPADS to enhance our learning.  Now, with the support of Mrs. Klipfel, we are blogging.  This is such a wonderful opportunity for our students.  It motivates them to publish their written work.  Students also know that their work will not be posted if it has more than two mistakes. When they want to post from home, please edit and encourage your child to produce quality comments.  Mrs. Klipfel and I will not include posts that are irrelevant or inappropriate.  I have told my students that anything they post could be seen by anyone in the world.  They are representing Team Jordan, Steward School, and Topsfield when they post.  I hope that our readers will be inspired and impressed by our work. 

Math 
 Multiplication & Division

What is 8 tens worth? What is 8 tens times 3?
This is the kind of problem that many of my players need to practice.  
8 tens = 80, 80x3= 240. 
240 divided by 8 tens= 3 tens

For the most part, we know our facts.  That being said, please review multiplication facts periodically with your child.  We are so busy during the day that it is really difficult to find time to practice at school.  I will continue to quiz kids on multiplication facts to 100.  We are now going to be focusing on division.  It is really easy to divide when we have a good handle on our multiplication facts. 

Role Model Opportunities

On Fridays I will be sending three role models to help out in kindergarten.  My role models will be reading, working on IPADS, running centers, and any other jobs that the kindergarten teachers need them to do.  This is an exciting chance for me to reward my students.  All of my students are role models and as such  will get a chance to volunteer in kindergarten. This was our first week of implementation and I received great feedback.  I was told my students were helpful, respectful, and patient with the younger learners. 

MVP Julia loves basketball!

Final Thoughts

We will have our Valentine's Party in a bag on Friday.  Please be sure to send in signed slips so that I know you have received this information.  Your child does not have to give out valentines.  If they choose to participate then they must have a valentine for each student. 
NO CANDY PLEASE.  

Friday is the 100th day of school!  Time flies when you're having fun learning.  Thank you for sending your child to school each day ready to learn.  Believe it or not this trimester will be over in a few weeks.  We still  have a lot of work to do.  As always, if you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me.

Enjoy your February vacation! 

Fondly,
Mrs. Jordan

Photos coming soon.
MVP Ben


MVP Delaney

Happy New Year!

I hope everyone had a wonderful winter break.  We are back in the swing of things here at school.  Due to the two snow days, we will begin MCAS homework next week.  I will also be sending home different math homework for students who know all their multiplication facts.  Those that don't know their facts will need to learn them.  I will continue to quiz students on a daily basis.  Congratulations to those who learned their facts in 7 days!  I will also begin spelling next week. I will send home optional spelling homework and I will provide students with an opportunity to practice their spelling words during the week.  Thank you so much for your continued support!

Shaelyn was a cheerful MVP.

 

 

 

Dear Team Jordan Families,
Thanks so much for all the generous gifts!  I can't wait to pick up some new books at Barnes and Noble over vacation.  I love all the holiday cards that you have sent me.  Your children are all so beautiful!  I hope you have a wonderful holiday together.  May the New Year bring much health and happiness!

Thanks to Mrs. Dunagan and Mrs. McBournie for the wonderful holiday party! 

The kids had a blast!

 

 

Fun decorating cookies.

 

 

 

 

 

Holiday Concert

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Mason was a great MVP last week. He loves hockey.

 

 

 

 

Catie taught us a cheer this week.  What a great MVP!

 

 

 

Check out our homework page.

 

 

Enrichment Menu has been updated.

Hi!  What a busy time of year!  I hope you are enjoying the hustle and bustle. I am looking forward to meeting with you next week during parent conferences.