The students continue to do a great job on ISTEP. They are taking their time and doing their personal best. Today we finished up the language arts portion of the test and tomorrow we will begin working on Math. The good news is that we are 1/2 way there. (for 4th grade, 5th grade has science so they have a bit more to go.)
This morning we had reading buddies. It always amazes me how well the 4th graders and the 1st graders get along. Today we saw siblings who were being affectionate and supportive as well as 4th graders making sure they read with expression so that the 1st grade friend wanted to read along.
We also wrote cards to an armed services member who is currently serving in Afghanistan. He is a nephew of a teacher here at Northpoint and will soon be having a birthday while overseas. We wanted to make sure that he didn't feel forgotton.
Today was also Constitution Day! The kids treated us all to the singing of the constitution's preamble in the lobby of the school this morning. They sounded wonderful. There is something about the singing of children that is so uplifting. Later in the morning we watched a video about the writing of the constitution. When the preamble was being read, all of the 4th graders started to recite it with the movie. I got chills. It was very impressive.
Don't forget that we are having a camp under on Friday. All of the student's in Grannan's language arts class can bring in sleeping bags, pillows, stuffed animals, and a flashlight, along with their favorite books. We will spend part of the afternoon camped out on the floor of my classroom reading. This is a great time to finish up those two books for reading projects.
Also on Friday, Stars in Service will be raising money for this year's Buddy Walk. Buddy Walk is an organization that supports people with Down Syndrome. (www.buddywalk.org) We have two students here who will be walking in the Buddy Walk. Northpoint students can help by bringing in a dollar (or dollars) to staple to the wall in the lobby. We hope to fill the wall. Students who bring a dollar will be able to chew the gum of their choice during an hour of my choice during the school day. No dollar, no gum!
