Saturday, January 21, 2006
Thank you for your cooperation with yesterday's field trip to the Sand Hill Boy Scout Reservation to see the Civil War Re-Enactment. As you know, we have a field trip coming up in April, and I have already thought of some things we definitely need to ensure the greatest trip possible (that really could have helped out with yesterday's trip): water bottles so everyone remains hydrated, small snacks, and moist towelettes.

The next letter will be sent home in the next month about the exact price of the trip. Last year, it cost $30.00 for students, and I will most likely charge $15.00 per chaperone this year. In addition to the few chaperones I know are coming, we will probably need three others, so if you are interested in attending, hopefully knowing now will give you the opportunity to be a part of our trip. If any parent owns a video camera, it would be extremely nice to have a video of the presentation we are putting on for the fourth-grade students at Hartley Elementary School.

While I am on the subject of pen pals, I hope to bring all letters to pen pals this Saturday because I will be going up to St. Augustine for the weekend.

Besides that, Florida Writes is coming up soon on Tuesday, February 7, 2006. Your child will receive either a narrative or expository prompt to write to. I plan to have a writing workshop on the evening of Thursday, January 26, 2006 at 5:30 p.m. The workshop will be exciting and will last exactly one hour. It will be held in our classroom, 304. I hope to have at least five students in attendance this year.

Keep encouraging and working with your son or daughter. Thank you.

Monday, January 2, 2006
I cannot believe it is already 2006! I wanted to inform you that I made some updates to our class page. On Wednesday, the Student of the Month for January will also be announced.

December 2005 Update
The first half of the school year went quite well. Now we are heading on to our second half, which is always filled with interesting and exciting adventures.

In January, students will be completing assignments in two Magnificent Monthly Writing Journals. One will be completed during Morning Work in class. The other will solely be completed at home and for ten percent of your child's Language Arts grade. The journal and its entries will be due at the end of January right before FCAT Writes (which will be on February 7, 2006).

Have an outstanding holiday. Congratulations to our Student of the Month, Brittany, as well as Moton's Teacher of the Year, Miss Diana Lichtenwalter.

Saturday, November 5, 2005
Our pen pal letters have arrived! Our pen pal letters have arrived!! Yes, you read it right- OUR PEN PAL LETTERS HAVE ARRIVED from St. Augustine!!

We are currently working on our science fair project, which is due next Monday. It looks outstanding for the most part, and we are in the process of researching. So far, we have looked through a few books as well as a handful of websites. The only concern is that we have a week to get done. However, we have some staying after school during the week to finish things out.

The Thanksgiving harvest is right after Thanksgiving on November 28, 2005, so be on the lookout for a form asking what you can bring in for the harvest!

Tuesday, November 1, 2005
I apologize for the month's delay! Soon, probably next month during holiday break, I will really apply myself and make some updates to this site so I can get it to what I really want it to be.

This week, I am sending a packet about expository writing home for you to look at, though it is definitely not long. I just want to inform you about what it is so you can provide the best assistance possible for your son or daughter.

The Student of the Month for November is Ben. Congratulations!

Saturday, October 1, 2005
It is finally October! Read an overview of what happened in September in our class journal.

Two big changes have occurred! Realistic fiction is not our genre focus any longer (it is now fantasy), and Elisha is our second Student of the Month!

Sunday, September 25, 2005
I am very excited to announce that we are on our Geography unit. For the most part, we have learned about Florida's government, which was our last unit. We are also going to study about Florida's explorers and "America's Oldest City", St. Augustine, soon.

I commend Monica for being such an outstanding Student of the Month for September, yet her month is nearly up. Who will be Ms. Jasztal's second Student of the Month for the 2005-2006 school year?

Moton's newspaper staff is also working very hard on the first edition of the newspaper for October. Hopefully our first edition will be out in the next 1 1/2 weeks. Work time has been delayed slightly due to a canceled meeting, yet I know we are doing the best we can. Thank you for all you have done, staff!

Monday, September 12, 2005
We now have a page saying who is a Brain Busters Super Solver from Mrs. Renz's fourth grade Brain Busters site!

Friday, September 9, 2005
Here are some updates: