Week of Aug. 7-11

Parents,

We had a great first week!  Our days were packed with activities that allowed everyone to get to know each other.  We also learned about procedures in the classroom and in common areas of the school.  We talked a lot about staying on task and making good choices. 

Grades are new this year.  We will begin taking grades this week.  Below is our week at a glance along with some assignments students will receive a grade on. 

Homework will also be assigned this week.  Students will write down assignments in agendas.

Here’s our week at a glance:

Reading: Reading workshop- How to make good book selections, finding a good spot to read and focusing on the book

Writing: Writing workshop- We’ll organize our journal and do some writing with prompts, students will also work on a piece of writing related to a book we’re reading in class (for a grade)

Grammar: 4 types of sentences, subjects and predicates (grade on Friday)

Spelling and Vocab: Words with prefixes- un, non, dis (grade on Friday…multiple choice and fill in the blank)- words will be in agendas and red folders on Monday night

Math: Number sense and place value…writing numbers in standard, word and expanded form, comparing numbers, writing numbers in order from greatest to least and least to greatest (grade on 

Friday)

Science: Water Cycle (grade on Monday, Aug. 14)

Upcoming Dates:

Aug. 21- Extended School Day (Eclipse) and Open House- 6-8 pm

Aug. 30- Early Release

Sept. 4- Labor Day- no school

Retirement Letter From Ms. Keeney

Dear King Springs Families,
Ten years ago you welcomed me to King Springs Elementary as your new principal. For me, it was a dream come true. I was able to work in my home community while being a part of the rich traditions of such a special elementary school. I have been blessed beyond measure to work with the best teachers Cobb has to offer, and the most committed group of parents around.

We have grown from 625 students, to a whopping 948 beautiful children who are split between two campuses. Parents and teachers have helped to make King Springs a much sought after school and one to be proud of. We have one of the strongest PTAs in the district, a Foundation that is growing and making a tremendous difference for our school and a School Council that is committed to making sure King Springs becomes all that it can be. Together we have laid a foundation that is strong and King Springs will continue to be the BEST school in Smyrna. With SPLOST 5 coming up for a vote in March, we have a strong chance of having a new building our children and community deserve.

I reached my 30 years in education a while back and kept saying I would not retire until those precious Kindergarteners stopped hugging me and saying, “I love you Mrs. Keeney.” Every day my heart is full of children that are precious, loving and caring. They are our hope for the future. It is bittersweet that I announce that I will retire at the end of this school year. This has not been an easy decision for me, because I love so much what I have had: The privilege of loving your children every day. But my own children have moved out of state, and my sixth grandbaby is due on the first day of the 2017-2018 school year. What a conflict!! I want to visit my children and grandchildren more often, watch them play sports, and participate in their school activities.

I do not know how to begin to thank you for allowing me into your lives. For letting me love, hug, sometimes cry and laugh with you and your children. You are truly wonderful. I have been blessed beyond measure. Not everyone is as lucky as I am. I have experienced such joy every day, and hopefully in some small way, have made a difference in the lives of children.

Humbly, and with Love,
Linda February 6, 2017

Emoji Sales

January PTA Calendar

Jan. 16-20

Good afternoon parents! I hope everyone is enjoying this spring weather!

Curriculum at a glance:

Reading- inferencing using text information and background knowledge….we’ve read several King Arthur/knight stories and used inferencing

Grammar- Prepositions review

Writing- Animal projects-  all work done in class, these are due on Friday and some students may bring them home if they’re behind in class

Math- FRACTIONS! Finding equivalent fractions, reducing fractions, adding and subtracting fractions, Greatest Common Factors, Least Common Multiples

Social Studies- WWI- we’ll hopefully be done by the end of the week

IMPORTANT DATES AND EVENTS:

Emoji Fundraiser- Jan. 18-20- $5 each benefitting Relay for Life

Science fair projects due- Jan. 23 (Monday)

Donuts with dad: Jan. 26- last name A-L, Jan. 27- last name M-Z

STEAM Night with Science Projects- Jan. 26 from 6-8 pm

Field Trip: Please let me know if your child is attending the field trip (March 16-17)  and remember the money  ($117) is due on Feb. 13.  Thanks to those who have sent back the permission slip and money.

Scissor Shortage- Some students don’t have scissors and we use them on a daily basis…..check with your child to see if they need a new pair!

We’ve also pulled out our last binder and started using it….if your child didn’t bring all of them to school at the beginning of the year, make sure they bring in a 1 inch binder- it’s for writing.

Please let me know if you have any questions and have a great week!

Shay 

Parent Survey Link

From King Springs Administration

Annually, the Georgia Department of Education requests parent input regarding the climate at each Georgia School.  They collect this input through Parent Surveys.  You may complete this 24-item survey on a computer, smart phone, or tablet. Your participation in this survey helps King Springs.  Thank you for taking time to answer the questions.

Georgia Parent Survey:

http://apps.gadoe.org/schoolclimate/parents.nsf/Survey.xsp

mother/son event details

Barnes and Noble Book Fair

Oct. 31-Nov. 4, Week at a glance

Reading- We’re continuing to determine the theme in pieces of literature.  This week, we’re reading poems. When we write about the theme, we are using text evidence.

Math- We’re still multiplying decimals.  This week we are using standard algorithms…..5.6 X1.54.  The most difficult challenge is making sure to place the decimal in the correct place. 

Social Studies- We are learning about life in the Great Plains… and why is wasn’t so great.  We’ve read about the transcontinental railroad and the telegraph too!

Writing- We are continuing our research on chocolate milk and whether it is healthy to drink and should it be served in the cafeteria.  By Friday, students should have all research complete.

Friday is our Field Trip to hear the Atlanta Symphony.  We are leaving the school at 9:15 and will return by 12:15.  Students are asked to dress nicely for the event. 

There is no school on Tuesday, November 8^th. 

Next Friday, November 11^th, is Veteran’s Day.  We would love to see pictures of veteran’s in your families!  You can email them to me or send them in.  Please be sure to include their name, branch of military and rank.  Please send them by Monday so we can display them!

Week of Oct. 17-21

Here’s our week at a glance:

Due to early release, we have limited time in the classroom this week.

Reading:  We are continuing our extended text of Wonder.  The kids love it and most of them are also reading it on the side.  When we read it as a class, we discuss different elements of the story- character analysis, main ideas, cause/effect.  

Math: This week we are adding and subtracting decimals.  Students will have a graded assignment on these skills on Friday. 

Socials Studies: We are finishing the Civil War.  The students have trading card due tomorrow.  We’ve been working on them in class for about 1 ½ weeks.  Our Civil War quiz will be on Monday.

Science: We switched Monday with Mrs. CT and they’ll see her again on Friday.  I believe they have a quiz on Friday…..ask them about it!  Extra credit is also due on Friday at 8:55- everyone should do this!

Spelling:  Our spelling focuses on the “I” before “e” except after “C” rule.  (List and Vocab are attached)

Be sure to read about the Field Trip- blue letter that came home last Friday!  It’s going to be tons of fun! 

Red Ribbon Week- Oct. 24-28

Week 11 Spelling

Websites for STEM Challenge- Build A Levee

STEM Challenge Levee Websites

http://education.nationalgeographic.com/education/encyclopedia/levee/?ar_a=1

http://www.sciencechannel.com/tv-shows/build-it-bigger/videos/build-it-bigger-rebuilding-the-levees.htm

http://science.howstuffworks.com/engineering/structural/levee.htm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1IxIKLV68E

http://academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Levee

https://www.floodsmart.gov/floodsmart/pages/flooding_flood_risks/levee_simulator.jsp  (May not work on iPad)

http://gpb.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/5c2a7b83-282f-4842-a784-27ce1634003e/is-new-orleans-prepared-for-the-next-katrina/

http://teacher.scholastic.com/scholasticnews/news/archive.asp?archive=121705

Kids Infobits (found on cobb digital library) has several items you can read about levees

Spelling and Vocab- week 8

Please note: Due to testing, there will not be a spelling test on Friday.  We'll be using the words in class.

Wordy 30 Challenge from Library

Spelling/Vocab- Aug. 29-Sept. 2

Support the Pride Reminder!

Sparkle night- thanks for coming!

It was great seeing several of you at Sparkle Spirit night last week!  We had never been to Sparkle before and my own kids had a great time!  Thanks for supporting King Springs!

Spelling and Vocabulary- Aug. 15-19

Spelling and Vocab Words, Aug. 8-12

Words with the prefix -UN and -DIS

-un: not; opposite
-dis: do the opposite of; not

1.unfriendly 9. disagree
2.unfair 10. disable
3.unabridged 11. disappear
4.uncertain 12. disclose
5.unhappy 13. disconnect
6.unlike 14. dislike
7.unequal 15. dishonest
8.unusual 16. disobey

Hint: Prefixes: First, find the prefix and the base word. Then spell the words by part to help with your spelling!

Vocabulary
1.convince- v. Cause someone to believe firmly in something
2.gust- v. A brief, strong burst of wind
3.pace- v. Walk at a steady or consistent speed
4.sneer n. A mocking smile, remark, or tone
5.absorb v. Take in or soak up