Dear Parents and Students,

     I hope this finds you doing well.  Please note the following information and have a safe and happy week.

        ,

                                                                            Fondly,

                                                                            Chris Hay

TRITT TIGER FOUNDATION-  Parents, I want to take time to thank our Foundation for all that they do for Tritt. They provided for our Computer Labs, Science Portal ,and the wonderful teachers who support these programs, Mrs. Gravalec and Mrs. Keck, I have recently received an ACTIVBoard in my classroom and my ceiling projector will be installed by the first of the year.  The children are loving this wonderful learning tool.  Quite frankly, they are so great at using it that they are constantly giving me new ideas.  We have been sharing our powerpoints and kidspiration webs as the children have saved their work on thumb drives and simply install and go!!!  We have watched video clips and looked up Primary Source photographs and documents on immigration so that we could all view together on the big screen.  I am able to share big ideas in a big way.  I realize how fortunate I am to have this opportunity and so many other schools would love to have one or two just to share.  Our Foundation's goal is to complete the 21st century classroom goal in all of our classrooms.  This has made a tremendous difference in the way that I teach and the way that I plan to teach in the future.  In my room, the children have taken charge of their learning.  They are confident with the technology and I am the first to admit... they are teaching me as well as I am teaching them.  I hope to have you all in to the room in the near future so the children can share their knowledge , understanding, and active involvement in this wonderful piece of technology.  Thanks again to our Foundation.  What a Blessing!

TRITT PAGE-WEB LINKS- Parents, please have your child go to the Tritt page and click on Web Links.  Under First Grade Math is a program entitled MATH MAGICIAN. This program is for all grade levels but it is a timed program that they can work on their speed and accuracy in all areas.  Again, my big area of concern is subtraction and addition.  Watch them, you will see why I am concerned. 

Math- We are testing over chapter 7 on Thursday.  Also, we are working hard, schoolwide, to improve our skills in math computation.  This is about speed and accuracy of basic math facts.  Honestly, the area of greatest concern for my students seems to be addition and subtraction.   If they didn't have fingers and toes..... well, you get my point!   We have set up a system in our class and we are keeping records , documenting daily results and will later graph after a 2 week period to have a visual.  Also, we share our success stories every day.  I anticipate huge progress as my children are very serious about their success and want to be the best they can be..  Such an admirable quality.  Lucky Me!

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Reading- The new 9 week goal has been set.  The children are to read and test over 10 books.  8 are to be non-fiction and 2 are to be fiction.  Summaries will be accepted if the book is not AR.  The only downfall is that AR points are not given. ( There is a 5th grade quarterly award for most AR points.  Yet, I personally do not like "points" to drive the reading train. )  I want the children to read for pleasure and of course to gain information and ultimately become better readers. 

Spelling/ Vocabulary-  Unit 6. Test, Friday.

Science- The Matter unit  menu has been given to each student and is attached at the bottom of the schoolnotes page.  . Lesson's 1-3 should be completed now and the remainder of main dishes should be complete by week's end. All materials are to be kept in order in the science folder.  In addition children should be working on side dishes and desserts.  This may require computer time at home and children are encouraged to carry a thumb drive to and from school.  I have arranged for extra computer time each week and the children may go to the Media Center in the mornings and durng any free time to work on these projects. 

Social Studies-  Our Immigration Day is Friday.  The children are askcd to dress as if they were an Immigrant from another country coming to Ellis Island.  The girls would wear long skirts, maybe leggins or bulky socks, boots or old shoes, shawls, and a scarf on their heads.  They can look worn out and dirty.  They should be carrying a piece of luggage or baggage.  Nothing new, something old and ragged, maybe even a blanket tied up with a few light items inside... remember, they have to carry this around all day.  Boys, wore hats , maybe an old jacket, pants, or knickers, boots, or old shoes....  I am looking forward to my class being  the best participants!!!! ( We really outdid ourselves last year for the 100th day... a little conmpetition here!!!).   Thanks to all the parents who are helping with this.  I appreciate you.

English/ Writing-  The English Tests were Great!  We will continue to work on parts of speech.

• Book Reports- DUE THURSDAY OF THIS WEEK.
• Mark your calendar for the Thursday before Thanksgiving Break ( November 19) You are required to read a novel (fiction) of 100 pages or more.  I will be asking that you keep a Journal and Design a book cover different from the original cover. The cover should include A new and Creative Title on the front of the book with an original author’s name based on what you’ve read.  Design the cover thinking of a favorite scene, etc.  The Back of the Cover should have the original Title and Author of the book with your name in the bottom right hand corner. In the journal must be ten separate letters written in friendly letter format.  5 of the letters must be written from a character in the book (become the character).  2 of the letters must be written to the author with questions, concerns, and/or comments about the book so far.  2 of the letters must be written to a family member explaining the characters, setting, and big problem in the story. The last letter is to be written to me.  Please give me the final solution, your feelings and opinions, and of course your recommendation ( who should read this book and why?).   All of this should be bound nicely. 

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• Please note the following memo about Science Olympiad

               Do you enjoy learning new things in Science?  Do you like being part of a team?  Are you looking for a new challenge?  Tritt’s Science Olympiad team may be for you!  Members of this team will work together to investigate, experiment, and compete.  Our team will compete against others in Cobb County on Saturday, March 6, and in a state competition on Saturday, May 15.  

If you are interested in applying to be a member of the team, please plan to join us on Monday, November 9 in Ms. Wilson’s room.  The application session will last from 2:30-3:15.  

Depending upon the number of applicants, we will either form one or two teams.  Each team can only consist of 18 members with no more than 8 fifth graders.  For this reason, we will use applications to determine team rosters.  We plan to form our team/s and begin practicing when we return from the holiday break in January.  

We look forward to seeing you on November 9!

Ms. Wilson, Ms. Donovan, and Mrs. Swierski
Tritt’s Science Olympiad Coaches


Melody Swierski
5th Grade
Tritt Elementary
770-642-5630

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