Looking ahead to the week of March 31

Students enjoyed a visit from the Historic Columbia Foundation's Traveling Trunk Show!  They learned about Civil War era games and even had the opportunity to write with quill pens.

                                                        

                                                       

                                                   

The children enjoyed a visit from author Jerry Pallotta.  He encouraged the kids to look at the world around them, as inspiration for their writing!

Hi, families!  I hope you all had a wonderful weekend!

Looking ahead:  The children will enjoy a round robin day next week, focusing on line plots, pictographs, and bar graphs (lessons 16-2 through 16-5) in math. Students will receive a study guide Friday, March 28, which will be due Tuesday, April 1.  They will complete a test Thursday, April 3.  Keep in mind, the children are welcome to take home their math textbook any day, as long as they bring it back the following day.  Using a textbook is a great way to study!  Please continue to encourage your child to practice his/her facts every day!  Students will continue to have mixed operation quizzes throughout the rest of the school year.  They will wrap up their study of the Civil War.  Next week, they learn about the HL Hunley and Sherman's March through the south.  The children will review for the test Monday, March 31, and test Tuesday, April 1.  The kids will enjoy a "Being There Experience" to the State House Wednesday, April 2.  Toward the end of the week, they'll study the Reconstruction era.  In reading, students will review various reading strategies through Civil War era picture books and begin a unit on poetry elements.

State House "Being There Experience" Lunch Reminder:  We'll be going to the State House Wednesday, April 2.  Be sure to send your child with a lunch/drink that day, if you chose that option on his/her permission form.  The Seaside Cafe will only have enough bagged lunches for those who signed up for a cafeteria lunch.

Field Day:  We will enjoy Field Day Friday, April 4!  The kids are welcome to bring a bottle of water with them, if they do not have a water bottle at school.  Please make sure your child dresses appropriately for the weather and wears tennis shoes!

A note from the Talent Show Committee: On this upcoming Friday, March 28th, come out to our school talent show, Bookman’s Got Talent.  The night will feature talents from students that are in Kindergarten through 5^th grade.  This year’s acts are sure to please as students have practiced and work their hardest to perfect their talents.  Some of these acts include: gymnastics, singing, and playing the piano, just to name a few.  You won’t want to miss any of the incredible gifts that will be shared on the stage. So, come on out and join us!  The show will start at 6:30 and we will have concessions for your enjoyment.  We are asking for a $5 donation per family, all proceeds will go to our PTO.

Thank you again for all that you do!  Enjoy your week with your sweet kids!

Looking ahead to the week of March 24

Students practiced prompt writing all throughout the week, to prepare for SCPASS testing.  They gave each other "pluses and wishes," as they worked together on doing their personal best in writing!

Hi, families!  Our first round of SCPASS testing is finally here!  I've been encouraging the children to ease their worries, as this is just simply their "Time to shine and show all they know!"

Looking ahead:  The children will wrap up their first on measurement (lessons 15-3 and 15-4) in math. Students will receive a study guide Tuesday, March 18, which will be due Tuesday, March 25.  They will complete a test Thursday, March 27.  Keep in mind, the children are welcome to take home their math textbook any day, as long as they bring it back the following day.  Using a textbook is a great way to study!  Please continue to encourage your child to practice his/her facts every day!  Students will continue to have mixed operation quizzes throughout the rest of the school year.  The children kick off their next unit in social studies.  They will study the Civil War.  Next week, they'll focus on the causes of the war, the battle at Fort Sumter, life on the homefront and that of a soldier.  Reading and language arts will be a bit of a mix next week!  The children will enjoy an author's visit on Monday.  Tuesday, they'll complete the MAP reading test, in order to assess their growth.  They will complete their last Reading Counts inventory for the year, which will determine their Lexile levels for the last nine weeks.  The children will also learn how to use e-Books in a lesson with Ms. Sease.  Throughout the week, they'll study idioms and multiple meaning words.

Homework reminder:  Students do not have a homework packet or reading log due this week.  They'll receive a new packet and log Friday, March 21.

State House "Being There Experience":  We'll be going to the State House Wednesday, April 2.  Please sign and return the permission form by Friday, March 21, which was in your child's communication folder last week.  There will be no chaperones for this field study, since the State House is set on the number of visitors per group!

SCPASS snacks:  Thank you again to all of you, who donated SCPASS snacks.  It made testing a little "sweeter" for the kids!

A note from first grade:

Hi Everyone!  Our first grade charity this year is to collect money for the Columbia Police Department’s K-9 Unit.  We want to raise money to put towards a new bullet proof vest for one of the police dogs.

We will bring a "piggy bank" container for your classroom.  Please drop any donations into the container.

We will come around and pick up donations every Tuesday and Thursday after AIRWAVES for the entire month of March.  The last day to donate will be Thursday, March 27.

The Police officers and dogs will be coming to Bookman the following day to collect our donations.  We are so excited!  

Thank you again for all that you do!  Enjoy your week with your sweet kids!

Looking ahead to the week of March 17

We are gearing up for "SCPASS" testing!  Ms. Spangler recently visited third grade's community to discuss some important ways students can do their personal best on the test!

Hi, families!  I hope you all enjoyed the beautiful weekend with your sweet kids!

Looking ahead:  The children will begin a unit on measurement (lessons 15-1 and 15-2) in math. Students will NOT receive a study guide for Topics 13 and 14.  A study guide will be completed in class this week, which students can take home to study this Friday, as this eliminates any homework the kids will have the week of "SCPASS" testing.  The kids will also complete a review in class Thursday, March 20, which they can take home that night to study, as well.  Students will test on perimeter and area Friday, March 21.  Keep in mind, the children are welcome to take home their math textbook any day, as long as they bring it back the following day.  Using a textbook is a great way to study!  Please continue to encourage your child to practice his/her facts every day!  Students will continue to have mixed operation quizzes throughout the rest of the school year.  The children kick off their next unit in social studies.  They will study the Antebellum Period.  There will be no unit test!  Instead, students will complete classwork throughout the week, which will cumulatively serve as a test grade.  It will be a big week for the children in ELA!  They will take their first round of the "SCPASS" test Tuesday and Wednesday!  Please be sure to check out the "SCPASS" letter from Mrs. West that went home in your child's folder last week.  There will also be a brochure from the state in your child's folder this week!

Homework reminder:  Please remember students will not receive a new homework packet or reading log this Friday.  Their homework is to get a good night's sleep, be at school on time and ready for the "SCPASS" test!  The next homework packet and reading log will be issued Friday, March 21.

This week's communication folder:  Please be sure to check your child's folder for our next "Being There Experience" permission form!  We'll be going to the State House Wednesday, April 2.  Please sign and return the permission form by Friday, March 21.  There will be no chaperones for this field study, since the State House is set on the number of visitors per group!

Special shout out:  Thank you so much to Ms. Hart for organizing our "SCPASS" snacks.  I also appreciate all of you, who jumped right in, to donate snacks, juice, breakfast items, and treats!  These snacks always make testing a little "sweeter" for the kids!  The kids and I appreciate you more than you know!
*If you volunteered to send in an item, please do so by Monday, March 17!

Third grade's Friends and Family lunch:  You are invited to join us for lunch Friday, March 14.  Students will be going to lunch from their SAIL classes, so you can just plan on meeting us at the Seaside Cafe at 11:32!  We look forward to seeing you!

A note from first grade:

Hi Everyone!  Our first grade charity this year is to collect money for the Columbia Police Department’s K-9 Unit.  We want to raise money to put towards a new bullet proof vest for one of the police dogs.

We will bring a "piggy bank" container for your classroom.  Please drop any donations into the container.

We will come around and pick up donations every Tuesday and Thursday after AIRWAVES for the entire month of March.  The last day to donate will be Thursday, March 27.

The Police officers and dogs will be coming to Bookman the following day to collect our donations.  We are so excited!  

Thank you again for all that you do!  Have a great rest of the week!

In celebration of African American History Month, the children enjoyed an African Drum presentation by students from Blythewood High School.

Looking ahead to the week of March 10

The kids kicked off their new science unit, "Good Vibrations!"  They will be diving into the world of sound by studying vibrations, sound sources/receivers, and pitch.

Hello, families!  I hope you all have enjoyed your week so far!

We have missed valuable teaching and learning time, due to the snow/ice and weather delay days we've had recently.  The children and I had a conversation early this week about this situation.  They understand that we've got a lot to make up, so they will not only be prepared for "SCPASS" testing in March and May, but fourth grade!  I've encouraged the kids to do their very personal best these next few weeks in making good choices, so we don't lose out on quality learning time!  I appreciate the children using their LIFESKILLS of flexibility and effort everyday!

Looking ahead:  The children will continue investigating perimeter and area (lessons 14-4, 14-5, 14-7, and 14-8). Please continue to encourage your child to practice his/her facts every day!  Students will continue to have mixed operation quizzes throughout the rest of the school year.  The children will wrap up their study of sound with a test next Friday (Their study guide, which was issued March 7, will be due Thursday, March 13).   Students will also continue preparing for the PASS writing test!  

A note from first grade:

Hi Everyone!  Our first grade charity this year is to collect money for the Columbia Police Department’s K-9 Unit.  We want to raise money to put towards a new bullet proof vest for one of the police dogs.

We will bring a "piggy bank" container for your classroom.  Please drop any donations into the container.

We will come around and pick up donations every Tuesday and Thursday after AIRWAVES for the entire month of March.  The last day to donate will be Thursday, March 27.

The Police officers and dogs will be coming to Bookman the following day to collect our donations.  We are so excited!  

Thank you again for all that you do!  Have a great rest of the week and stay warm!