Schwartz

Target Update

FIRST GRADE

Fridays have been a whirlwind of activity as the children and I have been "Stepping into Target!"  We have had two new students join us, and the kids have all adjusted nicely to our routines.  They amaze me with their curiosity and how quickly they catch on to new concepts.  As we do more and more brainstorming, analytical questioning, creative activities, problem solving and literature reading, the kids continue to astound me with their connections and abilities. 

 

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!!!

On Friday, May 8, we will have our end of the year celebration, for which parents will be invited.  We will probably start around 9:00 a.m.  More information to follow.

 

For the week of April 27, we will have a switch in Target Days.  FIRST GRADE TARGET WILL BE HELD ON Tuesday, April 28, INSTEAD OF Friday, May 1st.  This is due to a change in my third grade schedule.  I will send you a reminder as we get closer to the date.

 

 

GOING BEYONDS will be due by May 8. The kids can do them on anything about feet, shoes, fairy tales or something of interest to them, with my approval.

 

 

 

 

SECOND GRADE

Our second graders have become space explorers as we take A Journey Across Space and Time!  We have studied astronomers, constellations, the sun, and have incorporated many literature connections that share stories about space from different cultures.  Last week, we constructed solar boxes and discussed solar energy.  Next week, we will discuss sun protection factors and do an experiment with suntan lotions.  In addition, the students will be creating a "commercial" about sun safety.

 

The highlight of our unit will take place on Monday, April 13, when we will visit the Tellus Science Museum in Cartersville.  Chaperones should arrive by 8:30 a.m.  The program will last from 10:00 to 12:00, after which we will have a picnic lunch on the site of the museum.  We will return to school around 1:30 p.m.

 

GOING BEYONDS FOR THIS NINE WEEKS ARE DUE BY MAY 4.  Students may once again do anything about space.  

 

 

 

FOURTH AND FIFTH GRADES

Last week, the students discovered that all their hard work paid off during the dissection of our sharks!  The students were able to easily identify the anatomy of the shark and it was pretty cool stuff!  Thanks so much to all the parents who joined us and helped out with the experience!

 

The next few weeks, the kids will be researching a shark and creating a Power Point presentation and a model (thanks for saving those paper towel rolls!).  This will all be done in class. We will also be focusing on our Hands On Equations (introduction to algebra) program and viewing movie clips about how algebra is used in the real world.  In addition, we have started an art appreciation/criticism program and I have been so pleased with the children's reactions and thoughts. 

 

GOING BEYONDS FOR THIS NINE WEEKS WILL BE DUE BY MAY 7TH (fourth grade) and MAY 8th (fifth grade).  Once again, these can be anything about the ocean biome.

 

 

 

Please let me know if you have any questions.

TARGET UPDATE

Dear Families,

 

We are excited to be starting our spring units:

 

First Grade:  Stepping into Target

Going Beyonds due by February 27th and can be about feet, shoes, or fairy tales

Students may also choose another subject of interest, with my approval.

 

Second Grade: Journey Across Space and Time 

Going Beyonds due by February 23rd and can be on anything about space

 

Fourth & Fifth Grades:  Predators of the Aquatic Biome

Going Beyonds due by February 25/26 and can be on anything about the aquatic biome

PLEASE BEGIN SAVING PAPER TOWEL ROLLS FOR SHARK MODELS.

 

 

For new families, there is a section on the Target progress report that states, "Takes initiative to go beyond requirements." This can be shown in different ways. Students may do more than is expected on a classroom or homework assignment by going the extra mile with effort or creativity, or consistently show good leadership. Although not a requirement, students are also encouraged to complete an activity outside of the classroom that is connected to our unit (one per nine-week period). Suggestions include reading a book and doing a report; creating a poster, board game, book, mural, collage, play, puppet show, song, drawing, painting, model, diorama, or brochure. Students may also come up with their own ideas and get approval from me. Once completed, I ask the students to do a brief presentation to share their activity. This does not have to be a big deal; I just like to have evidence that the students are motivated beyond the classroom to further explore the concepts of their unit. Again, this is not a requirement, but is noted on the progress report.  I will discuss this with the kids as well.

 

 

We have had a request for pictures from the yearbook committee.  If you have taken any pictures of the kids during Target presentations or activities this year, copies would be much appreciated!

 

Some of you have asked if there is anything else needed for the classroom this semester.  We will let you know if there are supplies needed for units.  We could also use playground equipment, if you would like to donate a kick ball, soft football, jump rope, etc.

 

As always, please let me know of any questions or concerns you may have.

 

Thanks!

Lori

 

 

Target Update

Fourth and Fifth Grade

 

We are beginning to wrap up our law unit; the kids have been working on turning the fairy tale, Hansel and Gretel, into a mock trial - a much bigger undertaking than any of us imagined!

 

Just a couple of things to let you know about -

 

Our last day of Target for this semester will be December 2 for Fifth Graders and December 3 for Fourth Graders.  We are beginning to sort through test scores and will be testing potential new students during the last two weeks in December before our winter break (always an exciting time!!). 

 

These dates will also be the last day to bring in Going Beyonds for this semester.  I have told the students that if they received a "Very Good" or "Excellent" rubric rating on their projects, or if they completed the electoral college activity, (our predictions were very close, by the way!), then they have already fulfilled this requirement for the semester.  Some, of course, accomplished both, which will probably entitle them to a "Meets" plus on their progress reports. 

 

In addition, I would like to remind everyone of the Continuation Criteria for the Target program, as this can sometimes present itself in the upper grades.  My experience has been that many more students go on probation because of general classroom performance, rather than Target classroom performance, so just a reminder that all Target students are expected to maintain a B or higher in all core subjects. 

 

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.  I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving with all those you are thankful for!

 

Lori Schwartz

 

 

Target Update

It has been a couple of weeks filled with a whirlwind of activities!  Because of testing, we had shortened Target days, which contributed to the jam-packed feeling!  Your children should have come home with a lot of information this week, which I wanted to help clarify.

First, you should have seen a field trip permission form and envelope.  THIS MUST BE RETURNED TO SCHOOL BEFORE October 1st!  This is especially important for the fourth graders, as their field trip is next week, Oct. 1st.  If I do not have a signed form by that morning, I cannot allow your child to go on the field trip.  Fifth grade's field trip is on October 14.  Also, please note that the kids must bring a sack lunch or purchase one from the cafeteria (drinks will be provided).  We are so excited about this trip; it appears to tie in so well with our unit and allows participation by the students in a mock trial.

In addition, your child should also have come home with a project list.  Each student should choose a project by next week, as I will allow time in class to work on these.  Important dates as follows:

Due Dates:

October 28 (fifth grade)

October 29 (fourth grade)

Work Dates:

Sept. 30 & Oct. 7 (fifth grade)

Oct. 1 & Oct. 8 (fourth grade)

Students should bring any materials needed to work on projects for our work days.

Going Beyond Activities

Going Beyond activities for the first nine weeks will be due by Oct. 7 for fifth grade and Oct. 8 for fourth grade.  I have told the students that as long as they do a good job on their projects, this will count as a Going Beyond activity for our second nine week period.  Again, this is not required, but allows students to fulfill the "going beyond" requirement on their progress report and in addition, allows students a "show and tell" time that many enjoy.  Plus, it does wonders for the Target teacher, as she sees the kids making connections and showing enthusiasm for our units of study. :)  A few other ideas that showed up this past week:  research on Thurgood Marshall, information about Voting Early Options, and "silly" Georgia laws!

I have been especially pleased by the interest shown in our Leapholes book!  We have had some awesome discussions about our readings (like having our very own book club in Target class!) and many of the kids have read ahead or even completed the book.  Our media center has also ordered the AR test!!

Other discussions this week that made my heart sing:

Watching clips of an interview with Justice Scalia and discussing originalist vs. activist points of view (5th will watch next week) and what things from his childhood that could have made us predict that the Justice would hold such an important position some day.

A lively discussion about civil cases (i.e. McDonald's hot coffee and Croc shoes):  should these companies be held responsible?

I hope this posting has been informative and offered some clarifications.  Please let me know if you have any further questions.  I appreciate everyone's support and admire each of you through the wonderful young ones you send to me each week!

Welcome to 2008-09!

I hope everyone had a nice summer and that you have adjusted to the school routines once again.  My summer was a whirlwind, filled with many changes, including a move (downsizing), taking our daughter to college, and readying our son for a year in South Korea!  I was glad to have things settle down a bit and get into a regular routine once again!

Another nice part of beginning the school year was seeing your children once again.  They have all grown and matured so much and I couldn't wait to begin our unit studies together.  I am very excited about our Target units this year.  Our fourth and fifth graders are studying law, while our second graders will be looking at bats, the only flying mammal!

Going Beyond

There is a section on the Target progress report that states "Takes initiative to go beyond requirements."  This can be shown in a few different ways.  Students may do more than is expected on a classroom or homework assignment by going the extra mile with effort or creativity, or consistently show good leadership.  Although not a requirement, students are also encouraged to complete an activity outside of the classroom that is connected to our unit (one per nine week period).  For the upper grades, this can be anything to do with law.  For second graders, why don't we say it can be about any flying animal, as this gives us a good comparison to bats and offers the kids a few more choices. 

Suggestions include reading a book and doing a report; creating a poster, Power Point, board game, book, mural, collage, play, puppet show, song, drawing, painting, or brochure.  Students may also come up with their own ideas and get approval from me.  Once completed, I ask that students do a brief presentation to share their activity.  This does not have to be a huge deal, especially with the younger students; I just like to have evidence that the students are motivated beyond the classroom to further explore the concepts of their unit.

THE FIRST GOING BEYOND ACTIVITY WILL BE DUE BY THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 6TH.

This will all be discussed further with the kids as well.

Field Trips

We will be taking a field trip to the Georgia Bar Association downtown, which will consist of a visit through a law museum, a law lesson, and a mock trial.  Fourth graders will go on October 1, while the fifth grade date is October 14.  More information to follow.

We hope to have a bat "expert" come and do a presentation with our second graders.  We will let you know when we have the plans finalized for this.

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.  I look forward to a "year of wonder" with your children!

Lori Schwartz

Target Upcoming Events and Information

Dear Families,

As we approach the end of our third nine weeks (unbelievable!!), there will be a whirlwind of activity in all Target classes between now and the close of the year!  Listed below are dates and reminders.  Please let me know of any questions you may have.

March 16 & 17 - Gifted Children Conference - Target teachers will attend; therefore, Target classes will be canceled these two days (affects second and fourth graders)

Second and Third Graders

March 12 - Field Trip to the Carlos Museum  Reminders:  Please pack a "big" snack.  We will be eating lunch upon our return to school, around 1:00.

April 14 (2nd Grade) & April 16 (3rd Grade) - Mummy Wrap Program   Parents are welcome to attend this in-house field trip  2nd Grade: 10:30 a.m.; 3rd Grade: 9:45 a.m.

May 12 (2nd) and May 14 (3rd):  Going Beyond activities due

Over the next few weeks, students will be working on an in-class project.  I will be providing materials in the classroom to complete these projects.  The exception to this would be the students who have chosen to do a time capsule filled with objects that represent their life.  Most of these would have to come from home.  I have also told the kids that if they have materials at home that they think would help enhance their project, they may also bring these in; however, they are not to purchase new materials!

We hope to set a date in April when parents may come and see a presentation of projects!  More information to follow!  We will also be holding an ancient Greek Olympics at the end of the semester!

Fourth and Fifth Graders

March 25 (4th) and March 27 (5th): Unit Projects due/Presentations (Parents are invited from 10:00 to 11:00 to see project presentations); Towne Faire Parent Signature also due

April 3 (5th) and April 4 (4th):  Medieval Times Field Trip - Forms and funds due by March 13; $20 limit on spending money; pick up at bus loop; students may bring books and I-Pods; however, please do not bring any other electronics, food, drinks, pillows and blankets

May 6 (4th) and May 8 (5th): Medieval Towne Faire and Feast

May 13 (4th) and May 15 (5th):  Going Beyond Activities Due

Information will be coming home soon about the towne faire and feast!

Welcome Back!

It's nice to be back in the Target routine once again!  Welcome to all of our new third grade families - your kids have had a terrific start to our program.  My Target schedule is as follows:

Mondays - Second Grade

Tuesdays - Fourth Grade

Wednesdays - Third Grade

Thursdays - Fifth Grade

Fridays - First Grade at Timber Ridge Elementary

Please note that I will not be at Chalker on Fridays this semester.  I will still be checking my e-mail (and often check it over the weekends as well) so you can still reach me if necessary.  Please help your child to remember to bring their Target binders on their Target day.  He or she should also bring back a tally with a parent's signature.

I hope you have heard a little about our spring units.  Our second and third graders will be Puzzled by the Past, learning about archaeology and ancient civilizations such as Egypt, Greece, Rome and Mesopotamia.  We have a field trip scheduled in March to Emory University's Carlos Museum, as well as museum programs coming to us in February and April.  Look for more details coming home in the next few weeks.

Our fourth and fifth grade unit, Castles, Keeps, and Kingdoms, also takes us back in time to the middle ages.  Areas to be covered include the feudal system, knights, guilds, and of course, castles. 

GOING  BEYOND

Although not a requirement, students are encouraged to complete an activity outside of the classroom that is connected to our unit (one per 9 week period).  There is a section on the Target progress report that is used to reflect whether or not a project has been completed.  Suggestions include reading a book and doing a report; creating a poster, Power Point, board game, book, mural, collage, play, puppet show, song, drawing, painting, or brochure; and researching foods and/or games and bringing in samples.  Students may also come up with their own ideas and get approval from me.  Once completed, students will be required to do a short presentation to share their project.  There should be a blue sheet in each child's notebook that further explains Going Beyond.  This nine week projects will be due by the week of March 3rd.

Please let me know of any questions you may have!

Lori Schwartz

lori.schwartz@cobbk12.org 

Thanks so much to all of the volunteers who have come by to help with copying.  I will continue to keep my box labeled "Copies" on the counter near the sink.

The latest with the The Great Whodunnit (Second and Third Graders):

The kids are becoming top notch mystery solvers, using some of the same methods that real-life detectives do, including fingerprints, footprints, measuring bones, chromatography, missing person reports, and of course, logic.  We are also reading mysteries in class and will begin writing our own mysteries!  On October 29, we will have a Cobb County detective come and do a program for us.  As for all units, we spend a portion of each class doing brainteasers and our third graders have started a math program called Hands On Equations, which teaches algebra concepts using manipulatives.

The latest with Ultimate Connections (Fourth and Fifth Graders):

Once we acquired some background information, the kids formed their bridge construction companies, creating a company name, slogan, and logo.  Each student has a particular job (and sometimes two) such as Project Director, Architect, Accountant, Transportation Chief, and Carpenter.  The students created their toothpick bridge designs to scale on graph paper and are now in the first stages of construction.  They must purchase supplies daily, filling out order forms, writing checks and keeping a balance sheet.  In November, we will hold a bridge breaking contest, where the bridges will be judged on how closely the bridge followed the design, whether they stayed within budget and the strength of the bridge.

Reminders:

4th Grade Field Trip:  Tuesday, Oct. 16

5th Grade Field Trip:  Thursday, October 25

We will depart around 8:30 a.m. and return around 6:00 p.m.  Pick-up will be in the bus loop area.  You must sign your child out with me.  Please send a note if your child will be picked up by someone other than a parent or guardian.

Our last week of classes for this semester will be the week of November 12th.  We will then begin testing and will start our spring unit in January right after winter break.

Your child should be bringing home a tally for you to sign each week and this should be returned to me for filing.  Bringing a signed tally back each week is considered part of being prepared for class on the progress report.  In addition, there is a blue sheet in each student's Target notebook that lists opportunities for Going Beyond, which should be done each nine-week period and will also be reflected on their progress report.

Thanks so much for all of your support!  I so enjoy my time with your kids each week!

Lori Schwartz

lori.schwartz@cobbk12.org

Lori Schwartz

Welcome to Target!