Weekly Newsletter #13

Friday, May 25th, 2007

Dear Parents,

This week has been very busy, as we prepare for next week’s “Camp.” The camp will take place all day on Thursday, August 31^st, and will conclude by 10:30 the following day. Children are free to go home at that time. Students and teachers are required to stay overnight at the school, and a more complete agenda and list of items to bring will be sent home with the students on Monday. In any case, the camp promises to be a fun-filled and active event.

On Thursday, we attended the movie “Spiderman 3.” The students were well behaved and they seemed to enjoy the film.

Reading/Comprehension

We read the fiction story “Hedgehog Bakes a Cake,” which was about cooking. The vocabulary compliments last week’s cooking competition.

Oral/Vocabulary

The pop song for this week was “Lucky” by Britney Spears. Next week, we will study some poems. Daily English and Spelling have improved since Parent/Teacher interviews. I am happy with this progress.

This week’s Daily English and Weekly Spelling, included in the last newsletter, will be tested on Monday. Next week, because of the camp, there will be no Daily English, and only a simple review spelling test that will use words from past weeks.

Writing/Grammar

We had our Megaflash Test for units 3 & 4 last week, but due to some lower scores than I anticipated (the class average was 61%), we had a retest today. I am satisfied with the results and will return the tests next week. I think it is good for students to learn from the testing process, as they learn from their previous mistakes.

Miss O’s Megaflash students will be given a test on units 3 and 4 on Monday. This will also include definitions of different grammar points. Please check the pages for words written in blue such as adjective, pronoun, subject, predicate, etc.

Science

I will prepare a study sheet and try to find time to have a test next week before the camp. I will inform the students next week. At this point, I don’t feel the students are prepared to write the test due to lack of time with school events.

Here are the review words for Weekly Spelling next week.

Spelling List

1. reason

2. apostrophe

3. cafeteria

4. peaceful

5. organized

6. brought

7. sequence

8. melodies

9. tough

10. polite

11. pronoun

12. classify

13. certificate

14. famous

15. electronic

16. scientist

17. quietly

18. future

19. situation

20. simple

Have a great weekend everyone!

Regards,

Mr. Garrioch

Poetry

Creepy Pizza

by Neal Levin

________________________________________
I’d like a pizza topped with cheese
then sprinkled with some gnats and fleas,
some centipedes and slimy slugs,
and other creepy, crawly bugs.
I want to add some fingernails
and oyster ooze and crunchy snails
and chicken bones and spoiled meat
and smelly socks from dirty feet.
I want it topped with lots of mold
and gooey boogers (not too old),
a lot of snot, a little spit,
and guts with grimy, grainy grit.
I want the most disgusting crust
with spider webs and day-old dust
and dirt and mud and blood and gore
delivered to my sister’s door.

Our trip to the Zooooooooo! HOMEWORK!

Today's Homework!

Dear Students,

Here are some photos and a video about our field-trip to the zoo. If you fill in the blanks with good words, and show me them on Monday, I will give you a sticker.



One two one! One two one! The students are _____________ to the zoo. Bryan wants to go bungee _____________!

Why does Miss Ma like pigs so much? Because it is 2007! The ______ of the Pig! Pigs give good _______!
Wow! What is that animal? Is it a beaver? Is it a dog? Is it a giant hamster? It's very ___________ and ____________.

Rabbits are ____________, because they have ______ and make ______ for their babies.
How many rabbits can you count in this photo? There are ______ rabbits.
_________ is standing _________ the peacock.

The peackock has very ____________ feathers.
Why do you think he raises his feathers? Is he a prince complex?^^ The peacock raises his feathers because _________________________.

Parrots are special because they can ____________.
How many girls are in this photo? _____ How many boys? ______

The students on the bus are going ____________ .

Weekly Newsletter #11

Friday, May 18th, 2007

Dear Parents,

Today was the IED Elementary “Cooking Competition,” and it was a lot of fun. Our class created a delicious fruit salad called “Monster Brain Fruit Salad,” and the judges really liked it. Ten classes competed, and we won 3rd prize! Our “presentation” was scored very high, as we used half of a colorful dragon fruit as a bowl. I will put pictures on the class website this weekend. Thanks to Bryan’s mother and Cindy’s mother for helping out and providing extra snacks.

Teacher’s Day was wonderful, and all the teachers are very grateful for the flowers and gifts. Thanks to all the great parents and students who make Class 3-1 a success.

Daily English has been postponed until Monday. This was because of the Cooking Contest.

Parents and students should also be aware that on May 31st, the school will have its “Camp Event.” We will all sleep at the school, and have many contests and special events during the day. As well, Jimmy and Jessica are this month’s birthday kids, so we will have our party for them on that day. More about this next week.

I have begun to make changes to the English Journal program. The English Journal is still optional, and should be done at least one time a week. To make things more interesting for the students, I will now give them a writing assignment on Monday that they should complete before Friday. It is intended to be easy and fun. This week’s assignment was “The Best School In the World” and I was happy with the results. I would like each student to have a separate Clear File folder to keep these papers in.

Reading/Comprehension

We read the fiction story “Mr. Putter and Tabby Fly the Airplane.”

Oral/Vocabulary

The pop song for this week was “The Name Game” by Shirley Ellis. I think this song is fun and interesting, but the students thought is was strange and cheesey and wouldn’t sing it with me.  It is available for viewing and listening on the website.

Daily English and Weekly Spelling will be on Monday.


Writing/Grammar

We had our Megaflash Test for units 3 & 4 on Thursday. I am satisfied with the results and will return the tests on Monday.

Science

We will have a test next week, perhaps on Thursday or Friday. I will inform the students next week. I would also like to grade their Science projects based on presentation and research.

Here is the Daily English and Weekly Spelling for this week.

Spelling List

1. presentation
2. decoration
3. advertisement
4. import
5. export
6. judge
7. smeared
8. Seoul
9. Beijing
10. Vancouver
11. Sydney
12. Bombay
13. Singapore
14. Osaka
15. education
16. recreation
17. relaxation
18. imagination
19. creation
20. situation


Daily Eglish

1. This test is as easy as pie!
2. Excuse me, do you know what time it is?
3. (Teach the teacher something in Chinese
4. I don’t like ____________ because it is (adjective).
5. My favorite holiday of the year is _____________ because it is _____________.
6. Excuse me, may I borrow your (common noun)?
7. My goal for the rest of the year in class 3-1 is to _______________________.
8. At the school camp, I want to ___________________________________.
9. I had a strange dream last night. I found a (common noun) in my (place).
10. Say your name to the lyrics in “The Name Game” song.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Regards,
Mr. Garrioch

The Name Game by Shirley Ellis

The Name Game

The Name Game ...
Shirley!
Shirley, Shirley, Bo __________,
Bonana, Fanna, Fo __________
Fee, Fy, Mo Mirley
Shirley
Lincoln!
Lincoln, Lincoln, Bo Bincoln
Bonana, Fanna, Fo Fincoln
Fee, Fy, Mo ____________
Lincoln
Come on _____________,
I say now let's play a game
I betcha I could make a rhyme,
Out of anybody's _________,
The first _________ of the name
I treat it like it wasn't there
But a B or an F
Or an M will appear
And then I say Bo, add a B
Then I say the name
Then Bonana, Fanna, and a Fo
Then I say the name again with an F very plain
Then a Fee, Fy, and a Mo
Then I say the name ________ with an M this time
And there isn't any name that I can't rhyme
Arnold!
Arnold, Arnold, Bo Barnold
Bonana, Fanna, Fo Farnold
Fee, Fy, Mo Marnold
Arnold
But if the first two letters are ever the _________,
Drop them both then say the name
Like Bob, Bob, drop the B's Bo Ob
Or Fred, Fred, drop the F's Fo Red
Or Mary, Mary, drop the M's Mo Ary
That's the only _________ that is contrary
Okay?
Now say Bo (Bo!)
Now Tony with a B (Bony!)
Then Bonana, Fanna, and Fo (Bonana Fanna Fo!)
Then you say the name again with an F very plain (Fony!)
Then a Fee, Fy, and a Mo (Fee Fy Mo)
Then you say the name again with an M this time (Mony!)
And there isn't any name that you can't rhyme
Everybody do Tony
Tony, Tony, Bo Bony
Bonana, Fanna, Fo Fony
Fee, Fy, Mo Mony
Tony
Pretty ________. Let's do Billy
Billy, Billy, Bo Illy
Bonana, Fanna, Fo Filly
Fee, Fy, Mo Milly
Billy
Very good. Let's do Marsha
Marsha, Marsha, Bo Barsha
Bonana, Fanna, Fo Farsha
Fee, Fy, Mo Arsha
Marsha
A little ________ with Nick
Nick, Nick, Bo Bick
Bonana, Fanna, Fo Fick
Fee, Fy, Mo Mick
Nick
The name game

Weekly Newsletter #10

Friday, May 11th, 2007

Dear Parents,

It was very nice to meet you for Parent Teacher Interviews, and I enjoyed the helpful discussions. I hope our class will continue to improve, and that the students continue to enjoy studying. I welcome your suggestions and advice in the future.

On Tuesday, we had “Parent’s Day,” and the students made cards for their parents. We also made a very cute video during Daily English two weeks ago about why we love our mothers. You can see it on the website this weekend.

This week has been very busy. Rather than going further in the books, we spent more time reviewing the three mid-term exams so that the students could see the mistakes they made and correct them. This is a helpful way to finish things with exams.

Next week is also going to be very busy (and hopefully very fun). On Tuesday, we will have “Teacher’s Day.” Unfortunately, teachers won’t be teaching.^^ The students will participate in fun events with us.

Next Friday, we will have the “IED Cooking Competition.” Each class is awarded 150 RMB to purchase supplies for a recipe of our choice. On Monday, I will consult with the students about what we want to make (or invent). We are only allowed to use Chinese products, and are limited to simple cooking utensils such as a frying pan and a spatula. I hope we are able to create something delicious (and simple).

I’m very happy with the effort the students put in to their Science Projects. Good work guys! Keep it up.

Reading/Comprehension

We read the nonfiction story “Helping Out,” and the poem “We All Join In.” The themes of these stories are “cooperation” and “chores at home.”

Oral/Vocabulary

The pop song for this week was “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” by Bobby McFerrin. I think it is a positive message for students. Don’t worry! Be happy! It is available for viewing on the website. I also allowed the students to present their science projects to the class. This is good speaking practice.





Writing/Grammar

The week after next I will be changing the format for the English Journal. I think students will write more if they can write about something interesting, so I will be giving them writing sheets that I want them to keep in a clear-file folder. I think this will improve the system I have now. We are quickly progressing in the Megaflash book, and next week we will have a unit test on Thursday.


Science

The students did a very good job on their projects, and they look very nice in our classroom. We will have a test the week after next and will finish the unit on animals this week.

Here is the Daily English and Weekly Spelling for this week. I have included some phrases and vocabulary related to cooking. I am also going to change the test style for spelling, and instead of spelling one word, I will have the students write it in a small sentence/phrase.

Spelling List


1. prefix
2. twitch
3. directions
4. cranes
5. worrying
6. election
7. recipe
8. spatula
9. ingredients
10. horrible
11. flavor
12. gourmet
13. shaved
14. seasoning
15. dessert
16. food chain
17. caterpillar
18. voted
19. judge
20. contest


Daily Eglish

1. What ingredients do we need for this recipe?
2. Do you think this food has enough flavor?
3. This food tastes horrible. It needs more seasoning.
4. Here’s a little song I wrote, You might want to sing it note for note, Don’t Worry, Be Happy!
5. Humans are at the top of the earth’s food chain.
6. Excuse me, can you tell me the directions to (place)?
7. My goal for the rest of the year in class 3-1 is to _______________________.
8. (Tell the teacher one interesting thing you learned about an animal.)
9. I had a strange dream last night. A (animal) ate my (common noun).
10. (Teach the teacher how to say something in Korean^^)

Have a great weekend everyone!

Regards,
Mr. Garrioch

Weekly Pop Song - Don't worry, be happy!

“Don’t Worry, Be Happy” by Bobby McFerrin

Here’s a little ___________ I __________,
You might want to __________ it note for note
Don't __________ , be happy
In every life we have some trouble
When you worry you make it double
Don't worry, be ___________,

Ain't got no place to lay your _______,
Somebody came and took your _______,
Don't worry, be happy
The land lord say your rent is _________,
He may have to litigate
Don't worry, be happy
_______ at me I am happy.
Don't worry, be happy
Here I give you my ________ number
When you worry, call me
I’ll make you happy
Don't worry, be happy

Ain't got no ________, ain't got no style
Ain't got not girl to make you _______,
But don't worry, be happy
Cause when you worry
Your face will _______
And that will bring everybody down
So don't worry, be happy (now).....

There is this little song I wrote
I hope you learn it note for note
Like good little _________,
Don't worry, be happy
Listen to what I say
In your life expect some ________,
But when you worry
You make it double
Don't worry, be happy......
Don't worry don't do it, be happy
Put a smile on your face
Don't bring everybody down like this
Don't worry, it will soon past
Whatever it is
Don't worry, be happy

Weekly Newsletter #9

Friday, April 27th, 2007

Dear Parents,

This has been a very busy week, and the May Holiday could not have come at a better time. Both students and teachers are very exhausted after our first two months of school, and yet I think we all feel good with how things have gone. We have learned a lot of English, written a lot of tests, and memorized A LOT of words and phrases. Time for a break and a fresh start after the holiday.^^

On Tuesday we had our field-trip, and it was a lot of fun. The students were well behaved, and some even came home with fish. I hope to post pictures on the class website next week.

On Wednesday and Thursday, we had our exams. They were definitely not easy, and I am still in the process of marking them. I have finished marking the first exam, which was Spelling/Vocabulary. The class average was very impressive with 81%. 5 students scored in the 90’s. I was surprised, as I thought I made the test very difficult. Good job guys! Keep up the good work!

Parent teacher interviews are on May 9th and 10th. I hope to see you there. The report cards will also come out that week, and you will be able to view every mark up until the May holiday.

Since most of this week was spent with exams and the field-trip, there isn’t much to report. Here is what we did this week:

Reading/Comprehension

We wrote the exams for the stories “Wilson Sat Alone” and “Days with Frog and Toad.” The students should have completed up to page 30 in the workbook before they come back from the May holiday. Thanks to the library books Mr. Smith has been importing from the USA, we also were able to read the complete book about “Frog and Toad.”

Oral/Vocabulary

Due to exams, we did not have Daily English or the Weekly Spelling.

Writing/Grammar

I have yet to see many “Rewrite Journals” from the students. After the May holiday, journals will not be optional, and will be mandatory. The next newsletter will have information about this. Please encourage students to write in their journals at least twice during the vacation.

Science

The homework for the May Holiday can be seen on the attached page. If you want to use a different box, feel free to do so, but I think this size is ok. At first I wanted bigger sized boxes, but bigger boxes means more work!

I think the Science Project idea will be fun for the students, and I look forward to seeing what they make.


Here is the Daily English and Weekly Spelling for the week after next. The spelling list features words we have already learned with “prefixes.” I hope to teach them how to make words negative or positive using these.

Spelling List


1. science project
2. research
3. creative
4. impolite
5. unclean
6. disrespect
7. unimproved
8. unpopular
9. unexciting
10. reinvented
11. disorganized
12. nonfiction
13. infamous
14. unchanged
15. unafraid
16. examination
17. replay
18. remake
19. retest
20. rewrite


Daily Eglish

These daily English phrases intend to promote basic conversation.

1. Do you have any plan for the weekend?
2. I had a (adjective) weekend. How was your weekend?
3. If you have time, would you like to see (movie name) with me?
4. Do you know where to find a good (food name or country name) restaurant?
5. Would you like to grab a bite to eat with me?
6. How are you doing today?
7. I’m doing (adjective)! How about you?
8. Let’s keep in touch. What is your email address?
9. It was really nice meeting you. See you again soon!
10. If you ever need a hand, feel free to give me a shout!
11. During my holiday, I __________________________________________________.


Have a great holiday everyone! See you next week!

Regards,
Mr. Garrioch