Tallest Tower Team Building

Last week we worked in groups to create the "Tallest Tower". Each class did this leading up to creating their Social Contracts so that they would see some of the skills necessary for working in groups. Each student worked really hard in this activity and we even had our very own Special Guest "Steve Urkel" from the 1990's hit show Family Matters. Hope he stops by again really soon! We might just have some cheese for him! :)

Second Week has Begun!

We have begun our second week at CMS and students are doing great. Make sure that you are in dress code each day as it is crucial to not miss out in the classroom.

Student Council Representative Forms can be picked up in the office and are due back to Mrs. Smith-Sloane (room 316) by Friday, September 3rd. Our first meeting will be Monday, September 13th from 3:15-4:15 pm in Mrs. Smith-Sloane's class. Mrs. Willis (7th grade science) will be helping us this year. We can't wait to get some ideas rolling of what the students want to see here at the school.

This week we will start our first unit on Rational Numbers and Coordinate Pairs. Our Unit Test will be next Thursday, September 9th. Remember all of our tests begin with a blank multiplication chart that students must be filled in. This is to help practice our multiplication skills and a valuable tool to be able to be used on the test as well.

Remember as always, feel free to leave a comment and I will get back to you! :) Have a great day and I hope to upload some photos from last week tomorrow.

Crazy Busy First Week

We have had an amazingly, crazy first week. Monday started off with a bang. Tuesday followed suit and we ended the night with Meet The Teacher. I was so proud to see all of your bright and smiling faces and get to meet parents. Although it was a brief second, I still love meeting the families of my students so I know who I will be talking to over the course of the year. Wednesday we played a fun team-building game in class on the Tallest Building and had a great time with it (pictures will be coming soon). Today, each class created their Social Contract for the year. The video below explains a bit more about the system that we use for this.



Each class will be getting a copy of their Social Contract to keep in their binders (in the handouts section). I am hoping the binders that each student is keeping is going to help keep them organized in Math this year and will save on a lot of the "I lost it." or "Can I get a new copy?" Taking a few minutes now may make the difference for the future.

I have received a few emails about how to remain updated when new blog posts arise. You can become a "Follower" of this blog. By doing so you are showing me that you are a reader of the blog. If you are a Google user, you can use Google Reader and our blog will show up in that feed. Also, I have added a "Subscribe To" feature where you can get the blog posts in other online readers. If you use Outlook, some servers will also allow you to add it to your RSS feeds. Hope this helps.

Check back often and don't forget to leave comments! :) Don't forget that TOMORROW (Friday, August 27th) is our Beginning of the Year Diagnostic Test and you have a Practice Sheet due. Next week I will be going over the First Six Weeks project that is a Test Grade! :)

What A Great First Day!

Today was an amazing start to the 2010-2011 school year at Crandall Middle School. Loved the new school clothes, supplies and smiles on the students faces. If your student did not bring their supplies today, make sure that they bring them to class tomorrow. I will continue to collect them as the come in and store them in the classroom.

Today, your student received a class syllabus (can be found on our Website here). They were urged to have their binder, dividers and composition notebooks starting tomorrow! We want to have organized students in Mrs. Smith-Sloane's class year and we can't do it without these three items.

I did receive some Kleenex (13 boxes) and expect this to last until about October at best. Please send Kleenex as you can to our classroom so we can combat sneezes and runny noses with comfort. :)

Thank you for all that you have done to support your student's education so far.

Homework for August 23:
1. Parent Email (read directions at the bottom of the course syllabus)
2. Get all Math Supplies (check course syllabus)
3. Bring magazines for Thursday (appropriate material please)
4. Practice Sheet #1 (1-5 ONLY)

Don't forget to remember: Pirates SHINE!

Welcome Back!

I am so excited to be back at Crandall Middle School for another year of Eighth Grade Pre-Algebra. I am also taking on the responsibility of Middle School Student Council Sponsor and am very excited about that as well.

This blog is a place to keep up with when things are due, upcoming school events, Student Council meetings, etc. Feel free to leave a comment on the blog posts (make sure to have your name) to ask questions or just respond. Who knows I might put some Extra Credit on the blog sometime!