Prokop's Press          

                               Sept. 22, 2006               

Dear Parents and Students

       First off, I would like to thank all of you that were here Wednesday night dedicating your time. I am very excited about the year ahead, especially with  a great class with such supportive parents.  It was fun to see so many familiar faces along with parents of students I’ve seen around campus through the last couple of  years. I know we are going to have a great year! We have had a busy week. Now that we have settled into the routine of room 16 things are going smoothly. I am very impressed at how cooperatively the students work together. They are very supportive of each other both in the classroom and on the playground during P.E.  This is something I look forward to seeing continue, and will consistently support and reward.

Spelling/vocabulary: We will be in lesson 3. A reminder, that usually a spelling pre-test is given on Monday to introduce the students to the new words and definitions. Then, work with the words will continue throughout the week. On Thursday there is another pre-test, if the student receives a 100% then they do not have to take the test on Friday. There is also a vocabulary test on our spelling words. Often we will be making the flash cards so they can use them to help study,  and then keep for a cumulative test.

Social Studies: We are continuing through  the first chapter about "Early People". We have looked at "Studying the Distant Past", and "The Hunter-Gatherer Societies." We are now moving on to lesson 3 "Populating the Earth." We will also discuss how students can slowly start making note cards that will eventually be used to study for the test when the chapter is finished. You might ask them, and encourage them to start this process, and not leave it until the last minute.

Math: Work within chapter 1 moves on in both classes. Starting Monday, I will not write homework assignments on the agenda. This is taken care of in the individual classrooms. For some students, I suggest taking their agendas into math, or having a piece of binder paper in their math binder that they can record the assignments on a daily basis. There simply isn’t room for me to record both group’s assignments on the transparency at the end of the day.

Language Arts:  Grammar instruction continues looking at subjects and predicates, both simple and complete. We will begin our first novel Journey to Topaz, in class on Monday. This will give us the opportunity to look at both character and plot development in more depth. I also will be introducing many literature "interaction" activities and assignments that will be used throughout the year with both other novels and the reading book.

Science: We looked at the different forms of rays that electromagnetic energy takes in the transfer of energy. At the end of chapter 1 students will, in groups, take an open book test. We will correct it together and then it will be available to use to study for the unit test of all chapters, 1-3. This will be the procedure for all 3 chapters.

Art Masters: I am happy to say our first art lesson is on M.C. Escher.

Class Web Site: Many asked at Back to School Night for our school web page address. Here goes...  tweek.cusd.claremont.edu:16080/chaparral   Once you are there, click on the link for teachers and then scroll down to my picture. Click on "View Web site" and there you are! If you just want to e-mail me, my school e-mail address is lprokop@chsmail.claremont.edu This is the best way to get in contact with me or just a note with your child. As I mentioned Wednesday night, please do not call me on the district voice mail system. I am sorry to say, I do not check it as often as I do my e-mail --which is daily.

                           Sincerely,

                                                                  Leanna Prokop