Monday, December 22, 2014

2014

As 2014 comes to an end I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! :-) 

We have had a very busy few weeks and I will post as many photos as I am able. See you all next year! :-)  -Miss Hinkle

Jersey Day                     

Disguising turkeys for Thanksgiving (I wish I could post them all! They were great!)

Indoor recess fun!                            

Reading with Mrs. Hocevar
Meeting Billy Winn from the Cleveland Browns
Celebrating winter break at our grade level party! :-)

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Veteran's Day


Today we celebrated Veteran's Day! What an amazing assembly put together by Mrs. Gonczy! The students were able to create a classroom theme song in music (the video above) and a classroom flag. The students have spent the past several weeks learning about the American flag and the history behind it. If you were able to attend the assembly today I'm sure you would agree that it was absolutely perfect! 

Thank you to all of those that have served or are currently serving in our military! 

Sunday, November 2, 2014

Halloween

We had a GREAT Halloween party with the help and support of all of our parents! I have attached a few photos so everyone can see the fun games and great food we had! Thank you to everyone that donated food, supplies, and their time to make our Halloween party a success!


A BIG thank you to our Volunteers for helping at the party!!

Sunday, October 12, 2014

Busy Week!

It was a very busy week last week! From OAA testing to our first Dance-A-Thon we all had a lot going on! The students did a great job on their first OAA and we should receive the results close to December. They had a very hard time sitting for 2 1/2 hours but it was a great opportunity for them to see what the test will be like in the Spring. As of right now, all students will have to take the OAA in the Spring, even if they have already passed.

We finished up our week with our first Science test, a Reading test, vocabulary test, and a timed multiplication test. The end of the first 9 weeks will be Wednesday so we are trying to wrap everything up! 

This week we only have school Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Tuesday and Wednesday evenings will be parent-teacher conference nights. If you have not already set up a conference time please contact me this week to do so. Thank you to all of the parents who have set up a conference and those of you who have already attended. I have enjoyed meeting with you all and look forward to meeting with everyone else this week! :)

We also want to Welcome Garrett to our class! We look forward to spending this year with him! :)
 
 
Guided Reading Groups



                                                                     Math Groups
                                                              Using the Chrome Books

Monday, September 29, 2014

Conferences

9/22/14This week you should have received a bright pink paper to sign up for a conference time. My goal is to always give you your first choice at times, but this can be difficult at times. If you have not had a chance to sign up for conferences please do so ASAP. :-) My goal is to meet with all parents at the beginning of the year to go over pre-assessments and 3rd grade expectations. Once you sign up for a time I will send home a confirmation paper letting you know your official time. Please sign the bottom and send it back to school with your child. I know it seems like a lot of back and forth paperwork but this helps keep us all on the same page! 

This week we started chapter 2 in math which helps the students learn different methods for addition and subtraction. We are also continuing our timed multiplication tests every Friday.

What's going on this week (9/29)
Wednesday - Simple Solutions Quiz
Thursday - Spelling Test
Friday - Reading Test

I forgot to get pictures this week so I have decided to share the most adorable picture of my nephews! :-) They are 2 and 4 and live in Michigan. They visit about once a month so my mom and I decided to get their Fall pictures taken this past weekend.



Sunday, September 21, 2014

Class DoJo

This week we started a new classroom behavior system called Class Dojo. The program is computerized and allows each student to earn and lose points throughout the day based on their behavior. The program also allows parents to create a login and check their students points. When parents log on there will be a description as to why their child earned or lost a point. On Friday afternoon, the 2 girls and 2 boys with the highest point totals earn a reward. Also, any students with 10 or more points will earn a reward coupon. The points start over every Monday. I have really noticed a difference in class while using the program and look forward to using it this year! :-)

I also introduced the students to a few of my mimio interactive "games". The first one they tried was a reading - following directions.. The students were split into teams and had to read the clues and follow the direction given to answer the questions correctly. They also got to try a math review, which is similar to Jeopardy. The students really seemed to enjoy the "games" and didn't realize what great practice and review they are!

What's going on this week (9/22)
Tuesday - Simple Solutions Quiz
Thursday - Vocabulary Test
Friday - Multiplication Test




Monday, September 15, 2014

Math Centers

This week the students played "Beat the Calculator" in math. The object of the game was to know their addition facts faster than the student using the calculator. (I am trying to show the students how much easier math is when they don't have to count on their fingers for everything! :-) ) 

The students are also working on memorizing their multiplication facts. Every Friday the students will take a multiplication test on their facts. (Whichever they are on) The neat thing about this is that the students are able to progress at their own pace and really learn their facts. ALL of the students have passed their 0/1's and are working on their 2-4's. :-) 

What's going on this week (9/15)
1. Simple Solutions Test Tuesday Lessons 9-12
2. Constitution Assembly Wednesday
3. Spelling Test Thursday
4. Multiplication Test Friday





Sunday, September 7, 2014

Working Together!

This week we really focused on working together. My goal is to have our guided reading groups up and running by October. When the students work in small groups it allows me to help students focus on their area of need. This week the students worked in three different center groups. 1. Guided Reading with Miss Hinkle 2. Simple Solutions (Writing/Grammar) 3. Spelling. Each group had the opportunity to work in each of these centers Tuesday-Thursday. In the guided reading center I am able to listen to the students read and guide them through the comprehension process. Two of the groups are reading the book "Stink, The Incredible Shrinking Kid" and they love it! The main character is actually Judy Moody's little brother. The other group read the book "The Great Gracie Chase!" Both books are guided for the students reading abilities and we will really focus on the comprehension piece this week as we retell and write summaries.


When the students make it up to "Great Choices" on our behavior chart they get to choose a reward coupon. Below you will see pictures of students reading to the class which is one of the rewards. It is a great opportunity for the students to get in front of their peers and share one of their favorite stories. :-) The students are also working on reading contracts where they have the opportunity to read with the teacher.


Lastly, we had picture day on Thursday. Each of the students got their "Get Fired Up about Reading" t-shirt and we took a school picture outside. I also couldn't resist getting a class picture with them all in the same shirt. :-)

 

**Unfortunate news, strep throat seems to be going around our classroom. :-( Please remind your children to wash their hands frequently and keep them out of their mouth. We spent the last few minutes of our day Friday cleaning their desks, chairs, and classroom tables to help disinfect the room!



Monday, September 1, 2014

Finally getting into a routine!

We have officially been in school for 9 days and we are finally getting into a routine! This week we studied for our first vocabulary test and multiplication quiz. We also were able to start practicing working in groups and reviewed classroom rules and procedures.

As for the multiplication, the students are learning their facts in preparation for the school year. Students that memorize their facts and are able to quickly recall them will have a much easier time this year learning the new skills. We will cover multiplication and exactly how to solve multiplication problems this year! :-)

The students also got to practice their reading with a buddy this week. This is a great strategy to allow students to hear their peers read and also practice their own reading.Lastly, we practiced telling time and modeled times on their clocks. :-)





Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Our First Week

Well, we did it! We made it through our first week of school! We spent our week getting to know each other and learning our classroom rules and procedures. The students each made a "me" bag that they shared with the class to help us learn about the things they enjoy. The kids really liked this and were able to relate to the other students. 

 

We have started this week with introducing the third grade curriculum. They are practicing their vocabulary words and their 0/1 multiplication facts for their tests on Friday. 

 

I have received all of the students permission slips to post their pictures online, so enjoy! I am really looking forward to this school year and have a great group of students that I can't wait to spend the year with! :-)


Monday, July 28, 2014

About Me

I was born and raised in Wellington, OH and graduated from Wellington High School. I attended Baldwin-Wallace College and majored in Early Childhood Education. After graduation I decided to take a job offer in Citrus Springs, Florida where I taught for four years. I started and taught 1st grade for two years and then moved up to 3rd grade where I have been teaching the past two years. This was a very unique experience as I had the opportunity to work with my old first graders in third grade. :-)

Being away from home was extremely difficult, which is why I made the decision to move back to Ohio and take a job offer in Strongsville, OH at Drake Elementary. I am extremely excited about this new adventure in my life and am really looking forward to getting this school year started! :-)

Strongsville

Welcome!

I am excited about this upcoming year in Strongsville and am really looking forward to meeting my new students! This site will be a great way for you to see what your kids are up to at school! Feel free to contact me if you have any questions! :-)

Miss Hinkle