We are planning for loads of fun for the next three weeks. Butterfly, frog, and plant life cycles are part of the fun and we are just beginning our study of Jimmy Carter. I have several craft projects planned with plenty of active learning throughout our school days. Also, we have Beach Day, Cultural Arts Day, Field Day and so much more to look forward to within the school calendar. It is still important to be at school every day. Don't miss the excitement!
Henry's Happenings
Bells Ferry Elementary School
2600 Bells Ferry Road
Marietta, 30066
678.594.8950
About Mrs. Henry
I am a native of Marietta, Georgia where I attended Bells Ferry Elementary, J.J. Daniel Middle, Sprayberry High and Kennesaw State University. In fact, my entire immediate family is native to Cobb County. What a great place to live and work!
My wonderful husband (who often bails me out of my own 21st century technology messes) enjoys his career in technical support. This May we will be celebrating our 13th wedding anniversary.
We have two precious children. Alton is eight years old and Abigail will turn two in March.
The 2008-2009 school year will complete my tenth year of teaching. I have had the pleasure of teaching second, third, and fourth grades and am looking forward to another fabulous year!
SECOND GRADE TALENTS' SURVEYS with Mrs. Seidman
Second graders compared and contrasted their surveys to assess what percentage of their answers matched their teachers' responses to these questions:
Color I like_______________________
A favorite food_________________
Number of animals living in my home______________
My favorite sport________________
Kind of book I like to read (mystery, adventure, non-fiction)
__________________________
Movie I liked_________________________
Number of brothers or sisters living in my house ______
My favorite meal of the day (breakfast, lunch, dinner)_____
My favorite cereal: ________________________
Best thing to do on a summer's day:____________
The highest percentages from the classes were:
40% of Marcus's results matched Mrs. Henry's.
60% of Eliana's responses were similar to Mrs. Oria's.
60% of Rachel's replies were on target with Mr. Spies's!
90% of Cody's answers were the same as Mrs. Cody's!
90% of Cody's answers were the same as Mrs. Cody's!
FAQs
Would you like to know about...
Curriculum?
For full details on the Cobb County curriculum and many other helpful resources, go to the Picasso website.
Classroom rules and procedures?
Our classroom rules are typed at the top of the behavior sheet which you will see daily in the Take Home folder. However, when working in cooperation with others and sharing genuine respect, a list of rules is not necessary. We will follow the golden rule, "Treat others how you would like to be treated." I will treat my students with respect and in turn I expect respect to be reciprocated. If rules are broken or tasks are not completed as assigned, parents will be informed via the Take Home folder.
Homework/Reading log?
A weekly newsletter will go home every Monday with the week's homework assignments and spelling words listed. The student homework will go home in the Take Home folder on the days which it is assigned and is expected to be returned the following day. The reading log will show a 100 minute weekly homework expectation. Please write the number of minutes and initial on the corresponding day. Research shows that reading is most beneficial when it is done daily. However, the reading day combinations are your choice as long as the minutes total 100 by the following Monday. If daily homework is not turned in, the student will be sent to Study Hall during recess.
Spelling?
Spelling is an area where students MUST take the responsibility to study at home. There will be homework/classroom assignments, but the weekly Spelling words listed on the Newsletter will serve as a guide. If you were in Cobb County last year, you are familiar with the Sitton Spelling Program. Sitton differs from a traditional Spelling program. It is based on the idea that students learn best when spelling is applied, rather than memorized for a test. The words are high frequency/no excuse words that students use most in their writing. Your child will be responsible for mastering the second grade frequency "no excuse" words. We will practice 5 of these words each week. We will also complete weekly review tests to check for mastery. Some chosen words from the first week's test, along with new words will appear on the second week's test and so on throughout the year. The purpose of reoccurring words is to master the words for long-term memory. The spelling grade on the report card is determined by averaging the weekly test grades with the Sitton review sheet scores. I also offer challenge words for those students who already know how to spell the "no excuse" words. For more information on Rebecca Sitton's Program go to the Sitton Spelling website.
Grading Scale?
Grades will be given using the following scale: A smiley face, stamp, sticker, etc. will indicate that this assignment is practice work or homework and therefore will not be entered into the gradebook. A 1, 2, or 3 will indicate that the grade has been entered into the gradebook.
Accelerated Reader?
We will definitely be continuing with the Accelerated Reader program. If you are not familiar with this program please contact me for more information. We offer an array of incentives for meeting goals. A list of AR books for our school is posted on the Bells Ferry Media Center's web page. You may also find our list at Gritters Library.
Attendance/ Transportation?
School begins promptly at 7:50. Please help your child be at school on time. The county will be strictly enforcing school attendance. When absences occur, a written excuse is requested. If you wish to change your child's transportation procedure, be sure to do so in writing. Otherwise, I will send the student home in the way which was agreed upon the first week of school. We strongly discourage calling the office at the end of the school day for transportation changes. Thank you!
Schedules?
Please know that parents are welcome any time in our classroom to observe or assist. For the safety of our students, all guests must sign in at the office. Feel free to eat lunch with your child at your leisure. The classroom schedule, along with the specials schedule is coming soon to the homepage and will be sent home the first week of school.
Contacting Mrs. Henry?
If you wish to speak with me, please schedule an appointment via e-mail, phone: 678-594-8950, or letter. I look forward to working with each of you this year!
