Hello summer!

What an amazing year! I was so blessed to have the opportunity to educate your wonderful children. Here are some highlights, and thanks for all that you do!

Yikes!

Ok my title might be a little dramatic, but I cannot believe how quickly the end of the year is approaching! Things are moving at warp speed at school and this time of year is definitely busy with all sorts of things going on. Last week we enjoyed track and field day. Our class did fabulous and brought home many ribbons! We also celebrated Mr. Wyborney's accomplishments of becoming a published author! Not to mention we have been working like crazy to complete end of the year assessments, work samples, thank you cards, and so much more! 

A few things you need to know:

1. If your child has the opportunity to attend summer school, take it! It will be a fabulous experience and every single student could benefit from more meaningful and engaging educational experiences. It will be an awesome time! And help better prepare them for their coming educational experiences.

2. After school math students that have returned their fieldtrip permission slip forms will be going on their field trip the 29th. I will be accompanying them. Stay tuned for details!

3. College and career day will be the 30th of this month. Encourage your child to keep up the great behavior!

4. If your student misses any school right now it will be hard for them to make it up, everyday we are doing a lot of in class activities! 

5. Don't forget spirit week! Wednesday is Aiken Gator Green Day, Thursday is Wild West day, check with your student to find out about Friday. 

The secret word this week is "spirit." Thanks for all that you do!

Oregon Trail Interpretive Center

Our field trip was a huge success. Thank you to all our volunteers and parents for re-arranging schedules and making this happen! We had a fun and educational day spent in the windy Baker City. I am sure your child told you all about our 4 mile hike that took place on the side of a steep hill, the museum, and all of the cool things we learned about! 

Next week your child will be participating in Track and Field Day at the high school from 9:30 to 11:30 A.M. Please make sure they are dressed appropriately for the weather/running events. We also will have benchmark testing Monday-Thursday, so please make sure your child is well rested. The secret words this week are, "Oregon Trail." Thanks for all that you do!

 

 

 

 

 

5/2/14

This last week has been fabulous! Some of the highlights include: several students passing their reading OAKS test, Hat Day, College and Career Day, Gator Buck store and Greater Gator Celebration, a guest speaker from PROOF eyewear discussing how he turned his idea into a product and made a thriving business, guest speaker Dr. Kituku sharing many stories of life lessons, and a surprise party for self-managers. What a whirlwind of a week! As I peek ahead at the calendar, I can see that the rest of May is just as full!

If you are interested in learning more about Dr. Kituku, here is his website: http://www.kituku.com/ 

He also founded an organization to help children in education receive education. 

Here is a link to that website: http://http:/www.caringheartsandhandsofhope.org/

I would like to remind everyone our field trip is on Tuesday. Please, have your child arrive to school at 8:30 A.M. The secret word this week is, "helping ." Thanks for all that you do!

 

4/22/14

Today was very exciting; the Oregon Coast Aquarium assembly was today! What a wonderful privilege for students to get a closer look at the coastal environment. The presentation was very engaging and informative. One of our students even played a key role as a seastar! 

 

This week we have been studying a variety of texts. We continue to study history and the Oregon Trail as well as a novel called, "The Hope Chest."  I also completed a read a loud by Judy Blume and we have jumped into "Fudge-a-mania," also by Judy Blume. In math, we have learned about stem and leaf plots as well as circle graphs. In writing we are continuing to develop our skills by really studying what a paragraph is and why it is important. 

On Friday, Jump Rope for Heart is tentatively scheduled for 10 AM. The second round of reading OAKS testing will begin next week. The secret word this week is, "aquarium." Thanks for all that you do!

~Katy Creason

4/18/14

What a wonderful week it has been. As our second round of OAKS testing begins, I could not be more proud if my students. Wow, they are fantastic mathematicians! The growth I have seen is incredible. Several students increased their scores by 10-15 points to "exceed" on the test. Truly, a reason to celebrate! 

This week we continued our informational text study to learn about the Louisianna Purchase and how Missionaries played a key role in the beginning of the Oregon Trail. Thank you so much for quickly returning field trip permission slip forms. Right now I have 3 volunteers and could use a few more. So if you can volunteer please let me know ASAP. 

In writing, we have been working on an expository unit. Students are writing advice to next years 4th graders. In math, we have been working on our data and graphing unit. Mr. Wyborney has also been in to teach a few lessons while I am in the testing center with students taking the OAKS. I know they have been enjoying him and his very engaging teaching methods.

Tuesday of next week, we have an exciting assembly happening; a presentation from the Oregon Coast Aquarium. This will take place around 2 PM. Jump Rope for Heart will also take place Friday morning. If you have time to volunteer, the help is always greatly appreciated. The secret word this week is "OAKS."

Thanks for all that you do!

~Katy Creason

 

 

4/10/14

This week our students have been working hard in the area of writing. We have been working through the writing process to create a story. We also are beginning an expository unit that will extend through next week. In math, we have been having a blast with our Data and Graphing Unit. Each student has been creating surveys, surveying other students, charting/graphing the data collected, and then interpreting and analyzing the results. During reading we have been learning about the history of Oregon in an informational text study. 

Our informational text study is preparing our class for our field trip to the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center in Baker City. The tentative date for this trip is Tuesday, May 6th. We will be returning home from the trip around 4:45 P.M. We will be needing lots of adult volunteers for this field trip. Please make sure you are up to date as an approved volunteer for the district. More specific information will be sent home soon.

I would like to take a minute to let everyone know the final round of OAKS testing will begin Friday, April 18th and continue into the next week. The final day of After School Math will be on Friday, April 18th as well. 

The secret word this week is, "data." Thanks for all that you do!

~Katy Creason

First week back from spring break 2014- By Mr. Plaza

Today, was really productive day in math. Jose scoring a 100% and many others getting high scores to give them a winning learning gain and fun achievement! I, Mr.plaza made my return and helped others do really well on their work.  Also, we are learning about how to edit a rough draft. The kids were full of energy but it is Friday after all . We are also learning about agriculture and natural resources in social studies today. The kids seem to be really interested in agricultural crops. A final note-If you get a chance, go support me (Mr. Plaza) on Saturday as I play my first home tennis match of the year for TVCC against Spokane, starting at ten AM. 

Thanks,

Mr. Plaza

 

April 1st

It is great to be back after a long restful break. I am hoping you enjoyed some extra time with your wonderful children! This week we have dived back into learning head first!

In math, we are working through a short unit on probabability. In reading, we are studying Oregon and how Oregon's natural resources effect the economy. In writing, we are writing short stories using the writing process. Everyone really seems to be enjoying collaborating with a peer for ideas and help with the writing process. 

We have a lot of fun things happening soon here at Aiken. Please join us for Family Literacy Night this Thursday, from 6-7 PM at Aiken. Lots of great prizes will be given away and it will be a great time! 

The secret word this week is, "literacy." Thanks for all that you do!

~Katy Creason

 

 

3rd Quarter Fun

The 3rd quarter will be over on Thursday; how quickly it has gone! This week we wrapped up our unit on geometry. We have been learning about Oregon's geography and continue to work hard on the Common Core State Standards in reading and writing. On Tuesday, the class celebrated College & Career Day. Unfortunately, I was out sick but I am certain everyone had a good time at the Gator Buck Store and the Greater Gator Celebration for students who didn't receive any referrals this last month. 

Spirit week has been a huge success, don't forget tomorrow is pajama day! I am also excited to report that student council raised over $90 for hat day!  I hope everyone has a safe and restful Spring Break. The secret word for this week is, "break." Thank you for being so patient with all of my recent technological difficulties! 

Things You Need to Know

The last round of OAKS testing will begin around April 15th

Your child should have math homework Monday-Thursday night (if they do NOT attend After School Math.) 

Your child needs to be reading for at least 20 minutes each night (and part of that time needs to be out loud.)

Family Fun Night is Thursday, March 20th from 5:30-8:30 at the Middle Scool Gym

Family Literacy Night is coming soon to Aiken

Thanks for all that you do!

~Katy Creason

 

 

Another Great Week

Another great week is coming to an end. This week was a busy one as usual. In writing we wrapped up our figurative language unit. In reading we have been working on a character and setting summary. We also have been studying natural gas in science and even completed a mini science experiment. In math we finished our unit on algebra and are now studying geometry. 

One of the most exciting parts of this week was the NED assembly. What a great message! I am excited about the enthusiasm students have for "never giving up, doing your best, and encouraging others." The assembly was incredibly fun!

Tomorrow, (Friday) is pay 50 cents to wear a hat day. Students need to buy a sticker in the gym before school in order to participate in this event. This is just one of the fundraising events student council is putting on. 

Spirit week- Next week is spirit week. Dress up each day to show your school spirit!

Monday- "green day"

Tuesday- "career day" Dress like you would for the career you want to have as a grown-up.

Wednesday- "sports day" Wear your favorite sports gear or team's attire.

Thursday-"pajama day" 

The secret word this week is, "spirit."

Thanks for all that you do!

~Katy Creason

 

More Technological Difficulties

This weeks technological problems have left me without internet at home (for an entire week now.) the school internet will not allow me to upload my blog posts onto the internet, so this last weeks post was delayed. It is also brought to you by the lovely wireless internet at McDonalds! 

This last week was a busy week like usual. In writing we have been working through a figurative language unit and in math we have been working through solving algebraic equations. Both units have been greatly enjoyed by students! It is awesome to see how excited they are as they use inverse operations to isolate a variable and solve an algebraic equation. (Algebra is my favorite!) We will review this content and probably take the unit test Monday or Tuesday. 

This week we have an exciting assembly on Thursday. The "NED" Show is coming. NED stands for "Never give up, Encourage others, and Do your best." Certainly, some great principles to live by! The student council at Aiken is also implementing their first fund raiser, "pay to wear a hat day." The cost will be 50 cents and this will take place on Friday. I am looking forward to this! 

If anyone is interested in volunteering, I can use help daily from 11:10-11:50 AM. You would be helping out a few students during our reading time and maybe a few other jobs as needed. Please don't hesitate to volunteer, I would be privileged to have you! Even if you can just come once a week or whenever you have spare time, it would be greatly beneficial. 

The secret word this week is, "NED." Thanks for all that you do!

~Katy Creason

 

Yikes! Technological Difficulties

Thanks to some great students, I found out my blog posts were not making it from the Ipad onto the Internet for you to view. My appologies! I will work hard to keep this from happening again. 

I would like to start the week off by saying thank you to everyone who was able to help volunteer at the Jog-a-thon on Friday. Great job! Our students did a fabulous job and had an excellent time too. 

Today, we began learning about equations in math and will work on this unit into next week. In writing we have been working on figurative language. During reading we have been studying a story called, "Akiak," which is about a sled dog team running the Iditarod. I would like to bring your attention to the fact that your child has homework Monday-Thursday night. 20 minutes of reading and a math skill worksheet. I encourage readers to read out loud for at least 5-10 minutes of their reading time. This is important for building word reading fluency. 

The secret word this week is, "yikes." Thanks for all that you do, and for reading our classroom blog. My hope is that it encourages conversations about school with your child, all the while keeping you informed and involved in your students life. Thanks!

 

2/27/14

In the morning we had to finish some math problems. We sang the metric karaoke song in the morning also. Then we went to reading. In math we reviewed how to solve measurement problems. Then we did reading with my classmates. We were reading Akiak, and Mrs.Creason asked us questions, she also asked us to write a summary. We had lunch and recess. We also went to language groups. We also had our specials, and our special was music. We did writing. During writing we were learning about the differences between figurative language and literal language. We had recess next. Then we had lit menu. After that we had recess. Then we cleaned up and went home. 

~Maritza

Thank you for the wonderful and informative blogpost Maritza! We have had an exciting and busy week. Friday we will be participating in our annual jog-a-thon. If you are available to volunteer please call the office and speak with Mrs. Del Rio. This weeks secret word is, Jog-a-thon. Thanks for all that you do!

 

Conferences are here!

This shortened week doesn't lack exciting news! It's a long blog post with lots of pictures and information. Conferences start tomorrow! We also will be having a Valentines Exchange (if your child chooses) and will be honoring Oregon's Birthday as well. We have been working on getting ready for conferences. I strongly encourage you to let your child attend and help lead the conference. 

In math we have been learning about customary units and the metric system. In writing we continue to develop our skills as editors. We had a very exciting debate during reading and an intense game of basketball during P.E. 

 

 

 

The very exciting news that was announced this week is that Aiken is starting a student council. If your child is interested in running for student council, please bring his/her application to conferences. I am very excited for the start of student council and will be serving as a co-advisor for this group. 

A lot of recognition was given out this week as well. Monday was our 2nd Quarter Awards Student. It is so hard choosing just a few students to recognize, when our class is filled with OUTSTANDING young people. Many students also became, "Masters of Multiplication." If your child hasn't done so, please encourage and help him/her memorize the multiplication facts. 

If you get a chance please thank Albertsons. They donated $1,000 to Aiken! The money will be spent on a computer/projection system to be used in the gym for guest speakers, P.E. classes, after school program, and assemblies. What an amazing gift! 

The secret word of the week is "conference." Thanks for all that you do!