August 19th Newsletter

Welcome to 2nd Grade!!!  

Each week I will send home a class newsletter to inform you of what has been going on the classroom that week.  The newsletter will include the concepts learned in each subject and upcoming events.  Additionally, it will list each weeks spelling words.  The newsletter will be this format, which is a Blog.  If you are not familiar with a Blog, it is simply a weblog.  They are easily created and up-dateable web sites that allow an author to publish instantly to the internet from any internet connection.  You can even subscribe to this blog, meaning that you will receive an email notification every time something changes, such as information is added or someone leaves a comment.  In addition to posting the newsletter on this blog, I will also send home a hard copy with your student.  The link to this blog is www.ellerbrockgrade2.blogspot.com

A little background about myself:

I am from Ottawa, OH (actually Glandorf if you ask my husband).  I am in my 7th year of coaching cheerleading at Ottawa-Glandorf High School.  I also teach tumbling in at the local dance center in Glandorf and have been there since it opened which is in its third year.  I have recently given up coaching competitive gymnastics, which I have done for the last 12 years.  I completed my Bachelor degree in 2009 from Bowling Green State University and have just finished my Masters degree this summer in technology integration in the classroom.  I am a firm believer in using technology in the classroom to enhance learning.  Last year the students used the computers daily, and I intend to have the students continue to use them.  After college I taught for 2 years in a charter school on the south end of Lima.  I then subbed for a year, and ended up here last year and enjoyed my experience here. I have recently gotten married (by recently I mean August 3rd) and live just outside of Glandorf.  I love working with kids and have a passion for watching them grow, especially in knowledge.


Behavior Chart

Your child may talk about the behavior chart in the room.  Each day the students begin on “Ready to Learn” and throughout the day they may move their clips up or down based on their behavior.  They may move up for positive behavior (listening to directions, following classroom / school rules, etc) and may move down for negative behavior (not following directions, distracting others, not following classroom / school rules, etc).  If the students finish each day on “outstanding” then on Friday of that week they get to pick a prize from the prize box, which contains school supplies that can be used in the classroom.  My goal is to encourage positive behavior.

Spelling Words

As well as posting the spelling words in the newsletter, I also post them to a website http://spellingcity.com/ellerbrock.  Here the students can play around with spelling words for the week.  Last year the students loved this site.  There is also an app from the company the students can use on their iPods and iPads.  I have used it on my iPad and really like it.

Websites

Throughout the year I find cool websites that contain information about the topics currently be taught in class.  I always share these sites with you so that your student can access them from home.

Book Adventure

Last year I came across reading comprehension tests online.  The students read books (any book that interests them) and then take an online comprehension test over the book.  The students last year loved this site and begged me to let them read.  They earn points based on their quiz score.  The site can be accessed from any internet connection.  Last year I even had a parent compile a list of books on book adventure and where those books are located in the Napoleon Public Library.  Your student will be given a copy of this list.

Specials Schedule

Monday  - Gym class 10:15-11:15
Tuesday and Thursday - Music 12:35-1:05
Wednesday - Library 9:30
                   - Computer 1:40-2:10

Contact Information

Please feel free to reach me anytime.  My email is em.ellerbrock@gmail.com.  My home phone number is                   .  My cell phone number is                .  I am very excited to be teaching and learning with your child this year!!