Class Blog will be Moving!!

I am finally tired of having this blog linked to an unused email account.  Our School District switched to Google at the start of this year, and now I have a google account that I do not use linked to the blog, and a google account that I use everyday NOT linked to the blog.  So over Spring Break I will be closing down our blog and moving it to www.niclinnet.blogspot.com instead.  I have already created the account and it is linked to my actual work account nicl@fsusd.org so everything will now be compatible.  Just wanted to give you all the heads up so that you can make the necessary change on your favorites list at home so that your children can still access and use the blog.

By linking it to the work account, I will have Google+ enabled.  We can create a class circle and I can hopefully communicate easier and better with all of you.  I also hope to be able to start using pics and videos from our classroom for display on the blog (with your approval of course!!).

Thank you for your understanding and have a wonderful SPRING BREAK!!  See you all in April on the new Class Blog!

-Mr. Linnet

Check Out These New Computer Programs!!

In an effort to embrace more technology in my classroom, I have found two new programs that I want to try out this year: ClassDojo and ScootPad.

ClassDojo is a program that monitors student behavior in a fun and creative way.  Each student has a little monster avatar that they can create and change any way they want.  When they make positive choices at school, they earn positive points.  When they make negative choices at school, they earn negative points.  At the end of each week, their points are tallied up and sent home to their parents.  Now you all will have a detailed account of your child's good and "not-so-good" decisions at school.  This is new to me, and may take some time to get used to, but I think it has the potential to be a fantastic tool in the classroom.

ScootPad is a learning program similar to Lexia.  The nice advantage to this is that it has Language Arts, Math, Spelling, Reading, Writing, and Project components.  If we like this program, I may try and get it purchased for the school next year.

Please take the time to explore these new programs with your children, and email your responses to me so that I know if they are useful and enjoyable academic programs.  I would like to help transition our school into the "Digital Classroom Age", and your feedback can really help me make sound decisions on what programs will get me there.  Check out the video link provided, and start exploring this week when your children bring home their personal login codes for each program.

Happy Cyber-Surfing!!

ClassDojo Introduction Video

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!!!

Hello Parents,

Spring is just around the corner, and with it comes the school's biggest fundraiser/event: THE COYOTE HOWL!!! 

I am in need of 1 or more parents that would be willing to designate themselves as "ROOM PARENT".  The Room Parent would be the direct contact between the PTA and the other families from our class as we get closer to "The Howl".

One of the biggest events at "The Howl" is a silent auction held in the gym for Howl Baskets that are created by each class.  Our basket theme this year is "THE GREAT OUTDOORS - CAMPING".  Families are asked to donate new, unopened items that fit our theme to the classroom.  We collect the items, make an invoice of all the items collected, and then package the items into a "basket" to auction off on the night of "The Howl". 

The PTA has put together a Room Parent Handout to help with organizing and preparing the various things that need to be done to make the event run smoothly.  I know that it sounds like a lot now, but it really isn't that bad when you sit down and look over the handout.  Our room would greatly appreciate your help with our basket.  If the basket is successful, we may even win a class party!!

If you think that you might be interested in helping with this event, please reply back, email me, or come in and talk to me so that we can get everything started.  Thanks again!!
-Mr. Linnet

Cordelia Hills PTA - Coyote Howl

Report Card Conferences this Week!

Hello Everyone!  Since all of the students in class are currently meeting grade-level expectations, I did not schedule a conference for anyone.  However I do know that some of you may be interested in sitting down and discussing your child's academic/behavioral/social development, so I have created an account on "Sign-up Genius" where you can schedule a time if you would like to meet.  Visit the link below and sign-up for the time you want.  It's that simple.  I hope you are all enjoying the extra time off with your families and look forward to chatting with some of you next week!
-Mr. Linnet

Mr. Linnet's Conference Schedule

Check Out "Discover and Go!" through the Solano County Library!!

We took advantage of this great program a couple of weeks ago and plan to continue using it throughout the Spring.  If your family is a member of the Solano County Library, you can access FREE tickets to some amazing places in the area.  We took Skylar to the Bay Area Discovery Museum in Sausalito for Free and he had so much fun.  It's a hands-on center where kids learn through discovery (what a thought!!).  Next we plan on visiting the U.S.S. Hornet in Alameda (for FREE) and maybe see the Aquarium of the Bay at Fisherman's Wharf (also FREE).  I strongly encourage everyone to take advantage of this great program.  Where else can you enrich your children's lives and provide them a greater appreciation of their surroundings for free??  Happy Adventuring!!


http://www.baykidsmuseum.org/

Some cool clips about the Discovery Bay Museum:
Bay Area Discovery Museum Info Video
Check out this cool Toddler Area!
"You Are My Sunshine" at Bay Area Discovery Museum


http://discover.solanolibrary.com/

Valentine's Day this Thursday!!

Hello Everyone.  Just wanted to put out a reminder that Thursday is Valentine's Day.  Although we will not have a party, we will still celebrate the holiday with Valentine's themed activities, stories, videos, and centers.  Wear red or pink, bring some cards or treats for the class, and get excited to "share the love" of friendship and learning!!  Happy Valentine's Everyone!!
-Mr. Linnet

Very Impressed with your Martin Luther King, Jr. Projects!!

Unfortunately I was out sick most of the week and didn't get to see your projects earlier, but I brought them home with me and read all of the work you turned in.  I must admit how proud I was of all of you, and how thankful I am to work with such amazing children and families!!  Stephanie really took a lot out of the videos we watched, and her poster was stunning; Aubrielle made the most creative milk carton mask of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; and everyone made some truly thoughtful and inspiring "dreams"!!  Thanks again to all the families who took the time to discuss the holiday with their children, and come together to reflect upon the positive changes our society has enjoyed because of the work of Dr. King.  Have a wonderful weekend everyone!!  -Mr. Linnet

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!

Welcome back everybody.  I hope that you enjoyed your holiday with your family, and are ready to get back in the classroom.  We are almost at the halfway point in the year, and have many great things still to learn.  Kindergarten will be learning the rest of their sight words, begin reading more difficult books, and practice counting and writing numbers beyond 30.  First Grade will continue learning word families, reading chapter books, and practice adding and subtracting larger equations.

We had a blessed and happy holidays in with our family.  Thank you all for the generous gifts you gave me.  Skylar really enjoyed Christmas.  Santa brought him a new bike which he loves riding.  His Grandpa gave him a pet turtle that sleeps in his room with him.  He also got the Wreck-it Ralph Toy he really wanted as well as some Monster Trucks.  All in all, I think he had a great time!!

I also got some exciting gifts this year.  Santa brought me a new television, and my orthodontist gave me some new braces (you'll definitely see them when we get back to school).  My mouth hurts, and I will be wearing them for about 2 years, but my teeth really needed the help, so it was the right time to get them fixed. Please don't laugh too much if I sound a little funny this week, it takes some time getting used to the braces in my mouth.  I have been reading with Skylar, so I don't think it will be too bad, but I do have some trouble with certain sounds.

Anyways, I can't wait to be back in the classroom tomorrow and hear all about your exciting vacation time.  Let's make 2013 an exciting and educational adventure!!

-Mr. Linnet