MrHowd.com

We finalized our class rules today. We learned that we wanted to have rules so that our class would be safe and allow us to accomplish our mission. The students made a list of rules, but soon we had over 100 ideas. That was too many to remember, so we decided on one class rule: “Follow the High Fives.” We figured that if people follow the High Fives (respect, responsibility, integrity, empathy and perseverance), we would have a successful class.

Students received several new materials today:

• A whiteboard to use in class
• A colored file folder to use as a writing portfolio. I asked students to decorate this folder with pictures, stickers, or drawings. I’ll laminate the folders and we’ll use them to store finished writing this year.
• A yellow folder to use as our “fridge folder” where we can keep leftover work.
• A planner.

We also played a game called, “Win as Much as You Can.” This was a game where teams can work together so that everyone wins, or compete against each so that only a few win. Our class wasn’t very successful. We chose to complete, so only one team scored points. We might try to learn from our mistakes and play this game again in the future.

Finally, it was Team Day! Students worked in teams to try to solve challenges involved with moving as a team, lowering a hula hoop together, and untying human and rope knots. We didn’t always succeed after the first try, but we learned that we can solve problems by working together, listening to others, and persevering. Thanks to all the family members that helped out today!

Team Day 2017

89 new photos · Album by Christian Howd

Notes:

• School Supply list
• Need to update your contact information or send in your email address or phone number? Do that here.
• Parents and family members, find out more information about our class here.
• Check out our class calendar to stay up-to-date.
• View grades, assignments, and attendance at JupiterGrades.
• More class information…
  • About MrHowd.com
  • Class Info
  • Contact Mr. Howd
  • Policies and Procedures
  • Subjects
  • Subscribe to MrHowd.com for daily class email updates
  • Volunteering information, including forms to be filled out if you would like to volunteer in class or chaperone a field trip
  • Sign up for a fall conference
• The behavior policy and math subject pages and recently been updated with new information about this school year.

We were busy today doing these things:

• We learned about team responsibilities, including a class job and an area of the room to manage. Team captains create a “job schedule” to make sure each person had something to do to help the team.
• We played People Bingo to learn some crazy facts about people in our class!
• Students worked in teams to solve a tower building challenge. Students had work together to stack six cups into a pyramid using only a rubberband with four strings attached to it. The students had to pull the strings to stretch the rubberband in order to move the cups. There was a struggle at first, but everyone improved on the second try!
• We also watched a video called Crash and Learn. We heard from a ski jumper who found out he had to crash in order to learn new tricks. He told us to not be afraid to crash, but to learn from mistakes.
• We viewed mission statements from different businesses to get ideas for our own class mission statement: All students in Room 130 will do their best and get ready for 5th grade!
• Finally, we started thinking about if we need class rules or not. I floated the idea that maybe we didn’t need class rules this year. Some people loved that idea! (Is one of those kids yours?!) But then we thought about what people could do if there were no rules. We made a list. It’s interesting that 4th graders always make a list of selfish and unhelpful actions. No one says they could let everyone go first and give away all their birthday treats. This subject really exposes the heart. We’ll decide on class rules tomorrow, but I think everyone has seen that we need class rules to have a safe and enjoyable class.

Notes:

• Team Day is Friday, September 8 from 2:00-3:30 pm. The class will be completing team-building activities in student groups.
• School Supply list
• Need to update your contact information or send in your email address or phone number? Do that here.
• Parents and family members, find out more information about our class here.
• Check out our class calendar to stay up-to-date.
• View grades, assignments, and attendance at JupiterGrades.
• More class information…
  • About MrHowd.com
  • Class Info
  • Contact Mr. Howd
  • Policies and Procedures
  • Subjects
  • Subscribe to MrHowd.com for daily class email updates
  • Volunteering information, including forms to be filled out if you would like to volunteer in class or chaperone a field trip
  • Sign up for a fall conference
• The behavior policy and math subject pages and recently been updated with new information about this school year.

We continued working on procedures and get-to-know-you games. Students also received new seats and elected team captains. Beyond that, each team received a class job to make sure our ship is sailing smoothly. We also practiced a few basics (sitting down at the end of a passing time, lining up quietly, walking to lunch).

Notes:

• Team Day is Friday, September 8 from 2:00-3:30 pm. The class will be completing team-building activities in student groups. Can you help? Instructions will be provided!
• School Supply list
• Need to update your contact information or send in your email address or phone number? Do that here.
• Parents and family members, find out more information about our class here.
• Check out our class calendar to stay up-to-date.
• View grades, assignments, and attendance at JupiterGrades.
• More class information…
  • About MrHowd.com
  • Class Info
  • Contact Mr. Howd
  • Policies and Procedures
  • Subjects
  • Subscribe to MrHowd.com for daily class email updates
  • Volunteering information, including forms to be filled out if you would like to volunteer in class or chaperone a field trip
  • Sign up for a fall conference

Welcome! I’m looking forward to working with you and your student to make this a great year!

At the beginning of the year, most parents have questions about curriculum, procedures, policies, and ways to stay informed. Problem solved: check out this website!

Here you can find everything you need to know about the class, including ways to contact me, check grades, find out about procedures, see class photos, and check out student work.

You will also be contacted periodically by an automated phone message system. I’ll use this for class reminders in case you aren’t able to check the class website, or your student’s backpack ate the class notes!

School Supplies

There is a full list of school supplies at MrHowd.com/supplies. Your student will really only need pencils, pens, dry erase markers, a folder for take home papers, and two poly envelopes. I have the markers and envelopes in class for purchase, or you can get these at any office store.

Who’s in class?

Our class is made up of people with unique talents and experiences. We should have pride in that! So we can be proud and get to know each other, I’m giving students the opportunity to bring in three things that show who they are, to put up on our Friends and Family Pride Board. This board will end up looking like a scrapbook. Students can bring in anything that can be stapled to or hung on a board with pushpins, and that is reasonable in size. Photos, postcards, medals, etc. would be perfect.

Students will also be asked to decorate a writing portfolio with drawings and photos.

So start digging up those photos now!

Team Day

Friday, September 8, from 2:10-3:30 pm, our class will participate in some team-building activities to start the new year. Parents are needed to help run the activities. Instructions will be provided. If you can help, please contact me. Thanks!

Class activities

Today was filled with get-to-know-you activities and procedures. Here are some highlights:

• We played a game to share some news from the summer.
• Students took the Mr. Howd test; many failed! I told students that failure will often result from not preparing, but hard work is usually rewarded!
• We attended technology and gym, and an assembly about the new year.

Notes:

• Team Day is Friday, September 8 from 2:10-3:30 pm. The class will be completing team-building activities in student groups. Can you help? Instructions will be provided!
• School Supply list
• Need to update your contact information or send in your email address or phone number? Do that here.
• Parents and family members, find out more information about our class here.
• Check out our class calendar to stay up-to-date.
• View grades, assignments, and attendance at JupiterGrades.
• More class information…
  • About MrHowd.com
  • Class Info
  • Contact Mr. Howd
  • Policies and Procedures
  • Subjects
  • Subscribe to MrHowd.com for daily class email updates
  • Volunteering information, including forms to be filled out if you would like to volunteer in class or chaperone a field trip
  • Sign up for a fall conference