Read, Write, and Blog

First of all, I’d like to introduce myself to those of you I have not spoken to yet.  My name is Debbie Daniels, and I am the new fifth grade reading teacher at Churchland Elementary.  Although I am new to this school, I am not new to the system.  I have taught at Churchland Junior High (now Churchland Middle), the old Churchland Academy, and have been at Olive Branch for the past 18 years.  I was the language arts/reading teacher for fifth grade while at Olive Branch.  I moved this year because my teaching partner of 18 years retired, and I just didn’t think I wanted to stay without her.  I guess I figured if she was making a change, I would too!  I am very excited to be here as I have heard nothing but good things about Churchland Elementary’s staff, students and parents.  Please feel free to contact me through the school or through this blog at any time.  I have told the children that comments will not show automatically as they come to me for approval first.

We’ve been in school for over two weeks now, and I can’t believe how fast time is moving.  It seems like we just get into our first class, and it’s already time to change.  Students have done a nice job of getting their class work completed, but I am having quite a bit of trouble with getting the AR logs signed.  Parents, logs should be signed each night.  Don’t let them wait until Sunday night because, chances are, they’re going to forget!

Students in my homeroom will be receiving their blogs (web logs) later this week.  I will start blogging with them next week after we have a class on how to use them.  They may work on their blogs at home, but they will also have an opportunity to work on them in the computer lab.  Students go to the computer lab every four days as part of their encore rotation.  It is not necessary to have a computer and Internet access at home to work on a blog.

I look forward to a very productive and happy school year with all of your children.  Thanks for sharing them with me.