Dragon Tales
Dr. Samuel A. Mudd Elementary School
March 15, 2024
Good luck to our Dr. Mudd Math Team this weekend.
Government Issued Photo IDs Are A Must!
In the past, we have been able to accept a photo of a government issued ID as long as it was through the Maryland Mobile ID app. Schools have been notified by the CCPS Office of Safety and Security that this is no longer the case. All visitors to our building must be prepared with their government issued ID in hand. Students will not be released to anyone unless a government issued ID is provided. Thank you for helping us to keep your children safe.
Important Reminders
1. Our school day begins at 8:45 am. This means all students should be in the building by 8:45 am. Any student that is being dropped off on Stone Avenue at 8:45 am, will need a parent/guardian to escort them to the building so the student can be signed in. Students are able to enter the building beginning at 8:25 am.
2. When dropping students off for arrival, please be mindful of all traffic patterns and direction of traffic flow. Also, morning drop off should be drop and go. If you are parking, to walk your child up to the school, please park on Belfast Rd. or past the drop and go area. Cars should not be parked directly in front of the school during drop off in the morning. Please see image below.
3. Nurse Connie and Nurse Teri send home health inventory forms. One part of the form is for you to inform the school of any conditions or health concerns your child currently has. The other part is for you to use at any future doctor's appointments you may have scheduled. This form does not need to be completed immediately; it is just for you to have on hand for your next appointment.
Very Important Reminder for All 5th Grade Families
All 5th grade families must provide two new proofs of domicile. Please read the letters below that were emailed to you.
Pi Day
Relay for Life Fundraiser
Thank you to everyone who helped make our First Pie a Teacher Day a big success! The students loved watching several staff members get pied in the face.
Relay For Life
Dr. Samuel A Mudd Elementary School in partnership with the American Cancer Society’s Charles County Relay for Life is bringing the community together for an annual relay run on May 4, 2024. The run will take place at St. Charles High School from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Students are encouraged to join us to participate in the run on May 4th.
Leading up to the event, we will have a few fundraising opportunities. In addition, we will have a weekly spotlight on a different kind of cancer to raise awareness.
We are also looking for cancer survivors and caregivers to join us on May 4th. Survivors will be celebrated during the event with catered lunch and many other wonderful surprises.
Upcoming Events
Grade Level News
Kindergarten News
Look at amazing Kindergarten work!
Second Grade News
Greetings Second Grade Families!
We hope all is well as we prepare to march into spring! Here are our upcoming activities
In the next section of our current unit, students will continue to develop fluency with addition and subtraction within 100 through a money context. They will identify coins such as quarters, dimes, nickels, and pennies, and find the total value of different coin combinations. They learn that 1 dollar has the same value as 100 cents and solve problems involving dollars and cents. Once we complete this unit, we have a big change where will return to adding and subtracting within 1000!
In reading, we will finish our class will be learning about what plants need to grow, thrive, and survive. We will read about a plant’s basic needs, how those needs are met, and what happens if they are not met. Children will also write aprocedural text that describes chronological steps to follow in order to complete an activity.
Please be on the look out for information coming in earlty April for our trip to the One-Room School House in Port Tobacco, MD. Thank you for working to plant the knowledge into our scholars that will help them grow and reach success.
Ms. Alexander, Ms. Bland, Mrs. Buitrago-Curtis, and Mr. Foster
Third Grade News
Parents please remember:
- Check folders and agenda books daily.
- Let the office know by 12:30 of any changes to dismissal.
- Breakfast is over at 8:55 so please be on time for school.
- Send a water bottle to school for your child.
The weather is changing please make sure we are wearing tennis shoes.
With the weather changes please check the county dress code
- Please if you can send in tissues, glue sticks and pencils. We are running low.
Reading Reminders:
- Your child should be completing the homework packet daily and practicing their spelling words. The spelling words match the phonics skills being taught in class.
We are starting our unit on Home grown foods.
-Have your child practice writing by writing a letter to a teacher
- If you are able have your child, get on IREADY My Path at home for extra practice.
- Encourage them to read every night for 20 minutes.
Math Reminders:
- We are continuing to work on multiplication facts. Please work at home on facts and skip counting.
We are working on our Measurement unit after spring break.
- Have your child work on adding and subtracting using expanded form.
- If you are able at home, please have your child get on IREADY My Path for math.
Make sure you are practicing the math fact packets coming home for our fact test on Friday.
Come Visit us!
We always need help in the lunchroom and at recess. If you would like to volunteer your time and stop by to be with third graders we would love to have you. Lunch is from 12:30-1:00. Recess is form 1:00-1:30.
Fourth Grade News
In math, we are focusing on multiplying and dividing multi-digit whole numbers using partial products and partial quotients strategies.
In reading, we are continuing with Module 7. We will be working on making and confirming predictions, as well as identifying theme, figurative language, and literary elements. Additional information on vocabulary and spelling words will be sent home with students in black Tuesday folders for practice at home. Consider reading with your students to enhance their comprehension strategies as well.
As a reminder, winter coats remain in lockers during the school day and are not permitted in classrooms. Students may bring a hoodie or sweatshirt to wear in chilly areas of the building instead.
Feel free to reach out to the team via email/Talking Points, or schedule a phone conference as needed.
Ms. Butler, Ms. Doss, Mrs. Forbes, Ms. Williams
Fifth Grade News
SPRING BREAK is almost here! March 25th – April 1st. Students will return to school on Tuesday, April 2. Fifth grade students and teachers are ready for this weeklong break of rest and relaxation.
That said, don’t forget to send in T-shirt money and order forms. The T-shirts are $10 each. We need all money by Wednesday, March 20th.
Our Family Life health lesson has been conducted. Students received useful information and toiletry packages to help with their transitions. Any questions students still have about the lesson can be asked anonymously with any 5th grade teacher. You as parents can also use this time to ensure your child is aware of what to expect during this transformation.
Extreme need for the following classroom supplies, please send in what you can:
- Facial tissue
- Sanitizing wipes
- Hand sanitizer
- Erasers
- Highlighters
- Pencils (no mechanical pencils)
Ms. Baker's class reading to their 2nd grade reading buddy.
Ms. Ford's class playing a math game.
Ms. Greene's class giving their Black History Presentation.
Special Area News
Music-
Students in Pre- K- 1st grade will be learning about and using percussion instruments.
-Rhythm sticks
- Castanets
- Wood blocks
Students in 2nd - 5th grade will be learning about instrument families. Ask your 2nd - 5th graders about strings, woodwind, percussion, and brass instruments! They will be playing Ms. Feaster's favorite classroom instrument... BOOMWHACKERS!
**4th grade will be selecting the instruments they would like to play in 5th grade. The form will be open for instrument selections on March 18th 2024. **
Science – 2nd grade – Fast and Slow Land Changes
3rd Grade – Bird Beaks and Other Adaptations
4th Grade – Waves and Wave Properties
5th Grade – Finishing up MISA (Maryland Integrated Science Assessment) testing
Art
The pre-kindergarten students have just finished learning about textures and are now gearing up for a fish collage project, where they'll focus on portraying the scale texture for a more realistic and appealing look.
In the kindergarten class, students have mastered sketching close-up flowers and are ready to transition to painting them using various colors and techniques.
First-grade students continue their pet painting project, applying their understanding of colors, shapes, and proportions to capture their beloved pets.
Second-grade students are embarking on a project to explore slabs and coils techniques for sculpting and pottery.
After crafting a beautiful nature sketch on a scroll, the third graders will move on to using watercolors to paint their stunning nature scene onto the final scroll.
Fourth-grade students are diligently weaving a cloth band on straw looms as part of their ongoing weaving project.
Lastly, fifth-grade students are gearing up for a new painting project based on their sketches exploring the concept of "beyond the frame."
Library News
We are Writing Books! We are Readers AND Authors!
Our school library has partnered with Studentreasures Publishing. Students in grades 1 through 5 will write and illustrate books to be published as real, hard-bound books. Families will have the opportunity to purchase the books and have them autographed by the children.
Here are the topics students will write about:
Grade 1: Letter Writing with Illustrations
Grade 2: My Favorite Animal
Grade 3: My Favorite Planet
Grade 4: Personal Narrative and Letter Writing
A message from Ms. Ament
When should children learn to tell time?
Children typically begin to understand the concept of time around the age of 4 or 5, although some may develop this understanding earlier or later. Around this age, they can begin to understand the difference between short and long periods of time and can match time words such as “morning”, “afternoon”, and “night” with the appropriate parts of the day. They also can also begin to understand the concept of time in relation to daily routines, such as knowing that it’s time for breakfast or time to go to bed.
As children get older, usually between the ages of 5 and 7, they can begin to understand more advanced concepts of time, such as the difference between minutes and hours, and can start to tell time on a clock with numbers. Every child develops at their own pace, so it’s essential to be patient and provide plenty of opportunities for practice.
Preschooler/Kindergarten Kids (Age 3-5 Years)
Telling time can be a challenging concept for preschoolers and kindergarten-aged children (ages 3-5), but it is an important skill for kids to pick up as they grow older. Here are a few ways to teach telling time for this specific age group:
Use visual aids such as a clock with movable hands or a timer with numbers. Introduce the concept of hours and minutes and help them understand how the hands on a clock move to indicate the passage of time.
Use everyday activities such as meal times or bedtimes to teach the concept of time. For example, you can say, “It’s time for lunch” or “It’s time for bed” to help them understand that time is related to specific events.
Use games and songs to make learning about time more engaging. For example, you can sing songs that include time-related lyrics, such as “The clock ticks, the clock tocks, it’s time for bed.”
Use simple words and phrases, such as “o’clock” or “half past”, when teaching the time.
Keep it simple, start with the big hand pointing at the number 12 and the little hand pointing at the number 3 and tell that it’s 3 o’clock. Then gradually introduce more numbers and different ways of telling time (half past, quarter to).
1st, 2nd And 3rd Graders (Age 5-8 Years)
Telling time can be a bit more complex for 1st, 2nd and 3rd graders (ages 5-8) as they are introduced to more advanced concepts of time. Here are a few ways to teach telling time for class 1,2 and 3 kids:
Use hands-on activities such as building a clock with blocks or using a clock with movable hands to help them understand how the hands on a clock move to indicate the passage of time.
Introduce the concept of time intervals. For example, you can explain that 15 minutes is a quarter of an hour and 30 minutes is half an hour.
Practice telling time to the nearest 5 minutes. This will help them understand that not all times are exact, and that it’s okay to estimate.
Use real-world examples to help them understand how time is used in everyday life. For example, you can discuss how long it takes to get ready for school in the morning or how long it takes to cook dinner.
Use games and worksheets to make learning about time more engaging and interactive. For example, show them what the time is in other countries.
Introduce different ways of telling time, such as digital and analog clocks, and explain the differences between them.
Why Is It Important To Teach Your Child About Time?
Helps with planning and organization: Teaching children about time helps them understand how to plan and organize their day. They will learn to manage their time more effectively and be able to prioritize tasks.
Improves punctuality: Understanding time helps children develop a sense of responsibility and punctuality. They will learn to be on time for school, appointments, and other activities.
Enhances social skills: Knowing how to tell time allows children to participate in group activities such as sports and games, where time management is important.
Encourages independence: As children learn to tell time, they become more independent and can manage their own time.
Supports academic development: Telling time is a fundamental math skill and is important for understanding more complex concepts such as fractions, decimals, and measurements.
Enhances cognitive development: The ability to understand and manage time is a cognitive skill and helps children understand the concept of past, present, and future.
Helps to develop a sense of responsibility: Understanding time is an important aspect of personal responsibility. As children learn to tell time, they learn to be more responsible for their own actions and how they use their time.
Next Newsletter will have suggested activities to do with your child at home to practice telling time. If you can’t wait until then, please contact Mrs. Ament cament@ccboe.com or call the school and she will hook you up.
A message from Dr. Blue
Our state testing begins with 5th grade for science. Please make every effort to have your child to school on time and ready for testing. The following information is when your 5th grader will take their science assessment.
MCAP (Grades 3-5)
We are getting ready to begin MCAP Testing. Students in grades 5, 8 and 11 take the science MISA. Students in grades 3-8 and 11th grade takes ELA and Math. There are some things you can do to prepare your student(s) for testing. This includes helping them prepare by:
Reading each of the answer choices before selecting a response
Going back in the passage to look for the answer or clues
Summarizing the text as you read (stopping periodically to make sure you understand)
Using key details and what you know
Double checking your answer in math to make sure you get the same answer each time
Using the tools that are available (ruler, counters, underline tool etc.)
Taking your time and reading everything fully
If you would like to practice the MCAP at home, please use the following resource:
https://support.mdassessments.com/practice-tests/
Most of our assessments are online, so you may want to have your child(ren) practice with the online tests, so they are familiar with the tools.
Gifted
Information regarding gifted screening will go home at the end of the year (June 2024). This includes the decision that is made for students who will receive services. Please note that those who are identified in need of services will receive services beginning the 2024-2025 school year. If you received a parent questionnaire, please be sure to return it as soon as possible. Those who are being screened have received their scores during the week of February 12th.
iReady
iReady reports for the Winter diagnostic are available for parents to view through your child's iReady page in clever. For more information, use the link or directions below. If you need a copy of the report, you can print it from iReady using the steps from the CCBOE website, the steps below, or request it to be sent home by emailing Dr. Blue, LRT, at ablue@ccboe.com.
Thank you to our School Community Partners!
Private Shopping Event Invitation w/ the Eta Omicron Sigma Chapter and St. Charles Mall - Soles for Little Souls
Avert Church Donations to the Teacher's Lounge
Upper Marlboro/Waldorf (MD) Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. - Read Across Charles County and Weekend Snack Sacks
New Life Church, White Plains - New Partner
Dr. Mudd Community School offers Counseling Services free of charge for our students. The counselor will be offering lunch groups of various top to support your child's social emotional growth. While slots remains available, please contact Mrs. Harris or Maria Ayers, School Counselor for more information.