Dear Parents,

Three weeks have already gone by and both grades are now testing weekly in the following subjects: Arithmetic, Penmanship, Phonics and Spelling. In first grade Arithmetic we are working on counting and writing numbers and number words to 10, understanding two digit numbers and their place value, addition fact sentences, and introduction to story problems. The second graders are working on addition and subtraction facts to 8, double digit addition, place value to hundreds, money concepts, geometric shapes even /odd, temperatures, and introduction to fractions.  Penmanship lessons will focus on letter formation, evenly spaced and sized words, proper slant and letter connections. Phonics, Language, and Spelling are the stepping stones to Creative Writing and Reading. First graders are working on advanced letter combinations, rules for long and short vowels, sentence stucture, rhyming words and sight words. Second graders are also reviewing those skills and putting them into practice with other skills such as recognizing syllables, knowing when to capitalize, proper punctuation, and singular and plural words. They will also learn how to use the glossary to build vocabulary skills. When your child brings completed work pages home, please review with them, talk about what they did; or didn’t do in some cases; and if there is anything you don’t understand, please feel free to contact me. The homework slips will go home on Monday’s; rather than every day; with the homework assignments for that week. 

As always it is my honor to work with you and your child/children.

          Sincerely, Zoe’ Charon  

This new school year has us excited about the many plans that are already in the works. Our first week is behind us and the students found themselves reviewing some of the concepts they left off with last year. We will continue with a fair amount of review for about two more weeks and then we will be ready to take off . Our school day will be as follows….. after Opening we come to class for calendar drills, weather report, attendance and class announcements. The First Graders will then work on their Bible activity pg. while I work with Second Grade seatwork instruction. While Second Graders are writing their spelling list for the week,  I will be going over seatwork instructions for First Graders. We will have reading group together after after phonics drill and review of rules and new concepts. We will then go out for snack break at 9:30 until 9:45 and they will use this time to take care of bathrooms and drinks as well. We should be back in class and ready to work by 10. We have speed drills and flashcard drills before we begin Arithmetic and the remainder of the morning is spent with teacher directed instruction for the individual grades. After lunch we will return to class and before we begin our assigned seatwork for the day I read one chapter of our chosen chapter book. Fridays are spelling test day, Wednesdays are arithmetic test day Thursdays we test in Phonics, and Tuesdays we will stagger between penmanship test and art projects. We will have PE twice a week and I am still considering show and tell. I will be posting the scope and sequence for each grade, in each subject each week. If there are any questions or concerns, as always feel free to contact me anytime. I remain humbled by your trust in me as your students’ teacher and promise to give each one my utmost attention while they are in my care.   Blessings to you and yours,  Sincerely,

                                                                                                                Zoe Charon

The holidays are behind us, report cards are out and the new semester begins. This is the time, in class, when things begin to change for everyone. School has become less enchanting for the student; for some, this may show up in behavior and or skills development. As for the teacher, it seems the days are filled with repetitious reminders of habit and procedures in and out of the classroom. Finally for you, the parents, there may be an increase of unfinished work, a corrective action notice, ie: demerit, detention etc. or an unhappy student, one day complaining of a shortened play-break. TAKE HEART! It is only a small transitional phase that we will all survive if we work together. Here are a couple of ideas that may help………………

Remind your student to be aware of how we pass cold and flu germs, etc. It is especially important for this age group to get a full night of sleep, as you well know. When the weather is sunny but cold, I would like to get the students outside for fresh air and sunshine, but not without a warm jacket, please make sure they come to school with a jacket every day. Finally I ask that you remind your student to save any sugary snacks for the afternoon, this will also help, as during the first part of the day we do a great deal of our instructional work. All of these will help us as we transition into this next semester. I thank you for your continual support and as always if you have any questions or concerns …………………………………………… you know where to find me>

Respectfully,

Your Servant in Christ,

Mrs. Charon

The harvest season is without a doubt my favorite time of year. The weather cools and breezes blow leaves all over, but most of all, I love to see the progress the students have made by this time.                               It never ceases to amaze me, the amount of information children are able to retain when they are given the tools, and in my opinion, the Abeka-books are the right tools for the job! The readers are filled with interesting stories and word challenges. And the arithmetic is equally as challenging, mixed in with an ample amount of fun activities. The students are really enjoying the speed drills in arithmetic. The scores in their weekly tests give good indication of the students strengths and weaknesses.  This gives me the information I need to help them in the areas they most need it.  The students are all scoring well in spelling tests, and if you haven’t had a chance to check out the cursive penmanship of these young ones, I encourage you to come take a look. It is quite impressive!                                                                         With that being said, we still like to get out and about for other activities, like our trip to the Oakland Zoo and the upcoming Pumpkin Patch trip.  These field trips are an important part of building wonderful memories of schooldays. They pass so quickly!  Combining those days, the ones for voting, and holidays, you may notice an increase in homework over the weekends. Please don’t feel pressed over this. As I stated before, let this be a positive work time at home for you and your child. When it turns into a source of stress it has very little value to any of us. There’s always another day, unless Jesus comes…..                         and then we’ll know all we’ll need to know!  For now let’s enjoy watching these wonderful children learn!

                                                                      Honored to Be Your Servant in Christ, 

                                                                                                         Mrs. Zoe’ Charon

It is sooo good to be back in class! I must start out by thanking everyone for all the support and concern, cards and prayers, this past few weeks. It has been such a blessing to me and my family. I would like to get right into some class info. regarding Homework assignments. 

For 1st gr. (regardless of what is sent home), please don’t have the children work longer than 20-30 min. For 2nd gr.  no longer than 30-45 min.  Although this should be plenty of time for most assignments, it is even more important that this be a positive time for the student to show the skills they are working on in school. Sometimes they will have handwriting practice, sometimes reading or spelling words, and once in a while they will practice an arithmetic concept. I will not send homework on Wednesdays, but aside from that exception, and an occasional ”Homework Pass Priviledge” they will have some form of homework on the other 4 days. They can win passes for keeping the tags on their incentive charts all week!

If there is ever a problem with any of this, please don’t hesitate to let me know. I will begin attaching a homework slip that will need to be returned the following day with your signature. There will be an area at the bottom for any questions, comments, or concerns, and an area for notes from the teacher. I hope this information has been helpful.

Blessings To You and Yours, Mrs. Charon

Well here it is, 8 days into the new school year and the teacher is already taking time off !!!  What ? When? and How Long?    Yes Yes, it’s true. I have to confess, I’m taking the” Kaiser cruise line” to the busy port of “Surgery Bay” for what is scheduled to be a day trip. Upon arrival I will be greeted by an accomodating staff of skilled attendants that will guide me to the Twilight Room with my face planted firmly in a pillow. With a special concoction whipped up by one of their highest paid  Pharm-Staff, they tell me I can expect to be feeling nooooo pain in noooo time. I understand I will have a special escort to a climate controlled Waiting area to await my departure papers. I will then be lovingly guided home where I expect to find myself bouncing back in the classroom, refreshed and ready to complete the school year. I know, I know, you wish you were me….. but alas these special trips are not for everyone. You have to win the Big MAMO Lotto, and what are the odds?    I promise a more serious post …… tomorrow.           

 I lovingly place my fears in the hands of the “Great Physician.” I’ll see you all in a of couple days.     

 I.H.S. until He returns,       Zoe’ Charon

The new school year has begun and I am certain no one is more excited than I. I have been longing for all of our elementary students to have the opportunity to work from the wonderful A Beka Books materials since Mrs. Abshire and I started teaching from it in the kindergarten classes. It is, in my opinion: extremely well written, challenging to the targeted age level, and fun for the students. Furthermore, the drills and tests are an accurate measure of the student’s strengths and or weaknesses. That being said, I will do my best to post as often as possible to this classroom page the following information: homework assignments, field trip info, upcoming events and any special activities we are working on in the class.  If you ever have any questions or concerns please don’t hesitate to contact me. My school email is zcharon@bbcacrusaders.org and my direct # is 707-292-6264                            

I.H.S. Respectfully, Mrs.Charon

It is time, once again, to graduate another class in our kindergarten department. On Friday evening, May 30, at seven o’clock, the administration of the Berean Baptist Christian Academy will proudly present its Eighteenth Kindergarten graduating class; the class of 2008. This event is one of the highlights of our academic year, and marks the first of many great accomplishments of these young students. Reserved seating will be available for the immediate families of the graduates. Academic awards for both the K4 and K5 classes will be presented immediately following the graduation exercises.

April 4th is the last day of the third quarter. Can you believe it?

I will be conducting parent conferences the following week on

Mon., Tues., & Wed., from  3:00 - 6:00 pm

Please email a time that is best for you to meet

with me concerning your students’ progress  and to discuss

plans for next year. I look forward to meeting with each of you.         

                                                                                                Respectfully,

                                                                                                          Zoe Charon

I’ve noticed that often when I say “don’t do that or you’ll….

trip, fall, spill” etc… 

It usually happens right before my eyes.

Would then, the converse be true, if I always said ….

Do this, I know you can!  

Words have Power!