Greetings, Rocket Family! I am Nakia Williams the Project Tomorrow�Facilitator/Curriculum Specialist here at Northeast. My job here at the�school is to work with teachers to support their efforts to prepare your�child for the academic requirements of each grade. I am also here to�support you as a parent by serving as a resource when you need�suggestions of successful ways for addressing your child’s academic�success. If you would like to setup a time to meet and discuss ways to�help your child, please contact me at 527-4166 ext. 2731.�

Message from the Principal�Dear Parents,�

It is hard to believe that we are half-way through the school year. It�has been an exciting year. Northeast Elementary School has been�involved in a project this year entitled,� . As a part of�Project Tomorrow, Students and staff members have been studying�the 16 essential dispositions that successful people use when they are�confronted with problems and the solutions to which are not�immediately apparent. We want students to get into the habit of�

effective thinking.  We want our students to not just solve a�problem but also become an effective problem solver. �The 16 dispositions are called� The "Habits�of Mind” prepare students to behave intelligently when�confronted with problems. Traditionally, we are�

impressed with how many answers students know—�scores on tests, for example. Although right answers�

are important, the critical attribute of successful�human beings is not only having right answers or�

information, but also knowing how to act on it. �With Habits of Mind, we are focused on how�students behave when they don’t know the�

answer! As we prepare our students to live a productive�life in the 21�st� Century, the Habits of Mind will provide them�with tools to make good choices in the lives both in school�and in the community.�

The Rocket Review�

s�

Grade Level News�

Teachers Memorial kindergarteners, Dyamon�Daniels, Jacquel Winfield, and Denise Moore�taking turns grouping their animals.�

.�

Kindergarten�

The First Grade Family at Northeast Elementary-�Mrs. Blount, Mrs. McPhail, Mrs. Rouse, and Mrs.�Shockey- has gotten off to a great start this year.�The Focus Board has been a wonderful addition to�our classes and has made our lessons more�enriching and integrated. We are also�incorporating STEM in our classrooms through the�use of computer activities available through�ThinkCentral.com in Math as well as Waterford�and Study Island as a part of our Language Arts�Curriculum. STEM is also being incorporated into�our classroom as we use computers for small�group instruction and our air tablets for whole�group lessons that are interactive and hands on�with an element of fun for the students. We’ve had�many successes in our classrooms! Students are�learning how to use the HOM and transfer this�language through group work and centers. They�have gained an in-depth understanding the HoM�with a major focus thus far being on persistence�and taking responsible risks. Students are using�this knowledge to form corporative learning groups�in the classroom and are now applying this�knowledge to their daily lives.�

We have had many successes in�kindergarten. Our children are�learning to blend sounds to begin�reading. Our multiple intelligence�centers have helped to cement�kindergarten and life long skills.�They can identify what multiple�intelligence is necessary to complete�a task. The HOMs (Habits of Mind)�are integrated into all subject areas.�We have a bulletin board that�spotlights our HOM as storybook�characters. This is helpful to provide�a real world connection to HOM in all�the literature we read. Kindergarten�integrates STEM by using Think�Central manipulatives and games,�Waterford, Study Island, Success�Maker, classroom wiki pages (sight�word recognition) and document�camera to enhance lessons.�

1st Grade�

Published by: Northeast Elementary Communications Committee�

Thomas Loftin Kim Shockey Cassandra Williams�

Mike Stafford Elizabeth Mayo-Ward Melissa Shackelford�

Kristin Sutton Cynthia Backman Annie Jordan Nakesha Little�

2�nd� Grade�Our 2�nd� graders have truly been working hard! The 16 Habits�of Mind are infused in our daily lessons and activities. Our�students are excited to learn about new habits of mind each�week. These habits enable our students to be successful in�school and in the community. We have witnessed many�successes from our students such as: students consistently�responding in complete sentences, students understanding/�demonstrating the Habits of Mind, and students taking what�they are learning in the classroom and applying it to the “real”�world. We have also been implementing STEM (Science,�Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics) into our classroom�by utilizing the air tablets, document cameras, projectors, and�other useful science websites for students to learn and�explore. Using this technology allows students to be�interactive and engaged in their own learning; therefore,�learning becomes personal and fun for them!!�

3�rd� Grade�The Habits of Mind are used throughout third grade.�They are integrated throughout our third grade�curriculum. The Habits of Mind are identified and�discussed while teaching our End of Grade selections,�our PBS program and our daily teaching of the�objectives. STEM is being incorporating in our grade�level through the use of the students’ laptops during�Multiple Intelligence centers and during daily teaching�instruction. The integrating of the Habits of Mind has�enabled each third grade teacher to visualize successes�in their classrooms. Mrs. Jones stated that the students�are managing their impulsivity while walking down the�hall. Mrs. Simmons stated that the students are�remembering to use complete sentences at all times�while answering questions. Ms. Sutton stated that the�students are applying past knowledge as they speak in�complete sentences. Ms. Whitfield stated that the�students are listening with understanding and empathy�to their peers as they complete tasks in their Multiple�

Intelligence centers. They are also open to continuous�learning. The use of the Habits of Mind is enabling our�students to communicate more efficiently and improve�their thinking skills.�

4�th� Grade�The fourth grade team has worked together to create�an atmosphere of learning in many different ways�whether it is by making projects; making center�materials used to manipulate and enhance their�learning, using technology to do research. This team�has incorporated the “Smarts” to their teaching�strategies, which allow the students to produce�feedback by using their strengths as they build upon�other ways of being “smart” Our team works well�together and share many things to build a strong unit�and smart students. Here are just a few of our�successes: Mrs. Ward’s class has been learning�about the rainforest while they use their different�“smarts” to display work and express their knowledge�of understanding in different ways. Ms. Wooten’s�students have done animal research projects using�the habits of mind while incorporating science relating�to STEM. Students have published their blogs to the�classroom Wikispace. Please check out Ms. Britt’s�class with their reflection writings about their thoughts�towards Northeast School.�Ms. Givens’ class used�S.T.E.M. to watch Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. deliver�his "I have a dream speech" and analyzed the time�period to break down the habits. Please take a look at�our displays outside of our rooms.�

5�th� Grade�It has been a busy first half of the year for fifth grade.�Fifth grade students have had daily access to various�types of technology, in our attempt to foster the STEM�program. The students have enjoyed the student�laptop computers, either for access to learning software�or creating their own PowerPoint presentations. Mrs.�Patton’s class has utilized the clickers (responders) in�class either with morning work or review. Also, Mrs.�Patton’s students have been busy creating PowerPoint�presentations, and have had a lot of fun learning how to�do so. In an attempt to stay connected with her�students while in Hawaii, Mrs. Harvey Skyped in so she�could speak to her students. Mrs. Shackelford�incorporates Easiteach and the wireless tablet on a�daily basis with her bell work. Mrs. Shackelford’s�students were allowed to use the tablet and found out�quickly that you must have really good hand and eye�coordination to use effectively. Mrs. Fordham-Barrett�has been out on maternity leave and has delivered a�beautiful, healthy baby girl. Fifth grade is eager for Mrs.�Fordham-Barrett’s return, she has been missed.�

Important Dates:�

Feb. 25 - Early Dismissal Feb. 26 - Teacher Workday�

Mar. 25 - Early Dismissal Apr. 2 - Teacher Workday�

Apr. 5-9 - SPRING BREAK!�

I often get asked the question, “What does a School Counselor do?” There truly is not a “short”�way to answer this question. At Northeast Elementary School, I wear many hats, but my main�role is to oversee the school guidance and counseling program. This includes conducting�classroom/grade level guidance lessons, facilitating small group sessions, and scheduling�individual meetings with students, if necessary. While everyday brings about new tasks and�challenges. I LOVE being a part of the Northeast Elementary School Family and I look forward�

to assisting our students, families, and staff in any way I can.�