Our Study Of The State Of Florida

Today marked the beginning of our study on the state of Florida. Both 6th and 7th grade students will participate in this study. We learned about many of the state symbols today and had some of us had our very first quiz. The scores ranged from 110% to 20%. If you were on the lower end of the scale, don't worry because if you studied your notes as instructed you will excel on your test tomorrow (August 27).
In case you want to double check your notes I have listed them below:

Florida's nickname is the Sunshine State. This name was adopted by the 1970 legislature. 

Florida's Flag is the Great Seal Of Florida and was approved by state legislature in 1899 and by the citizens of Florida in 1900.

The state seal of Florida shows the sun, a steamboat sailing, a Sabal Palm tree, and a Native American Seminole woman scattering flowers. 

The state tree is the Sabal Palm. In 1953, the state legislature named the Sabal Palmas the state tree. 

The panther is the official state animal of Florida. In 1982 Florida students chose the panther over the key deer, the manatee, and the alligator as the state animal. Panthers are among the rarest and most endangered animals in the world.

The state flower is the orange blossom. These fragrant white flowers grow on theorange tree. This became the state flower in1909.

State Day: April 2

In 1953 the state legislature designated April 2 as the state day. Ponce De Leon first sightedFlorida on or about that date in 1513.

 Wildflower: Coreopsis

The state legislature designated the coreopsis as the state wildflower in 1991. The wildflower is used widely in roadside planting and state beautification programs. 

There are 67 counties in the state of Florida. Each city has a county. Out of the 67 cities that we have in Florida there are 10 that are larger than all others. Those are: 1. Jacksonville 735,617 2. Miami 362,470 3, Tampa 303,447 4. St Pete 248,232

5. Hialeah 226,419 6. Orlando 185,951 7. Ft. Lauderdale 152,397 8. Tallahassee 150,624 9. Hollywood 139,357

10. Pembroke Pines 137,427

Florida's Population

According to the U.S Census Bureau in 2000 Florida's population was 15,982,378. 8 years later is was 18,328,340! 

Florida is the 4th largest state in the U.S after California, Texas, and New York.

Where do Floridians Work?

17% of Florida residents work in the Educational , health, and social service industry.  

13% work in retail trade.Surprising only 8% work in construction and manufacturing.

Surprising only 8% work in construction and manufacturing.

Florida Crops 

$1,387.Million dollars was made in orange crops.Strawberries was the least profitable crop

making only $168 Million. As expensive as milk is it only made $384 million

WELCOME TO THE 2009-2010 SCHOOL YEAR

WELCOME PIONEERS

I would like to welcome you to a new and exciting school year! I am happy to have both and your child(ren) be a part of my class:) This year will be a year filled with rigor and we will start off running. There will be several new strategies that will be implemented throughout the school and emphasized in my classroom. Your child mastering the skills necessary to be grade level proficient will take a joint effort. I challenge each parent to become or remain active in your child's academic studies. If you need ANY assistance, please feel free to contact me. I will be more than happy to work with you so that you will feel more comfortable working with your child. I'm sure that with a collaborative effort we will have Successful and Productive School Year themed "A Time For Growth".

I consider my classroom to be a positive learning environment for all. By following the rules listed below, your child will play a major role in the success or failure of this goal:

1. Be Prompt (To be on time you must be in the classroom and sitting in your seat when the bell rings. If you are not on time and don't have a pass, your group will loose points on your behalf)

2. Be Prepared (It is not enough for you to just to be to class on time, you need to have your supplies (pencils, paper, journal) ready.

3. Be Polite (You should always follow the golden rule, treat others as you would like for others to treat you, with the in mind you should keep all negative comments, gestures. and/or actions to yourself . Failure to this disrupts instructional time and will not be tolerated.

4. Be Productive (When you enter the classroom you need to go to your assigned seat. While in that seat you need to work cooperatively or independently, depending on the assignment. I expect ALL assignment, both in-class and homework) to be turned in on time. 

5. Be Positive (This room is filled with positive energy. It is important that you do not put down anyone by making derogatory comments and always put forth 100% effort. You need to respect your teacher, your classmates, and yourself)

Student agendas will be distributed on the first day of school.  Please hold on to this because if you loose them you will have to purchase a new one and the cost is $5. Lunch forms will also be distributed on Monday, please complete these and turn them in as soon as possible.If your child is playing a sport, please complete your activity form and work towards scheduling an annual physical. Parent Contact Form-It's imperative that we have updated contact information for you and your child. In the case of an emergency we will need to be able to contact as quickly as possible so as numbers and addresses change please update it:)  If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact me at 488-9374 or via email at montgomeryla@mail.leon.k12.fl.us. Sometimes e-mails are tossed out and labeled as SPAM, if you do not hear from me with 24 hours please make a 2nd attempt to contact me. 

I look forward to a rewarding school year with both you and your child, 

Mrs. Montgomery