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Friday, October 26, 2012

Week 11


This week our theme was skeletons. Monday we started our skeleton theme by learning what foods are important and how to keep our bones healthy. Tuesday we learned some fun facts about skeletons by reading Bones by Steven Jenkins. We then built a skeleton out of q-tips.  On Wednesday we used pipe cleaners and pasta to build our backbone. We then demonstrated what our vertebrae looks like when we sit down, stand up or do somersaults. Thursday we practiced recalling facts and made a fact book about bones. Today we played Roll-A-Skeleton. We cut apart the skeleton in six different pieces and used a dice to put it back together. 













The cold weather is here! Our school policy is that students will have outdoor recess unless the windchill is under 20 degrees. Please be sure to bundle your children up. The wind can be very strong and COLD on our playground. 
It is getting closer and closer to December and in our school we have a special rule that we don't tie shoes after the Winter break. So.... please start helping your child learn how to tie his/her shoes. 

Thank you to all the parents who are reinforcing our classroom behavior chart at home. I have heard a lot of talk about special treats and rewards if students come home with a certain color. I just wanted to remind parents that the behavior chart is only one type of positive reinforcement we do in my classroom. I try to keep the Outstanding Red as a very special level. We also reinforce good behavior with treats, treasures, C.A.T.S. cards and verbal praises.  

In science we continued our unit on properties. This week we did a few experiments to show liquid takes the shape of its container and that gas takes up space. We also learned what objects float and sink and which ones are magnetic. 


We had a great Red Ribbon week. Thanks for helping your child dress up to support our Student Council celebrate Drug Free week. 

Reading is a "hole" lot of Fun!
Here we are celebrating reading and enjoying our doughnut holes. 







Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Week 10 News


Last week our theme was nocturnal animals.
We compared bats and birds. 
Then after learning about bats we make a bat out of two circles. 





We also read a fiction story called The White Owl and practiced recalling the beginning, middle and end of the story.  The students then made colorful owls to match the owls in the story. 

In science we started our properties unit. This unit will teach kids what properties are and how to describe them by using their size, color, shape, weight, and texture. The unit will introduce the three different forms of matter: solid, liquid and gas. Throughout the unit we will also explore sink and float and magnetism. 



Saturday, October 13, 2012

Weekly News 9


We earned two awards this week! 


The Golden Trashcan!

On Friday we received the Golden Trashcan. The trashcan is given to a classroom each week that has kept their classroom clean. On Monday we will get to eat the special treat that comes in the Golden Trashcan. 

500 C.A.T.S. Cards!
Congratulations to our class for earning 500 C.A.T.S. cards. We celebrated on Friday with a popcorn party. 

This Week....
This week our theme was Fire Safety. We learned many different fire safety procedures and rules. We read several informational books about fire safety and practiced recalling some of the facts we learned. On Friday we started to make our fire safety learning center for our classroom. Next week we will be finishing our fire truck and 9-1-1 call center. Don't forget to check your smoke detectors and review your fire escape plan with your family.


Conferences 
Thank you for sending back the conference sheets. If you have not replied to this letter please send it on Monday. I look forward to talking to all of you. Please remember that your child is welcome and encouraged to come during our conference time.  




Friday, October 5, 2012

Week 8 News


This week…
This week our theme was Pumpkins. We made pumpkin tear art to hang in our hallway and read several fiction stories about Fall and pumpkins. After reading some of these fiction stories we practiced identifying characters, setting, and beginning, middle, and end. It is important to continue practicing these comprehension skills at home after reading library books or our Little Readers. 

Check out our Literacy Centers 

B.E.E. Folders
Please make sure to check your child's folder daily and only keep necessary papers in the folder. Don't forget to sign for the Little Readers every week. It is important to read the books several times throughout the week. 

Cold Weather
The cold weather is here! Please be sure your child is prepared by bringing warm coats, hats and gloves. The playground is very windy and cold.


Math
In math we started our zero to five unit. We learned how to read, write, and count the numbers. Some of the math vocabulary we focused on was more, fewer, and same as. Next week we will continue working on our zero to five unit. 

Conferences
Please sign and return the Parent/Student/Teacher conference forms. If the time and day does not work please let me know as soon as possible. I look forward to talking to you.


Book Fair
Don’t forget to stop by the Scholastic Book Fair next week.