February 21, 2013

What a great week.  We finished this week with a study of Ruby Bridges.  I think the kids were amazed by the bravery of a six year old.  Please stop in and take a look at our huge display in the hallway.  We will wrap up our study during the first two weeks of March.

I hope you have a wonderful break.

Tom

A student and I read the class a book about Ruby Bridges.  It was a book she had read in her reading group.

February 20, 2013

Three days until vacation and I wish we had another week of school.  This says a lot about your children!  We are in a wonderful groove and the learning really seems to be ALIVE.  Yesterday, we learned about George Washington Carver and all of the wonderful things he did for framing and the peanut crop.  Afterwards, I tied in a writing standard by having the kids write a procedural piece.  They had to write about the steps needed to make a pb&j sandwich.

The students also worked on their Martin Luther King Jr. posters.  We are hoping to finish these by Friday.  They will then be hung in the hallway over vacation.  You will also notice a big display between the our classroom and Mr. Hubbard's room.  My class is creating a huge collection of all of the learning from our Black History study.

We have a lot to accomplish a lot of things between now and Friday.  Please make sure your child is here each day and ready to go.

Have a wonderful day.

Peace,
Tom

February 18, 2013

Good afternoon,

We hope you had a good weekend and were able to stay warm on Sunday.

           

This morning we continued learning about the Iditarod.  We read Granite, by Susan Butcher.   The story was about a brave dog that leads Susan’s team in winning the Iditarod. 

This last week before vacation will be a busy one.  We are wrapping up a lot of projects and getting things in place for vacation.  Stay tuned for updates on our progress!   

We are still looking to collect the $3 for our Flynn trip from Bella, Hannah, and Tyler.  I need it this week.  If you have any questions please contact Mr. Young. 

Best,

Tom and Britta 

February 15, 2013

Happy Friday, 

This week students continued learning about the civil rights movement.  We readThe Crayon Box That Talked by Shane DeRolf, a book about a box of crayons that learns to appreciate and respect one another’s different colors.  We also read If a Bus Could Talk by Faith Ringgold.  This account of the life of Rosa Parks was a good introduction for our class to the biographical genre. 

We learned a new way to juggle as a class, taking the time to make eye contact and remember all the rules that help us practice hand-eye coordination and patience.

Today we began learning about the Iditarod, the Alaskan sled dog race that goes from Anchorage to Nome every year.  We focused on the race’s history, and learned about some of the more famous dogs like Balto and Togo, who raced across Alaska to save sick children in 1925.    

This morning we enjoyed the play about Fairy Tales performed by Mr. McCallister's  third and fourth grade class.  To adjust the schedule and make time for all the fun things we had planned we will not be sending weekly news home this week.  

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Best, 

Britta

Reminders: Flynn Money

February 13, 2012

Good Morning,
  Pajama day was a huge success and the students seemed to enjoy the idea.  I have included some photos.  Yesterday, we continued to focus on Rosa Parks.  We read the story, Rosa by Nikki Giovanni.  This was a Caldecott Honor Book.  In reading, each group continued working with books about the Civil Rights Movement.

 Tomorrow is Valentine's Day.  Although we will not have a "party," students are more than welcome to bring in Valentines.  The students' names are:  1st: Lily, Bella, Anna, Miles, Jude, Logan, and Tessa. 2nd: Hannah, Amy, Rachel, Azailea, Brooke, Beckett, Tyler, Gabe, Emma, and Tela.

 *I need field trip money from 5 more students.  Please send in the $3 as soon as possible.

Have a wonderful day.
Tom

February 11, 2013

Good Afternoon,

It was nice to be back in the classroom and amongst the students.  I want to thank Mrs. Lea for doing an excellent job in my absence (TY).

We hope you all had a nice long weekend, and had a chance to get outside and enjoy some of the new snow.

We have continued reading and listening to books concerning the civil rights movement.  On Thursday we read Freedom Summer by Deborah Wiles.  It is a story about two friends who don’t let the color of their skin stop them from enjoying summer fun together.  This week our profile person is Rosa Parks. We will reading books to learn about her life and understand the power of her actions. 

Today Mr. Young shared about his trip to Washington, D.C.  We saw pictures of the teachers he will be traveling to Brazil with.

It was a good start to a new week!

Best,

Britta & Tom

February 6, 2013

Happy Wednesday,

Today we had a full morning of music, French and spelling groups.

To continue our studies during Black History month, we read Freedom on the Menu by Carole Boston Weatherford.  Told from the perspective of a young girl growing up in Greensboro, North Carolina, this fictional story recounts the sit-ins of 1960 during the civil rights movement.

 

I had some excited students on my hands this afternoon; everyone was glad the ski and ride program was a go!

Best, 

Britta

Here is a picture from last night. We were hosted by the Brazilian Ambassador at his residence. It was a fun evening.  -Tom 

February 4, 2013

Good Morning,
  I hope you had a nice weekend.  Today we celebrated the 100th Day.  Mr. Hubbard's classroom joined us for a day of literacy and math activities, focusing on the number 100.  We read three 100th Day books and one book about Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream.

  This morning the kids worked on their own 100th Day book of activities as well as a 100th Day poster.  This afternoon the kids worked in groups with 100 collections and recorded lengths and other data about the collections.

Just a reminder, I will be out Wednesday-Friday.  Mrs. Lea will be subbing during these times.  Please feel free to contact me while I am gone.  I will be checking e-mail frequently.

Notes:

*Flynn Money Due.

*I am not sending reading home tonight.  Many of the kids need a night to get in bed early.  We had many sleepy eyes this morning.

Have a great week.
Peace,
Tom

Good afternoon, 

This has been a busy week!

We continued to read books by author Mo Willems.  The students have enjoyed discussing all the unique ways Willems is able to show volume and movement with his words and pictures.  

Today, as part of our sound unit, we were able to use some of the donated recyclables (thank you!)  to start constructing our own instruments.  Attached are videos and some pictures of today's fun and excitement.

We have continued progress on our Martin Luther King, Jr. posters and they are looking great!  It has been so exciting to watch the students work together to create something the whole class is proud of.  

Additional Notes:

Monday is the 100th day of school!  We will be working with Mr. Hubbard's class on some fun activities that combine math and literature.  Students are welcome to bring in their "Collections of 100." Our parent volunteer is welcome to join us at the regular time, but we will not working on editing writing as we typically do.  

Flynn Trip: We will be going to see the Taiko Drummers in March.  The PTA is helping with most of the cost, but students are being asked to bring in $3 each.  If there is any issue with the cost of the trip please let us know.   

Best, 

Britta Lea & Tom