Good Evening All. I am sitting here watching a baseball game on TV and reflecting about the week gone by. Fall can be such a fun time of year for the beauty of nature, the excitement of so many sport happenings, and the flow that a classroom can fall into this time of year. This couldn't be more true than the moment we are at right here and now. The class is really working well together and have really bought into the "team concept." We have spent a lot of time talking about how our entire team has to be at their best and that we have to help and remind each other. This was so evident yesterday, when a 1st grade student used a technique that I use to help bring a classmate back to the group. It was amazing and just made me smile that the kid picked up such a subtle technique.
This week's Global Read Aloud book was Drawn Together by Minh Li. "This is a story about a young boy who visits his grandfather, their lack of a common language leads to confusion, frustration, and silence. But as they sit down to draw together, something magical happens – – with a shared love of art and storytelling, the two form a bond that goes beyond words." After we read the story, the kids were asked to work in teams as they would each draw a single thick line on each others paper. Then they each had to run that line into a sketch. This project was brought home by your child this week.
Today we started a science unit that will look at the Moon, the Sun, and the stars. Some unit vocabulary was introduced and then we had a discussion about the moon, the idea of phases and a cycle. The kid screamed a Moon Phases book that we will complete next week. I did challenge the kids to get outside this weekend and draw a picture of the moon. If they do this and describe it, they can bring it in for a prize on Monday.
Our reading groups are in full swing. We have four different groups that I meet with during our Daily 4 rotation time (in the afternoons, everyday but Wednesdays). Each group is designed to meet their needs phonetically and as far as reading strategy needs go for each group. The students all seem to be enjoying this time of day and all of the activities that come with it.
NOTES:
*Reading bags started to go home this week. They will be sent Monday through Thursday evenings with the exception of ski day Wednesdays and holidays/vacations. This is a chance for kids to take any book they are interested from our classroom library. This may be a book they can read, one they may want to read with you, or even a book they just have read to them. PLEASE, PLEASE make sure the bag and book come back each day. Find a way that your child has a routine that has him/her putting this in his/her backpack before bed each night.
*We need volunteers! "Have you signed up to volunteer for the sale yet? Please sign up here (and enlist your friends, neighbors and family to sign up as well)! There are over 75 volunteer shifts left to fill: There are many benefits to volunteering:- supporting our school (all money raised goes directly to support school activities),
- FREE entrance to the early shop Saturday morning
- entrance in a raffle for season's passes to MRG and Sugarbush
- this is a fun community event; its a great way to connect with others in the community.
The Ski & Skate sale funds so many important programs in our school: the winter sports program, our outdoor education programs, inspiration project, artist residency and so much more. It is also a GREAT place to find deals on winter gear and one of the top events of the fall here in the Mad River Valley."
*Please remember our specials schedule and note the items needed on those days
Monday: Art
Tuesday: Music
Wednesday: Art
Thursday: PE & Library, Kids need sneakers and their library books
Friday: PE and Health, Kids need sneakers
*As a reminder, homework bags are not sent home on the weekends. This way you won't need to scramble to find it on Sunday evening.
*Classroom Volunteer Schedule:
I hope you all have a great weekend.
