Monday Mania

Upcoming Events: 

12/7/13 – Pancake Breakfast at Pine Island Elementary, Goodies Fundraiser Pick Up @ Pine Island as well

12/19/13 – Holiday Party, details in this week’s folder

12/21-1/5/14 – Holiday Vacation, No School

Holidays

We are going to read and learn about several different holidays this December, including Hanukkah, Kwanza, and Christmas.  Does your family do something special or different during the holiday season?  If you have something you’d like to teach us or share with the class about your culture, we’d love to learn about your family!

Snow Gear

Please remember that students go outside every morning before school starts.  They need to come to school in snow pants and snow boots, even if they go inside to eat breakfast before going out to play! They also need tennis shoes for the days we have gym class.  Have your kiddo pack their regular shoes in their backpack every day, so that they can change out of their wet snow boots when they come into the building.  Keep working on practicing to zip and tie all by themselves!

11/18/13

Upcoming Events: 

11/25 - Book Orders Due - click HERE to find out more info on ordering online!

11/11/13 - Letter G Week – Have you noticed yet how much Mrs. VandenBerg loves to use glitter on projects?! Wait until you see our Gg decorations! 

11/27, 11/28, 11/29 - No School, Thanksgiving Break

12/7/13 – Pancake Breakfast at Pine Island Elementary

Things we did last week: 

Letters

So far, we have spent a week learning these letters:  B, M, R, S, O, T - this upcoming week is G week. 

Handwriting

The Letter I – Big line down, jump up, little line at the top, little line at the bottom.   

We have learned these letters in handwriting so far:  L, F, E, H, I, and T.

Math

We did lots of work with the number 3 – anytime you notice something in a group of three, be sure to talk about it with your kiddo!

Science

Last week we had tons of fun with color mixing.  We learned about primary colors and secondary colors.  Check out some pics of it on our Facebook page!  

Story Time

While reading stories, we are working on concepts of print.  Ask your child which part of the book is the front cover, the back cover, and the title page. 

Friendship Snack 

Next week to celebrate Thanksgiving, we will be talking a lot about friendship.  On Tuesday, we're going to make "Friendship Snack" bags.  I'm asking each kiddo to bring in something to contribute to our mix.  Ideas to donate (please remember to check the label for peanut free items!) : 

• Assorted dried fruits: raisins, banana chips, dried apricot bits, dried cherries
• Assorted mini-candies: M & Ms, gummy bears, chocolate chips, marshmallows
• Assorted crackers and cereals: pretzels, Goldfish, Cheerios, Rice Chex etc.

Favorite Websites

Here is a link to some of our favorite websites and games in case you're looking for more fun things for your kiddo to do at home! 

http://sqworl.com/6z19ot

Enjoy!! 

11/11/13

Upcoming Events: 

11/11/13 - Letter T Week – turkey time! 

11/11/13 – Goodies Fundraisers were due LAST WEEK! If you have them, turn them in tomorrow.

11/27, 11/28, 11/29 - No School, Thanksgiving Break

12/7/13 – Pancake Breakfast at Pine Island Elementary,

Things we did last week: 

Handwriting
Letter T – “big line down, jump up, little line at the top” – T is a Center Starter.

Math
We are all done with the number two!  We worked a lot with making groups of numbers 0-5.  

Letters
Letter O – Olive Octopus – ask what sound she makes!!

Winter Weather and Clothing

It’s officially cold outside! Please with this cold weather, it is so important that your child is dressed to go outside.  We go outside every day – even if it is snowing!  We will stay inside if it is raining or the wind chill is below 0*F.   Dress your child in layers to be prepared to be cold outside, and sweaty in gym class.  The children need gym shoes (sneakers, tennis shoes) on the days we have gym class.  Please keep our classroom calendar close by so you know when those days are. 

Also, I try to help them keep their things organized as much as I can – but there are 18 little people in here, which mean 18 hats, 18 snow pants, and 36 gloves or mittens to watch out for.  And guess what – they all look the same!  Please try to label all your children’s winter gear so we can solve the mystery of “Whose glove is this?” (unfortunately, the owner doesn’t always remember that it’s their own!)

Holiday Book Order

Reading Club Order Due Date: November 25
Shop Online: scholastic.com/readingclub
One-Time Class Activation Code: J9R4V
 
Dear Families,
Good news! This month's Scholastic Reading Club flyers are ready for you to explore with your child. Children read more when they choose their own books, so I encourage you to look at the flyers together. Each flyer is filled with curated, affordable books and Storia eBooks that are just right for our grade.
Place your order online at scholastic.com/readingclub or return the order form and payment to me. Ordering online is the easiest way to ensure I get your order on time, plus there are more books to choose from.
Don't forget that for every book you buy from Scholastic Reading Club, our class earns FREE Books and supplies and we have our eye on some new additions!
Thank you for your support!
Happy reading,

PS: Books make wonderful gifts! Please let me know if your order includes a gift or surprise, and I will contact you when it arrives.
 
If This Is Your First Time Ordering Online:
- REGISTER at scholastic.com/readingclub
- ENTER the one-time Class Activation Code from the top of this letter
- CHOOSE from thousands of books, value packs, and Storia eBooks
- SUBMIT the order to me by the due date at the top of this letter
- EARN FREE Books for our classroom too!

Eventful Friday

Upcoming Events
 
11/4 - Half Day - Dismissal at 12:00pm, P/T Conferences in the afternoon and evening

11/7 - P/T Conferences 
11/27, 11/28, 11/29 - No School, Thanksgiving Break

Things we did this week: 

Handwriting

The Letter H  - (big line down, jump up and over, big line down, little line in  the middle) 

Letters

Letter Ss - Sammy Snake! 

Math  
This week we did a lot of work on patterning!!

Science

We talked a lot about creepy bats!! When do bats sleep and when do they come out and play??

Cookies for Conferences

We need cookie donations for our parent/teacher conference nights.  We ask that for this fall conference, students with the last names between A-L please send in a package of cookies by November 4th. 
 
As always - check out our Facebook Page for fun photos from the Halloween Party!!!