April 22-25(26)

**I ask your patience as we have added Fridays to our school days; I may not get the blogs out on Fridays.  I will always have them up by the end of the weekend.  I still suggest checking in once a week to see all the fun things your child is doing, but also to get any important information on due dates, fun dates, and such.  
                                                                         
The letter books are complete!  They are going to be bound throughout the next few weeks, we will practice reading them, and they will come home soon!

All hand symbols, sign language, and handwriting videos are available on the class website:
Mrs. Gloudemans Letters of the Week Page   Keep practicing!

What a busy week!  Our theme was Earth Day and Trees this week.  Students are making me so proud I could cry!

On Earth Day, we watched the Lorax and talked about why we need to save the
trees and our Earth.  We did a Lorax themed project in which students emphasized the importance of taking care of the Earth with the "Unless" quote from the book:

There were two versions of the project this week.  Some students did more writing than others, but all did a great job!

We then talked about the three R's = Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.  Students were very concerned we still cut down trees to make things (to have them the first time before we recycle).  We then went into Reforestation as well.  I drew some illustrations on the board to help them understand the repetition and a cycle.

In my "illustration" we have Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.  We also have You use it at your house (top in green), you put it in the recycling (green), it goes to the recycle factory (green) and then they make it new and it goes back to your house.

We have for every tree they cut down (top left) the put two more trees up=reforestation.

After an "inschool field trip" to visit all the classrooms and collect their scrap
paper buckets, we took them to our room to recycle them.  Students turned the paper into pulp with water and a blender (and repeatedly used the word pulp--YAY!).  They then dried it on a screen, pressed teh water out, and put it out to dry!  They will be taking it home this week!

Students also worked on sorting out their recylcing.  They worked as a team to sort the recycling into the right recycling bins and then they graphed the results.  They then analyzed their graphing results.  Great math skills!








We also started working on subtraction math!  Students had alive trees, but then some died.  How many alive trees are left?  They did great with this paper!  We also got some good 1 on 1 practice with number skills and how to write the numbers.

Finally, we had our field trip.  After a confusing week of getting the day
wrong, new permission slips and basic confusion (I AM SO SORRY!), we made it!  We donated supplies to animals that do not have a home yet and needed our help, we saw and pet the animals, and we had a lot of fun.  The great thing about the mess up?  Students learned a valuable lesson in flexibility, understanding, and coping.  They did very well with this, were very understanding, and as long as they didn't miss the trip they were good to go!  Thank you all for your understanding and patience!

AM AND PM CLASSES HAVE SCHOOL this coming Friday May 3.  Class is 8-11, 12-3 as usual.  

AM If you child always takes the bus home from school, the bussing is still available on Friday. If you child normally gets  a ride or stays for extended day, they must have their own transportation at 11 am.  No bussing available for these students, and there is no extended day. 

PM If you always ride the bus, bussing is still available.  

Our additional 5 minutes also started and continues through the year.

Important Notes:

• Graduation will be Wednesday May 29 from 5-6pm for those who would like to mark their calendars early!  I will be providing more information as it comes, but thank you for your timely resonses in helping us pick a day.  This was the day with the least "no's" and the best we could do.  Students will be singing some songs, showing their work, receiving a certificate, and having some fun!  
• Book Orders are due April 28th (MIDNIGHT).  I ADDED THE WEEKEND TO THE BOOK ORDER SCHEDULE IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO GET THOSE IN!  I WILL SUBMIT THEM MONDAY MORNING INSTEAD OF SATURDAY.  There are some great new collections. Also, if you order online you get a coupon for free books.  It also earns points and free books for our classroom as well!  Find the link the scholastic section of the website: http://mrsgloudemans.wix.com/stedward4k
• FINAL Reading with the Stars Wednesday MAY 15, 2013! Please RSVP regardless of attendance for correct amount of copies.
• Dress for the Weather.  We go outside Tuesdays and Thursdays.  Students need coats, hats, and mittens.  If there is snow or even if it is in the 30s I would suggest snowpants and boots for warmth and dryness.  St. Edward Extended day families, these students go outside for "long recess" after lunch daily and need to be dressed for it daily.  Please come with everything they need to stay warm and have fun!
• Even as Spring approaches, if there is snow we need your child to come in snowpants and winter gear for playing on the playground.  If they do not have the proper clothes, they will need to stand on the blacktop with the teachers.
• Lost and Found.  Our lost and found is growing.  If you are missing something please feel free to check out the box on top of the lockers by our door, or email me and I will take a look for you!  
• As always, any questions or concerns please feel free to email me!  Have a great weekend!

Next week:

Theme: Flowers

SNACK: We have nobody signed up for either AM or PM snack this week.  We do have some snacks left over from previous weeks we can compile together, but if anyone is interested in either AM or PM please send me and email.