Community Helpers-Polar Vortex Round 2

Hello Parents!

I cannot believe this weather.  I truly hope that groundhog brings us spring this weekend!  Due to the (surprise) short week, or schedule was a little off, but we had lots of fun and learning anyway!

On Wednesday we did a small community helpers unit.  This unit introduced our new dramatic play center: mail center.  Students were taught how to write letters, how to address envelopes for our school mail, and how to deliver the mail.  Students are using the center well, but we are still working on properly address these envelopes.

Students used their words to describe a police officer and then sort his tools that he uses by yes and no.  We encouraged the reading of the sight words yes and no.  These are important words in our voting and now our sorting.

On Thursday, our students began being authors.  We started with a mentor text Freight Train by Donald
Crews.  We then brainstormed topics we are experts on and then went to writing them.  It was tough for some to get over they couldnt illustrate things like they see them in other books and real life but with encouragement they continued.  Some also struggled with not being able to spell but we are encouraging stretching the sounds out and writing what they hear rather than spelling it correctly and they took off with that as well. Our books are not done as an author's work is never done so we will go back and add details and read them again next week.

Students also were introduced to writing in shaving cream.  We used this activity as a letter recognition (I pulled it out of a hat and they said its name). We then wrote it practicing writing it properly (top to bottom, in the formation that is correct).  We then sang the song that reminds that letter's sound and then erased and played again!

Finally, in preparation for groundhog's day, students voted on whether the groundhog would see his shadow or not. We watched a short video on groundhog's day and then went to voting. We counted the votes

If you are willing and able or have extras lying around, please donate the following items:
5 oz cups for milk at snack
napkins for snack
Shaving cream for sensory table and word/letter work

Many have have asked about our Valentine's Day in our class.

• Our school has an all or none policy--students can bring valentines for:                                                                      *All the school*All the class*None at all
• Valentine's day snacks can be anything you wish but we do not eat any at school
• We will be handing out Valentines on Thursday February 13 as part of our small group 
• Students are encouraged to write their own name on the from line, but they can leave the "To:" line blank. This allows students to pass out valentines more effectively.  IF your child would like to address them, it will be their responsibility to get them in the right buckets.
• For our buckets, we like to use milk jugs. It is large for the valentines, has a handle, and can be decorated (at school).  Please send a cleaned gallon milk jug with your child (If you have extra you may send them for those who may forget or not have them).  by Tuesday February 11.

Important Notes:

• • Dress for the weather.  Please send your child dressed for the weather as we go outside as long as it is not raining or below 0*(students are more than welcome to bring layers daily or to leave in their lockers)  It may also be time to change out the change of clothes to make sure they are weather appropriate.  If you send a new change of clothes, we will send the warm weather clothes in their backpacks.  We go outside on TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS, Extended day kids go out EVERY DAY.
  • Folders. Please be checking your child's daily folder each night.  We put notes on the notebook pages in their folders as well as any notes we may have for you.  Artwork is also sent home this way. As we start letter of the week, we will also start sending home homework to help reinforce the letter concept and identification.  Please work on this with you child to help the students make the connection between home and school. 
  • Also, Please check the student's Wednesday Folders.  Please try to take info out and return the folder and any forms/info/payments in those folders a day or two after receiving. 
  • Literacy Bags come home every three weeks.  Students will have a week to complete the project inside and can then return the bag with completed sheets in it on TUESDAYS.
  • Library Books come every week.  We go to library on Monday and student have the opportunity to check out a book and keep it for a week. It can be kept in their back packs or at home, but please remember to bring it on Mondays. 
  Next Week:
  Theme: Shadows, the Groundhog
  Letter of the Week: Hh
  Snack: West Family