February 5, 2012: This week the groundhog predicted 6 more weeks of winter!  I had lots of kiddos borrowing hats and gloves this week, please
make sure that your child brings their own hat and gloves to school each and every day.  I understand that we all forget things once and a while, that is why
I have them but there were lots of kiddos this week and on multiple days too! 

This was a very busy week for our school nurse!  We have had lots of sick kiddos lately with all sorts of things (strep, scarlet fever, pink eye, flu, colds...) Safe to say the germies are out in full force!  Please help us all stay healthy by keeping your child home if they are not feeling well or if they have a fever for at least 24 hours.  If your child complains that they are not feeling well or something hurts...I will send them to the nurse and they may be sent home.  We take a "better safe than sorry" approach to illness as no one enjoys having vomit in their classroom!  I try to do my best to keep everyone healthy by enforcing strict germ rules: cover your cough tightly in your elbow, wash your hands after you blow your nose, go to the bathroom and before we eat. Please encourage these same behaviors at home too! I do clorox the room several times during the week trying to cover all of the main surfaces: our tables, door handles, drinking fountain, computer mice and anything else that we all use.  I am always taking donations of CLOROX wipes. :) Thank you!

This week:
Letter: X, x **Show and tell is something that ENDS with X**
Words: are, they
Math: Continuing on with addition and subtraction  This is very challenging for us...please go over the daily math sheets that come home with your child.
Make sure that you are practicing addition facts to five also!  I will be assessing this for our final report card!

As we pump up our brains and abilities at school, we need to do the same at home too.  You will begin to see an increase or change in homework.  Some things
will be games, like the file folders and crashing cars and other will be books/response sheets, writing projects and skill practice sheets.  We are all very used to the weekly blue sheets and need to continue to practice those as the skills on there are very important but I want everyone to get some additional practice with new and challenging skills at home as well!  Please take the time to work together with your child each and every night to complete homework.  NOW is the time when your child is the most able to learn...it will only become more difficult as they continue to grow. So let's fill them up with all we can right now!  :) I really appreciate all of your support and everything you do for your children! Thank you!

January 29, 2012: More pictures have been added to the January Pictures Page and the Calendars have been updated for February! We had a fun
week this week with the 100th day.  I can't believe that we have already had 100 days of school fly by us! :)  I am so lucky to have all of your
amazing kiddos in my classroom...they are really a fantastic class!!! 

This week:
Letter: W, w
Words: out, who
Theme: Mrs. Wishy Washy
Math: Addition and Subtraction-PLEASE practice facts at home!!!!

 

January 23, 2012: I updated the January Pictures, so check them out!  This week is going to be super exciting with the 100th day coming up on
Thursday!  Make sure to hug, hug, hug away to 100.  Count out and send in your 100 pieces of snack for the 100 day trail mix on or before Thursday!  YUM :)

This week:
Letter: H, h
Words: we, want
Word Family: -op
Math: subtraction

Don't forget your snow pants and boots!!!

I AM STILL TAKING DONATIONS OF HEADPHONES AND CLOROX WIPES!!

January, 16, 2012: I hope the everyone enjoyed their 3 day weekend!  I know that I did. :) Don't forget that you have another one coming up this
weekend too!  Unfortunately, I still have to come to school on Monday but the kiddos don't! 

This week is a review week for us.  We will be having some fun with the book The Mitten by Jan Brett! 

I owe you guys some pictures and I did take some this week but left my camera at school...  I plan to take some more this week and promise to update soon!

If you are not taking advantage of the great game and review links on the students page...PLEASE DO!!!  This is a great and easy way to help your child
practice and review the skills that we have been working on! 

The Brain-Warm Up Videos are a big hit in our room and very helpful for learning and reviewing skills.  Our current favorite is Exercise and Count by 5s.
Make sure to check it out. :) The addition and subtraction games are super cute and great for review. I suggest that you keep an eye on your kiddo while
they are playing to see if they are really getting it or just guessing to find the correct answer. 

We will begin going to the computer lab in the next few weeks...very exciting!  I will be going through all of our headphones to see if we all have some
at school.  If not, you MUST send a pair in for your child. 

I am asking for donations of CLOROX WIPES (ewwww...germs) and HEADPHONES for use in our classroom listening and computer centers. 
We are very hard on headphones!!  Any donations are GREATLY appreciated!

January 2, 2012: I can't believe that we are headed back to school tomorrow!  I will be the first to admit that I would enjoy a bit more
vacation. :)

I hope that everyone had a wonderful, restful break and holidays.  As we begin the second half of the year we are really on our way to first grade
and you will notice some changes happening.  We will be working toward becoming more independent at many things and fine tuning our reading and
writing and math skills.  I will be expecting more from each of your children as I work to prepare them for what will come next year.  We are
going to be working very hard and additional practice at home is absolutely necessary! 

This week, we will get back into the groove of things with
Letter: O, o
Word: what
Word Family: -ot
Math: Finishing Addition-KEEP working on those facts at home! 
We will be adding in more vocabulary words, additional reading  and writing practice and some science and social studies too!  Lots of neat stuff coming
in the new year. :)

ALL CALENDARS HAVE BEEN UPDATED! Some really exciting activities are kicking off in January!  One School, One Book is beginning this Friday.
Have fun reading together as a family. :) Don't forget to write down how many minutes you read so that you can get your FREE Magic Waters and
Great America tickets too!

Please remember that we WILL go outside until the temp is below 10 degrees!  Dress your child for the weather with a hat, gloves, scarf and warm coat each day.  In order to be ready for snow (if it every decides to show up) your child will need to wear boots and have snow pants! All students will go outside in the
snow with or without these items.  It will be much more fun if they have them! 

Report cards will be coming home next week!  Very exciting. :)