March Update from Room 128

Dear Parent Partners,

 

February flew by in a flurry of activities and events!  Thanks to all for your support of the Forest Park Foundation Auction.  It was a huge success – our classroom paintings alone contributed about $3,500 to the effort!   With the unseasonably warm temperatures, it feels like Spring already! Aside from Spring Break (mark your calendars: 3/22-3/26), March is full of Spring events.  Here is some more information…

 

Literacy

We have taken a break from reading groups for a couple of weeks as I had the chance to meet with individual children about personal reading skills and goals.  Our author study continues into the month of March.  We have been focusing on Mo Willems and his craft features, which include speech bubbles, different uses of font…ellipses and split panel illustrations. 

 

Math

For whole group math, we have begun investigating an exciting new unit about geometry.  For the next few weeks, the children will explore two- and three-dimensional shapes.  We will connect the concept of geometry to the world around us.  Look for opportunities to talk about shapes with your favorite mathematician!

 

Science

In the coming week, we hope to have our garden plot weeded out! (E-mail me @ jwalker2@pps.k12.or.us if you and your kid(s) are interested in helping us out after school!) In anticipation of Spring and an upcoming literacy unit on seeds, room 128 will be busy turning soil and planting the first seeds of what we hope will be a bountiful salad celebration towards the end of the

school year.

 

Social Studies

February was full of events – from national holidays to in-school activities! Probably, the most of exciting of which, was Taiko drumming! The children learned about the culture and geography of Japan while also pounding the heck out of “Taiko” drums. J  A great time was had by all and we are so grateful to the many volunteers who took the time to join in the drumming fun!  Of course, February was a time to celebrate our friends – and valentines – the one and only “100^th Day Of School” and past and present presidents. 

 

Art

In celebration of the Chinese New Year, the children created beautiful, wax-resist watercolor paintings.  They are proudly on display outside of our classroom (and above!).  During literacy centers, the children have been exploring the art of Henri Matisse and the technique of “cut out” art, using painted/colored paper to create artistic scenes or pictures.  Look for their own “cut out” art coming to a home near you!

 

Theatre

Please mark your calendars for our rousing rendition of “Jack & The Beanstalk” set for:

Thursday, April 8^th @ 6:00 p.m.

 

A gentle reminder to please send a healthy snack everyday with your child! Thanks to families for their continued support and assistance in the classroom! Please do not ever hesitate to contact me with questions or concerns. Cheers, Jennifer