Shape Up! and Backpack Lunch Program

Hello Parent Partners - A couple of reminders...

- If you have not already done so, please ask your child to finish up and turn in their "Shape Up Across Oregon" maps.  Joni Huntley will get the official certificates as soon as possible.

- This is the third and final round of the "Backpack Lunch Program", where we collect what we can for kids' lunches.  If you have any extras in the cupboard that could provide a meal for a little one in need, we would sure appreciate it! Collections are through Friday.

Thanks for supporting the health of your children and others! Jennifer

Run For The Arts Due Back Monday 4/26

Hello Parent Partners - This is a reminder that money collected from pledges for Run For The Arts is due this coming Monday, April 26th.  Please have the children bring in and put in the collection box.  Thanks again for your support! Jennifer

Reminders for Week of 4/19...

Hi families -

 

This is a busy week so I thought I'd send some friendly reminders:

 

- We are celebrating "Earth Week" this week and asking the kids to pledge to do something (hopefully active!) while they turn off their tvs/electronics.  If they turn in their pledge card, I can add their pledge to our class chart and there will be a raffle drawing for some gift cards.  Also, tomorrow we celebrate Earth Week by wearing green!

 

- Tomorrow night is Family Write Night! Children were sent home today with handy pencil reminders.  If you can make it tomorrow, all festivities begin at 6:30. It would be fantastic to see you here!

 

- Wednesday is a late start! Please have children arrive by 9:55.  When there is a late start, we do not have a brain break or morning snack so please make sure the kiddos are prepared (i.e. if they need a snack before school starts!).

 

- I may as well throw in a reminder that our field trip to the Tillamook Forest Center is next Wednesday, April 28.  There is no limit on chaperones so please let me know if you are interested in joining us and I will get together directions/information for you!

 

Have a great day! Jennifer

One more week to collect pledges for Run For The Arts!!

Run For The Arts is this coming Friday, April 16, 2010!

This is the last week to collect pledges for RFTA.  100% of the funds raised during our RFTA drive stay at Forest Park and allow us to bring additional art experiences to school. For our class, this meant having an experience with Taiko Drumming this year.

The kiddos should bring their filled out pledge forms to school next Friday, 4/16 and record the number of laps they run. (Pledge forms can be brought in at any point before Friday if all pledges are collected.)

After the run, money should be collected from pledges and returned to school by Monday, April 26.

Thank you all so much for supporting your school's art program!!

April Update from Room 128

Dear Parent Partners,

 

March was so busy – I can hardly believe April has arrived! We started off the month with a great field trip to the “True Story of the Three Little Pigs”.  The culminating event for our fairy tale studies will be our upcoming performance of “Jack & The Beanstalk” on Thursday, April 8^th at 6:30 p.m.  We celebrated Dr. Seuss’ birthday with Read Across America and contributed to those in need through Project Second Wind.  We all enjoyed a well-deserved Spring Break and begin the third trimester with much vigor and excitement.   Here is some more information…

 

Literacy

Each child continues to grow as a reader and a writer.  Reading groups are back in action and literacy centers have focused on our fairy tale studies.  We wrapped up our author study of Ezra Jack Keats and Mo Willems by learning about letter writing format. Many burgeoning writers have really taken to writing letters – I know many of you are the special recipients of some of these written treasures!  We are starting to explore writing informational text –specifically “all about” stories.  The kids amaze me with all that they know and can write about – what good writers do!

 

 Math

We continue to explore geometry and shapes whole group while the first graders are building on more number sense.  The focus right now for first grade is on place value, number patterns and fluency with addition and subtraction facts to 10.  The kids are very much enjoying this unit about shapes.  Soon, we will be moving from the world of 2 dimensions to that of 3D!

 

Science

Our garden seeds were officially planted just before Spring Break.  We are all fingers crossed in hopes of having a salad feast towards the end of the school year!  The children also sprouted their own individual basil plants in class as part of literacy centers.  They are working as true scientists do: making observations and recording their findings.  Stay tuned for a basil plant coming to your home soon!

 

Social Studies

While the children continue to focus on weekly personal goals, we are also beginning to discuss concrete steps to take for problem solving.  I am introducing two new posters to the class this week: problem solving strategies for the problem solver and for the listener.  Copies of each will be sent home in Friday folders for the children’s reference. 

 

 

Art

The children have been working on art work using not only a mixture of media but also include the shapes that we are studying in math and the gardening concepts that we are studying in science.  Also, as you know, we have the Run For The Arts coming up on Friday, April 16.  Sponsor sheets were sent home this week and are due back by the day of the run (if not before).  We would love to have as many sponsors as possible to support this event as it provides the kids opportunities such as the artist-in-residency program: Taiko Drumming!

 

Field Trip Alert! We will be visiting the Tillamook Forest Center on Wednesday, April 28.  It will be an all day affair and there is no limit on chaperones! Please let me know if you are interested in joining us. J

 

Thanks to families for your continued support and assistance in the classroom! Please do not ever hesitate to contact me with questions or concerns. Cheers, Jennifer