Starting New

     Thanksgiving is officially over, time to pack up fall and start CHRISTMAS.  YIKES.  Where does the time go? We have to start decorating our classroom for the holidays and winter.  If you are curious as to what school is like the month of December, just compound your child's holiday excitement by 13.  It sounds awful but it's actually FABULOUS. The pure joy and wonder is just FANTASTIC.

     The weatherman is calling for snow tomorrow which is PERFECT because we will be starting our science unit on weather as well.  I LOVE snow days snow.  I'm a weather junkie and check it a thousand times when they are predicting a storm.  I think a weather woman is what I'd be if I wasn't a teacher.

     Today in the computer lab we decorated houses with lights.  The children enjoyed it.  Click here for the link.  Check out the rest of the site also.  It's great.

   This week we will read Anansi and the Talking Melon.  It's a great story.  There are lots of different Anansi stories.  He's always a trickster.  I hope to get to the library to see if I can find some more stories to share.  I think we will start a new chapter book this week too.  I haven't decided which one yet.  Ask your child to let you know when we do.

Sneak Peek

      I was lucky enough to be the official Festival on the Common tree decorator for the Wyman School.  So YOU are lucky enough to get a sneak peek.  Our tree is sports themed and it looks great.  (I realize the top could use an ornament or two but I could only reach so high.)  I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

 

Feast Day

     Today was our Thanksgiving feast.  We baked cornbread.  Set up our classroom for our guests (Ms. Cotters Class), wore our Native American headgear and dined with friends.  It was great fun.  I think everyone enjoyed it and the cornbread and grapes were delicious.  Thank you for sending in supplies on such short notice.  Thanksgiving just snuck up on us.

     I sure you've all heard the rumor by now and I admit it's true.  I teared up in class today.  The kids laughed at me because of it.  I warned the students I would.  We read The Rough Face Girl, a beautifully written Native American Cinderella story.  I've always been this way, I can't help it and I've learned to embrace it.  :-)  ......if you watch carefully you may find a tear or two at our Christmas day program.

     Today was the 50th day of school.  I can't believe it!  Remember that Wednesday is gym day and a half day.  Dismissal will be at 12:00 and no lunch will be served.  I wish you all the Happiest of Thanksgivings.

   

7 Continents

     Tuesday is our continent test.  Click here for a website to practice.  Our test will be set up exactly the same way.

Report Cards-DONE!!

     PHEW, that is my sigh of relief.  I have submitted our report cards.  I'm telling you it is no easy feat.  I agonize over every bit of it.  I love to celebrate successes.  I'm your child's biggest cheerleader, besides you of course, and the way the report cards are set up don't always allow for that and it pains me.  But they are DONE and I feel a weight lifted.

     We have started reading Native American/Thanksgiving stories.  On Friday we read The Legend of Bluebonnet right before dismissal.  One student was so moved by the story that she was talking about it as soon as she came into class TODAY, four days later, and just HAD to read it again.  I even saw her writing about it WITHOUT BEING TOLD.  I'm telling you it's a teacher's dream.  Another student illustrated Scaredy Squirrel for me over the weekend.  They are motivated-LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it.

     We will be continuing with the Thanksgiving theme straight on to next week.  We will even be reading some legends from the Aberjonian Indians about Horn Pond and Rag Rock.  Here is our bulletin board about what we are thankful for.  FYI, I threatened "no being thankful for video games" before they started.

     Wednesday is fitness day.  I'm not 100% sure what that means but I know that the WHOLE school is going to be active from 11-11:30.  I guess I'll HAVE to wear sneakers and gym pants.  YIPPEE.

    A special CONGRATS to the Redskin flag football team for winning the Super Bowl over the weekend.  The team was fantastic and they deserved to win.  YAY REDSKINS

   

Vote Me President

     Yesterday we did some voting.  We voted to do reading before math (which is how we always do it).  We voted unanimously to have a nap time (we haven't quite fit that into our schedule yet and they keep asking) and we voted Obama for President.  We also brainstormed and wrote why WE should be elected president.

     

     Although results aren't officially in, word on the street is that we have held on to our "Walking" trophy one more month!  WHOO HOOO!  Every single student in our class walked to school.  

    Scaredy Squirrel is a success.  The kids are loving him.  Ask your child to tell you some of the things Scaredy is afraid of and ask about some of his crazy plans.

     Be sure to return the form letting me which conference day you'd prefer.

Scaredy Squirrel

     Halloween is officially over.  We have a full "normal" week of school (thank goodness).  This week is Scaredy Squirrel week.  Scaredy Squirrel is a character created by Melanie Watt.   We will be reading and playing Scaredy Squirrel games all week.   Scaredy is simply adorable.

     Tuesday is Election Day and Trotting Tuesday.  Walking Wednesday has been changed to Trotting Tuesday due to the unfavorable weather forecast.  We want to KEEP THAT TROPHY.  So strap on those sneakers, bundle up and walk to school.  Also, don't forget to get out and vote and send in some $$$ if you would like your child to attend the bake sale for treats or raffle tickets.

     Our school is collecting food items to share with those less fortunate during the holiday season.  Second grade was assigned stuffing, jars of gravy and crackers, but any food item would be great.

 

Spider poems

Pumpkin heads

          Remember your XTRAMATH.