Great Day

     We really had a great day today.  The children were working hard and were on task all day.  What a difference a day when everyone is on the same page makes.  We got so much done and had fun doing it.  Here are some highlights.  We measured our Souper Bowl chain.  It was 7 yards and 24 inches long.  We used the yard sticks we made to measure.  We estimated and then counted how many links on our chain-88 links.  How fabulous is that?  Mrs. Connolly will make sure that all the food items collected are delivered to a family in need and we thank her for all her work in coordinating this event.

     Last week the fifth grade had a reading day as part of a fundraiser for their class activities. As part of that, they came and read with us.  We all read a Cam Jansen book.  Today we met up with them again to read some more of our story.  It was a great success and enjoyed by all.  Mrs. Raposa and I are hoping to team up again before the year is through.

     We are telling time, so practice on an analog clock (the kind with a face and hands).  It's tricky if the students don't have experience because most of the clocks they see are digital.

     We have been reading about habitats and animal adaptations which coincide with our animal projects.  We will be turning our informational sheets, that have been completed, into paragraphs within the next week.  Be sure to work on your diorama.  Mrs. Cotter's class has completed theirs and they look great.    Here's a friendly reminder, this should be fun for your student and it's THEIR project.  Enjoy!!

     This week we've been reading stories about Big Anthony and Strega Nona by Tommie DePaola.  We have a few more yet to read and they've been fun.

     Report card go home on Friday and next Thursday, Feb. 7, from 2:45-4:45 is conferences.  I plan on sending home a form for time requests tomorrow.  Let me know if there is a particular time that works best for you and I will try to be as accommodating as I can.

     Today, all around, was great.  The children were well behaved, we got a lot of work done, I had a great/informative meeting with Mrs. Zottoli and Ms. Cotter. I received a nice note from a parent making me feel appreciated and I even had time to clean up my desk and brought lots of stuff home to sort (your child knows how much a cluttered desk freaks me out).  Here's to more days like today!!!!

   

GERMS

     We've got 'em.  There was A LOT of coughing, sneezing and nose blowing today.  We went through one LARGE box of tissues and even had to bring them along to gym class.  Tomorrow morning we will attempt to disinfect our room with Clorox wipes.  At the rate we are going we will be running out soon so please consider picking up some wipes or tissues for the class the next time you are shopping.

     The children all seem to be happy with the animals they've picked for their projects.  A student from next door already finished her diorama and shared it with our class today.  Your child should now have an excellent idea of what is expected.

     We are so close to our goal of making our Souper Bowl chain reach across the chalk board.  I thank you for your generosity.  We have just a little over a yard (we made our own yard sticks today) of paper chain left to make it and two weeks to do it.

     We started our Me on the Map book today.  We've finished only two ovals of our book (the first page of our handout).  Ask your child to tell you all about it.

     Tomorrow we are having a guest reader.  Mrs. Zotolli is going to come in and read a story about Ruby Bridges.  We learned a little bit about Ruby while reading about Martin Luther King Jr.  There is a perfectly good reason why I couldn't read the story to the class.  Want to know why?  You can ask your student that too.

      Term 2 ends this Friday.  Today we "reviewed" how second graders work.  We made and signed a poster that is hanging in the front of the room to remind us.  It includes.......writes neatly, reads directions carefully, checks his/her work, starts and finishes on time, writes name on paper, asks questions when needed etc.  All things that we ALREADY know but we NEEDED refreshing and I'm expecting results. :-)

Animal Habitat Projects

     Tuesday we will start our animal habitat projects.  The details will be coming home tomorrow so I won't go into them here.  Your child should come to school tomorrow with a few different animals he/she's interested in.  Keep in mind that your child should pick a specific animal.  So instead of "snakes", he/she should pick "cobras".  Hopefully we will have 14 different animals.  When researching your animal, please have your child write facts in complete sentences that are kid friendly.   For example, Cobra is the common name for members of the family of venomous snakes, Elapidae, known for their intimidating looks and deadly bite  isn't very friendly but could be rewritten in language the class would understand.  Also, we will be taking our fact sheet and turning it into paragraphs in class.  So keep it simple, and stick with the important/exciting facts.

     I have to admit, I have an addiction.  I am addicted to reading teacher blogs on the internet. I read one, which leads me to another, then another and it's interfering with my everyday life.  Laundry is piling up and I'm falling behind on my sleep (which for me is NEVER a good thing).  Here is one that I've shared before and I have to share again, technology rocks. seriously.  Click here to find TONS of links to online valentine fun.

     Tough loss for the Patriots.  I would have loved to cheer them on in the Superbowl but a brother/brother coach match up is pretty exciting.  I wonder what team their mom will be cheering on?  We are still Souper Bowling in class so keep those can goods coming.  It feels good to help those in need.

PS  I think 3 day weekends are perfect!

SNOW

     It sure did look pretty this morning but the commute was a tad slippery.  I'm glad that Walking Wednesday was changed until TOMORROW.  Hopefully the sidewalks will be clear. WALKING THURSDAY IS CANCELLED.

     The souper bowl is still going on so it's not to late to send in food items to donate.  Check out our chain so far.  Friday our class is going to wear our Patriot colors to cheer on our team for the big game this weekend.

 
     We are still reading penguin books.  Here are some of my favorite penguins.  The one in the middle is REAL little.  I love it.

 
        Don't forget to drink juice (or milk) and send in those containers with the tops cut off.  We really need them.  Also, Monday is MLK Day so school is closed!  AW SHUCKS!

Walking THURSDAY

     Walking Wednesday has been changed yet again.  Due to the impending snow (YIPPEE) walking day will be this Thursday.  Maybe we will regain the trophy.

     To busy to write tonight, so be sure to check back tomorrow for more!

Souper Bowl

     The Wyman School will be participating in the Souper Bowl.  A box was placed into our classroom today to collect can goods, rice, pasta etc. to share with Woburn families in need.  Please consider donating if you can.
     
     We've still been reading about penguins.  The students seem to be enjoying their penguin homework and that is always music to a teacher's ears.  Tomorrow we will read our second Tacky book.    He is such and odd bird.
   
     There was some confusion throughout the school today about Walking Wednesday.  Apparently the date was changed.  I'm not positive the new date but will let you know ASAP.  Maybe we can reclaim the trophy.
   
     REMEMBER:  Friday is a half day and book orders are due.

Penguins & Half Day

     Good news.  Our new student did arrive today and EVERYONE was excited to see her.  We will be having a Tacky week.  Tacky meaning Tacky the Penguin.  He is the main character in a series of picture books by Helen Lester.  The children were cracking up today when I read the story aloud.  They LOVED the way Tacky greeted his companions (and the hunters) ask you child to tell you all about it.  They thought it was hysterical.  For homework, they have a mini report to write.  I told them to research ONE particular type of penguin so their illustrations would be different.  I wonder if the facts will be different as well?
     I found this website with links to a variety of snow related websites and apps.  I haven't had a chance to try them all but they sure look fun.  Click here to check them out.
     Remember, Friday is a half day and dismissal will be at 12:30.

The Buzz

Our class was all a buzz yesterday.  Word is that a friend from first grade is coming back to the Wyman and will be in our class.  The children were super excited when I told them and were even more excited when she was spotted in the office on Friday.  We are ready for her and hope that she starts Monday morning.  I don't think her "new" classmates will be able to wait another day.

WELCOME 2013

Happy New Year.  I hope everyone had a wonderful break and ready to start school fresh.  Although my Christmas was wonderful, it seems that the end of 2012 has been scarred with sickness, sadness and tragedy.  I'm glad to close that door and start new.  I'm thinking Clemson's surprising big win is a sign of good things to come.  I apologize to our beloved lunch monitor and devoted Notre Dame fan, Ms. White, for thinking that Bama was going to crush her team.  I'm now seeing the glass half full and think the Tide may turn.  Go Irish!  My wish to you all is a year full of good health, love and laughter.