Friday Note 12-11-15 and Message From Mrs. Wallin

Friday Note 12/11/15

Events of the Week:

In math, we finished our topic on learning to read, count and write numbers 11-20.  Please work with your child at home on this skill.  Next week I will be assessing your child on identifying, writing and counting numbers 0-20. 

Our focus in reading this week was on the five senses and sound.  Here’s what we did in each workshop:

·         Language Workshop— We focused on the book My Five Senses.  Each day we focused on one of the five senses.  We labeled a picture using our five senses and added it into our Reading Log.  Our vocabulary words this week were the five senses (see, hear, touch, taste, smell).  We’ve had fun throughout the week exploring each of the five senses.

·         Writing Workshop—Each day we read a book focusing on one of the five senses.  After listening to the book we wrote a sentence in our journal about how we use that sense (ex. I can hear birds.). They are working very hard on their writing each day.

·         Reading Workshop—Students are working daily in Literacy Centers while I work in small groups or one on one with students. 

·         Word Study—Our letter for the week was “Uu”.  We learned that Uu is a vowel and can make a short sound and a long sound. We reviewed all of our sight words learned so far.    

**We have finished learning the letters in the alphabet.  Our goal is be able to identify all letters and the sounds they make by Christmas.  Please work with your child if they do not know all of the letters and sounds.     

Important Dates:

o   Dec. 12: Clever Christmas Parade (10:00)

o   Dec. 15: Kindergarten Christmas Program (6:00 at the High School)

o   Dec. 16: Final day to turn in the Reading Log for Reading Journey

o   Dec. 17: Polar Express Day

o   Dec. 18: Christmas Party (11:45-12:30)

o   Dec. 21-Jan.3: Christmas Break (NO SCHOOL)

o   Jan. 4: Students first day back!

Sight Words—Keep practicing!

I    is    like    see    my    a    the    be   

it   he    she   to  can   with  go  me

***Reminder: These are words your child should be able to read by sight

Care to Learn Program

In lieu of a gift exchange for Christmas, we would appreciate donations to Care to Learn.  To ensure that we have useable items for our Backpack program, our grade level has been asked to bring in single serve, shelf stable, microwaveable meals (macaroni & cheese, Chef Boyardee, soup in a cup, ramen noodles, Dinty Moore, etc.).  Thank you in advance for your support to such a great program. 

Reading Journey

Please be working on completing the Reading Journey before the deadline on December 16^th.  You can return the reading log as soon as at least ten reading activities are completed.  If your child does not complete the journey and return both reading logs, he/she will not be allowed to travel between classrooms and participate in our Polar Express read-a-thon on December 17^th.

Our Christmas Party is Friday December 18^th at 11:45. We will be eating pizza at the party. If you would like your student to get a sack lunch from the cafeteria please sent me a note, otherwise we will just eat at the party.

Next Week:

• We will be reviewing numbers 0-20. 
• Our theme will be Winter.  We will be reading different Gingerbread Man books and talking about Christmas. 
• We will review all of our sight words.
• We will be finishing up our 2^nd quarter assessments.
• Our Christmas party will be Friday at 11:45.  

From Mrs. Wallin

New opportunity in January—Breakfast in the Classrooms!

In an effort to increase the number of students who eat breakfast, we have decided to pilot a breakfast in the classroom initiative after Christmas break, much like the “grab and go” breakfast available for our 5th-12^th grade students.  Studies have shown that when a child eats breakfast they have better concentration during school hours, improved mental performance and math scores, improved participation in class discussions and overall better health.  See more athttp://www.livestrong.com/article/289854-does-eating-breakfast-help-your-performance-in-school/#sthash.dEVZiHli.dpuf

We ask for your help in communicating with your child about their breakfast options.  If your child eats breakfast at home and you prefer that they decline breakfast at school, please communicate that to your child as they will have classmates taking advantage of this opportunity in the classroom instead of the cafeteria.

The pricing and free/reduced eligibility for meals remains the same, the location has simply changed.  The full price for a breakfast is $1.30 while the reduced price is $0.30.  If your income has changed or if you simply missed the opportunity to fill out the Free or Reduced Meal Application, you are more than welcome to pick up an application from any district office and submit at any time during the school year.

Breakfast will be available for pick up at a “grab and go” location near the cafeteria entrance from 7:45 am to 8:00 am.  Students will take their breakfast to their classroom to eat and then get started with their day much more quickly and efficiently.

Letter from Mr. Fenske

Parents:

Winter is quickly approaching and with it comes inclement weather.  In the past few years, we have experienced all types of weather which has forced our school and others to cancel classes.  In some instances however, Clever Schools has utilized a two-hour late start when feasible. 

If a late start is used this year, buses will once again run two hours later than normal and our EleMiddle building will not be open until 9:30 am.  This will allow all of us, including faculty and staff, the extra time we need to arrive at school safely.  It will also give our maintenance crew the time and space they need to better prepare the parking lots, sidewalks, and buildings on these wintery days.

Classes on the EleMiddle campus will begin at 10:00 am when the two-hour late start option is used. 

Thank you for your continued support of Clever Schools and our great students.

Mr. Benjy Fenske

Clever Schools

Friday Note

Friday Note -December 4, 2015

Events of the Week: In math, we’re learning to read, count and write numbers 11-20.  This usually is a topic that students find difficult, so please continue to practice at home.

Our focus in reading this week was on tools and their many uses.  Here’s what we did in each workshop:

·         Language Workshop— We concentrated on three different books The World of Tools, Push and Pull, and The Mystery of Magnets.  We focused on the fact that different tools are used for different jobs and that magnets push and pull metal.  We introduced vocabulary words that are in the stories, such as push, pull, lift, compass, force, magnetic field, and poles. 

·         Reading Workshop—We introduced another center that we will use during Literacy Centers and continued to practice working independently.  Students are doing a wonderful job thus far and I have begun to meet with small groups during this time.

·         Writing Workshop- We wrote in our journals this week.  We are practicing using our pencil rubric to check if we are remembering all the elements of being a good writer.

o   My picture matches the words I wrote.

o   I used a finger space between each word.

o   I began my sentence with a capital letter.

o   I ended my sentence with an ending mark.

o   I stretched out any words that I did not know.

·         Word Study—Our letter for the week was “Oo”.  We learned that Oo is a vowel and can make a short sound and a long sound.

·         Content Workshop- We introduced the reading strategy, “Slide your finger under the word and say the sounds slowly.  Then blend it back together.” We practiced using this strategy with a book called What I Like.  Your child has this book in their book bag to continue to practice reading during independent reading time and rest time.

Important Dates:

o   Dec. 12: Clever Christmas Parade (10:00)

o   Dec. 15: Kindergarten Winter Program (6:00 at the High School)

o   Dec. 16: Final day to turn in the Reading Challenge

o   Dec. 17: Polar Express Day- for those that have completed the challenge

o   Dec. 18: Christmas Party (11:45-12:30)

o   Dec. 18-Jan.4: Winter Break (NO SCHOOL)

o   Jan. 5: Students first day back!

Sight Words—Keep practicing!

I    is    like    see    my    a    the    be   

it   he    she   to  can   with  go   me

***Reminder: These are words your child should be able to read by sight!

The Character word for December is

Trustworthiness.

(Saying what you mean and meaning what you say)

Weather Alert!

With the temperature dropping, please make sure your child is dressed appropriately for the weather.  We will make every effort to go outside for recess even on cold days!  If we have inside recess due to the weather, please encourage your child to keep a small toy in their backpack to play with. 

Christmas Party Our Christmas Party will be on Friday, December 18th.  Parents are welcome to come set up beginning at 11:30.  The party is from 11:45-12:30.

Care to Learn Program

In lieu of teacher gifts or a student gift exchange for Christmas, we would appreciate donations to Care to Learn.  To ensure that we have useable items for our Backpack program, our grade level has been asked to bring in single serve, shelf stable, microwaveable meals (macaroni & cheese, Chef Boyardee, soup in a cup, ramen noodles, Dinty Moore, etc.).

Reading Challenge

Please be working to complete your Reading Challenge before the deadline on December 16^th.  If your child does not complete the challenge, then he/she will not be allowed to participate in our Polar Express Day on December 17^th.  All children must turn in their reading logs in order to be able to watch the movie.

Next Week:

·        We will be reviewing numbers 11-20. 

·        We will be learning about the Five Senses. 

·        We will review all sight words learned thus far.

·        We will learn about the letter “Uu” and the two sounds the letter makes.  After this, we have completed our review of all 26 letters!

·        We will be NWEA testing in the computer lab.  Please make sure your child eats a good breakfast each morning and arrives at school on time.

Have a great weekend!!

Mrs. Wenger