It's pumpkin week!
This week is Pumpkin Week. We'll read books galore on this amazing fruit and we're planning a tasting party. If you have any time, you're welcome to send in a favorite pumpkin treat of your choice. Cookies, cake, bars, pie, soup, mousse, fried, sauteed, roasted and - well....you understand, just about anything will do. There's only one guideline: make everything you share in mini-size, 'cause we'll use toothpicks to taste. Label your dish and you're welcome to send in the recipe that your child dictates to you. I'll compile a class pumpkin recipe book and send you a copy. If you're not able to find the time, you can send in pictures from magazines, tiny pumpkin toys, even pictures cut out that are designed by your child at home, or copied clip-art from the web. Make it easy and simple, but involve your child as much as possible. Anything goes as long as its all about pumpkins. Thanks to Vivian for sharing her book on pumpkins already. We LOVE that book!
We will integrate science, health, math, writing, art, and reading into one fun unit throughout the week, so listen up for all the fun we're sure to have. Most of the homework sites this week will deal with fall and other seasonal activities, including Halloween. If you object to any of these based on personal preferences, that's just fine.
We've just finished making our portfolio pockets and plan on 'stuffing' them full of wonderful work samples throughout the coming months. Your child will select artifacts from their various work samples during the weeks ahead and you'll get to see the beginnings of these at conferences. This particular philosophy encourages pride, self-improvement, and presentation skills including speaking, writing, reading and planning ahead. They did such a great job painting, I think we'll try it again very soon. I know some students made it home with a bit of paint on their clothing. Please send in an OLD, worn, oversized T-shirt for future painting projects. Place in a zip-loc bag for storage and if you want, put their name on the label. Thanks so much.
We're moving into the 2nd Level of Sight Words with Samson this week, List 8-Level 2. By the end of the week, I would like them to 'clean up' all their work on Lists 1-7. If you check their progress, you can see which list and activity number they need to repeat. Each box should get a green check. Please help and guide your student to 'clean-up' all the red squares that indicate extra practice is needed. Thank you, because we're moving on.
Remember, these sight words play a huge part in your child's ability to sound like and become a fluent and phrased reader and writer. As their 'bank' of sight words increases, their reading is more automatic and their sight words are easily visualized correctly when writing. Fluency in writing and reading are indicators of improved comprehension also. Thanks for your efforts on this homework.
Please return the school internet/e-mail permission slips if you would like your child to participate. It's another way of teaching functional writing and composition through communication. They have just learned to use the spell check and publish modes on a program called Kidspiration. Their keyboarding skills are also improving.
I look forward to meeting with you for Parent Teacher Conferences next week. We were all surprised to see that conferences were on Wednesday and Thursday. Thanks for responding so quickly with your confirmation.
Well, that's another week. Enjoy the links this week and we'll look forward to our Pumpkin Tasting Party on Friday morning at 9:45, right before and during recess. Please have your mini-donations to the classroom by 9 a.m., Friday morning on the 26th. Why the change, Mrs. Dawson reminded us that it's an early dismissal day! Thanks for informing us. Remember, we only have 14 students in our class at this time. Oh, don't forget me, also!!
Mrs. Petty
Weekly Schedule:
Monday: Art (Computer Lab at 2 p.m to dismissal)
Tuesday: Music (Computer Lab at 10:30-11:15)
Wednesday: P.E. & Library
Thursday: Host Nation
Friday: Host Nation & Pumpkin Tasting Party (early dismissal day)
Remember, you can always click on the ARCHIVED past posts below !
