Friday, December 20

Friday, December 20
Happy Birthday Gavin! (December 31)
All Aboard! Time to head to the North Pole on the Polar Express!
Story on the SmartBoard: The Polar Express  By: Chris Van Allsburg 
Our classroom chairs will be placed in 3 rows facing the SmartBoard so the kids can see and hear the story come to life. Before leaving on our make-believe train ride to the North Pole, your child will be given a ticket to be punched and a bell at the conclusion of the trip.
 We are having hot chocolate and popcorn when we return from the North Pole!
 Music Today!
 Project: The kids are making the Polar Express as it rides through the midnight snow.
 Library Day
Our book exchange is this afternoon. There is nothing better than to give the gift of reading!
At 2:15 today, the whole elementary will come together and have a holiday sing along. Your child will be with their Irish Connections teacher during this time and be given a special 'Minnesota School of Excellence' ornament handcrafted by our staff.  
   
 This is where Jingles wants to go...HOME with each one of you!

 
   Coming home with your child today is a Holiday Homework Packet to do throughout the break. Return it on Jan. 2 to have lunch with me in our classroom.   
    
~Miss Slettedahl is planning to be with us all day today!
~I want to thank all of you for sharing your child with me as you are helping me to continue my passion of doing something I love...Teaching! As you approach 2014, take time to look at that little cherub of yours and embrace their innocence, energy, and savor their youth because before you know it, that child is grown. May your holidays be truly special with your family and friends.
~See you in 2014~          

Thursday, December 19

 Popcorn Word: be

Writer's Workshop: What will be the first gift we want to receive from Santa? (Inspired from the Polar Express story.)
  Language Arts: To get ready for Polar Express Day, we will write about the story elements in the Polar Express written by: Chris Van Allsburg

 DAILY 5!

Math: Measuring 
~Repeating multiple nonstandard units to quantify length.
~Recording measurements with pictures, numbers, and/or words.

Smart Room: Today is our last visit for December. 
 Jingles wasn't found yesterday! (hehe)
 

~If you haven't done so, please send your wrapped book for the exchange-it's tomorrow.
~Have your child wear their pajamas to school tomorrow. It is Polar Express Day!

Wednesday, December 18

 Popcorn Word: be

 Language Arts:  Continue Fluency Skills: Inflection/Intonation-Pitch
Using the Are You Sleeping? text, the children will partner read using different pitches. We will apply the practice of using pitch to the Reader's Theater story We Like Fruit.
*Because the judging of the high school decorated walls took us longer yesterday, we will be working on this lesson today.
Computer class today. 

Math: The kids will be working with a hundred chart by following directions as to what color certain numbers should be. For example, "Color the number that is one more than 12 green." or "What number is 10 more than 20? Color that number black."
The result after numerous directions should be The Grinch on the 100 chart.
DAILY 5!

 
Smart Room!

~Club's Choice pick-up is today from 3-6 in the high school cafeteria.
~If you haven't done so, please send in the wrapped children's book for our exchange.
~Please return the salmon-colored Conference Request sheet. Thank you.
~Look where Jingles is today...

Tuesday, December 17

 Popcorn Word: have

Writer's Workshop: Writing About an Elf
  Language Arts: Continue Fluency Skills: Inflection/Intonation-Pitch
Using the Are You Sleeping? text, the children will partner read using different pitches. We will apply the practice of using pitch to the Reader's Theater story We Like Fruit. 
 DAILY 5!

Math: Measuring with Sticks
Using craft sticks as a measuring tool, the kids are measuring various lengths of tape placed on the floor.
Their work focuses on:
~Repeating multiple nonstandard units (craft sticks) to quantify length.
~Recording measurements with pictures, numbers, and/or words.
*Zero the Hero visits today...Day 70!

Smart Room: Ask your child to show you the flamingo stand. 
 Jingles found a silly place today...

~The book exchange is Friday. Please have your wrapped book here tomorrow.
~Our class has been invited to judge the high school hallways today for their 'Deck the Halls' event. Our vote will help decide which class receives donuts/rolls...How fun!

~Check out Santa's reindeer by going to this site:

http://reindeercam.com/