Wednesday, December 23

Wednesday, December 23

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 letter and bell from Santa at the conclusion of the trip.

 We are having hot chocolate and popcorn when we return from the North Pole!

 Project: The kids are making the Polar Express as it drives through the midnight snow.
~We will have time to see Zero the Hero today...How can it be the 70th day of school already?
We will go to the library today.

 Our book exchange is this afternoon. There is nothing better than to give the gift of reading! Along with the book for the exchange, your child is receiving a book and lap blanket that I made. Now they can snuggle-in and read away!!
 PhyEd Today
 Irish Pride Celebration: 1:45
Once a trimester, we gather as a whole school to celebrate individual, group, or grade level accomplishments. It's a way to celebrate our GREATness and IRISH PRIDE!

 At 2:15 today, the whole elementary will come together and have a holiday sing along.      

   Coming home with your child today is a Holiday Homework Packet to do throughout the break. Return it on Jan. 4 to have lunch with me in our classroom. It is in their Wednesday envelope.
~It's time for Rosie to head back to the North Pole. She had lots of fun spending time with us and will report to Santa about all the good girls and boys we have in our kinderfamily!

     
~The last of our Santa photos...

~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 2016, 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 2016~          

Tuesday, December 22

Tuesday, December 22

 Handwriting: lowercase c
 Language Arts: Reader's Theater We Like Fruit...I will try to capture a video with each group reading. Watch for that tomorrow.

~Rosie LOVES the SmartBoard!

SMART Room
DAILY 5
 Math: Review "How Many Ways to Make 10"
New Concept: Review the concept of part/part/whole. Let’s think some more about part/part/whole. One day I found 9 acorns. I put 5 in my pocket and the rest in my bag. How many did I put in my bag? As you tell the story, start to build on your whole/part/part mat. 
Whole Group Explore: Now you are going to work with your partner. Everyone will start with 10 as their whole number. One partner will roll the dice and count out the cubes and put them on a part. The other partner will need to figure out how many cubes to put on the other part to make 10. 
Student Application: Students will practice completing their whole/part/part frames.

 Music Today 
 Project: The children are wrapping your present today. There will be a lot of love displayed on the wrapper!

 ~Pajama Day tomorrow...Get ready for a busy, SUPER fun day!

~The kids enjoyed the storybook reader yesterday...

~We were treated to the story The Night Before Christmas by some third grade friends...

~More Santa visits...

 

Monday, December 21

Monday, December 21
Welcome first day of winter! (10:49 pm CST)
~After reading this story, the kids will complete a winter animal tracks activity and color a winter hat.

 Language Arts: Reader's Theater We Like Fruit
*The children continue to practice their speaking parts using intonation and inflection.

 A storybook reader is scheduled for 9:30 to read Mooseltoe.

 Writer's Workshop: As I anticipated on Friday, we didn't get a chance to write our reindeer reports. We'll do that today.

Smart Room 
DAILY 5
Math: 
New Concept: Review the concept of part/part/whole. Let’s think some more about part/part/whole. There were 8 owls sitting in a tree. Some had mice, but 3 did not. How many owls had mice? As I tell the story, I build on the whole/part/part mat. I will provide a few examples.
Whole Group Explore: Now you are going to work with your partner. Everyone will start with 10 as their whole number. One partner will roll the dice and count out the cubes and put them on a part. The other partner will need to figure out how many cubes to put on the other part to make 10. Don’t forget to use your math talk cards.
Student Application: Students will practice completing their whole/part/part frames.

~What a great visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus!

~I will show a few kids each day this week that had a chance to visit with Santa...

~The Reindeer Bread we had for snack...

 ~Our Reindeer Games ended with a reindeer run through the elementary halls and high school cafeteria. The kids had a blast!

~Rosie thinks she would like both choices today...