Day 2 of Thanks and Our First "Crafternoon"

Everyone had a chance to be a pilgrim or a Native American so on Thursday we flip flopped our roles. 

Later that afternoon, we had the first Room 115 Crafternoon.  Thanks to the moms and dads who helped put all those smiles on the faces of the children.  I am so thankful for the families who love Room 115.  It is certainly a fun place to work and play.  Thank you for your support!  Our next Crafternoon will be in January.  We would love for you to help plan, work, encourage and enjoy the fun that is found in a Crafternoon.

Pilgrims and Native Americans - Day 1

I apologize for not having these photos up before Thanksgiving however every day is day of thanks so actually I'm not late!  These photos make me smile!  I hope you enjoy them as much as I do. 

Note:  Each child was allowed to create his/her own Native American name.  Much thought went into those names.

The Future Is Bright

Career Day was a popular day to dream about the future. By the excitement, energy, leadership and creativity found in Room 115, the future is in good hands.

Becoming Life Long Readers

One of my goals for Room 115 is to develop a love of reading in your child.  Books have a very valued place in our classroom.  It was so fun to see the children bring their favorite books to school to share with the class.  I hope as you do your Christmas shopping that there is at least one book under your tree.  One of the favorite books at my house is Tickle Monster by Josie Bissett. http://www.amazon.com/Tickle-Monster-Josie-Bissett/dp/1932319670/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1322542807&sr=8-2 (Rarely will I  recommend a book written by a Hollywood actress; but there is something to be said about keeping an open mind!)  At my house, we all climb into the bed.  I read the story, my husband does the tickling and my girls fill the room with priceless laughter.  Go ahead and splurge on the mitts because it makes the story that much more fun!  Tickle Monster is requested every night at bedtime in the McDevitt household.

Enjoy the favorite titles of Room 115.!

Goodbye November and Hello December

Slow down!!!! Time is moving way too quickly.  Our November calendar pages will come home on Thursday.  There will be a note attached to calendar pages for you to know the learning taking place with our calendar notebook.

I accidentally left my camera at school during the break so I am unable to upload slideshows from our very busy week of school.  I will try and upload pictures on Monday night so you can see how we dressed up for career day, our picnic lunch in the hallway during the tornado warning, our afternoon of Thanksgiving crafts and of course our days as pilgrims and Native Americans.

This week, we will be investigating the letter Dd as in dog on a doghouse.  The word wall words will be: we, she, ten, funny, The/the, as. 

In math, we will be comparing numbers to ten.

There will be no reading homework on Monday night.

Monday is Italian Ice day for $1.00 and library day.

Check back packs on Thursday for our poetry notebooks. It is a song this week and very appropriate for a return to Room 115 after a restful break!

A book order will come home on Monday.  Book orders and payment are due on Thursday.  Our on-line code is GL88R.  Book orders are optional.

Be on the lookout from the room mothers about information on our upcoming class party on Thursday, December 15.  We would love to celebrate December with you so I hope you can attend.

I will be out of the classroom on Friday.  I have secured an excellent substitute. 

Upcoming events:
Wednesday, November 30:  Spirit Night at Nancy's Italian Ice
Thursday, December 1:  book orders due
Wednesday, December 7:  Spirit Night:  Applebees
Tuesday, December 13:  Spirit Night at Jason's Deli
Thursday, December 15:  Holiday party
Friday, December 16:  Kindergarten wears pajamas to school to watch Polar Express
Monday, December 19-Tuesday, January 3:  Winter Holiday Break
Wednesday, January 4: Students return

Contact me with any questions or concerns you  have.

Gobble...Gobble

We've been reading books, doing research and making Thanksgiving items.  On Tuesday and Thursday of this week, we will be dressing up as pilgrims and Native Americans for lunch.  You are welcome to join us at 10:40-11:05 in the lunch room.  On one day your child will be dressed up as a pilgrim and then the next day will be a Native American.  Or your child will be dressed as a Native American on Tuesday and then a pilgrim on Thursday.  (Note:  They always want to be the Native Americans more so than the pilgrims but we all take a turn at both).   We will decide on Monday, who is dressing up as who on what day. The costumes will be provided.  All you need to do is join us for lunch.  You should have received an email from the Room Parents about our "Afternoon of Thanks" on Thursday beginning at 2:00.  Please join us as we celebrate the friendship in Room 115.  For more information about Thursday afternoon, contact the room mothers.



(There should be a slideshow above this sentence.  Contact me if you cannot see it.)

In reading this week, we will be investigating the letter "Cc" as in "cow on a cab."  Word wall words will be:  The/the, funny, as. 

In math, we will be finishing numbers up to nine.

This week is American Education Week. Please follow the favorite book schedule that went home last Wednesday.  Books will come home the same day they are brought.  Also, Wednesday is career day where the children are allowed to dress up as their future dream job.  Friday will  be celebrating your favorite institute of higher education so you may wear a college t-shirt. 

Monday is Italian Ice for $1.00 and library day.

Thursday is the 2nd Annual Blount Holiday Market. 
5:30-8:30pm
Come shop from 19 booths selling personalized items, kitchen goods, cake
testing, jewelry, skincare, candles, girls bows and much more! Food
vendors - Jason's Deli and Nancy's Italian Ice! 19 Door Prizes to win!
Plus our very own school Choir and Band will be performing!
Help spread the word! All booth fees and ticket sales for door prizes go
to support our school!  Admission is FREE!
Interested in having a booth?  There's still room!  Contact Holly Harris -
treasurer@blountpta.org.

Please continue to save egg cartons and toilet tissue rolls.  Send them in at any time.


Last week's poem was very easy for us to read.  The best part of that poem was that we learned about the different kinds of punctuation:  the period, the question mark and the exclamation mark.  We practiced how good readers know what to do with their voices when they see punctuation marks.  We also practiced sitting EEKK (elbow to elbow and knee to knee) when reading books with partners.  You can practice EEKK at home too with the book in the middle.  Check back packs this Friday for a special poem that your family can do once you eat your Thanksgiving turkey.

My thankful thoughts on Thanksgiving will be overflowing with thoughts of Room 115.  I'm thankful for each member in our classroom.  When I walk into our classroom every morning I do not see the challenges before me rather I see a class full of lawyers, business leaders, artists, architects, teachers, and presidents.  I have high expectations for their success and know that I need to provide a strong foundation.  I'm thankful for the tremendous amount of support the parents of Room 115 give me.  Your kind notes, bouquets of flowers, my favorite soda, a regular duty free lunch, classroom volunteers, preparing classroom resources and your generosity towards our classroom are overwhelming.  Thank you for loving and supporting our classroom and trusting me with the education of your child. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.  I know how limited family time is during the school year so I hope you soak up the imagination, laughter and personality of your child next week.  Be safe and I'll be excited to see my precious friends on Monday, Novemeber 28.

Important Dates:
Tuesday, Novmeber 15:  Spirit night at Burger King (Chantilly Pkwy)
Tuesday, November 15:  Pilgrim/Native American  lunch from 10:40-11:05
Wednesday, November 16:  Career Day - dress as your future job
Thursday, November 17:  Pilgrim/Native American lunch from 10:40-11:05
Thursday, November 17:  Holiday Market at Blount
Friday, November 18:  Wear your favorite college t-shirt
November 21-25:  Thanksgiving Break
Wednesday, Novmeber 30:  Spirit Night at Nancy's Italian Ice
 

Contact me with any questions or concerns.

Preparing for Thanksgiving

November is a short month for school days but full of learning.  Hold on!!!! November is going to fly by.

We began November with celebrating a birthday.  Hip hip hooray for turning 6!  Great and fun things will happen to our friend this year.

This is a review week in reading to stop and catch a breath.  Use your evenings this week to work on word wall words that are difficult for your child.  Be sure to check your white binder.  Two reading groups had homework this weekend.

In math, we will be working on numbers 6-9.  We will be concentrating on making sets, counting one to one correspondence and  drawing the numeral.

On Monday, you will receive a grade level t-shirt form.  This is an optional t-shirt that can purchased and worn every Tuesday with blue jeans.  If interested, you must turn in the form with payment on Tuesday, November 8.  There is only one chance to purchase this t-shirt and that is on Tuesday of this week.  If you do not purchase the t-shirt then regular uniform clothing will be worn on Tuesdays.

Monday is Nancy's Italian Ice for $1.00 and library day.

Book orders are due on Tuesday.  I will place the order Tuesday night and books should be back in time for Thanksgiving.

There is no school on Friday in observance of Veteran's Day.  Enjoy your three day weekend. A special THANK YOU to our military families for the sacrifices they make for our freedom!

Please continue to save egg cartons and toilet tissue rolls .  We are good with paper towel rolls.  Please send them in as you collect them.

Next week is American Education Week.  On Wednesday, November 16, the children may come to school dressed up as their future careers.  I know how busy families can be so I wanted to give you plenty of time to listen to your child's ideas and create his/her dream job.

Also during American Education Week,  I will allow the children to bring one of their favorite story books to school.  I will take time during the day to read their book.  I will send home a schedule on Wednesday with the day your child can bring a book to school to share.  Please try to follow this schedule and remember to send a book.  Your child's book will come home the same day it is brought to school.  Happy Reading!!!



We are getting quite the collection of poems in our poetry notebook.  Our poem last week was preparing us for Thanksgiving (and multiple meanings).   That poem was full of fun rhyming words and a treat to act out.  Be prepared for a new poem this Thursday.  

Tuesday night is Pizza and the PTA.  The PTA extended the pizza ordering until Monday.  If you are reading this on Sunday and you did not pre-order, send me an email and I will reply with the order form attached.  There will be pizza for sale on a first come, first served basis if you were unable to pre-order.  See you at the meeting at 6:00 on Tuesday.

Last week, several curriculum items were delivered to our classroom in large boxes.  So I pulled out one of my favorite books, "Not a Box."  I read it to the children and being the smart friends they are, they quickly picked up on the idea of using your imagination with empty boxes.   If you enter our classroom and see our growing collection of  "not boxes" you will know why.

Important Dates:
Tuesday, Novmeber 8:  Grade level t-shirt order forms due
Tuesday, November 8:  Book order due
Tuesday, Novmeber 8:  PTA meeting at 6:00
Friday, Novmeber 11:  Veteran's Day (no school)
Tuesday, Novmeber 15:  Spirit night at Burger King (Chantilly Pkwy)
Thursday, November 17:  Holiday Market at Blount
November 21-25:  Thanksgiving Break
Wednesday, Novmeber 30:  Spirit Night at Nancy's Italian Ice

Contact me with any questions or concerns you may have.