A Classroom Full of Learning

A favorite time of our school day is Writer's Workshop.  Reading and writing go hand and hand. Last week we learned that all writing is just telling stories and talking on paper.  We practice telling stories through illustrations. We know that when people read stories, words and sentences give more information to the reader. We also know that writers like to share their stories with others.  We include all those things into our Writer's Workshop.  I will share more with you on Thursday evening at our cluster meeting but these pictures will give you a glimpse into Room 114's writing.  (click on the blue words to go to more photos)


Room 114 is experienced with lunchroom procedures.  We now welcome visitors to lunch.  Our lunch time is 10:45-11:10.  Reservations and notice are NOT required.  Just sign in at the office and meet us at the lunchroom.  Heads up:  Food from restaurants and soft drinks are NOT allowed in the lunchroom so please do not bring Happy Meals or food items of the sort.  It is common when a student sees a loved one in the middle of the day that tears may flow when it is time to say goodbye.  If this happens, give a reassuring hug/kiss, say have a great afternoon and leave quickly.  Long goodbyes just make things worse.  Generally, the tears stop immediately once the loved one is out of sight. 

In math we are counting, making and comparing numbers 0-5.  Last week we had a visual activity where the students had to examine a drawn figure, count the cubes needed to make the figure and then create it exactly as drawn on the card.  Big success and big fun for the members of Room 114.  Check out the photos from reading and making figures .  We are learning to recognize, write and read the words:  one, two, three, four and five. 

Nancy's Italian Ice will be sold on Tuesday of this week due to Monday's holiday.  If you are purchasing juice and snack from school, just send in $2.00 for each item ($4.00 for both) due to a four day week.

Send the library back to school on Tuesday.  I'm going to try and find time for the students to check out a new library book since our library day is scheduled for Mondays.

Our poetry journals came home in Friday's back pack.  We had two poems this week.  We are very thankful that Lazy Jane is not a student in Room 114.  Rather our classroom is full of hard workers!  The second poem celebrated the names in Room 114.  We will be using the names in Room 114 to teach several reading blends and digraphs so it is important we know how to read the names of our classmates.  Make sure our poetry journal is in the back pack for Tuesday's return to school.  We also learned that when we are working with one another we sit EEKK which means we sit elbow to elbow and knee to knee.   Look at these hard working students!

The students came home on Friday with homework.  Inside the backpack is a plastic bag with characters and a setting board.  We have been learning that good readers can retell a story they have heard/read.  Ask your child to pull out the puppets and retell you a story that you should be very familiar with.  Puppets are an excellent tool for imaginative play.  Research says that children with big imaginations have better problem solving skills than children that do not. Encourage imaginative play with your child. Check out the photos from retelling with puppets.

Thank you for supporting the PTA and the discount cards! Our class is doing a wonderful job supporting the fundraiser.  The final date for the spirit cards is Thursday, September 11.

Last week we had an assignment to make self portraits using only our glue, scissors and construction paper.   The children wanted to use their crayons so bad but they persevered and worked tremendously hard and succeeded.  Have an art center set up in your house and see the creations and the imagination that will emerge.  Check out the happy self portraits!

I will begin structured reading instruction and small group reading on Tuesday.  This week we focus on recognizing the letters Aa, Bb, Cc, Dd, Ee.   The high frequency words for the week are:  I, am.  Look in Tuesday's binder for a folded half sheet called Family Times.  This will give you more information about the week's reading instruction and ideas to do at home for reinforcement.

I'm excited to sit down with you Thursday evening and talk about the learning in Room 114.  The meeting should last about an hour.  Thank you for making it a priority in your day. 

Contact me with any questions or concerns.  See you Thursday!

Upcoming Events:
9.4:  Cluster Meeting for Room 114:  choose either 5:30 pm or 7:00 pm to attend. No children please.
9.9  PTA General Membership meeting at 6:00
9.11  PTA discount cards fundraiser ends
9.12:  Box Top collection day
9.15:  No school for students.  It is a teacher in-service day.
9.19:  Kindergarten Field Trip to Lanark (Alabama Nature Center) in Millbrook
9.25:  Teacher Treat Day (K and 5th grades - host)
10.13:  No school for students.  It is a teacher in-service day.
10.16:  Blount Fall Festival