Celebrating the Friendship of Room 114

The big news for this week is our Valentine's Day party this Friday at 1:30-2:15.  Come at 1:10 to help set up the classroom.  The children will return at 1:30. We did not send home a sign up sheet of items to bring because you guys have been so generous with our Crafternoons that our Valentine's Day party is already funded.  Just come and enjoy your child.

From my years of teaching, the children love this day  more than Christmas party because of all the mail they get.  The best part about all that mail is that each letter in their mailbox is for them!  I hope you are able to come and celebrate the friendship of Room 114.  Be sure to take time Friday to go through the mailbox and listen to your child talk about each Valentine they received.   Just listen to them talk about their friends.  Praise your child for the young lady or young man they are growing into. 

You may send in your child's Valentines any day this week.  Double check that there is a Valentine for each child in our class.  Allow your child to address his/her Valentines.  Resist the urge to do it for them just because you are quicker at writing to and from on Valentines.  It is a sweet time to watch a child address Valentines.  Make time in your schedule this week to allow for it.
 
The same procedures will be in place if you are going to check your child out after the party.  Read the following instructions carefully.

The following is the most efficient way to check your child out:
1.  Before the party begins, there will be a table set up for check outs in front of the office.  Once you fill out the necessary paperwork, you will be given a slip of paper to hand me.  This paper allows me to release your child at the end of the party.
2.  Be sure to hand me the slip of paper once you enter the classroom.  If I do not have the slip of paper then you must go to the office at the end of the party and check your child out.
3.  I will not release your child without the slip of paper from the office!

We will continue with our study of Oo in reading this week.  Our high frequency words are:  go, get. 

We will begin talking about main idea in literature.  This is a difficult concept for beginning readers.  The main idea is what a story is about.  Main idea is the theme of the literature.  Children often confuse retelling with main idea. You can help at home when you are finished reading a story ask your child to tell you what that story was about.

 

 Those teen numbers can be tricky to figure out.  We practice and practice and practice some more to understand there is a group of ten and some more  to understand the numbers 11-19.  We know practice makes better so we work hard at practicing.   Click here for more photos of investigating the teen numbers. We will continue to work on addition, subtraction and those tricky teen numbers as we move into the number 20 and numbers beyond.  We will be representing and counting numbers to 100.  Use the number chart on the back of the take home binder to work on counting to 120.  Have your child touch each number as he/she counts to make the connection between the written numeral and the spoken word. Then pick any number and ask your child to locate it on the chart.  Don't be concerned if your child points to 23 for 32.  Just point to the correct numeral and move on.  Reversals are common and age appropriate in Kindergarten.  

Nancy's Italian Ice will be $1.00 on Monday.  Next week, due to the short week, we will have Nancy's on Tuesday.

If you come to the Valentine's Day party, be sure to check out the Aviators outside our classroom.  Celebrate the hard work of your child.  Don't be concerned about the point club status of other children, just celebrate your child's hard work and reading.

Tuesday is our Giddy Up and Learn field trip.  Check Friday's binder for a very important letter that needs to be returned on Monday.   I can't wait to see the cowboys and cowgirls that come to school on Tuesday.  Remember for security purposes, the yellow field trip t-shirt needs to be visible.

I sent an email early Friday morning to the chaperones for Tuesday's field trip.  Please read it and respond to me that you have read it.  It contained a very important detail about the field trip that you will need to follow.  

 
 To celebrate Presidens' Day, we are learning the names and the values of coins.  We will count with the pennies and the dimes.  We will learn the names, values and identify the penny, nickel, dime, and quarter.  Children are fascinated by coins so tap into this curiosity.    Just click here for more photos of investigating a penny. 

Heads up:  On Friday, March 6, there will be a school-wide  Book Character Parade.  Every child will choose a character from a book to dress up and represent in the parade.  Start thinking of a character your child loves.  This is not a time to wear your Halloween costume rather it is time to celebrate children's literature.  Families are invited to come and watch the parade.  The parade will start at 1:30 so be sure to arrive early enough to sign in before the parade starts.

There is a PTA meeting this Tuesday at 6:00.  It is the popular Multi- Cultural night.

This Thursday is spirit day ALL day long at Salsaritas.  Make sure your tell the cashier your are with Blount.  Thanks for supporting the school.

Mixed Bag information went home in Friday's binder for the PTA fundraiser.  This fundraiser will run through March 11.  Items will be delivered in April.  

Don't forget that yearbooks are on sale this month.  

I will be out of the classroom on Wednesday as I attend the second grade field trip with my daughter.  

Thank you for trusting me with your child.  Enjoy the upcoming three day weekend.  Contact me with any questions or concerns you may have.  

Upcoming events:

2.10:  Stephen Fite's  "Giddy Up and Learn" concert - dress up as a cowgirl/cowboy
2:10: PTA meeting at 6:00 PM 

2.12  Spirit Day ALL Day long at Salsaritas.
2.13:  Valentine's Day Party 1:30-2:15
2.16:  No school in observance of President's Day:  teacher in-service day

3.6:  School-wide Book Character Parade at 1:30
3.12:  Donuts with Dad
3.13:  Donuts with Dad
3.23-3.27:  Spring Break:  no school