Updates and Dates Galore!

Hey Folks,

We've been hard at work at school and as we make our transition back from April break, we are becoming more and more aware of the approach of the end of the year. I can't believe it is so close!

Update:

Due to an unforeseen change at school, our plays will be Friday, May 12th, not the 5th as I had written in the prior blog post.

Again, you are welcome to swing by my house on Saturday, May 6th from 10:00 to about 12:00 to harvest clay out of the brook behind my house for some class projects. I suggest going to the Post Office Cafe in Worcester Village beforehand. There is a lovely gal named Rhianna working the counter who will undoubtedly take good care of your caffeine, sweet and savory needs.

Other Important Upcoming Dates:

May 26th: (Blue permission slip): First Graders go to U-32 for Book Buddies from (9:15-11:15)

May 30th: (Yellow permission slip): All first and second graders to The Montshire Museum (full day)

June 20th: Last day of school (1/2 day of school, 12:30)

We will begin our work on non-fiction writing this week. The kids will work on a lot of different kinds of non-fiction writing based on the projects that they will be starting as well. This will be a great way to incorporate their learning for the year.

We are wrapping up out latest read-aloud book, Runt, and it has been a great read. The kids have enjoyed learning more about the dynamics of being a wolf (and other wild animals) in nature and how we share many of the same traits (we take care of our families, we work together, etc.).

If you have any questions, please get in touch! I always appreciate touching base.

I hope you all had a lovely weekend.

Best,

~B

Final Week Before Break

Hello Wonderful Families,

I am looking forward to finishing up conference next week and have deeply enjoyed and appreciated the conferences I have had thus far.

A few nuts and bolts details:

• Our class plays will be performed on May 5th at 10:30 (usually mostly kids from other classes) and at 2:00 (usually more family and special friends). We usually do a cast party after the afternoon plays. Feel free to let me know if you can send in some refreshments. Costumes should be simple, if at all. PLEASE, do not put yourself out for these costumes. The plays are about 2 minutes each.
• On the Morning of May 6th I invite you all to come to my house for a stroll-about to dig some clay out of the riverbed behind my house for our end of year projects. I'm thinking of about a 10:00-12:00 timeline. Please let me know if you have any thoughts.
• I sent home placement forms to second grade families. Please be sure to let me know if you didn't get one. If you could get them back to school by the end of next week, that would be great.

These friends found a sunny place to do their literacy work

During literacy we have been really gearing up for the home stretch. Kids are regularly wanting to check in about their sight words, I am meeting with lots of kids about their reading and they are producing some fantastic independent writing pieces. Robbers, puppies, and Monster Shark Evolution are some of the many topics being explored.

In Writer's Workshop we have almost wrapped up or Convince Me writing pieces and will do a show what you know before break. We will then do some information writing as we move toward the end of the year. 

In math we are talking about fractions as well as brushing up on our math facts and math addition strategies. We are using a number of different materials (blocks and pattern blocks, for instance) to demonstrate that the number one is relative to what you are talking about. We call this idea one-ness. For instance, one cookie is different from one cake. However, they both can represent one and can be broken into halves. Those halves are different sizes. It's a complicated, but important concept for these kiddos to wrestle with and they are doing a great job.

As always, be in touch about anything that's on your mind. I'm always here to make this the best place for you all and your kiddos.

Happy last weekend of sugaring?

~B