December 21st Newsletter

**For some reason this didn't post yesterday, I apologize for the delay.

Today and tomorrow I will be reading Christmas stories.  We will be using our senses to write about candy canes.  The kids will get to eat a candy cane while they write!  We will also be doing a few fun Christmas projects and playing a few math games.

Additionally, we will be watching a movie and having our Holiday party tomorrow.  The kids are so excited!  Again, thank you to all of the generous parents who are donating food or volunteering!  I greatly appreciate it!

Thank you also for all of the generous gifts!  I greatly appreciate it!

I hope you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!  Enjoy spending time with your family!

See you in 2016!

December 14th Newsletter

This week in reading we are going to be looking at the main idea and details of different stories.  We are going to be focusing on comprehension and working on asking ourselves questions throughout the story to make sure that we fully understand what we are reading.  We are focusing on the ch and wh sounds, which will be our chunks of the week this week.

In math, we are going to continue working on addition and developing “fact power.”  Having fact power is like being a good reader.  It is more enjoyable if you recognize words automatically.  The same is true of number facts.  Solving problems is easier if you automatically know the answer.  Keep practicing addition and subtraction facts with your child at home so they can develop fact power.  Practice at home by playing math games, using flash cards, or playing online math games.  Great online math activities are located on the Thorson webpage (go to IMC, then click on math).  Look for Home Links 4.9 and 4.10 to come home this week.

We are looking forward to our holiday party next Tuesday.  Thank you in advance to all of the parents who are donating items, preparing games/activities, and volunteering during the party.  The children are already looking forward to it!

Special Points of Interest

• Next Tuesday, December 22nd is our last day of school before winter break
• THANK YOU to all of the families that donated toys the past few weeks!

December 7th Newsletter

Dear Parents and Guardians,

This week in reading we are going to be working on comparing and contrasting ideas in the stories that we read. In addition, we are going to be focusing on s blends.  Examples of words with s blends include: spell, swim, and skip.  We will also be learning about past tense verbs.  Our chunk of the week this week will be -ake as in cake.  In writing this week we will be working on our foundation for opinion writing.  We will continue opinion writing throughout the remainder of this quarter.

In math, we are going to continue exploring measurement.  This week the students will be using a tape measure in order to measure objects that are not flat.  The students will be measuring different parts of their own bodies, such as their wrist, elbow, and head.  Additionally, we will be learning how to tell time to the quarter-hour and introducing timelines.  Look for Home Links 4.5, 4.7 and a subtraction practice sheet to come home this week.

In science we will be learning about African animals and the habitats that they live in.  We will be integrating writing into science by writing about grasslands as well as writing animal reports on different African animals that we will be learning about.

Special Points of Interest

• Scholastic Book Orders are due this Thursday, December 11th. We will receive the orders before winter break!  Go to: www.scholastic.com/bookclubs Online Code:  JBVLK
• Our classroom elf friend Jingles is watching our class to see who is "naughty or nice."  The kids are having fun finding our classroom elf each morning.
• The Kapco's Kids 2 Kids toy drive lasts through this Friday, December 11th.  If you are able to, please bring in a new, unwrapped toy for the Toy Drive.
• Hat day is this Friday, December 11th - donate a dollar and wear a hat to show your support.

Scholastic Book Order

Shop Online: scholastic.com/readingclub
One-Time Class Activation Code: JBVLX

Dear Families,

Please remember to place your Reading Club orders by Friday, December 11th.

You can shop and submit your order online or return the order form with payment directly to me. No matter how you order, every purchase you make earns FREE Books and educational supplies for our classroom.

The arrival of the book box is always a highlight - thanks for making it happen!

Happy reading,

Mrs. Majinski

Ordering online is fast and easy:

• REGISTER at scholastic.com/readingclub
• ENTER the Class Activation Code at the top of this letter
• CHOOSE from thousands of print titles, value packs, and Storia eBooks
• SUBMIT the order to me by the due date at the top of this letter
• EARN FREE Books for our classroom too!