Classroom News

I’m sure everyone is aware of the Covid 19 virus spreading in Michigan. Yesterday the school board closed Whitmore Bolles for a low risk possible contamination with a staff member. This has NOT been confirmed and we are awaiting results- hopefully we will know by the end of the day. Howe has been using bleach to clean tables, door knobs, faucets, and the lunch room. We will continue to be diligent as a staff about reminding the students to wash or sanitize their hands, but not spread fear amongst our littles. As always please keep your child home if you think they may be ill. I am constantly keeping our classroom clean with the donated clorox wipes. If you need any additional information please see the districts webpage or the CDC for helpful information.

The Real Life Farm field trip is still on. If for some reason in May we need to cancel we will refund the money. I still need all forms and money by tomorrow at dismissal.

Reminder- tomorrow is a half day with dismissal at 11:45 am.

Updates!

Reminder that field trip money is due by this Friday! We need a final count and to pay the farm on Monday.

We have added the final language goal of the year— word sort. The students are practice s,h, and sh sounds. They match picture to sound and also try and spell the words.

At this point in the year I continue to remind them that we are closer to first grade then they think and we need to squeeze our brains with as much as we can before summer! The students will continue to work on their Montessori work, name folder, word family house, letter of the day, read to self, and read to others goals. Instead of me reminding and checking off each goal as they complete them I am asking them to be more independent. The students will show me their baskets at the end of math and we will add in an extra 15 minute recess for those who have finished goals. It is a good motivation for them to work a little faster and not just sit around talking. The students are all able to finish their goals in 45 minutes and we have an hour and fifteen minute block right now for them to work. They have plenty of time to finish everything. This created some frustration today when some had not finished and were upset that they did not get that extra recess. We talked about how important it is to finish these goals each day. Hopefully by next week they will become more adjusted to the timing and have everything finished. If your child is upset or frustrated just remind them that as long as they continue to work hard that is what we are looking for. I really just want to make the transition to first grade as easy as possible for them.

I have a couple of available afternoons if anyone wants to come in and read to them from 315-330. Please email me 🙂

My rule is they have to have a coat or sweater on if its below 60 (feels like). I told them they could bring a lighter sweater and keep in their locker if they wanted.

Thanks to everyone who sent in the items I needed! We begin our continent study on Wednesday!

Spring Picture Day has been scheduled for Friday, March 27th!

PTA is looking for volunteers to help with Scholastic Book Fair on Wednesday-March 18, Thursday-March 19, and boxing up on Friday, March 20th. If you are available to help please email me or sign up on the sign up genius!

Reminder– This Friday- March 13th is a HALF DAY with 1145 am dismissal.

Have a great week!

Need!

I am in need of a couple things for the end of this and middle of next week.

I need yellow, white, and red playdough. Amazon has a multicolor pack but I didn’t want to spend that much money. If anyone could donate the above colors or the pack we would be grateful! (the kids love playdough and we will be using it for our continent study beginning middle of next week).

I also need paper bowls (25), paper dessert plates (25) and tall Styrofoam cups (30).

If you can send any of the above please email me 🙂

Thank you, thank you!!! I love doing the projects with them just as much as they like doing them 🙂

March is Reading Month

*Reading Logs are coming home today! Each student should read for 20 minutes EVERY night! They record the book and the time in the log. (leave page numbers blank– that is for the upper elementary students).

*Each Monday please send in the reading logs! I will stamp the days they have read and add them to the class totals! The class with the most participation gets a prize at the end of the month!

*Parents are invited to come in and read to the class. I have set aside from 315-330 each day for this. Please email me with a good day and I will let you know whats available. Each family may sign up for ONE day! (Their are exactly enough spots– I have other school board members and such coming in to read as well).

Email me with any questions!