Before my break officially starts, I just wanted to say an enormous THANK YOU to all of you for your kindness and generosity.  You are seriously amazing and I am super lucky!!!

I was looking around after everyone left today thinking “wow, we got everything done on the list” and then I noticed the January reading calendar still sitting on my desk…oops.  It may not even be on your radar yet, but when January comes, if you decide you want it, you can print it here: Jan. reading calendar

I was having issues getting pictures to go from my phone to my email, but I finally figured it out, so, of course I have a few from yesterday and today to share with you (its been too long without any pictures to share, lol):

• Don’t forget tomorrow is our holiday party 🙂  Students are able to wear their pj’s for the day.
• The wrapped book is due tomorrow if your child would like to participate in our book exchange.
• We DID go out for recess today.  Please continue to send in boots, snowpants, etc…everyday.  (I know it’s a lot, but it’s totally worth it to them)
• Math test on Friday.  If you haven’t gone through the study guide and would like to, please click on the following link:  Unit 4 Math Study Guide

• The Unit 4 math test will be given next Friday. We have been working a lot on different strategies for addition. These include drawing base ten blocks, using an open number line, decomposing, and traditional addition. On the test, they can use whatever strategy they are most comfortable with. The test will also cover money, some word problems, and skip counting. You can use this study guide to help prepare for the test. Unit 4 Math Study Guide
• Lunch menu change: first choice on Monday will be a “Cheesy Italian Grilled Mozzarella Sandwich”. Second choice will be a grilled cheese sandwich.
• Wednesday is a late start.  School begins at 9:40.
• Our holiday party will be Thursday morning at 10:00 a.m. We plan to wear pajamas and enjoy some delicious pancakes. You are welcome to join us.  It should last about an hour(ish).  If you still want to make a party donation, please send a dollar or two in an envelope marked “room parents”.
• Ms. Philips and I are also planning a book exchange for the students.  If your child would like to participate, please have them bring in a new, wrapped book by Thursday.

• Scholastic News homework came home today and is due tomorrow.
• Math pockets came home today also, but you can keep those until next Tuesday.  Students can play any game that is in the pocket.  I know it’s not a worksheet, but it is GOOD PRACTICE!
• Late Start:  Wednesday, December 21st
• For Thursday the 22nd, each student should bring in a NEW, wrapped book to exchange with the rest of the class.  If you cannot get a book, please send me an email – I ordered a few extra from scholastic just in case 🙂
• Friday, Dec. 23rd is our school sing-along.  The organization Children with Hair Loss will be here again.  Any adult or child with at least 8 inches of hair to donate is able to participate for this great cause.  The hair will be donated and used to make wigs for sick children – free of charge to their families. We already have 2 students in our classroom who are participating 🙂  If you, your child, or a family member or friend, would like to participate, please let me know so I can forward you all of the information.

• Please make sure your child is fully prepared for the cold.  A winter coat, gloves, and a hat are a must.  A scarf, boots, and snowpants are also good. We go outside as long as it is above 15 degrees with the wind chill.  When the snow is sticking, only students with snowpants and boots will be allowed to go in the grass. (all other students will be required to stay on the blacktop).  Along with boots for outside, please remember to send shoes for inside the classroom.
• For planning/shopping purposes, I wanted to let you know that we will be doing a book exchange with the students right before break starts.  Students who want to participate will need to bring a book (wrapped) that they think would be of interest to their classmates.  I will send home more info when it gets closer 🙂

Tomorrow is our turn to shop at the Holiday Boutique!  If you are not familiar with it, this is a chance for your child to purchase gifts for family members.  An envelope came home last week for you to fill out and put money in if your child is going to shop.  If you don’t have the envelope, but want to shop, we will need a list of people they are buying for.  If they are buying for sisters/brothers, please make sure you write down their age and name.  Everything in the shop is $2.

I would like to give the kids a chance to wrap their gifts before they come home. We will wrap gifts Wednesday, so don’t panic when they don’t bring them home tomorrow.  If anyone is willing to come in Wednesday around 1:00 to help the students wrap their gifts, that would be amazing!!!!!!  We also need donations of tape, wrapping paper, and gift tags if anyone can help with that.

P.S.  We had an amazing time making brownies the other day.  Pics to come soon…