Newsletter February 12 - February 16

Thanks for those that took some time to come and visit with me during our SEP week.  If you ever have any more questions or concerns please feel free to contact me (e-mail is the best way).

Here is what's happening in our class this week:

• Our spelling test will actually be tomorrow, Tuesday instead of Monday.  I think that I had my students write Monday on their spelling lists.  We will take that test in the morning. The list is words can always be found on this blog (right sidebar) if you've lost your list. A new list will come home tomorrow and that test will be next Wednesday, February 21.
• Today I sent home a Scholastic book order.  It will be due this Friday, February 16.  I also sent home notes if your child will be receiving a PTA reading award on Thursday, February 15 at 3:00 in our classroom.  You are welcome to attend. Check for the note about the PTA Talent Show in March too!
• Wednesday is Valentine's Day.  We will be having our little party (delivering Valentine's and cookie making) right after lunch at 12:35.  Students can bring Valentine cards and/or treats that day to deliver during our party.  Please make sure that everyone in our class receives a Valentine.  I sent home a note a couple of weeks ago with details and a list of our class.  Thanks to the couple of you that have sent in $1.00 for the Valentine's day bags.  If you could help with that I would appreciate it.  We will decorate those bags tomorrow afternoon.  Thank you to those that have sent supplies to help us decorate with.  I hope that makes it easier for you at home as now you don't have to figure out a Valentine's day box on your own :)  I COULD USE A VOLUNTEER OR TWO TO HELP THAT DAY (Valentine's day at 12:35)--if you can help I would have you help the kids frost and decorate their cookies.  Let me know if you can help please.
• Don't forget Sight Word Soldiers is this Wednesday.  After this week, instead of Wednesday our pass-off day will be on Friday.  Thanks so much to Reese's mom, Kim, for helping with that all year and good luck with your new baby!  Thanks to Phoenix's mom for volunteering to help it continue.
• I have had several students that are making progress for the 100-book challenge. Don't leave it until the end or it will be frustrating for all involved.  If your child reads the take-home book every night it's cinch! 
• In reading and writing this week we will work on "tricky spellings".  Today we talked about the letter 'g' and that it's a spelling for two different sounds (/g/ and /j/).  Students learned which sound to try first if the encounter an unknown word with the letter 'g'.  Students will write about their "Love Monsters" that we created today and start the process of writing a descriptive paragraph about "What Fills My Heart". 
• In math we are learning about greater than, less than, and equal to.  We have learned to use the tens place first to determine which number is greater or less than.  We have also learned about the >,< and = signs.  
• In our Astronomy unit we have learned about the sun, stars, and the moon.  Tomorrow we will learn about astronauts and space exploration and then move onto the planets in our solar system. 

Don't forget it's a three-day weekend.  It's President's Day on Monday, February 19.  

Happy Reading!