Newsletter May 6 - May 10

This is a week of "lasts".  This is the last week for take-home books.  Please have all take-home books returned by this Friday, May 10.  This is also the last week to return library books.  Our library day is Thursday, remember so please help your child return those books by Thursday, May 9 for a "free book" from the library. If you can't find the books, please pay the appropriate replacement price in the office.  The last last is...... this is the last week for reading groups.  We took our DIBELS test last week and I am pleased with most of the progress I have seen in reading.  I love it now that my students read the posters in the school as we head down for lunch or recess (something most couldn't do at the beginning of the year).  It's important to help keep what they have gained so use this summer to read with your child--take them to the library and participate in the summer reading program or just continue to read at home!!!

Here are this week's happenings:

• If you haven't turned in your child's lunch request for our two field trips at the end of the month (swimming and museum) please do so ASAP so that we can give the lunchroom a count.  I have 3 volunteers for the museum and 3 volunteers for swimming I need at least one more for each field trip.  Please let me know if you could help us out one of those days (I sent home a detailed note about all these field trips last week).
• Our spelling test will be this Friday instead of tomorrow as we haven't had enough time to practice those words this week.  
• The PTA reading awards will be this Thursday, at 2:45 in our classroom.  I note was sent home today in your child's folder if they will be receiving an award.  Remember if you child has received the Gold eagle to have them wear their shirt on Friday, may 17 (field day) for an ice cream sandwich.
• If you didn't order a yearbook online those will be sold until gone starting Friday, May 17 - May 22.  The PTA will have a table set up outside of the office or lunchroom.  
• I have five students that will be joining me for our 100-book challenge pizza party next Thursday, May 16.  I have a couple of students that are VERY close to reaching the 100 mark.  If you want to know the count I have for your child please e-mail me and I will let you know.  Remember the last day to turn in lists for this challenge is Wednesday, May 15.  This challenge was "easy" if your child read their take-home books every night starting in January!!  I am proud of my excellent readers and their commitment to reading 100 books!!!
• This week we will finish up our unit on two-digit addition and subtraction in math.  We will test on Friday and have interventions next Wednesday on that chapter.  Next week we will start and finish up on our graphing unit--students will graph using picture graphs, bar graphs and tally charts.  
• Today in our reading about Our American independence we learned more about General George Washington.  We will finish that unit up before school ends as well as finish our reading unit with the book Kay and Martez.  Today we started learning about "how to" writing and the importance of giving step by step detailed instructions for our readers.  We will all write a recipe using detailed instructions (that is what I hope will happen).

As this year is winding down, I wanted to express how much I have grown to love your children.  This has truly been one of my "best" classes since I started teaching full-time nine years ago.  They are funny, inquisitive, kind and I will miss them this summer!  Thanks for sharing your children with me!  Thanks also for the nice gifts I have received for Teacher Appreciation week this week--I have a cute poster outside my door and a beautiful pink geranium that I will happily plant in my backyard.

Happy Reading!!

Mrs. Armstrong