Wrapping Up the First Half of the Year

I just wanted to make a quick post about how proud I am of your children. They have grown so much since the first 9 weeks. I'm sure you'll all be happy with their report cards. They are getting so smart. I talked to them all today, and, with the exception of a couple, they all seem really excited about getting a book published. I think we will probably start the pre-write process on Thursday.
Report cards will go home Wesnesday. Let me know if you have any questions after you see them.
:)

New Goal

While working on lesson planning this morning, I came up with this idea to have the class write a book and have it published as an end of the year sort of thing. I want them to see themselves as authors and illustrators. I happened to stumble on this page that would allow me to get the work published for free and our school will be entered to win a $1,000 grant. The only thing is, that we would have to have the work published by Feb. 28th to be entered. That doesn't give us much time to write and illustrate a book. I'm going to talk with the class on Monday about it and see what they think. I don't want to stress them out, but I really think they would love to see their work published. What do you all think?

Live Penguin Cam

We have been watching a live penguin cam based in California all week. The web address for the penguin cam is http://www.calacademy.org/webcams/penguins/  I thought the estudents may want to watch it some this weekend since they seemed to love it so much. There is a 30 yr old penguin there named Pierre that Ms. Johns read us at the beginning of the year for read aloud. His story is pretty amazing. We will continue to talk about penguins for a couple days next week and I will upload more pictures. Have a good weekend, everyone!

Blubber Experiment and Ice Cream Day

Seeing what it would feel like to have a layer of blubber.

Sophia and Johnny shaking their bag of       

                                    ice cream.                                                                                            

finished product!

Enjoy!

Ice cream!

As part of my penguin and measurement lessons, we are going to make ice cream tomorrow for math/ science. If any of you have any empty coffee cans (metal), could you send them our way? If not, no big deal. We can use freezer bags. I just heard it works better in a coffee can.

Also, I have been accepted to volunteer in an orphanage in Africa this summer along with my sister. We are hosting a pasta dinner fundraiser on January 20th at Spruce Street United Methodist Church. Dinner is from 6-8pm (you can stop in anytime). Adults eat for $8 and children 12 and under eat for $5. If you would like to come, please just email me and let me know how many you'll have with you. lwebster@access.k12.wv.us

New Popcorn Words

• we  
• three  
• four  
• five  
• six  
• black  
• white  
• green  
• off

Welcome Back!

I am so excited to see all the kids tomorrow! I seriously cannot wait to get back in the classroom with them. 
Coming up: 

• report cards will be sent out this month. All of the students are improving and I think you'll be happy with what you have to see.
• January 9th is a two hour early dismissal.
• Penguin unit
• Solar system unit
• I would like to do another student-led PBL with presentations to kick off the second half of the school year. We may wait and see when the move will be. I'll keep you posted!
• New read aloud sign up!
• Please sign up for Read Aloud - here's how it works in 3 easy steps:
•  1. Click this link to go to our invitation page on VolunteerSpot: http://vols.pt/4GBLmo
•  2. Enter your email address: (You will NOT need to register an account on VolunteerSpot) 
•  3. Sign up! Choose your spots - VolunteerSpot will send you an automated confirmation and reminders. Easy!

Note: VolunteerSpot does not share your email address with anyone. If you prefer not to use your email address, please contact me and I can sign you up manually.

Please, please only sign up for one date at a time to give other parents a chance to sign up too!