Week of October 11, 2011

Highlights

While this past week was only four days, it was filled with activity and experience. In Language Arts, we launched our Writer's Workshop, beginning personal narratives. Different strategies for writing are introduced on a regular basis and the students are invited to use them as needed. They have been excited about their writing and have been showing more independence as they develop new strategies. This week we will continue with these personal narratives. Both Maniac Magee and Dear Mr. Henshaw are coming to a close. We read the final, tear-jerking pages of Maniac Magee on Thursday. What a fantastic book! This week we will reflect on both novels, making connections with the text and characters through discussion and projects, before starting new books next week.

In Math, we finished our Graphing Unit with an exciting game of Battleship using ordered pairs and a coordinate grid. Prior to that, we finished our circle graphs, learned when to use different types of graphs, and continued extracting data and information from graphs. The students took a pre-assessment in Number Operations and I am looking forward to diving into place value and rounding tomorrow. We will begin small group rotations tomorrow as well. You can expect DLA's in math at least twice a week from here on out.

In Social Studies, the class is continuing with Virginia geography and investigating each region. They continue to work on their brochures of the regions, and are reading text related to what they are studying. Mrs. Reed and I will be working to schedule a field trip in the near future.

Mother Nature forced us to postpone our field trip to the Rivanna River but we managed to get to the creek at Northeast Park. While there, we explored the creek, using screens to investigate the silt and look for life in the water. The kids had a blast! They were so excited to find living creatures, it was near impossible to get some of them out of the water. We will be rescheduling our trip to Riverview Park and I will update you with the details once we figure out what day works best. The kids are even more excited now that they got to practice at the creek.

Reminders and Announcements

- This week the schedule is going to be a bit different as we have Whole School Circle rehearsals on Tuesday and Wednesday and then have Grandparents'/Special Friends' Day on Friday.

- Please make sure your child brings tennis shoes on a daily basis. It is often helpful to have a pair that are left in the locker.

Grandparents' and Special Friends' Day Important Information

- If you have not already done so, please let me know by tomorrow who we can expect on Friday.

- In the event of rain, parents should expect to get their child to the Jefferson Theater for the Whole School Circle. If you are not planning to attend the WSC, please let me know so I can plan a ride for your child should it rain.

- Here is the schedule for Friday. Please read carefully and let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

Dear Parents, We are looking forward to next week and having Grandparents & Special Friends join us. Please don't miss our first whole school circle at the Jefferson Theater and our Saturday Night Concert in the MAC. Here is the information you need so that everything runs smoothly! Grandparents & Specials Friends Weekend Events (GP Day, Whole School Circle at the Jefferson, Saturday Concert) 1) What to wear for the Whole School Circle? All students should wear a white shirt or the white CDS shirt and jeans or dark pants/skirt. 2) Friday Schedule a. For Grandparents (Itineraries Coming...) 9:00 - 9:10 Greeting at the Front of the MAC, Room Parents will escort to Session #1 9:10 - 9:35 Session #1 9:35 - 9:45 Transition/Snack in the MAC 10:10 - 10:25 Cubs & Panda Song in the MAC 10:10 - 10:30 Parents/Grandparents drive or walk downtown to the Jefferson (remember, most school parking is 2hours) 11:00 - Whole School Circle Starts at the Jefferson (Pandas and Older Performing) The Jefferson will open at 10am and there will be Coffee 11:45 - 12:00 Whole School Circle Ends 12:00 - Everyone leaves the Jefferson - End of Circle and Friday events b. For Parents 7:45 - 8:20 REGULAR MORNING DROP OFF 9:00 - please drop off Grandparents and Special Friends unless they are driving themselves; if you prefer to stay at school, you can stay for the 21st Century Education Presentation in the MAC (classrooms will be too crowded for parents to attend) If your child does not have a Special Friend or Grandparent attending we will match them up with a buddy OR one parent can be the "Special Friend" 10:10 - 10:20 Cubby Parents and Panda Parents can see a special "Music Class" in the MAC 10:25 - All Parents Driving Grandparents or Children to the Jefferson should be ready to get people in cars. (Teachers will send details.) 10:45 - Get your seat at the Jefferson Theatre - bring your cameras! 11:00 - Whole School Circle Begins 11:45/Noon - Circle Ends; Noon pick-up at the Jefferson (YOU MUST CHECK YOUR CHILD OUT WITH HIS/HER TEACHER) 12:00 - Kids Return to School 3:30 or 5:30 - Regular Pick Up 3) Saturday NIGHT Concert a. Please join us for a celebratory concert in the MAC. b. Featuring John D'earth and Pete Spaar! c. Heavy Hors D'oeuvres, Wine and great friends!!! d. Cocktail Party attire. e. Please come and bring Grandparents & Friends. f. RSVP to Kim kkotarski@charlottesvilledayschool.org or 817-2371 g. Our community deserves this celebration. Please make a commitment to attend. It means a lot to the whole faculty to see you there. Cottage Babysitting is available.