Finally there is snow! I hope you are enjoying the winter wonderland (or enjoyed it if your snow has already melted).
Highlights
Our survival fiction unit was a ton of fun. The dioramas the kids created are amazing! They truly exceeded all expectations and they just glowed with pride as they presented their projects. Please check out our bulletin board in the front of our classroom for pictures of the presentations. They also shared their projects with the Spirit Bears and Black Bears. Their dioarams are on display outside the MAC and we invite you to take a peek. We just finished up our last survival fiction book, The Cay which we read aloud in class. The kids liked the book so much that by the end of that same day, they had discovered a sequel to the book. Right now, we are working on creating illustrated timelines of the book to end our survival fiction unit.
Next we will move into the fantasy genre. Rather than having all the students read the same book, I am asking that each student bring in a quality fantasy book selected with a parent. Please keep in mind, this should be a book your child can read independently. Please have your child bring this book to school this week. We will begin reading our novels on Monday. Here are some titles/authors of good fantasy books.
- The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
- The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
- The BFG (and other titles) by Roald Dahl
- Half Magic by Edward Eager
- The Dragon in the Sock Drawer by Kate Klimo
- The Indian in the Cupboard series by Lynne Reid Banks
- Imogene the Brave or Inkheart by Cornelia Funke
- Books by Eva Ibbotson
- Books by Lloyed Alexander
These are just a few quality titles and authors. If you have a question about a book, please don't hesitate to contact me. I ask that this not be a book your child is currently in the middle of reading. There will be activities and reading response that will take every child through the entire book and would, therefore, require re-reading. We will be reading A Wrinkle in Time or Dragon Rider in class.
In Writing, the class is continuing to work on planet essays. These essays will consist of 5 paragraphs which are being constructed one at a time. They are using what they have learned about paragraph structure, putting information in their own words, and writing without opinion. Once these essays are complete, we will stick with non-fiction, researching and writing about topics of choice and then presenting the the information as a speech.
In Math, we are finishing up a unit on Measurement with time. The Measurement Olympics last week were a blast. The classes participated in a range of activities from long jump in the sandbox and a cotton ball throw to a sponge squeeze and guessing their weights. They worked in teams, measuring and recording information. It was a great end of unit event. Once we are finished with time, we will be moving into Geometry. We will revisit measurement when we get to fractions and decimals.
In Social Studies, the class has finished their Virginian Yearbook and will be sharing their work with the elementary classes next Tuesday. For this Social Studies Day, we ask that your child dress up like the person s/he studied. If you have questions about this, please contact Mrs. Reed.
They are now headed north and are investigating the mid-Atlantic states. Specifically, they will be focusing on Philadelphia and the people who were pivotal in the formation of our country.
This Thursday, we will be getting together with the Spirit Bear class for Newspaper Buddies. On Tuesday, each child will be asked to find a current event to summarize and share. I ask that you assist your child in choosing the current event. We certainly want the kids to develop community and global awareness and expose them to this type of print, but without prematurely tackling issues that are not appropriate for their age.
In Science, we are continuing to learn about the solar system. We have two field trips coming up related to what we are learning. The first is to the Observatory at UVA on Friday, March 2 from 7 - 9 PM. During this time, the observatory is open to the public. Ms. Lockwood and I will be up there and hope the class will join us. As it is a Friday night, this is not a required field trip. But, if you are available, you can either drop your child off with us and have a couple hours of adult time or join us with your family. Either way, it is a great opportunity for the kids to experience the observatory and see a bit of what they are learning about. If you have any questions, contact Ms. Lockwood. The second field trip we have planned is to the Richmond Science Museum on Tuesday, March 6. We will leave CDS at 8:30 AM and will return by 4:15 PM. During our time there, we will participate in a hands-on activity and presentation about our solar systm, and see an IMAX movie about the Hubble telescope. We will also have time to visit the other exhibits in the museum. It will be a great day. I will send home detailed information, including the number of drivers needed, this week.
In addition to all of this, we will begin our Art from the Heart project this week. Thank you to Lindsay Diamond for helping us with this masterpiece!
And, on Friday we will be going to Meade Park for some team building activities and games. Please make sure your child comes to school in athletic shoes and clothing.
Announcements and Reminders
- Please have your child select and bring in a fantasy novel this week.
- Please send your child to school with a water bottle every day.
- Please make sure your child wears tennis shoes or has tennis shoes at school for P.E.
- Don't forget to purchase your auction tickets!!! It is going to be a great event.
- March 2 -- Mc Cormick Observatory Trip for Sun Bear Kids/Families -- If you are available, please bring your child and/or family to the Mc Cormick Observatory from 7 - 9 PM.
- March 2-- Pajama Day for Read Across America Day-- Bring your favoritebook and wear one of your favorite jammies to school to celebrate Dr.Seuss' birthday!
-March 5 - 6:30 - 7:30 pm Preschool Panel Discussion about the EarlyChildhood Years. Free, parent-only event in the MAC. This event isopen to the public.
- March 6 -- Sun Bear field trip to the Richmond Science Museum. We will leave at 8:30 and return by 4:15. Details to come.
- March 7 -- Last Day of Enrichment #2
- March 8 & 9 -- No School -- Parent/Teacher Conferences -- A sign-up sheet will be posted in our classroom this week. If you need to sign your child up for Kids Camp, please contact Kim.
- March 14 -- First Day of Enrichment #3
- March 17 -- CDS AUCTION!!!
-March 22 -- 9 AM Festival of the Book Author, Matthew Cody is speakingto our Elementary and Middle School students in the MAC.
As you can see, we are as busy as ever. If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact me.
All the best,
Annelise
* Photos to come
