Welcome to Miss Montesarchio

On January 4th Miss Mary Montesarchio will join our class as our Student-Teacher.  Miss M. is at Ox Ridge School this year as our school intern.  She will be completing her student-teaching with our class for about 12 weeks.  It will be great to have another teacher in our class!

Peek at the (Short) Week of December 21-23

This is one of the busiest and most fun weeks of the year!  We will have our class breakfast party on Monday.  At this party we will do our Grab Bag.  The class has been eyeing and trying to guess what wonderful gift awaits them. 

Wednesday will be an Early Dismissal day. We will attend the all-school Holiday Singalong in the morning.  I'm encouraging everyone to try to wear red on the day before our break.  Youn might also want to wear a Santa/elf/reindeer hat to really get into the spirit.  It's up to you!

Homework
Monday 12/21
1.  Read for at least 10 minutes
2.  Write a Thank You letter for your Grab Bag gift 

Have a wonderful Christmas break. 

I will see all of you after the
New Year on Monday, January 4th!

Mystery Reader #9

JMN's mom surprised us by being a Mystery Reader.  She brought in a great pop-up books and donated a special book to our holiday book collection. 

Highlights of Week #15

I received an amazing gift from my students and their parents...a Flip video camera.  We have to start thinking of some good movie-making ideas.  (Miss D.)

PR was a very good captain.  (MA)

We had our spelling test on long i words that end with a sneaky/silent e.  (CN and EB)

We had a really, really good cookie exchange.  At the cookie party we had hot cocoa with marshmallows and we got to eat one star-shaped cookie.  We passed out cookies and everybody got to bring home a big tray of cookies.  (KG and AD and RP)

Today we had our December Pep Rally.  EB and AD were chosen because they follow the Ox Ridge Kids' Code.  (EB)

We had Game Day.  It was fun.  We played Sorry, Yahtzee, Candyland and Jenga.  Three moms came in to play with us.  CVI and OS and CN's mom came in. (OS and PR)

Our Grab Gifts all came to school today.  On Monday the girls and boys will come to the rug and listen to music.  When the music stops, whoever is holding the bag picks 1 gift.  (DS)

We made cards and a present for our parents.  It is a secret surprise.  (FH)

Today is the last day of Hanukkah so we gave Mrs. Satter a gift card present so she can buy stuff for her new kitchen.  (CP and class)

December Citizens of the Month

AD and EB were chosen to be our class Citizens of the month.  They are both excellent listeners and have been working really hard at their reading and handwriting.  Congratulations to both of them!

Mystery Reader #8

PR's mom came in to be a mystery reader.  She read a funny book called "One Potato Two Potato".  She donated a book called "Dogs Don't Brush Their Teeth".

Holiday Hats

If your child has a holiday hat, remind them to wear (or bring) it to school this Friday 12/18.  The hats can be worn during our December Citizen Pep Rally.

Also, your child may want to wear it on Wednesday 12/23 for the All School Singalong. 

It's a great way to get into the holiday spirit!

Grab Bags

Grab bag gifts should be sent into school by this Friday, December 18th.  The presents should be wrapped and marked "To a Boy from ____" or "To a Girl from _____". 

Boys are buying for the boys and girls are buying for the girls.  There is a $10 spending limit.  The actual grab bag will take place at our Class Holiday Breakfast on Monday, December 21st.

Cookie Exchange

Our class Cookie Exchange will take place on Thursday, December 17th.  It should be a fun-filled afternoon with sharing, sipping and tasting.  We will have so many treats to share with our families.  Each person should bring in 21 cookies to share with your classmates and teachers (Miss D. and Mrs. S.). 

Peek at the Week of December 14-18

We are very excited for our special Cookie Party which will be this Thursday.  Your 21 cookies can be sent in with your child or you can drop them off before 2:30 on Thursday. 

Please try to have your Grab Bag gift to school by this Friday, December 18th. 


We will continue to celebrate this special holiday season by reading and writing about the holidays.  Also, we will be making a special surprise gift for our families. 

Homework
Monday 12/14
1.  Read for at least 10 minutes
2.  Purple Spelling Sheet

Tuesday 12/15
1.  Read for at least 10 minutes
2.  Math:  Holiday Cookie Time

Wednesday 12/16
1.  Read for at least 10 minutes
2.  Make your cookies for tomorrow


Thursday 12/17
1.  Read for at least 10 minutes
2.  Share some of your cookies with your family
3.  Study for tomorrow's spelling test

Have a great week!

Highlights of Week #14

KR was a very good captain.  She did a great job reading the morning checklist each day.  (Miss D.)

We went on a trip to the Maritime Center.  We saw shark, seals and eels. (MA)

At the Maritime Center we put people in different groups so we could walk around and see other animals.  Outside of the building we saw African Penguins.  (EB)

The IMAX movie was cancelled because there was a power outage.  (CN)

We saw the big sea turtle.  We got to see him eat.  (KG)

We saw some electric eels and we saw tons of fish swimming around in the tank.  (JMN)

We wrote books about the North Pole.  Each page had an interesting verb to describe what the elves do in the North Pole.  (CP, EB, class)

We went to http://www.elfontheshelf.com/ to help us with ideas for our stories, like making cookies.  (AD)

PR's mom came in to be today's Mystery Reader.  (CM)

We finished the movie "Babe" in indoor recess.  It was really good.  (OS)

We didn't have gym because we were on a trip.  (TB)

Our elf, Jingle, came to our classroom late last night.  He was on the red sign for bad behavior.  He was there to make sure nobody got moved to red today.  (FH and JMN)

Today we are going to play Winter Bingo for Fun Friday.  (KR)

We wrote to our elf, Jingle.  (RP)

In Reading Workshop we are working on a booklet called "The Twelve Books of December". (PR)

We had a spelling test today.  It was very hard.  Some kids learned that they need to practice more next week.  (CVI)

Field Trip Recap and Refund

We got back from our trip safe and sound.  The stormy winter weather was not very cooperative.  Fortunately we were able to see many animals like sharks, penguins, fish, sea turtles, otters and seals.  Unfortunately, due to a power outage in South Norwalk, we were not able to see the Imax movie.  The Maritime Center will be refunding the cost of the Imax tickets which we will use towards another program.

North Pole Website

Today in Writing Workshop we started writing our North Pole books.  We visited a special website called www.elfontheshelf.com to inspire us.  The website has amazing 3-D graphics and plenty of games.  Maybe an elf will visit our classroom soon!

Hootie's Travel Continues

OS had a great time with Hootie.  Hootie is now moving on to MA's house for a couple of weeks. Hootie will begin celebrating the December holidays with MA's family.  I wonder if Hootie will be allowed to light any candles?

"Stocking" up on School Supplies

After the December break is a great time to restock your child's school supplies. 

Ask your child what items need replenishing and send them in for the New Year.  I know many children are running low on pencils, pencil cap erasers and crayons (not the super deluxe pack...it's the basic colors that seem to have disappeared...maybe the box of 8 or 16). 

These items make great stocking stuffers!

Peek at the Week of December 7-11

Thank you for meeting with me last week during conferences.  It is helpful to me to hear form you about what is and is not working...thank you for all of your comments.

Social Studies:  Hanukkah begins this Friday.  During our library classes in December, Mrs. Blake will be teaching some lessons about how the winter holidays are celebrated around the world.  We will also read and learn about these holidays in class too.

Science:  This Wednesday we have our field trip.  Thank you to CD and KG's moms for chaperoning on this trip.  Please remember to pack a fully disposable lunch.  It is going to be a great way to launch our science unit on animal movement. 

Spelling/Phonics:  We will be focusing on the many ways the sound of a long e can be spelled.  The word lists are getting tricky:  street, key, each, please, dear

Reading Workshop: We will be doing an extra special project in Reading Workshop called "The Twelve Books of December".  Starting this week until the 23rd we will read a holiday/winter themed book and do a fun follow-up assignment.

Writing Workshop:  This week we will be focusing on action words (verbs).  Each day we will focus on a part of the North Pole and brainstorm the actions that would be happening there.  For example, in the Toy Workshop some actions you might see are:  cutting, drilling, painting and gluing. 

Homework
Monday 12/7
1.  Read for at least 10 minutes
2.  Long e purple spelling sheet

Tuesday 12/8
1.  Read for at least 10 minutes
2.  Writing:  Snowman Story
3.  Pack a lunch for tomorrow's field trip

Wednesday 12/9
1.  Read for at least 10 minutes
2.  Math:  Yummy Sums

Thursday 12/10
1.  Read for at least 10 minutes
2.  Study for tomorrow's spelling test on street, key, each, please, dear

Have a great week!

Highlights of Week #13

CP was a very good captain.  RP subbed for her while she was sick.  (PR)

All the days except for Monday were early dismissal day.  (MA)

We did our math warm-up. (AD)

We switched seats for December.  (CD)

We are going to have a field trip soon.  (CM)

We had free choice instead of art.  (TB)

Our cookie party is coming up.  We also have a grab bag coming up.  It is going to be fun.  (EB)

We read a sad book called "The Christmas Cobwebs".  It's a story about a family whose house caught fire and they had to sell their precious ornaments so they could have money again.  (OS and JMN) 

We took surprise pictures for a top-secret project.  (KG)

We did not have a Mystery Reader this week.  (CVI)

We took a spelling test on long a words.  (CN)

We voted to have a gingerbread tablecloth on our gift table. (DS)  There is also a small tree and a menorah on the gift table.  (EB)

In gym we played floor hockey.  (TM)

We read a book called "What Does Mrs. Claus Do?" and a funny book called "Gingerbread Pirates".  (RP and JMN)

Hootie's Next Stop

Hootie has been passed on to spend time at OS's house after his visit at CD's house.  Hootie spent Thanksgiving with OS's family and new puppy.

Hootie Update

Hootie had a nice time visiting RP's house.  He moved on to CD's house.  Hootie has been enjoying all of these playdates!

November Citizens of the Month

Congratulations to TB and TG for being such great friends and role models to the rest of our class!   

December Reading Newsletter

This month's edition of the "Reading Connection" is available.  Please visit the link below.

http://dpsk-5parents.wikispaces.com/file/view/Dec09RdgNewsBeginning.pdf

Peek at the Week of November 30-December 4

Welcome to Conference Week.  Tuesday-Friday are Early Dismissal days with pick-up time being 1:20. 

Report card envelopes should be signed and returned.  You may keep the progress report. 

Your child will be bringing home 2 letters today.  These letters are about our class holiday activities.  One is a Cookie Exchange which will take place on Thursday, December 17th.  The other letter explains our class Grab Bag gift exchange which will take place at our class holiday breakfast party on Monday, December 21st.  Details are in the letters so please read and keep them for future reference.  I will post reminders here on the blog as the date gets closer.

Reading Workshop:  This week we will be working on having "Book Talks" with a partner.  While reading is an activity you do on your own, my goal is for my students to be able to have a (brief) conversation with a partner.  In order to do this, I will be modeling the ways I think and talk about books.  We will have a chance to practice staying on topic (not making recess plans when we should be having a 'book talk') and also learning the language readers use to share their thoughts and ideas.  The phrases we will be using are "I notice..." and "I wonder..." and "I think..."  It would be great to start using these same phrases with your child when he/she is reading to you at home.


Writing Workshop:  We will be finishing up our unit of study on snapshots.  This week we will have a chance to select 1 snapshot to 'fancy' up by adding some details (revising) and also editing for grammar and spelling.


Spelling/Phonics: Long a combinations (ai, ay, a):  rain, mail, play, away, acorn


Math:  We will be starting unit 4 which focuses on comparing and ordering numbers and also looks at number patterns.


Homework

Monday 11/30
1.  Read for at least 15 minutes.
2.  Long a purple spelling sheet
Tuesday 12/1
1.  Read for at least 15 minutes
2.  Word Work:  Compound Words
Wednesday 12/2
1.  Read for at least 15 minutes
2.  Math:  Basic Addition Facts
Thursday 12/3
1.  Read for at least 15 minutes
2.  Study for spelling test

Have a great week!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope everyone enjoys a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday weekend with their families and friends. I am so thankful to have a great class. 

See you back at school on the 30th!

Lunch Menus Go Green

The school lunch menu calendar will no longer be sent home at the beginning of each month. 

You can access the lunch menu on the web: 
http://www.darienps.org/lunchmenu/  There is also a link on the sidebar under 'School Sites' heading.

Peek at the Week of November 23-25

Happy Thanksgiving Week! 
RP will be the captain during this very short week. 

We will have a class Pie Party on Tuesday. 
Wednesday will be an Early Dismissal day. 

There is no school on Thursday and Friday in honor of Thanksgiving. 

We will do some Thanksgiving related reading and writing this week. 
There will not be a spelling list this week.

There will not be any homework or spelling list this week.  Enjoy the extra time preparing for the upcoming holiday with your family and friends.

Highlights of Week #12

CN was a good captain.  She read the morning checklist very well. (Miss D.)

We are having our cranberry and pumpkin tasting event this afternoon.  It is going to be fun.  (CP)

Today there is no Mystery Reader because we are having our cranberry and pumpkin party.  (EB)

We had a spelling test on words with a long a silent e.  (KG)

Today we will play bingo.  (CVI)

We had gym outside and inside this week.  We played Dr. Dodgeball and Capture the Football.  (PR)

We are finishing our snapshot unit in Writing Workshop.  (KG)

In Reading Workshop we made little booklets that were like Eric Carles' bear books.  They have a word pattern.  (CM)

For Fun Friday math, we learned how to play the card game Solitaire. First we played online on the Smartboard.  Then we played with real cards.  The challenge was to follow the pattern of red/black/red/black while making sure the numbers went down.  (JMN and class)

In library Mrs. B told us that an author is coming to visit our class next week.  (AD)

We didn't have centers this week because we are changing our Reading Workshop schedule.  We are going to have partner work soon.  (DS and class)

In library we got to pick our own spots to read our books.  We could go anywhere we wanted like the couch, under bookshelves or in beanbags or the computer chairs.  (KR)

We finished reading a chapter book called Turkey Trouble.  It was a short and funny book.  (RP)

Mrs. B. showed us the new books that she just got for the library.  She let some kids check them out.  (CD)

We read a big book for math about kids who were trying to trick their aunt and confuse her.  We used this book to make our own mini bunk bed counters.  (OS) 

We printed our pictures in art. (TB)

We read a book called A Plump and Perky Turkey.  It's about a turkey who is a model for artists.  (MA)

We had our 7th spelling test. (TM)  Everyone has been doing a really good job.  (Miss D.)

Thanksgiving Parade

The annual UBS Parade Spectacular will take place this Sunday, November 22nd at noon in downtown Stamford.  You can also see the balloons being inflated the night before.  For more information and details visit: 
http://www.stamford-downtown.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=126

Eric Carle

We have been studying Eric Carle books as a part of our November unit of study.  Many of his books follow patterns.  We also visited his website and watched a short video clip which shows how he makes his original illustrations.  In the video clip we also got to see his musuem.  It looks like a great place for a short trip.  We went on Mapquest to see how far away Amherst is.  It is 2 hours away, so it looks like this would make a great family field trip.

http://www.ericcarle.com/

Belated Birthdays

Oops, we are very behind in our birthdays.  Belated birthday wishes to TM, KG, PR, CN and FH.  They all had fall birthdays.

Peek at the Week of November 16-20

CN is this week's captain.

This Friday we will celebrate the fall season at our Pumpkin and Cranberry Tasting party. Thank you to all the families who have signed up to bake and/or bring in some delicious items. It should be a delicious day.

The Scholastic Book order form was sent home with your child last Tuesday.  If you are ordering, please return the order slip with your check by this Wednesday, November 18th. 

I will send an email at the end of this week or early next week with the December conference schedule attached.  I had already sent this out last week, but it will serve as a reminder.


Reading Workshop: We will be enjoying some Thanksgiving/autumn books this week.  We will continue to study the patterns authors use in their writing.

Writing Workshop:  We continue our 'snapshot' unit on descriptive writing.  We have written snapshots of people and of a scarecrow.  Our scarecrow snapshots are on display on the hallway bulleting board outside of our classroom. 

Phonics/Spelling:  We finished the short vowels and will now start to focus on the long vowels.  This week's spelling pattern is long a words that end with a silent (or "sneaky") e:  make, gave, ate, take, came.

Math:  We took our third math assessment last Friday.  The math assessments will be shared with parents at the December conferences.


Homework
Monday 11/16
1.  Read for at least 10 minutes
2.  Math:  Something to Crow About

Tuesday 11/17
1.  Read for at least 10 minutes
2.  Writing:  Scarecrow Story (at least 3 complete sentences)

Wednesday 11/18
1.  Read for at least 10 minutes
2.  Falling for a Good Book (reader response)

Thursday 11/19
1.  Read for at least 10 minutes
2.  Study for spelling test:  make, ate, take, gave, came

Have a great week!

Mystery Reader #7

CN's dad surprised her and the class when he came in to read two great books to our class.

Scarecrow Snapshots

Our new bulletin board is up!  Stop by and check out our scarecrows and read our snapshots. 

Highlights of Week #11

JMN was the captain this week.  He did a great job lining up the class for specials.  (Miss D)


We learned about how Stong Readers notice patterns in a book.  Our Mystery Reader brought a book with a pattern.  (EB & RP)


We made mini-scarecrows.  We wrote a description about them.  This is called a snapshot.  (KG & DS)


We did our math test on topic 3.  It was a little easy and a little tricky.  (AD)


We had a spelling test.  It was on all 5 short vowels.  (RP & TB)


For Fun Friday math, we made and played a game called the Indian Stick Game.  It was a fun way to practice using tally marks.  (CD & EB & class)


We picked funny books at library.  (CVI)


We went outside to the flag pole and sang songs for Veterans' Day.  (TM & PR)


Some people got 'Looker Books' at library.  (OS)


We got to pick out chapter books at library.  (JMN & EB)


JMN was a really good captain.  (CP)


We read a book called The Lonely Scarecrow.   We also read a book called Hello Mr. Scarecrow.  (MA)


We started a new movie in indoor recess called Babe.  It's about a pig who lives on a farm and misses his family.  (DS & CM)


We finished a chapter book called Chocolate Fever at snack time.  It was funny.  (OS & KR)


In art we printed our musical pictures.  After we printed them, we got to put another paper on it and smooth it out like a baby's back.  We took it off and made a copy.  (CN & JMN & class)


Lunch Bunch started this week!  Some friends went and had a really fun time.  (Miss Allison)

Some kids had photo retakes this week.  (RP & MA)

Veterans Day

Our class joined the rest of the school outside at the flag pole to say the Pledge of Allegiance and sing a few patriotic songs. 

Back in the classroom we watched a short documentary about the armed forces.  We learned that there are 5 branches:  army, navy, air force, marines and coast guard. 

Mystery Reader #6

FH was surprised that is was her mom's turn to be the Mystery Reader.  Mrs. H read a great book called "Grandfather for Sale".

Peek at the Week of November 9-13

This week's captain is JMN.  JMN is our 11th captain.  The year is really flying by! 

Seussical was a great show.  Thank you to OS and TB's moms for chaperoning on our first trip.

Picture retakes are on Monday.

Please send in the field trip money for next month's Maritime Center trip.

Last week I emailed the December Conference schedule.  Please let me know if you need a date or time change.  I will resend this as the date gets closer.

Reading Workshop: We will continue to look for patterns in books.  It has been interesting to notice how a single book can have a lot of patterns.  I hope my first graders are noticing and explaining a pattern they find in their home reading.  Wednesday night's homework is all about patterns.

Writing Workshop:  We are continuing to write descriptions called "snapshots".  Brainstorming adjectives will be a big part of this unit. 

Phonics/Spelling:  Short vowel review:  fast, went, this, stop, jump

Math:  We will be (hopefully) finishing Topic 3 in math which is on counting coins, telling time to the hour and an introduction to measurement.  We will have an assessment on Friday.

Homework
Monday 11/9
1.  Read for at least 10 minutes
2.  Purple Spelling Sheet

Tuesday 11/10
1.  Read for at least 10 minutes
2.  Reading Pattern Activity

Wednesday 11/11
1.  Read for at least 10 minutes
2.  Math:  Ice Cream Treats

Thursday 11/12
1.  Read for at least 10 minutes
2. Study for spelling test:  fast, went, this, stop, jump

Have a great week!

Highlights of Week #10

Our classroom library grew this week with lots of great books donated by some families.  Thank you for the great books from the Book Fair. (Miss D.)

TM was the captain.  He was very good and very nice.  (JMN and AD)

We celebrated my birthday.  (KG)

We practiced looking for patterns in books.  (PR)

We started a new chapter book called "Chocolate Fever".  It's about a boy named Henry Green who LOVES chocolate SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much.  He ate it every day until he got brown spots all over his body.  (EB and DS)

Most of us finished illustrating our Small Moments stories.  A few kids will finish next week.  (RP)

FH's mom came in to be the Mystery Reader.  (CN)

We had a Fun Friday math day.  (TB)

We switched seats for the new month of November.  (CD)

We had our first game day.  EB and CP and TM's parents came in to run the games.  (AD and class)

For Fun Friday we will play Bingo.  (CP)

We had  our 5th spelling test on short u words.  (TM and JMN)

KG will have her real birthday tomorrow.  (OS)

There was no school on Tuesday because it was Election Day.  (class)

We went on our first field trip of the year.  It was to a show called "Seussical the Musical".  (MA)

November Reading Connection Newsletter

Here is the link for Antoinette Fornshell's monthly reading newsletter. 
http://dpsk-5parents.wikispaces.com/file/view/rdgnewsbeginningNOV.pdf

Photo Do Overs

Photo retakes will be on Monday, November 9th in the morning.  Please send in a note if you want your child's picture redone. 

Hootie Happenings

Hootie had a great Halloween weekend at TB's house.  Hootie is now spending time at RP's house.

Peek at the Week of November 2-6

Happy November to all! 

I hope everyone had a safe and fun Halloween weekend.  This week is a 4-day week.  There is no school for students on Tuesday, November 3rd (Election Day). 

Please send in the field trip money for our Maritime Center adventure. 
We will go on our first trip tomorrow, Monday, November 2nd.  We will be leaving by 9:10 so please make sure you are on time to school.  We will be back in time to eat lunch at school.  Thank you to OS and TB's moms for chaperoning.

Reading Workshop:  We spent most of September and October working on decoding strategies and learning our center routines.  We also did some 'Reader Responses' which is when we write about our reading.  This month's focus is on noticing and recognizing the patterns in books and using these patterns to help us read with accuracy, fluency, and comprehension.  We will be reading books where there is a word pattern (for example, in Brown Bear, Brown Bear the pattern is a question and then an answer).   We will look at other books and notice that in some books a certain sequence happens over and over.  Goldilocks is an example of a book that follows this pattern.  Goldilocks tries 3 bowls of porrige, 3 chairs and 3 beds.  We will also continue an author study of Robert Munsch books.  Many of his books have a pattern of a simple problem which gets worse, then worse and then gets solved.  His humor comes from the problem growing  bigger and bigger and bigger.  Patterns are fun to notice and your child will start comparing new books to favorites ("Hey, this book is just like ___ because..."). 

Writing Workshop: We are finishing up our Small Moment Personal Narrative stories.  They will be displayed on the bulletin board outside of our room.  During the next couple of weeks we will be writing 'Snapshots'.  A snapshot is a short piece of writing that describes a person, place or thing.  We will be learning how to incorporate adjectives into our writing.  We call it a snapshot because our written words are making a picture in the reader's brain. 

Math:  We started Topic 3 this past week which is on time, money and measurement.  We will be using coins to find different combinations to make amounts.

Spelling/Phonics:  short u:  up, under, jump, run, but

Homework
Monday 11/2
1.  Read for at least 15 minutes
2.  Spelling Sheet


Wednesday11/3
1.  Read for at least 15 minutes
2.  Math: Counting Coins 

Thursday 11/4
1.  Read for at least 15 minutes
2.  Study for tomorrow's spelling test (up, under, jump, run, but)

Have a great week!

Happy Halloween

I hope you all have a fun and safe Halloween. 
Remember to:

• have your parents check your treats
• carry a flashlight
• trick or treat only at familiar houses

October Citizen of the Month

Congratulations to DS and CP.  They were recognized for being our class citizens for the month of October.  They follow the Ox Ridge Kids' Code and are great role models!

Highlights of Week #9

• CM was a really good captain.  (RP)
• We had our first Pep Rally.  (CP)
• CP and I got the Kids' Code Certificate.  (DS)
• We watched the Kindergarten Halloween parade.  (EB)
• We are having a Halloween movie party this afternoon.  Everyone is excited.  (CD)
• Five kids were picked to be the workers at the 'Pumpkin Patch Cinema'.  (OS)
• We are going to the Book Fair today.  (KG)
• We are going to go keep wearing our crazy hats for a fun day.  (DS)
• In Reading Workshop this week we sequenced the parts of the pumpkin life cycle.  (AD)
• We had a spelling test on short o words.  (TB)
• In Writing Workshop we wrote Halloween stories and poems.  We listened to scary music while we wrote.  (TM and PR and RP)
• We made our leaves into pictures in Art.  (CVI)
• In art we had time to draw in our sketch books.  (CP)
• We listened to a book on tape called "The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything". Then we sequenced the story.  (KG and class)
• We went on Google Earth.  (RP)
• JMN brought in an article about his aunt and uncle's scary Halloween house.  Some kids in the class are going to check it out.  I am too scared to go!  (Miss D)
• THANK YOU to CP's family for our movie popcorn, TB's family for the juice boxes and CN's family for our fruit snacks.  Our snack bar was a success!

Hootie Halloween

JMN sent Hootie over to TB's house. TB is so excited because he will have Hootie over the Halloween weekend.  Will Hootie trick-or-treat or stay home and pass out candy?  We'll have to wait and see.

Mystery Reader #5

CP's mom came in to read some fun Halloween books to our class.  The family donated a book to our class Halloween collection.

Hootie's New Home

After spending time with DS's family, Hootie made the change to JMN's family.  He had a great time!

Hat Day

This Friday is going to be First Grade Hat Day!  First graders don't dress up in costumes, but can get into the Halloween spirit by wearing any kind of hat you would like.  It can be a baseball, chef, witch, princess, pirate, birthday or clown hat.  We will watch the Kindergarten parade while wearing our hats.