Weekly Update

My, oh, my! How out of sync and irregular our school schedule has been!! Thanks to all for toughing it out and trying to be on top of it all. Thanks to those who came to conferences!! It was nice to share and discuss all of the things that all the girls do so well! I will not blog before the holidays unless absolutely needed....so have a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving break!

Info to Know

• Today's homework packet covers the holiday break. There will be no additional homework sent next week. Please keep the red folders at home and return them on Monday, November 30. On that day you should return: November's homework calendar, November's Book It recording form, and the Thanksgiving Family Project.
• Parent Info meeting tonight @ 6:30 pm in the MPR
• Chinese Book checkout will be on Wednesdays. Please send the Chinese book back each Wednesday to get a different book. If your little darling hasn't checked out a book, let us know and we will get you a permission slip to do so.
• LUNCH FORMS ARE DUE TOMORROW!!
• Fridays are IWIA School Spirit days. Students may only wear a school spirit shirt or uniform shirt with jeans. This will be enforced as part of the uniform policy.
• Yule Forest permission slips are due on Tuesday, December 1. If you have lost you copy, please let us know....we will send a replacement.
• Scholastic flyers came home today! Books make a great holiday gift. If you would like these books to be kept a secret, let me know! Online orders of $10 from each flyer will receive a free book (up to $5) for your little darling to choose! What a great deal!! And online orders get the class free books too!! See the link.....user: pkokpride.....password: wearereaders
• The Butterfly Club will be selling "Thankful Grams" during lunch on the 18th - 20th. The cost is $2.00 for each goodie bag.

Academic Update

• Last week we discussed the Hindu celebration of Diwali. We learned the reason for the celebration (the return of Rama from rescuing Sita), many of the traditions of the celebration (decorating homes with rangoli, diyas, gift giving, and house cleaning), and where and who celebrates it. Dr. Hormes came to share her Diwali experiences with us!! It was really neat! We played a dice addition game, strengthened our word-attack skills, and worked on rhyming skills.
• This week we are learning all about Thanksgiving. Most of the girls seem to have a knowledge base of how it is celebrated now, so we will explore the origins of the holiday and culminate our learning with a re-enactment of the first feast with Mrs. Kraften's and Mrs. Barnes' classes next Tuesday. You should have a note for a small donation for your little one to bring for that feast. We will be cooking on Monday and Tuesday and then feasting on Tuesday afternoon. If you can volunteer, please let us know.... Also, we will decorate our door with "I Care" messages to demonstrate our self-respect and respect for others in response to a lesson taught by Mrs. Frederick with the book I'm Sorry, learn the Top It game, create a turkey glyph (a picture to convey information), and work with the letters Xx and Ww!

Classroom News

• Check your little darling's folder for their donation for our feast....if you have questions or concerns, please contact us as soon as possible. If you can volunteer, let us know!
• Bank Day was sponsored last year by Chase Bank. Students could open a savings account and deposit money weekly into the account. If you think that you and your P.Chick would be interested in this service, please let me know. If there is a valid interest, we can look further into starting this again this school year.