Friday, December 22, 2017

December 22, 2017 Newsletter

Dear Parents,

Wow!  What an exciting week!  We enjoyed performing the Russian Peppermint Dance on stage on Thursday and are so glad so many of you were able to come see us!  Mrs. Sullivan and I were very proud of all the hard work the students put into making it a huge success!

We ended our busy week by reading “The Gingerbread Man Loose in the School” and then followed clues around the school that led us back to our classroom where we counted, compared, and discussed the gingerbread glyphs we made earlier this week.  The students have really enjoyed the gingerbread stories, projects, and hunting for clues too!

We talked a lot about other traditions that we celebrate, especially around the holidays.  Each student had a chance to share what they celebrate and the fun things they do with their families.  I enjoyed listening to each one of them and hope you all enjoy the celebrations that will be going on this next week!

The students brought home a lot of stuff in brown paper bags today.  There are several art projects and even a holiday gift for you!  I apologize in advance for all the glitter that will soon be all throughout your homes!  On the other hand, the Francis Wyman custodians were super excited to see all the glittery projects going home!

I also sent home a packet of books and papers.  It contains a letter about guided reading instruction that will start next month, two books at your child’s reading level, the list of Kindergarten high frequency words, some name writing practice sheets, some lined writing paper, a blank January writing journal, a 100s chart, a couple of math games, and a reading log.  None of the activities in the packet need to be returned but I would be happy to look at whatever your child completes and sends back in.  Feel free to copy any of the pages so you have extra sheets to use.  Your child can write in their journals, record books they are reading, practice the high frequency words, practice counting to 100, and have fun playing the math game!  I sent more detailed instructions home in an email earlier this week.  The only new thing I added was a sheet with instruction on how to access ST Math at home.

 We would also like to thank all of you for all the thoughtful and generous holiday gifts you have given to both of us and especially for all your support this year so far.  We look forward to working with your children more in 2018!  Have a fun-filled and safe holiday and a very Happy New Year!

Melanie Duncan and Mary Sullivan






Wednesday, December 20, 2017

Hanukkah Projects

We enjoyed learning a little about Hanukkah today!  We read a couple of Hanukkah stories and a poem, played the dreidel game, and even made a manorah art project.  Check out these pictures!






























Monday, December 18, 2017

Nutcracker Battle Scene Dance

The students made either mouse ears or soldier hats to perform the battle scene dance from the Nutcracker this afternoon!  The mice tiptoed up to the unsuspecting soldiers and when we reached the climactic part in the music, the soldiers jumped up to battle back with make-believe swords!  The students did a great job and had a lot of fun!






Friday, December 15, 2017

December 15, 2017 Newsletter

Dear Parents,

It's hard to believe we only have one more week of school until our holiday break!  We have had a very exciting month of school and have learned so much.  The children have done amazingly well with all the excitement and changes in our schedule.

We are very excited for our own Nutcracker performance that will be on Thursday and hope that you will all be able to make it at 9am to watch us!  The students have been working very hard and are excited to be able to perform the Russian Peppermint dance for you!  If possible, please have your child wear red tops and black bottoms on Thursday for the performance.  Thanks!

We have almost finished our first unit in Fundations and are looking forward to working with uppercase letters in January.  We have been busy working with some Kindergarten sight words, writing in our journals, and finishing our Nutcracker characters that are now beautifully displayed on our classroom walls.  We have also been reading and comparing more gingerbread stories and we made a class book about animals crawling into mittens (similar to Jan Brett’s “The Mitten”).  We even learned about coding in the library on Wednesday!

We will be sending a bag full of art projects home on Friday with your child.  We apologize in advance for all the glitter that you will be finding all over your house now!  We hope the students will take great pride showing you all their special Nutcracker, Gingerbread, and holiday projects.  We are very proud of all they have accomplished so far this year!

Melanie Duncan

A Reminder:  School vacation will be December 25-January 1.  School will start up again on Tuesday, January 2, 2018!

Wishlist items:  large brown paper bags with handles, large paper plates (not coated), and aluminum foil.  Thanks!!!