A Week In Review

  
                                                              May 25,2012

    Dear Parents,
        Nonfiction books are completed and published! The students are so 
excited and we invite you to help us celebrate by attending our Author 
Celebration on Wednesday May 30th after our music show! It will be a quick 
read with a special snack to follow.
        The week speeds by so fast and I can never remember what we have 
accomplished. Sorry for the lack of details! 
       Our Music Show rehearsals have been long and many throughout this past 
week,but I promise you will enjoy the show enormously. Please do not miss it!
       Today was our last Mystery Reader! Thank You to those who participated!

 Have a safe and Happy Memorial Day Weekend!
  Ms. Metcalf          
                                           
 
    May 18,2012

    Have a Great Weekend!
Cheers, Ms. Metcalf
                            
                                      May 11,2012

   Dear Parents,

        I am flying high with the results of the DRA spring testing! Your 
children have come such a long way! I especially want to thank you and our 
Reading Teacher Maryann Cadieux for your constant support in and out of the 
classroom!
 I will be sending home a letter with more information about your child's 
individual score by at the end of next week!
 Finally, THANK YOU FOR THE 2 GORGEOUS AFRICAN VIOLETS for Teacher 
Appreciation Week. I know Jujiang and I will enjoy them a 
lot!                                                
         Have a Wonderful Mother's Day Weekend!!

 May 4th, 2012

 Dear Parents,
       We have officially began our nonfiction research last week. Students 
chose a topic and began their research by looking at photographs or reading 
texts about their topic. Finally, students are using a graphic organizer to 
write down their information. 
      In Math, we learned about the quarter and began practicing writing 2-
digit numbers. We also created 2 & 3-deminsional shapes using marshmallows 
and toothpicks in class and students have fun sharing their 3 dimensional 
shapes made from home. 
      We had our first Junior Achievement lesson on Friday. These are a 
series of lessons design for students to learn about how the economy and how 
it relates to their world. It is being taught by one of our parents, Tina 
Batton. She will be continuing the lessons every Friday afternoon. Enormous 
Thanks to her!
      Looking for one more Mystery reader for Friday May 11th...anyone? 
Please let me know as the students are always so excited to uncover the 
mystery! 
   
  Have a restful weekend!
 
   Ms. Metcalf

                                               April 27,2012                  

   Dear Parents,
        DRA testing officially began last Monday but I purposely held off so 
we can get back into the grove of school and regular schedule routine. 
Students were so excited to be back and see one another until Friday when 
most of them fell apart and made terrible decisions as a whole class. We were 
not able to complete our afternoon agenda and the Mystery reader had to be 
cancelled and rescheduled. Oh well! 
        We are continuing to learn about nonfiction books and writing 
informational sentences (facts) about different topics such as the sun and 
animals. This is all a set up for next week to begin choosing a topic and to 
begin our first research project.
        On Wednesday we were the first class to visit the Book Fair @ 
Northeast and the students did a fantastic job choosing books, managing their 
money independently then gobbling up the pages/reading while waiting for the 
others to finish. They have grown so much since the Fall book fair in 
November!!
        Finally we finish off the month by celebrating 3 April birthdays! 
Mateo, Natalie & Triniya all helped others enjoy the delicious snack of Oreo 
cookies. Happy Birthday indeed!
 
          Quote of the week by a student in class....

"You can trick your parents but can't trick Ms. Metcalf"  

  Cheers,
  Ms Metcalf
        
                                          April 13, 2012

 Dear Parents,
     Today the Mystery Readers were Ms.Weaton's 2nd grade class. Our 
classroom buddies came after lunch to listen to them read their fictional 
stories about animals. Everyone really enjoyed themselves.   
     We continue learning about features often found in nonfiction texts, 
such as labels, glossary, and table of contents.
     In writing, students began to create a list of things they can do well, 
then by choosing one of them as a topic, students illustrated and wrote an 
informational sentence about it. 
     On Tuesday we saw the amazing acapella music group from New York City 
called "Blue Jupiter". After the show we located their performance on You 
Tube, and watched it briefly as the students devoured their morning snacks. 
    As of today there is 42 school days left of the year. Where does the time 
go?
   
   Enjoy the vacation week and warm weather!
  Cheers, Ms. Metcalf 

                   April 5,2012         
  Dear Parents,
      It was a short week but we got a lot accomplished as we  finally 
completed our fictional stories about animals. Students have been practicing 
reading their stories to themselves and to their peers. Very exciting indeed! 
We will keep our published books in class until next week!
   In reader's workshop we have been learning the typical features of 
Nonfiction books such as photos, learning facts, labels and bold print.
    In Math we learned how to play a new game (20 questions) in order to 
identify a specific attribute shape, discussed tools used for measuring and
dividing groups in half into equal amounts.
   I was able to snap some photos of our storyteller Ms. Karen who came to 
entertain the students this afternoon. Will post photos very soon on this 
website under Classroom Photos 2012.  
  Finally, we welcomed a new student,Triniya Bell, to our classroom community!
   Have a wonderful Holiday,
   Ms Metcalf
                                            March 30th,2012

  Dear Parents,
      Students have been captivated daily when reviewing our skills in 
counting,by 2s',5s, & 10s, US coin values, and high freqency words via 
Youtube. These  short creative videos add a contagious rhythm and lyrics that 
get students singing, dancing and learning. Fun Fun!!
       On Friday morning we were treated to a performance from a local 
Stamford dance studio that emphasized the message about bullying in school. 
Local high school students acted and performed school setting situations.
      We are in the final process of completing our fiction stories. When 
students complete this final stage we will invite our second grade buddies to 
our classroom to share. 
     Finally we have begun our nonfiction unit study and students are 
learning the characteristics of between nonfiction and fiction books. 
Students also replaced their books in their reading bags and went shopping 
for "Just Right Books" which now include both genres.
    Last week Our Mystery Reader appeared... last minute. The response has 
been surprisingly little. If you are interested in participating please send 
me an email! The students look forward to the surprise each week!

  Cheers, Ms. Metcalf         

                         March 23, 2012                                       
                                       
 Dear Parents, 
  We all feel out of sorts when put on a three 1/2 day schedule due to parent 
teacher conferences. 
   We were able to sort coins, penny, nickel and dime and play an coin 
exchange game with using only pennies and nickels. A lot of the students 
completed their number writing book and now we are on to writing our double 
digit tricky teen numbers.
 Students wrote their last Eric Carle Entry in their notebooks, referring to 
their favorite book and explaining why they liked it so much. We will be 
wrapping up the unit by next week.
  No Jackets/ sweaters during recess this past week!!  However please have 
your child continue to bring a sweatshirt incase they get caught during 
recess with cooler temperatures that are typical for early spring.
    
 Have a great Weekend Folks!
  
                                                        March 16,2012 

Dear Parents
     We all enjoyed a special visit from our 2nd grade buddies this 
afternoon. Each child was able to listen to many of the student's stories  
about leprechauns. Afterwards we continued the celebration by decorating 
brand new writing journals while eating a bag filled snack of Lucky Charms. 
Finally, students got to learn how to create orgami creations with the help 
of Mrs. Kennedy. The students were so excited to see a Master a work! Thank 
You Mrs. Kennedy... from all of us!
  In Math were are learning about 3-deminsional shapes and used everyday 
objects as examples. Later in the day we listened and watched a video on You 
Tube about the 4 shapes....Sphere, cube, cone,& cylinder.
   We are in the midst of our narrative writting stories and almost at the 
end of our Eric Carle Study.
  Looking Forward to conferences next week......  
  Until then.....

   Ms. Metcalf
   


                                                        March 11,2012

      Dear Parents,
          Last week students participated in acting out an Eric Carle story 
called "The Very Busy Spider". Parts of supporting characters were discussed 
and chosen. Lines were memorized and practiced. It is my hope to have them 
perform this story live in class for you in ther near future.  
          On Friday afternoon, we put on our Eric Carle "artist" hats and 
created some unique and colorful caterpillars using old wallpaper patterns. 
Students were asked to add a detail setting. They are gorgeous!! Please make 
sure you get an opportunity to view them all. They will be hanging in the 
hallway, outside our classroom. 
            
           Enjoy your weekend,
           Ms. Metcalf
         
                                                          March 4,2012

    Dear Parents,
          Last week, we managed to complete our first class book that mimics 
Eric Carle's story called.."The Very Grouchy Lady Bug"! We dedicated our 
class book to Rory and Jonathan as they will be no longer part of our 
classroom community! 
         In Math, counting by 5's, using tally marks, and learning how to 
play the raft game all connect with the theme of skip counting by 5's.     
        Students watched two short movies about the importance of the daily   
teeth care and the importance of healthy eating. All students brought home a 
new toothbrush as positive reminder. 
        All for now!
      
          Cheers, Ms. Metcalf


                                       February 17,2012

 Dear Parents,
      VACATION!!!!!!! 
   100th day celebration,followed by a Valentine's Day party, made the week 
really special. Thanks to all who contributed treats an such or attended the 
events. I will work hard to get the photos up on the website in a couple of 
days! Thank you again to our fabulous classroom photographer...Anshu Chawla, 
who captured the joy and magic captured in all of your children's eyes! They 
are really something to see!
  We ended this week with "Crazy Hat" day and by saying farewell to Rory who 
will be attending a new school in Stamford. The students brainstorm 
characteristic traits about him and then proceeded to draw pictures and write 
cards for him. We ate a special snack to mark the occassion as well! Today he 
leaves our classroom with an enormous envelope stuffed with a bunch of good 
wishes and luck from his Northeast friends!
    I look forward to seeing everyone in a week! Have a safe vacation!
   Cheers, Ms.Metcalf                                
February,12,2012                                             

   Dear Parents,
     Students are learning more and more about the author and illustrator 
Eric Carle, and his unique way of illustrating and writing books. In writing, 
we are all collaborating on plans to create a class book that will mimic some 
of Eric Carle's writing stlye. 
    In Math we have been so excited with the approach of 100th Day on  
Monday! Students have been counting by 10's, and 5's to 100 with the help of 
a number grid!  Students were excited to share their creative 100th day 
projects in class throughtout the week.  We have also been learning how to 
playing number games and learning how to count using the calcultor.
    
 Cheers, Ms. Metcalf

   
                                                      February 3,2012

   Dear Parents,

    On Monday, Mrs. Weaton's 2nd grade class joined us to learn all about 
Chinese New Year! Afterwards students were paired together to work, collect 
oranges and red envelopes.
     In anticipation to our 100th day celebration, students have already 
begun to bring in and share their projects. Very exciting! 
     We have begun our author study unit by reading several stories about 
Eric Carle. We brainstorm and chart each book's attributes. Today we watched 
a video about Eric Carle's life and how he becomes inspired to write and 
illustrate books. 
     We predicted and then voted on whether the ground Hog would/ would not 
see its'shadow 
    -Students in class have all become Zipper Masters.Yeah!!!
    - We have a spelling test every Friday morning!
    - There is an abundance of mud on the playground.

   Have a Great Week! 

       
                                                  January 27,2012

  Dear Parents,
      Just to let you know that the stomach & strep virus is still alive and 
thriving in our classroom. This has been the third week that several students 
have been absent.
       We have been busy finishing up our Reading and Writing units. Winter 
reading assessments have been completed and reading groups have been 
rearranged according to student abilities. I  am thrilled with their overall 
progress as I am sure you are too! Please have them practice their popcorn 
words and rereading their letter book often.
      This past week students earned extra minutes during choice time by 
avoiding the mud on the playground. We are all waiting and anticipating the 
100th day of Kindergarten!!  We had 2 fire drills all on the same day.        
    It is one of many Dr. Stevenson's goals to make sure every student 
possesses a library card to use at the Ferguson library. If your child 
already has one please write me a note, so I can check off names from our 
classs list.   
 Have a Relaxing Weekend!
  Ms. Metcalf      

                                           January 20,2012

  Dear Parents,
      It's FRIDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    We had several absences due to strep, in our classroom this week!
  Please make sure your child goes to bed early each night to assure a long  
  restful sleep and productive day at school. 
    Students worked hard with the concept of beginning, middle, and end,when 
writing about their Weekend News. We also used this same concept when 
retelling stories read in Reader's workshop.
    Today we took our 2nd Spelling Test of the year! Students did well  
 managing to use the tools and strategies available to them.
    Going to Computer Lab has been a great excitement. We just need to calm 
down long enough to listen to all the steps so we can quickly to play 
Everydaymath games.
  Almost everyone brought back their Media Book!! Yeah!!! Thank You Parents.. 
  Have a great weekend and stay warm!   
  Cheers,
  Ms. Metcalf
     
                                                          January 7,2012

 Happy New Year!
    We had a great week to start the new year! Some tears, missing mommies, 
and definitely lots of tiredness, and that was just the Northeast staff!:)
    Anyway the students were all happy to be back in the swing of the 
routine! Students illustrated, wrote, and shared their Holiday News! Students 
learned a poem about Digger the Dog and identified all the words that had the 
letter "d" either in the begin, middle, and end. Then we brainstormed and 
created our own chart of "D" words and sorted the words the same way.
   In Math we learned to play the game "Top It" using partners. Students were 
also introduced to the pattern template tools and used them to create pattern 
designs and pictures. With the freezing air temperature upon us during the 
week, we began to take daily readings of the air temperature to determine if 
there was going to be recess outside. We missed only 2 days of outdoor recess!
   During Reader's Workshop, students are responding to the story "Flower 
Garden" by Eve Bunting. We focused on retelling, making connnection to the 
character's feelings, and identifying the beginning middle and end of the 
story.   
   Finally, in Writer's Workshop we spent the week illustrating a story with 
a specific beginning, middle, and end. Next week we will focus on writing a 
sentence for each part.
   Enjoy the spring like weather!
  
  Ms. Metcalf
                                                     December 23,2012

  Dear Parents,
       We had lots of absences this week due to illness and early vacations!  
The students had a lot of down time to play, listen to holiday stories, make 
crafts and create holiday cards. On Monday we celebrated Jamal's 6th birthday 
in the afternoon. Our Field trip to the Ferguson Library was a great success! 
Please look for the photos on this website, clicking on "Field trip Photos".
      Thank You room mothers and parents for contributing ingredients and 
joining to help construct candy houses with the students. It really was 
fun and you can check out the photos on the website under Winter 
Fest!          
     Finally, Thanks to everyone for my awesome Holiday gifts! I know I will 
enjoy using the Spa products throughout this week to relax and my daughter 
and I are thinking of special ways to use the Visa gift card! Wonderful!! 
      Hope you have a safe and healthy holiday where ever you my roam this 
vacation. See you in the new year!:)

               
                                                  December 16,2011

   "Hooray!!" Our Promethean board is up and running like clock work! 
Students used the board on Monday to help sort pictures of "Whistle for 
Willie" into Beginning Middle and End. This morning we used it as a morning 
message board and as well as for calendar math/weather graph. Meeting Leaders 
who usually take home the large morning message poster, will instead get a 
print out copy of the morning message in their take home folder.
   In reader's workshop we learned all about the "Wh" questions and applied 
this concept into our Morning Meeting Share.
Here is your child sharing day...

Monday- Ayo,Aki,Mateo& Jamal            
Tuesday- Rory,Jaylen,Fiona,Morgan    
Wednesday- Natalie, Chloe, Jonathan, Riley
Thursday- Jonah,Jade, Dhruv,Andre
Friday- Antonio, Evan, Georgia, Makiah 
 
  Have a Wonderful Weekend!
 
        Ms. Metcalf           

                                                 December 10,2011

  Dear Parents,
       It was delightful to speak to you about your child's progress during 
parent/teacher conferences last week. I know together we can work as a team 
so that your child continues to feel successful during their first formal 
school experince.
       Please check out the photos of our class trip to the Stamford Palace 
Theater last Thursday Morning! The artistic performance retold the two 
stories,of "The Runaway Bunny" & "Goodnight Moon" by author Maragret Wise 
Brown, through master puppetry,soft music, and colorful set designs. Students 
were completely captivated and were wonderful audience members throughout the 
morning. Please look under "Field trip" on our class website and clck on the 
link' Stamford Palace Theater.
     Our classroom landscape is slowly returning to normal as our new 
Promethen Board has been physically set up but all the attachments have been 
trickling in slowly. It has been tough adjusting to missplaced tools and out 
of sync routines we have all been comfortable doing. Anyway, we eagerly await 
 for the "IT" guys to finally come and hook it all up so we can begin to use 
it on a daily basis!
    Other items to mention....
     - 2 students participated in the photo retakes
     - Students wrote about their favorite part of the field trip to the 
       theater
     - In reading students learned about the concept of Personal Opinions     
       and I asked them to share their personal opinion about their lunch 
       they ate on Firday.:)  

   Hope your weekend is going well and you are staying warm!
    Enjoy!! Ms. Metcalf
  
                                                  
                                     December 2,2011                          
                               

Hello Parents,
      Another full week and we received our final delivery of live creatures, 
Sow bugs and Pill bugs. Today students compare these two insects by observing 
their body parts,behavior, and where they can be found on the playground or 
in your backyard. "Yes!" There was some screaming and it did not all come 
from the 
girls!:)  
      In reading we began our Narrative unit and students learned how 
important it was to take a picture walk and make predictions when reading a   
new book. Learning all about the 5 main parts of a book, front & 
back cover, title, title page and spine was an activity they did together 
with their reading partners.  
      In writier's workshop students learned all about revising their stories 
by adding missing information to an old piece of writng. (picture details). 
Students did a fabulous job revising and then sat on our class author's chair 
to share and respond to the audience's positive questions and comments.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
  
    
   Other Items of the Week....

   -We celebrated Makiah's 5th birthday on Thursday  
    afternoon.                                             
   -Pursue, stumble and collide were the most popular words on the playground 
    this week!:)
   -Students brainstorm /t/ words beginning, middle & end
   -Students are beginning to get sight word books in their reading bags   
    during independent reading.Very exciting!!
   -Our new December calendar has a "ABCD" pattern   
   -Finally, Report cards were sent home today... please sign only the  
    envelope and return the envelope back to school during our conference 
    or in your child's folder on Monday. 
    
    Have a fantastic weekend!

November 20,2011

   Live from the News Room... Upon our return on Monday from the long weekend 
we discovered our large water snail was murdered by the three goldfish!(Not 
sure of the motive!) On Wednesday a dozen of red worms and enormous earth 
worms were delivered to our newly created terrarium. Finally on Friday the 3 
goldfish were taken from our class to join many others to live in an outdoor 
fish pond!
    Students were excited to discover and compare the two kinds of worms. 
With a glass magnifier in hand, students observed the worms behaviors and 
learned some cool facts about how worms help make rich soil for plants and 
trees to grow.
    Upon learning and discussing the history of the "First Thanksgiving", 
students were divided up into Pilgrims and Native Americans. We have been 
practicing our lines and sesaonal songs for our cultural feast this Tuesday!
    We hope you can all make it!
  Other items....
  - The Pan Balance.. What it does and how we can turn ourselves into one  
  - Estimating Station continues..
  - The letter "Ss" brainstorming words with the /s/ beginning, middle, & 
    end   
  - Brainstorming and writing why we are "Thankful"!
    
   ~ Have an wonderful and safe Holiday!~ Ms. Metcalf

                                                         November 12, 2011

   On Thursday, students were thrilled to meet Senior Sargent James Cook, a 
veteran in the United States Army. We viewed photos of him working and 
listened to questions he answered about his tour duty in Iraq. Afterwards we 
wrote and gave him Thank you letters to him for helping to keep our country 
safe.
   The week was too short with so much on the agenda!I fell short of 
accomplishing what I had planned. However, I have begun to assess the 
students and I am amazed at how much information they have absorbed and 
retained over the past 43 days!I know you will be pleased as well!
  Thank you for sending in your child's Family Turkey Posters. Students will 
share them with the class on Monday and display them in the hallway on the 
bulletin board.  
  All for now! Have an awesome weekend!
 Ms. Metcalf                          
                                                        November 6,2011
  
   Last week students learned about the concept of Estimating. An estimating 
station has been set up as part of the morning routine, after their lunch 
choice and before the morning question. Each student must write their 
estimate on the board and after calendar math, we all gather on the carpet to 
discover the actual number. Students use their thinking by comparing the 
estimate bag with the "10 bag" filled with the same objects and a floor 
number line(0-20)  
   In Reading, we focused on connecting letter to the sounds they make, as 
well as reviewing the reading strategies of looking at pictures and the first 
letter of unknown words. Dr. Stevenson came to visit during Reader's Workshop 
and was thrilled to see how well students found their reading materials and 
cozy spots for independent reading.  
  Students wrote great stories about the snowstorm last weekend. I am 
especially thrilled to notice an increase of activity in the writing center 
during Choic Time. Your students love to write!!

Other items this week...
   -We had recess on the black top because there was too much snow on the  
   regular plaground.
   -We have begun an "ABC" pattern for the November Calendar
   -We wrapped up and completed all the Halloween assignments and sent it  
    home.  
   -Finally, the Halloween Parade was so much fun.... Thank you to all the  
    Parents for helping out students getting in and out of their costumes as 
    well as the delicious treats that followed! 
    
   Cheers, Ms. Metcalf


October 29, 2011

 Last week was busy with learning activities that supported the Halloween 
theme. In reading, students received two new reading texts that support the 
current popcorn words being taught in class as well as incorporating spooky 
characters. In phonics, students cut out black bats and were encouraged to 
produce rhymes for each pair of wings. In math, we took all the different 
pumpkins students brought in and measured their heights, using unfix cubes 
and their width using different lengths of paper strips.
  Finally, we held our “Pumpkin Fest” on Friday afternoon. Students had a 
blast creating and designing their pumpkin using a variety of materials.
Thank you Room Parents for making it possible and so much fun for everyone!!
  Other items this week…
-	We celebrated Fiona’s 5th Birthday on Tuesday
-	Review and sorted coins
-	Learn all about tricky teen numbers (10-19)
-	Illustrated, labeled and wrote a sentence about our Weekend News and 
        what we will be for Halloween.
-	We used Japanese language for our morning greeting this past week.
-	80% of the students walked in on Friday and told me it would snow on 
        Saturday….. and they were all right!
        Enjoy!  
                                                            October 23,2011

     The guppies arrived and students got a chance to observe them and 
compare them to the goldfish. Observations were shares and recorded on a venn 
diagram. During Reader's Workshop, students were excited to received a 
witch's finger as a tool to help them point to each word in their text. In 
Writer's Workshop, students were taught to stretch out words to hear each 
sound by using a rubber band. Finally, students were reintroduced to the 
classroom wordwall as a place to find names and popcorn words during their 
independent writing.  
    Other items and tidbits...
   -the class held an informal vote as to whether the fish would or would 
    not go through the square shaped tunnel placed in their aquarium....they 
    did!
   -Students made a paper aquarium and some even added a filter to their  
     creations!(so clever!:)) 
   -Students learned and played a new math spinner game with partners!     
     During Choice Time on Friday afternoon some of the students chose to     
     play the game again.
    -We celebrated Ayo's 5th Birthday on Monday!
   - During our morning meeting this week students chose to greet each other 
     using Spanish, Hebrew and Italian languages! 
    
     Ciao, Ms. Metcalf



   October 16, 2011

     Students were delighted to come back on Wednesday ready to learn, after 
such a long weekend at home. They illustrated and wrote their first entry 
of "Weekend News" during writing. Many students were excited to write the 
popcorn word "I" to begin their sentence. 
     Our 3 Goldfish were also officially introduced and students were asked 
to observe their movement, body structure and any other observations. Later 
in the week students labeled a picture of the fish and listened to a story 
called "A fish out of Water". Finally, during Reader's Workshop, students 
were given a book written by Mrs. Ronaghan and myself named "The Goldfish". 
Each page shows a different part of a fish and uses the popcorn words "I, 
see, & the" on every page. The students were thrilled as it was their first 
real book they could point and read each word independently!!
    On Friday afternoon we had Choice Time and I was so happy to see the 
students use lots of language when playing cooperatively, problem solving and 
during our massive classroom clean up.:)
              Cheers,
              Ms. Metcalf       


                                                        October 8,2011

       This past week we had listened to a biography about Christopher 
Columbus and learned all about his journey to the new world. In addition to 
that we ended our unit on Apples. On Friday afternoon we were helped by 3 
parent volunteers who came into the classroom to help make applesauce, 
assists students with apple tasting and graphing the results(red apples were 
the most popular) and other activities. Upon returning from recess most of 
the students inhaled the delicious snack and our room smelled delightful! 
Every student took home at least 1 apple. Thanks to Ms. Joanne, Mrs.Webster & 
Mrs. Kennedy for your  help and items brought in to make the afternoon such 
fun! 
Our Applesauce Recipe:
 -A variety of Apples...peeled and cut into small pieces.
 -A small amount of water into the pan, put cut apples in pot and simmer     
 -Sprinkle in cinnamon & sugar                                             
 -Stir ocassionally until apples are soft and mushy
 -Let cool and enjoy!

 Other items this week.....
  -identifying Compound Words and using hand movements while saying the word
  -Learning to play "What Number Comes Next" game (1-10)an activity during  
    our morning meeting.  
  -Acting out lesson #1 Vocabulary words and students guessing the word.
  -Learning all about "AABB" patterns from our October calendar.Creating  
   this pattern by buiding with unifix cubes rods. We then used the rods  
   to measure and compare lengths with others throughout the classroom.
  -Introduction Partner Reading,ABC order and using Schema, during Reader's  
   Workshop
  -Brainstorming topics, person place and story events during Writer's  
   Workshop.  
                 Have Another Wonderful long Weekend!:)  

 September 28, 2011

  Students were so excited about their field trip to the Stamford Nature 
Center on Wednesday. They were delighted to observe many farm animals along 
the way to the big barn where they sat on bales of hay and participated in 
the process of Apple Pressing to make apple cider. At the end, Ms.Pat our 
teacher, delivered a toast thanking Johnny Appleseed, and students got a 
chance to taste a delicious sample of Apple cider. Thanks to all parents who 
participated in chaperoning and making our first field trip an enormous 
success. Please email me any photos taken so they can be posted on our class 
website. Thank you!  
 Other items this week.....
    -We all helped Riley celebrated his 5th Birthday on Monday
    -Learned all about Johnny Appleseed by listening to his biography
    -New sight words "see & me"
    -recorded our favorite part of the story " I am the music Man" in our  
     Reader's Notebook. 
    -Students enjoyed a traditional Rosh Hashanah snack of sliced apples  
     dipped in honey. Happy New Year! 
                Have a wonderful holiday and long weekend!

September 23,2011

     The Fire Drill in the rain on Friday afternoon topped headlines this 
week! Students resting quietly in the classroom had to quickly exit the 
school building up to the playground stairs and huddle with others under the 
drenched trees and branches. Once firemen came and isolated the problem to 
the auditorium students were guided back into the building and taken 
downstairs into the gym as a precaution. The students were upset and confused 
but overall did well throughout this emergency! When we got back into the 
classroom students gathered to meet on the carpet, and given a chance to ask  
questions and express their feelings about their experience.  
      
  Other items this week.....
   - We celebrated Dhruv's 5th Birthday!
   - Watched Rafti sing "Down By the Bay" video on You Tube to sing along   
     and better understand the concept of Rhyme Awareness.
   - Created our Class Birthday Graph,analyzed the data and found that July  
     is the month with the most birthdays and there are none in November.
   -Discovered our class Word Wall, as students attached their name to it  
    in "ABC" order.
   -Students sorted objects by size ,color and shape.
   -Every student has a sharing day and this week,they began using a  
    microphone to hold when sharing and answering questions about themselves.
  - In Media they are learning about Library Manners.
             
                      Have a Restful Fall Weekend!

                                                      September 16,2011
 
    We made it through our first full week of Kindergarten!! Students 
are quickly getting down the daily rituals and routines. The following is a 
brief run down of what we did and what we learned:

   - On Monday Dr. Stevenson took all Kindergarten students and teachers 
through a evacuation drill. In case of an emergency, all kindergarten 
teachers will assist their students by walking them to the Private School 
next door on Scoldfieldtown Road. The practice drill took 15 minutes and our 
class did an awesome job walking over and listening carefully to directions.
 
 - We began our classroom jobs this week.Student's jobs change everyday!
 - We read for 3 minutes independently each day during Reader's Workshop.Next 
   week we will be trying for 6 minutes.
 - We tapped and counted words in the poem Jack & Jill and Humpty Dumpty
 - We learned there are white spaces that seperate words.
 - Students recognized our 2 sight words learned this week " I" & You" on  
   the hallway wall while walking to the auditorium for bus dismissal!
 
 - We celebrated Georgia Came's 6th Birthday on Tuesday!!
  
 - Students participated in Choice Time on Thursday and the dinosaurs were    
   really loud!:)
 - For Friday afternoon recess we needed to wear warm sweatshirts and light
   jackets. Everyone participated and enjoyed themselves in the Zombie Chasing
   game on the playground!
 - All Kindergarten Students were given the book "Little Hoot" on Friday as a 
   welcome to Kindergarten gift from the local Kwanis Organization in       
   Stamford.
                      Have a delightful and cool weekend!