Learning Buddies

Dear Families,
We met with our Learning Buddies earlier this week.  In the month of December, the two classrooms worked on a Jan Brett author study together.  We read many of her books together and did different learning activities together.  This week, we shared our own paper mittens, based upon Jan Brett's book "The Mitten".     The students shared their projects and practiced re-telling the story in sequence with their learning buddies.  Please visit our classroom to see these beautiful mittens and animals!

Happy holidays

Dear families,
Happy holidays! Thank you for so generously contributing to our annual holiday party.  We had so many goodies to enjoy. We also greatly appreciate that you took the time to come and join us.  You are the best!
Here are some pictures from the party and our class entering the "train" the Polar Express.

Weekly update

Dear families,
This week, the students started partner reading together.  We have a special partner reading library in the classrooms from which the kids sign out books together.  They had so much fun, reading books together as learning friends. 
We also hosted our very special Meet and Greet with Ms. Herbert this week.  Thank you all for coming in and so generously donating treats for this breakfast gathering. We understand that it is tricky for you to change your schedules, so if you did not get a chance to meet with Ms. Herbert, and you would like to, please do not hesitate to let me know and I will find another time for you.  Thank you.
This week, Julia's mom joined our class for a special celebration of Hanukkah.  We read a book together, played dreidel and tasted delicious latkes.  Thank you.
Next week, we have some special holiday celebrations planned for our students on Harmony.  On Friday, our last day of school before our holiday vacation, we will have a Pajama Day.  Students can come to school in their PJs for our traditional Polar Express holiday celebration.  We will watch the movie, Polar Express, together on the team.  Please make sure your child does not bring in any stuffed animals or wear slippers, however.  We would also like to invite you all to our traditional Holiday Party in our classroom, starting around 1:45 when the kids return from recess.  If you would like to donate treats, such as cookies, juice and other holiday sweets and treats, please let me know.  I know we have already asked for so many treats from all of you.  We appreciate your generosity and hope you understand.  Thank you.
Hope to see you next Friday.
Maria

Weekly Update

Dear Families,
What a busy week we had!

We had 4 Winds on Wednesday.  Once again, thank you parent volunteers for making these terrific scientific explorations possible.  On Wednesday, we learned about bird migration.  We learned about where birds fly in the winter and why.  The students also had the opportunity to use maps and measure how far some birds fly in the winter.  It was amazing to learn that some birds fly over 3000 miles in order to get to warmer climates.

We also visited WCS for the annual Book Fair.  The students had an opportunity to buy books, browse the store and even write "Wish Lists" for future purchases.  Thank you parents for helping out.

My long-term sub, Katie Herbert, also joined us this week.  She spent Thursday with the students and we had a great day together.  I hope you all read her letter to you.  It is posted below.  Katie will return to our classroom on Tuesday, December 11th.  As indicated earlier, we are hosting a "Meet & Greet", between 7:45-8:30am on Tuesday.  Please come by and chat with Katie and enjoy some delicious breakfast foods.  If possible, we would like parents to bring in some bagels, muffins, cream cheese, orange juice and fruit to share.  Please let me know if this is possible for you and your family.  We really appreciate your generosity and look forward to seeing you all on Tuesday.  Thank you!

Regards,
Maria

Introducing my long-term sub

Dear Families,
It is with great pleasure that I am posting a letter from Katie Herbert, my new long-term sub.  Katie will take over the class for the 12 weeks when I go on maternity leave.  My due date is not until January 17th, and my last day in the classroom is planned for the Friday prior, January 11th.

Katie will join us all day tomorrow in our class and get to know the students.  She will return again next week, when we plan to host a "Meet & Greet" breakfast between 7:45am-8:30am on Tuesday, December 11th.  Please bring a small breakfast treat (muffins, bagels, juice or fruit) to share with the class. Come in and chat with us! We look forward to seeing you all.

Here is the letter from Katie:

Dear First and Second Graders and their Families,

It is with great excitement that I introduce myself to you. My name is Katie Herbert. I am Maria’s long-term substitute during her maternity leave. I graduated from Saint Michael’s College with my master’s degree in education. I am originally from Rutland, Vermont, but my family lives in upstate New York now, near beautiful Lake George.  I always wanted to return to Vermont since my family left, so I returned for college and haven’t left since 2004.

In my free time, I love to cook, enjoy the beautiful outdoors, and spend time with friends and family. I love to travel and learn more about the world we live in. I spent a month in India working the poorest of the poor in Mother Teresa’s homes and taught English to children. I have a passion for service-learning and providing influential authentic learning experiences for your children. I am extremely grateful for this wonderful opportunity to teach your children.  Maria and I are working very closely to ensure a smooth transition for your young learners.

It would be a pleasure to meet you! Maria and I are hosting a Meet and Greet Breakfast on Tuesday, December 11th 7:45am and 8:30am.  Please, be in touch with any questions.  I look forward to meeting you.

All my best,

Katie

Katie Herbert

1st/2nd grade long-term sub

Allen Brook School

kherbert@cssu.org

................................................

Weekly update

Dear families,
This week went by too fast.  Today is Ms. Dani's last day with us.  We had a great celebration together.  The students had made a book of memories for her, which we rated together.  We also gave Ms. Dani a Bee-Pillowpet, to remind her of our classroom and school motto to be safe, kind and responsible.  Ms. Dani gave the students beautiful bookmarks.  We will use them every day.  We love to read.
We celebrated our nonfiction books with an Author's Cafe.  We served up stories and read them to our friends, learning buddies and parents.  Thank you for joining us in this special celebration and thank you for sending in all of the terrific treats.
In computer lab this week, we explored a website called wordle.net.  It is a site that allows the user to create visual pictures of words in different arrangements and colors.  Since we have studied character traits in the last couple of weeks, we created wordles, using words that describe ourselves.  We will continue using wordle.net next week as well.
In reading, we wrapped up our unit on character traits.  Throughout this unit, the students learned how to use the text to find evidence for different kinds of character traits, how characters change in books and how characters from different books have similar, and different, character traits.  Next week, we will read nonfiction books together.  We will search for non-fiction writing elements and talk about informational books and main ideas.
Lastly, the weather is getting colder.  We have recess every day. Please send your child in with snow boots, hats, gloves and warm jackets.  Thank you.
Have a great weekend.
Maria

Forwarded letter from our PE Teachers

Dear Families,
This is a copied/forwarded letter from our PE teachers.

Sneakers Are a Must for Physical Education

Welcome to the beginning of the winter months.  As winter weather is approaching we are noticing more children coming to school in boots which is a must for the outdoor weather but then not having sneakers for PE.  We are asking that your child please have sneakers for PE days.  If they have a pair of sneakers they can keep in their locker that works well.  If that is not possible please help your child make sure they have sneakers in their backpacks. 

We are back into full swing and P. E. classes are underway.  We want all children to have the opportunity to be active participants in P.E.  In order to accomplish this goal we need your support.  In P.E. it is imperative that all children have on appropriate footwear.  This is for your child’s safety. 

Your child needs to have sneakers for P.E.   Keens (sandal type shoe) and Merrills in particular are not appropriate as they do not provide the foot with the needed support for the level of activity and variety of activity your child will be participating in.  Both Keens and Merrills have very little support for lateral movements.  Merrills also have very little arch support.  Keen does make a sneaker but please if purchasing them for P.E. make sure it is the sneaker model and not a water shoe or sandal model.  The other sneakers that are not acceptable are slip on sneakers. Often these fly off while moving and again they don’t offer the lateral stability for the child’s foot.  Heallies are also an issue because of the lack of flexibility in the sole of the shoe.  Sneakers that tie or Velcro are the best. 

Please contact your child’s teacher if you are unsure of the days you child has P.E.  They have the schedule for all the Related Arts classes.  Please understand that if your child arrives without appropriate footwear he/she will be asked to change or they will not be allowed to participate that day. Our goal is to have all children active in all classes.  In order to achieve this goal we need your support in aiding you child to have proper footwear.

Thank you,

ABS Physical Educators

Weekly Update

Dear Families,
I cannot believe this week is almost over.  Next week, our students are off on their Thanksgiving break.  Ms. Dani and I hope that you will all have the opportunity to relax with friends and family.  We will see you again when school resumes again on November 26th.

The week of November 26th is Ms. Dani's last week with us.  She will return to St. Michael's in January to finish her degree as a full-time student.  We will miss her greatly.  We were hoping to have a small classroom celebration on Friday, November 30th in our classroom at noon.  If you and your family wish to contribute with small treats, such as muffins, cookies, juice and paper plates and cups, please let me know.  We are also going to share our "All About Books" at that time in something we call an "Author's cafe".  If you and your family wish to join our classroom for this writing celebration, please let me know.  We would love to see you.

This week in writer's workshop, students continued their writing pieces on non-fiction topics.  The students learned about glossaries and labels and started to publish their stories.

This week in reader's workshop, students continued reading as partners and in small groups.  Ms. Dani and I will send home book bags and homework folders over the Thanksgiving break as they did not come home this week due to our shorter week.

This week, our students went for a nature walk at recess.  They discovered birds and looked for signs of fall outside.

Thank you all for coming in to meet with me and Ms. Dani for our parent conferences.  It was great to see you all again and talk about your child's academic progress.
Reminders and News:

No school next week.  Thanksgiving Vacation.

 

Save the date! - Wednesday, December 5th (6:15pm - 7:30pm) for the Harmony House Potluck dinner in the ABS cafeteria.  Each family should bring some food to share (a main dish, salad, side dish or a dessert), and bring your own plates and eating utensils.  Drinks and napkins will be provided.  {Please do not bring any dishes that contain peanuts or tree nuts}.  It should be a fun evening for families to connect and socialize.  The wiki sign-up is located at: http://harmony-parents.wikispaces.com/home

Regards,
Maria

Thanksgiving celebration with our learning buddies

We had our Thanksgiving celebration with our learning buddies today.  We gave each other cards of thanks.  We are so grateful to learn together.