Newsletter 6

2005-2006                            Room 302—Newsletter 6

October 7, 2005

Dear Families,

I love the Thursday folders.  If this newsletter is ready, I send it then.  If not, I send it Friday, which I’m doing this time.  Here’s what’s going on…..
In reading….
We’re still working on reading in our heads.  A great way to practice this is by using the poems in our poetry binders.  I pass out three or four poems per week.  We practice rereading these a lot, so they are also excellent read aloud material for the students.  If you’d like your child to read some to you, suggest they bring the binder home to share.  But please help them remember to bring it back the next day.
In writing….
I was thinking again about how much we’re asking of students when we have them write every day.  To get a sense of just what is involved, try doing it.  Get a journal or notebook or diary and try writing for 20-30 minutes every day.  It’s something that I find challenging—finding the time, thinking of topics, deciding exactly what I want to say.  If you then want to take it to another level, share your writing with others.  You may find it to be a bit intimidating to share something so personal and intimate.  I find myself getting a bit defensive about my work, even when I know the person giving questions or comments has only my best interests in mind.  But again, we ask students to do it every day.  If you do decide to try this, I think it will give you a new perspective on your child as a writer, and I know it will provide a powerful model for your child as a writer.
In math….
We made new calendar, which you should have seen come home.  The art on the top was inspired by an artist named Winslow Homer.  The story goes that he was so poor, his family could not afford paper and pencils.  But he was driven to do art, so he improvised, using the insides of cereal boxes for paper and charcoal from the fire for his medium.  Hence, our use of cereal boxes and charcoal pencils.  We thank the PTA board and members for their generous contributions and allocations to our classrooms, which made possible the purchase of those pencils.  (If you still need to join, let me know and I’ll get you hooked up.)
Invitations…
I’ve recently been informed of a school policy concerning birthday invitations:  We ask that you not send invitations to school unless everyone in the class is invited.  Sorry for any inconvenience this causes.
Current Chapter Book Read Aloud….
Junie B. Jones and a Little Monkey Business
by Barbara Park
Calendar…
Sunday, October 2—Donna’s birthday
Thursday, October 6—Taylor’s birthday
Friday, October 7—Kaelyn’s birthday
Saturday, October 8—Kaelyn’s birthday party (everyone invited)
Friday, October 14—No School
Friday, October 28—Early Release Day
Monday, October 31—Fall party (afternoon)
Friday, November 4—Science Fair, Western Dance


Sincerely,


Jeff