Dear Parents:
Thank
you to everyone who joined us Wednesday morning for Curriculum Day. I hoped you enjoyed rotating through
the different activities as much as the children did. From learning how to play
charades, using strategies to figure out how to make 24, reviewing simple
machines, or making up a new holiday, all the reports from the students were it
was a great morning of learning.
I hope while you were here you were also able take a couple of minutes
to look at the 100th day cup sculpture display in the hallway. The children enjoyed working together
figuring out how to put 100 cups together.
As
you know, we are studying the ancient civilization of Mali in Social
Studies. This is primarily an economics
unit, however it is also a good venue to spiral back and review maps,
environment and natural resources. In Science we are learning more about matter
and will shortly be moving into learning about simple machines. In Language Arts our focus has been
celebrating Black History month by researching related important events, people
and contributions. The children
also continue to work on paragraph formulation with Reading Responses and
incorporating Word Study words and robust vocabulary words into their everyday
work. In Math, the children
enjoyed putting their knowledge of measurement to use this week as they
measured items found in the room and calculated each item’s area and perimeter. All in all it has been a good week of
learning.
With
the beginning of March we start to focus on our AFAC garden and the Schoolyard
Stewards again. Schoolyard
Stewards is an opportunity for children from all the classes to get together,
have lunch, discuss a small project that needs attention in the school yard, and
to work outside. This group meets
from 12-1 on Tuesday afternoons.
No gardening experience is needed to help with this program. If this is something you would like to
help with, please let me know. On
Wednesday, March 6th we will begin planting lettuces for our AFAC
garden. This community service
project helps the children learn about the food needs of many in our community
as well as how to create a small sustainable garden. Last year we were able to
donate more than 80 pounds of fresh produce to AFAC. If you are interested in helping us with this program,
please let me know.
I
look forward to meeting with everyone next week at our Parent Teacher
conferences. See you then.
Mrs. DiNardo
Dates to Remember
Thursday-Friday
March 7-8- Parent Teacher Conferences
Friday March 15-
Disco Dance
Monday March
18-22- Book Fair
Monday March
25-Friday March 29- Spring Break
Monday April 1-
Teacher Work Day- No School for Students
