Weekly Update

Hello!!

I hope everyone enjoyed the three day weekend! I was busy at school today preparing for the third marking period! I'm excited for our students to return and to introduce our new student! It will be a very exciting day!

After reflecting on the second marking period, I want to remind you all how important it is to have your child read each night. I cannot stress enough how valuable this is to reading development. Although, we spend over an hour each day with reading instruction, students still need to understand the value of reading outside of the classroom as well. Your child should then be discussing what they read each night as well, for example, retelling the story, talking about the characters, making connections, and sharing their favorite part of the story. If you have any questions about how to help your child at home with reading, please let me know :)

Operation Comfort Cases:
Our school is participating in a community wide service project in support of an organization called Comfort Cases. Comfort Cases aims to support children in the foster care system by providing them with a new backpack or duffel bag filled with both essential supplies and comfort items to help when transitioning to a new home. Each grade level is collecting a different supply for the Comfort Cases and in 1st Grade we are asking for donations of new stuffed animals. Pinebrook will host a community-wide Comfort Cases Packing Party on Saturday, February 17th. More details to come as the event gets closer, but for now, please consider donating a new stuffed animal to be included in a Comfort Case. You may send the donation to school with your child. Thank you!

Valentine's Day Party:
Mark your calendar...our classroom Valentine's Day Party will be Wednesday, February 14th from 12:15-1:20pm in our classroom (Room 3). All families are welcome to attend. The kids will exchange Valentine cards at the party. If your child brings Valentines, please be sure that he/she has one for every student in the class. If your child wants to attach a little "something" to his/her Valentine cards, please don't attach any candy or food...little items like pencils, erasers, tattoos, or stickers are fine. Information about Valentines and about creating a collection box will be coming home in Homework folders tomorrow, Tuesday, January 30th.

Focus Areas for the Coming Week:

• Reading-We will continue learning how to read nonfiction text and will work on retelling.
• Writing-We will work on editing our writing to add details 
• Math-We will continue to learn subtraction strategies
• Science- We will continue with our Winter Changes/Animals in Winter PBL (Project Based Learning)

Please let me know if you have any questions about the information.

Enjoy your week! :)