It's Winter Break!

Hi Parents,

I am writing today to wish you a happy, healthy, joyful Winter Break, and to pass along wishes for the happiest of holidays. I will send along a weekly update at the beginning of January with classroom information for the first week of the new year.

I'd also like to send my sincerest thanks for the treats and class gift card! I am humbled by your kindness and generosity. :)

Enjoy the time off! May you rest, recharge, and relax. Happy Holidays!

Weekly Update

Hi Everyone! Happy Friday!

What a fun week! The Willard band and chorus visited this week and we all enjoyed a holiday concert. We have started a secret project for moms and dads and I even have some lights hung in our classroom to add to the holiday spirit.

Meantime, it's about to be my favorite week of the entire school year! The anticipation for Christmas and Winter Break is in the air, people are in a festive mood, and everyone is kinder than normal. We have some fun events planned for next week to mark the Holiday, and we will be finishing up some academics units too. Please hang in there and read this entire message.

Gingerbread House Supplies:
As a culminating activity to our Gingerbread stories we will be reading next week, we will make gingerbread houses on Wednesday. I sent home a note in last week's Thursday folder requesting supplies for this project. I am asking each student to bring in two items from our supply list, and I highlighted the items that I requested from your child on the letter I sent home last week. If you have not already sent them, please send in the supplies no later than Monday so I can purchase any other supplies that still may be needed. If you are unable to send in those requested supplies, please send me an email at your earliest convenience. I also need a signed permission form from your child in order to participate in the making of gingerbread houses. If I do not have a signed permission form, your child will not get to complete this activity. 

Coins for Our Money Unit:
I sent a note home in last week's Thursday folder requesting coins for our upcoming Money unit to begin right after the winter break. I would like the kids to have real coins available to count, and I am requesting that you send the coins to school no later than Thursday, December 20th.

Polar Express Movie Party:
Next week, we will read and explore the holiday classic The Polar Express. As a special treat, Thursday will be a pajama and movie day! I will offer hot chocolate to drink too. I will make the hot chocolate with water only, without marshmallows, and I will offer a candy cane on the side. I sent home a Polar Express permission form last week in your child's Thursday folder. Please kindly sign and return the permission form as soon as possible and no later than Wednesday. There are still a lot of permission forms missing from students and once again, if I do not have a permission form, then your student will not be allowed to participate.

Winter Break BINGO:
I sent home a Winter Break BINGO packet in your child's Thursday folder yesterday. If you have any questions about this winter break learning activity, please email me. This is meant to be an incentive for your child and encourage them to complete.

Holiday Travel:
If you are traveling over the holidays and your child will be absent from school, please kindly notify the school in advance. You can send a note or message to me, which I will forward to the office. You may also submit your notification to the office directly by using the "online absence excuse," which is found on the Pinebrook homepage.

Focus Areas for the Coming Week:

• Reading-We will read some Gingerbread stories and the Polar Express. We will complete some nonfiction activities, as well as, learn to compare and contrast.
• Math-We will continue reviewing previously taught math skills from this year. 
• Writing- We will continue our All About books/nonfiction writing. We will write about our holiday traditions. 
• Science/Social Studies- We will finish our Holidays Around the World and Economics unit at our World Market on Tuesday afternoon. 

I CAN'T WAIT!!!! The World Market is Tuesday, we decorate gingerbread houses on Wednesday, and Thursday morning we watch The Polar Express. Thursday ends with our school-wide Holiday Sing-A-Long. The entire staff and all the students pile into the gym. We sing holiday songs from many faith and cultural traditions represented at Pinebrook while the teachers and staff all take turns leading the songs. I can't wait to spend next week with your children, they bring me so much joy and it is exciting to see all the excitement that they bring into Room 3 each day. We are all like a little family. :) 

Have a great weekend! I am looking forward to time with friends, wrapping gifts, and some holiday baking. 

Weekly Update

Hi Parents,

Our class has been learning all about holidays from different cultures from all around the world this week! They get so excited each day when I ask them what country they traveled to! Be sure to ask your child about the countries they have learning about too! :)

Holiday Shop:
We previewed the items for sale at the Pinebrook Holiday Shop today. Students may purchase items next Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday. If your child is purchasing Holiday Shop items, please kindly use the envelope I sent home today to send his/her list and money next Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday. Students who bring in money, may shop during non instructional times only. Please remember, there is no obligation to buy. If you would like to shop with your child, the Holiday Shop will be open Monday night from 5:30-8:00 p.m. The 5th Grade will be hosting its annual Pancake Breakfast-for-Dinner fundraiser, so come for dinner (breakfast?) too! :)

Gingerbread House Supplies:

As a culminating activity to our unit on gingerbread stories, we will make gingerbread houses. Please see yesterday's Thursday folder for a note requesting supplies for this project.  I am asking each student to bring 2 items from our supply list, and I highlighted the items I am requesting from your child on the letter I sent yesterday.  Please send the supplies no later than Monday, December 17th.  If you are available to help with our project on December 19th at 1:30, please return the slip at the bottom of the form. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Gingerbread Homework Project:
I sent home an optional homework project in yesterday's Thursday folder.  It's a little activity whereby you and your child may decorate a gingerbread person together.  I will display any decorated and returned gingerbread people in the hall outside our classroom.

Coins for Our Money Unit:
Please check yesterday's Thursday folder for a letter requesting coins for our upcoming Money unit.  We will be starting this unit when we return from Winter Break. I would like the kids to have real coins available to count, and am requesting that you send the coins to school no later than Thursday, December 20th. 

Interim Progress Reports:
Interim progress reports (commonly called "interims") will go home Wednesday, December 12th.  A friendly reminder that I do not send an interim home for every child.  If I send one for your student, you will receive it via email at the email address on file in your ParentVue account.   

World Market:
I am looking for two parent volunteers to help with the first grade World Market on December 18th from 1:15 to 2:25. Volunteers will help with punching the cards for student "purchases" as they come to our class holiday/country table. If you are interested in volunteering, please let me know! I will take the first two volunteers that offer.

Focus Areas for the Coming Week:

• Reading-We will finish our nonfiction reading unit by learning how to read aloud sounding like experts. 
• Writing-We will continue our nonfiction writing unit learning how to write teaching books with independence by adding details and answering questions our readers may have.
• Math- We will finish our measurement unit on Monday by taking our assessment. Then, we will review previously taught skills/concepts until winter break.
• Social Studies- We will finish our Holidays Around the World rotations and begin preparing our product to "sell" at the World Market on December 18th. 

There's a lot happening as we head into Winter Break! Please let me know if you have any questions, comments, and concerns about anything written here. 

I hope you enjoy the weekend! Donal and I are heading into D.C. to explore the city at Christmas time. :)