Happy New Year!
Welcome back to school.  I am so pleased with the behavior and attention your children have been showing.  They are a pleasure to teach.

I have 2 reminders for you:
1.  The children will be either snowshoeing or sledding during each PE class.  Your child will need to have boots, snow pants, hats, gloves or mittens and warm coats on these (and every) day.  Children who are not prepared will be left in a different classroom during the PE time.
2.  The Read to Succeed forms are due back next Friday, January 11.  I have about 12 returned.  If you are interested in having your child earn a free pass to the Great Escape, please send your form in ASAP.

This week we have been busy reviewing old concepts and introducing new ones.

Reading--The children have been reading snow related texts and answering different types of comprehension questions using complete sentences and upper level thinking skills.
Math--The children are rapidly learning the concepts of mental math and regrouping.  We have been using 100s charts and base 10 blocks.  We are quickly moving away from concrete learning and into the more abstract.
Writing--We should complete our District writing evaluation for personal narratives tomorrow.  Your children were given a planning period today and they will be asked to write the narrative of a Favorite Winter Memory tomorrow during a timed session.
Social Studies--We are reviewing identification and placement of the 7 continents and 5 oceans.  We are making world maps to help cement their learning.
Read Aloud--We are discovering the characteristics of Fairy Tales and their lessons.  We have also been comparing and contrasting different versions of the Cinderella story.  Your children are quite fond of the ghastly versions!

Next week we will be beginning our more in-depth community unit and beginning our studies of biographies and informational writing.  Thank you for all your help and support.  I appreciate all your efforts!  Have a great week.