Happy First Full Day of Spring!!  The calendar says it's here, now I only hope the atmosphere cooperates.

We continue to move rapidly through the year.  In fact, we are already starting to take collections for the JUNE PTO Carnival raffle basket.  This year our class has been assigned "Birthday party".  We brainstormed ideas and Mrs. Murphy left a basket in our room for us to fill.  I told the class that I will bring in a pinata.  Other ideas are hats, tablecloths, horns, party favors, candy, balloons, cake gift certificates, party games...All ideas are welcome and, of course, if you would prefer to just donate, please send in cash/gift cards/checks attention of "Gift basket".

Reading:  As you have noticed as you've been coming into the class or just reviewing your child's work we are really moving toward independence and comprehension skills.  The students are becoming quite adept at locating textual evidence and using it to infer answers.  The passages are increasingly longer and more complex!

Math:  We completed our unit on subtraction regrouping.  The children seemed to grasp the topic quite well.  The 2 step word problems continue to be tricky but we will practice until they are second
nature.

Health:  We have been working on what are germs, how germs spread and how to keep germs from spreading.  Ask your children about our germ/hand washing and sneezing experiments.  Mr. Sheehan brought in a real sheep brain and talked to the kids about the brain's functions, different centers and needs. 

Writing:  The children finished their Informational report drafts!  Each paper is at least 4 chapters long.  We will be revising and editing these papers and then recopying them for display in the hall.  I am very proud of their work.

A special thanks to Mrs. Mullins for continuing to provide the children with Jr. Achievement Community lessons.  The class loves having her come in and she provides excellent instruction.
This afternoon, we will be visiting with the PTO sponsored author, Steve Swinbourne.  I am certain that his presentation will be phenomenal!

Have a great weekend!  As always, thank you for your help and support!