Highlights of the Week 9.19.14

Hello Families,

We've had another fun, busy week together. Our literacy routines and options have grown even more. This week we added Free Writing as a literacy choice. Students can work on any type of writing they choose--this is a very popular literacy choice! We also learned how to do Listen to Reading--listening to CD audiobooks. Listening to audiobooks is great for every type of reader--giving all access to higher level texts, interesting and fun plots, and juicy vocabulary. We also began to do our literacy sign-up routine during morning arrival time.

In writing we continue to add detail to our small moment stories, helping the reader picture what is happening. Some students are finishing stories and having a hard time thinking of another small moment to write about. At Open House next week, I'll give you a chance to brainstorm some small moment story ideas together. We read a few books this week that helped us see this detail in small moment stories first hand: The Day the Goose Got Loose, The Kissing Hand, A Chair for my Mother, and Knuffle Bunny.

We took some time in science to look at daylight and sun patterns again during the last true week of summer. Monday will be the autumnal equinox! We also harvested carrots (for the Middlesex Foodshelf), beets, and looked at the huge sunflowers from the garden. Thanks for your help with this project, Dina and Honi!

On Wednesday I was out and got a fantastic report from the guest teacher when I returned. Our class really knows how to show Rumney CARES!

Next Friday is our All School Hike. Grades 1/2 will be hiking together. Please return chaperone and permission slips on Monday so Ben and I can start to make our hiking groups!

Next week we'll also begin "Sharing."  This is a time where students can share a short story from their life, share something they've made (i.e. craft project, drawing), photos of family or events, or interesting things from nature. (We will not be sharing about toys.) Please help your child prepare what they want to share. We have a 2 week sharing cycle. (Your child will share every other week--on their "couch day."
Week 1: Monday-Ace, Aiden, Alden  Wednesday-Allie, Amanda, Anna  Thursday-Caitlin, Elly, Gregory  Friday-Henry, Jacob
Week 2: Monday-Jimmy, Josephine  Wednesday-Josie, Kiersten, Logan  Thursday-Tanner, Molly, Noah  Friday-Olive, Meriah

Important Dates:
Tuesday September 23 -- Open House, K-2 6:00-7:00 pm, 3-6 6:30-7:30 pm
Friday September 26 -- All School Hike (rain date Tuesday September 30)
Thursday October 9-- All School Meeting, 2:45-3:25pm
Friday October 10-- NO SCHOOL for students (Teacher Inservice)
Monday October 13--NO SCHOOL (Columbus Day)