Dear Parents:

Wow! Time is marching on. I can't believe there are only 26 days of school left! There is still so much to do! These last few weeks will be filled with many exciting, important, and fun opportunities to learn! Enjoy a few pictures taken in recent days of the important work that we do in our classroom everyday!

This week in...
Reading/Language Arts: We will be reading both fiction and non-fiction books, but our main genre focus for both reading and writing will be on non-fiction during the next few weeks. We are learning how to use all the features of a non-fiction text such as the table of contents, headings, sub-headings, and glossary. We are also learning how to research and find information in these texts. In essence, we are learning to read and reading to learn!

Please remember that the words that your child is bringing home on their Ocean word ring are also the spelling words for the week. Each week the words will be vocabulary for the main sea creature that we will focus on that week. This week our main focus will be sharks! This week's words are listed to the right. Please be sure to practice these words daily with your child. The children need to be able to read them, spell them, and know their meaning. This will help in their understanding when both reading and writing.

When reading, we will continue to practice using the many reading strategies and comprehension strategies that we have been working on this year. When reading with your child at home, please model appropriate expression with them. When reading many non-fiction texts, we practice using our "Discovery Channel voice" - ask your child about this!

Yay! For the first time this year, EVERYONE returned their reading folder on time! The children will be bringing home books on the amazing shark in their reading folders this week. It is again IMPERATIVE that everyone return their folder on Monday as Mrs. Whitecage's class will be using those books on Monday. We do not have any extra books! Please make sure that this assignment is complete and turned in by Monday.

Writing Workshop: We have begun our non-fiction writing unit and will be using non-fiction mentor texts to help us with our non-fiction writing. During this unit, we will be writing both "How to..." books and "All About..." books.

Math: We have begun unit 9. In this unit, we will continue to identify patterns in the number grid and use these to help us practice place value and add 2 digit numbers. We will also continue to learn more about fractions and have some fun with symmetry.

Science: This week we will be focusing on the amazing shark. We will be reading and researching about them, writing about them, observing them, comparing their sizes, and exploring their jaws and teeth. We also have a research lab set up in our classroom where we are using our skills that we are learning in reading to research lots of other interesting sea creatures as well.

One of the most exciting parts of this unit will be the dissections that the children will participate in! Upper division science teacher, Lisa Peck, partners with us to bring this exciting learning opportunity to our first graders! This Friday, she will be bringing sea urchins (and hopefully, starfish) to dissect with our students. Next Friday, she will be bringing the dogfish shark to dissect! This is always a highlight in our unit! We can't wait!

Volunteers this week:

* Tuesday - Art - Ailsa Hudson (12:05)
* Thursday - Library Check-out - Valerie Pillot and Kristen Danielson - 2:05
* Friday - Cynthia Biondi (9:00)
* Friday - Parent Reader - Ailsa Hudson (2:15)

Other Important Reminders/Dates/Information:

Spirit Day this Friday, April 29! Students and teachers may wear green and gold clothing.

First Grade Program: Commotion in the Ocean is Friday, May 13th at 8:30 a.m. Mark your calendars! You don't want to miss the best show at Shorecrest!

Splash Day May 18th with a rain make-up date of May 25th.

Field Trip to Florida Aquarium May 26th - Mark your calendars! Parents are welcome to join us! The Aquarium is offering that parents may attend by paying the student rate of $7.00. Parking will be $3.00 per car. Unfortunately, parents may not use Aquarium memberships for admission.

Have a great week!
Susan and Beth