What a Show!!!

Dear Parents:

BRAVO, BRAVO, BRAVO!!! I can't begin to tell you how very proud I am of your children! They were incredible in Commotion in the Ocean! I could not stop smiling all day on Friday! Then, I could not keep from replaying it in my head all night as I tried to sleep Friday night! Mrs. Rauman took a ton of wonderful pictures from the front row and I made a slide show. However, I can't get it to upload here. If and when I do, I will post it for you to enjoy! In the meantime, here are a few random pictures!

Even though the time is short, we will still be very busy in room 1-4! In addition to assessing the children in reading, language, and math this week, here is a look at what else will be going on:

Language Arts/Reading: We will be reviewing the vast sight word vocabulary that we have learned this year (our word wall) and using those words in different activities. We will be using the many reading strategies learned as we read independently, with Mrs. Owen and Mrs. Rauman, with partners, and in small groups. There will be different centers and activities to choose from to continue practice with the many concepts and skills covered this year. Some include contractions, compound words, homophones, verbs, nouns, alphabetical order, etc.

Writing Workshop: We continue with our non-fiction writing unit. Our main focus is on informational writing... writing books that teach! Last week we wrote "All About" books on dolphins. This week the children are researching and gathering information on a sea creature of their choice and using it to write another "All About" book. They are incorporating many features that they have learned about nonfiction writing, such as titles, table of contents, headings, and labeled diagrams. They may also reflect and add their own thoughts about what they are writing about!

Math: We will be taking our unit 9 assessment. During the next two weeks we will spend a lot of time reviewing many of the concepts covered this year!

Science: We will complete our ocean unit this week. We will be learning about some of the other creatures of the sea such as the crab, seahorse, and penguin. We have two special presentations this week as well. Tomorrow (Tuesday) Jenn, Ellie's mom, is coming for a special presentation on the penguin. She has a power point prepared to show us about her work with penguins. It should be quite interesting and fun! Thank you, Jenn! On Wednesday, a former student of mine will be bringing real whale baleen to share with the children. It will be amazing for the children to see it and just how BIG it is! I will take pictures!

Volunteers this week:

* Tuesday - Art - Mai Nguyen (12:05)
* Friday - Parent Reader - Mai Nguyen (2:15)

Other Important Reminders/Dates/Information:

This will be the last week of the formal homework calendar and the red reading folder.

Splash Day this Wednesday, May 18th with a rain make-up date of May 25th. Please send a towel to school with your child and be sure that he/she either brings an appropriate swimsuit to school to change into or wears the swimsuit to school under the uniform. Please remember that each child must wear their regular school uniform at all times except during PE that day. Please also apply sunscreen to your child before coming to school. That will save us time! You may also send a hat with your child as well.

Field Trip to Florida Aquarium May 26th - Students should wear their "Commotion in the Ocean" t-shirts with jean shorts/skirts/skorts.

Last Spirit Day - Friday, May 27th - Children may wear green and gold colored clothing.

End-of- the- Year Party - Tuesday, May 31st - Students should wear their "Commotion in the Ocean" t-shirts with jean shorts, etc.

Last Day of School - Wednesday, June 1st, noon dismissal

See you Friday!
Susan and Beth