Weekly Update!

Dear Families,

We are careening towards the end of the year and there are many events to know about!

Before I get started with the list, I do want to take a moment and thank you all for your acknowledgements during "Teacher Appreciation Week", "Mother's Day", and my birthday. Near the end of the year, everyone starts running "out of steam"; however, hearing your words of caring in person, through emails, greeting cards, and your beautiful children has been sustaining. Bravo!

OK, back to business! First on the agenda is student-led conference week. Monday, the 23rd through Thursday, the 26th are all half-days. School will last until 12:30pm on those days and conferences will follow. A sign-up sheet is attached to my big table at the front of the room. Please remember to bring your child to these conferences as they will give you a tour of their learning and of course, I will be there to meet with you afterwards.

There will be no school on Friday, May 27th due to a Teacher Professional Day and on Monday, May 30th for Memorial Day!

I am going to be setting up a field trip to the zoo which will be at no cost to students. The date I have in mind is June 2nd. I will need drivers and will let you know details next week. Mark your calendar!

Monday, June 13th is field day for all of I.A. Students will be engaged in relay races, obstacle courses, balloon toss (my station), etc...I need the following supplies donated: 250+ water balloons as every child at I.A. will participate, buckets to hold premade balloons - as many as possible, and volunteers to help run this station and make balloons. Calling all volunteers!

Finally, on Friday, June 17th I would like to have a potluck picnic in our nearby park! I need volunteers to sign up to bring entrees, salads, beverages, fruit, and desserts. It would also be nice to see some Frisbees, balls, and picnic blankets come on that day as there only a few picnic tables. I will post a sign-up sheet on my big table at the front of my room as of Monday, May 23rd!

In our classroom, students are working on writing a "Response to Literature". This is being closely guided by me and is based on a short story, "The Stranger", by Chris Van Allsburg. The genre is fantasy! We are also continuing to edit authentic writing by students as a whole group, and researching for our Passion Projects. So far students' passions are being presented by informational reports, power points, posters, tri-fold posters, and video. I have requested that all students interview an expert or ask an expert to present their expertise in front of the class. The kids can't wait to get started on their projects each and every day! Finally, in math your children are doing a fantastic job of converting fractions into decimals and percentages!

I believe that is it for now! Contact me anytime via email or in person.