Happy New Year!

I know, I know...it's late. But, better late than never right?
I hope this post finds you well and looking forward to a positive year.

This past week has flown by in a flurry. There has been a blizzard of things to do and get caught up on from our recent winter vacation. Did you notice my reference to snowy weather? Well, let me assure you...it is ALLLLLL the children have been focused on all week. The prospect of snow was their main focus and goal this week and it started early Tuesday morning.

If you can not beat them, join them. This coming week we are learning about weather. We will cover temperature and how to measure it, clouds and what type of weather they bring, and the water cycle. Among many other things! We will be reading the book "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs" and adding our own twist to the story!

Our reading story next week is called "Friends Forever". As you read the story with your child, PLEASE remember to go over the "Words to Remember" at the beginning of the story. These are sight words and they are getting more difficult. When we get to the test, they can not read these words(Obviously as sight words, they can not be sounded out.). I am trying to transition the children to begin reading the tests on their own. In second grade, the teachers do not read the tests to them. I work on independent reading and comprehension each day in small groups. You can help at home by read, read, reading with your child! :o)

This past week we had a wonderful lesson on Monet in ARTSEE. The children painted such beautiful renditions in the style of Monet. They were left drying on the back table in the classroom and the children will bring them home Monday.

This past week, you also received MANY tests. These were all from prior to the winter break while I was out having surgery. The substitutes graded the tests. This is why you may have noticed that some things I usually mark wrong were let go by the wayside. It would not have made a major difference on their grade so I did not change it. Otherwise, I can not tell you how wonderful a job the subs truly did.

Right down to the last day before break when she turned on beautiful classic music, moved the tables out and created a circle, handed each child two paper plates, and had them ice skate! Then, to put the icing on the cake she had hot cocoa for each child after they skated! This was of course after all the academics were done. You see, 6 and 7 year old children need to have fun! After all, isn't that what makes life enjoyable?

As the new year begins in the classroom, the expectations of your child are increasing. I am demanding neat hand writing or they try again, names must be on papers or they lose a point on their grade, neatness counts for a grade as well. Phonics skills are being repeated over and over, fluency is being practiced each day, and comprehension is a big focus now as we work towards the end of the year. Math concepts are being repeated in order that each child masters these skills in order to build on math knowledge. It is my goal to have them well prepared for the 2nd grade.