Read Across America Day 2010

One of my favorite days, wait I know I have a few of those, of the school year is Read Across America Day. We take time to celebrate one of my favorite authors, Dr. Seuss. March 2nd marks the day schools around the world take a few minutes to read a favorite book, talk in rhymes, and attempt to eat green eggs and ham. Yes Sam, my class did like eating green eggs and ham. We enjoyed some moms coming in and reading a favorite Dr. Seuss book. Thank you Mrs. Prospect and Mrs. Lamboglia. We even got to dress up like the Cat in the Hat. We enjoyed reading so many books and talking about our favorites. Make sure to check out our pictures.

Publix Math Night

Where would a school be without business partners and community support? One of our partners is Publix, our local grocery store. Each year our Math contact, Mrs. Sparks arranges for Publix Math Night with teachers volunteering their time to assist the families. Children are encouraged to visit Publix with their family and work through grade appropriate word problems. After working your way through the store children can turn in their papers and receive their goodie bags and cookie. It was a special treat for me since Carson is in 1st grade and Kaile is in 3rd. Tim and I had to work throughout the store with both kids. It is such fun seeing families work through the word problems and using the math they practice each day in class. :) A huge thank you to the families that visited Publix and to Publix for allowing this annual event.

Future Weather Forecasters?

Our reading theme was weather this week. We read about snow, rain, and dangerous storms. The focus skill was compare and contrast and our Venn Diagrams were awesome! One reading group decided to practice being weather forecasters. They researched the weather and I taped a short video for you to see. Maybe one day... You never know.

Chris Ames our Teacher of the Year

This year our Teacher of the Year is Mrs. Chris Ames. She teaches 3rd grade and tells everyone her favorite thing to teach is science. She loves Steve Spangler and I was fortunate a few years ago to attend a Steve Spangler workshop with Mrs. Ames. We had a great time and she is such an incredible person and teacher. We are so happy to celebrate her success school wide. The best included the whole 3rd grade dressing as pirates. ARRRR Mrs. Ames is fabulous!

Port Orange Police Department visit

Last week the Port Orange Police Department sent Officer Miller and some volunteers to fingerprint the children. We appreciate this free program that provides a paper copy of their child's fingerprints in case of an emergency. We live in such a wonderful community!

Penguins, oh my!

Our county reading program is based on the Macmillan Treasures series. Last week, our theme was birds and boy do these kids know about birds. Our literacy stations and reading throughtout the week focused on various types of birds, habitats, shelter, food, their young, and the list goes on and on. Penguins was a special topic of discussion. The various reading groups read about penguins and learned interesting facts. A few of our friends wanted to share their facts or reading from some penguin fact books. It was exciting to see their enthusiasm. Next week we get to celebrate the 100th day of school!

2010 can you believe it!

It is 2010 and I can hardly believe we have made it to another year! When you are surrounded by youth each day, the years pass somewhat quicker than when I was in elementary school. I was so excited to hear all the adventures over the holidays about the family get togethers, presents, and some even read over the break. I just loved that! We created a paper head and talked about goals for the upcoming year. I thought it was cute how some wanted to learn how to rollerblade/skate or ride the skateboard they got for Christmas. There was even 1 that wanted to learn division- I know 1st grade:) The cutest one was the friend that wanted to build a real snowman and we live in Florida :) Goals are important and we talked about what we can do to achieve these goals. I encourage you to find out a goal your child has and help them this upcoming year. Make sure to check out the slide show.