News and updates

Stanford testing is over and homework is back in full force!
We have added a new element, two reading passages for the week, to have the children work on their comprehension. The reading log is in addition to the reading passages since they are pretty short. Let the children read the passage and then try to answer the questions on their own, sometimes it might take several re-readings before they get it and that is perfectly o.k!

We started our new planner this week, Ch-ch-changes: When matter changes, it affects the world around us. We have been discussing solids, gases, & liquids! Our activity today entailed observing and recording as a solid turned into liquid over the course of the morning.

Journal Helpers Needed! The February calendar has been posted on the bulletin board. Please consider helping out for 30 minutes (VIPS approved please).

Feb. 3rd: Progress reports
Feb. 4th: 12:30 dismissal, no Extended Day
Feb. 15th: Holiday, Presidents' Day

At work and at fun!

Writer's Workshop

We started something new this week: Writer's Workshop. This activity consists of a specific writing prompt for all the children, so it's not free writing like during morning Journal. Today's prompt was received by many giggles, and I heard a lot of giggling during the actual writing. The kids have a list of required items on a checklist that they must have, for example, proper punctuation, correct spelling of words that have been on a Spelling List, etc.

Stanford: it is extremely important that your child be here every day and on time! Because the test materials are confidential, only school/district personnel will be allowed in the classrooms after 8:00 am(= No Journal). The test will be administered over 5 days for about an hour to an hour and a half each day, followed by a small snack :). We have been practicing our test taking skills this week: listening, following instructions, building up their reading stamina, getting used to the format, seating arrangements... I have told the kids that there will be some questions on the test that they will not know...and that it is okay!