We had another great day. Today the class had two specials, gym and music. Tomorrow they will have library after which they will have been to all of their specials. So far the reports I am getting from the specials teachers are great.

I introduced the class to a sign in procedure this morning. The students each have a binder where they will write their names and the numeric date (8/30/10) each day. I was told that one weakness of our math program is lack of time writing numbers , so doing this every day will provide some practice. We will continue to do this as a whole group at least for the rest of the week, but eventually I will ask them to do it on their own when they first arrive.

We also began math today by exploring some of the manipulatives students will be using. Today students had time to play with pattern blocks, geo blocks, and linking cubes. Everyone had a chance to become familiar with at least two of these and we will spend more time with them this week.

We have read many books during our four days together. I have tried to incorporate a mix of literature relevant to what is going on in the classroom as well as emergent books that have predictable patterns and less print. As students become familiar with these books they will offer a gateway into independent reading. Some of the books we have read include We All Go Traveling By by Sheena Roberts, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault, Boomer Goes to School by Constance W. McGeorge, Monarch Butterfly of Aster Way by Elizabeth Ring, and Monarch Butterfly by Gail Gibbons.

On January 25th we will be going to the Flynn Theater. We need to collect $3.50 from each student to pay for this trip (the PTA funds a portion of the cost). All money needs to be in by September 17. You can either give this to me or directly to Connie.