ECO will resume on Wednesday, March 6th, which is the day we come back from break.  Weather permitting, we will go to the forest for the morning.  Please make sure your child has appropriate clothing (it seems that with winter weather most children are coming well prepared each day- thank you!)  Everyone should have snow pants, winter jacket, hat, mittens, warm boots, and warm socks as well as a snack that is easy to carry along and a water bottle.  We will also have ECO on March 20th, April 3rd, April 17th, May 1st and May 15th.  Please let me know if you would like to join us on any of these dates.

I hope everyone has a fantastic vacation, whatever you are doing.  It is so nice to have some fresh snow!

We had an exciting and energetic week with pajama day, Valentine's Day, and early release in between.  Thank you to those of you who joined us for reading on Tuesday morning.  This group loves to be read to.  On early release days, the focus of my workshop is on early literacy.  Yesterday we were given some statistics about reading success for children who are read to a lot versus those who are not read to much.  Developing a joy of reading is a critical first step and this group seems to have that joy.  The children especially loved having their stuffed animals with them all day Tuesday, or in the "stuffie village" they built in the block area for moments when it was better to not have them by their sides.  Also thank you for helping out with valentines.  It is always amazing to me how exciting it is for them to get personal valentines from each of their classmates.  

*I will remind you again (probably several times), but our next ECO session is Wednesday, March 6th, which is the day we come back from vacation.  Students should be prepared to be outside!

Listening to stories to start the day.

Constructing a "stuffie village".

Math stations with stuffed friends.

Checking out our valentines.

Next Tuesday, February 12th, the school will be celebrating I Love To Read Month.  We will begin the  day reading from 7:40-8:05ish.  Parents are welcome to join us to read a book to a small group of children.  In conjunction with this we will also have a school-wide pajama day the same day!  Children are welcome to wear the pajamas for all or part of the day.

Next Thursday is Valentine's Day.  We will be making large personal envelopes to collect valentines.  Today I am sending home a class list.  If your child brings valentines, please make sure there is one for each child in the calss.  Also, please refrain from seiding in sugary treats/ candy.  We have several children with dietary restrictions and my experiecne has been that consuming vast amounts of sugar is disruptive to the rhythm  of our day!

I hope everyone is surviving the crazy weather!  We did have some really nice outside time on Tuesday and Wednesday before it got warm.  We have started a unit on the five senses.  Thus far we have focused on the senses of sight and hearing.  As part of this we have played some games that test our sense of sight or hearing and  read several books about Helen Keller, imagining what it would be like to live without the ability to see or hear.

 During snack we have been listening to a CD of Shel Silverstein reading poems from Where the Sidewalk Ends.  The children love this CD and are particularly drawn to the poem "18 Flavors", which we have been reciting.  Many children have even chosen to copy the poem during Writers Workshop.  I think most of us know the first part at least (I find myself saying it as I am falling asleep at night!)

So far we have 8 collections of 100.  Our 100th day will be Monday and we will take some time to share the collections then as part of our day long celebration.

Thank you to everyone who has sent in money for our Flynn show.  Please remember to send $3.00 before the vacation.

I hope everyone has managed to stay warm this week!  We have been reading the book Owl Moon, by Jane Yolen, to coincide with the full moon on Saturday.  Although I think it will be too cold to actually go out, your child can probably tell you some things about owling.  In conjunction with this we have been working on an owl felting project.  Using roving wool and warm, soapy water, so far we have created bodies and heads.  We will put these together when they are dry and add distinguishing features.

Today was our 93rd day of school.  Provided there are no cancellations in the next several days our 100th day will fall on Monday, February 4th.  In honor of this I have invited everyone to create a 100 project to share with the class.  This can be as simple as putting 100 somethings in a jar and bringing them in, or using 100 things to create something.  We brainstormed a list of possibilities in class today:  pennies, paper clips, toothpicks and mini- marshmallows, stickers, beads, words, numbers etc.   This could come in anytime between now and February 4th!

FLYNN TRIP MARCH 26
On March 26th, we will be going to the Flynn Theater to see a show based on the book If You Give A Mouse a Cookie.  The PTA generously funds most of the cost, but children are asked to contribute $3.00 each for the tickets.  This money can be given to me or directly to Kathi any time in the next few weeks.

It has been a bit of a crazy week as my family has battled the stomach bug!  Thank you to everyone for coming to the concert on Tuesday evening.  The kindergarteners did a fantastic job.  It is not easy to stand up in front of such a large audience, nor is it easy to be part of the audience for such a long time after performing.

I have a meeting about the math assessments at the beginning of the day tomorrow, but should be back mid-morning.

Finally, tomorrow's lunch WILL NOT BE PIZZA.  It will be a smorgas-board of left overs instead.  I have told the children, but given that pizza is often a high preference lunch choice thought it best to let everyone know!

A reminder that our winter concert is tomorrow evening, January 15th, at 6:00 p.m.  Children should meet their classes on the mats in the gym between 5:50 and 6:00 so we can begin the concert at 6:00.