Brrr...it's been a COLD week!

REMINDERS:

***Please remember to pack a hat and gloves for dismissal and potential outdoor recess days!
***The 100th Day is scheduled for Wednesday, February 5th!  If there is a snow day before then, it will be on Thursday.  (Let's hope for NO snow)!  If you are contributing the snack/juice boxes for our 100th day celebration, I can accept them before the actual date.
***If your child is handing out Valentine's; please make sure he/she has one for each student.  We have 19 students in class.
***Valentine's Day Share!!! - Friday, February 14th at 2:30.  Please have your child wear pink, red, and/or white.

Readers are retelling ROCK STARS!  We discussed the importance of retelling and recalling information from the books that we read.  Our goal is took earn 3 guitars when we give a rock star retell!

• Characters = 1 guitar
• Characters and their Actions = 2 guitars
• Characters, Actions, and Feelings = 3 guitars
• Students enjoyed practicing this strategy and you can support them at home by having them retell the stories that they read.

We began our How To unit in Writing.  Students are writing books that teach readers how to do something.  We learned that How To Writers...

• Make a list of things that they know how to do really well!  So well that they can teach someone else.
• Tell the reader what to do using steps.
• Use sequence words - first, next, then, and finally, to tell the reader what to do in order.
• Create a detailed illustration for each step.
• Add labels that teach the reader more.

Math - we continued to work on our Cathy Fosnot Unit - Bunk Beds.  Students used the math rack to make combinations of numbers up to 15.  Students also created their own Bunk Bed stories and represented their combinations using the math rack and illustrations.  Correct formation of addition equations was introduced.

Social Studies/Science - Chinese New Year and Maps.  Sun,Weather and Seasons.

Welcome back and Happy New Year!  We had a full week in Kindergarten:)

Readers use all of their SUPERPOWERS to tackle tricky words!

• Point under each word.
• Stretch out the letter sounds.
• Go back and re-read - think what would make sense.
• Look for patterns in the story to help them solve tricky words.

** Just Right books will begin coming home in the next week. .

Writers use all they know to fix and fancy up their stories!

• Begin a sentence with a capital letter; the rest are usually lower-case.
• Use your finger or space man to space out words.
• Add periods and/or exclamation points (to show excitement) at the end of the sentence.
• Add labels and details to illustrations.
• Write neatly and carefully so people can read your story!

During math we began a new unit on patterns!

• Observe the world around them and notice patterns.
• Describe patterns and notice what is missing and/or how to extend the pattern.
• Use manipulatives to create and extend patterns.
• Participate in math workshop - Button Match-Up, Attribute Block Match-Up, and What's Missing!

Please see below for details about the Holmes School Literary Magazine!

Dear Students and Parents,

            It is the time of year to start thinking about the Holmes Literary Magazine! The Holmes School Literary Magazine is a compilation of student work from students in grades K-5. Each student is able to submit a piece of writing to be included in the magazine. Anyone who submits a piece will be included (as long as the piece follows the criteria below and is content appropriate). Students can submit poems, stories, research articles, reviews, etc.  We are looking for submissions for the Holmes School Literary Magazine. 

All student work must be submitted by Monday, March 31^st.  

Students may submit a piece that they have created in school or at home, students are limited to submitting one entry. Participation is voluntary.

Students’ work must fit the following criteria:

·        400 words or less

·        Typed in Microsoft Word

·        Single spaced in Times New Roman, 12 pt font

·        Centered title (using the center justification tool, rather than tabbing)

·        Students' first and last name and grade level typed on separate lines at the end of the piece

      Ex. John Smith

            1^st Grade

Document edited with an adult.  Spelling and grammar must be corrected.

·         Illustrations for pieces can be scanned and e-mailed.  Please make sure that illustrations are clearly labeled with the student’s first and last name and grade level.

·        K-2 should email pieces to kpaladino@darienps.org .  3-5 should email pieces to rsatter@darienps.org. A confirmation note will be sent upon receiving all e-mail submissions.

Entries must be submitted by Monday, March 31st.

^{If you have any questions please feel free to contact Kim Paladino at x 6168 or Rachel Satter at X6166.} 

^{Thank you!}

^{Kim Paladino and Rachel Satter}