Ms. Nicky and Ms. Julie’s February News
In the past month, we have been collecting a lot of assessment data on all of the students in preparation for the upcoming GOLD checkpoint. It’s exciting to see all of the growth that the students have achieved! In the month of February, we are going to be doing a STEM Unit of study on Weather. We will discuss what causes different weather patterns, as well as explore all of the different seasons, and determine what makes each of them unique. It will be a great opportunity to put our scientific inquiry skills to use!
STEM Profile of the Month: Open-Minded
“I know that people are different and may do different things. I know that not everyone will think like I do. I listen, value, and try to understand others.”
Some books to encourage being open-minded:
Friends, by Rob Lewis
Different, Just Like Me, by Lori Mitchell
PATHS (Promoting Alternative Thinking Strategies)
We have been using a social-emotional curriculum this year called PATHS. Each week we do different lessons that focus on helping the students develop strong social-emotional competence. The paper that your child brings home periodically titled, “PATHS Kid of the Day” is part of this curriculum. Each day Twiggle the Turtle, a puppet that plays a large part in sharing the curriculum, randomly chooses a Kid of the Day. This child gets to wear a cape, and is encouraged to have Super STAR Power on that day so they can receive really good compliments from their teachers and friends at the end of the day. We recently introduced a system called “Doing Turtle” to demonstrate to students that they can learn to control their own behaviors. There are 3 components to “Doing Turtle”. First, if a child becomes angry or upset, they should Stop. Second, they should cross their arms over their chest and take one long, deep breath. Third, they are encouraged to say what their problem is and how they feel. By practicing this procedure and using it at school and at home, our hope is that students will Do Turtle in lieu of negative behaviors when they are upset.
Parent-Teacher Conferences
You should have all received a letter confirming your date and time for conferences being held February 2-4. If you find that the time given doesn’t work for you, please let me know as soon as possible so we can arrange another time. I look forward to speaking with you about your child’ss progress!
Working With Your Child at Home
Please continue to read with your child at home. Don’t forget-MyOn is a great resource for reading with your child. If you have lost your child’s log-on information or would like some help getting started, please let me know.
Our Big Idea for Math for the month of January is Patterns. Some ideas of things you can do at home to work on this skill are:
– Picture Frame Patterns – http://www.scholastic.com/parents/resources/article/craft-activities/picture-pattern
-Use objects at home that you can classify according to various attributes, such as size or color. Begin a pattern such as Big Block, Little Block, Big Block, Little Block….Then, ask what would come next.
Valentine’s Day Celebration
We will be having a Valentine’s Day Celebration in our class on Thursday, February 11. The morning celebration will run from 10:15-11:10, and the afternoon celebration will be from 2:10-3:05. If you would like your child to give out Valentines in class, please leave the “To” portion of the Valentines blank and just have your child sign their name on their Valentines. We request that each child bring a box or bag that they have designed in order to collect their Valentine cards. To assist parents with this, between Mon – Thurs, Feb. 1 – 4, between the hours of 8:00 am am and 3:30 pm we will have a construction zone, with all the materials they will need, in our cafeteria, which is open to families to come and make something together. Also, parents can feel free to pick up materials and take items home to do their making together if that works better for them.
Library
Starting in February, we will be visiting the library 3 times per month, rather than 2. Our library days will be the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Wednesday of the month. This will allow for more opportunities to check out new books, as well as participate in new and different literacy activities presented by Ms. Laura, our librarian.
Important Dates
February 2-4: Parent-Teacher Conferences
February 8: All-School Movement
February 11: Valentine’s Day Celebrations
February 15: NO SCHOOL
February 18: PTO-Sponsored Pajama Day
February 23: Chick-fil-A Fundraiser (5:30-7:00 at Chick-fil-A on Ken Pratt Blvd.)
February 25: Harvest of the Month–Beets
Items Needed
As we move through the school year, we are running short on a few supplies. If you are able to provide any of the following items, it would be much appreciated!
-Dry erase markers
-Paper towel rolls
-Old invitations, thank you notes, note cards, recipe cards, etc. (for our writing center)