Take Down the Walls

We're still looking for volunteers to help us out on Wednesday morning 9:00-10:00ish. Please let us know if you are available. :o)Melanie

And Then What Happened Paul Revere?

A great way to introduce your children to American History is through books by Jean Fritz. Ms. Barry just read the kids "And Then What Happened Paul Revere?" which taught them famous and not so famous facts about the silversmith's life. If your child enjoyed the book he/she may enjoy some of Jean Fritz's others:

"Can't You Make Them Behave King George?"
"Ssh! We're Writing the Constitution"
"Will You Sign Here, John Hancock?"
"What's the Big Idea, Ben Franklin?"
"Why Don't You Get a Horse, Sam Adams?"


Check them out at the library this summer!

State Projects

I know the children have been working hard at home to complete their diorama and paragraphs. At the same time, they have been working hard in school to learn all about their states.

Today they received a checklist to help them keep track of their work. They are working to:

*read and complete a research sheet (to collect information about their state)
*write a paragraph with a topic sentence and several details to support it
*draw pictures of their state flower, state bird or animal, and state tree
*list 5 interesting facts about their state
*draw and color their state flag

Ask them questions at home about how things are going. I assure you they are all working hard!

P.S. Ask them what we reviewed about capitalizing proper nouns!

Help!

The end is near! There is so much to do!!!!! As we work to bring closure to this year filled with learning, friendships and fun, members of the Room 221 community will be writing compliments to each other. Each child will receive a page of personalized compliments written by each classmate.

In order to make this happen, I need some help! We will be writing the compliments next Friday afternoon. I'm hoping to send them home with some children on Friday so that volunteers might be able to type them and e-mail them back to me by Monday morning. It shouldn't take more than an hour or so if you are accustomed to typing.

Please let me know if you'll be able to help. Thanks in advance! :o)Melanie

A Wrinkle in Time

As you may have heard, Miss Barry and I have been reading Madeline L'Engle's "A Wrinkle in Time" to the class each afternoon. On Thursday, the suspense was relieved as we completed the final chapter. As a special treat we were able to watch the movie on Friday afternoon.

Most children really enjoy this science fiction novel. They may be interested in hearing the rest of the series which includes:
"A Wind in the Door," "Many Waters," and a "Swiftly Tilting Planet."

*Many children want to run to the library and start reading these books to themselves. They insist that they aren't too hard. However, I have promised the children that at this time, they are too hard for EVERYBODY in our community. They are Level U. Please help your child out by reading them together.

Measurement

We dove back into measurement this morning. Children began rotating through five different measurement stations exploring capacity, weight and linear measurement. As the magnificent measurers were working, they were asked to periodically stop, think and write about their thinking. They could write what they were wondering, thinking or noticing. Ask your child what they discovered today!

State Projects

Excitement is in the air as we prepare for the state fair on Monday, June 16. The children are researching their state in school. As they finish their information gathering, they are beginning to write a paragraph that teaches about their state.

At home, children should be researching one special feature of their state. As stated on the assignment sheet, it can be a landmark, landform, or any special attraction. The paragraph children write at home should focus completely on their diorama.

We can't wait to see you on the 16th!