Weekly Update

October 3, 2011

A note from Mrs. Horn…

Thanks to all of you for participating in the Harmony Harvest!  This has helped us immensely in raising funds to improve our playground.    

This Friday is our field trip to Huber’s.  Please dress your child for the weather, and in shoes that may get muddy.

We will pass out the class T-shirts on Friday (this way, you won’t have to remember to dress your child in their t-shirt).  The design is adorable!

Don’t forget to send in a healthy snack every day! 

We will begin our Art rotation on Tuesday.

What are we learning?

Reading Workshop

This week we will continue learning about strategies good readers use.  This week we will focus on using more than one tool to read (flexibility with print strategies), and readers always think about what makes sense. We will be visiting the school library on Monday.

Writing Workshop

In writing we are going to learn how to use a booklet (writing a story with a beginning, middle and end).  On Friday, we are writing in our Family Journals.  Please take time over the weekend to read your child’s letter to you and respond. 

Handwriting

Handwriting instruction will focus on developing fine motor skills as well as the proper formation of the following letters:  Qq, Jj and Ww

Word Study

This week, we will explore the letters Qq, Jj and Ww. Ask your child about the letter sound chants for both.  We will also learn how to read and write these words that will be added to our Word Wall: up, all, and look. Have your child sing you the songs for these words.

Math

We will continue to practice writing numerals, and read and count the tricky teen numbers.  

Everyday Math Home Link Family Note:  Help your child find patterns around your house and neighborhood.  Activity:   Look at fences, buildings, doors, windows, wallpaper, and fabrics.  Try to draw some of patterns that you see.  If possible, take a camera along and record some patterns you find.

Social Studies

We will begin to study Native American life.  Our focus will be on the Eastern Woodland and Pacific Northwest regions.  If you have any knowledge of Native American life, share it with your kiddos!

Reminders

*Send in a healthy snack and water bottle every day.

* Sign your child’s weekly planner every night!

Related Arts Schedule

Monday: PE

Tuesday - Friday: Art.

Weekly Update

September 26, 2011

A note from Mrs. Horn…

Wednesday is an Early Release Day.  School will dismiss at 12:25.  Please send in a note if your child’s transportation will change.

Please have your child wear GREEN on Thursday for our pack activity.  We will play teamwork games with the other classes in the orange hallway. 

Save your pennies Kinderpups because there are some special activities you can bid on at the Harmony Harvest!  The Harvest is on Friday from 6-8:00.  If you are unable to make it to the Harvest, but you'd like to buy a ticket to one of these events, just send a note with payment in your child's folder and I will put them on the list.  Here’s a sneak peak of our auction items:

Build a Lego city with

 Mrs. Horn

Do you like to build?  Let's build a Lego City!  This will need architects, engineers, and designers!  I am looking for a crew to build a Lego city.  Together we can work to design stores, parks, playgrounds, and houses.  We will make cars, roads, and schools.  We will make everything we need to make our city look like a real city!  If you are interested, bring your imagination and come build, build, build with Mrs. Horn!

 The more architects we have the bigger and better our city will be!  All grade levels are welcome.  Sign up below for just $15 per child and join us on Tuesday, November 15^th from 2:30-4:00pm.  A small snack and drink will be provided.  Everyone’s a winner!

Spa Day with Mrs. Horn 

Do you like to be pampered like a princess?  Let Mrs. Horn treat you to a spa day.  Salon services include a pretty manicure , stylish hair style (with ribbons and bows if desired), and make-up.   

The more princesses that join the better!  Sign up for just $15 per child (checks payable to Harmony PTA) and join us on Thursday, January 6^th  from 2:30-4:00pm.  A snack and drink will be provided.  

Mrs. Horn’s

Pretend Sleepover

Come in your PJ’s.

Eat some good treats!

(S’mores and Popcorn)

It’s a pretend sleepover party

Where we all stay awake!

Join us in a night filled with good treats to eat, games to play, and watch a movie on the big screen!  Wear your pajamas; bring your pillow, stuffed animal, and sleeping bag.  

Students can be dropped off at 7:00 pm and picked up at 10:00 pm on December 9^th, 2011 at school.  Mom and Dad can go do some holiday shopping without the kids!  We will be having our sleepover the same night as Mrs. Tabor and Ms. Poteet.  The fee will be $25 and all students are welcome to attend. 

The Husky Hustle is this Friday from 1:30-2:15.  This is a family event and the kids love to have families walk with them.  We hope you will join us! Don’t forget to send in your Husky Hustle pledges!  100% of the pledges benefit Harmony students.  We use the money to purchase a new playground.  On Friday your child needs to bring in a water bottle, wear tennis shoes, and dress to run. 

What are we learning?

Reading Workshop

This week we will continue learning about strategies good readers use.  This week we will focus on looking for chunks in words and rereading. We will be visiting the school library on Friday.

Writing Workshop

In writing we are going to learn how to use our Writing Folders, how to use an alphabet chart to help use write our words, and learn how to use a booklet.  On Friday, we are writing in our Family Journals.  Please take time over the weekend to read your child’s letter to you and respond. 

Handwriting

Handwriting instruction will focus on developing fine motor skills as well as the proper formation of the following letters:  L, l, K, & k.

Word Study

This week, we will explore the letters Ll and Kk. Ask your child about the letter sound chants for both.  We will also learn how to read and write these words that will be added to our Word Wall: with, had, at. Have your child sing you the songs for these words.

Math

We are learning to use a number board and read and count the tricky teen numbers.  

Everyday Math Home Link Family Note: A penny jar provides great mathematics opportunities!  Counting the pennies together reinforces the counting skills we are working on in school.  Estimation is not just guessing.  It is using what you know to make a “smart guess.” Activity: Start a penny jar to collect your family’s pennies.  Once a week, estimate how many coins are in the jar.

Science

We are continuing to observe our corn growing.  The kids are really enjoying watching the changes.  We will study the differences between deciduous and evergreen plants. 

Reminders

* Our classroom gets very chilly sometimes.  Please send in a light jacket or sweater for your child to keep in their back pack. 

* Sign your child’s weekly planner every night!

* Library book due every Friday!

Related Arts Schedule

Monday                   PE

Tuesday        PE

Wednesday    PE

Thursday       PE

Friday           PE

Weekly Update

                                                                September 19, 2011

A note from Mrs. Horn…

Dates to remember:

September 28^th – Early Release Day (dismissal at 12:25pm)

September 30^th – Husky Hustle (in-school); Harmony Harvest (6-9pm)

Here’s what is happening this week:

• We are beginning a super important reading unit this week! Students will learn "tools" or strategies that will help them read tricky words. I am sending home a booklet for you to keep in your homework place. This booklet explains each strategy or tool, and how you can help your child at home when they are reading to you. Please continue listening to your child read their guided reading book every night it comes home.

What are we learning?

　Reading Workshop

We are learning about strategies to help us read tricky words. These strategies include

• Looking at the Picture
• Getting your mouth ready (saying the initial letter sound and later the final sound of the word)

Writing Workshop

We will continue to develop our story ideas, reinforce spacing between words and to stretch out each word to write each sound they hear. Thank you for your responses to the family journals. Reading your message and sharing the sketches you make is a big treat for the kiddos!

Handwriting

Handwriting instruction will focus on developing fine motor skills as well as the proper formation of the following letters: F, f, D and d.

Word Study

This week, we will explore the letters Ff and Dd. Ask your child about the letter sound chants for both. We will also learn how to read and write these words that will be added to our Word Wall: for, on, and they. Have your child sing you the songs for these words.

　Math

We are learning oral counting games, noticing patterns all around us and how to properly write numbers.

　Science

We will learn about plants: What are the parts of plants? What are different parts of corn plants and how do they work together? We will also observe and record our corn plants.

Related Arts Schedule

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
Music	Music	Music	Music	PE

Weekly Update

September 12, 2011

A note from Mrs. Horn…

Thank you for being so prompt with turning in your field trip forms.  Many of you have requested to chaperone for this trip; it’s so wonderful to have this group of enthusiastic parents! 

Here’s what is happening this week:

·         Library Orientation is this week.  After our three orientation sessions, we will be able to check out books all the time.  I encourage the children to get new books everyday by returning it in their white bag. We will go together as a class each Friday.

·         Say cheese! Thursday is Picture Day.  The picture will be from the neck up, so smile and show those pearly whites!  Our class goes in at 8:00 before we eat snack (I’m sure you know why :-).    

·         Send in saltines or graham crackers for Thursday’s in addition to snack.  We will be using them for a math activity.

·         Bring a small toy (about the size of a Polly Pocket or a Match Box car) for Math on Friday.

·         Scholastic Book Orders are due Friday.  These will come home tomorrow.

·         Keep practicing those lunch numbers!  We’re almost at 100% of our kiddos who know their numbers by heart.

·         In the middle of September, I will begin “Shoe Tying Awards” for those who know how to tie their own shoes.  Practice, practice!  J

What are we learning?

 Reading Workshop

Our class has begun reading groups and it’s going great!  I super big “thank you” to our wonderful volunteers.  Remember to read their Guided Reading books at home, and return them in the same clear “take home” so that we can continue to read these books at school.  We will continue to practice choosing books across different genres. 

Writing Workshop

Now that our children are writing, we will encourage them to stick with a story by adding details and labels to their stories.   Be sure to look for those family journals on Friday.  They sure loved reading your responses on Monday!

Handwriting

Handwriting instruction will focus on developing fine motor skills as well as the proper formation of the following letters:  C, c, H and h.

Word Study

This week, we will explore the letters Cc and Hh. Ask your child about the letter sound chants for both.  We will also learn how to read and write these words that will be added to our Word Wall: his, she, and that.  Have your child sing you the songs for these words.

 Math

We are learning how to make shapes and continue to practice counting.

 Science

We will learn about plants: How do we use plants? What do plants need to grow? We will plant popcorn.  This will be very exciting!

Related Arts Schedule

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
Art	Art	Art	Music	Music

Thank you for all you do,

Christie Horn

Picture Day!

We have a class of cuties!  Get ready to smile!  Picture Day is Thursday, September 15th at 8:00.