Peace Place up and running

Our peace place is up and running. Like I mentioned before it is a place students can go to calm down and regain their composure. Students are doing very well with it.

Think about establishing a place like this at home. It works really well.

This is John, he is demonstrating how to use the peace place.

Midquarters

Today midquarters are going home. Only the students who have a 1 or 2 will recieve a midquarter. Please sign the accompanying sheet and send it back to let me know you recieved it. If your child recieves a midquarter, remember that it is only a warning. They still have time to bring their grade up. Please feel free to give me a call if you have any questions 953-4450.

Maps

In Social Studies we are studying maps. Students are learning not only cardinal directions (north, south, east, west) but they are also learning how to use a map key to find places. Most students are picking up on this concept pretty easily. However, there are things you can do to extend their learning. If you have a road map or atlas at home, allow your student time to explore it. Or have your child draw you a map of your home or neighborhood. We are not so worried about dimensions as the map key and cardinal directions.

Writing Letters

We are practicing writing letters in room 5. Students are using the basic friendly letter format.

The date here

The Greeting (Dear.......),

The body goes in the middle.

The closing goes here. (Sincerely,)

Name goes here

Practice letter wriitng with your child. Write them a letter using this format and have them write you back. Or have them write a relative that lives outside of the house. Knowing they may get mail is a great incentive to write. You may also want to buy them a diary and show them how to write (Dear Diary -style). The more they practice writing the better they get. This is also a great chance to practice neat handwriting.

What is your morning routine?

I just got my monthly newsletter from Vegetarians.com (or some such site). It asked an intriguing question that got me thinking. The question was: What do you eat for breakfast? I spent a good thirty minutes scrolling through the answers. I wondered, what are my students eating for breakfast (the most important meal of the day). Moreover, what is their morning routine like. I know many of them eat at school, but what are they doing at home. Here are a few things that you can make sure are part of their morning routines.

• Use the restroom (so many come to school, not having gone all morning and we don't break for the restroom until 9:40)
• Drink a glass of juice or milk (even if they eat at school this can go a long way building up their immune system)
• Brush teeth
• Wash face
• Make sure everything is in backpack
• Fix bed
• Put on lotion

TIP: Make a list of things to do in the morning and post it on the bathroom mirror or fridge. Remind them to follow the routine each morning and reward them for their accomplishments.

Science - Sunshine and Shadows

We have been studying Sunshine and Shadows for a few weeks now. Students have a firm understanding of what a shadow is and how it is made. We have moved on to analyzing, how and why shadows move as well as how the position of the sun changes the shape and length. Students explore shadows both inside and outside. Next time you are outside (or even inside) ask your child where there shadow is? Where is the light? Why does your shadow look like that? Prepare to be amazed at how much they know!

Picture Day Monday

Monday is Picture Day. If you plan to purchase Fall pictures please send your money in the picture money envelope with your child on Monday morning. Also if you would like them to wear something besides their uniform, please send those clothes with them. They will be allowed to change before the picture. Whether or not you plan to purchase pictures, please send your child "picture ready". These pictures will be the ones used in the yearbook. They will also be taking the big class picture. In other words, all students will take a picture Monday whether you purchase or not.

Have a great weekend. See you Monday!