I can't blog about much today without giving away our secret. Just know that we had a fun filled day with lots of holiday magic! 

     Thanks again to everyone who has sent in hats and gloves. Our tree is overflowing! There are some very lucky children receiving those this winter! :) 

     In this time of giving, please don't forget our senior friends Sam and Doris. If you send in money, please write me a note. I'm not sure if the money is for bake sale, the Cool Stuff Store, or for our seniors. My husband and I cleaned out our cars and couch cushions and found about $5.00 to bring in!

     THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for your support with our Book Fair. Still have some holiday shopping to do?? Please use this link: CLICK ME! to shop at Amazon and give to Community School at the same time. We get 6% of your purchase without you doing anything extra through this month. You just have to use that link for us to get it. Wow!

Busy, Busy, Busy!

     If I ever doubted it before, I'm confident now that the holidays are coming soon for sure! We have been super busy the past few days making all kinds of goodies for veterans, senior citizens, other children, and you guys, of course! We have made cards, drawings, thumb print art, and cookies to give away to others. Please keep the holiday spirit alive and don't ask your child what they've been making for you, for we don't want to ruin your surprise! No questions should be asked about why they have paint or ink stains on their fingers and hands. Just trust me, I put it there! ;)

Heads up about Friday, Dec. 17th:
     This Friday, Dec. 17th, we're having a pajama party! Make sure your child wears their warmest, most cozy pajamas to school on Friday. If you'd rather them not wear them to school, just make sure they're comfy. Why must they be comfy? Well, we're going to watch Polar Express, eat popcorn, and sip on hot cocoa with our friends! The children have all been working so hard, we decided they need a day off to just have fun with their school mates.
     Please keep in mind we will still have both recesses and dismissal outdoors if the weather allows. PLEASE make sure your child will be warm!!
     No stuffed animals or blankets should come to school in addition to their sleep items already here.

Wednesday

     This morning, Essie lead us through our morning meeting. Afterwards, we traced and wrote our names independently in literacy centers. If we had time remaining, we worked on putting our names together with the letter cubes I showed you all at conferences. I'm seeing an increase class-wide in fine motor control - must be all that play-doh and cutting! :)
     We also had our early learner music class this morning. We returned to class and listened to a story read to us by a buddy in Keri's class, Benjamin. I love opportunities like these because it not only help's Benjamin's self-confidence and leadership skills, it also teaches your children the excitement of reading as a child - they aren't listening to yet another story read to them by another adult.
     This group of children are particularly interested in books! After lunch, we do usually look at books, but today they wanted an extra long while to look at them and "read" them to each other. Who would say no to that, right?
     Since the weather was a bit warmer today, we did finally get a chance to go out and play! Despite the cold, the children seemed to have a great time so please continue to send your child in warm coats, gloves, hats, scarves, etc.

LAST CHANCE TO SHOP AT THE BOOK FAIR is today from 2-4pm! Thanks so much to everyone who shopped with us in support of our wonderful school.

Mitten Tree

Many, Many thanks to all of you for sending in new hats and mittens for our Mitten Tree. It looks amazing!

Woah! We're up to 9 hats and 7 pairs of gloves/mittens. Your generosity is greatly appreciated. 

Tuesday

     This morning, Henry lead our morning meeting. We then traveled to Santa Cruz, Bolivia (set up in Katie's room) and learned about their churches, movie theater, grocery store, and fútbol stadium. The Bolivian students along with Katie's class have been hard at work for weeks to make 3D models of each building/stadium, complete with tables and chairs. The Bolivian students talked to the children about the buildings they made and compared them to the buildings we have here in the United States. We took a break for fruit break and soon began our celebration of Las Posadas. The children traveled from room to room singing songs in Spanish with the Bolivian students. Traditionally, the host of the carolers provides refreshments. The children traveled to 4 rooms, gathering a pencil, a silly band, stickers, and a cookie at the end.


     Don't forget! Wish lists for the book fair were sent home yesterday in your child's folder. If you can't make it to the book fair today from 2-4pm, please come by tonight at 6pm and drop your child off with Tulie and I in the Cape-Making Workshop located in Tulie's classroom (room 105) so you can shop! All your child needs to bring is a solid colored t-shirt. Adult sized shirts work best. Hope to see you there! If not, the book fair will also be open tomorrow from 8-10am and 2-4pm.

Monday

     This morning, we were very excited by the arrival of Henry! Henry is well and back at school. We've all missed him so much. Morning meeting was lead today by Lindsay. We also had music class this morning.
     We went to the Book Fair this morning to make wish lists. Copies of wish lists were sent home in your child's folder today. Please remember our Book Fair is from 8-10am and 2-4pm daily TODAY, TOMORROW, and WEDNESDAY in the Art and Spanish rooms! Can't make it to those times? Come tomorrow night at 6pm and shop while your child is with Tulie and I in the Cape Making Workshop! Thanks in advance for coming out to support our wonderful school.

     Because of the weather, your children did not play outdoors today. However, although they didn't get a chance to run off their wiggles, they all slept today.

Wednesday

     The past couple of days, we've been discussing the spirit of giving. We've talked about the seniors we'll be Santa for, Doris and Sam, and our mitten tree. Blue papers should have made their way to you yesterday in your child's folder. December F.Y.I.s were sent home today in your child's folder. Please be sure to read them. They're packed full of information you'll need this month. Let me know if you have any questions!
     In the spirit of giving, the children made cards to send to Henry. Henry is out still from having his tonsils removed and we're all missing him terribly! We can't wait to have Henry back and we wish him a speedy recovery. We also had music class this morning.

     I'm unexpectedly going out of town tomorrow and won't be back at school until Monday. The routine for your children will be a bit different, but they will most definitely be taken care of! Throughout tomorrow and Friday, they'll either be with Ruth Ann, Tulie, Betsy, or Kim H. They each have fun things planned for your children to do with their class.

See you all Monday!