Last week was one for the record books! We pulled off a fantastic Christmas concert with the help of the most fabulous Mrs. Stanski! For those of you that don't already know, each year Mrs. Stanski writes her own Christmas concert script. She doesn't purchase a new one each year, like most schools do. She works on our custom concerts herself and chooses the lines and songs that will fit each class perfectly! She chose our class for the Elvis song because in her words, "3C's students are the COOLEST!" I couldn't agree with her more! One of the major differences between our Christmas concerts at RBES compared to those at other schools, is that our students enjoy the time spent practicing from the first practice to the last practice! My husband and I have both taught at other schools where this is not the case. The first practice is fun but after that, singing the same ol' songs gets tired and ragged...and by the time the concert night comes around, the kids do not want to sing that song one more time! I've never seen that happen with Mrs. Stanski's masterpieces! She approaches each class with such enthusiasm and encourages them to find their inner broadway self, and they shine...every time!
Unfortunately this week I was struck down by a nasty cold bug that stole my voice for a couple of days. The students had two very productive days with a substitute teacher. It's always such a treat coming back in after having a sub in and finding a note along with the sub plans telling me how fabulous the students were!
On Thursday, we worked hard through some tricky math focusing on regrouping/trading ones for tens, and tens for hundreds (in preparation for multi-digit addition and trading). We also focused on multi-digit addition when regrouping isn't required. I love how the Jump Math program is making a connection between the place value unit and the regrouping/trading in addition. It's important for students to see this connection to truly understand when regrouping is necessary. I am hoping that this encourages more success and deeper understanding in using the traditional algorithm method with addition (stack and add) for all students. In writing, I gave the students a sneek peek of the Joanne Moore writing program that we will be using for the rest of the year. We are working on writing a narrative paragraph about life in a snow globe. We are writing the paragraph sentence by sentence focusing on using a unique sentence starter each time along with some specific verbs. The students were amazed by their first sentence! Focusing on those two aspects when we are writing transforms student writing immediately! I love watching them as they reread their sentences for the first time...they are so amazed and proud of their work! We will share these paragraphs with you in a special way soon!
On Friday, we transformed ourselves into artists! I wish I could share more with you, but it's your secret Christmas surprise! I've never done this project before with students and it is turning out so well! We have a few finishing touches to do on Monday and then we will wrap it up to go under your Christmas tree at home! I sure hope you love it!
This week, we have so much to look forward to!
Here are the important highlights:
1) Chocolate pretzels
- students can bring in a toonie to purchase a chocolate pretzel on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday
- you can purchase more than one
- pretzels will be handed out in the afternoon on Wednesday
2) PJ, Stuffy and Movie Day
- Friday
- all RBES students will be going into the gym to watch a movie in the afternoon
3) 3C class party snack
- we will be having our party snack at 10:30 on Friday
- the students assigned to party food are:
Kaeden - Sausage/meat tray
Jessie - Cheese and crackers
Amberley - Sweets (cookies, cupcakes, etc)
Joslynn - Fruit tray
Tristan - Veggie tray
Anna - Chips
Mrs. Milson - plates, napkins, drinks
*If you are unable to provide your snack please let me know asap so that I can make other arrangements.
Heading into our last week of school in 2015, I take a minute to look back at the last four months that I have had the pleasure of spending with your children with a huge smile on my face! We have had so much fun and learned a ton! I look forward to our next six months together!
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