Handwriting Without Tears

We have been working on capital letters in our handwriting workbooks. You may hear some of the language at home and I encourage you to use it with your children. We sing, "Where do you start your letters? At the top!" to the tune of "If You're Happy and You Know It, Clap Your Hands!" We also use the terms big line, little line, big curve, and little curve. These 4 types of lines make all of the capital letters. The first set of letters I've taught are "leap frog" letters: F,E,D,P,B,R,M,N. These letters all start with a big line down and then we leap frog back up to the starting point to continue the letter. The next set of letters are starting corner letters: H,K,L,U,V,W,X,Y,Z. The final set of capital letters I teach are center starting letters: C,O,Q,G,S,A,I,T,J. We practice each of these capital letters in a gray box in our workbooks. Leap frog and starting corner letters start in the top left corner; starting corner letters start in the middle of the top of the box.

New Reading Computers

Your child may have told you about the new computers in our room for the Waterford Reading Program. Each student gets a 15-20 minute turn per day and moves at his or her own pace. If a reading skill is mastered, he or she moves on. If not, that student will receive more practice. I keep scratch paper near the computer in case they need to write something down, so you might see those notes come home. Students seem excited and are eager to take their turn each day. The songs and activities are a lot of fun!

Don't forget!

Our class goes to P.E. every Monday and Friday. Please remember to have gym shoes so students can participate. With the season of snow boots upon us, you might consider leaving a pair at school if you don't already. Layering clothes is another good idea; many of us are wearing warm sweaters. A t-shirt underneath allows students to keep cool during P.E.

Monday is also our library book check-out day. Mrs. Pearce suggests keeping your Longfellow Library book in your backpack so you always have it at home and at school.

Food Drive

Longfellow's Student Council is sponsoring a food drive now through the 16th to benefit the Oak Park River Forest Food Pantry. They have set a goal to collect 1000 pounds of non-perishable food and toiletry items, as well as $200. The Pantry especially needs pasta, dried beans, crackers, boxed snacks, canned items and toiletries like soap, diapers (all sizes,) toothbrushes/paste, shaving cream, and shampoo. Added incentive: the class that collects the most food and money gets 5 Bear Necessities slips for every student! Please be generous this holiday season!