Lexia - computer reading program

Student access to Lexia will continue throughout the summer. Sometime in mid-August, students will be moved to their new grades and classes and there might be a brief loss of function at that time. Kindergarteners are the only students who don't have a password. If you should need a password in August, use "bears."

World Language Survey

District 97 has developed a brief survey that parents/guardians can use to provide feedback about our world language program. The results of this survey will be used to help assess the program and aid us in our efforts to provide our students with high-quality world language instruction at all levels. Parents/guardians can access the survey at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/WorldLangParents. The deadline for completing it is June 3, 2011.

Rob Scotton in Oak Park!

Tomorrow! Saturday, May 21 at 11am author and illustrator Rob Scotton will read two books and give a drawing demonstration at the Magic Tree Bookstore. He is the very popular author of the Splat the Cat series, as well as Russell the Sheep. You need to reserve a space with the bookstore, as well as any books you may want autographed. The phone number is 708.848.0770 or you can email info@magictreebooks.com

Super Summer Math and OPPL Summer Reading Program

Permission slips for Super Summer Math went home last week. I highly recommend you participate in this wonderful program sponsored by the PTO. It's a great excuse to get to the library each week and do some fun math activities there and at home. You don't have to go every week. If you are on vacation or miss a week, you can turn in your work later. I hope you participate!

If you're at the Maze Library for SSM, I hope you also sign up for the public library's summer reading program. Students will see a preview of the program here at Longfellow which usually gets them pretty excited about it! The librarians at the OPPL have wonderful suggestions for books, but if you'd like to find some on your own, visit http://lexile.com/findabook to find suggestions for books at your child's reading level. Don't forget most children love to listen to you read to them, too! (I had a professor in grad school who spent the first 10min of class reading to us - we loved it!)

Congratulations and thank you!

Our class won the CROP Walk challenge to help fight hunger in Oak Park and worldwide! We brought in more money than any other class. Thank you for being so generous, whether that meant bringing in coins from a piggy bank or writing a check. Students won an extra P.E. class with 3rd grade teacher Mrs. Flowers, so they are very excited!

Reminders

This Thursday is our field trip to Dominican University to see "Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type." (You paid and gave permission for this field trip 2 months ago.) Please be sure to pack a bag lunch with a drink as I'm not sure if we'll be back in time for hot lunch.

This Friday is Olympic Day; kindergarten will participate in the afternoon. Be sure to check the weather and temperature in order to dress appropriately. As of now, the forecast is partly sunny with a high of 74. Girls should wear shorts or pants instead of skirts or dresses. Hats and sunscreen might be a good idea, too! It will be a lot of fun!

The kindergarten picnic is Thursday, June 2 at Longfellow Park. Our class will be out there from about 9-11am and from 12:40-2:45pm. All are welcome!

End of Year Math Goals

Some of our math goals remain the same as the second trimester, but some goals have increased. I've been assessing students to see who has met the goals already. A note will go home tomorrow if there is something that needs work. By the end of the year, your child should be able to:

• count beyond 100
• perform interrupted counting beyond 100
  
• count by 10s beyond 110
• count by 5s to 100
  
• have beginning skills in counting by 2s
  
• count backward from 15
• read and write any number 100 or less
• recognize a penny
• tell time to the hour

If your child can't yet do one of these tasks, please practice each night! Can you believe it? Only 15 school days left! Any questions? Don't hesitate to contact me!

Mother's Day song

Scholastic book order forms went home today. Please complete your order by Friday, May 13. You can either order online with a credit card, or send the form back to me with a check made out to Scholastic.

Class Activation Code: G8Q66

Best of all, we earn a FREE book for the classroom library every time a parent places an order online.

It’s so simple! Here’s how it works:

• SIGN UP at www.scholastic.com/bookclubs. On the parent page, click the “Register” button in the “First Time Here?” section. Register for your own user name and password. When prompted, enter the one-time Class Activation Code shown above. This unique code ensures that your order is sent to me.
  
  
• SELECT the books you’d like to order—choose from thousands of titles—many more than in our monthly flyers.
  
  
• SEND your order to me online by the due date and your child’s books will be delivered directly to my classroom.

Ordering online is fast, easy, and secure.