UNICEF Boxes

UNICEF boxes will go home today. UNICEF is an organization that provides basic needs for children around the world. If your child chooses to collect money while trick-or-treating, please return the box by next Thursday, November 4th. The Longfellow Student Council has set a goal to collect $750 this Halloween.

Homework Tonight!

What phase is the moon in tonight? (You might also see it tomorrow morning.) Tell me tomorrow!
In class we discussed a few reasons why we might not see it:

• It's a new moon.
• We might go to bed too early to see it.
• Clouds could be covering it.

If you don't see it, check out the newspaper, the website to the left on this blog, or Google it. Then find out what the phase is called. We're used to seeing the new moon at the top of the cycle, but the phases are still the same and in the correct order below. This is the simplest one I could find with labels.

Regular Visitors

In the past few weeks, we've started having guests in our classroom who, for the most part, will be with us the rest of the year.
Thursday mornings:
4th grade Reading Buddies - Mrs. Sullivan's class comes to our room to read to us. Kindergarteners are paired up with one or two fourth graders. In the past, this has been such a positive relationship. The older kids love "taking care" of the little ones, and kindergartners love having an older friend to say hello to on the playground.
Ms. Prescott, our social worker or "feelings teacher," is teaching the health curriculum. Students learn how to identify facial expressions and body language to tell what others are feeling. We talk about how to calm down when angry and appropriate ways to make friends. Later we'll talk about safe and unsafe touches. Ms. Prescott will be in our classroom for about two months.
Friday mornings:
Mrs. Scaro comes to co-teach math with me. This is a way to help me differentiate. We divide students into two groups based on the skill we're teaching that day.

Calling all volunteers!

Our weekly schedule seems pretty well in place and students know our daily routines. One thing we do most days of the week is workshop, or centers. Now that many of us are writing more, I would love to have a volunteer at the writing center to help students think of topics and help them sound out their words. If you have an hour one morning a week during our availability, or if you'd like to pair up with another parent and come every other week, please let me know.
Our available times:
Monday 9:30-11
Tuesday 9-11
Wednesday 9:30-11
Friday 10-11
As you can see, some days are more flexible than others. An hour sometime within these times would be great!

Shiver Me Timbers!

The Pirates of Penzance are coming to Longfellow Wednesday morning! Students have been preparing for this in music class with Mrs. Wiese, so they are familiar with the story and much of the music. In honor of the opera, we will have Pirate Day in our classroom. Kindergarteners are welcome to dress up as pirates. No weapons please.

Halloween

So much to say!

• We will celebrate Halloween on Friday, 10/29. The academic morning will be extended and last from 8-12. Lunch will be from 12-12:55. The parade will be at 1:15 with a party to follow. Students will be dismissed at 2:55 as usual. I strongly encourage you to send a snack with your child as lunch is later than usual.
• Please let me know if you'd be willing to help organize our Halloween party. If several parents help out, either with prep work and/or attending the party, hopefully it won't be too much work for any one person.
  
• Students should not wear costumes to school. Please pack it in a bag to change into after lunch. Some students choose to go home for lunch to change there.
• NO WEAPONS, either real or toy, should be included as part of a costume.
• There will be a pumpkin decorating contest, by age group, the week of Halloween. Look for details in the Digital Backpack.
• Please let me know if your family does not celebrate Halloween. There will be an alternative party for those students who do not.
  

Sight Words

I tested your child on the 14 words we've studied so far this year. Today in your child's folder you'll find a note with any missed words highlighted. By this point in the year, I'd hope students know about 9 or 10 words. Please practice with flashcards for a few minutes each night. There are new words each week introduced via the paper decodable books.