Update

February 7, 2011

We have lots of things going on in our classroom this month.

• First thing is donations for our auction basket are asked to be in the room by Wednesday. This gives our room mom time to get our basket prepared and give a list of items to the auction committee. Thank you to those who have already sent things in. East Carolina has generously donated two four packs of baseball tickets as well as two football tickets for a November game to include in our basket.
• Auction tickets are available in the office for purchase. The auction will be taking place Saturday, February 19. This year’s auction proceeds will go towards purchasing covered awnings between the buildings. This will greatly ease car line on rainy afternoons. If you are unable to attend the auction but would still like to bid on items absentee ballets are available as well.
• Thursday night will be our final installment of parent education. The 6-9 level will be presenting Math. This is a wonderful time to come if you have ever wondered why your child is exchanging with a stamp game. If this is your first time coming to parent education the $25 fee will be discounted. Diner is served at 6:30 with lessons starting at 7:00pm. Please contact the office if you would like to attend.
• In the classroom we have been practicing with the Silence Game. This is a tool Dr. Montessori used as a time for the child to do some inner reflection. During work cycle a Silence sign is shown and we see how long the classroom takes to get quiet. We then try to work in silence. This includes talking as well as body movements. At the end of the day the children then write briefly how they felt during this time and we share these thoughts once a week. Some of our comments so far have been: “I felt awesome because I could focus” and “It made me feel peaceful.” This is something you can ask how it went in the afternoon. See if your child felt different during the silent time than regular work cycle.
• I want to thank everyone for helping with the weekly work charts. Each Friday afternoon I meet with each student to discuss their weekly work. This is the marks on the sheet I send home Friday afternoons. I try to complete a comment on the worksheet so it is easier to gage how the week went for your child. Our aim is to complete four works during the day. This should defiantly not be a problem on Monday or Fridays when we have two work cycles during the day. If your child is working on something that takes longer than the average work I do make a note of that so that you understand what is being done. With four works being done we ask that the children have a balanced day, choosing some math and some language work. If you ever have a question please do not hesitate to contact me. I do check my email regularly if you rather contact me this way. jadams@wmpcs.org
• Just a reminder that we will have a workday on Monday, February 21.
  
• Finally Valentine’s Day is coming up. The students will be making “mailboxes” for valentines to go home on Monday, February 14. The students will place their valentines in the mailboxes that morning and they will be sent home that afternoon. Please send one in for each student in the class. I have included a list on the bottom of the letter sent home, Please emal me if you would like the list sent to you.
  
  Thank you for all your help in our classroom,
  
  
  Jessica Adams and Christy Boudreaux