Ponds

We spent this week learning about ponds!  Of course, the best part of the week was our trip to the Welty Environmental Center yesterday.  Here are the skills we focused on this week:

*Graphing data - We played a pond dice game where students rolled a pond-themed die and then graphed the picture they rolled.  We then discussed our data and used our graphs to tell us what picture we rolled the most, the least, etc.

*Matching written numbers to sets of items - Students counted a group (or set) of items, and matched the corresponding written number.

*Pond words beginning sounds - Students attempted to identify the beginning sound and letter of pond-themed words (dragonfly - /d/, lilypad - /l/, etc.).

*Pond words writing - Students first traced and then attemped to write pond-themed words on their own.  Our printing is getting much better!

*Tissue paper snails - Students glued tissue paper to construction paper to make a colorful shell for the snail!

*Jack and Jill Frogs - Students made two frog puppets using popsicle sticks to use during our new rhyme:
         "Two little frogs sitting on a hill,
          One named Jack, one named Jill.
          "Jump!" said Jack.  "Jump" said Jill,
          And they both jumped off down the hill.
Ask your child to show you the rhyme using the puppets :)

And finally, here are some pictures from our trip this week:

It was a little chilly, but we all survived :)  Students spent the morning doing a creek study, fishing little critters out of the creek with nets.  In the afternoon, we went on a scavenger hunt through the woods.  We saw a squirrel nest, a bee hive, deer bones, geese, and lots of different plants.  We had a great time!  Thank you to all of the parents that were brave enough to go with us - we couldn't have done it without you!

A few reminders to get us through the end of the year -
     *Our school carnival is this coming Tuesday, May 28.  Dinner from the Italian House will be available for a cost of $5.00 per person beginning at 5:30.  The carnival games will begin at 6:15.  A $5.00 bracelet will allow children to play all of the games as many times as they want.

     *Graduation will be on Tuesday evening, June 4 at 6:30 PM.  Students should be in our classroom by 6:00 to get ready for the ceremony.

     *The last day of P4J is Wednesday, June 5.  We will be spending the day at Huron Park.  Permission slips will be available next week.

I hope you have an enjoyable Memorial Day weekend!  See you Tuesday!

We have been so busy lately in P4J!  We have been busy learning about spring, plants and seeds, and bugs and butterflies!  We are finally appreciating the sunshine and warm weather and have spent a great deal of time outside.

We have a few upcoming events that I want to let you know about.  Kindergarten Orientations are being held next week.  You should have received notice from your child's elementary school regarding the day and time that you signed up for.  I always enjoy hearing about "big school" from children the next day :)

Spring conferences are coming up on Wednesday, May 15 and Thursday, May 16.  The sign-up sheets will be available tomorrow for you to sign up for a time that is convenient for you.  There are limited evening times available, so please only sign up for an evening time if you cannot attend during the day.  We will be working hard on our spring assessments over the next two weeks to get ready for conferences.

We also have a field trip coming up to the Welty Center in Beloit on Thursday, May 23.  We will be leaving Cargill at 8:30 AM and returning around 1:30 PM.  Students will need to pack a lunch and chaperones are welcome to attend but will need to drive themselves or carpool.  More information will be sent home soon!

Finally, a bit of sad news.....Miss Briann has accepted a position as a personal nanny for a family and will be leaving us.  Her last day is next Friday, May 10.  I hope you get a chance to tell her good-bye and let her know how appreciated she is.  I am not sure yet who our new assistant will be for the remainder of the school year, but when I know, I'll will let you know :)

Our practicum student, Miss Charlette, will also be finishing up her practicum on May 15.  She has done a fantastic job and the students just love her!  She has done some amazing things with the students and I know she's going to be a great teacher!

As we finish up the school year, please continue to remind students to follow our school rules and use their listening ears :)  As the weather gets nicer, it gets harder and harder for students to spend their days in the classroom, but we still have a lot of learning to do to get ready for kindergarten!  We will finish up the school year learning about dinosaurs and pond life.

Finally, here are just a few pictures from the last couple of weeks: