Snow, Turkeys, Our Classroom Elf, and Writing Books!

So . . . . I guess winter is here to stay.  Here are pictures from the first snow on the playground, I think.

Cute little snow babies....

Let me backtrack a bit...The disguise a turkey project yielded some great results. We had Santas, Christmas trees, Rapuzel, an apple tree, and even a disco ball.  Thank you for your participation. . . This was the best year, yet!

Here is the bulletin board outside our room, in case you haven't been in lately.

Nice work, families!

Kids caught making good choices after finishing their snacks....sharing books together without anyone telling them to do so.

And....a few kids making silly choices during snack time.  Nice hats, ladies!

Practicing those VERY important sight words

Scissor work at the art center. . .a cute Santa craft

A few close-ups needed for the family Christmas gifts.... I think you will love these surprises and keep them forever!

Our classroom elf Ginger, formerly known as Bayblade, finally came back after we wrote him a letter.  He first appeared in our treat basket.

And on another day. . . .

The kids are great little detectives.  They spot him very quickly upon entering the room each morning.

I am lucky to work with young children.  This time of year is so much fun.  Their excitement and belief in magic helps keep me feeling young.

We started working on a couple of class books inspired by a book I read to them the first day of school called Cookie's Week.  I will post more about this when the books are complete.  We had a few extra helpers.  Thank you to Hannah, Miss T., Miss April, and Mrs. Thomas for their help starting this project.

Here are a few picts from our first little field trip to the high school music concert.

Hanging out with mom . . .thumbs up!

Lastly, here is a link to a catchy Youtube video to help kids learn coin identification and coin values.  Watch out. . . the tune can get stuck in your head.

Coin Song

Pie Time!

Thank you so much to the moms who joined us at the pie making event. . . and thank you for the MANY dollars in donations!  It allowed our kiddos to make 50 pies for the Salvation Army!   A good deed from our little school!  The kids also made cards for military folks and turkey hats that morning.

It was CRAZY busy that day.  I didn't have a chance to get many picts., but here are a few.

I need to run to school to take a picture of the Disguise a Turkey bulletin board outside our classroom.  This was the best participation rate by far in the years I have done this family project.  Wahoo to you!  Here is one of the guys previewing his rainbow turkey.  

Check out the Grown-ups tab.  I am adding a direct link to Raz Kids for you.  I hope you find this site to be a valuable resource both during the school year and during summer vacation.  The more kids read, the better readers they become. . . practice, practice, practice!

Author Visit and Wacky Wednesday

We were so fortunate to have Maine author Lynn Plourde spend two days at our school last week.  We enjoyed a full school assembly with her and a more intimate writing lesson with her the next day.  It was very cool.  Here is a link to her website if you would like to learn more about her.

http://www.lynnplourde.com/

Here are some pictures from her visit and some photos of our wacky-ness!

Disguise a Turkey Mission

I sent home a family project.  Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to disguise our friend Tom Turkey.  Here are some links to give you possible ideas.  Let your child guide the design, but have fun carrying it out together.


http://www.aldenschools.org/webpages/JPletscher/pictures.cfm?newSlideID=22861


http://central.salem111.com/bunnell/turkey%20disguises.htm


I look forward to seeing what you come up with.  Send them in on Monday!

Thanks!

A few more Halloween time photos. . .

I finally got the remainder of the Halloween week photos onto my laptop.  Enjoy!

Yummy lollipop pumpkin!  What a treat from D's gram!

Mrs. Fisher, our extraordinary carver, begins the process during snack.

The kids had five face choices.  This one got the most votes.

 So much fun stuff to hand out!  Thank you for your contributions.

I ran the face painting station. My skills are pretty rudimentary.  I did lots of cats

 and pirates that day.  Ha Ha!

Thank you to the family members who were able to join in the fun!