Happy New Year! It was wonderful to have all of our favorite second graders back at school. Happy Birthday to Phoebe, Milo and Lena!
Winter Quarter is a busy one and we have lots of events planned, including Mystery Readers, an author visit from Roxie Munro, Valentine's Day, the annual performance by the Lion Dancers from China Town for the Lunar New Year (The Year of the Snake), the Gym Show, one field trip to the Indiana Dunes to learn about how maple sugar is made and one to see the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater! We will send you more details about these events as they approach.
THE SCIENCE OF SNOW
Despite the disappointing winter weather, we are proceeding with a snowflake study. We learned about Wilson "Snowflake" Bentley, who was the first man to photograph snow. We also talked a little about how snowflakes form high up in the clouds. Next, we will learn about the different kinds of snow crystals and will make “snowcatchers." We are wishing for snow so we can use the snowcatchers and conduct some other snow experiments! In the meantime, children will enjoy making virtual paper snowflakes at Make-A-Flake (for use on a computer) or the free My Flake app. Stay tuned as we learn more!
WINTER WEATHER
We are really wishing for snow and need to be prepared when it finally arrives. Please make sure your child comes prepared to play in the cold, snowy or slushy conditions.
Some winter gear tips...
AUTHOR VISIT & BOOK ORDERS
Roxie Munro is the author/illustrator of more than 35 books. She focuses on nonfiction topics, which ties in nicely with our recent nonfiction study during Reader's Workshop. Ms. Munro will be visiting Lab School this week. Four of her books will be available for purchase and she will autograph the books while she is here. Order forms were sent home on Friday and are due in Blaine Library by 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 17th. Payment options include check or an invoice from FACTS, the Schools' online payment system.
NEW READ ALOUD
Be sure to ask your child about our latest read aloud, Where The Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin. Here is a short summary from the author's website:
In the valley of Fruitless Mountain, a young girl named Minli lives in a ramshackle hut with her parents. In the evenings, her father regales her with old folktales of the Jade Dragon and the Old Man of the Moon, who knows the answers to all of life's questions. Inspired by these stories, Minli sets off on an extraordinary journey to find the Old Man of the Moon to ask him how she can change her family's fortune. She encounters an assorted cast of characters and magical creatures along the way, including a dragon who accompanies her on her quest for the ultimate answer.
So far this book is keeping the children engaged and on the edge of their seats as we end each chapter!
PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES
An online sign was emailed to you (via Sign Up Genius) last week. Please sign up for a time slot if you haven't already. We are looking forward to meeting with you on February 4th and February 11th. Progress Reports will be available online toward the end of February or beginning of March.
MYSTERY READERS
You also should have received an email from Sign Up Genius inviting you to be a Mystery Reader. There are dates and times available from now until the end of the year. Here are the details:
Shhh! It’s a secret! Sign up to be a Mystery Reader. Mystery Readers are parents, family members or other special people in our school community who volunteer to read one short picture book of their choice to the class during a 15 minute block of time. You must keep it a secret from the kids (including your own!). Our Lower School librarians are wonderful resources if you need a recommendation and you can check the book out in Ms. Harrison’s name. We’ll keep it in the classroom for further reading & exploration. We’d also like you to share with us how reading is important in your job or daily life.
In order to ensure that all families have the chance to participate, each family is allowed one turn/time slot per child. Please contact Ms. Harrison if you have any questions.
Finally, when you arrive to be a Mystery Reader, please do not wait in the hallway outside of the classroom or you may be spotted! Come up to the classroom just before your scheduled time so we can keep your identity a secret. Thanks for your cooperation.
Take a look at our Gallery to see photos of our Mystery Readers so far and the books they read to us!
2013 is off to a great start! Enjoy your week.
Winter Quarter is a busy one and we have lots of events planned, including Mystery Readers, an author visit from Roxie Munro, Valentine's Day, the annual performance by the Lion Dancers from China Town for the Lunar New Year (The Year of the Snake), the Gym Show, one field trip to the Indiana Dunes to learn about how maple sugar is made and one to see the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater! We will send you more details about these events as they approach.
THE SCIENCE OF SNOW
Despite the disappointing winter weather, we are proceeding with a snowflake study. We learned about Wilson "Snowflake" Bentley, who was the first man to photograph snow. We also talked a little about how snowflakes form high up in the clouds. Next, we will learn about the different kinds of snow crystals and will make “snowcatchers." We are wishing for snow so we can use the snowcatchers and conduct some other snow experiments! In the meantime, children will enjoy making virtual paper snowflakes at Make-A-Flake (for use on a computer) or the free My Flake app. Stay tuned as we learn more!
WINTER WEATHER
We are really wishing for snow and need to be prepared when it finally arrives. Please make sure your child comes prepared to play in the cold, snowy or slushy conditions.
Some winter gear tips...
- Send a extra pair of warm, dry socks to keep in your child’s cubby in case his/her feet get wet during recess.
- Make sure your child has other shoes to wear during the day. Boots get too warm and often need time to dry out after recess. Your child needs P.E. shoes Monday-Thursday.
- Is your child having a hard time carrying all his/her winter gear back and forth? We’d like to recommend that each child use a large durable canvas or vinyl bag (like the eco-bags used for grocery shopping) to take snow boots, pants, hats, and mittens/gloves back and forth from home to school. This way they have everything in one place and don’t have to go searching. This will help the children become more independent and responsible for their belongings as well. Please label the bag with your child’s name. If your child loses a mitten or hat, please check the Lower School Lost and Found, 1st Floor Blaine, bottom of stairs near Room 189.
AUTHOR VISIT & BOOK ORDERS
Roxie Munro is the author/illustrator of more than 35 books. She focuses on nonfiction topics, which ties in nicely with our recent nonfiction study during Reader's Workshop. Ms. Munro will be visiting Lab School this week. Four of her books will be available for purchase and she will autograph the books while she is here. Order forms were sent home on Friday and are due in Blaine Library by 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 17th. Payment options include check or an invoice from FACTS, the Schools' online payment system.
NEW READ ALOUD
Be sure to ask your child about our latest read aloud, Where The Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin. Here is a short summary from the author's website:
In the valley of Fruitless Mountain, a young girl named Minli lives in a ramshackle hut with her parents. In the evenings, her father regales her with old folktales of the Jade Dragon and the Old Man of the Moon, who knows the answers to all of life's questions. Inspired by these stories, Minli sets off on an extraordinary journey to find the Old Man of the Moon to ask him how she can change her family's fortune. She encounters an assorted cast of characters and magical creatures along the way, including a dragon who accompanies her on her quest for the ultimate answer.
So far this book is keeping the children engaged and on the edge of their seats as we end each chapter!
PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES
An online sign was emailed to you (via Sign Up Genius) last week. Please sign up for a time slot if you haven't already. We are looking forward to meeting with you on February 4th and February 11th. Progress Reports will be available online toward the end of February or beginning of March.
MYSTERY READERS
You also should have received an email from Sign Up Genius inviting you to be a Mystery Reader. There are dates and times available from now until the end of the year. Here are the details:
Shhh! It’s a secret! Sign up to be a Mystery Reader. Mystery Readers are parents, family members or other special people in our school community who volunteer to read one short picture book of their choice to the class during a 15 minute block of time. You must keep it a secret from the kids (including your own!). Our Lower School librarians are wonderful resources if you need a recommendation and you can check the book out in Ms. Harrison’s name. We’ll keep it in the classroom for further reading & exploration. We’d also like you to share with us how reading is important in your job or daily life.
In order to ensure that all families have the chance to participate, each family is allowed one turn/time slot per child. Please contact Ms. Harrison if you have any questions.
Finally, when you arrive to be a Mystery Reader, please do not wait in the hallway outside of the classroom or you may be spotted! Come up to the classroom just before your scheduled time so we can keep your identity a secret. Thanks for your cooperation.
Take a look at our Gallery to see photos of our Mystery Readers so far and the books they read to us!
2013 is off to a great start! Enjoy your week.