Weekly News...

Spelling
I sent an email today with this week's words and last week's graded tests went home today.  The students are really doing an awesome job on their spelling and using it in their writing (sometimes after a reminder to slow down).  Keep up the great work overall. 

Pasta for Pennies
We will be attending Olive Garden for a free lunch tomorrow.  YAHOO!!!  Please let me know if your child has any drink restrictions.  If hot lunch was ordered from the PTO, I will send it home with your child at the end of the day. 

Homework
Optional homework still comes home from week to week.  I mentioned at several conferences that harder (mental) homework, hands-on ideas, and fine motor practice will be coming home as well.  That will start next week.  I purposefully waited a few weeks to ensure the routine and expectations regarding spelling words were established before piling on more things.  

Grandparent's Day
As a reminder, Grandparent's Day will be Friday, May 16th.  Please fill out this form for Mrs. Ellis to ensure your child's grandparent will be invited, etc.  I understand that many grandparents live far away and many are deceased as well, so please do not feel disappointed if your child's grandparents are unable to attend.  It is completely understandable. 

Saturday School
This past Saturday we studied the last bit of dental health we missed during the snow days and began our study of earth materials (sand, clay, loam, rocks).  We finished these studies Monday with several experiments-- ask your child about them!  This Saturday we will be spending time with our 3rd grade buddies since there was not enough time during Dr. Seuss week.  We will be making oobleck and enjoying our time together with our buddies.  I understand that many families already have plans, swimming lessons, sports games and practices, etc. so I have made sure that the content is OK for your child to miss if he/she is absent.  Please let me know if you have questions. 

Saint Patrick's Day
We will be learning about Saint Patrick's Day, Ireland, and many other activities.  A few things in regard to this... 
*If you have any old/moldy/full of eye potatoes (or some we can create that way in the window) please send them in!  We will also be doing a graph with Lucky Charms, painting blarney stones, and making Irish Soda Bread.  I will provide all ingredients.   
*Please send in recyclable items for us to make leprechaun traps!  Shoe boxes, containers, string, etc. will all be great.  The sky is the limit on the traps regarding design and materials.  
**I would also love to take the kids on a leprechaun chase through Uptown (since our Winter gingerbread chase was cancelled).  This would occur March 19th in the morning (9:30-lunch).  Since the trip has the same objective (mapping, environmental print, signs, etc.) I plan on using the permission forms from the Singing Bears trip.  However, please let me know if you do not approve of your child to attend this trip.    

Have a wonderful week!