Earth Day Items for next week....

We had a wonderful trip to the recycling center yesterday and have been learning TONS about the 2 R's this week.  We will continue these studies into next week as well.  

EARTH DAY FUN: Next Wednesday, April 22nd, is Earth Day.  This is always one of my favorite units to study, as recycling, reusing, etc. are a daily passion of mine.  Please note the following important things:

Every child needs to bring 2 unwanted t-shirts to school by Wednesday, April 22nd.  They can be child, adult, men's, women's, etc. shirts that are new, used, stained, etc.  We will be making bags!

Also, if you have any broken or unwanted crayons, please send them in by April 21st.  We will be making new crayons in a toaster oven!  

Some other useful materials are:
colorful pages of newspaper
cupcake liners (reusable to keep or paper)   
fabric paint
puzzle pieces (maybe one was missing from an old puzzle you have?)  
buttons
Anything else that can be used to create based on recycled materials you have around the house! 

RECYCLING PROJECT: Every student will be creating a recycling project at home to share with their class in celebration of Earth Day.  Projects are due on Monday, April 27th.  The goal of the project is for the students to create something out of recycled materials- tin cans, water bottles, milk jugs, etc.  However, there is a slight twist.  I do not want them to create a toy or sculpture that will sit in their room or somewhere in your house before being recycled (or thrown away).  I want them to create something USEFUL that they would've otherwise gone to the store to buy.  Some ideas are: **a birdhouse     **jewelry box     **stationary holder  **picture frame  
The sky is the limit concerning the project and students can create anything they can imagine.  However, you should not be going to the store and buying materials for the recycling project, as it should be made from items that would've been recycled or thrown away.  This project should also be child-made with little to no help from parents!  Encourage your child to HAVE FUN and BE CREATIVE!!!

Below is a reminder of our class calendar for the end of the year.  Please note that the Imaginon Trips date changed, as did the Author Chair due to an oversight.  =) 

April 15th- Recycling center field trip 9:20-11:20
April 24th- Imaginon field trip 9:40-11:15
April 30th-May 2nd- School Musical (performance at school May 1st)
May 4th- Hiddenite Gem Mine 8:00-3:30
May 8th- Half day of school; Imaginon field trip 9:40-11:15
May 14th- Grandparent's Day and Night of the Arts (NOTA)
May 20th- Author Chair Book Celebration 8:30-10:15 in classroom
May 22nd- LAST Imaginon field trip 9:40-11:15
May 25th- No school- Memorial Day
May 27th- Move-up day
May 28th- Riverbanks Zoo 7:30-4:30
May 29th- Math Terra Nova and Imaginon field trip 1:30-3:00
June 1st- Surprise picnic and Read-In
June 2nd- Summer Birthday Ice Cream Party
June 3rd- Reading Terra Nova and Yearbook Signing
June 4th- K-4 Field Day 
June 5th- Talent Show and Clubs
June 8th- 5-8 Field Day and Clubs
June 9th- Awards, Graduation, and Clubs
June 10th- Last Day of School, Red Carpet Party