September  2014
Dear Room 26 Families,

It was great to see all of you at Back to School Night!  Thank you so much for being there, signing up to help out the class, donating items on my wish list and sharing a little bit about yourself.  I am so excited about our year together!
Classroom volunteers won’t start until October.  I will need some time to work out the schedule and get the kids into their routines.  Please feel free to stop by our classroom or email me if you have any questions regarding either of these jobs.  A special thanks to Karen Olson, our class treasurer.  You can turn in the donation to me or it can be given directly to her.

READER’S WORKSHOP
This week we continue our discussion of what good readers do and “just right” books. We will start practicing choosing books from our classroom library.  Please assist your child at home with their selections and let me know if you need any books.  CHECK OUT SCHOLASTIC WIZARD IF YOU NEED TO KNOW THE LEVEL OF A BOOK. We are focusing on our first reading comprehension strategy of VISUALIZATION. Our next step is practicing reading for striking sentences. Next week we will start discussing how to do our Home Reading Journals so look for those early October.

WRITING
Our daily edit started last week.  I will occasionally add it to the homework packet.  This will become part of the routine so you can refer to the Editing Marks sheet in the Back to School Night packet. We started cursive today.  Our MARVELOUS ME T-SHIRTS are hanging up if you didn’t get a chance to check them out.  This was as a get to know each other activity.  They filled one sleeve with words describing them and the other sleeve is filled with places they have traveled or would like to visit one day.  The middle is filled with things your child loves and a wish.  In the middle of their shirt is a fun nickname using alliteration.  WE PRACTICED USING ALLITERATION. Your child chose an adjective that started with the first letter of his/her name.  The shirts are hanging in the classroom if you want to check them out.

MATH
Our focus has been on rounding to the nearest ten and hundred.  Please help your child play The Great Round Up for extra reinforcement. 

FIELD TRIPS
Please make your $40 donation check out to our class treasurer KAREN OLSON for all the field trips.  Scholarships are available.

Ring Mountain-Tuesday, SEPT. 23 leaving at 9:00
At Ring Mountain the children will learn about the Miwok Indians who lived on the mountain and explore a special Miwok attraction that still remains.  We will also study the natural history of the mountain and how the Miwok used different native plants and animals to survive.  We will be doing a lot of hiking, so wear sturdy shoes and bring a water bottle. 

Marin Museum of American Indian-Friday, October 10 leaving at 8:45!
Please pack a substantial snack, water and lunch for your child. 
I’ll be sending home permission slip next week.  Please mark on the slip if you can drive and how many kids you can fit in your car.  I will list the drivers in an email so please be advised.

Have a great day!
Ms. Lackey