May 10, 2013

I can't believe we have only 2 weeks of school left.  
These last 2 weeks will be filled with many review and hopefully fun activities.  

This class has been such a blessing.  I look forward to coming to work with them everyday.  What a joy and privilege it has been to be their teacher!

A LOOK AHEAD:
Memory: we are done!!!
Religion: stories of the early church
Spelling: lesson 32 (this will be our last test)
Grammar: reviewing sentences
Math:  Timed Test on Thursday over subtraction facts
Science: Test over Matter Unit E2-E29  on WEDNESDAY
Social Studies: family traditions
Literacy Centers:
Phonics: building words game
Name: combining sentence with and
Alphabet: fact and opinion activity
Science: measuring liquids
Poetry: game center

It is important to continue reading over the summer.  Listed are 3 ways to help your child maintain the reading levels they have achieved this year!

-My daughter Hannah and I are planning on having a reading camp one day a week this summer.  The camp will run 6 weeks.  This would help students maintain their reading level over the summer.  You can sign up and attend as many or as few as you are able.  You just pay for the camp days you attend.  Please look in the Friday Folders for an information sheet and sign up sheet. 

- I am sending home book orders.  I will place the orders Monday, May 13 after school.  Please log on to scholastic.com to place a book order.

The class code is GPF69
Here is a link: 

https://orders.scholastic.com/GPF69

- Sign up for the summer reading program at the Public Libraries.  Who doesn't like winning a prize!

If your child has a summer birthday and they would like to celebrate at school please email me the date so that we don't end up with a ton of treats on one day!

The Parent's Day Out program is in need of used watercolor sets.  If you would like to donate your child's watercolors from this year just email me and I will take care of the rest.

My daughter is getting confirmed next weekend and I will be taking a personal day on Friday to prepare, Mrs. Heather Masa will be subbing for me.

As it gets closer to summer I want to remind you not to take a vacation from God.  This class loves to sing the various liturgies used in church. They also have a very mature prayer life.  I ask that you continue to nourish their faith.  Make a commitment to attend church weekly.  Show your children that nothing is more important than God, not vacations (visit another church where you are vacationing), not sports (take advantage of the various services times and days), not sleeping in or boating or golf (show that God is important to you and make a point to worship even when it isn’t easy).  
Your child will be blessed by your faithfulness to worship and will follow your example.

He tends His flock like a shepherd:

He gathers the lambs in His arms

and carries them close to His heart;

He gently leads those that have young. 

Isaiah 40: 11

Happy Mother’s Day!!

Being a mom can be a rewarding yet challenging job.
Please know that God is with you and He carries you close to His heart.
May you have a wonderful day!

Check out this week's pictures, our family story's videos, and the slime recipe.

1B's Family Stories

WE MADE SLIME, it is a liquid with high viscosity!

Carefully measuring 1 cup of water.

Putting the glue into the bowl.

More Glue...

No just add the mixture of Borax and water.

Mix It

Look at those faces!!

Slime is great fun.

Slime doesn't have it's own shape and it flows.  Must be a liquid.

Many hands make mixing easy work.

Slime Recipe:
1 teaspoon Borax powder (found in the laundry detergent aisle)
1 1/2 cups water (divided)
4 oz Elmer's glue
food coloring
Add Borax powder to 1 cup water and stir to dissolve.  Set Aside.
Pour glue into a mixing bowl and add 1/2 c water.  Add a few drops of food coloring and mix glue solution until smooth.  Pour Borax mixture into the glue mixture and watch the transformation.  Use your hands to stir.  The mixture will be very soft and wet.  Keep kneading until it firms up and feels dry.  Discard excess liquid in bowl.

Testing Solid Matter...Making an Hypothesis

Testing if the matter floats or sinks.

Recording the results of the test.

Finding the properties of three liquids.

Testing the viscosity.

Playing teacher after finishing a center!

Working on Needs an Wants Posters in Social Studies

Group working on cutting pictures of needs and wants from magazines.

Finding a need to add to the group poster.

Alexander Calder is known for inventing mobiles and making kinetic sculptures.

Making our own kinetic sculpture.

Bending the pipe cleaners to show movement.

WE ARE SO PROUD OF OUR SCULPTURES!