For the Nutcracker performance, we have Gomathi, Claire, and Carole helping with make-up and costuming. If costume parents could please come at around 8:45 or so and begin calling kids back individually and get them ready for the stage, that would be great. Thank you!
Language Arts:
We will be reviewing word families that we've already introduced: at, an, and ap. We will be mixing the words in these families up to see how students are doing with blending using the different word families. We will also have a new sight word: you. Our stories this week will be different holiday stories.
Math:
We will continue with Module 4, Number Pairs, Addition & Subtraction to 10. Parent tips for this module can be found here.
Center Help
Thank you for such wonderful parent support in centers for all of 2019. There are still 14 spots left for those who are interested in joining us for centers in early 2020. Please see the Sign-Up Genius to sign up.
Art Vistas
We have an Art Vista lesson on Monday, where we will be creating animals out of modeling clay. Thank you to Tiffany, Agnieszka, Carole & Hema for their help with Art Vistas this year.
Cornerstone
We have a Cornerstone lesson this Tuesday afternoon. Thank you to Jessica for leading Cornerstone this year.
This Week's Special Events
A reminder about clothing for the Nutcracker: please remember to dress your children in the clothes suggested in the letter sent home in the Wednesday envelope two weeks ago. Children should come to school dressed in these items on Thursday. Girls who are wearing leotards can wear something over the top of their leotards when they arrive and change into their ballet shoes for the performance. As a reminder, here is the list:
FRITZ: Bathrobe/pajamas & slippers
NUTCRACKER/SOLDIERS/RUSSIAN DANCERS: White Shirt & Dark Pants w/ dark shoes
MICE/MOUSE KING: Dark Shirt & Dark Pants & dark shoes
SUGAR PLUM, RIBBON CANDY, FLOWERS: Light colored leotard/light colored tights/ballet slippers or light colored shoes-- leotards with tutus attached are fine & encouraged for Sugar Plum Fairies & Flowers, especially. Ribbon tutu provided for Ribbon Candies.
ARABIAN: Light colored fitted shirt w/ leggings OR leotard w/ no tutu (we provide the Harem pants)
CHINESE DANCERS: Shirt doesn't matter so much (will be wearing jacket we provide) dark pants, dark shoes.
Please borrow whatever you need to borrow-- we don't intend for anyone to have to buy anything. I have several leotards and a few pairs of ballet slippers in the classroom that used to belong to my daughter that are also available-- let me know if you need to borrow. I will send them home with children who want to borrow one on Monday. Please email me to let me know you'd like to borrow one.
Please arrive promptly in the cafeteria for the Nutcracker, as we intend to start the show right at 10:00. Also, please do not try to come early and save seats. We will be keeping the doors locked until about 15 minutes before the performance. There are plenty of seats for everyone, so no need to stress. We want everyone to enjoy the performance, so please refrain from standing and blocking the aisles. It is no fun to watch a performance with a raised camera in front of you blocking your view-- I've had this happen to me at several performances, and I ask that you refrain from this behavior. If you want to take pictures, please go to the back row. Also remember that school-aged siblings are not to be pulled out of class to watch the performance. Thank you!
On another photography note, we will have Anne Marie Hart (yearbook photographer) at the performance recording a video of it on an iPad. She & I will also be taking photographs of the children in their costumes both before & during the performance. You will have access to these photos & the video, so that you can spend your time on Thursday enjoying the performance.
Holiday Party
We will have our holiday party and gift exchange on Friday the 20th. I believe a Sign-Up Genius has gone out to sign up for sending in food for the party. This is a pajama party! Children are encouraged to wear their pajamas and bring a stuffed animal with them as we enjoy a fun breakfast and games. For lunch that day, we will be having pizza in the classroom. This is our pizza party celebration for bringing in the most money in the Consolidated Classroom Payment drive at the beginning of the year. No need to pack any food for your child on the 20th since breakfast & lunch are covered. However, please do send water bottles so your child has something to drink. Please also remember to send in your gift for the gift exchange, marked "boy" or "girl" (even if it is a gender-neutral toy, please just mark with the gender of your child). Thank you!
Remember to bring your blue bags tomorrow. No blue bags this Wednesday due to the upcoming holiday.
Upcoming
When we return from Winter Break on January 6th, we are having a special district-wide day called "Smart Start." Basically, it's a fun day of activities to get children excited about returning to school. We will be doing some hands-on projects and having time to play to ease our way back into school.
Happy Holidays and enjoy your break!
This Week's Helpers & Activities:
Monday: Return Blue Bags, Daily 5, No Centers
Tuesday: Daily 5, No Centers
Wednesday: Rhythm & Moves P.E., No Blue Bags
Thursday: Return Weds. Envelopes, Nutcracker Performance @ 10:00
Friday:Holiday Party (wear pjs and bring wrapped gift), pizza lunch
Upcoming Events:Thursday 12/19: Nutcracker Performance at 10:00
Friday 12/20: Classroom Holiday Party/Pajama Day
12/21-01/05: Winter Break
Friday 01/17: No School: Professional Development DayFriday 12/20: Classroom Holiday Party/Pajama Day
12/21-01/05: Winter Break
Monday 01/20: No School: MLK Day
Tuesday 01/28: 100 Day
02/17-02/21: President's Week Vacation
