Almost there...

One last push until a much deserved holiday vacation. I am so proud of all the hard work you have done this first trimester. See you tomorrow--be excited for our special guest cook:-)

Don't forget to read your Jerry Spinelli books and finish your math.

Decision making homework

Here is your homework assignment to work on with a family member tonight.

1. If you were the thirstiest you have ever been and could choose from any drink in the world, what would you choose and why?

2. If you had an all expenses paid trip to anywhere in the world and could leave tomorrow where would you go and why?

3. If you were told that you were going to be living on the moon for the rest of your life and could never return to earth, what one possession would you bring with you and why (Assume that your family, friends and pets were coming with you)?

4. Would you rather be popular and liked by everyone at school? ( knowing that people like you because you are putting on an act and not showing your true self) or would you rather be yourself, and have one or two close friends? Why?

After you asked your family these questions and they answered, show them the factors that can influence the decisions we make. Next to each response your parents gave, have them indicate which factor influenced the decision they made.

Decision Making Factors:

--habit
--faith (spiritual beliefs)
--esteem(how you think of yourself)
--peers (others who are your age)
--family (close and extended)
--media (TV, print, movies)
--values (what you believe is important)
--emotion (how you feel)

This activity is worth 10 points and is due tomorrow morning.

This activity is a pre-reading activity for our new read aloud book, STAR GIRL--a book about personal choice, and influence.

An inspiring letter from Jerry...

I shared this letter with the kids last week during our first book club. It was so inspirational to everyone, I had to post it here. I hope you relish the message as much as I do.

Dear Readers,

OK, let's stop right there...

You are a reader, aren't you? Maybe you don't think of that as a big deal. (“Yo—I'm a Reader!”) Well, let me tell you, it is a big deal, at least as far as I'm concerned, because when I was a kid you couldn't use the word “Reader” to describe me.

Except for schoolwork, about the only thing things I read were sports pages and the backs of cereal boxes. I regret that now. I wish I could go back and change it, but I can't. The best I can do is have one of my characters (Maniac Magee) carry a book everywhere he goes. It's the closest I can come to going back in time and doing it right. But it's not too late for you. Be proud, Dear Reader.

Jerry Spinelli

Brrrr it's cold out!

Brrrr it's cold outside. Winter is here. Remember to bring appropriate winter clothes to school. We will be going out each day:-)

Grandparent's Day photos posted

Here is the link to Grandparent's Day photos. If your grandparent's couldn't come, or left before I could take a picture, feel free to send me a picture of you with them and I will add it to our album. :-)

Happy Sunday

Happy Sunday everyone. I am sorry that I didn't get a blog post up sooner. I got sick this weekend and spent most of my time off in bed. Thanks for being patient with me. I am back to normal today. We had a wonderful end of the week with Grandparent's Day, a justice circle and book clubs. It was so much fun to meet members of everyone's extended families. Students could choose from four different stations to do with their families--snowflake magnets, snowflake ornaments, snowman ornaments (that unfortunately wouldn't stay glued!!) and an interview between students and their families. I was able to get some pictures of every student and their family member who was there. I will post these pictures once I get finished with this post. We will also be using these pictures with the interview sheets to turn them into nice gifts for our families.

We had a great justice circle on Friday morning. The time we spend together in our justice circles are my favorite times to spend with the students. For one hour, we sit on the floor in a circle as equals, as friends and as human beings. We suspend judgment, listen to each other intently and speak from our hearts. This week's topic was on personal choice. I read two poems to the students about the power of choice--as human beings we have the ability to make thousands of choices each day--and each choice we make has an impact on ourselves and those around us. Students shared stories of times when they knowingly made a choice they were not proud of. Together we compiled a great list of why we make the choices we do. Students came up with: getting revenge, giving in to peer pressure, for personal enjoyment/gain, because it is just the right thing to do, because we experienced it before, giving in to emotion, automatic response, etc. We talked about each reason and the positive and negative aspects of each. This circle time is always so poignant. Because everyone knows each other so well it has been good for the kids to see other "layers" of each other that we might not ordinarily come to know. I know we all look forward to this time each week.

Our book clubs started on Thursday. All students should have brought home their Jerry Spinelli book. In book clubs, we spent the hour "getting to know" Jerry Spinelli. We learned about where he gets his ideas, why he writes the type of stories that he does, and what messages he has for young readers and writers across America. Ideas for book projects will come home this week, as well as daily activities to complete while reading the book.

I can't believe we only have three days of school this week. I hope that you will all enjoy a happy, peaceful and healthy holiday with your families and friends. This time of year always brings about a little touch of magic and joy. I hope you are able to feel warmth and peace. Enjoy your Sunday night. See you bright and early tomorrow morning.

Life has been hectic this weekend. Look for a "Friday post" coming soon.

New Reading Contracts Posted

Here you go. I finally got around to posting the contracts that all reading groups came up with. There is a contract sheet posted on the news board, and every student also received a typed copy of their individual contract.

EGGS:
By November 25: Read to Chapter 24
By December 2: Read to Chapter 37
By December 4: Finish the book

LOSER:
By November 25: Read to Chapter 16
By December 2: Finish the book
(Everyone agreed to read 20 pages a night)

MANAIC MAGEE:
By November 25: Read to page 50
By November 27: Read to page 90
By December 2: Read to page 124
By December 4: Finish the book

All projects are due December 19.

Natalya's Poem

Natalya shared this poem with me that she wrote. It took my breath away, and I had to share it with you. Thanks Natalya:-)

Tornado in 1888

Rain is falling on the roof,
I hear the thunder boom.
Lightning gives off a flash,
While I catch a glimpse of the solid hail.
The warning sirens blaring,
All the people staring.
Everyone is in shock.

This is a TORNADO.


After the devastation, the townspeople weep,
They shiver and they shake,
While the high winds take a break.
The clouds return to plain black,
From their greenish black hue.
Everyone is still afraid of the tornado,
That one summer night,
In 1888.

A bunch of reminders

Congratulations to Haven! Haven was nominated by her tae kwando instructors to be a part of their leadership team. Normally, students write letters to their instructors nominating themselves. Haven is such a natural leader, she didn't even have to write a letter. Her instructors nominated her! Haven, you will have to keep us posted. We are all so proud of you. Hip Hip Hooray!

Tomorrow is Grandparent's Day. Students should have written down in their planners what time their lunch session is. All grandparents are invited to school from 11-1. I will have a variety of wintery crafts for the students to make with their grandparents, as well as several games to play. I can't wait to meet members of your extended family.

Book Clubs start tomorrow. We will be doing an author study on Jerry Spinelli, and will be doing a writing activity that asks us to write using Jerry Spinelli's writing style. It should be interesting to see what everyone comes up with. Keep your fingers crossed that all of our book club books will be in tomorrow. If not, don't worry...we will adjust the final project due date.

Please remember to return Reindeer Run permission slips ASAP. Even if you are not in running club, you are welcome to run in the three mile race with us on December 6th. All students should have brought home registration forms yesterday. We will have running club tomorrow--unless the temperature is unbearably cold, we will go out for some fresh air, so dress warmly.

Mix It Up! will be happening again on Friday from 2:30-3:15. I know the kids are looking forward to it.

We heard back from Color Me Mine! today. The studio manager is willing to donate 16 bowls, paints and all other supplies necessary to paint bowls for our Empty Bowls fundraiser. We are so excited. Hopefully next week, Color Me Mine will be able to come to our classroom and help us get our bowls ready. Next week, we will be working hard to put final details together. We will keep you posted.

Homework tonight: Please read chapter 18 in WITCH OF BLACKBIRD POND. This may count as your 20 minutes of reading. Have a great night. See you tomorrow!