Feb. 8th

Work Time: WOW! It is amazing to see all the work the students have been doing lately. In the past two weeks, many first graders have worked very hard to finish their work plans. We've talked about strategies to plan out how they are going to accomplish their goals for the week. Starting with the hardest work first, highlighting works each day, trying to finish three each day, etc. This planning and time management is a great skill that students will be able to carry with them through out their lives.
Some kindergarteners even received a work plan this past week. They were showing their determination to challenge themselves, work on a variety of works, and be independent. The goal is to continue to introduce workplans to kindergarteners each week. Ask your child what was one their goals and how they are managing their time to finish it each week!

Black History Month: Students have really been diving in to learn more about many different African Americans that have impacted history in a variety of ways. We've been learning about the challenges Wilma Rudolph over came as a child, a women, and an African American. The students have been fascinated with her determination to win three Gold Medals. For the month of February the students are working in groups to research various African Americans throughout history who have made a difference. The students choose to research Charles Drew, Rosa Parks, Ruby Bridges, Martin Luther King Jr. and Barack Obama. Students are working together in groups to research and write All About books about their person of interest. ON Feb. 26th for Black History Night, you will be able to see a video of your child's presentation as well as other classrooms presentations.

Readers Workshop and Writers Workshop:

For the next few weeks students have been working on researching and writing an All About a significant African American from history. The students are learning how to look for new information, working together in a group, and write in their own words an All About book. Ask your child how their research is going, what is their favorite part, what have they learned about so far?

Geography:For the past two weeks we have been learning about Japan. We were able to watch a documentary on a famous sushi Chef from Tokyo. Mr. Glenn then came in and made sushi with us while we watched a famous Japanese cartoon, My Neighbor Totoro. The students also made their own Co fish flags for CHildren's Day. They have learned to count to 10 in Japanese and write a few Kanji symbols.

Science: We have started our unit on Balls and Ramps. So far students have been learning a lot about how to look for similarities and differences using our senses. They took a look at different attributes of rubber balls and polystyrene.

Star Student: For the month of February I will not be choosing a start student. Every Monday morning we will be having special guest speakers for Black History Month. We will not be reading out start students on these mornings.

Valentines Day Party: On Friday I sent home a letter about our Valentines day party. We will be having the party from 11:50-1:15. We will be enjoying some Valentines day snacks, passing out cards, working on a craft, and playing a few games. I will be sending out a link to sign up on Volunteer spot if you would like to help contribute to the party or participate in an activity. We're using VolunteerSpot (the leading online Sign-up and reminder tool) to organize our upcoming Sign-ups. Here's how it works in 3 easy steps: 1) Click this link to see our Sign-Up on VolunteerSpot: http://vols.pt/cdCZJ7 2) Review the options listed and choose the spot(s) you like. 3) Sign up! It's Easy - you will NOT need to register an account or keep a password on VolunteerSpot. Note: VolunteerSpot does not share your email address with anyone. If you prefer not to use your email address, please contact me and I can sign you up manually.

Work Time!!!

Wow this week students really stepped it up in challenging themselves! I saw numerous students work on their language binders, adding to ten, words their way, reading challenging books, and working on the 100 board. Many first graders even finished their work plans! We’ve been working on having a focused, quite, and engaging worktime. Students have done such a great job at this, next week we will be welcoming some fish to our room as our class pets! Ask your child what their favorite work was this week?

Readers Workshop This Week in Readers Workshop Students have been learning to mark new information they learned. We used sticky notes to mark an L for new learning. After each book students went back and re-told all the new information they learned. We also learned about how to mark a question mark for things I’m wondering about. Once they marked their question, they went back to try to answer their questions. Try these strategies at home when your reading your next non-fiction book!

Writers Workshop

This week as writers students worked on adding diagrams and labels to their How To’s. We also worked on elaborating are How To’s by adding to the pictures and words. We tried to add as many details as possible for the audience.

Geography This week students read a Japanese Folk tale about Tusnami’s, The Magic Fan. We also learned about Japanese culture, landforms, transportation, and food! Ask your child what they learned about Japan? Next week we will be making sushi!

Roots of Empathy!!! This week was our last lesson on emotions: Some of the things students learned were:
To recognize feelings sad, angry/mad, happy and scared.
To talk about times they have felt these feelings.
To think about ways to help others who are feeling sad or mad.
To emphasize that everyone has these feelings, and it is good to talk about them.
To recognize what bullying is and to understand how it makes people feel.
To see themselves as being able to respond to acts of meanness as an observer and bystander.
To connect to one another and the baby.
To understand how a baby develops and learns (neuroscience.)

Homework Books: Starting on Monday I will be sending books home that are at your child’s just right reading level. Please use these books to practice reading every night. These are books your child should be able to read independently. A great strategy is to read them together the first couple of times and by the end of the week, they should be reading the books fluently back to you. PLEASE RETURN THE BOOKS EVERY MONDAY FOR NEW BOOKS!

Star Student
Charlie really challenged himself as a student this week. He finished his work plan and choose challenging works! He pushed himself as a writing, elaborating with more details to his pictures and his words! Charlie has been helping out others and helping to keep our classroom environment ready to learn. Way to go Charlie!

Important Dates:
Jan 29th Open House 5:30-7:30
Jan 30th NO-SCHOOl day between semesters

Reminders: Aladdin practice: For those of you who turned in your forms, script reading will be next week. Please look for your child’s practice time that was sent home.

Open House:
Please Join our Open House 1/29
5:30-6:00-Potluck
6:00-6:20- Welcoming in Lunchroom
6:30-7:30- Please join your child in the classroom.
Your Child will show you: works they’ve learned books they can read writing they’ve been working on

Jan 16th

Work Time!!!

Students have really been challenging themselves this week. All students learned about a language work plan. These language work plans help them move through the progression of short vowel words, blends, digraphs, and vowel patterns. A goal is for them to work on their language work plan, words-their-way, and math everyday. I have noticed students working on choosing works from all different areas ( practical life, science, language, math, geography, and science). Ask your child what work they like to choose that might be challenging for them?

Readers Workshop This Week in Readers Workshop Students have been learning non-fiction text features. They have learned about table of contents, index, glossary, heading, etc. While reading at home try to choose some non-fiction books and see if they can recognize non-fiction text features. I sent home reading awards to show how hard every student has been working and moving up reading levels! Keep up the great reading!

Writers Workshop Wow, the students have been writing like crazy. They have really challenged themselves to write more details, use two finger spacing, add more details to their pictures, and use transition words! Ask your child what they are writing about and look for their how-to’s to come home soon!

Geography We had our initial introduction into Asia this week. We learned about the largest continent, largest country, and the country with the most amount of people? See if your child can answer! In the next couple of weeks we will be focusing on the country of Japan!

Roots of Empathy!!!

This week we had a visit from baby Sam! The unit we are focusing on is emotions. Students learned how the parent recognizes the baby's feelings. We also focused on that feelings are a sign to others, and that all feelings are okay. Some goals were to help to students realize that they can help others who are feeling sad or mad; to show students how feelings can be contagious; to have students understand that loving a baby teaches the baby how to be a loving, caring person.
Of course some more baby Eadlyn photos!

Buddy Classroom

On Thursday we were able to go and visit our buddy classroom (Mrs. Deese’s 4th/5th graders) and try out their fun games! As part of their science unit ( models) they made their own arcade games out of just cardboard boxes. The students were able to visit their “arcade” and test out all the games. The students had a blast and were able to see all the hard work and creativity that went into making the games. The rest of the year we will do a lot more fun projects, reading time, and experiences with our buddy classroom.

Star Student Kaz!!! Kaz has worked so hard this week to challenge himself at learning new materials! In work time he has learned many new works and continued to practice them throughout the week. During writers workshop Kaz has challenged himself to write numerous How to’s. Katz is a great friend and welcoming to everyone in class. Way to go Kaz!

Important Dates:
Jan 19th NO-SCHOOL MLK
Jan 29th Open House 6:00-7:30
Jan 30th NO-SCHOOl day between semesters

Reminders: Thank you to those of you who have returned forms.
Leschi Elementary School Presents…
Aladdin!
If you like to act, sing, dance, or just want to try something new, then this is the perfect play for you! All students grades K-5 are invited to participate in Leschi’s first all school play.
• Speaking roles • Set building • Stage help
There is an opportunity for everyone to be involved! The final production will be in May and rehearsals will take place February-April. If you would like to participate please return the forms by Tuesday.

Welcome Back!!! WOW, what an amazing welcome back I have received this week! Coming back to cheering, clapping, hugs, cards, and treats has made this transition so much easier! Thank you to all the families and especially the kids who have welcomed me back. We have had an amazing week in work time learning new works, making new work plans and challenging ourselves. Some goals this week that the students have been focusing on our: Working independently and taking care of the environment! I know each week the students will only continue to grow. “Free the child's potential, and you will transform him into the world.”
Maria Montessori

Readers Workshop This Week in Readers Workshop Students have been learning about the differences between fiction and non-fiction books. We have also been working on building up our reading stamina to read for 20 min. We are up to 15 min.so far!!! Ask your child some differences between fiction and non-fiction?

Writers Workshop As we are learning about non-fiction we have been noticing a lot of How-To books. Students will be working on writing their own how-to book. This week we have brainstormed all the things we are good at and starting making plans for which how-to’s we are going to write. Ask your child what they are writing about?

Geography We will be starting our new unit in geography on the continent ASIA!!! If anyone would like to come in and present or share their experiences , artifacts, or knowledge about Asia please let me know, we also always love Guest speakers.

Martin Luther King!!!

Our class has just started learning about the history and biography of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. We will learn more about his life, events, and his dream. On Jan 16th there will be a Martin Luther King Assembly at 2:00 pm. Our class will be reciting an excerpt from his Noble Peace Prize acceptance speech and singing we “Shall Overcome” Please feel free to attend the assembly, however if you can’t make it we are going to try and video tape the K/I performance

Star Student
Solene has been working so hard this week getting back into school after the winter break. She has been focused on her work plan and really challenging herself. Not only has she challenged herself during worktime, but in readers and writers workshop as well. She has really been working on her stamina to read longer and write more! Way to be a leader Solene.

Important Dates:
Jan 14th 2 hr early release
Jan 16th 2:00 MLK assembly
Jan 19th NO-SCHOOL MLK
Jan 30th NO-SCHOOl day between semesters

Of course I had to share a few pictures of Eadlyn!

Field Day!

Field Day was so much fun! The kids did a great job being good sports, working together, and learning a ton of new games. Thank you to everyone who came out to help and make that possible!!!

Readers Workshop and Writers Workshop Students finished readers and writers workshop by reading their favorite comics! Students have had so much fun with this unit creating and imagining their own characters adventures. Have your child read their favorite comic to you at home!

Antarctica! We wrapped up our continent study by watching a video about the researchers and explorers in the South Pole. Ask your child the most interesting thing they learned about Antarctica!

Fruit Unit

All K/1 classrooms are ending the year with a fruit unit. We each chose a fruit in season to study and learn about, our class learned about blueberries! We made several recipes, including blueberry milkshakes with Mr. Castiglia. Next Wed will be having a mini farmers market to share our treats with the other classes. Look for those fun recipes to come home soon.

HOMEWORK FOLDER

I will be sending home a homework folder this week! This folder is meant to be worked on over the summer. Over the summer students reading levels can drop and all their hard work can be forgotten if students don’t practice! The homework folder contains a lot of activities to work on reading, writing, math, etc. If your child works on a little everyday or every other day they will come back to school in the fall ready to go! If your child turns in the reading log they will receive a FREE DRESS PASS and PENCIL! If your child turns in the whole summer workbook, they will get any BOOK of their choice!! Please use this homework folder as an opportunity for your child to continue to grow and learn over the summer.

Our caterpillar turned in a moth!!

Reminders Music concert for Monday morning assembly and Friday is a small awards assembly announcing Seymour Kaplan award * with SECRET performance by some 5th grade students and teachers.

Please return you library books and homework books!!!!!!

The end of year picnic is on Tuesday. Please help sign up to bring something, and we need lots of extra help that day running activities!

I sent home a flyer for summer birthday celebrations, please let me know if that time or day doesn’t work.

Tide Pools Fieldtrip!

Our annual tide pool field trip was so much fun! Thank you to those who chaperoned and braved the slippery rocks and the cold water! We really appreciate it and hope you had fun as well. We saw lots of different kinds of sea life! Ask your student about this!

Readers Workshop and Writers Workshop This week in readers and writers, we began our new unit: Comic books! Students spent time exploring comic books as a way to write fiction stories using detailed pictures and character dialogue. For writers students spent time making a story map, which is a quick snap shot of their comic book story and they included key story elements such as character, setting and adventure. A fun and exciting activity would be to grab a newspaper and look through the comics section and ask your student what features they notice. Next week, we are going to write our first draft of our comic books and work towards finalizing it and publishing it at the end of the week.

Antarctica! We have started our last continent study for the year! We wrapped up Australia by making Fairy Bread with Ms. Ooton! Fairy bread is white bread with butter and sprinkles (it’s actually really good...), and they each had a little piece for snack. We started our Antarctica unit by looking at all the interesting animals that live there and watched a video about how researchers explore the continent and its animals to know more about the global climate.

Ms. Ooton's Corner For the last few days of school Mrs. Castiglia and I have been planning a 10 day countdown but shhhh... its a secret for the kids! We'll be doing something fun to celebrate all of the work students have done this year - from a special sidewalk chalk writing day to a picnic with our 4th and 5th grade buddies. One of the activities I am most excited for is the time capsule we will be making on the 2nd to last day of school. Students will be encouraged to draw or write something about themselves as a Kindergartner/1st grader or bring something that will remind them of this past year they've had in school. We will first share what we are putting in the time capsule as a whole class before we lock it away for the future. Encourage your student to reflect on their year and think about something they might want to bring in!

Star Student!

Volunteers Thank you so much to all our parent volunteers who have helped out in the classroom, at school events, brought in snacks/supplies, attended field trips, run after school programs, and helped with prepping materials. We appreciate all that you do for our class and our school. I know I speak for all the teachers at Leschi, THANK YOU!!!!! Please join us on Monday for a special appreciation lunch from 1:00-2:00 and then a volunteer appreciation assembly from 2:00-2:30.

As the year is wrapping up please take a look at the calendar for upcoming dates such as Field day, music assembly, end-of-year picnic, etc. We will be celebrating summer birthday’s the last week of school. I will send home a notice about the information next week.

Alki Beach

This Thursday is our field trip to Alki beach. Still room for volunteers if you want to come along! Don't forget to please pack a lunch and wear sunscreen its going to be sunny! The students get to explore the pools, which means getting wet. Please make sure to have your child wear shoes they don't mind getting wet, muddy, and walking around on rocks.

Getting Ready for Next Year! We are all getting ready for next year! Kindergarteners will become first graders and first graders will be going off to second grade! Kindergarteners have progressed so much this year! They are independent, helpful, self-sufficient, decision-makers, and problem solvers! Kindergarteners are now working on more content based material and working toward their own personal goals. They learning to manage their time with more works on their work plans as the work load gradually increases! Give your kindergarten student a high-five! First graders are now experts at being teachers and mentors to our kindergarteners. They are leaders and ready to move on to second grade because they have worked hard all year to hone their crafts in math, writing and reading during work time. First graders are dealing with the excitement of moving on to another grade, but also may also be having a hard time leaving the comfort of their sturdy K/1 years. Give your first grader a huge pat on the back for all the work they’ve done.

Readers and Writers Workshop

This week in readers and writers workshop we continued our Writers Workshop poetry unit. In writers, the students wrote acoustic poems for their names and finalized their best part of me poems. It was wonderful to see their creativity and the way they are able to use new descriptive words to write about themselves. Students ended the unit with a poetry celebration! Our 4th/5th grade buddies came down to celebrate, it was a wonderful way for students to share their hard work. Have your child read you their favorite poems or some of their best work. We also started our comic book unit this week. Students learned about features of comics such as text boxes, frames, speech/thought bubble, sound/action words, etc. Student also started brainstorming characters for their comics.

Geography/Science This is our last week studying Australia and students were able to hear a great guest presentation in Ms. Chin's class about New Zealand. We've learned a lot about Australian animals (especially sharks) and Australian landforms, ask your child what they favorite part of our Australian study has been. We also wrapped up our science unit this week, students learned all about fabric, types of fabric, weaving/sewing fabric, staining/washing fabric, and finally dying fabric. Have your child read their observations from their science notebooks.

Ms. Ooton's Corner My highlight of this week was without a doubt the students' poetry celebration. Our 4th and 5th grade buddies joined us Thursday morning and each student in room 204 shared a poem they either wrote themselves or a favorite one they read during reader's workshop. I was so proud and impressed that every single student shared - some were nervous but they overcame their fears to read with strong voices and lots of expression! The Kindergarten and First grade students in our class then met individually with their buddies to talk about more things they had learned during their poetry unit and do some additional reading in small groups. It was great to see the older students offer suggestions and make connections to their own writing and see the younger students share their work with confidence and excitement. Check out the pics from the celebration and be sure to ask your student to share their poetry books with you!

Star Student

Dakota has worked so hard this year on his reading and writing. He has moved up several levels and continues to challenge and push himself. He is also checking to see what else he could be working on and is always willing to help others out. Dakota has made so many great friends not only in our class, but in other classes as well. He has been a great role model that students really look up to, Way to GO Dakota!!!!