February 22, 2007

Dear Parents,

Enclosed is your child’s third magazine test.  This test assessed reading comprehension, phonics/decoding, writing and language, and proofreading.  The proofreading section was a new assessment.   It’s very similar to daily correcting errors on our morning message.  The class average was 90%. 

Our new reading unit is called “Unexpected Guests.”  It includes stories called Eek!  There’s a Mouse in the House, There’s an Alligator Under My Bed, and If You Give a Moose a Muffin.  Enclosed is a copy of the new vocabulary words for this unit.  Please take time to review these words with your child.  Over the next few weeks, you will see four books come home: A Great Place for Llama, A Tune for My Mother, Never Wake a Sleeping Snake, and Sheep in a Shop.  These books will include the new vocabulary words.

On Friday, March 2^nd we will go to the Manistee Public Library.  We will tour the library and have the opportunity to check out three books.  Afterwards we will go to Pizza Hut at 12:30 for lunch to celebrate everyone reaching his or her goal for all six months of the Book-It program.  Congratulate your child on a job well done!  Students need to bring their Pizza Hut cards to receive their last sticker and medallion.  Your child will be using her/her March Pizza Award Certificate to receive a personal pan pizza.  I will purchase the drinks.  If your child does not like pizza, then s/he can bring a packed lunch.  We will leave at 10:30 a.m. and should return to school at approximately 2:00 p.m.  If you are available to chaperone, then we would love to have you join us.  Also since we are eating lunch later, students should bring a morning snack.  We will eat it at 10:00.   

March is reading month.  Our theme is nature.  We will begin with a visit from Buck Wilder.    He has written several books: Buck Wilder’s Small Fry Fishing Guide, Buck Wilder’s Small Twig, Hiking & Camping Guide and several more.  We have many elementary activities planned throughout the month such as dress up days such as green day and outdoor day.  Our classroom will have its own activities such as Camp Read-A-Lot and a field trip to Pizza Hut and the Manistee Public Library. 

I’ve been busy adding new events to our web page such as 100^th day of school, Valentine’s Day party and Good Behavior Ski Day.  You can visit our web site at http://www.onekama.k12.mi.us/e2007/g1n/index.htm  

Warmly,

Shantel