Carol's Family Group

2010-03-18T08:31:39-08:00

From Carol’s Desk

During Reading Workshop we continue to work on organizing thoughts for writing and putting them into a beginning, middle, and end. We have begun to focus on characters, plot, and setting. We will be spending a few weeks discussing the organization process and techniques to writing. We are on the tail end of finishing up our wolf webquests with Jamies class and hope to have the final cumulative project completed shortly. In math we are beginning a unit on multiplication. We are looking at this as the concept of repeated addition and will be looking at groups and skip counting to help build this underlying concept. For science we will be doing a weather webquest. Students will learn more about this in the next few days.

Upcoming Events & Other News
Education Commissioner Larry LeDoux visited with us this week. We were able to talk to him our HB 14 (naming the AK Malamute as official state dog) and learn more about his job. We greatly appreciated that he took the time to stop by.

Spring pictures will go home today. Please return photos that you are not purchasing.

Student-led conferences are next week. Sign ups are located on the board by the stairs.

Testing is around the corner. Third graders will be testing in my room with me while second graders will meet with Kyla down in Judy's room. Please be sure that students arrive on time with a good breakfast in their tummy.

Intensive catalogs are being emailed and the registration form will go home today. Please make sure that your child has 3 separate choices. Registration choices are due by Monday. Students who do not return a form or do not have 3 separate choices, will not be registered.

We would also like to remind you that we are always open to have parents come in and volunteer to share a special talent, or read a book to the kids! The children love this and it is a great opportunity for you to see what is happening around the classroom!

2010-02-19T14:47:22-09:00

From Carol’s Desk

During Reading Workshop we continue to work on organizing thoughts for writing and putting them into a beginning, middle, and end. We will also start to focus on characters, plot, and setting. We will be spending a few weeks discussing the organization process and techniques to writing. We are on the tail end of finishing up our wolf webquests with Jamies class. In math we have been working with comparing numbers and measuring. For science we are finally done plant skits and moving into weather!

Upcoming Events & Other News

We are ready for another trip to Tanaina on Wednesday! We are still looking for a couple more drivers though, so please e-mail me if you are availiable!
Also. please make arrangements for your child to be picked up at 12:20 when we return from Tanaina as it is an early release day. If your child goes to capmfire please make sure to make arrangments with them.

Picture Day was today so be on the lookout for pictures going home to view for purchasing.

We would also like to remind you that we are always open to have parents come in and volunteer to share a special talent, or read a book to the kids! The children love this and it is a great opportunity for you to see what is happening around the classroom!

2009-12-11T13:00:05-09:00

From Carol’s Desk

During Reading Workshop we continued to talk about getting ideas for writing. We started to take some of our ideas and organize them. Next week we will continue on to put those ideas into writing! We will spending a few weeks discussing the organization process and techniques to writing. We are on th etail end of finishing up our wolf webquests with Jamies class. In mathh we have been workig with comparing numbers and measuring. For science we continue to work on plant skits, which we will be videotaping next week.

Upcoming Events & Other News

Tanaina visited our school today and it was great success. The students had an exciting time showing the little ones around our school and particiapting in various activities with them.

Items for the auction basket (small pet) are due by Febuary 10th!

We would also like to remind you that we are always open to have parents come in and volunteer to share a special talent, or read a book to the kids! The children love this and it is a great opportunity for you to see what is happening around the classroom!

2009-12-03T07:33:11-09:00

From Carol’s Desk

During Reading Workshop we have been learning more about visualizing, getting a picture in our mind while we read. We have been talking about how good readers make pictures in their minds while they read. We are also connecting this to how good writers choose words that give strong images to their reader. Poems are a great way to help support this. Read a poem to your child and have them draw a picture or make a clay figure showing what they "see." We have finished reading White Fang and have been working on projects to share our important learning. During Writing Workshop we have begun to think more about the words we choose to use in our writing. This will be a focus over the next few weeks. We are still working with Jamie's class on our Wolf Webquest. We will finish projects before the break and will put together presentations after Intensives. We continue working with fractions and talking about sharing equally. Ask your child about the digit game or the dice game we have been playing. During Science we continue our yearlong study of plants. We are still measuring the growth of our spider plants and have been researching about plants. After the break we will begin a more in depth investigation about what plants need to grow. We will also be introducing the tundra and boreal forest and begin to study weather.

We would like to thank all those parents that came to Tanaina with us for their Stone Soup Family Meal. It was an amazing experience and the children both here at Polaris and at Tanaina enjoyed it. Thank you! :)

Upcoming Events

We have the opportunity to go to the PAC to listen to the Air Force Band of the Pacific, "Sound of the Season," on Dec. 15. We will need drivers, however we currently only have space for 3 additional adults (unless you would like to share a seat with your child). Please let us know if you can help.

We will have our last Family Style Meal for the semester on the Thursday before winter Break. This is not an early release day but since we have other fun things going on that day we thought it would be a great idea to end the semester with a family gathering. We will be making homemade pizzas on this day, and using our new found fraction knowledge to cut them up! We will send out the food list again in e-mail. Thank you Amy!

We are also brainstorming ways we can contribute to the community for the holidays. We will be having another class meeting about this on Friday and will let you know what we have planned to do.

We would also like to remind you that we are always open to have parents come in and volunteer to share a special talent, or read a book to the kids! The children love this and it is a great opportunity for you to see what is happening around the classroom!

2009-11-19T13:20:16-09:00

From Carol’s Desk

During Reading Workshop we have been learning more about visualizing, getting a picture in our mind while we read. We have been talking about how good readers make pictures in their minds while they read. We are also connecting this to how good writers choose words that give strong images to their reader. Poems are a great way to help support this. Read a poem to your child and have them draw a picture or make a clay figure showing what they "see." We have finished reading White Fang and have been working on projects to share our important learning. During Writing Workshop we have begun to think more about the words we choose to use in our writing. This will be a focus over the next few weeks. We are still working with Jamie's class on our Wolf Webquest. We continue working with fractions and talking about sharing equally. Ask your child about the digit game or the dice game we have been playing. During Science we continue our yearlong study of plants. We looked are still measuring the growth of our spider plants (thanks Shay) and have been looking at researching about plants.

All of the students have added another Voice Thread about Tanaina. Please be sure to listen to what your child has to share about this experience.

Upcoming Events
Mark your calendars for November 25. You are all invited to a Stone Soup celebration at Tanaina. This is a great way to meet our preschool friends and their families. This event will take the place of our next family-style meal. Students are being asked to bring in 1-2 carrots and 1-2 potatoes by next Friday. We plan to arrive at 10:00. Parents are welcome to join us at that time or wait until 11:00 for lunch. Let me know if you need directions to the pre-school.

We have the opportunity to go to the PAC to listen to the Air Force Band of the Pacific, "Sound of the Season," on Dec. 15. We will need drivers, however we currently only have space for 3 additional adults (unless you would like to share a seat with your child). Please let us know if you can help.

Wishing you all a wonderful Thanksgiving.

2009-11-12T15:31:15-09:00

From Carol’s Desk

During Reading Workshop we will begin to learn more about visualizing, getting a picture in our mind while we read. Poems are a great way to help support this. Read a poem to your child and have them draw a picture or make a clay figure showing what they "see." We are almost finished reading White Fang and getting near the exciting ending. We continue talking about connections, inferences, vocabulary, and summarizing while reading. During Writing Workshop we have begun to think more about the words we choose to use in our writing. This will be a focus over the next few weeks. We have been talking about using a Thesaurus and using words that give the reader a good picture in their mind. We are still working with Jamie's class on our Wolf Webquest. We continue working with fractions and talking about sharing equally. During Science we continue our yearlong study of plants. We looked at tree rings and have begun to learn more about the different types of leaves.

Most of the students have added another Voice Thread about Tanaina. Please be sure to listen to what your child has to share about this experience.

Upcoming Events
Mark your calendars for November 25. You are all invited to a Stone Soup celebration at Tanaina. This is a great way to meet our preschool friends and their families. This event will take the place of our next family-style meal. Students are being asked to bring in 1-2 carrots and 1-2 potatoes by next Friday. We plan to arrive at 10:00. Parents are welcome to join us at that time or wait until 11:00 for lunch. Let me know if you need directions to the pre-school.

We will have the opportunity to go to the PAC to listen to the Air Force Band of the Pacific, "Sound of the Season," on Dec. 15. We will need drivers, however we currently only have space for 3 additional adults (unless you would like to share a seat with your child). Please let us know if you can help.

2009-11-06T09:36:44-09:00

From Carol’s Desk

During Reading Workshop we continue to learn about how to read with a partner, including what you might talk about. We are almost finished reading White Fang and getting near the exciting ending. We continue talking about connections, inferences, vocabulary, and summarizing. During Writing Workshop we have begun to think more about the words we choose to use in our writing. This will be a focus over the next few weeks. We are still working with Jamie's class on our Wolf Webquest. Our guest speaker, Willy Topkok, told us some exciting stories from his Native culture, the Inuit. We continue our next unit on Fair Shares - working with fractions. During Science we continue our yearlong study of plants.

Upcoming Events
Mark your calendars for November 25. You are all invited to a Stone Soup celebration at Tanaina. This is a great way to meet our preschool friends and their families. This event will take the place of our next family-style meal.

Our H1N1 clinic is scheduled for next Thursday. Please turn in paperwork to myself or Nurse Patty. Contact Patty for further questions.

We will have the opportunity to go to the PAC to listen to the Air Force Band of the Pacific, "Sound of the Season," on Dec. 15. We will need drivers, however we currently only have space for 3 additional adults (unless you would like to share a seat with your child). Please let us know if you can help.

2009-10-22T10:38:51-08:00

From Carol’s Desk

During Reading Workshop we continue to learn about how to read with a partner, including what you might talk about. We still reading White Fang. We have been talking about connections, inferences, vocabulary, and summarizing. During Writing Workshop we continue to learn about how to organize our writing as well as how to make webs to organize our thinking. We are still working with Jamie's class on our Wolf Webquest. Several groups are beginning their first project. They are looking great. We have another guest speaker scheduled for early November. We have begun our next unit on Fair Shares - working with fractions. During Science we continue to learn about plants.

All-School Seminar
We had a great time and the kids enjoyed this. The illustrated pictures that you'll get to see at conferences.

Intensive and Conference
Conference sign-ups are posted. Please remember that this is a student led conference and your child should attend with you. If you have further concerns, please contact me for an appointment.
Winter Intensive catalogs are available today through your e-mail or at the Parent Forum web site. Please make sure that your child has 3 different choices, the request form is signed, and turned in by the due date.

Family-Style Meal
Yummy! Thanks to everyone to donated to make a satisfying taco lunch.

Fall Carnival
Like last year, the Fall Carnival will be held in the MPR, Gym, and downstairs classrooms. Each class is being asked to sponsor a booth. We need an idea for a booth as well as parent volunteers to help run it during the carnival. There is a sign-up sheet outside our room if you can help or have an idea for an activity.

Voice Thread
Voice Thread is a unique way for your child to share with you. Our voicethread account is set up to be a private, educational account. Only students in our class and their families can access with the account name and password below. Some families will give the account information to grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc.- especially those living out of state - so they can share in your child's learning.This could prove to be a fun and interactive means of sharing. To get started, follow the directions below. If you are having trouble, the best thing is for you to stop by and I can "walk" you through the account on our computers.

• Go to www.voicethread.com
• Click “sign in.”
• The e-mail address is your child’s first name@polaris.com and the password is polaris
• To comment on your own child’s work, click the menu button on their picture. Then click on edit..
o This is where it gets tricky.
o Click on comment.
o On the bottom left corner there is a picture representing your child. Click on the picture.
o Scroll over the new identities until you find yours and click it.
o Click on comment again (with a mic picture) to add a voice comment. You can also click on the phone, type in your phone number, and the computer will call you in a few minutes to leave a recorded message with your phone.
**Please do this with your child. It may be very easy to edit work that should not be edited. If student work is altered and/or not respected, I will need to close the account for access. Please help your child use this responsibly and respectfully.

2009-10-15T11:20:07-08:00

From Carol’s Desk

During Reading Workshop we have begun to learn about how to read with a partner, including what you might talk about. We have also started reading White Fang. We have been talking about connections, inferences, vocabulary, and summarizing. During Writing Workshop we have been learning about how to write paragraphs. We will continue to learn about personification particularly in writing poems. We are still working with Jamie's class on our Wolf Webquest. Several groups are beginning their first project. They are looking great. We have another guest speaker scheduled for early November. I added a couple of pictures from our visit from AK Fish and Wildlife under "Wolves" link. We have begun our next unit on Fair Shares - working with fractions. During Science we continue to learn about plants. Don't forget to stop by and see their clay tree diagrams.

All-School Seminar
Please join us next week for our All-School Seminar from 8:30-9:30. Our story will be Old Turtle and the Broken Truth.

Intensive and Conference
Conference sign-ups will be posted by the end of the day on Friday, Oct. 16. Please remember that this is a student led conference and your child should attend with you. If you have further concerns, please contact me for an appointment.
Winter Intensive catalogs will go home in a couple of weeks. We will once again e-mail them and post on the Parent Forum web site. Please make sure that your child has 3 different choices, the request form is signed, and turned in by the due date.

Family-Style Meal
Our next family-style meal will be this Wednesday. This will be a Taco lunch. Amy, Toren's mom, will be in touch for donations. Please join us if you are able.

Fall Carnival
Like last year, the Fall Carnival will be held in the MPR, Gym, and downstairs classrooms. Each class is being asked to sponsor a booth. We need an idea for a booth as well as parent volunteers to help run it during the carnival. There is a sign-up sheet outside our room if you can help or have an idea for an activity.

Voice Thread
Voice Thread is a unique way for your child to share with you. Our voicethread account is set up to be a private, educational account. Only students in our class and their families can access with the account name and password below. Some families will give the account information to grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc.- especially those living out of state - so they can share in your child's learning.This could prove to be a fun and interactive means of sharing. To get started, follow the directions below. If you are having trouble, the best thing is for you to stop by and I can "walk" you through the account on our computers.

• Go to www.voicethread.com
• Click “sign in.”
• The e-mail address is your child’s first name@polaris.com and the password is polaris
• To comment on your own child’s work, click the menu button on their picture. Then click on edit..
o This is where it gets tricky.
o Click on comment.
o On the bottom left corner there is a picture representing your child. Click on the picture.
o Scroll over the new identities until you find yours and click it.
o Click on comment again (with a mic picture) to add a voice comment. You can also click on the phone, type in your phone number, and the computer will call you in a few minutes to leave a recorded message with your phone.
**Please do this with your child. It may be very easy to edit work that should not be edited. If student work is altered and/or not respected, I will need to close the account for access. Please help your child use this responsibly and respectfully.

2009-10-08T11:32:16-08:00

From Carol’s Desk

During Reading Workshop we continued to talk about perspective as well as antagonists and protagonists (good characters/bad characters). During Writing Workshop we wrote about our trip to Tanaina and have been adding detail to the writing. We will continue to learn about personification particularly in writing poems. We continue working with Jamie's class on our Wolf Webquest. Several groups are beginning their first project. We also developed a rubric that students will use to score themselves and their team. We wrapping up on unit on Landmarks in the 100's. Our next unit will be Fair Shares - working with fractions. During Science we continue to learn about plants. Don't forget to stop by and see their clay tree diagrams.

All-School Seminar
Please join us next week for our All-School Seminar from 8:30-9:30. Our story will be Old Turtle and the Broken Truth.

Intensive and Conference
Conference sign-ups will be posted by the end of the day on Friday, Oct. 16. Please remember that this is a student led conference and your child should attend with you. If you have further concerns, please contact me for an appointment.
Winter Intensive catalogs will go home in a couple of weeks. We will once again e-mail them and post on the Parent Forum web site. Please make sure that your child has 3 different choices, the request form is signed, and turned in by the due date.

Voice Thread
Voice Thread is a unique way for your child to share with you. Our voicethread account is set up to be a private, educational account. Only students in our class and their families can access with the account name and password below. Some families will give the account information to grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc.- especially those living out of state - so they can share in your child's learning.This could prove to be a fun and interactive means of sharing. To get started, follow the directions below. If you are having trouble, the best thing is for you to stop by and I can "walk" you through the account on our computers.

• Go to www.voicethread.com
• Click “sign in.”
• The e-mail address is your child’s first name@polaris.com and the password is polaris
• To comment on your own child’s work, click the menu button on their picture. Then click on edit..
o This is where it gets tricky.
o Click on comment.
o On the bottom left corner there is a picture representing your child. Click on the picture.
o Scroll over the new identities until you find yours and click it.
o Click on comment again (with a mic picture) to add a voice comment. You can also click on the phone, type in your phone number, and the computer will call you in a few minutes to leave a recorded message with your phone.
**Please do this with your child. It may be very easy to edit work that should not be edited. If student work is altered and/or not respected, I will need to close the account for access. Please help your child use this responsibly and respectfully.

2009-10-02T13:11:40-08:00

From Carol’s Desk

During Reading Workshop we read the wolf's version of the 3 Little Pigs and will talk about perspective as well as antagonists and protagonists (good characters/bad characters). We continue to talk about how stories are organized during Writing Workshop. We learned a bit about personification today. We're also continuing to learn how to read non-fiction books and take notes. We have been doing Word Study in class each morning. Your child should be bringing home a set of words to work with each Monday (except on a 4 day week). They should practice the activity we did in class that day. We continue working with Jamie's class on our Wolf Webquest. Several students are beginning their first project. We had a guest speaker from Wolf Song visit this week. I posted a couple of pics under the Wolves link. We continue to work on our math unit on thinking about Landmarks in the 100's. We have been doing Daily Math which is an opportunity to practice some skills. During Science we are learning about plants. We made clay diagrams of trees today. the kids did a fantastic job and had fun.

Drivers
Thanks to all of the families who drove! Your children were great and the pre-schoolers loved having them. We are looking forward to our next visit.

2009-09-25T07:35:18-08:00

From Carol’s Desk

During Reading Workshop we continue to look at fairy tales. We have been comparing/contrasting stories and talking about problems/solutions. We have also been learning about reading with fluency (reading like you're talking). We have been learning about how stories are organized during Writing Workshop. We have looked at developing problems/solutions as well as how to organize writing to make sense. We're also continuing to learn how to read non-fiction books and take notes. We worked a bit on highlighting key words in a text. We will continue this over the next several weeks. We have been doing Word Study in class each morning. Your child should be bringing home a set of words to work with each Monday (except on a 4 day week). They should practice the activity we did in class that day. We are working with Jamie's class on our Wolf Webquest. On Monday, a guest speaker will be talking about wolves and native cultures and mythology. We continue to work on our math unit on thinking about Landmarks in the 100's. We have been looking at groupings as related to money. During Science we are learning about plants.

Drivers
Our first trip to Tanaina is on Wed., Sept. 30. If you can drive, please let us know. Rachel, Zoie's mom, will be in touch. We have a fun day planned with our pre-school friends. We will be reading books, making leaf rubbings, and talking with our friends about leaf characteristics. As usual, we will stay and have lunch with them.

Family-Syle Meal
Thanks to everyone who participated and donated! The kids had a great time!

2009-09-16T13:11:46-08:00

From Carol’s Desk

During Reading Workshop we continue to look at fairy tales with a focus on tales with wolves in them. We have been doing lots of retellings and thinking about connections to ourselves as well as to other books. We've also compared and contrasted the different versions. We also continue to talk about how writers get ideas during Writing Workshop. We're also learning how to read non-fiction books and take notes. We started working with Jamie's class on our Wolf Webquest. We continue to work on our math unit on thinking about Landmarks in the 100's. We have been grouping objects and talking about factors. During Social Studies and Science we will be learning about wolves and plants.

Drivers
Thanks to Beth, Jamie, Ronda, Monica, and Tobi for driving to the zoo. Thanks also to Meg'n for getting this set up for us. Our next trip will be to Tanaina on Sept. 30. If you can drive, please let us know.

Fundraiser
The fundraiser is underway. Please keep your child's safety in mind - they should not be going door to door but rather contacting family and friends (or parent's workplace). Once again, Nurse Patty has challenged us. We hope to prevail - if we sell more than her (and believe me, she sells a lot) she will provide a special surprise for our class.

Family-Syle Meal
Our first meal will be next Wed. at 11:20. Please join us if you can. Just a reminder- Peanuts and tree nuts are not allowed due to allergies! If you bring a dish, please bring a list of ingredients that are in it.

Enjoying a story with Coach Damon, Dac's ad! If you or someone you know would like to read your favorite story to the class, please let us know.

2009-09-10T08:27:57-08:00

From Carol’s Desk

During Reading Workshop we have started to look at fairy tales with a focus on tales with wolves in them. We will be doing lots of retellings and also thinking about connections to ourselves as well as to other books. We'll also talk about how wolves are portrayed in fairy tales. We have been talking about how writers get ideas during Writing Workshop. We will also be learning how to read non-fiction books and take notes. We continue to work on our math unit on thinking about Landmarks in the 100's. We have been grouping objects and talking about factors. During Social Studies and Science we will be learning about wolves and plants.

Be sure to check the calendar link for important dates.

We have a zoo trip planned for Friday, Sept. 18. Permission slips have been sent home - cost will be $8 per child and $9 for chaperones. Zoo passes will not be accepted as this will be a guided tour. Please return money with the permission form. IMPORTANT: The Anchorage School District has changed the permission forms. A booster seat is now required for students not meeting the height/weight requirement. The back of the form explains this further and must be filled out and signed.
We will also be going to UAA to visit our buddies at Tanaina Child Development Center. The permission form lists all of the dates we will be going.
If you can drive on any of these dates, please let me know. I'm still coordinating all of the forms you have returned but hope to have a driver coordinator soon.

Fundraiser
Packets have gone home today. Please keep your child's safety in mind - they should not be going door to door but rather contacting family and friends (or parent's workplace). Once again, Nurse Patty has challenged us. We hope to prevail - if we sell more than her (and believe me, she sells a lot) she will provide a special surprise for our class.

Family-Syle Meal
There is a letter in your childs Thursay folder about early release days and family style meals. Once a month we will have these meals as a way to converse with parents and children in a non-formal environment. A parent will be calling you to see what you may be able to donate. Just a reminder- Peanuts and tree nuts are not allowed due to allergies! If you bring a dish, please bring a list of ingredients that are in it. Our first luncheon will be on September 23rd at 11:20, and we will be enjoying harvest soup.

Thought for This Week:
I can teach you anything, but only you have the power to decide if you want to learn.

2009-09-03T10:20:53-08:00

From Carol’s Desk

We are in full motion! We continue to learn more about the things that good readers and writers do - for example, If I am reading, I should stop and check to make sure I understand what I am reading and if I don't, I should back up and reread. We have begun our first math unit on thinking about Landmarks in the 100's. We are finishing up story pages about a friend in class and will have the book out during Open House. We plan to begin a study of wolves and plants next week.

Your child has several papers in their folders today. Please note that picture day is next Thursday. We have a zoo trip planned for Friday, Sept. 18. Permission slips have been sent home today - cost will be $8 per child and $9 for chaperones. Zoo passes will not be accepted as this will be a guided tour. Please return money with the permission form. IMPORTANT: The Anchorage School District has changed the permission forms. A booster seat is now required for students not meeting the height/weight requirement. The back of the form explains this further and must be filled out and signed.
We will also be going to UAA to visit our buddies at Tanaina Child Development Center. The permission form lists all of the dates we will be going.
If you can drive on any of these dates, please let me know. I'm still coordinating all of the forms you have returned but hope to have a driver coordinator soon.

Early Release Procedure (first one is Sept. 9)

Every other Wednesday is an Early Release day for elementary students (please refer to the Polaris school calendar for dates). Parents have several options for picking up their children on these days. Please note that parents are required to park and come inside to meet their child. Children will not be allowed to go outside to wait for rides. Listed below are the procedures for pick-up.

If you pick up your child at:

• 11:20
o Meet your child at their classroom.
o Check in with the teacher before taking your student.
o Students not picked up will be escorted to the lunchroom.
• 11:20-11:50
o Meet your child in the lunchroom.
o Sign out your child with a noon duty.
o Students not picked up will be escorted to the playground.
• 11:50-12:20
o Meet your child on the playground.
o Sign out your child with a noon duty.

There is no supervision after 12:20. Students must be picked up by this time.

We look forward to seeing you at Open House where we will have the chance to talk about some of the more specific things that we will do in class this year and how our routine works.

2009-04-17T10:03:42-08:00

From Carol’s Desk

We've had a great start to the new school year! We've settled into a routine and moving right along with our learning. We have been focusing on setting up class routines and community building. I have also begun class assessments in reading, spelling, and math. These assessments will help us better meet the needs of each child.

As most of you know, we have a student teacher again this year - Kyla Senecal. I am excited to host another student as this is a great opportunity for everyone.

We have a couple of long-term themes that we will be working on this year. We'll be starting with wolves - learning about wolves in both fiction and non-fiction. We will be working with Jamie's 4/5 class on a webquest about wolves. We have a zoo trip planned for Friday, Sept. 18. I will send permission slips home in the near future - cost will be $8 per child and $9 for chaperones. Zoo passes will not be accepted as this will be a guided tour. Please wait to send money until the permission forms go home. At that time, if you would like to add any extra money to cover chaperones, we would appreciate it.

We will also be working on a year long study of plants. We will use this topic to connect with our buddies at Tanaina Child Development Center. We will be visiting the pre-school once a month. Details to follow soon.

Thanks to all of you who have returned your paperwork as well as to those families to donated to cover to the supply costs. Please make sure to send in your info - I will add everyone to e-mail list to send notices. I will also begin to use our web page for newsletters in the coming weeks.

2008-09-04T07:17:55-08:00

9/9...Parent Forum
9/10...Early Release
9/11...School Pictures
9/16...Open House
9/24...Early Release
9/26...Tanaina Pre-School

Classroom Tidbits
Our year continues on a great path. During Reading Workshop we have talked about what we do if we are stuck on a word and what we do if something doesn't make sense. We brainstormed and practiced several strategies such as re-reading, asking "what makes sense," using pictures, and sounding out. We have also begun to discuss characters from stories. In Writing Workshop, we finished Remember Poems about our photos. We continue to talk about where authors get their ideas and have had a chance to practice some of those ideas. We continue to focus on 2 and 3 digit addition and subtraction during Math. During Social Studies we have begun a study of Alaska History to tie in with the 50th Anniversary of Statehood as well as our endeavor to name the Alaskan Malamute as the official state dog. We are partnering with Jamie's 4/5 class on several days for this project.
**Please remind your child to bring their words for their word jar. They are due tomorrow (Friday).

Paperwork
I am still missing paperwork from several families. Please return the student inventories as soon as possible. If you need another copy of the paperwork, please let me know. Thanks for those families who offered donations to cover the cost of the student's school supplies. If you would still like to donate, the cost per student was $20. Checks can be made to Carol Bartholomew (not Polaris).

Early Release
Next week is our first early release day. Please read the procedures in the Parent Corner of our web site (www.carolsfamilygroup.com). If you have further questions, please let me know.

Tanaina Pre-School
Once again we will be partnering with Tanaina. Our first visit will be on September 26. We will be looking for drivers/chaperones. Look for more information in the near future.

Picture Day & Yearbooks
School Picture Day will be on Thursday, September 11. Please see the included order forms. Order forms are available for both individual portraits and family group photos. Families can also advance purchase hardbound yearbooks during the PFD/Back-To-School Special at www.jostens.com/yearbook. Purchase by October 1st and save over 20%. Check out all the personalization options!

Food Drive
If you would like to participate, please bring non-perishable items to Nurse Patty.

Carol's Family Group

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