Thank you for the way you made me feel this week...it is my absolute pleasure to teach your children and I am overwhelmed by your generosity. On Monday I was treated to my favorite breakfast foods...a yummy muffin and a CASE of Gatorade! On Wednesday my chinese food lunch (my favorite!) was served on a pretty placemat with silverware, chopsticks, and fresh fruit...I felt like I was in a restaurant! Yesterday I was given an eco friendly bag (eco friendly AND beautiful) as a gift...and today...by far the best day ever...a book made by the kids that I will always treasure. I can't thank you enough for your kind words. I consider myself doubly blessed. I have a job I love, and I have a classroom full of great kids who come from wonderful families. Thank you doesn't seem like enough...but THANK YOU so much.Now...to the reason I blog...our week...
Language Arts...we are heavy into play production. The students auditioned and have been assigned parts. They have made "scene signs", are working on background scenery, have made lists of needed props, and are rehearsing their lines. Next week we have time scheduled in the cafeteria to use the stage. After a couple of days on the stage I will have a better idea of when we will be ready to perform. I am looking at Thursday, May 21 or Friday, May 22...but I will nail down a date by mid week next week.
Math...we are finishing up our unit on Algebra...my goodness, I love the insides of these kids' heads!! We have had fun solving for the unknown, writing equations to match everyday situations, creating our own function tables, and balancing equations.
Science...we have many populations living in our classroom. We have friendly anoles...who prey on active crickets...who are busy eating the grass...that grow in our terrariums. We are observing the growth and development of our bush bean plants, fava bean plants, and pea plants as they grow quickly. As you are now aware, each child is working on a research project that directly relates to our science unit. They are researching two animals that are very similar, yet quite different. They are collecting data using a research tool (put together by Mrs. Ganeshan and Ms. Kim...thank you!). They will use this tool to organize the data and put together a report/presentation to inform us about their animals. I will continue to instruct the students on the "how to" of the organization tool...right now they should have 5 questions and 5 fact cards. Next week we will continue to add fact cards as I give them instructions for the next step at school. If at any point you have a question, please feel free to shoot me an email. I received an email from one student last night and I was able to clarify for that family right away.
Writing...although this is part of Language Arts...I am giving writing it's own paragraph...because HOLY MOLY...you should see the kids' persuasive essays!! They are coming home today. There is a sticky note to remind your child to share it with you, but return it. I need it for the kids' portfolios. They are unbelievable...and also in the folder today is their first persuasive writing they did over a month ago for homework...sort of a pretest to see what they knew about writing persuasively...I am tickled PINK with the final products!! And just a warning...some of you will have to come up with good arguments for NOT painting the kitchen, NOT refinishing the basement, NOT raising the allowance, etc...they are extremely convincing persuasive essays.
As always I hope you and your family enjoy the weekend...you have amazing children...and I am so humbled by your kindness.
Love,
Mrs. Wills
