Week 31- March 12th-16th, 2012

Dear Parents,

We hope everyone had a relaxing weekend!
We would like to remind all parents how important it is for your child to bring a water bottle to school each day, especially on P.E. days. The days are much warmer than before and your child needs to drink plenty of water to feel his/her best at school. Also, bringing a hat to school and suncream will help your child be protected from the sun during break time, as well as P.E.

If your child was absent on picture day, Tuesday, have no fear! All Individual student and class picture retakes for our yearbook will be retaken on Thursday, March 15th.
Easter is not too far away and so we are asking each student to bring in 1 dozen plastic Easter eggs which can be opened this week. We need them for the Easter activity which is planned for the last day of March. Also, we are in need of American coins! We are asking you to please donate any American coins you may have at home.
The elementary student council is raising money for classroom balls. They hope to raise enough money to purchase each grade a set of 3 balls for use during break time. They will be having a bake sale as well as hosting a few activites for the students during break and lunch time on  March 15th.
There will be no school on Friday, March 16th, 2012.
Parent-Teacher confreneces will be held on the afternoon of March 23rd. Ms. Magda or Ms. Colette will let you know if she would like to meet with you. This is also a  half day for all students.
Last, the Discovery School annual Family Night will be on April 20th from 4-7 P.M. This is a very fun night for all students, parents and teachers! There will be various activities for children, along with food and other goods you can purchase.
This week your child will inquire into the following:
Language Arts

• Phonics- This weeks words are say, great, boy, where, and help. The class will be reviewing these words and other Word Wall words through various words activities and chants.
• Reading- This week your child will be reading 3 different Cinderella stories from around the world. Your child will be exploring the similarities and differences of these stories and creating a Venn diagram to compare two of the stories. You can help your child understand the skill how the same fairytale might differ because of the culture they are from by reading a fairytale from different parts of the world this week. You can also have your child read some fairytales on-line to better understand the elements of fairytales. These stories can be found under the 'Links' heading.
• Writing- Your child will continue to explore adjectives. He/she will draw a picture based on his/her classmates descriptive sentences. Also, your child will be illustraing an adjective to better understand the meaning of the word.

Math- This week your child will be exploring money! He/she will be inquiring into the value of pennies, dimes, and nickel and how to count these coins. You can help yoru child with this skill be asking by reviewing counting by 5s and 10s. Also, ask your child to tell you the difference between the coins.  You can help your child prepare for this chapter by examining American coins at home and identifying the value of each coin. Also, have your child play some of the online games under the 'Links' heading.

Theme- Science-Solids and Liquids- The class will be investigating the different properties of solids and liquids. This week, you child will be observing, comparing, and describing various solids by completing various types of experiments.

Homework

Monday
L.A.-Make a Castle
Math- Dimes and Pennies worksheet
Reading- read 10 minutes and fill out the reading log

Tuesday
Math-Dimes and Nickels worksheet
L.A.- Picture of Home worksheet
Reading- read 10 minutes and fill out the reading log

Wednesday
Math- Dimes, Nickels, and Pennies worksheet
L.A.- Study for the Spelling Challenge
Reading-read 10 minutes and fill out the reading log

Reminders


Easter Eggs- Please have your child bring in 1 dozen plastic Easter eggs as soon as possible.
Picture Retakes- Thursday, March 15th
No School- Friday, March 16th
Parent-Teacher Conferences and 1/2 day- Friday, March 23rd. We will let you know if you are required to come for a conference. This will be a 1/2 day for all students.
1/2 day -March 28th
Family Night- April 10th, 4-7 P.M.
Water Bottles- Your child needs to bring a water bottle to school everyday. Please write your child's name on the bottle.
Sweaters/Jackets and Other Objects: We ask parents to label all their child’s belongings with a permanent marker. This makes it easier for us to help you look for things if they are misplaced or lost. We also ask for your cooperation by sending back with your child any item he/she brings home that does not belong to him, and to notify the homeroom teacher about it (by text message, email or phone call).
Library- Please make sure your child brings back his/her library book on his/her library day every week.
P.E- Please make sure your child wears proper running shoes and clothes on the days when he/she has P.E

Links
Lexile.com- learn more about the lexile and find books that are in your child's lexile range
MAP Reading
BBC.co.uk- Great literacy games
Childrens Library- International children's library- read books online in Spanish and English. You will need to help your child search for books. There are a few fairytales on this site
BBC.co.uk-Various online fairytales
MAP Math
Home School Math- Counting Coins and Money- please help your child select the right game
Apples4theteacher- Money Game-You will need to help your child read the directions

Secret Word- fairytale