Sunday, December 6, 2009

Welcome Back! Lots of Announcements Below!

Well hello there. I missed all of you while I was gone. I went into school yesterday for a few hours and do you know what I found?? A super duper sub note! Well done! She stated you were the best class she has ever subbed for!! Way to go Erickson's! I am so proud of you, but honestly not at all surprised. You really are a great class with super character all ready! We will celebrate somehow someday this coming week!

This week we will finish up our math test and begin division and some related algebra concepts. We will also continue with map skills in S.S. How are those Biographies coming. We will be talking about the big report you will be doing starting not this week but the next. I would like for you to start thinking about a costume that will make you look like your selected person however. You will need to present your report in costume. Costumes must be made at home. I encourage you to look around the house to find items rather than store buy, but it is your choice. Be creative and extra credit points will be given for props that fit your person. Start now and plan ahead. Do not bring costumes or props to school until the due date, which I will tell you later this week.

With the upcoming holidays we will be taking a deeper look into what happens around the world. We will be once again joining up with Mrs. Hankin's class to select a country and discover how they celebrate the holidays. Students will be given a list of possible projects they can share with the class, including a food dish. They will have partners for this project. Some work at home may be required. Look for expectation sheet to go home early the following week. We will also be reading the hilarious book The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, and we will be viewing the movie with Mrs. Hankin's class. There will be a $500 buy in price to participate in this activity. Lastly, we will be doing an all day Believe Polar Express Day. All of our academics will revolve around this theme that day. Students will be making candy trains/scenes and will be watching the movie Polar Express at the end of the day. There will be a $1000.00 buy in price tag for this day! Fun!

In the past, I have offered a Christmas store for kids to shop for items for their families. However, this year I am going to encourage that students shop at our Santa's Workshop where all items are a real dollar. Therefore, I will NOT be doing the store. However, I will be doing a little auction for the kids to spend some of their fake money. In order to help with the cost of these items, we will be holding two hat days in the next weeks. On these days, my students may wear a hat to school and during class for the price of Two real dollars. All money raised from this will be spent on auction items for your children.

Speaking of money, does your child need to earn fake money? Well, we are currently collecting food for the Billings Food Bank. I will give $10 for each item brought in. Make sure students bring items into me first before putting into the circle barrel in the hallway to ensure they get paid. Let's do it!!

Speaking of helping out...look for volunteer opportunity sheets coming home later this week.

Lastly, by now you may have heard that we have had yet another loss in one of our student's families. Preston's grandfather died last week from a heart attack. I have done some research on what I can do to help kids get through this. Every article I read suggested having a life celebration party. So, that is what we are going to do. I would like every student to bring in a picture(s) and/or some items to share of anyone that they have lost. It could be a loved one, grandma, grandpa, pet, cousin, anyone. I want to put the items on display and have the kids share some memories. We will be doing this during morning meeting time all week. Please encourage kids to gather such items tonight and bring them in. I would like to do at least 5 or so a day. Items/pictures will be on display all week on a special board in the classroom. Special breakable items can go home that same day. Otherwise, all items will remain at school until Friday. Let's celebrate life and talk about the transition period of our special loved ones together!

As you can see, we are going to be busy busy for the next two weeks. If you are interested in helping out during any of the above activities, just drop me an email or note in the planner.

Have a super Sunday and I will see you LIVE tomorrow!

Ms. Erickson's Disney/California Trip