Adopting a Manatee for Valentine's Day!

This year we are going to adopt a real manatee for Valentine's Day! For our second consecutive year we have democratically voted to change our Valentine’s Day activities. We will have a party with treats and a craft, but will not exchange cards and candy. Instead, students have chosen to donate any money they would have spent on Valentine’s cards or candy to adopt a manatee through Save the Manatee.org.  Check out the Manatee Live Cam at the top of the left side bar of this blog.  Our donations will help protect the future of endangered manatees.  Manatees will begin collecting money this week to "Adopt a Manatee."  If you choose to donate, please send in money with your child.  Thanks for your support!
Our Valentine's Day party will be on Tuesday, February 14 from 2:30 - 3:30. 

Click on the squirrel to find some great Math Games for your child to play at home!

The Lorax

by Dr. Seuss

Our class will be reading The Lorax, by Dr. Seuss in February.  We will be offering a Parent/Child Book Club focusing on comprehension skills to increase understanding of the story. The Manatees are also invited to view the movie with Mrs. Perine and Mrs. Angus at Galaxy Theater when it comes out on March 2nd.

Read Across America Day is also on Friday, March 2nd.  We will be having a Read-In all day in the classroom, along with "Seussical Snacks."

If you're wondering how to better help your child with reading strategies when they get stuck, here is a Reading Strategies guide just for you.

Something to Ponder

Children who have been read to for 30 minutes a day from birth through age five receive over 900 hours of brain food.

Children who have been read to for 30 minutes a week from birth through age five receive 130 hours of brain food….which is great….but a 770 hour deficit when compared to the first group.

Children who are read to less than 30 minutes weekly enter kindergarten with less than 60 hours of the same brain food. Fewer nursery rhymes, fairy tales, stories, etc. Even the most gifted teacher cannot bridge the gap that exists between the cognitively undernourished and the young minds which have been saturated with literacy. (Iowa Literacy Link Volume 1 Number 8, April 2007)

The good news is that reading to your child is powerful, no matter what age they are. Experts recommend that parents read to their children through high school. It is never too late to read to your child, no matter what age they are. So grab the comics, the newspaper, or a really great novel, curl up on the couch…and read!

©The Daily CAFE, 2012.

Our class donations to (ASPCA) American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals raised $88.00 to help animals in need.  We rounded it up to $100.00 by adding an other $12.00.  What a great way to start the New Year! 

Please vote yes on February 14th.  Click on the image for more information.  Thank you!

This year we are going to adopt a real manatee for Valentine's Day!  For our second consecutive year we have democratically voted to change our Valentine’s Day activities. We will have a party with treats and a craft, but will not exchange cards and candy. Instead, students have chosen to donate any money they would have spent on Valentine’s cards or candy to adopt a manatee through Save the Manatee.org.  Our donations will help protect the future of endangered manatees. 

Manatees Have Courage!

We have been focused on the character trait of courage during the month of January.  It is our school-wide theme and our classroom goal.  Our students have demonstrated courage by sticking up for friends on the playground, having the courage to tell the truth, and trying a new game or activity.  When we read My Brother Martin, by Christine King-Farris, we learned that young Martin said, "I'm going to turn the world upside-down."  We have been using that phrase in our  classroom.  Our basic rule "The Golden Rule" helps to ensure we treat others equally, fairly, and kindly, the way we want to be treated.

Science Kit

We will begin our Foss Science Kit Air and Weather soon.  Students will learn about air and weather through inquiry, observation and hands on activities.  Visit the website for more information.