Exciting News!!!!!!

Dear Families,

I am very excited to share some classroom news with you! Last week I received an e-mail from the author Barbara Odanaka. She came across our classroom blog and saw the video of the kids reading her book A Crazy Day at the Critter Café.  She loved it so much she offered to Skype with our classroom all the way from California for free. She also offered to autograph books for anyone who would like to purchase one. If you are interested please fill out the bottom of the letter that will be in your child's folder today and return it to school by Friday, November 30^th.  If you do purchase a book I will also throw in a CD with a copy of the video the kiddos made reading the book. This is such a unique experience I am so happy to be sharing with you and your family.  J

You can also check out Barbara Odanaka’s blog at: http://barbsschoolvisits.blogspot.com/

Reading with Expression- Critter Cafe

This week one of our Journey's lessons focused on reading with expression. We practiced reading the book A Crazy Day at the Critter Cafe paying special attention to the punctuation and quotation marks. We then put the expressive elephant card up on our CAFE board so we remember to use it when reading. We also recorded our own special reading of the book.

Class Election

And the winner is.................. DUCK!

Duck - 14 Votes
Grace - 8 Votes

Yesterday we read the books Grace for President and Duck for President. After reading the books we had a class election and the kids had to choose who they thought would be the best president Duck or Grace.  We also watched a campaign video for Duck, a  book review video for Grace, played Duck Math games, and wrote about the writing prompt "If I were president I would". After filling out their ballots the kids placed them in either side of the ballot box. We then counted them up to determine the winner. The kids were very good sports congratulating both Duck and Grace.Please check out some pictures from the election below. :)

Duck's Campaign Video

Heritage Hill Photos

 Here are some pictures from our field trip to Heritage Hill!

COMING SOON......... Google Voice!!!

Dear Families,

Starting next week I will be sending home periodic literacy homework for your child to complete from home. This homework will be using a Google App called Google Voice. This App helps to create a connection between home and school. And best of all all you need to complete this assignment is a book and a phone. To complete their homework all your child will have to do is dial our classroom number and leave their message after the beep. I can then listen to your child. The message may even be shared with the class and on our blog. Below you will find some examples of what the messages might sound like. Please check your child's homework sheet and folder next week for more information! :)


Skye Reading a Book


Mason Reading a Book


Molly Calling to Tell Me About Her Favorite Book


Nick Practicing His Spelling


Jazmyn Re-telling a Story She Read