No homework/ Winter break homework!

Tonight you will notice a note in your child's folder from me saying there is no homework. We had our classroom painted today and had to use an empty classroom in the other building. I told the kids it was kind of like staying in a hotel when you're away from home. I thought I would have access to our classroom before school started, but the painters started earlier than I expected and I was not about to gather homework materials. As a result, you get the night off. :)

Many of you have asked for assignments to keep your child working over the break. I do not send home any kind of packet or work for them to complete. If you would like to keep your child actively learning while he/she is away from school, I have posted a link to the packet Duval County has created.

I hope you have a wonderful holiday!

http://www.duvalschools.org/static/students/student_software/winterPackets_2011.asp

Check back for pictures of Polar Express day!

Blog Pop Quiz

Congratulations to those who submitted the correct answer to our blog pop quiz! Those students received a book. Keep checking back for updates!

This is Why I Teach

One of our literacy centers is the "Write the Room" center. Using a small white board and marker, students can practice writing words they find around the room. At the back of the room we have a word wall with all of our sight words and the names of the students (and teacher) in our class. I also encourage them to sound out words they'd like to write that are not on our word wall. Using a combination of sight words, words on the word wall and phonetic spelling, this student chose to write, "I love Mrs. Parfitt," during his center. This is what makes the challenging days all worth it!!!

Happy Thanksgiving

Over the past week and a half, our students have been learning about pilgrims, Native Americans and the first Thanksgiving. To celebrate the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, we dressed up as pilgrims and Mrs. Fleetwood's class dressed up as Native Americans. Then, we met for lunch today and had a feast together just like the first Thanksgiving!

Chroma Concert

Last Thursday the band Chroma came to play for us. During the concert they explained how science, math, read and team work are necessary when making music. The kids really enjoyed it. Take a look!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U389ehCp3TE

First Field Trip

We had a blast on our field trip to Conner's A-Maize-ing Acres! I want to give a special thanks to our chaperones, Mrs. Mills, Mrs. Fisher and Mr. Baker. I cannot thank you enough!

Happy Halloween!

I hope you all had and fun and safe Halloween. If class, students helped carve a jack-o-lantern. Take a look...

Out Sick

Attention Parents:

Today I was out sick. Hopefully the homework made it home but there is no way for me to be sure. If you are missing something please do not worry about it!

See you all tomorrow.

Red Ribbon Week

Thank you to all the parents who helped their students participate in Red Ribbon Week. On Friday, the Navy band performed and talked to the students about saying, "NO!" to drugs, alcohol and tobacco. Take a look...

Fire Safety Week

This week we learned about fire safety. After reading A Chair for My Mother (a story about a little girl whose house has a fire), we talked about what students should do in an emergency. We learned and practiced how to stop, drop and roll. We had a special presentation from some real fire fighters who let us in the truck, spray their hose and showed us their equipment. Finally, we made our own fire hats.