A few notes:

I came down with something, including a cough and a slight fever  -- the sum seemed greater than the parts!  I seem to be on the road to recovery.

Here are a few miscellaneous notes...

1) The due date for Run for the Arts is tomorrow.  We have received many pledges, but there may be a few more out there...

2) Library books are due tomorrow.

3) On Friday afternoon, we are having younger siblings join us around 1:55.  We'll find some way to keep everyone entertained for the duration.

4) Kindergarten Information Meeting, for next year's kindergartners is Tuesday.  We will have a bunch of the younger set in the classroom.  Tell your neighbors & friends.

5) We are back at Friday Roundup beginning this Friday in the Auditorium.

6) It has been wonderful to have so many volunteers.  Today's crew was all from the southern hemisphere, from countries that began and ended with the letter "a".  We will be without Dana for several more weeks -- please keep signing up and coming in!  Thank you!

Last hour of the Museum of Kindergarten Art, West

Art Ball Update

It looks as if Malvina is scheduled to be the last performer at the talent show (probably sometime after 6:15).  I will open the "Museum of Kindergarten Art, West" after her performance.

Making our museum sign

Art Ball

Tonight is the Chapman Art Ball.

This is Chapman's yearly celebration of the arts and is a big event.

Here are a few highlights...

• The talent show runs from 5:00 to 6:30.  There are always amazing and amusing acts.  Between the songs, skits and other routines, our own Malvina will be wowing the audience with her violin playing.
• Art activities begin at 6:30.  I understand that there will be yet more Jackson Pollack inspired artwork.
• Our reading buddies will be displaying their bridges in the 3rd grade classrooms upstairs.
• The entire school will be transformed into an art gallery.
• Room 2 (and Room 4) will be transformed into a museum of kindergarten art.  I hope to have the museum open from about 6:15 to 7:30.

Thank you to Morgan for all her hard work yesterday, and to all of Thursday's volunteers for helping to put this together.

This week in Kindergarten

Here are a few highlights for this week in kindergarten.

Don't forget...
Run for the Arts pledges are due May 1
Art Ball is the evening of Thursday, April 24.
This week is Secretary / Administrative Professional week.  Be sure to say "thank you" to Angela, Heather and Shari
Library books are due by Thursday.

This week's themes...
Literacy theme: transportation (continued)
Weekly story: The Little Engine that Could
Chapter Book: Down Girl and Sit
Weekly Letter Uu
Word Wall Words said, what, was
Writing: writing a book
Math: Addition / making sense of numbers in the 20's
Art: Self Portraits
Science: liquids
Social Studies:  exploring other cultures

Art Ball volunteers needed

The Art Ball is this Thursday, April 24th.

As part of the evening, I hope to have Room 2 set up as an art gallery.  This will take a solid crew of volunteers during the day and after school on Thursday.  One or two parents have already volunteered but it would be great to have another 3-6 helpers.  Please let me know if you can help.

Ask your child

It has been a crazy and busy week.  Here are a few questions for your child...

Did you enjoy Schoolhouse Rock?
What grade put on Schoolhouse Rock?
What other performances did you see you see this week (Imago & second grade)
How do you spell said?
Who is Iris?
What happened in Mayday Mayday

Report Cards Coming Home

Be sure to check your child's backpack for report cards this afternoon.  As always the report cards are a mixture of objective and subjective.  Please feel free to contact me if you have questions or concerns.

Please note: Those families who have two households will receive their report cards in the mail.

Library Books

Due to Run For The Arts last Thursday, we did not have library (and did not return library books).  The library's computer system thinks that all these books are overdue.  Hopefully this should all be resolved by tomorrow afternoon.

If you do have a library book at home, please be sure to return it tomorrow.

Iris

Many of you may have met Iris, who is volunteering prior to a stint as a student teacher.  She will be in Room 2 through the Spring (and next fall).

Even more art

More art

Last day of art with Tracy

Substitute Today

Barbara Goldberg should be substituting for me today as I stay home and nurse my back.  My plan is to be there tomorrow.

Barbara Goldberg has subbed for me several times this year and used to teach both kindergarten and first grade in Room 2.

Snacks Needed

We are starting to run low on snacks for the classroom.  Please think of us as you shop this weekend!

No School Tomorrow

Quick reminder: There is no school tomorrow due to our Teacher Planning day.  I plan to be here working on report cards.

Lost and Found

Has been moved to the hall.  This is your chance to find your child's clothes...

This week in kindergarten

As always, a few highlights for the week of April 7...

Don't forget...
Have your child wear painting clothes Tuesday and Wednesday.
Speaking of painting, we could use an additional volunteer on Tuesday and Wednesday at noon.
Run for the Arts is Thursday afternoon.  Stay tuned for more news...
There is no school on Friday, due to a teacher planning day.  I will be here working on report cards
There is a late opening a week from Wednesday (April 16).
Art Ball is April 24th
Dana will be helping intermediate grades starting April 14th.  I would love to focus volunteers on Tuesdays and Thursdays until she is back in the classroom.

Academic themes.
New letter this week; Xx
New words: yellow, green, blue (continued).
Math: Non-standard measurement, place value & more
Theme book: Mayday Mayday
Author focus: Robert Munsch

More...
Star of the Week: Camille
Song: Erie Canal (continued)

Random Thursday Notes

Don't forget -- No roundup Tomorrow (or anytime in April).  We will meet in the classroom at our usual time.

We have art on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons at noon.  I already have some volunteers signing up, and could use a few more.  Thank you so much to the crew who helped us this week.

I am spending lots of time assessing students for report cards,  I am excited to see everyone's growth.

Art Ball is April 24.  Be sure to mark your calendars!  This is a super-fun evening.

Art 4

Art 3

Found Key

I found a stray house key in the classroom today.  I am imagining it belongs to a student and is somewhat of a "toy", but if you are locked out of your home, it could be yours.

Art 2

Art 1 with Tracy