Updates and Mystery Reader

• Holiday Hike is on Friday, December 19th at 1:40 or in case of inclement weather Monday, December 22nd at 1:40.  This hike is based on the story, "Night Tree"  by Eve Bunting.  As a follow-up to this story, the students will hike on the trails next to the playground and decorate trees for the animals.  This activity is in lieu of a holiday party.   All families are welcome to attend.  
• BOOK SWAP and PAJAMA DAY on Tuesday, December 23rd
  .  Please bring in a used book from your child's book shelf that is wrapped.  On Tuesday before vacation, I will read the book, "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" by Dr. Seuss.  Each time I read the word 'Grinch" in the story, the kids will pass the book along to the person sitting next to them.  When the story is complete, the students will unwrap their new book and have a new story to read over winter break.
• If anyone would like to help in our classroom with a few stringing activities from 10:30-11:30 this Friday, December 19th, please let me know.

Mystery Readers are below!

Important Updates and Pigeon Party Pictures

Please have your child bring in a wrapped, gently used picture book, not gender specific by Tuesday, December 23rd.  We will participate in a special activity to receive this special gift from our classmates.

The hike is this Friday, December 19th.  We plan to leave the classroom by 1:40!

If you would like to volunteer this Wednesday, December 17th from 10:00-11:30 to help us with a special project in our classroom, please let me know by Tuesday.  The students will be dismissed at 12:50 this day!

This month we will be studying holidays around the world...learning traditions through books, poems, and projects. We will be learning about St. Nicholas Day (The Netherlands), Diwali (India), Hanukkah (Israel), China (Chinese New Year) and Mexico (Las Pasadas) as well as our own Christmas traditions. Your child's paper cut-out in costume is due on Monday, December 8th. They will adorn our hallway for the month.

     As we focus on family traditions and celebrate holidays this month, we will read the book, The Night Tree by Eve Bunting. As a follow-up to this story, the students will hike on the trails next to the playground and decorate trees for the animals. All family members are welcome to join us. Hot chocolate and muffins will be enjoyed by all after the hike. We will be going out at 1:40 on Friday, December 19th with a snow date on Monday, December 22nd at 1:40. This activity is in lieu of a holiday party. We hope you can join us!

      We are busy writing stories inspired by our mentor author/illustrator Mo Willems. We will be showcasing our completed works before school on Wednesday, December 10th from 8:00 to 8:25. Please come and check it out!  Bring your camera or phone for a "Selfie Booth" photo opportunity.

     Also, Mrs. Saxton and I do not expect Christmas gifts, but we would be honored with a monetary donation to"St. Vincent de Paul"or by sending in non-perishable food items. The Stratham Teacher's Association will be collecting food items here at school for the month. Any contributions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Mystery Reader and Thanksgiving Feast

    Below are two Mystery Readers from Tuesday!

 
The students prepared all our food for the feast.  We enjoyed applesauce, corn bread, pumpkin pie, and pomegranate seeds.  Thank you to Mrs. Burke who volunteered to help us prepare for this feast.  My mom, Joyce also joined us and helped with the pumpkin pie.

Happy Thanksgiving!  Your child created a special book for you that you may want to bring to your Thanksgiving dinner for others to contribute their thoughts.

Please remember... we will shop at our Scholastic Book Fair on Tuesday, December 2nd at 9:10.  You are welcome to join us.  Please meet us in the library.  

Enjoy your time with your family this Thanksgiving!

Mystery Readers

    Our first, student Mystery Reader!  The idea came from this reader!  Your child has been placed on the schedule.  Mrs. Lawton will notify you a week ahead of time.  Readers will take place throughout the rest of the school year.

Pigeon Drawings and Walking Water Scíence Experiment

We are using Mo Willems as our mentor author/illustrator for our writing unit this month.  We hope you can attend our Pigeon Party on December 10th from 8:00-8:25.  Please bring your child to school this day.  We hope you will enjoy reading our pigeon stories.

    Your child can conduct this "Walking Water" experiment at home for you!

    Here are our results!

Family Turkey Projects!

   Thank you for all your creativity with this project!