I really enjoyed talking with each of you at Open House this week.  If you were unable to make it, I am sending home the packet that tells all about what we went over.  The half days last week were pretty hectic, but things have started running more smoothly now that we have begun full days.  The children are getting used to our new schedule and routines.  This helps a lot.  Please feel free to contact me via email, letter or phone if you ever have any questions, concerns or comments.  I am looking so forward to this year! 

I also wanted to welcome Miss Lewis to our classroom.  She will be our intern from Auburn University this semester.  For the next week or so, she will be observing and helping out around the classroom.  Then, gradually, with my assistance she will begin planning and teaching lessons in our classroom.  I know that she will enjoy working with the boys and girls in or class.

 My E-mail Address:

mlsanders@auburnschools.org

 Centers

This week, we opened up 2 new centers.  At building center, the children can create using a variety of materials like Legos, Lincoln Logs, straws, Bristle Builders and more!  At discovery Center, the children explore a variety of science concepts.  Right now, they can read books and experiment with magnets or watch the fish.  

 Shared Journal

We haven’t begun writing in our journals yet, but we are working toward that goal.  Right now, we are talking about the topics that the children might want to share about.  We are also learning how to share and ask questions about the story.  This is a very important process and we want to practice it so that we will be ready for journals when September 1 comes around.

 Theme

We are using theme time to work on writing our classroom rules.  We have read several books on making choices and behavior in school.  After reading these books, we began writing our classroom rules and grouping together the ones that were similar.  To do this, we have created our first class web.  We will finish this next week and write our formal set of rules.  Then, everyone will sign them stating that they know what the rules are and that they will try their best to follow them.

 Shared Reading

During this time of our day, we read books, chants and sing songs.  This week, we have read chants that will help us get to know the names of our classmates.  I think the children’s favorite chant is “Who Stole the Cookie From the Cookie Jar?”  We have also read many books about coming to school, solving problems and making friends.  We are also learning how to use words to solve our problems and how to choose nice words when we are talking things out.  We are investing a lot of time in building our classroom community but it is starting to pay off.  I have noticed that things are starting to fall into place!

 Important Dates and Reminders

• Always send your child with a HEALTHY snack each day (no drinks).
• Send a rest towel (no pillows, unless they are attached to the blanket and are small) for your child with his/her name on it somewhere.  These will be sent home every Friday and will need to be returned clean by Monday!
• Please return all forms that were requested of you at Meet the Teacher and Open House. 
• Anytime you send money with your child, ALWAYS make sure it is enclosed in an envelope or baggy and labeled with my name, your child’s name and what the money is for.  This is extremely important!!!

BREAKFAST

• If your child should be eating breakfast each morning at school, please remind him/her to stop in the gallery everyday!

Transportation Change

If your child is a walker or car rider, please remember that you can’t come to the school after dismissal procedures have begun and change your child’s transportation (even if it is raining).  Once we have begun dismissal procedures, your child is already with an assigned teacher in the assigned transportation area and any last minute changes cause a huge buildup in the car circle!

School Lunch/Home Lunch

Please make sure your child knows EACH DAY whether he/she is a home or school lunch AND (if a home lunch) whether or not he/she will need a milk!  Sometimes children bring their snack in a lunchbox and think that is their home lunch! This can be very confusing for them.

Lawrence and Jason make muffins for our class to celebrate their birthday.