Week of May 21, 2012

Are you wondering where this year has gone?  I am.  This has been one of the most memorable years that I can remember.  I feel so blessed that I have been a part of your child’s academic experience.  You are all so wonderful, and I value each and every one of you.  Whether you have worked in the classroom, gone on field trips, provided supplies, or anything else, let me express how wonderful you are.  Thank you for your never-ending support of our classroom.

Language Arts: We are finishing up our Charlotte’s Web book this week.  The kids have thoroughly enjoyed the antics of all of the characters and have loved reading and listening to the story, as well as participating in all of the fun activities that have gone along with the book.  They’ve done a nice job completing their workbooks.  Wilbur, Charlotte, Fern, Templeton, and all of the other characters have given us many hours of enjoyment and laughter, as well as reflection as we look at life in general.  We will be sad to say goodbye to Wilbur and friends as we finish the book.

Riggs: We are finished with all new word lists for the year.  This week will only include testing as we roll off the words that have been learned.

History: Our final Civil Rights leader is Cesar Chavez.  He worked to fight injustice for the migrant farm workers.  The students were really excited last week when they learned he was born in Yuma, Arizona, which sparked the students’ interest in him.  Our main focus throughout this unit has focused on ordinary people who do extraordinary things to make changes for the good.  This has been such a fun unit and the kids have really enjoyed participating in discussions about the injustices that our country has faced and overcome.  This has also been a great opportunity for them to think about the world they live in and to think of ways that they can help to change the world. 

Science: The kids were able to show what they know about magnets this week when they took a quiz.  They were able to use their notes, but I believe they would have done fine without doing so.  They had hands on opportunities to observe magnets and their effects.  .

Please take note:

- Students will be bringing things home on Friday.  Please send in a paper or plastic bag with your child’s name on it so that things can come home.

Meet Marabel:  She will be our new Pup in Program - training to become a servide dog.  We will be driving to Oceanside in just over a week to pick her up and bring her back to Arizona.  If you see a little puppy with a yellow and blue vest on her and she is riding in a grocery cart or learning to be patient, it might be our little girl, learning her social skills.  If you see us out and about, please stop by and say hello.  If Marabel is being good, she might have you ask permission to pet her.

Have a great week!  Have a great Summer break!  Best wishes to each and every one of you in all of your future endeavors. 

Mrs. Winkler

April 30, 2012

 Language Arts: We are thoroughly enjoying  Charlotte’s Web. Charlotte is proving to all that Wilbur is a wonderful pig.  She is a really good friend and has come up with a grand plan to save him.   In class this week, we will be looking at intricate design of spider webs as well as continuing to wait and see what will be happening to Wilbur.

 History: We wrapped up our unit on immigration and citizenship with a wonderful presentation by Sra. De Cossio as she related to the students her first-hand knowledge of becoming a citizen.  The students then wrote a story as if they were the immigrant.  We are now beginning our final unit of the year – civil rights.  We will be reviewing the rights and responsibilities of citizenship and relating this particular virtue to equal rights.  Good citizens are willing to stand up for those who face inequality and injustice.  Our focus this week will be on two women who were very influential and determined to make changes.  Susan B. Anthony fought to give women the right to vote.  Eleanor Roosevelt worked tirelessly to help those in need. 

 Science: Our classroom has become a magnetic field.  We are learning about the North and South Poles.  The kids are learning how magnets attract and repel and are having a great job experimenting with the magnets in class. 

Important notes:

-Thursday, May 10^th is the Volunteer Breakfast, hosted by the teachers.  The breakfast begins at 8:10 in the Multipurpose Room.  It is our way of saying thank you for everything that you do for us in the classroom.  Your support means so much, and I couldn’t ask for better parents in my classroom.  It is no wonder that my students are so wonderful.  So many of you have volunteered in the classroom with projects and activities, preparation of materials, providing supplies, helped in reading groups, class parties, Archway Olympics, Medieval Faire, field trips, etc.  Please click on this link to sign up to attend and allow us to serve you some breakfast as a thank you for your help!  http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A4FA9AD2BAB9-archway

-Please check out our reading link to sign up for reading groups during the month of May.  There will only be a few more opportunities to come in and read with the kids.  The kids love it when you come in.  Please click here to sign up http://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040F45ADAB283-reading1

We’ve recently gotten information about a summer reading program being offered through ASU that is designed to build and strengthen comprehension and fluency skills.  It is a wonderful opportunity for the kids. This year, it will take place on the CPA campus.  If you are interested, please click on the following link: http://asu.readingprograms.org/

-Students are also given the opportunity to attend a summer academy right here on our campus.  If you are interested, please go to the following link to look at the brochure and to sign up.  https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B2DCUFrCZLJ_UC1pX1VpUkV5S1U/edit

Don’t forget these dates:

-          May 10 – Volunteer Breakfast (8:10 a.m. in the Multipurpose Room – please RSVP)

-          May 11 – No school

-          May 22-25 – Half days

-          May 25 – Last day of school

Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns.

 Linda Winkler