6 More Weeks of Winter!

Many of us came to school today with the news that the groundhog saw his shadow.  That means six more weeks of winter, according to folklore.  If we are going to have more winter we are hoping that it will snow, at least.

 Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow!

Octopus Stew!

We have been waiting two weeks to eat Octopus Stew!  When we were introduced to the Letter Oo we heard about Octopus Stew and we have been waiting to taste it ever since.  Today was the day!

Yummy Octopus Stew

These taste yummy!

 "Mrs. Daily made Octopus taste just like hot dogs!"

I think I'll have some more.

Friday fun with our Octopus Friends!

Will the Groundhog See His Shadow?

 We changed our calendar today and were excited to see that Valentines Day  is  near.  We also were curious about Groundhog Day.  We learned that according to folklore, if it is cloudy when a groundhog emerges from its burrow on this day, then Spring will come early; if it is sunny, the groundhog will supposedly see its shadow and go back into its burrow, and the winter weather will continue for six more weeks.  We learned that the sun has to be out for the groundhog to see its shadow. We had fun pretending to be a groundhog and playing with our shadow.  We also predicted whether the groundhog would see his shadow when he comes out of his hole this Sunday.  We can’t wait to see what happens!

 "Old man Groundhog sticks out his head....

 ...sees his shadow and goes back to bed!"

 "Old man Groundhog sticks out his head; it's a grey cloudy day....I'm hungry he says"!

 We liked making a groundhog puppet to teach our parents about what we learned.

Seven predictions for more Winter and thirteen for Spring!

We cant wait to see what the Groundhog says!

We Learn about Nutrition!

Cereals, Bread,

 Vegetables, Fruit,

       Meat and Milk.....

    and just a little rooty toot toot!

We have learned about NUTRITION this week.  We have discovered that some foods are better than others for our bodies.  We learned that cereals and bread give our body energy while vegetables and fruit help keep our bodies well.  We also know that meat helps our muscles grow and milk makes our bones and teeth strong.  We have decided that we will eat just a little of the "rooty toot toots" (which is junk food like chips, fries, donuts, cookies and sweets).

Today we had fun making our own butter and tasting it with yummy crackers.  We learned that this was a tasty snack from the milk and bread group!

First we poured cream into a jar.

Then we passed the jar as we shook it to the beat of the music.  We each had a turn to SHAKE, SHAKE, SHAKE that cream.

 

 

Some of us couldn't resist the music!

 

It's beginning to look like butter!

It is butter!  Yummy tasting butter!

 

I love this butter!

100th Day of School will now be on February 5th!

Since we were not in school on Friday, Jan. 24 our 100^th day of school will now be celebrated on Wednesday, Feb. 5^th instead of Tuesday, Feb. 4^th.  Children are asked to bring a collection of 100 things to count(like beans, pennies, rocks, etc.) and a snack to share if they would like (cheese nips, pretzels, teddy grahams, or anything that we can count “100 of”) to add to a Hundreds Day Snack Mix. They may also dress like they are 100 years old.  Ideas may be a dress, hat, glasses, pearls for the ladies and a cane, hat, suit, glasses for the gentlemen.  Anything is great!

We look forward to a fun day as we celebrate 100 days of learning!

Developmental Reading Assessment-DRA

Your child was given the Developmental Reading Assessment 2^nd Edition this week.   This is the second DRA 2 assessment this year.  At this time of the year we would like for all children to be reading at level 3 in order for them to reach the end of the year goal which is a level 4 or 6.  Your child's results will be included with their progress report coming home tomorrow.

Please know that we practice reading strategies each day and are working hard to help your child reach their fullest potential.  We appreciate your support and the effort you are making at home to help your child become a fluent reader.  If your child is reading on grade level, know that we will continue to encourage them to build on their current reading level.  If your child is not reading at a level 3 please continue to have your child read at home with you.  Remember the leveled readers we send home are great for you to reinforce reading strategies such as looking for clues in the pictures, sounding out words and tracking words (pointing to the words). A few minutes spent each night reading in their readers makes a big difference!

Your child will be given a final DRA 2 Assessment at the end of the year.  Again, thank you for your support in helping your child succeed in reading.

Hat Day....by mistake!

Hats off to all of these wonderful hat creations!  What a fantastic job!

Mrs. Daily, mistakenly, sent home a note saying that we would be having Hat day this week.....but I goofed!  We will be learning letter Hh, next week, so we will have our Hilarious Hat Day on Tuesday, Feb. 4th.  Sorry for the mix up, but a huge thanks to all that created such wonderful hats!  We had fun showing them off and we will keep them and wear them again next Tuesday. If you didnt have a chance to wear one this week, be sure to join the fun next Tuesday!