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Classroom News
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November, 2009
We're hitting our stride.
A Message from Mrs. Cote
The class has completed the first quarter, and I expect that both the students and I are getting more comfortable with the personalities, learning styles and "flow" of our days together in class. My expectation is that the classroom routines should now be done without prompting, and the students should be following the basic formats required for completing work. Much time has been spent on review of basic skills. Now the fun begins!
This Month's Theme : Thanksgiving
Thank you:
Thank you for your help in putting together a wonderful celebration of Halloween for the children. They enjoyed the activities and "goodies" on that day, as well as the down time with their friends.
We also appreciate your support of the food drive. Our class is very proud of the number of food items that have been contributed (250 thus far!). The competition for cans is fun, but we always continue to focus on the real purpose - helping everyone to have a Happy Thanksgiving.
It was a pleasure seeing so many students at the Barnes and Noble fundraiser. It felt like being at a St. Pius X party. I felt proud to be part of the group.
What We're Studying
Language Arts
We will be finishing up the book, "Loser", as well as reading a number of articles about New York State. Then, we will read a number of Native American Legends, in keeping with our Social Studies theme of the first New Yorkers.
Our writing piece this month will be "Stories". We will discuss the format for a "Just So", or "Porquoi" story, and the students will be reading and then writing stories in this style.
Religion: We will be continuing our "Journey with Jesus" by noting the events throughout the year during which Jesus was with us in a special way : Blessing our Classroom, Writing our Promises, Attending our First Mass...
Our prayer for this month is an Iroquois prayer of Thanksgiving. We have discussed how similar this prayer is to the prayer that St. Francis of Assisi prayed halfway around the world. I guess thankfulness and praise know no particular culture. Another topic we will be studying is the Ten Commandments.
As in past years, I will plan on our class attending Mass on Day 6 of the rotation.
Math:
Social Studies: The unit in Social Studies will be all about the Native Americans who settled in New York, with emphasis on the Iroquois League of Five Nations, the model for our government.
Science : This month, we will study the "Sun, Moon and Earth".
REMINDERS: (Things of importance for you and your child)
Friday Folders: Thank you for your cooperation with the Friday Folder. Just a reminder: Please ask your child to see the folder every Friday, complete highlighted work, sign and return the folder and all forms on Monday. As you have noticed, during short weeks there may not be a folder, but there will be a note.
Snack:
Our class will be eating a snack, due to our later lunch time. Please pack (or remind your child to pack) a HEALTHY snack - crackers, fruit, veggies, cereal bar. The snack should be quick and easy to eat. I will update the list as I learn of possible allergies and foods to be avoided in our classroom.
Birthdays:
I have yet to meet a class (or teacher) that doesn't enjoy celebrating a birthday! Please feel free to send in a treat on your child's birthday. It is especially helpful if the treat is precut or divided for easy sharing, and including even simple napkins is greatly appreciated!
Important Dates
Report Card Conferences: Thursday, November 19, 2009
Native American Day: Monday, November 23, 2009 Prayer and Share Day: Tuesday, November 24, 2009
The dates for this year's NYS tests are as follows:
English Language Arts - April 26, 27, 28 2010 Mathematics - May 6 & 7, 2010
Science - Performance test - May 27, 2010 Written test - TBA (Week of May 7, 2010) (Please keep these dates in mind if you should be planning to go away at these times. Dates may be subject to change, as per NYSED.)
 Share you thankfulness with friends, family and others. Praise God, from whom all blessing flow!
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