Week of March 7th

Reading week was a success! We love to read anyways, but a week where we "celebrate" it, makes it that much more special. On Monday, we had a blast dressing up and sharing our favorite books. On Tuesday, we went to the theatre to hear from an illustrator. Frank taught us the details of his job and encouraged us that even we can be illustrators! On Wednesday, the whole Lower Division met outside on the quad to read for 30 minutes. This was bliss :). We all brought our towels and got lost in a good book. I must admit, I wish we could do that every day. Thursday brought us a special visitor, Gina Longino! She told us about her adventure as an author. I had the privilege of teaching her son last year. A story he wrote in my class actually inspired her to write books. The kids loved hearing the story and had some very good questions for her. We also had the opportunity to go down to JK and read with Mrs. Jotch's class. My heart always melts when my kiddos get to read to the younger kids. We finished off the week with a visit to Mrs. Cameron's class to hear her two stories as well as Oldie Goldie! I wish I could have captured all of the excitement at Oldie Goldie. "Mrs. McKenzie can you believe that this book only cost 10 cents?!" "I can buy like a million books!" "Can we please read all of the great books we got?" These are just some of the sweet quotes I heard from the kids on Friday!

As you know we are raising money for Relay for Life. The kids have been doing a wonderful job bringing in donations and building our chain! I was touched greatly on Friday by the acts of some of the kids. When we returned from Oldie Goldie, so many of the kids came to me and asked if they could donate their leftover money to Relay for Life. I was touched greatly. I love when kids realize that the world is bigger than just them, that they can have an impact on others! You should be proud as parents. We are continuing to raise money through March 25th. Every time your child brings in a dollar they get a chain to add to our class chain.

PLEASE NOTE!! Field Day for K-2 has been changed from this Friday to Tuesday, April 5th. More information to come later.

Please join us Wednesday at 8:20 as your child shares their biography projects. They will come dressed up as their person and will change after. They are so excited to show you what they have been working on!

This week:

Math: Collections of Things, Equivalent Fractions, and Comparing Fractions
***Please make sure to sign and send back last Math Assessment (Unit 7)
Language Arts:

• Phonics: Vowel Variant /oo/ oo, ew, ue, ui, ou
• Prefixes: mis-, re-, un-
• Mentor Text: The Bee (non-fiction)
• Comprehension: Using Graphic Aids, Synonyms, Summarizing
• Grammar: Past-Tense Verbs
  

Writing: Prompt Writing
Science: Complete our unit on Matter and will be starting the Butterfly Life Cycle when we return from Spring Break
Social Studies: Asia

Information:

• Eagle Presentation:
  On March 8, two people from the local chapter of the National Audubon Society will visit Shorecrest to give a presentation which will include live raptors, as well as, information about the eagles' nest in the neighboring cell tower.
  
• Relay for Life will take place on Friday, March 25. Students may wear their Relay shirts or purple shirts on that day.
• Class Picture Day will take place on Wednesday, March 30.
• Spirit Day will be on Thursday, March 31. Students and teachers may wear green and gold colored clothing.
• Celebrate the Arts is the week of April 11th

I am sure many of you are wondering just how long I am going to be here. As of tomorrow I have 5 weeks left in my pregnancy (to get me to 40 weeks). My due date is April 12th. I plan to work until my precious girlie makes her entrance. If she is not here by the 15th, that will be my last day. Cynthia Apter will be here with me the first week in April. Thank you so much for your love, support, and understanding!