Week of February 1, 2010

Happy February!
I look forward to meeting with parents on Parent/Teacher Conference Day this Thursday, February 4.
Please remember that there is NO SCHOOL on Friday, February 5- Teacher Development Day.

This past week was exciting as we celebrated Ben Armour's 8th birthday with delicious cupcakes created by Chef J.C. Happy Birthday Ben!

Monday was an exciting day as Elodie Poussard taught our Geography lesson on London, England. Elodie was born in England, which is an island in Europe, and she and her family lived there for several years. Lauren, Elodie's mom, and Elodie prepared a wonderful slideshow and amazing "British" snacks for Group 2 to enjoy. We learned some very interesting facts about life across the Atlantic:

• Windsor, home of the castle of the King and Queen of England, is owned by the Queen but enjoyed by all British.
• Elodie and her family played and enjoyed picnics along the banks of the famous Thames River.
• Football, which is actually "soccer", is a popular sport in England.
• The temperature is warmer there and daffodils start to bloom right after Christmas!
• Eodie's sister, Zoe, attended kindergarten in England which is called "reception" and uniforms are required.
• Elodies' mom and brother, Freddie, attended the wedding of Prince Charles and Camilla!
• Each time there a changing of the guard at the Queen's castle a parade is held and the "goat" is the mascot!
• There is a grand hot air balloon festival every March!
• After our presentation, we devoured biscuits (plain and chocolate covered), "tea time" sandwiches made of white bread, cheese and pickles and punch. Thank you Lauren for all the preparation!:)
• There are many interesting words substituitons: We use the phone, the British use the "tellie". We wear pants and they wear "trousers". A speed bump is called a "sleeping policeman". We have "yards and they have "gardens", cookies are biscuits and diapers are nappies!

We learned so much and would love to take a field trip to Windsor (if Jeff will approve!)

We had a great time sharing burgers at Fuddrucker's with each other! Thank you for your support!

Let's "Help Haiti":

• Each classroom has a "Haiti Collection Box" and we are collecting monetary donations for Haiti.
• We will continue to do this over the next several months since this will be an ongoing need.
• Any amount will be greatly appreciated by this country in desperate need.

Monday 2/1/10

• Reading: Please read your independent reading book and work in your book reports!
• WW Word List 15: bog, brief, elude, loyal, nimble, novice, prey, raze, reckless, shabby, singe, sole, topple, wander, wee and Dolch Words: kind, laugh, light, long, much. Please review and study each night!

Tuesday 2/2/10

• WW: Pre-test List 15
• WW: Exercises 15 A, C, D
• Reading: Work in book reports for conferences!
• Social Studies: Work on your "Career Day" project which is due February 9!

Wednesday 2/3/10

• LIBRARY DAY: Please bring in your books and fines- if they apply to you!
• WW: Test, List 15
• Reading: Reading Comprehension book- next section is due.

Thursday 2/4/10

• NO SCHOOL: Parent/Teacher Conference Day

Friday 2/5/10

• NO SCHOOL: Teacher Development Day