This Week

-Today we had our green and yellow chili pepper party and it was a huge success!  There was a perfect combination of healthy and sweet and there was drink for all.   Thank you very much for contributing.
-On that note, I do not think that I have ever had so many parent volunteers!  I have weekly volunteers, a personal shopper, a terrific room parent, a volunteer for yearbook, the auction, and so much more!!  I have parents randomly asking if I need anything and parents staying far, far beyond their scheduled times.  I am so lucky!!! Thank you all very much.
-Another statement of my terrific parents this year is homework.  This is the first time that I have ever had 100% of the homework returned.  Minus a few stray assignments here and there, we have a very responsible class.  As strange as it may sound to all of you, many years I can have up to 8-10 students who do not consistently turn in their assignments.  Thank you for your support at home.
-Thursday, tomorrow, is the 2nd grade spelling test and Friday is the second grade field trip to the San Jose Discovery Museum.  We have a 1:3 parent-student ratio so the trip should be a great experience.  I will be at Rio with the third graders and Mrs. Cooper is going to be the acting teacher.
-The children will be very tired next week due to the time change.  Please try to get them in bed early (even if the sun is shining) as their bodies have a hard time adjusting and they work very hard in Room 1.
-Both grades will be starting animal reports next week.  The reports will be done in-class.  If your child has a specific animal, please help him/her print out information off of the internet about the animal.  Please, please make sure that there is enough information on the animal to write a report and that your child can read the information independently.
-That is all that I can think of right now.  Thank you again for your support and your delightful children.

Week of Jan. 31-Feb. 4

This Friday is our field trip to the Museum of Art History.  I will need all of the drivers who signed up.  Please remember to provide your child with a snack to take to the museum.  We will return and have lunch at school.

Next Friday, Feb. 11 is our Valentine party.  Thank you to Camille's mom (Carol) for organizing the party and thank you to all of the parent volunteers who are helping behind the scenes.

Monday, Feb. 14 is a school holiday.

3rd grade math final on X8 and X9 is Friday, Feb 18-study, study, study!

We have duck eggs that are scheduled to hatch around Feb. 25th.  We are very excited!

That's all I can think of for now.

The Week of January 24-28

Family night with Charlie and the Chocolate Factory!  Before the break, Ms. Dorney phoned to invite all Rio students and parents to read the book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl.  As a culmination to reading, there will be an informal evening discussing the book, enjoying refreshments, games, and a golden ticket raffle.  We encourage all families to participate in this fun-filled evening.  The date is next Tuesday, January 25 from 6:30-8:00. 

2nd grade Spelling test is Friday, 1/28.

3rd grade final on multiplication facts 8 and 9 is Friday, February 18th.

Reading Logs are due Friday, 1/28.

Field Trip is Friday, February 4.  At this point I will need all drivers who have signed up to drive.  Thank you for volunteering.

That's all I can think of for now!

Welcome Back!

The children returned rested and happy.  Thank you to Tonya (Tobin's mom) and  Amanda (Sophie's mom) for a delightful holiday party.  Thank you also to all of the parent volunteers who helped at the party and/or behind the scenes.  The children were thrilled.

This week we will be studying Trickster Tales in the third grade and Fables in the second grade.  Both grades will be comparing characters and discussing and analyzing morals and/or lessons.  Ask your child to tell you the icon that stands for "details".

There is a holiday next Monday (Martin Luther King Jr.) and there is another holiday on February 14th.
We will still celebrate Valentine's Day on Friday, 2/11.  Valentine cards are encouraged but not required.  A class list will be coming home soon.

We have a field trip to Museum of Art and History scheduled for February 4th from 8:20-11:30.  the field trip forms will be coming home this week.

Literature Circles will resume next Wednesday, 1/19.

The third grade spelling test is next Friday, 1/21 and the second grade spelling test is scheduled for Friday, 1/28.  The second grade list will go home on Tuesday, 1/18.

The third grade multiplication final covering X8 and X9 is scheduled for Friday, 2/18.

Finally, we have a Spectra artist coming to work with our class every Friday for the next 4 weeks.  Woot woot!

That's all for now.

Three Days Left!

This week we will have a second and third grade spelling test on Wednesday, December 22.

We also have the class talent show and the holiday party on Wednesday, December 22.

Finally, Wednesday is a full day.  Class will be dismissed at 2:10.

What's Happening Before Break?

The Third graders have the final on the X6 and X7 Friday, December 17.

The second grade spelling test is Wednesday, December 22.

The field trip is tomorrow.  Thank you to all of the parents who volunteered to drive.

The class Talent Show will now be held before the class party on Wednesday, December 22.  We plan to have the Talent Show around 9:30.  The show will not be a big production.  It will be a low key opportunity for the students to share their many gifts and talents beyond the second and third grade standards.

The class holiday celebration is scheduled for Wednesday, December 22 from 12:15-1:15.  Thank you to Tonya (Tobin's mom) for organizing the party and thank you to all of the parents who volunteered to help.  We have an amazing group of parent helpers this year!

Finally, before we head off to break, I want to take a moment to express how grateful I am for your lovely children.  As I said at Back to School Night, the children  in Room 1 are  kind, respectful, hard workers.  They have matured into responsible, self sufficient young adults and due to their independent work skills and their excellent listening skills, they are learning the material in record speed.  It is hard to keep up with them!    I was petrified to have a combination class and between the students and the supportive parents, I have found the challenges of a combo to be minimal.  It is hard to believe that the year is half over!  I hope that you all have a restful and magical break.  Happy Holidays!

The Weeks Are Flying By!

Welcome back from the Thanksgiving break.  We have very few days before we are back at home for the holidays.   In the next three weeks we will be covering three literature stories, several grammar concepts, a writing prompt, and two chapters in math.   There is never an idle moment in room 1!

The big news is the second grade play.  The Little Red Hen is next week and the children have worked very hard preparing for the performance.  There are two scheduled performances for the Rio students scheduled on Thursday at 8:15 and again at 9:00.  The parent performance is scheduled for Friday, December 10th at 8:15 a.m.  If you are unable to attend the Friday performance, feel free to come on Thursday.  Cockle-doodle-doo!

Thank you to all of the parent volunteers.  I am having a hard time scheduling all of the gracious volunteers! If I have not found you a spot, hang in there.  I hope to have all parents and grandparents scheduled by break.

Finally, the field trip to the Museum of Natural History is Dec. 16th from 10:45-1:15.  I have 38 spots for children and only 27 children.  If you are interested in taking a field trip off, please notify me asap.  Thank  you for volunteering to drive.