Happy Holidays!

                                                   Friday, December 21, 2012

Dear Families of Class 4-411,

Wow, time flies! I cannot believe 2012 is coming to an end. It seems like September was just yesterday and I was just meeting all of you and your children for the first time. The kids have worked so hard since then and accomplished so much.

Academically, your children have learned so much! In writing, the students have written personal narratives, realistic fiction stories, personal and persuasive essays, and are just finishing up their research-based argument essays. In reading, they have been soaring through their fiction and non-fiction books, and are already up to reading 40 minutes each night! In math, the students have tackled multiplication and are now working hard on division!

        

We have also come together as a community inside our classroom. Your kids have bonded together not only as classmates, but as friends. I have seen so many acts of kindness and children supporting one another in our classroom and it makes me so proud.

I am truly impressed by your children and all the amazing things they have accomplished thus far. Seeing how far they have come in just a few short months makes me even more excited for all the amazing things they will continue to accomplish in the second half of the year.

I want to thank you for your participation and the continued support you have given your children these last few months. I so appreciate all that you do and I am looking forward to working together to make 2013 the best year yet! I hope you are able to enjoy some family time with your loved ones this season. Wishing all of you happy holidays!

Best Wishes,

Ms. Mactas

Secret Pal Book Exchange

Remember, we are having our secret pal book exchange at our holiday party on Thursday, December 20th. Please make sure you keep your secret pal a secret! Don't forget to bring in your books by Monday, December 17th.

Secret Pal Book Exchange

4-411 is having a Secret Pal Book Exchange!  In this exchange, each child will receive one new paperback book from another child in the room as a reading gift. We will have the exchange at our class holiday celebration on Thursday, December 20^th.

Here is how it will work:

Who do we get a book for?

Your child has received the name of another child.  This is your child’s book exchange secret pal!

How do we know what type of book to get?

Your child has received the book request of a few favorite books/authors/series of another student in our room.

What does my child do with the book once we buy it?

Wrap it up in wrapping paper and send it to school with your child.  It must be wrapped so that it is a surprise!

How do we label it?

Put the name of the child who the book is FOR on the outside. Do NOT put your own name on the book…remember, it is a secret!

Thank you, and happy book shopping!

Please send in all books by Monday, December 17^th.

*If you are unable to send a book with your child for any reason at all, please send me a note.  A book will be provided on your child’s behalf so that all students will receive a book!

Field Trip 11/19

Don't forget that Monday is our field trip to the Museum of the American Indian!

Please remember to send your child to school with a bagged lunch.

Chaperones- please meet in the cafeteria around 9:20am

Welcome to Our Class Website!

Welcome 4-411 students and parents!

I hope you begin using our classroom website as a resource to see:

• latest news and announcements
• homework
• updates in reading, writing, math, social studies, etc.
• and much more!

October Update

I can’t believe it’s already October!  The students have been busy immersing themselves in reading, read aloud, writing, math, social studies and word study.  I’m amazed to see how much learning is taking place in the classroom.  Students are having thoughtful partnership conversations and asking meaningful questions.  I can’t wait to see where the year takes us if we’re starting at this level! 

Learning has also been taking place on the dance floor! We have been busy mastering the merengue, foxtrot and rhumba, to name a few dances.  Ms. Barbara is teaching us how ladies and gentlemen act on the ballroom dance floor.  Look for a date on the culminating event in the next few weeks.

Thank you so much for your continued support!  This class could not run as smoothly without it.

  

Remember, if you need to reach me you can email me @ msmactas@gmail.com