Friday, November 14, 2008

sadkins@pennoyerschool.org

Hello parents!  Even though there is no Newsletter this week, I do have a few updates for you that I would like to pass along:

      All third graders will need to purchase a large, plastic candy cane for our winter concert.  These can be found at the dollar store, Target, or most anyplace that sells Christmas stuff.  The candy cane should be at about the height of your child’s hip, no higher than their waist.  Please send those in to school as soon as you can get one.

      I wanted to remind you about the book preorders available for our guest Author this year, Aaron Reynolds.  Orders are due next Tuesday, November 18th.  Aaron will sign all books at Pennoyer’s Family Reading Night.  You could take a sneak peek at the website and get an idea of what his books are like.  Visit www.aaron-reynolds.com

      I wanted you to be aware that I am going to be teaching vocabulary a little differently starting next week.  I have been searching for a more effective way for the kids to learn their reading vocabulary, and I think I have found one.  Instead of copying the definitions in their notebooks, we will instead take time to discuss each word and use them in sentences.  The kids will create their own sentences using these words, and sketch an illustration to go along with it.  The idea is for the kids to start using our vocabulary words in everyday language, so please reinforce this at home.  On Mondays, ask your child what their vocabulary words are (they are also listed on the spelling page I send home every Monday) and encourage them to use the words at home as well.  We will keep track at school of how many times we hear these words in everyday conversation.  Hopefully this will allow the kids to have a deeper understanding of our new words we learn.

      We celebrated Dylon’s 9^th birthday this past Wednesday.  His actual birthday was on Monday, and we were delighted to celebrate with him a couple of days late.  Happy birthday Dylon!

That’s it for now!  Please remember that your child has a science test this Monday on weather.  Based on our review we had yesterday, many of them still need to learn their vocabulary definitions.  We are in for a chilly weekend, and that is perfect weather to snuggle up and read!

Mrs. Sarah Adkins