The World is a Classroom

In September, the class voted to wait to celebrate all of our birthdays until April 1st (a day when no one in the class actually has a birthday). That way people who have birthdays over the summer or holidays get to celebrate their birthdays with the class, for once!

But, April 1st is a Sunday you say. Was Mr. T playing an April Fool’s joke? Of course not! The party will be at lunch (and probably recess too) on Monday, April 2nd. Students have been asked to bring a birthday-themed dessert treat for about a dozen on Monday. They should also bring a regular lunch for themselves!

Should be a fun Monday!!

PS A few people did bring food into class on their birthdays anyway. That’s just fine. They can elect to not bring food on Monday (since they already did), or, they can bring something else on Monday – it’s their choice.

Believing it is more likely that tests will get home if they are sent in a big bunch, on Friday students received back numerous spelling tests, math tests in long form multiplication and division, two Social Study tests, a Science test and a Reading Book Report (with scores for reading and writing).

Reviewing these materials (some reaching are far back as January) should give you a good snapshot of how your child has been doing recently.

Please check the back of your child’s homework duotang for these materials!

It’s in the gym, at 1:30, on Thursday – and you’re invited!!

PS Please remind your child to bring their “costume” to class tomorrow morning.

The final two page essay test for “My Side of the Mountain” (Do you remember reading it when you were young?) was handed back today (Tuesdsay).

All students received it and were asked to put it in their homework duotangs for you to see. The test generated two scores. One for Reading (identified with an “R”) and one for Writing (“W”). The raw score and letter grade are included on the front page of the test, along with some comments and scores scattered throughout the test.

Again, this is provided to give you yet another snapshot of how your child is doing in these areas….

The class discussed the idea of a “Secret Santa” gift exchange for the party next Friday afternoon.
They voted to:
- Either use “secret code” names or their own names
- Indicate on their “secret code” name tag whether they were a boy or girl
- Have a gift limit of $6 to $10 (not including tax)

I made it very, very clear that this was an optional activity and children who didn’t want to participate, for whatever reason, did not have too – and that folks who didn’t want to do Secret Santa were still very welcome to join in all the other party activities on the day.

I also asked the class to be sure they are involved in picking and/or wrapping of presents. I didn’t want this to be yet another task for parents in this already busy season.

So, the idea is to go with the fun part of this and not too get carried away with the gift part. Gifts can come to the classroom anytime, up to next Friday. They should be wrapped and tagged “From Santa” to “(the secret code name)”.

The kids gave me their code names today and then picked someone else’s code name out a box. I must say that by the end of the afternoon most kids had figured out who had what code name!

On the topic of food – we decided to bring something for desert or drinks next Friday. Kids will all bring their lunches as usual on that day. Again, I’ve asked the kids to help with the buying, making and/or preparing of the food. BTW – Kids do not have to bring enough for the whole class, a plate of something, a dozen cookies, a bottle or two of pop is just fine.

And so the excitement builds…..