Happy Holidays!

Wow, we had a wonderful 1 day week today!!!  The ice/snow/cold weather really has made all of us have to be extra flexible over these past 5 days. :)

Today was SUPER fun!!  We did some of our Grinch Day activities that we had planned for yesterday and some of the activities that we had scheduled for today.

Name That Tune

We played a few rounds of Name That Tune with Christmas favorites.  The kiddos wrote down their guesses on a piece of paper for 3 songs & this is how we selected who would go up today during the Sing-a-Long.  Of course, we had to enjoy singing a few songs at the end! :)  There are pictures below from Name That Tune during the Sing-A-Long.  

Grinch Word Problems

We practiced our word problem skills by solving some problems that included the Grinch.  The kiddos practiced stacking 2-digit addition problems and strategies to solve 2-digit subtraction.

Holidays Around the World

One of the reading intervention groups studied different holidays, wrote picture books, and then taught us about the holidays they studied.  Today we learned about Holi, Ramadan, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Chinese New Year, Christmas, and New Years.  All of the students said that they learned more than one thing about holidays that are celebrated around the world - so ask your student something that s/he learned!

Grinch Movie & Snack

The kiddos enjoyed watching How the Grinch Stole Christmas and eating a "Grinchy" snack!  We had popcorn with M&Ms and Grinch Juice (green Hawaiian Punch).  

How Did the Grinch Change?

As the kids were watching the movie today they were thinking about how the Grinch changed from the beginning of the story/movie to the end.  With a partner they listed character traits in a Before and After heart.  Their posters that they made are hanging in the hallway.

Sing-a-Long & Winter Party

Our day ended with a Christmas Sing-a-Long and our Winter Party.  Some of the highlights of the sing-a-long were dancing to the Nutcracker with plates, singing a version of Santa version of Bingo (ask your student to sing it - it's cute), and the specialist acting out the "12 Days of Christmas."  Here is a video. Here are the kids singing Jingle Bellw Rock.  Our Winter Party was held in the cafeteria.  The kids made snowflakes out of coffee filters - they turned out really neat, and enjoyed hot chocolate & popcorn.  It was a wonderful party!  Thank you to everyone who contributed to make it a success & for parents who were able to come to be an extra set of hands.       

                                             

Winter Break

Today is the start of Winter Break.  I look forward to seeing everyone in the New Year!  Our first day back from break is Wednesday, January 4.

I hope that your family has a happy holidays and a wonderful break!!

Mrs. Ross

Happy Friday!

Happy Friday!

Nanette's Baguettes
Lexi's mom came in this morning and read Nanette's Baguettes and brought in baguettes for the students to share.  The students really enjoyed the morning snack.  A huge thank you to Mrs. Newton for coming to read and share a snack.

Transportation/Attendance
If your student will be going home a different way next week or will not be here, please make sure to contact me, as well as the office (akorschgen@cpsk12.org).  Also, if someone else is picking up your child, if possible, please give them your student's green card.

Parent Pick Up
Please remember to have the green card when you pick your child up at parent pick up.  This helps to ensure the safety of your child.  Not all teachers or staff members at parent pick up know everyone, so this allows them to know the student is allowed to go home with you.  We appreciate your understanding!

ST Math
I know there has been some difficulty with a few levels of the ST Math homework (specifically Pie Monster).  We cannot access the homework version of ST Math from any school devices (computers, laptops or iPads), so we cannot help without the device.  If your student is having difficulty, please contact me and then they can bring in their device to school (with your permission) and I can help them at school.  

Grinch Day
Monday is Grinch Day.  If your student has a Grinch shirt or would like to wear a green shirt they may.  We will have a Grinch snack and drink, as well as Grinch reading, writing, math and art activities.  It should be a fun day.

Sing a Long and Holiday Party
The All School Sing a Long will be next Tuesday at 1:00 p.m. in the gym.  It will last until approximately 1:35 p.m. and then we will have our Holiday Party.  Ross and Mottaz classes will be together for the party in the cafeteria.  Thank you to everyone who has signed up to bring in items or help at the party.  If you haven't signed up and would like to, here is the Sign Up Genius.  Students may wear PJ's on Tuesday for the party.  Please keep in mind the weather when they wear their pajamas because it will still be cold.

Have a wonderful weekend and stay warm!

Mrs. Ross

A Few Fun Reminders :)

In your student's backpack is a sheet with a few reminders for the next 3 days before break.  Here is the sheet.

Ugly Sweater Day

Tomorrow is Ugly Holiday Sweater day.  If your student would like to wear an ugly holiday sweater tomorrow, they can.  The uglier the better.  J  If they don’t have an ugly holiday sweater, but have other festive holiday clothing that is fine also.

Grinch Day

On Monday, we will be having Grinch Day.  We have fun activities (reading, writing and math) to do throughout the day.  We also have a Grinchy snack and drink for the students to enjoy.  If your student would like to wear a Grinch shirt or a green shirt on Monday, they can. 

Holiday Party

We will have our school sing along on Tuesday from 1:00-1:35 p.m. in the gym.  Both classes (Ross/Mottaz) will have their holiday party from 1:45-2:30 p.m.  in the cafeteria.  Your child can wear pajamas to school on Tuesday as part of the party (make sure that the pajamas are warm because it is so cold!).  Here is the Sign Up Genius for the party.

Headphones

A lot of students have lost their headphones or they are broken.  Please check with your student to see if they need new headphones.  We use them quite a bit in the classroom as well as when they have media.  If you would like to donate head phones to the classroom, that would be greatly appreciated!

Have a fabulous evening!

Mrs. Ross

Fabulous Friday!

What a FANTASTIC & FUN Friday!

Emily Arrow!

Yesterday, Emily Arrow surprised us at RBE by making an appearance during the 4th & 5th Choir assembly!  We were singing the "Smallest Gift of Christmas" and during the 2nd time through Emily Arrow brought in Bow (her ukulele) and joined in!  The reactions are priceless!  

We enjoyed singing with Emily Arrow today during the assembly today.  She sang almost all of the kid's favorite songs!  We were able to snag a picture with Emily Arrow! :)

 

 At the end of the day, Emily Arrow toured our school to see all the door decorations and we sang "The Dot" song.  

What a super cool experience that we had with Emily Arrow!  She was talking at lunch today that the experience that she had at RBE has been so special.  Take a few minutes to go here to see videos and pictures of our experience with Emily Arrow.

Pizza Party

We enjoyed our 1st Semester Pizza Party this afternoon!  We enjoyed pizza, chips, apples & a brownie.  Plus we had an extra long lunch and watched a Magic School Bus video.  Yummy food was had by all!

Winter Party

The Winter Party Committee has been hard at work putting together an AMAZING Winter Party for our class.  Below is a message from them.  I can't wait for all the fun!! :)

Ms. Mottaz's and Mrs. Ross' classes are combining for the holiday party on Tuesday, December 20! Students can wear their PJs to school that day, and will enjoy hot chocolate and snacks while making snowflakes in the RBE cafeteria. 

Below is a link to a sign up genius if you're able to help provide party supplies. Please come and join the party!

Thank you for your support, and Happy Holidays!

www.SignUpGenius.com/go/10C094FA4A82BA75-rossmottaz

This Week's Learning:

• Math: We started geometry this week.  With me the students worked on partitioning shapes into equal parts.  The students learned that partitioning into halves means 2 equal parts, thirds means 3 equal parts & fourths means 4 equal parts.  We worked on identifying a shape partitioned into halves, thirds and fourths, and also partitioning a shapes in halves, thirds and fourths.  With Ms. Mottaz, the students are talking about what makes a shape.  Geometry has a LOT of vocabulary that students need to have memorized so that they have an understanding the shapes.
• Polygon: A shape that is closed,with straight sides and angles
• Side: A line on the outside of a shape
• Angle: A place where 2 angles connect
• Triangle: A polygon with 3 sides and 3 angles
• Quadrilateral: A polygon with 4 sides and 4 angles
• Parallel: 2 lines that never intersect
• Intersect: 2 lines that cross
• Reading: This week we worked on writing summaries from books winter/Christmas books that we read.  One of the activities is that we made Summary Snowmen.  They turned out SUPER cute & are hung in the hallway.  Come by & checkout all the great summaries that were written!

• Writing: We finished publishing our second personal narrative.  Yay!!  The second personal narrative was a lot less directed and less conferencing with a teacher.  I will be reading and grading these according to the Small Moment rubric that I shared earlier (below).

Next Week's Learning:

• Math: With Ms. Mottaz, we will continue to work on geometry and I will start teaching 2-digit addition & how to set up a problem.
• Reading: We will be learning about theme.  We will be using the Christmas/Winter books that we read this week and talking about the theme of those stories.

• Word Study: We will continue to practice 2nd Grade No Excuse Words next week.  These words are: went, any, first, might, friend, find, first, favorite, before, about & thing.  These words are harder because they don't fit regular vowel patterns.  Please practice with your child on these words - I haven't graded the spelling test, but by quickly glancing over them it looks like scores might have gone down this week.
• Writing: Shhhh!  Secret Christmas gift writing will be in the process next week!  Mrs. Carey (art teacher), Mrs. Ross & I collaborated with each other.  At the beginning of the week, we will be writing about a holiday tradition or our favorite thing about the holiday and in art the kiddos will be making something special that matches what they wrote.  Over the last two rotations of art, the students have made a clay project and next week  we will be writing about them.  Our goal is that these gifts will be coming home by next Friday, but it might be Monday.  

Giving Tree

If your child chose an ornament from the Giving Tree, please remember that gifts are to be returned by Tuesday, December 13, unwrapped.

CPS App

There is a CPS app.  The district is asking for you to install the app on your smart device.  You can go here for more information.

Lost & Found

There continues to be an abundance of  lost items.  Please checkout our Lost & Found to make sure that you collect any of your child(ren)'s lost belongings.  Items left at the end of the day on December 20 will be donated to the Salvation Army.

Sweatpants Needed in the Health Room

There are occasions when students need to change their pants & with the weather turning so cold the Health Room is in the need of gently used sweatpants.  If you have any sweatpants (sizes 6-10) that you are able to donate, please send them in.  Thank you!

Ugly Sweater Day

Next Friday, December 16, will be Ugly Sweater Day.  Buy one or make one!  I can't wait to see what everyone's ugly sweaters look like! :)

Parent Pickup

Students come out to Parent Pickup at 2:40.  It is really cold to be sitting outside for 10-15 minutes.  So please try to be there to pick up your student as close to 2:40 as possible.  Thank you!

Have a wonderful weekend and stay warm!

Mrs.Ross

Emily Arrow TONIGHT (and a few other updates)

What a wonderful Wednesday we had!!

Emily Arrow

As a reminder, RBE Family Literacy Night with Emily Arrow is tonight at 6:00.  The literacy night will be at Woodcrest Church.  I hope to see you there!!!

To prepare for Emily Arrow's visit on Friday, we made 2 door decorations (one for our classroom door & one for Ms. Mottaz's classroom door).  They turned out super cute!

Emily Arrow is in Columbia!!!  She was making arrangements last night at Daniel Boone Regional Library & Lexi saw her!!!  How cool is that?!?!  We are SO SUPER excited about Emily Arrow this week!!!

Homework

Please make sure that your child is completing the math portion of the homework in pencil.  This allows for him/her to correct mistakes without scribbling things out & it makes it easier for me to grade.  

Also, on last week's homework several students did not get all the points when completing the word problem section, due to not including a qualifier (label) to their answer or including a number sentence (as a reminder a number sentence isn't a sentence including words it is number problem with answer - example:  __ + __ = __), and strategy to solve.  Please double-check that your child is including everything that he/she needs on this week's word problem.  Below is an example of a student including all the parts.

Giving Tree

The last day to take an ornament off the Giving Tree is Friday.  Gifts need to be brought back by Tuesday, December 13.  If you would like your child to choose an ornament, you need to fill out the permission slip & return to school by Friday.  The permission slip went home in Friday Folders but you can find a copy of it here.

Have a wonderful evening and I hope to see you at the RBE Literacy Night tonight!

Mrs. Ross

Happy Monday!

We had a great Monday! :)  I just wanted to remind you about a few things:

• Coming home with your child today is a Pizza Party This Friday sheet.  We talked today that we are having a pizza party on Friday to celebrate their great behavior & hard work during the first semester.  We will have pizza, apples, chips and a dessert for each student.  If your child would like to bring a drink (soda, water, juice, etc.), they may bring one in.  Please make sure the it is in a can or plastic bottle (no glass) and is 20 ounces or less.
• We have snack every morning during read aloud.  Some kid are forgetting to pack/bring a snack. As a reminder, snacks need to be peanut and peanut butter free.
• Our spelling words this week are: they, because, was, have, of, were, very, there, their & who.  We talked today about the importance of not only being able to spell these words correctly on the test, but also to make sure that they words are spelled correctly in their writing.  We also discussed the difference between there and their.  There is used as a location word because it has the word "here" in it and their is used as a possessive word to show ownership.  When reviewing these words this week ask them to use their/there correctly in sentences.
• Thank you for making sure that your child is coming to school with a winter coat, gloves/mittens, hats, etc.  It's going to get colder throughout the week - brrrrr!!!

Have a wonderful night!

Mrs. Ross

Happy Friday!

Happy Friday!

We had a fantastic end to our Fable Week today.  I hope that your Friday was just as great as ours! :)

Maker Space

First thing this morning we had Maker Space!  We used beads and pipe cleaners to make ornaments.  Your child is bringing home his/her ornament today and you can check out the pictures here!

Presentations

During Reading Intervention, each group has a different focus.  One group, completed research and made a Google Slide presentation off of an interest that they had.  We had presentations on World War II, narwhals, Cubs, Michael Jordan, the Bermuda Triangle and dogs  Here are some pictures of the presentations.

Fable Camp Fires

We have been working SO hard on creating our very own fables!  We started creating our fables on Tuesday by putting our ideas down on a Fable Creation Board, and then turned our ideas into a completed story during the rest of the week.  I am so super proud of how everyone's fables turned out.  An important part of being an author is sharing our writing with other people.  This afternoon we had camp fires in the classroom and we sat around the camp fire and shared our stories.  Click here to see our Fable Camp Fire Reading pictures.

Talking Horse Production

As an end to Fable Week, we had Talking Horse Productions present "The Tortoise and the Hare."  It was a lot of fun and interactive!  Here are a few pictures of the production.

Semester Pizza Party

We will be having our Semester Pizza Party on Friday, December 9.  So your child does not need to bring a lunch next Friday, but s/he will still need a snack to eat earlier that morning.  Also, if your child would like to have a special drink to enjoy during the Pizza Party you can send one in (juice or soda - in a plastic bottle or can and no larger than 20 ounces).

Food & Pajama Drives

WOW!!!!  I am so lucky to teach at such a giving school.  During the month of November we had a food drive for Meals of Wheels - we ended up making about 139 Snowy Day bags for participants in Meals on Wheels - this is the most that we have EVER collected!  This week in the Wear a Pair, Give a Pair pajama drive for The Rainbow House 203 pajamas were donated.  Having a new pair of pajamas will allow 203 children will sleep better because of your giving!

Next Week

• Math: We will be moving on to Geometry next week.  We will be working on identifying shapes by the number of angles and side of 2-D shapes (triangles, quadrilaterals, pentagons & hexagons) and angles and faces of a cube (3-D shape).  We will also be learning about partitioning (dividing) a shape into 2, 3 and 4 equal shares, and understanding the terms whole, half, third, and fourths.
• Reading: We will be reviewing summaries next week and identifying the theme of books that we have read. We will also be finishing up learning about nonfiction text features.  Our next writing unit will be informational writing and will be applying our knowledge of text features when publishing our writing.
• Word Study: For the next 2 weeks we will be reviewing 2nd grade no excuse words.  These are words that don't typically fit the vowel patterns that we are learning, but that students are expected to be able to spell correctly in their writing.  Our words next week are: they, because, was, have, of, were, very, there, their & who.  We know that some of these words have been on previous
• Writing: We started publishing our 2nd personal narrative piece this afternoon and will be finishing that next week.  Shhhhhhh!!  We will also be working on TOP SECRET writing that will be coming home at the end of December with some specials art work to be given as gifts during the holidays.
• Emily Arrow: We are SO excited to have Emily Arrow visiting Columbia next week, and we are super lucky that we have her to ourselves one evening and for an entire school day.  
• On Wednesday, December 7th at 6:00 pm RBE will be having a Family Literacy Night with Emily Arrow.  The concert is for Rock Bridge students and their families and will be at Woodcrest Church (2201 W. Nifong Blvd).  There will be raffle baskets of books that will be given away.  We hope to see you there!
• On Thursday, December 8th at 6:00 pm, Emily Arrow will be at Daniel Boone Regional Library in the children's area - they said she will be in the "egg" (the kids learned about this on our field trip).  So, if you really enjoy Emily Arrow or you can't make it on Wednesday - you can see her at the Library! :)
• On Friday, December 9th, Emily Arrow will visit our school.  She will be performing in 3 concerts (K-1, 2-3, and 4-5) and touring our building.  
• Next week, we will be decorating our building for her visit.  We will be making door decorations that represent her songs.  

Friday Folders

There are lots of papers coming home in your child's Friday Folder.

• Family Literacy Night with Emily Arrow flyer.
• RBE Giving Tree sponsored by Care Bears Service Club.  A Giving Tree will be set up Monday, December 5-Monday, December 12.  The tree will be filled with ornaments labeled with items for our local families in need (items range from $5.00-$25.00).  If you would like for your child to select an ornament, you need to return the permission slip at the bottom of the flyer and return the gift with the ornament attached by Tuesday, December 13.

I hope that you have a wonderful weekend!

Mrs. Ross

Happy Thursday!

Happy Thursday!

I hope you have enjoyed the sunshine today, too bad it didn't make it any warmer.  :(

Reader's Theater

This morning, we did Reader's Theater (small plays where students practice their fluency - reading the words on the page with expression).  The kiddos separated into small groups and worked together on different fables.  Groups made props and actions to enhance their presentation.  Then, all the group performed their fable for the class (we even had some outside visitors of Ms. Benson, Ms. Norwood and Mr. Smith).  I think all the kids enjoyed reading, presenting, and listening to a variety of fables this morning!  Here are the pictures. 

Word Study

As a reminder, we have our spelling test tomorrow.  We have been working on long a words with the vowel pattern ai & ay.  Our words this week are: drain, gain, braid, train, raise, stay, tray, gray, clay & play.

Winter Attire

Please make sure that your child is coming to school with a winter coat, gloves/mittens, hats, etc.  Today when we went outside for recess the wind chill was 24 degrees.  Cheeks and hands were definitely red and cold when we came in.  

Pajamas Tomorrow

RBE has been collecting pajamas for The Rainbow House this week.  So if your child has donated a pair of pajamas or brings in a pair to donate tomorrow, they can wear a pair tomorrow to school.  Please remember that it is winter time, so make sure that they pajamas are winter-like pajamas.  It is windy & cold on the playground!

Have a fabulous evening and stay warm!

Mrs. Ross

Library Field Trip Was a SUCCESS!

Happy Wednesday!

I hope you all had a wonderful day!

We had a great time on our field trip to the library.  The students did a fabulous job and we got a huge compliment from our tour guide about how quiet and respectful they were throughout the library.

Nonfiction Scavenger Hunt

We have been learning about different nonfiction text features.  Your child should be able to identify and tell the purpose of a table of contents, heading, photograph/caption, close-up, comparison, diagram, framed text, chart/table, glossary, and index.  After learning about these we have been going on a scavenger hunt to find examples of these features in books.  

Math

We have been enjoying reading a variety of fables this week.  Yesterday, we read Mousetropolis (a variation of The City Mouse and the Country Mouse).  We had a challenging two-part word problem to solve in math.  The kids persevered and solved both parts in their partnerships!

Writing

In writing, we are working on writing our own fables!  I have heard several kiddos say how much they are enjoying this!  We talked about that if we are changing up a fable that it is called a fractured fable.  We read Go, Pete, Go! today which is a fractured from the fable The Tortoise and the Hare.

All the kids looked so cute dressed as fable characters today!

November Book It Form Due 

As a reminder, the November Book It form is due by Friday, December 2.  If your child participated please make sure that this form gets turned in.  I will send home the December Book It Sheet tomorrow.

Wear a Pair, Give a Pair

The collection of pajamas for The Rainbow House continues through Friday.  As a reminder, if your child donates a pair of pajamas then s/he can wear pajamas on Friday!  The kids are enjoying getting to go and see their kindergarten teacher when they bring in pajamas.

Weather

Brrrr!!!  The weather has definitely shifted & you can feel winter in the air.  Please make sure that your child is coming to school with a winter coat, hat, gloves/mitten, etc. The playground is windy and cold without any windbreakers. The students also get cold going to buses and waiting at Parent Pick Up.

Have a wonderful evening and stay warm!

Mrs. Ross