We’re winding down until the break! Students are very excited for the Winter Holiday party, and we’re all having a fun time doing things for our “Secret Snowflake.” We’re taking this week to review things we’ve done over the semester, but also slow down a bit and just enjoy each other. Oftentimes, we really get into learning and rigor, and sometimes it’s good for me and the students to slow down a bit, and spend some much needed time refocusing ourselves to make sure we’re being patient with each other (myself included), and really work on the social emotional aspect of things. I’ve been doing more read aloud time and planning fun little craft activities throughout the week to help us slow down a bit. Our class is looking quite nice filled with snowmen and snowflakes. We even made our families a little snow surprise!
Thank you all for your patience and understanding as all of us have been adapting and figuring out this new school! I know so many things can fall through the cracks, so if there’s anything more I can be doing, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
As I move into January with your students, I’m going to try and do some more differentiation in math. I’ve done a pretty good job making sure students are challenged well in reading and writing, and math is the next thing I’m going to tackle. I’m going to be utilizing the I-ready assessment results to create some more robust lessons for students who need a challenge, as well as go back and hit some more number sense lessons for students who need extra support. I would love your input. If you’re hearing that your child is needing to be challenged and they’re communicating to you that they’re bored in math, let me know so I can definitely have them on my radar. I’m sending home the unit 4 letter for math as well as some home connection worksheets from unit 3. They are not required to complete, but I figured I’d give them to you, so you can see what we’ve been working on. Your child should be able to complete the sheets on their own with little support and little to no errors. If you notice your child is struggling with some of the concepts, that’s a great indication of something we can be working on. I want to ensure all students are successful, so your continued reaching out and communication really helps me with that.
Reminders
WINTER BREAK ACADEMICS: Some families have asked for resources of educational things to do over the break with your child. I know it can be sometimes a lot having your child home all day long, and some structure can help. I have a packet of reading, writing, and math activities that I can copy for families that want it over the break. It is not required, and I only want to send it home to families that want to utilize it. So, if you’re interested in having something for your child to do over the break (especially if you’re noticing they’re struggling in math or reading), send me an e-mail and I will stick on in their blue folder before the break. I’m only going to make copies for families that want the activity packet. I am also going to include an extra reading log page, and student’s istation and i-ready logins. Those are also great activities students can do over the break to help them in reading and math.
WINTER WONDERLAND PARTY: We are wrapping up the first half of the school year next Thursday with a Winter Wonderland party in our classroom. We will start the party at 1:30. Adult family members are welcome to join us in the festivities! We will also have pajama/stuffed animal day!
SECRET SNOWFLAKE: Our school is going to be doing secret snowflake again for the second year. Today, we put names in a hat and students drew someone’s name. That person is their secret snowflake. Starting next week, your child must do a daily kind deed for his/her Secret Snowflake. The trick is, we will try to be extra nice and do extra nice things for everyone in our class so that we confuse people and try and trick others into thinking they are our secret snowflake. On Thursday, December 20th, your child will bring a homemade card to school for his/her secret snowflake. We will guess who our secret snowflake was, and give out our cards. The secret Snowflake papers, letting you know who your child has, went home in your child’s blue folder last week. If you lost it, let me know and I can let you know who your child’s secret snowflake is.
MUSIC PERFORMANCE: First grade will have their music performance on January 18 at 2:00 pm. I wanted to let families know so you had time to plan accordingly! This is a performance that our music teacher, Mrs. Phillips has been working with the students on.
HOMELESS CARE PACKAGES: As a school we’re all going to be making care packages for the homeless during the holiday season. If you want to sign up to bring supplies for our care packages or volunteer to help out, our class will be stuffing care packages on Wed. Dec. 19 at 2:00 PM.
DECEMBER RESTAURANT DAY: On Friday, December 21st from open to close on our first day of break, HashTAG (10155 E 29th Dr #120, Denver, CO 80238) is giving back 15% on all Inspire sales. This includes food and drinks, dine-in and carry-out. Gather some of your Inspire buddies, and let's celebrate the end of a fantastic 2018 as a community! Remember to tell your server you’re with Inspire!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Thursday, 12/20 Spirit Day; Pajama and Stuffed Animal Day
Thursday, 12/20 @ 2:00 PM Winter Wonderland Party in classrooms
Friday, 12/21 No School; Professional Development Day
Friday, 12/21 Restaurant Day at Hash Tag 7a-2:30p
12/22 - 1/6 No School
Wednesday, 1/9 @ 8:30 AM School Tour
Wednesday, 1/9 @ 4 PM Collaborative School Committee (CSC) Meeting
Thursday, 1/10 @ 8:00 AM; Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Coffee
Friday, 1/11 Spirit Day; Favorite Sports Team
1/14-2/15 Access (K-3)
1/15-2/15 Choice Window Opens
Thanks for sharing your child with me!
Warmly,
Mrs. Cranfill