Happy October!

As we begin this new month, I want to also wish my Muslim friends a belated Happy New Year!  I hope your holiday was enjoyable and special.   

We  have a busy 4-day week ahead of us with MAP testing, ASAs in full swing, and other various activities. 

Please be sure to check out the most recent edition of "Assignment Sheet and News," which I post each week. It includes details about what your child will be learning, as well as other news. 

The class has been working together to earn many compliments over these last few weeks of school. How does it work, exactly? Well, each time someone gives our whole class a compliment, the children earn a letter. They must fill in all of the letters of the party we are having to earn it. 

For example, for our first party, which spelled Popcorn and M&Ms, when we got our first compliment, someone guessed an "o," so I filled in it like this on the board: 

_ o _ _ o _ _    _ _ _     _ & _ _ 

After several compliments, the class had finally filled in all of the letters and then we enjoyed a party. During this time we watched a story from Storyline Online. 

The second party was when we wore just socks during one period. (And, yes, it did get a little stinky in the classroom.) And, lastly, for the third and most recent party on Thursday, we enjoyed a Bubble Gum Party and watched a portion of the film, The Tale of Despereux, since it's our beloved class read aloud and we're about half-way through it.  

It's truly amazing how these seemingly small rewards provide a common goal for the class, cause them to work together, and promote a positive class climate. It's also a great way to support specialist teachers, such as art and music, for example, as I encourage the class to give their best during those classes, so they can earn a compliment. 

We will have many small celebrations throughout the year, so you can join in the fun by asking your sweetie what compliment party he/she thinks will be next! (It has many letters this time!)

Enjoy a few fun pictures from our most recent party on Thursday. (Feel free to view the rest of them here.)  And, if you're darling asked to buy gum over the long weekend, this is why. They are determined to practice and master their bubble-making! :) 

Halloween Pictures!

We greatly enjoyed our Halloween celebration on Thursday and you, parents, were a  huge part of our fun. Thank you so much for taking the time to engage in the festivities, share the excitement with your sweetie and also contribute items for the party. 

A very special thank you to Stephanie as she organized all the details, right down to the delegation of food, classroom decorations and the preparation of some really creepy games! 

I hope you'll enjoy these pictures, which capture the fun. Please feel free to download and/or share your favorites. :) 

Happy Halloween!

Everyone loves a little fun, so I hope you'll enjoy this selection of Halloween amusements: 

• 17 Frightful Facts 
• Pets in Costume 
• Really?! (more interesting facts) 
• The history of Halloween (short 2-minute movie)

Let there be pumpkins!

Breast Cancer Awareness Day

Thank you for sending in contributions for our Breast Cancer Awareness Day. The students and I had a good discussion (yesterday) about this serious disease and ways we can help. I explained terms like "awareness" and a few children shared stories of women they know who were battling this disease and had lost their hair. 

I'm very impressed with how maturely the class handled such a sensitive topic and hope that we in 3LN will always be mindful that we can make a small difference. At the very least, our class is more aware of this disease and now know a few ways to show compassion and empathy. 

This is a great video to view with your child and discuss. If you want to make a bracelet, I will collect them and then send them to this organization in Michigan once I have a few collected. 

Thanks in advance. Even one really can make a difference.