inside Mrs. Clausen's classroom

Can it be the last week of school before spring break? The children are convinced spring is on the way by the sound of the birds and the longer days. Let us hope they are right!

We are spending some time doing research on a couple of topics related to Mexico that were picked by the children. The rainforest is the most popular one in the classroom. As we come to the close of this unit each child is putting together a book of the various projects s/he has worked on. Look for this to come home next week on Tuesday with the homework.

A new display of your children’s art work is in the hallway of Furey Hall. They are elaborate cartoons created in art class. Please take a moment to stop by and look at those.

Posted below are two videos which were taken at the performance and dancing last Thursday. As it turned out I could not do the editing I had planned so I am giving them to you as is.

Upcoming:
Tomorrow-  Ski Friday
Monday, March 8-   Parent provided lunch
Friday, March 12-   Ski Friday make up day and dismissal for Spring Break
Tuesday, March 30-   School resumes

The uncut version!

The dance which is also unedited.

The play, dancing, and fiesta lunch were outstanding. I am going to share the words of the second graders as we reflected on the preparation for and the actual events of the day:

“One of the best parts was getting our parts and getting a costume.”

“The way we chose our parts was great, putting in the names and then erasing what we didn’t want.”

“The lunch was great because I got to try different kinds of Mexican food.”

“Practicing for the play was fun and when we made mistakes they were so funny!”

“Helping each other get dressed.”

“Dancing the hat dance with my [parent] as my partner.”

“Having lunch at school with my [parent] because I never get to eat lunch at school with my [parent.]”

“Practicing at home to get my lines correct.”

“Good food!”

“Not having too many lines but doing a lot in the play.”

“Having the parents watch us do the play.”

Just below this newsletter is a quick on-line video Maureen Tumenas put together for you to enjoy. I do have some video that was taken during the performance but it will take a little tinkering to put it together. In the meantime, there is the quick video below and a LINK (see under Links in the left column) to a photo gallery on flickr.com. (Yes it is in French as it is used by the French classes at BCD.)

Tomorrow is a regular Ski Friday, so the dismissal is at 12:45 for the slopes. The children will have the regular spelling quiz. For extra practice they can visit SpellingCity.com, search for me by name, Kathy Clausen and choose the list for February 22-25 oo. Also the book reports are due for anyone who has not brought his/hers in. We have already listened to the presentation of five book reports and the details that are being reported show the growth in each child’s reading and recall ability. The projects have been very enjoyable.

Upcoming:
Tomorrow-   Book report due, Ski Friday
Friday, March 12-   Begin two weeks of Spring Break, return on Tuesday, March 30

GRACIAS MRS. TUMENAS!

Today my daughter, Jane, came in to tell the children about her trip to Ethiopia. She volunteered at an orphanage in Addis Ababa for orphans who are HIV+ and whose parents died of AIDS. I am telling you this for two reasons. First of all you will see the note in your child’s folder which was written by one of the children Jane worked with. Secondly, it was through the various programs that were offered at BCD’s high school that Jane was first exposed to the idea of traveling for the express purpose of helping those who need it. She has gone to Haiti and Costa Rica in the past. I can see it will continue to be part of her life.

Your children made notes and pictures to send to Jane’s orphans back in January when she first arrived. Here are some photos she shared. In the first photo, Christmas was being celebrated when she arrived on January 2. In the second, Epiphany was celebrated in the city on January 19. The change in dates has to do with the fact that Ethiopia operates on the Julian calendar. The year was 2002!

Here are photos showing a couple of children in the act of making the cards your children received. Below that is a picture of the playground at the orphanage.

Jane talked with the children and they asked her questions about her experience. Perhaps a little seed was planted in one of them today.

It has been a strange week with the middle of it being a snow(less) day. We continue to explore elements of Mexico, just today beginning to look at an Aztec legend which will develop into the performance you will see on Feb. 23. Hilary and Courtney, our class parents, will be contacting you about our Fiesta lunch.

A number of children reported trying out Spelling City and enjoying it. I will continue to send paper spelling lists (although there will be no list next week.) As you get a chance to try any of the sites I sent with your child, please let me know what you think.

Alaska Day will be on Wednesday, February 17, our first day back after the long weekend. Remember to send extra socks and the usual lunch.

UPCOMING:
Tomorrow-      Valentine’s exchange, Ski Friday
Monday and Tuesday, Feb. 15 and 16- No school for President’s Day holiday
Wednesday, Feb. 17-   Alaska Day
Friday, Feb. 19-  Full day with no skiing
Tuesday, Feb. 23-  Performance and fiesta lunch  11:30

It was great to return to second grade and I felt so welcome! The children were so warm and I can tell they were well taken care of in my absence. Thank you to Nancy and Viv, and to all of you for your support. The cooler and dishes can be picked up in the classroom. You’ll get my thank you note in the packets today.

The packets that came home today were very full as I had held the work over the weeks to be sure I was seeing what was transpiring in the classroom. There is also the leftover portion of the second spelling book which can always be used for review or to “play school.” I stuck in a list of the names of the children in the class in case you are planning on making Valentines. We will celebrate next week and I only ask that if your child brings one Valentine s/he brings one for everyone.

Over the last few math lessons the children have become much more comfortable with the use of coins to solve problems. Just like everything in math, the more practice you can give your child outside of the classroom the more confident s/he will be in the classroom. Have a cup of change that needs counting? Review the change you got at the store. I know you’re probably thinking, “Change? I use my debit/credit card.” So you may have to just make up some instances of change-making.

The one day homework turn around was successful. Sometimes it is easier to remember than the two day due date. I hear of good progress being made on book reports. I will be checking on with each child. This is a fun book report because they get to choose what to do.

UPCOMING:
Tomorrow-     Ski Friday
Wednesday, February 10-    Alaska Day
Friday, February 12-   Valentine exchange
Monday, Tuesday, February 15,16-   Winter break no school

Our Future Depends on Childrens Books

Much of what we become is shaped by the ideas were exposed to and the relationships of which were a part. There stronger those foundations are from childhood, the better equipped we are to understand the people with whom we interact and the world around us. Childrens books are the tools that help us open the door to a childs natural curiosity, creativity and desire to connect, and are one of our strongest hopes for a great future. Mark will give us a taste of childhood creativity.

Triple digit subtraction with borrowing? No problem! What a group of fierce mathematicians. Sometimes math that requires the use of a precise algorithm can be a challenge for young students, but this group considers this fun. As I mentioned in last week’s newsletter, we will be moving into money as a unit of study. Each child will benefit from having a set of mixed coins (quarters, dimes, nickels, pennies) in the amount of $3.00. Please send those in next week.

We are beginning to practice a few Spanish words as we look at the geography of Mexico. The students have made their own maps and learned about terms such as what a key or legend is, what the high plateau is like as compared to the mountains, or beaches (lowlands.) We talked about Mexico having states just like the United States of America.

A week from today the rough draft of the book report is due. Even if your child has not read the entire book s/he should prepare this draft and bring it in. Also due is an envelope addressed to the recipient of this letter. Please make sure there is a stamp on the envelope. I will keep the envelope and return the rough draft for creating the final copy.

Tomorrow is a “double header” for nice things about the winter term. It is a Ski Friday and a Pizza Friday. Additionally Mr. Nancy Cowhig will be the guest teacher in my absence. She is retired now, but formerly taught at BCD for 30 years. The children wanted to know if she would know how the ski busses work. I told them that they were in good hands!

On Monday we will observe Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday with a day off.

UPCOMING:
Tomorrow-   Ski Friday, Pizza Friday, early dismissal at 12:45

Monday, Jan. 18-   MLK Holiday

Tuesday, Jan.19-   Homework and spelling words will come home

Thursday, Jan. 22-   Rough draft of book report with a stamped and addressed envelope

Friday, Jan. 22-   Ski Friday, Lunch Bunch, early dismissal at 12:45

It has been wonderful to be back at school in the warm and lush climate of Mexico! Already we have begun to talk about the geography and history of this close neighbor. As an introduction to this study we read Thomas Lewis’s historical fiction called Hill of Fire. It is based on the actual event from 1943 when farmer Dionisio Pulido observed the eruption of the volcano Parícutin in the state of Michoacán. I shared with the class the photos I took on a professional development trip I made to Mexico eight years ago. I was able to visit the site of the remaining structure left by the lava flow in Sr. Pulido’s town and see Mexico City.

In math we have begun subtracting with borrowing, and we used the chip trading game to get started. Upcoming in math will be our study of money. For that work I like the children to use real coins as manipulatives. Please send in $3.00 in an assortment of pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters for your child to use.

I hope you have all had a chance to see the Food Pantry PSA. It was featured on MyBCD this week as we want to publicize the food collection done by the Lower School. I showed to the class yesterday and I know they are very proud of their work. (They are also looking forward to making more movies)

Tomorrow is our first “Ski Friday.” I am reviewing the school’s guidelines with the children today. There is also a post on MyBCD  which you will want to review.

Please remember to send me a note when your child’s after school plans change. It helps reassure your child and keeps me organized. Thank you.

Upcoming:
Tomorrow- Ski Friday early dismissal 12:45
Friday, Jan. 15- Pizza Friday, Ski Friday early dismissal 12:45
Monday, Jan. 18- Holiday observed for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The new book report form is posted below should you need to print it out at home.

Letter Book Report