Newsletters

Dear Families, September 22, 2017


It was such a pleasure to see so many of you at open house last night.  I hope you got a good feel for our classroom.  I did not have much focused time with any one family so please feel free to reach out and chat with me whenever necessary.

Math: You may notice more Math Mats coming home in Friday folders.  You will also notice that they are not complete.  As a class we are looking at only a few of the richer problems for each math mat.  I am not asking the students to finish the entire math mat as I am creating some other deeper thinking problems for the children to grapple with.  As I am telling the children it is not about finding the right answer it is about showing your thinking (showing your math work) being able to prove your thinking and often solving a problem in more than one way...stretching your thinking. Feel free to work at home to finish the math mat.   

Writing: Students are continuing their work on opinion writing.  After a guided lesson they are now choosing what they want to write an opinion piece on.  

Reading: During reader's workshop we started working on schema as our new thinking strategy.  Ask your student about schema.  They are quickly turning into experts.    


Thank you for your volunteer help.  I have two parents to help with Friday folders as well as making math mat packets.  

Weather:  The weather is changing (finally) and winter is on its way.   Please help your child be prepared with appropriate clothes, shoes and jackets.  We will plan on going outside for recess most days unless it is unsafe (lightning).  At morning recess today there were a number of kiddos in 2nd grade that came with shorts, tanktops, flip flops and no jacket.  

Dates to Remember:

Thursday, September 28: Field trip to Durango Nature Studies


List for DNS visit

Students must wear or bring:


  • jacket – waterproof if possible

  • play clothes that can get dirty and wet – long pants are best

  • sturdy, closed-toe shoes – please, no flip-flops

  • hat and sunscreen for sun protection AND warm hat and gloves on cold days

  • backpack with lunch, snack, and full water bottle

Emily