Effort Ignites our Abilities

 Good Morning to all our students and families!  I hope you all enjoyed Spring Break.  I took a lot of time for myself, relaxing, refocusing and walking, lots of walking.  I am looking forward to being back in school tomorrow and seeing all of my students.  With that being said, I am ready to take on the last lap of the school year.  There are many fun things being planned for the end of the year, and there is still a lot of school work to get through.  

The week before our break, as you all know I was not in.  I had to take time off due to some health issues.  I am finally feeling stronger and healthier.  The first week of April, the students took the RICAS assessments in ELA.  I am proud of their effort and hard work.  

I provided them with lots of incentives and positivity.  I know they put their best foot forward and did their best.  The students will be taking the math sessions during the first week of May.  

Pen Pal Letters:

  The school year is coming to an end for our pen pals in Utah, Arizona and Nevada.  The children have been communicating back and forth with their pen pals and hopefully they will continue to keep in touch once we are done in school.  That will be up to you, the parents.  We have been using the school address, but if your child wants to keep in touch, they would have to use their home address once school is out.  

 

Wonders

We have been using the digital component of our Wonders Reading program.  It is especially helpful to review skills and vocabulary.  The children love the interactive part where they can get up there and actually be part of the work.  They collaborate with one another and help each other out.

Overall Happenings in the Classroom

The children continue to work in station rotation.  They work 

together to get  a task completed.  

They take part in interactive games and compete against one

another.

They work on skills like inferencing, answering comprehension questions and read in small groups.

The children are doing wonderful in these small groups.  I love to hear the conversations, the participation and the ways they problem solve within their groups.

Self Care

I am going to put in a new section with my blog.  It is about ways we can take care of ourselves.  I will incorporate some skills children, as well as, adults can use when they feel that they need some time to refocus and get back on track.  

This past week, I went to Lincoln Woods State Park.  I took a brisk walk all around the park and at the end of my walk (40 minutes) I took out my journal, found a huge rock, sat on it and began to write my thoughts at that moment.  I heard birds chirpping, children laughing and the silence of people fishing, hoping to catch something.  The time I spent there, made me more aware of my surroundings cleared my mind even if it was just for 20 minutes.  I also did some breathing exercises and took in the fresh air. It really helped me stay focused and organized for the day.  

Quote:

"Take time to do what makes your soul happy."