Roots, stems, seeds, leaves, and fruit

Dear Parents,

Please remind your children to empty their folders on Friday and bring home any completed work and weekly work plans for your review. At the end of the week, Ms. Summer and I are returning work and spelling quizzes  to the same folders where the students keep their spelling books.  I will also  be sending home student composition notebooks on the weekends  at the beginning of each month starting in November.  Notebooks should be returned the following Monday.  I am hoping this will allow parents to feel connected to what is going on in class.


Writing Club

Our class has started a writing club.  Membership in the class is strictly voluntary and we are meeting once a week. Prior to each meeting, students are given an assignment.  Each week students meet to read and discuss  their writing assignments and offer feedback and ideas to our fellow authors.  The club is being modeled after Young Writers Program and NaNoWriMo (National November Writers Month). Successful membership in the club will result in a complete creative story written by each member of the "club".  It is not too late to join and I encourage you to talk to your child about their book. 

I am hoping that students will find writers club to be fun and I expect that it will fit into a rigorous course of study.

Botany

Last week we continued to explore parts of the plant and enjoyed munching our way through seeds, stems, leaves, flowers  and roots.  We tried pomegranate  seeds, broccoli flowers, lettuce leaves, and some root vegetables.

Students went out into the outdoor learning environment and collected leaves.  We identified the trees we had on our school grounds and started a painted rock garden.

Next week, we will begin making terrariums.

Geography
Students have started making pin maps of U.S. states.  Students trace a state map using an old overhead projector. Using tooth picks and  double sided tape they label major landmarks,  cities,  and  areas of interest.  We are in desperate need of corrugated cardboard or foam board to make the maps.  If you have any old boxes that are in good condition and can be used for this project, we would love to have access to them.


October is quickly approaching.  The deadline for permission slips and payment for the beach trip is October 1.  I will be matching together chaperones, drivers, and students this week.  If you plan on chaperoning the trip, please let me know if you are willing to drive vs. being a passenger in a car and how many students/adults can fit in your car. 

Finally, I am still looking for volunteers to sell hot dogs on October 13 at the elementary classroom fund raiser.  We will be operating a food truck in front of a new Lowe's store located at 807 S. Main Street in Graham from 11 a.m.- 5 p.m.  We would love to see everyone come out and eat lots of hotdogs for Pinewoods kids.

Thank you

Thank you to Cory and Chrissy Foy for power washing and staining all of the playground structures.  Mr. and Mrs. Foy spent much of their weekend making our playground more inviting for the students.

Thank you to Lauren Walker, Stuart Brown, and Marie Finnengan for representing Pinewoods at the Fresh Roots Festival in downtown Hillsborough.


Jo Ann



  

Children were begging for broccoli!

Day One.

Quote of the week.

Day 2

Day 3

The Vampires were back again this week.

Stella reading Doll People.

Amelia reading Doll People to her friends.

Day 4

Day 4