The baby cubs have arrived!

Lily the black bear gave birth to two cubs this evening! 

Lily and Hope Update

Our class has been anxiously awaiting the birth of Lily's new cub(s).  We check in on Lily and Hope often throughout the day.  We have been studying black bears and reading all the books we can find to learn more about them.  At 5:08 this evening, Lily showed signs of being in labor.  Last year, Lily was in labor with Hope for 22 hours, so hopefully some time tomorrow the new cub(s) will arrive.  Through our research on black bears our class learned that they usually have 2-3 cubs at one time (although one book we read said anywhere from 1-5 cubs).  We tallied how many cubs the students in our class thought Lily would have.  Two students thought she would have two cubs, and 13 students thought she would have three cubs.  Unfortunatly, we do not have school tomorrow so we cannot check in on Lily and Hope together.  If you get a chance, please go to http://www.bear.org/ and click on the link to Lily and Hope's den cam.  You can also read updates on what has been happening on the website.  I can't wait to watch and learn more about these bears with along with the students.

AIMSweb testing on Thursday, January 20th

The kindergarteners have a very important AIMSweb testing day coming up on Thursday, January 20th.  We use the data from theses assessments to determine your child's progress and learning needs.  Please make sure your child gets plenty of rest and eats a good breakfast.  It is  very imporant that your child comes to school that day, as we may not be able to have a make up testing day. 

Thanks for helping your child be successful with their AIMSweb tests!

Lily & Hope Update

As mentioned in an earlier post, we have been learning about bears and watching Lily and her one year old cub Hope.  Lily is about to give birth to her new cub any day now!  We are anxiously awaiting the new cubs arrival.  You can follow Lily and Hope by clicking on the following links.  One link is for the den cam and the other link will take you to Lily's facebook page where you can read updates on Lily and Hope.

http://www.bear.org/livecams/lily-hope-cam.html

http://www.facebook.com/lily.the.black.bear

Reading books at your child's level

It is a very exciting time in our classroom as many of the students have begun reading!  I have had parents ask where they can get books that their child can read.  I recently sent home scholastic book order forms.  There are several selections in the January book orders that would be great for your child to work on reading on their own at home.  See some selections below:

Firefly:

• Guided Reading Set 1 #24 - 30 books for $25 (includes reading levels A-C)
• Sound-Out-the-Words Phonics Reader Pack #71 - 10 books & 2 workbooks for $22
• Learn to Read with Spongebob Phonics Boxed Set Level 1 - 12 books & 12 flashcards for $12

Seesaw:

• Animal Safari Collection #4 - 5 non-fiction books for $15
• Spider-Man Phonics Fun #72 - 12 books for $12
• High-Frequency Readers Library #27 - 15 books for $18
• Guided Reading Set 2 #25 - 30 books for $25 (includes reading levels A-C)

Remember: Book orders are due January 19th.  You can send forms to school with a check made payable to Scholastic or you can order online at www.scholsatic.com/bookclubs.  Our class activiation code is: H4DCJ.  If you need new catalogs and order forms let me know.  Don't forget our class earns $3 in FREE books for our classroom library when you order online.  

 

 

Reading and math printable games on my Wiki

If you have not had a chance, please check out my wiki, which is located on the right side of my blog.  I have added some reading and math games that you can print from home and use to help your child practice different literacy and math skills. 

Lily & Hope - Bear Watching

We have been learning about Lily the bear.  Lily and her cub Hope are hibernating in their den right now.  However, Lily is expected to give birth to a cub soon.  We will be watching and keeping up with Lily, her cub Hope, and her soon to be new cub.  You can follow these bears at home by clicking on the following link. 

http://www.bear.org/livecams/lily-hope-cam.html

Mrs Reed's Wiki

Because I am unable to upload documents to my blog, I have attached a wiki page where you will be able to access our newsletters, flashcards, and a variety of other documents.  Please check the wiki periodically as I will be adding new things to it.  The link to my Wiki is located on the right side of my blog.  Right now you will find sight word flashcards on the wiki that you will be able to print from home. Many of the students have mastered or are close to mastering their letters and sounds.  We are shifting our focusing to reading words.  Please help your child practice these sight words at home.

Reading Buddies

Before winter break our reading buddies helped us create a stocking book. Both the kindergarteners and third graders enjoyed their time together.

New Year's Resolutions

Winter Party

We had a blast at our winter party. We made Christmas number books, decorated snowflakes, played bingo and ate yummy snacks. Thanks to our room parents Carol Farris and Angie Teeter for all of their hard work!