Week 35
May 21, 2012
Thank you, parents, for continually covering for each other during classtime and for other activities
when the needs arise. I appreciate all that you continue to do to support our classroom!
GENERAL INFORMATION and UPCOMING EVENTS
May 24: Wear Blue and Gold, our school colors, or something that says
Thornhill School. It’s Thornhill Thunderbirds School Pride Day!
May 25-28: No School. Memorial Day weekend.
May 30: Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast 7:30AM-8:30AM
Open House and Music Night K-2 6:00PM-7:30PM
May 31: Field Trip to Crab Cove.
June 7: Opera! 9:00 AM And to Think That We Saw it on Thornhill Drive.
June 15: Last day of school. Please join us for our closing circle at 8:20 as I honor
each of the children!
SPIRIT DAYS. This year the children may enjoy dressing for the following themes:
May 29: Wacky Hair Day
May 30: Pajama Day
May 31: Matching Day (we’ll wear our field trip shirts to Crab Cove)
June 1: Freaky Friday
CLASSROOM NEWS
Juliana was our Star Student of the Week. She loves penne pasta, and cats are her favorite animal.
Juliana’s favorite place is the CA Academy of Science, and she would like to be an artist. Her wish is for
a dog!
Lunch Bunch was Oliver, Miranda, Dylan, Victoria and Lauren. How fun it was for me to sit back and
listen to the children think of things to talk about. “What’s your favorite…..?”
Language Arts: We were busy with journal writing, practicing sounds and letters, spelling, handwriting
and diligently practicing working independently. We listened to stories about the ocean and wrote
about a favorite sea animal. We finished Dragons of Blueland and were so excited that Elmer helped
Boris and his family escape to freedom!
Math: We began our new unit on time looking at events that take more and less time. We made clocks
and are beginning to tell time to the hour. Ask your child why clocks are important! Our graph showed
that the afternoon is our favorite time of day. We are continuing to count how many days we’ve been in
school AND count down for how many are left. Only 18 more days until summer fun.
Science: Our plant and tree unit came to an end on Science Night, although our plants in the garden
continue to thrive! We began a unit on Nutrition by having a breakfast Kick-Off! It was fun to see the
many things we eat for breakfast. We learned how very important eating a good breakfast is because it
gives us energy to begin the day! The children then learned about the 5 food groups on “My Plate” and
why each is important.
Social Studies: We began studying maps, first comparing a globe to a map. Can your child tell you
what it means to say “bird’s eye view”? We had fun finding Thornhill School on a map and then trying
to comprehend the size of our neighborhood, Oakland and then California! The children are busy
coloring a large drawing of Oakland showing the many places they have visited.
Music: We enjoyed an all school sing-a-long this week where we sang our “I Love the Mountains” song.
We continue to practice for our May 30th Music Night!
Opera: It was a difficult process, but we composed our 3rd and final aria. The children continue to
practice daily! PLEASE look for the Opera Update in your child’s homework folder. It details
dates/times, what your child’s role will be, and how you can help with our opera. Thank you to Joanna
and Ariana for finishing the details on the bounce house and for Jessica taking the lead to get the
school prop ready!
Art: We took a virtual visit to the beach on Friday, making likenesses of ourselves with colorful paper
and craft items. We were well prepared with surfboards, balls, umbrellas, water guns and beach
blankets. Look for our art at Starbucks. We also colored fish for our Carnival Booth. Thank you for
Suzanne for preparing our carnival booth and to all of you who were able to participcate!