October 3, 2008
Good day to all! The days are becoming cooler. A taste of autumn is definitely in the air! It's time for a warm fall jacket at recess time. Don't you just love the change in seasons?
First of all, I would like to thank all the parent volunteers who attended our class trip to the FDR Historic Site. The children had a wonderful time pretending to be president for a day! They also enjoyed completing a museum scavenger hunt about President Roosevelt's life. It is so wonderful to have a presidential library in our own backyard! I have to admit, the movie that showed the challenges of FDR's presidency was strikingly similar to modern day political poblems -the Savings and Loan Crisis, WWII, and financial turmoil. It was amazing to see how such a charismatic leader ran our country with no internet, cell phones or fax machines -and he did a fantastic job, too! I highly recommend that you go visit the site if you have a chance. There is so much that the children did not have the chance to see due to the structured program we participated in.
Our studies of the human body have flowed into the skeletal system. Students watched a DVD about the organs and function of this system. They learned that bones give our body a structure and help us move with the assistance of joints and muscles. We will continue to learn about the skeletal system next week. Then we will go on to study the muscular system.
In social studies we focused on the three branches of government with highlights on the executive branch due to our field trip. Students played the "Constitution Game." Broken up into the three branches of government, the legislative branch wrote a bill outlining the rules for Hide and Go Seek. The bill was approved in the House and the Senate. It was sent to the Executive branch where it was vetoed. Students lobbied in the legislature, but did not get the two-thirds majority needed to pass the bill. Congress had to rewrite the bill. Today it will be sent back to the Executive branch where it will hopefully be approved. Then we will actually play the game and the judicial branch may have to step in to have a trial if someone cheats. The kids are truly loving this! They can't wait for social studies everyday!
The second book report is due the last Monday in October. Students must choose a Halloween story. The book must be approved by me. This book report is to create a book quilt -either on paper or fabric (whichever you prefer). Please see the Monthly Book Report Projects packet for more details.
In the Friday Folder today you will see a copy of your child's behavior calendar. The letters corespond to Green, Blue, Yellow, Orange, and Red. Yellow means your child lost five minutes of recess for behavior. Orange means he/ she lost ten minutes of recess. Red means that the whole recess was lost due to behavior. Please check your child's calendar sign it and return it with the Friday Folder on Monday. Thank you.
Pease keep all work from the Friday Folder at home from this week on unless otherwise specified.
Homework continues to be somewhat problematic. Each day a few students come to school unprepared without their HW assignments. Please continue to check with your child regarding HW each day.
The payment schedule and first payment form was sent home yesterday for those students attending the Ashokan trip. Please return your first payment by October 17th.
Thank you also to the room moms who have been volunteering time in our classroom. Their assistance is much appreciated!
No school Thursday, October 10th due to Yom Kippur.
No school Monday, October 13th due to Columbus Day.
Thank you and have a truly amazing weekend and week!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Moschetto :)
