News for the week of December 7th:
This week we dove into the Winter Holidays learning all about Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. The students began working on several special holiday gifts for their families and friends. The highlight of the week was definitely the SNOW on Friday afternoon. Luckily we were able to get outside to catch snowflakes on our tongues and experience a little bit of winter. Next week the students will be visiting other classrooms to learn all about celebrations in Mexico, England, Sweden and Germany.
SUPERSTAR: Helena - we can't wait to learn about this special bear!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY: No December Birthdays!
READING GROUPS: This is the time of year when our schedule changes daily. I will do my best to hold reading groups as much as possible but do not be alarmed if your child does not bring home their book bag. We are still working very hard on reading and writing but not necessarily in the small group format.
EARLY RELEASE: Wednesday, December 9th. Students dismissed at 12:45.
WINTER DRESS: Kindergarten classes will still be going outside for recess daily. We have morning recess and sometimes the wind can make things seem much colder than they are. Please make sure your child is dressed appropriately and practice with your child putting on their own jacket and fastening it. As I’m sure you have noticed our class has been a little late to dismiss this week because we are working on putting on coats properly.
FIELD TRIP: Thank you to those parents who promptly returned your field trip permission slip and $7.00. If you have not done so please do so.
HOLIDAY PARTY: Scheduled for Friday, 12/18 at 1:45. Mrs. Cowman will be contacting parents if supplies and volunteers are needed.
HOLIDAY PRESENTATIONS: The students did a great job with their holiday presentations. If your child did not bring something in to present they will have one last chance on Monday. It is a special treat to learn all about the different cultures and traditions here at Canyon Creek.
HOLIDAY PARTY CHILDCARE: Childcare will be available for siblings (at least 1 year old) during the Holiday Party scheduled for Friday, December 18th in the Parent Resource Center located in the portables. You will be able to drop off your children at 1:30 pm and the center will be open until 2:45 pm. If you need additional time before 1:30 pm please let us know to see if special arrangements can be made. Cost is $5 per child. To make a reservation please contact Mary Anne Hettenhaus, Parent Support Specialist at Canyon Creek. Please include the name and age of the children you will be dropping off. You can email her at maryanne_hettenhaus@roundrockisd.org.
CHARACTER TRAIT: Character trait for the month of December is acceptance. Teachers will be looking for students go out of their way to include others in their activities. Students exhibiting this trait will receive a special sticker.
WATCH DOGS: The CCE Watch DOG is in full swing. A gentle reminder to please let us know if you have signed up to be a watch dog so we can request your help in our classroom.
*********************************************************************SPECIAL THANKS TO:
* Saaketh and Ishwori’s dad for helping in computer
* Cara’s mom for stuffing Tuesday folders
* Cara and Helena’s mom for helping decorate the hallway for the holidays
* Sophia for the items for the treasure box
* Jake's Grandmother for the books for the class
NEEDS:
Cotton Balls – 2 packages needed by Monday 12/7.
VOLUNTEERS THIS WEEK:
Computer Lab – Lydia and Blake’s Mom
Tuesday Folders – Kaidi’s Mom
Guest Reader – Emily’s Mom
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU VERY MUCH - Your helping hands and hearts are greatly appreciated!
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DATES TO REMEMBER:
In addition to the events listed below, the calendar section of our website should be checked on a routine basis.
12/9 – Early Release: Students dismissed at 12:45
12/16 – Field Trip to Zachary Scott Theatre
12/18 - Holiday Party, 1:45pm
12/21 - 1/4 - Winter Break/No School
1/5 - Classes Resume
1/18 – MLK Holiday
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ASK YOUR CHILD ABOUT:
* Using several math skills to make chain link elves (patterning, ordinal numbers, positional words, counting, odd/even, etc.)
* Using MS Word in the computer lab making a title for our special holiday book (changing font size and type)
* Mrs. Cerda’s lesson on nouns
* Story time in the library
* Writing journals
* Working on a special holiday book for our families (lots of glitter, glue and paint)
* Sight words so and the
* Words from the –ad, -ug, -it, -op, -en word families
* Handwriting, magic C letters
* Our Christmas counting book: one to one correspondence, writing #s and number words
* Completing a December calendar
* Writing about what we did over the Thanksgiving break
* Using our fine motor skills to lace a stocking
* Writing a letter to Santa telling him three things we would like for the holidays
* Identifying patterns and sequences
* Our holiday tradition presentations
* Venn diagrams and comparing holiday celebrations such as Kwanzaa, Hanukkah and Christmas
* Ms. Jacki’s presentation on Hanukkah
* Santa simple addition with sums of 6,7,8
* Going outside to see the SNOW!
Have a fantastic week!
Marcia Bates
428-2822
marcia_bates@roundrockisd.org