Our Take Home Folder is full of at-home activities, homework, and parent letters. Please take time tonight to go through your child's Take Home Folder. Here is a bit more information to further understand what you find.
Seed Fundraiser
Our Seed Fundraiser began yesterday and the students are so excited! In your child's folder you will find a catalog with an enclosed order form and attached script. Together we brainstormed ways to collect orders. Ideas included calling / visiting family members, friends, having moms and dads bring the catalog to work, and visiting neighbors in your neighborhood. We also set a goal for each student to sell 10 collections. Help your child gather orders (and money) during the next two weeks. This fundraiser will end on Tuesday, January 31st when you should submit your order form and money. Please see the previous blog posting for more information. Thanks for your help! Happy fundraising!
MidWest One Bank Art Exhibit Permission Form
Each year Willowwind students participate in MidWest One Bank's kids art exhibit. Buffy works with students to select a piece of artwork to submit. Parent permission is needed for your child to participate in this activity. Please fill out the permission form and return to Amber, Buffy, or me no later than NEXT Monday, January 23rd.
100th Day of School Homework
Today, your child is bringing home their 100th Day of School homework. Please follow the directions found in the letter and return no later than NEXT Wednesday, January 25th. I am still in need of parents to help bring in snack items. Please used the 100th Day Snack Sign Up link to help provide part of the snack. Please see the previous blog posting for more information.
Blue SIght Word Flashcards
This week, the Yellow spelling group is beginning their study of sight words ("Weekly Words"). Each week the Cottontails will study two, three, or four sight words during our "Weekly Word" focus. Please have your child cut out these blue flashcards and practice them nightly. We will practice these words daily at school, too. Together we have discussed that sight words are words are brains should "just know". Often times, sight words do not follow the English language rules and just need to be memorized. We understand that if we can learn these words it will give our brain the change to focus on more challenging words.
Other Items
In your child's folder you will also find:
• this week's Cottontail Communicator
• this week's math packet with added fact practice
• last week's completed math packet
• last week's time test
• Math In Focus's Chapter 7 parent letter
• a new Spelling sort
As always, email with questions or concerns. Thanks for your help!!
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Friday, January 13, 2012
Upcoming Events
The snow and cold has finally arrived but it can't stop WIllowwind from having a great time and looking forward to a variety of events. Mark your calendar! The information below details our busy January and February. PLEASE READ CAREFULLY, and refer back to as our upcoming events near. In addition, don't forget to take a look at the Calendar tab and the Upcoming Events column to the right for more important dates.
Monday, January 16th
No School / No BASP - Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Enjoy a relaxing day at home! The students are excited for the long weekend. The teachers are excited, too. We will be working on further developing our PreK-6 curriculum continuing to make Willowwind the absolute best place to go to school!
Tuesday, January 17th
Grow a Prairie - Seed Fundraiser Begins
Did you know? Americans consistently rank gardening as a favorite hobby! Willowwind is excited to further foster our community's love for gardening. To do so, WIllowwind has partnered up with Seed Savers Exchange in Decorah, Iowa. Seeds Savers brings our community a wonderful opportunity to raise money for our own prairie efforts. Beginning, Tuesday, January 17th, students will participate in a fundraiser - selling seed collections to family, neighbors, coworkers, and community members. Each child will receive an catalog (with order form included). There are six collections of seed packets to choose from. At just $10 a collection, our own gardens are sure to thrive with beautiful annuals and delicious fruits and vegetables. Willowwind immediately receives 40% of all proceeds from this fundraiser! Fantastic!
From January 17th - January 30th help your child collect orders. Brainstorm with your family creative ways to market and sell seed collections. When collecting orders, money is due at the time of ordering. All checks should be made payable to Willowwind School. Turn in your child's order form on Tuesday, January 31st. You can drop it off with Ms. Amber or me. Orders will be compiled and a group order will be placed with Seed Savers. Within two or three weeks your child will receive their seeds for you to deliver to your "customers". Seed Savers highly recommends that all deliveries be completed no later than March 15th. Our timeline should ensure your the ability to do so with ease.
Monday, January 23rd
K-6 Curriculum Night 6:30 - 7:30
Take a night to learn more about our programs at Willowwind. Interested in learning more about your child's future in the Prairie Racerunner room and the older rooms beyond? Monday, the 23rd is a perfect opportunity to listen and talk with Ms. Brooke and our other teachers at WIllowwind. This event is opened to the public, so please invite your friends and neighbors. Provide them with the chance to see what makes Willowwind so unique.
Thursday, January 26th
100th Day of School
If no Snow Days stand in our way the 26th of January marks the 100th day of school! What an exciting achievement for our little learners. The number 100 will be the center of our focus throughout the day. We will participate in a variety of activities that help us celebrate all things 100. Your at home help is needed. On Tuesday, January 17th students will take home plastic bags to collect 100 objects. Collections may include buttons, beans, coins, hair clips, paper clips, rubber bands - the options are endless. Help your child fill their bag with 100 of the same objects. Please return the filled bag by Wednesday, January 25th. On the 26th we will use your child's objects in some of our 100th day activities.
In addition, the Cottontails will be able to enjoy a special 100th day of school snack. Your help is needed in providing some of the ingredients. To help us learn more about groups of 10s I am looking for families to bring in 10 different snack items. Each student will collect 10 items from each snack to make a total of 100 pieces of snack. Students will munch on this at morning and afternoon snack and can take the leftovers home. Because of this, no snack is needed on January 26th. If you are interested in providing part of the 100th day snack, please use the link below to sign up. The link can also be found to the right. When signing up, please include the type of snack you are providing. Snacks should be items where students can easily take 10 pieces from each provided snack. Examples may include small crackers, pretzels, cereal, dried fruit. There are 16 students in our class so please be sure your provided snack has at least 160 items in the box. Please bring the snack on or before Thursday, January 26th. Let me know if you have questions.
100th Day Snack Sign Up
Friday, January 27th
ICPL Field Trip 1:00 - 3:00
Please make sure your child has their library card. Library books will be due on Friday, February 17th.
Thursday, February 8th
Secret Valentine Exchange Begins
Each year students show their love for each other by participating in a K-6 Secret Valentine exchange. The teachers and office staff get involved, too, and it becomes an exciting activity for everyone! On Friday, February 3rd each student and staff will draw a name. The name your child picks is the person your child will give small, HOMEMADE, gifts too through out Secret Valentine week (February 8 - February 14). I will communicate who your child's Secret Valentine recipient is on the afternoon of the 3rd.
Beginning Wednesday, February 8th, your child will deliver daily a small, HOMEMADE, gift to their recipient. They will deliver small, HOMEMADE, gifts on W, Th, F, and M. With their small, HOMEMADE, gift students should also deliver a clue that gives a bit of information about who they are. The four small gifts that are delivered throughout the week must be HOMEMADE. We are helping students see that gifts homemade, and from the heart, can leave a lasting impression. One of the four small, HOMEMADE, gifts can be a baked good from your home. If you choose to give a baked good please clarify any food restrictions or allergies. On Tuesday, February 14th, all students and staff will participate in a Secret Valentine Reveal Party. Here your child will give one last gift to their recipient as they reveal their secret identity. This gift should be approximately $5 in cost and can be store bought, but please NO FOOD OR TREATS for this gift.
100% participation is expected for all five days beginning February 8th. As a suggestion, your child is welcome to bring in all of their gifts and clues on the first day of the Secret Valentine Exchange. That way they are here at school and you won't have to worry about forgetting them or bringing them daily. Your child can store their gifts in their classroom cubby.
Thursday, February 9th
Authors' Cocoa 12:30 - 2:00
The Authors' Cocoa is a well-loved Willowwind tradition - one where we celebrate our love for reading and writing. Join us in the Indoor Play Space where our K-6 friends will have the opportunity to read, present, preform one of their original written pieces. This event allows families to see and hear the beautiful writing that takes place at Willowwind. Each Cottontail will be reading a selection of their poetry that we are currently working on during our writing time. Come, listen to your child read. At the end, we will enjoy hot cocoa and treats! See you there!
Monday, January 16th
No School / No BASP - Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Enjoy a relaxing day at home! The students are excited for the long weekend. The teachers are excited, too. We will be working on further developing our PreK-6 curriculum continuing to make Willowwind the absolute best place to go to school!
Tuesday, January 17th
Grow a Prairie - Seed Fundraiser Begins
Did you know? Americans consistently rank gardening as a favorite hobby! Willowwind is excited to further foster our community's love for gardening. To do so, WIllowwind has partnered up with Seed Savers Exchange in Decorah, Iowa. Seeds Savers brings our community a wonderful opportunity to raise money for our own prairie efforts. Beginning, Tuesday, January 17th, students will participate in a fundraiser - selling seed collections to family, neighbors, coworkers, and community members. Each child will receive an catalog (with order form included). There are six collections of seed packets to choose from. At just $10 a collection, our own gardens are sure to thrive with beautiful annuals and delicious fruits and vegetables. Willowwind immediately receives 40% of all proceeds from this fundraiser! Fantastic!
From January 17th - January 30th help your child collect orders. Brainstorm with your family creative ways to market and sell seed collections. When collecting orders, money is due at the time of ordering. All checks should be made payable to Willowwind School. Turn in your child's order form on Tuesday, January 31st. You can drop it off with Ms. Amber or me. Orders will be compiled and a group order will be placed with Seed Savers. Within two or three weeks your child will receive their seeds for you to deliver to your "customers". Seed Savers highly recommends that all deliveries be completed no later than March 15th. Our timeline should ensure your the ability to do so with ease.
Monday, January 23rd
K-6 Curriculum Night 6:30 - 7:30
Take a night to learn more about our programs at Willowwind. Interested in learning more about your child's future in the Prairie Racerunner room and the older rooms beyond? Monday, the 23rd is a perfect opportunity to listen and talk with Ms. Brooke and our other teachers at WIllowwind. This event is opened to the public, so please invite your friends and neighbors. Provide them with the chance to see what makes Willowwind so unique.
Thursday, January 26th
100th Day of School
If no Snow Days stand in our way the 26th of January marks the 100th day of school! What an exciting achievement for our little learners. The number 100 will be the center of our focus throughout the day. We will participate in a variety of activities that help us celebrate all things 100. Your at home help is needed. On Tuesday, January 17th students will take home plastic bags to collect 100 objects. Collections may include buttons, beans, coins, hair clips, paper clips, rubber bands - the options are endless. Help your child fill their bag with 100 of the same objects. Please return the filled bag by Wednesday, January 25th. On the 26th we will use your child's objects in some of our 100th day activities.
In addition, the Cottontails will be able to enjoy a special 100th day of school snack. Your help is needed in providing some of the ingredients. To help us learn more about groups of 10s I am looking for families to bring in 10 different snack items. Each student will collect 10 items from each snack to make a total of 100 pieces of snack. Students will munch on this at morning and afternoon snack and can take the leftovers home. Because of this, no snack is needed on January 26th. If you are interested in providing part of the 100th day snack, please use the link below to sign up. The link can also be found to the right. When signing up, please include the type of snack you are providing. Snacks should be items where students can easily take 10 pieces from each provided snack. Examples may include small crackers, pretzels, cereal, dried fruit. There are 16 students in our class so please be sure your provided snack has at least 160 items in the box. Please bring the snack on or before Thursday, January 26th. Let me know if you have questions.
100th Day Snack Sign Up
Friday, January 27th
ICPL Field Trip 1:00 - 3:00
Please make sure your child has their library card. Library books will be due on Friday, February 17th.
Thursday, February 8th
Secret Valentine Exchange Begins
Each year students show their love for each other by participating in a K-6 Secret Valentine exchange. The teachers and office staff get involved, too, and it becomes an exciting activity for everyone! On Friday, February 3rd each student and staff will draw a name. The name your child picks is the person your child will give small, HOMEMADE, gifts too through out Secret Valentine week (February 8 - February 14). I will communicate who your child's Secret Valentine recipient is on the afternoon of the 3rd.
Beginning Wednesday, February 8th, your child will deliver daily a small, HOMEMADE, gift to their recipient. They will deliver small, HOMEMADE, gifts on W, Th, F, and M. With their small, HOMEMADE, gift students should also deliver a clue that gives a bit of information about who they are. The four small gifts that are delivered throughout the week must be HOMEMADE. We are helping students see that gifts homemade, and from the heart, can leave a lasting impression. One of the four small, HOMEMADE, gifts can be a baked good from your home. If you choose to give a baked good please clarify any food restrictions or allergies. On Tuesday, February 14th, all students and staff will participate in a Secret Valentine Reveal Party. Here your child will give one last gift to their recipient as they reveal their secret identity. This gift should be approximately $5 in cost and can be store bought, but please NO FOOD OR TREATS for this gift.
100% participation is expected for all five days beginning February 8th. As a suggestion, your child is welcome to bring in all of their gifts and clues on the first day of the Secret Valentine Exchange. That way they are here at school and you won't have to worry about forgetting them or bringing them daily. Your child can store their gifts in their classroom cubby.
Thursday, February 9th
Authors' Cocoa 12:30 - 2:00
The Authors' Cocoa is a well-loved Willowwind tradition - one where we celebrate our love for reading and writing. Join us in the Indoor Play Space where our K-6 friends will have the opportunity to read, present, preform one of their original written pieces. This event allows families to see and hear the beautiful writing that takes place at Willowwind. Each Cottontail will be reading a selection of their poetry that we are currently working on during our writing time. Come, listen to your child read. At the end, we will enjoy hot cocoa and treats! See you there!
Monday, January 9, 2012
Time Test Tuesday & Math Fact Flashcards
This week brings a few new routines during our math time. The Cottontails are really excited to strengthen their math fact skills!
Time Test Tuesday
Each Tuesday, students will complete a three minute time test focusing on memorizing their basic math facts. As students score a 90% or higher they will move onto more challenging math facts. The goal is to memorize all our basic addition and subtraction facts so that we can readily and easily solve harder problems as we move into two-digit and three-digit addition and subtraction. Look for your child's time test to go home the following Monday
Math Flashcards
On Mondays, your child will begin to regularly bring home a sheet of basic math fact flashcards. As students individually progress through Tuesday's time test they will take home more flashcards. Please see that your child cuts these cards out and practices them nightly. We will be taking time during our daily Morning Meetings to practice our basic math facts while at school, too.
Time Test Tuesday
Each Tuesday, students will complete a three minute time test focusing on memorizing their basic math facts. As students score a 90% or higher they will move onto more challenging math facts. The goal is to memorize all our basic addition and subtraction facts so that we can readily and easily solve harder problems as we move into two-digit and three-digit addition and subtraction. Look for your child's time test to go home the following Monday
Math Flashcards
On Mondays, your child will begin to regularly bring home a sheet of basic math fact flashcards. As students individually progress through Tuesday's time test they will take home more flashcards. Please see that your child cuts these cards out and practices them nightly. We will be taking time during our daily Morning Meetings to practice our basic math facts while at school, too.
After School Enrichment Classes & Summer Camp 2012
It is an exciting time at Willowwind as we look forward to this semester's new after school enrichment classes and our summer programming.
After School Enrichment Classes
This semester Willowwind is offering our Cottontail friends three after school classes - Yoga for Kids, Clay, and Beginner's Spanish Club. In addition, Chess Club is open to students grades 1 - 6 and Lego League is available to students 3 - 6. See the attached document for more information, specific class dates and times, and registration fees. The attached flyer is also available in hard copy form at the Front Desk. To register or for more information email Heather at heathery@willowwind.org.
Spring 2012 After School Enrichment Classes Informational Flyer
Willowwind's Summer Camp 2012
Willowwind School invites PreK through Sixth grade students to explore the world through Willowwind's 2012 Summer programs, which start June 4 and end August 10. We have added 14 new summer classes for K-6 students including Flight School, Recycled Art, The Science of Sports, Fantastic Fairy Tales, and a Riverside Theatre collaboration. Take a look at the attached summer brochure. Register by February 10 and receive $20 off your registration fee.
Willowwind Summer Camp 2012 Brochure
After School Enrichment Classes
This semester Willowwind is offering our Cottontail friends three after school classes - Yoga for Kids, Clay, and Beginner's Spanish Club. In addition, Chess Club is open to students grades 1 - 6 and Lego League is available to students 3 - 6. See the attached document for more information, specific class dates and times, and registration fees. The attached flyer is also available in hard copy form at the Front Desk. To register or for more information email Heather at heathery@willowwind.org.
Spring 2012 After School Enrichment Classes Informational Flyer
Willowwind's Summer Camp 2012
Willowwind School invites PreK through Sixth grade students to explore the world through Willowwind's 2012 Summer programs, which start June 4 and end August 10. We have added 14 new summer classes for K-6 students including Flight School, Recycled Art, The Science of Sports, Fantastic Fairy Tales, and a Riverside Theatre collaboration. Take a look at the attached summer brochure. Register by February 10 and receive $20 off your registration fee.
Willowwind Summer Camp 2012 Brochure
Iowa City Event - One Book Two Book
It is a wonderful weekend for children in Iowa City. Join us this Friday, January 13th - Sunday January 15th at One Book, Two Book, Iowa City's first annual Children's Literary Fair.
Friday, January 13th - "Once Upon a Time…" Literary Banquet
6:00 - 8:00
Sheraton Hotel
Tickets available for purchase at http://onebooktwobook.org.
Saturday, January 14th - Children's Book Fair
9:00 - 4:00
Visit Willowwind's table where you can register for summer classes, enter a Kindle drawing, and help your child make a pop-up book!
Sunday, January 15th - Reading on the Rails
Trains depart South (from North Liberty to Downtown) at Noon, 2pm, and 4pm.
Trains depart North (from Downtown to North Liberty) at 1pm, 3pm, and 5pm.
Tickets available for purchase at http://onebooktwobook.org.
See the events linked in the Calendar tab, One Book, Two Book's website and the attached documents for more information.
One Book, Two Book Friday Banquet
One Book, Two Book Flyer
Friday, January 13th - "Once Upon a Time…" Literary Banquet
6:00 - 8:00
Sheraton Hotel
Tickets available for purchase at http://onebooktwobook.org.
Saturday, January 14th - Children's Book Fair
9:00 - 4:00
Visit Willowwind's table where you can register for summer classes, enter a Kindle drawing, and help your child make a pop-up book!
Sunday, January 15th - Reading on the Rails
Trains depart South (from North Liberty to Downtown) at Noon, 2pm, and 4pm.
Trains depart North (from Downtown to North Liberty) at 1pm, 3pm, and 5pm.
Tickets available for purchase at http://onebooktwobook.org.
See the events linked in the Calendar tab, One Book, Two Book's website and the attached documents for more information.
One Book, Two Book Friday Banquet
One Book, Two Book Flyer
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Happy 2012!
Happy New Year to you all! I hope this posting finds you relaxed and doing well. I thoroughly enjoyed Winter Break soaking in wonderful moments with my family and friends. I am glad to be back. I truly missed your child's smiling face and burst of energy. The half way point of our school year is just around the corner and the Cottontails are gearing up for the much anticipated 100th day of school! What a special accomplishment to look forward to. Here are a few reminders and notes about our short week back together.
~ There is no new Cottontail Communicator, spelling sort, or math packet for this week. New items will go home at the start of our first full week back together.
~ We will spend the remainder of this week easing back into our routines and learning a few new routines. The class was introduced to our new quiet reading time routine today. They did very well and are excited for this new addition to our school day. It was wonderful to sit and listen to the students quietly sound out words as they read to themselves. I am so very proud of them and am excited to watch their reading continue to grow. Because of this new routine please be sure that your child brings their Book Bag to school everyday. Also, please remember, due to our our new quiet reading routine, students do not need to bring their rest time blankest to school.
~ This week, students will receive new Guided Reading books. Take a look at the new books that make their way to your child's home. Clean out the stickered books - those can going your family's at-home library. At the end of January, and throughout February, I will be working with students one-on-one to assess their reading growth.
~ Next week, we will be adding even more new activities to our Morning Meeting routine and introduce Time Test Tuesdays which will help us learn and memorize our basic math facts. More information will follow.
~ Don't forget to join us THIS Friday, January 6th at 2:30 for a late Group Discussion where you can enjoy your child's partner book. You will be able to read with your partner and listen to their partner family's partner books. This is an exciting opportunity for your child to show you their hard work. We hope to see you there. Don't miss it as your child's hard work will soon go home as gift to their partner's home. See you there!
Happy 2012! May the last half of the school year be just as wonderful (if not more!) than what 2011 brought us!
~ There is no new Cottontail Communicator, spelling sort, or math packet for this week. New items will go home at the start of our first full week back together.
~ We will spend the remainder of this week easing back into our routines and learning a few new routines. The class was introduced to our new quiet reading time routine today. They did very well and are excited for this new addition to our school day. It was wonderful to sit and listen to the students quietly sound out words as they read to themselves. I am so very proud of them and am excited to watch their reading continue to grow. Because of this new routine please be sure that your child brings their Book Bag to school everyday. Also, please remember, due to our our new quiet reading routine, students do not need to bring their rest time blankest to school.
~ This week, students will receive new Guided Reading books. Take a look at the new books that make their way to your child's home. Clean out the stickered books - those can going your family's at-home library. At the end of January, and throughout February, I will be working with students one-on-one to assess their reading growth.
~ Next week, we will be adding even more new activities to our Morning Meeting routine and introduce Time Test Tuesdays which will help us learn and memorize our basic math facts. More information will follow.
~ Don't forget to join us THIS Friday, January 6th at 2:30 for a late Group Discussion where you can enjoy your child's partner book. You will be able to read with your partner and listen to their partner family's partner books. This is an exciting opportunity for your child to show you their hard work. We hope to see you there. Don't miss it as your child's hard work will soon go home as gift to their partner's home. See you there!
Happy 2012! May the last half of the school year be just as wonderful (if not more!) than what 2011 brought us!
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