100th Day Snack Help & Homework

Our 100th Day of School Celebration is fast approaching!  On Monday our brains will be another 100 days smarter and I'm excited to fill the day with fun activities surrounding the number 100.

As a special treat for Monday, we are in need of snacks for our 100-item snack. Please use the “100th Day Snack Sign Up” link to volunteer to bring in a snack.  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 13 students in our Kindergarten program so please be sure your provided snack has at least 130 items in the box.   Please bring the snack on on our 100th Day of School - Monday, February 1st.  As a note: there are no food allergies or concerns, but please be sure it is low in sugar.  Many thanks.

To prepare for Monday, your child brought home a letter about our upcoming 100th Day of School and a small homework assignment.  Please take a look at the letter sent home and the information below.  As part of our festivities, I am asking each student to count and collect 100 small objects, and to place those objects in the attached plastic bag labeled “_____’s 100th Day Collection”.  All the objects in your child’s collection bag should be the same.  After all students have returned the bags to class, we will use the collections to conduct fun-filled classroom learning activities.  The bagged collections will then be returned to the students to bring home.  It is important that each bag close securely over the 100 objects, so please help your child count and choose 100 objects small enough to fit in the bag.

Here are some collection ideas:
• 100 pieces of popcorn
• 100 paper clips
• 100 stickers
• 100 metal washers
• 100 hair elastics
• 100 rubber bands
• 100 toothpicks
• 100 pennies
• 100 pieces of cereal
• 100 beans
• 100 pictures of toys (or 100 pictures of animals, etc.) cut from magazines

Please consider the items on this list to be suggestions only.  Feel free to help your child collect any objects that will fit into his or her bag.  I only ask that you avoid objects that are sharp (such as tacks).  Your child’s 100th Day of School Collection is due back to school on our 100th day, THIS MONDAY, FEBRUARY 1st.

Thank you in advance for helping to make our 100th Day of School a complete success.  Please let me know if you have questions.

Scholastic Book Order - Extended - Due Sat 1.30

I've extended the Scholastic Book Order for January until Saturday, January 30th.

Thank you to all families for your continued support in building our classroom library and hands-on materials.  We are just $15 away from receiving one FREE book for every child that ordered.  Your help in reaching this next goal would be much appreciated and our students would benefit from it the most.

As a reminder, take advantage of this opportunity to build your home library.  Your aspiring reader is growing like crazy!  You can shop and submit your order online.  Every purchase you make earns FREE Books and educational supplies for our classroom.  Ordering online is fast and easy:

•  VISIT scholastic.com/readingclub
•  If needed, ENTER the one-time Class Activation Code (NCNYY)
•  SHOP!
•  SUBMIT your order and earn FREE Books for our classroom
•  All book orders will be shipped to our classroom so we can celebrate the joy of reading together!

Seesaw - Online Portfolios

I'm so excited to share this online experience with you and your family!!  "Seesaw: The Learning Journal" is used to provide parents and family members a "fly on the wall" experience into your child's school day.  Each student has their own individual "portfolio" where I will upload student-specific works for only you and approved family members to see.  I will also share class activities and large group work (i.e.: recess fun, work time videos, school wide events, etc) with the all Seesaw families to see.

By Tuesday, February 2nd, please click on the link provided in Friday's email to access your child's portfolio.  I will also send home hard copy instructions for more information on Monday, February 1st.  I encourage both parents to sign up and join in the fun.  Have grandparents or other family members that want to have fun?  Send the emailed "join" link to them.  Just give me a heads up that they'll be requesting access to your child's portfolio so I can be sure to approve them on my end.

Once you are signed up, please be sure to download the Seesaw Parent app for iPhones or Android devices so you can see the fun we have while you are on the go.  I encourage you to use it as an interactive opportunity.  "Like" and comment whenever you want to interact.

Here is one of our first class pictures posted to Seesaw today:

We are so excited to use this as another way to welcome you into our classroom.  Let me know if you have questions.  Enjoy!

January Reminders / Needs

A few reminders for the start of the New Year

1) MLK Jr. Day of Service - School IS in session.

As a reminder, students WILL have school next Monday, January 18th for MLK Jr.'s Day of Service. Please see Monday's blog post regarding ALL the important notes for next Monday's fun.  Also, please be sure your child brings in their collected Dance Marathon donations by THIS Friday, January 15th.

2)  Cookie Cutters Wanted

Have extra cookie cutters lying around?  Kindergarten would love to have them.  We are looking to add to our play dough tools as we love using play dough to build our fine motor skills and create letters, numbers, and shapes with.  Let me know if you have some to give.  Thanks in advance for thinking of us.

3)  Winter Gear

Students will only play outside for extended periods of time when the windchill temperature is above 0 degrees, BUT students WILL still walk across the street to the River Community Church's gym for PE on cold days when the weather is below 0.  Please be sure your child has all necessary outdoor equipment for the winter.  ALL gear is needed for recess play and hats, coats, AND gloves are need for our cold walks to the gym.  Thank you for your support

4)  ICPL Field Trip - Wednesday, January 20th

Due to our Transition Day and Transition Night events on January 27th (see below and WW's Weekly News for more info).  Please be sure your child has their library card.  If you are interested in joining us on our field trip please let me know.  We'd love to have you there.

5)  K-6 Transition Night

This year's Transition Night is Wednesday, January 27th from 5:30-6:15.  With reenrollment in the near future, take this opportunity to come and learn more about the 1/2 grade program.  Following Transition Night there will be a Jr High Parent Panel here to talk about the large transition from Willowwind elementary school to junior high.  Kindergarten students will get first hand experience in the 1/2 classroom with a visit schedule for earlier that school day. in See the Weekly News for more information.  Child care is provided.

Scholastic Book Orders - Due 1.27

Good news! This month's Scholastic Reading Club flyers went home on Monday and are ready for you to explore with your child. Children read more when they choose their own books, so I encourage you to look at the flyers together. Each flyer is filled with grade-specific, affordable titles.

Place your order online at scholastic.com/readingclub or send the order form and payment to me. Ordering online is the easiest way to ensure I get your order on time. Also, there are more books to choose from as well as teacher recommendations.  Remember, for every book you order, our class earns FREE Books and supplies...and we have our eye on some new additions.   Per parents' requests I've updated our class wish list, too.  Many thanks for your consideration.  Thank you for your support! 

Ordering online is fast and easy:
- VISIT scholastic.com/readingclub
- ENTER the one-time Class Activation Code (NCNYY)
- DEADLINE for ordering Monday, January 27
- SHOP from a carefully curated selection of the best books and value packs
- SUBMIT your order and earn FREE Books for our classroom
- All book orders will be shipped to our classroom so we can celebrate the joy of reading together!

Specials Update - Dec/Jan

Art w/ Mr. Ryan

ryanb@willowwind.org

Visit Mr. Ryan's website for monthly updates.

www.willowwindschoolart.weebly.com

Music w/ Ms. Katherine

katherinea@willowwind.org

Visit Ms. Katherine's blog for monthly updates.

http://willowwindmusic.weebly.com/ 

Espanol w/ Ms. Ximena

ximenac@willowwind.org

We have just started the unit “La Familia” which will incorporate review material on greetings, polite words and new material on Spanish vocabulary as “padre”, “madre”, “abuela”, “abuelo”, “hermana” and “hermano”. Since my last update, we have done several activities that helped the kids to remember the family members in Spanish; For instance they started talking about who are their family members and to help with the exercise they brought a family picture (thank you for facilitating that). Also, this week we are working in a family tree indicating the members in Spanish. Next week, we are going to do a family collage with pictures from magazines.

Phy Ed w/ Ms. Susan

susant@willowwind.org

The legendary Harlem Globetrotters are ambassadors for the sport of basketball. Playing and promoting the game around the world, the Globetrotters have been entertaining audiences with their acrobatic antics since 1927. In 1998, they played their 20,000th basketball game. No other professional sports team in history has achieved this record.

The curriculum for Kindergarten and Primary School students promotes both gross and fine motor skill development through use of warm-ups, games and manipulatives. Warm-ups consist of stretching exercises. Games include basketball, dodgeball, star wars. Manipulatives like bean bags, parachutes games, and jump rope are being incorporated . The goal of physical education class is to learn how to lead and promote a healthy, active lifestyle. This unit is essential to building a positive, active, successful and safe learning environment. Students are learning to understand how physical education class is organized and the expectations related to their participation.  

As their Physical Education teacher I continue to pay particular attention to their social development. Taking advantage of building their self esteem and confidence throughout  their physical education class. Students are working on problem solving, cooperation and even learning to be leaders by taking turns which is critical to a successful program.

The goal of physical education is to develop physically literate individuals who have the knowledge, skills and confidence to enjoy a lifetime of healthful physical activity.

To pursue a lifetime of healthful physical activity, a physically literate individual.

• Has learned the skills necessary to participate in a variety of physical activities.
• Knows the implications and the benefits of involvement in various types of physical activities.
• Participates regularly in physical activity.
• Is physically fit.
• Values physical activity and its contributions to a healthful lifestyle.
• Believe that honesty, respect, and responsibility are character traits.

Help Needed: WW-a-Thon Day - NEXT Mon, 1.18

In honor of Martin Luther King Jr., Willowwind students WILL have school next Monday, January 18th.  The school day will be different given it is a Day On / Day of Service.  Please read the following blog post as it provides a lot of information from all of our faculty members regarding the events that will occur next Monday and ways we need your help.  Our school community is going to have raising awareness (and funds!) to support Dance Marathon and the University of Iowa Children's Hospital. 

What will school be like on Monday, January 18? 

•   Please plan to drop your child off at Willowwind at the regular school start time (8:15). Students will begin the day in their regular classrooms, and will divide into their WW-A-Thon planning groups after Morning Meetings

•   Your child need only bring outdoor recess wear, snacks, a lunch, water bottle, and desired A-Thon supplies (see notes below) for the day. As we are walking students to the church for the Dance-A-Thon at the end of the day (shhh...remember THIS part of the day is a secret), we are asking families to minimize items brought to school that day. 

•   If you ordered a t-shirt from the Wolves, your child will receive it the morning of January 18. 

•   You are invited to join us at River Church beginning at 3 PM for the end of our Dance-A-Thon. The Treat-A-Thon group will be selling the treats they created, with all proceeds to go to DM/UICH. 

•   Please plan to pick up your child at River Church at 3:15 PM. ASP students will return to Willowwind after 3:15 PM. 

1)  Game-a-Thon News:

The Game-a-Thon team has done a great job planning to play games to support kids at UIHC! Students have chosen to have stations for card games and electronic games. If you have decks of cards or fun card games we can borrow, please label with your name and give them to Rachel D. by Friday, Jan. 15. The team has decided to slightly modify rules that are used for the once-weekly 3rd-6th grade e-recess for the electronic gaming portion of the day. For those unfamiliar, here are the rules:

1. You must use your own handheld device. We will not use school devices as these are reserved for classwork as educational tools. Exception for WW-a-Thon: Devices will only be brought by 3rd-6th grade students. They will share appropriate games with younger friends who wish to play. 

2. Devices may include laptops, tablets, phones, or other handheld gaming devices.

3. Games only. This is not a time for videos or music. 

4. Use the Willowwind Student wi-fi network to play collaborative games (e.g., Minecraft).

5. When playing collaboratively, respect others' virtual property and keep your user name the same at all times so everyone knows who they are playing with. 

6. Games need to be rated E10 or lower. Ask a teacher if you're unsure if a game is appropriate for E-Recess. 

7. Sound can be on. Bring headphones if you wish to use them.

8. Personal electronic devices or card games must be stored in backpacks or cubbies during the remainder of the school day to avoid distraction from classwork. 

9. Special WW Game-a-Thon Rule: electronic game play is limited to 20 minutes. 

 Please direct questions about the Game-A-Thon to Rachel at racheld@willowwind.org. 

2)  Read-a-Thon News:

We are having a lot of fun planning our Read-a-Thon. Although we will have books available to read, we want to encourage students to bring a favorite book to read during that time. Students are also invited to bring a personal stuffie to create a comfortable reading space. Students should put their names on the books and stuffies, so that everything gets to the rightful owner at the end of the day. Students can store these items in the Burrowing Owl project room in the morning. We look forward to a wonderful extended reading time.

3)  Art-a-Thon News:

During GD's Service Learning time, Michelle and Chesley have been working with a group of partner families to plan the Art-a-Thon on our MLK Day of Service.  As a group, students planned and voted on what our Art-a-Thon will look like.  The students have collectively decided to have craft stations which will include a variety of art activities students can complete.  Art-a-Thon activities include a card making station for UIHC's Children's Hospital, a wearable art station - to wear and spread our Day of Service message throughout the day and beyond, and an origami station to promote love, kindness, health, and peace.

4)  Treat-a-Thon News:

We are making all types of treat for both our friends to enjoy through out the day and to sell at the Dance-A-Thon.  If you are able to donate any supplies please use THIS link below!

5)  Dance-a-Thon News: 

To make this event special we are having a surprise dance party to finish our Day of Service!  This will be our own mini version of DM's Power Hour, just like at the University of Iowa!  Click HERE to check out UI's DM Power Hour in action!  Our students know that we will be all dancing together, but they don't know that we are going to make this event special by going to the church gym and replicating a REAL power hour... DJ, glowsticks, and all!  (Help us keep this a secret!) 

If you are willing to donate some items or your time in helping set up/tear down, please sign up on this sheet!  All contributed items should be brought to school by Friday, January 15th.  If you have questions about gathering donations and the donation form please email your classroom teacher.  If you have questions about our surprise Dance Marathon , please email Eryn at  erynv@willowwind.org.

Community Monetary Donations: - Due this Friday, January 15th

Your child brought home THIS donation form and attached envelope.  We encourage you to use this form to raise awareness and gather donations for this year's charitable organization.  The Willowwind students are very excited to collect donations for an organization they are passionate about.  Donors will be recognized with colored stars on display.  All donations should be collected in the form's attached envelope and returned to your child's classroom teacher by Friday, January 15th.  Please note:  while donations to DM are a wonderful gift to give the goal is all about awareness.  We have emphasized with the students that no donation is too small and that helping others see the importance of DM is the most important task of all.

Whew! Thanks for reading this lengthy update and sharing in our excitement. It is truly wonderful to see our students express such passion and love for giving to others. We are looking forward to sharing this day together, as we work FTK!

Building Stamina!

Each year, the Kindergarten program uses the return from Winter Break to add in new classroom routines.  Upon yesterday's return from Winter Break students students watched as their afternoon Rest Time transformed into a Quiet Reading Time (QRT).  During this time, students pick books from the library to encourage personalized reading success.  It is a time to build reading stamina.  Our 2nd semester goal is to work towards 15 minutes of uninterrupted, focused reading time.  Yesterday, we started with just ONE minute of uninterrupted reading time (followed by a relaxed QRT where students could read or rest) and are already planning to move towards two minutes of uninterrupted reading time today (Tuesday).  Increasing reading stamina (and attention) minute-by-minute is done purposefully and allows students to slowly build their ability to focus solely on reading and interacting with books.  We equate building reading stamina to learning to ride a bike from a tricycle to training wheels to a two wheelers.  We read Froggy Rides a Bike as a funny reminder at how much practice it takes to get good at a particular task.  Click link for a YouTube reading of this book.

These Cottontails won't even let a teacher and her camera distract them from reading!

As we get into the groove of QRT and building reading stamina, students will also learn to select "just right readers" that allow students to experience reading success at their current reading level.  We will also practice selecting "just right readers" on our monthly library field trips.

In coming weeks, we will begin working on learning our Weekly Words, these "high frequency words" are common words we use and read regularly.  It is important to focus on these words as they often go against English language rules and learning them helps our brains get ready to tackle bigger / more complex words.

While we build our reading skills at school, look for regular blog posts with reading tips and tricks for you to use at home with your child.  These tips and tricks will help build routines and practices between home or school.  In the meantime, check out THIS article which states that even small amounts of reading (as little as 4.7 minutes) can benefit a child's reading success.  As always let me know if you have questions.

PS:  Enjoy this video of another aspect of our Literacy time - building Writing stamina!  Students are able to engage in the writing process for upwards of 15+ minutes silently and without interruptions. Way to go Cottontails!

Brainstorming writing "seeds" about our New Year's resolutions.

Specials Update - Nov / Dec

Art w/ Mr. Ryan

ryanb@willowwind.org

Visit Mr. Ryan's website for monthly updates.

www.willowwindschoolart.weebly.com

Music w/ Ms. Katherine

katherinea@willowwind.org

Visit Ms. Katherine's blog for monthly updates.

http://wwelemmusic.blogspot.com

Espanol w/ Ms. Ximena

ximenac@willowwind.org

Since my last update, we have continued learning “The parts of the body” and have practiced the Spanish vocabulary playing, drawing and singing. Other topic that I added this month was “El dia de Accion de Gracias” (Thanksgiving day). For one week they worked making a book of giving thanks in Spanish. Perhaps,  you have seen the book that they took home. They did a very good job choosing the most important things and people that they wanted to be thankful for.

In December, we are working on learning the colors ( kindergarten) and animals(1-2 graders). For most of them it is just a refresh study material, especially in regards to the colors. We work a lot on listening comprehension. For example: If I’m asking the color of a horse, they will be able to say if it is a black or a brown horse. This gives the students a chance to speak, even if the color vocabulary has been temporarily forgotten.

Susan w/ Ms. Susan
susant@willowwind.org

Willowwind strives to develop students who are willing to follow their goal. I’m preparing students to develop as leaders in the classroom and the community by challenging them to embark on their journey for knowledge and exercise as lifelong goals. By creating opportunities for students to learn discipline and dedication, I nurture them into becoming open-minded in heart, body, and mind. As their Physical Education teacher I provide a safe, supportive and caring learning environment which challenges and supports students to become confident, adaptive and productive lifelong learners. Therefore, I believe that honesty, respect, and responsibility are character traits.  Students are continuously learning the names of the major muscle groups and bones in their bodies during their fitness class. Students are participating in physical cardiovascular workouts each time our class meets. We are jogging to and from the Church while building endurance along our journey.   

Physical Education Procedures and Expectations:

• Respect yourself and others

• Wear appropriate clothing and gym shoes or close-toed shoes
• Walk in and out of the building quietly
• Be silent and listen when the teacher is speaking
• Follow directions
• Use equipment with permission only
• Implementing the phrase (Stop, Look, and Listen)
• Safety

The curriculum for Kindergarten and Primary School students promotes both gross and fine motor skill development through use of warm-ups, games and manipulatives. Warm-ups consist of stretching exercises. Games include football, dodgeball, and noodle tag. Manipulatives like bean bags, parachutes games, and jump rope are being incorporated . The goal of physical education class is to learn how to lead and promote a healthy, active lifestyle. This unit is essential to building a positive, active, successful and safe learning environment. Students are learning to understand how physical education class is organized and the expectations related to their participation.  

As their Physical Education teacher I continue to pay particular attention to their social development. Taking advantage of building their self esteem and confidence throughout  their physical education class. Students are working on problem solving, cooperation and even learning to be leaders by taking turns which is critical to a successful program.

The goal of physical education is to develop physically literate individuals who have the knowledge, skills and confidence to enjoy a lifetime of healthful physical activity. To pursue a lifetime of healthful physical activity, a physically literate individual...

• Has learned the skills necessary to participate in a variety of physical activities.
• Knows the implications and the benefits of involvement in various types of physical activities.
• Participates regularly in physical activity.
• Is physically fit.
• Values physical activity and its contributions to a healthful lifestyle.
• Believe that honesty, respect, and responsibility are character traits.

Family Homework / Help Needed: MLK Day of Service - 01.18

The Willowwind students are planning their THIRD annual MLK Jr. Day of Service (January 18th).  This year we are working on a collective school wide project (Willowwind-a-Thon Day) honoring UIHC and cancer research.  Students have collaborated, brainstormed and chosen four different "a-thon" groups that will be happening throughout the day. 

Prior to Winter Break, we talked about raising community awareness and collecting donations to gift to Dance Marathon (DM) an organization where 100% of proceeds going to cancer patients.  Your child took home THIS donation form and attached envelope.  We encourage you to use this form to raise awareness and gather donations for this year's charitable organization.  The Willowwind students are very excited to collect donations for an organization they are passionate about.  Donors were will be recognized with colored stars on display.  All donations should be collected in the form's attached envelope and returned to your child's classroom teacher by Friday, January 15th.  Please note:  while donations to DM are a wonderful gift to give the goal is all about awareness.  We have emphasized with the students that no donation is too small and that helping others see the importance of DM is the most important task of all.

Now, the faculty's surprise and GIFT for the students...

To make this event special we are having a surprise dance party to finish our Day of Service!  This will be our own mini version of DM's Power Hour, just like at the University of Iowa!  Click HERE to check out UI's DM Power Hour in action!  Our students know that we will be all dancing together, but they don't know that we are going to make this event special by going to the church gym and replicating a REALpower hour... DJ, glowsticks, and all!  (Help us keep this a secret!) 

If you are willing to donate some items or your time in helping set up/tear down, please sign up on this sheet!

If you have questions about gathering donations and the donation form please email your classroom teacher.  If you have questions about our surprise Dance Marathon , please email Eryn at  erynv@willowwind.org .

Thank you for your support!  As Dance Marathon has taught us, our efforts are FTK (For The Kids)!