Willowwind Halloween 2016

The Willowwind community will be celebrating Halloween the afternoon of Monday, October 31st. Please visit THIS sign-up sheet if you wish to donate snack items & help with day-of set up and serving.  Each snack donation is worth 30 minutes of volunteer time.  Set up & serving is worth 45 minutes of volunteer time.

Students will be asked to bring their costumes to school.  We ask that costumes not be too scary.  No weapons, blood, or gore will be permitted.  We understand that costumes often include these things, but please save them for trick-or treating to avoid the disruption at school.  Students will change into their costumes for our afternoon celebration, but are expected to wear their normal clothes to school for morning activities.  Families are invited to join our festivities from 2:00 - 3:15 for our K-6 Halloween parade and celebration.  During the hands-on portion of our Halloween festivities (2:15-2:45), we encourage parents to use the time to interact with their child(ren) and participate in the school wide fun (pumpkin guessing & Halloween games).

In addition, each year, Partner Families cherish the Halloween season as it gives them opportunity to spend time and work together. Preparing for Halloween, each Partner Family spends Group Discussion time creating a "top secret" pumpkin character.  Beginning today, Partner Families meet to plan out their pumpkin character and outline the pumpkin supplies needed.  Kindergarten students are in charge of bringing the pumpkin. Take time with your child early this week to select a medium sized pumpkin to bring into Willowwind.  In addition, please check-in with your child to see what other supplies they may be responsible for in creating their pumpkin character. All supplies (pumpkins included) should be brought to school by THIS Friday, October 21st.  Pumpkin decorating will begin next week, so it is important that all supplies are here by Friday.

Volunteer Opportunity: MORE Fall Field Trips

Our class has been given the unique opportunity to collaborate with the Iowa City Police Department - Broadway Substation to decorate their walls with the handprints of community children.  On Tuesday, October 25th we will be traveling to the Broadway Substation (located near the USPS) to work with our fellow police to brighten the walls of their station.  We will leave Willowwind around 1:00 and return by the end of the school day.  Please click HERE if you are interested in driving for this field trip.  Your support in these field trips are incredibly important.  A BIG thank you to all the parents that have already helped out.  Without you, we wouldn't be able to spend so much time learning within our own community.  As a reminder, prior to your first field trip, please leave a copy of your license & proof of insurance with Rachel B. at the Front Desk.

Don't forget! Booster seats are needed for the October 25th police station field trip.

In addition to the Broadway Substation field trip, below details other field trips that have been scheduled for the rest of October and November.  We will travel to the following field trips by walking or via city bus so no drivers or booster seats (or bus fare) are needed.  I will keep you updated if additional field trip opportunities arise.

1)  Fall Walk to Friendship Park
Tuesday, October 18th  12:45 - 3:00
The weather is suppose to be beautiful on Tuesday, so we are going to take advantage of the upswing in temperature.  On October 18th, we will take our second walk to Friendship Park to explore the season of Fall and the changes occurring.  We will use our five senses to compare or Summer and Fall walks.  Please be sure your child wears comfy walking shoes.

2)  Iowa City Public Library
Wednesday, October 26th  9:30 - 11:45
Wednesday, November 30th  9:30 - 11:45
The Kindergarten class will travel to the library the last Wednesday of the month (subject to change) to check out library books and participate in their story time.  Please be sure your child brings their library card.

3)  Iowa City Police Department
Wednesday, November 2nd  9:30 - 11:45
In partnership with our visit to the fire department AND our visit to the Broadway substation, Kindergarteners will be meeting Office Hayes (our Broadway Substation contact) at the downtown station to learn more about police officers as community helpers and how they keep us and our community safe.

New Routine: Reading Groups

The Cottontails have been gearing up to be strong readers in a variety of ways.  Below includes a list of some of the activities Cottontails participate in to become better readers everyday.

•  picture book read alouds

•  chapter book read aloud

•  Listening Center

•  Reading Partners with our 3/4 Mentors

•  Learning there are "Three Ways to Read a Book: ( 1) Pictures; 2) Words; 3) Retell)

•  Visiting Classroom Library

•  Understanding Book Care Rules

•  Reading Star of the Week's Favorite Book

•  Taking field trip to Iowa City Public Library (Don't forget! Books are due next Wednesday, October 19th)

•  Answering questions like:  Why do readers read?  What do readers read?

Next week, Kindergarteners will be taking the next step in personalizing their reading education by meeting in small guided reading groups that cater to their specific reading level and needs.  Guided Reading Groups will meet once or twice a week for 20 minutes and will focus on reading fluency, decoding, sight words, phonics, phonemic awareness, parts of speech, and comprehension.  Each student will receive their own copy of their reading group book that they will use during their group time and then will be able to take home and share with you to further their learning at home.  Ideas of how you can support your reader will be sent home periodically throughout the year.

We are very excited for this time and can't wait to create additional opportunities for our reading to flourish.

A few reading reminders...

•  Learning to read is made easy when children can read books they love.  Be sure your child brings in their favorite book to share with the class by Monday, October 17th.

•  High Five and PuzzleBuzz are great resources to grow strong readers, establish critical thinking skills, and enhance cognitive development.  Be sure to turn in your Highlights slips (there are 2 attached) by Friday, October 21st.  Remember, a yes or no answer does not matter to our class.  Simply returning the slips equates to free supplies for our classroom.  Either way, yes or no, please bring BOTH slips signed and indicating your family's intent. Need an additional copy?  I'm happy to provide another.

•  Finally, we will be making our monthly library trip (the last Wednesday of each month) to the Iowa City Public Library on Wednesday, October 26th.  Please be sure your child has their library card.

Specials Update - Sept/Oct

Each month, Specials teachers will be providing updates to give you a peek into the progress your child is making in Specials classes.  If you ever have questions about your child within a particular class please feel free to email that teacher directly.  They are always available and happy to help.

Art w/ Mr. Ryan

ryanb@willowwind.org
COMING SOON!

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/

ASP w/ Mr. Dan & Friends
dand@willowwind.org
Visit ASP's blog for regular updates.
http://willowwindasp.weebly.com

Espanol w/ Ms. Ximena

ximenac@willowwind.org

I want to extend our warmest welcome to the Spanish class to all and our students in particular to the new ones we have this year.  We are beginning an exciting journey together where new students will begin to learn a different language, also other cultures and traditions of Spanish-speaking countries.  We just finished two important topics in Spanish class and the kids are doing a wonderful work. They have enjoyed learning about greetings and colors. The students were told to color different pictures, and they are able to recognize a color in Spanish.   Also, we played a game with a box of things with different colors where each student takes something from the box, and says the color in Spanish to the class. 

During the class we work a lot on listening comprehension.  The students are doing a great job answering oral questions.  At first the answers might be a single word (such as si or no), but very soon they will be become a bit more elaborated.  Every day, we sing and dance Spanish songs. The most popular are “Hola, hola, hola”, “Buenos días”, “El baile de los colores” and “El baile de los números”.  In October, we are going to start with the Units: “Las partes de la cara” (parts of the face) and “Las partes del cuerpo” (parts of the body)

Phy Ed w/ Ms. Susan

susant@willowwind.org

This year's Jump Rope for Heart (2016) will be held on Tuesday’s & Thursday’s, during Physical Education classes. Please encourage your child to "officially" participate.  Detailed information can be found below.

September and October is a very exciting month because of a special activity that occurs for our students in grades K - 6th. Students in these grades have the opportunity to participate in Jump Rope for Heart.

Jump Rope for Heart is a successful educational event held every year in thousands of schools throughout America. It is sponsored by the American Heart Association and the Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE America). Each student obtains sponsors who make contributions based on that student's participation. The proceeds are used to fund cardiovascular research and educational programs that help prevent heart and blood vessel diseases; America's number one killer! Proceeds collected will stay in Iowa City. It’s a great way to introduce students to the concept of community service while learning how to take care of their own hearts.

Events will be held during Physical Education classes from September 22nd, through October 18th, 2016. Although all students will participate as part of their regular Physical Education class. In an attempt to encourage ongoing physical activity, each participant who collects donations will receive a variety of gifts. What does your child get out of participating? Your child learns about the importance of the heart - how it works, and how to take care of it: Your child reaches out to friends and family: The safe online tool makes it easy for your child to set up a web page and send emails to support their fundraising efforts and share and to share life-saving information. Your child feels good for making a difference in people’s lives! Funds raised support the heart association’s research and education initiatives that save lives in our community. I hope you will encourage your child to participate.  Students who have been involved in previous years have found this to be a productive and fun way to help others fight heart disease.

New Routine: Spelling Sort

The Cottontails were eager to begin learning more about letter sounds. This week, we began our weekly spelling routine.  Your help is needed in ensuring a successful routine.  Beginning this week, your child will be periodically bringing home a spelling "sort".  Sorts will go home every other Monday.  The Cottontail Communicator (found weekly in your child's Take Home Folder) will detail your child's weekly sort focus.

The sort that goes home every other week will allow you to complete a variety of activities at home with the letter sounds the sort focuses on.  When the sort comes home on Mondays, please take time each Monday evening to cut out the cards and sort them at least once.

I have linked a Weekly Word Study Routine document that recommends a routine of activities for you to follow at home.  I have also included some of our classroom spelling activities for your reference, too.  Please read this document carefully and let me know if you have any questions or concerns.  Thank you in advance for your help in the successful introduction to another new routine.

Volunteer Opportunties

I am in need of parent volunteers to help with various activities within the Kindergarten classroom.  Click HERE to sign up to help out and look below for descriptions of classroom volunteer needs.

Apples
We are in need of apples for taste testing.  Sign up to bring (2) of each type of apple.  Please bring by Friday, October 14th.  30 minutes for bringing in apple items.

Wash Rags
One parent volunteer is needed to bring home class rags each Friday.  30 minutes weekly for washing rags.

Assemble Books
Beginning Monday, students will begin reading groups (more information to follow).  For reading groups, and other literacy activities, students will be using black and white books from our Reading A-Z program.  These books allow students to write, draw, and highlight various words and phonic concepts.  Assembly of books is an easy activity that can be completed at home each week for 30 minutes per week.

Read to Class
I am interested in having family members come into our classroom to read aloud.  This opportunity helps students see a variety of people model fluency.  Preferred reading times include 8:30, 8:45, 2:45, or 3:00 daily or 12:15 Wednesdays or Thursdays, but are open to other times that are convenient for readers.  Feel free to list your preferred days and times on the sign up sheet.

UN Celebrate the Children Event - 10.23

Willowwind has the wonderful opportunity to participate in this year's UN Celebrating the Children on October 23rd from 2:00-5:00 at the University Club.  We are looking for families that would be interested in representing our diverse community through showcasing family cultures.  The UN program has invited children to showcase world diversity in a variety of ways including:

•  song

•  music

•  dance

•  reading

If you would like your child and family are interested in highlighting your family's diverse background and participate in this community opportunity please let Paul Pressler and Michelle Beninga know at your earliest convenience.  We are eager to share our wonderful community with the rest of Iowa City.