BIGtime Slacker!

Yup, that's me.  We've done so many cool things and I have not shared any photos.  But I am currently procrastinating planning for the week and choosing to catch up with you instead.

1.  Vermicomposting!  The Williams-Cone Wigglers (as we fondly named them) have been moved to Mrs. Kish's Second Grade Class, but not without a fond farewell.  We took them out, played with them, noticed their babies, dropped water near them and wrote about them.  Too cool, really.

Are they IN there?

Let me take a closer look.

I noticed their bodies have segments.

2.  Old Fort Western
Oh, my, you are going to be reading forEVER.  But this sure beats a black and white photo copied newsletter cluttering up your kitchen counter, right?  We visited the textile room, the kitchen and the wood station.

The bus ride TO Old Fort Western!  "This is the best field trip ever!"

Holding the log while 2 others have their turn with the saw! 

Ready to take the wood we split to the Kitchen!

The GANG!

They have ARRIVED!

The new leveled texts that I ordered have arrived.

First...I'm not sure how to flip the photo, but you get the idea.  It's a new stack of 40 leveled books!  We'll add this to our other smaller order that arrived last week, for our classroom library.  The class will have these, more current texts to shop and read from in their book boxes.  Woo Hoo!

Second...If you have a first, you're supposed to have a second, right?  So...thank you for visiting and discussing your children at conference time.  I always love the time to check-in, share their work and our classroom. 

What would YOUR answer be?

Ask your child...How do you get to know the characters in your book better?  
     In reading workshop we've been talking-just that!  See if your child says any of this...
          1.  Look for their facial expressions and gestures and ask,
               what is the character thinking or feeling?
          2.  Make connections (between your life and character's life) to the character as you read.
          3.  Notice the character's actions and ask, What kind of person DOES these things?
          4.  Notice how your character changes throughout the story.

Ask your child...What are the parts of a realistic fiction story?  (we are learning this one together)

     In writing workshop we've been talking-just that!  See if your child says any of this...
          1.  Create a character (can even be just like me).
          2.  Choose a setting and think what problem could happen there?
          3.  How is the problem solved?
        
We've also been talking about cool beginning to stories.  When you read at home, see if you notice     how the author hooks you to read.
Ask your child...Have you tried any cool beginnings in your stories at school?
          1.  Weather reference
          2.  Talk
          3.  Action
          4.  Sound

Have I told you, this class is awesome at returning their reading books every night?  EVERYONE!
Thanks for making reading important and part of your routine.

WCS Craft Fair THIS Saturday

Come volunteer or shop or stop by for lunch and baked goods.
Have you started your holiday shopping???
The WCS Craft Fair is this Saturday from 9-3.

We were even in the newspaper.  Notice, I'm a little biased in sharing this little Times Record link.

The Times Record!

Okay, really, if you can volunteer please email leslie@beattiechicks.com

So Much To Say...

You ask--where has Mrs. Greenleaf been?  Like Where's Waldo.
I answer--to NYC, stacking wood before the storm, on the soccer field, carving pumpkins, etc.
I feel like my list of things to blog about is quite long...  So, here goes--

1.  Last Weekend, Mrs. Dunn and I ventured to NYC to a Teacher's College Reading and Writing Project all day (Saturday) workshop.  We attended 8 sessions in total, plus two speakers in the Riverside Church.  I went to Conferring with Strong Readers, Strong Questioning, Science within Writing Workshop and Brand New Books.   Plus I even sat next to a woman who had been to another Mentor Text workshop...and I copied down her list of books.  Resourceful, huh?  Have you heard that Mo Willems spoke to the gathered teachers?  If you don't know who Mo is, ask your child!  :)  This was a great trip for many reasons...professional development, time with a colleague, NYC, seeing an old friend, a trip to IKEA, but most of all...staying with my Mom and Dad. 

2.  Bottles for Hoops!  Drink and Shoot?  Anyway, take your returnables to Bootleggers.  Let them know you want the money put towards the Williams-Cone Basketball Hoop Fundraiser.

3.  THANK YOU for all the donations to our Family Fun basket.  It's looking good!  If you haven't donated and WANT to -- just send in something "family fun" or send money and the Friends of WCS will shop for what else is needed. 

4.  WORMS!  Yup, we have worms in the classroom!  The Williams-Cone Wigglers.  We are vermicomposting.  We've been feeding the worm every Wednesday and covering them with new bedding (shredded paper).  They seem to like apples, grapes, egg shells, banana peels and coffee grounds, but NOT carrots.  They will traveling to another classroom soon.

5.  Mark your calendars!
     WCS Craft Fair is THIS Saturday, November 5.
     WCS Pasta Supper is Friday, November 18.

6.  Volunteers Needed...in the library.  Let me know if you have any "free" time to help shelve books.

See?  Yup.  A lot to say.  And that's only HALF the list.  I'll keep going mid week.

The Giving Tree

Mrs. Chase came and read The Giving Tree with the class.  She led us in making posters to show ways they give to others.  We then proceeded to talk about service projects our class could tackle.  We came up with three.
1)  Make a donation to the Coastal Humane Society.
2)  Read to either adults at the Highlands or downstairs at CDS.
3)  Make a donation to the food pantry.
Well, after a democratic vote...the class had decided to send their loving to some animals at the humane society.  I also plan to make a contact with CDS to read with them.

                                                     More information will follow...on how YOU can help.  Thanks!
                                                     

A Tisket, A Tasket...

Our Class is Making a BASKET!

PARENTS AND FRIENDS,

It’s that time of year again...time to prepare for the Williams-Cone School Annual Pasta Dinner and Basket Raffle Fundraiser!  This year the dinner and raffle are scheduled for Friday, November 18th (more details on this exciting event to come later...)

Each class in our school has chosen a special theme for their 2011 Class Basket.  You can support your child’s class by providing donations to fill the basket to be raffled off at the Pasta Dinner.

All proceeds from the raffle and dinner help support educational field trips for each classroom throughout the year.

THE THEME OF YOUR CLASSROOM’S BASKET THIS YEAR IS:

            FAMILY FUN

Suggestions for donated items include, but are not limited to.....

puzzles, playing cards, Jenga, movie gift card, Yahtzee, Mancala, bowling gift card, Rollerworld gift card, blanket, Uno, coloring books, Connect 4, Bananagrams, Headbandz, cribbage boards, Apples to Apples, Twister..

Please use your imagination!  If you would prefer to send in a cash donation vs. purchasing items, please feel free.  We will shop for you!  All donations will be used to purchase items on your behalf to fill your child’s classroom basket.  Checks can be made payable to:  Friends of Williams-Cone.

Thank you in advance for you donations.  All basket donations are due by Friday, October 28th, 2011.