Scholastic Book Order - Due back on December 3rd

I am going to place a book order on Friday, December 3rd.  I know that we normally do it on the 15th of each month but I wanted to make sure the book orders came in before we go on Christmas break.  Please return the Scholastic slip with money or place your order online by Friday.  If you have questions, about certain books or would like suggestions please e-mail or call.  Thanks so much! :)

The link is: http://clubs.scholastic.com/cool/login.jsp. 

School Closing

Check out the link below to find out about school closing, early dismissal, etc.  You can also sign up for instant alert.  Instant alert notifications can be sent to you via e-mail, text messaging, or phone call.

http://es.albertlea.k12.mn.us/closing.aspx

Kindergarten Technology Survey

I am sending home a survey tonight about technology in your home.  Please complete the survey and return to school in your child's daily folder as soon as possible.  Thanks so much!

Turkey Bingo Night

I hope to see everyone at Hawthorne tomorrow night (Tuesday, November 23rd) for Turkey Bingo.  Turkey Bingo starts at 6:00 p.m.  Childcare will be provided for preschoolers.  Bingo prizes include: turkeys, hams, canned food items, stuffing, potatoes, pies, and more.  See everyone tomorrow night! 

Turkey Pictures - Counting by 10's

Short Week Next Week

We do not have school on Thursday, November 25th or Friday, November 26th.  Enjoy your four day weekend!

Please return milk and snack slips...

If you have not already paid for the milk or snack cart option for second trimester, you should have received a form in your child's backpack last night.  Students who participated in the snack cart program during the first trimester seemed to enjoy the snack cart items.  The options are: red or green apple, raisins, pretzels, elf graham crackers, and gold fish crackers.  The cost of the snack cart is $15.00 per trimester.  Milk is also available for an additional $15.00 a trimester.  Please consider choosing the snack cart option for your child!  Sign-up forms are due back Wednesday, November 24.

Turkey Pictures

Happy Veteran's Day!

This morning we attended the Veteran's day music program (4th graders performed) and watched a video about what Veteran's Day was.  When we returned from the program we read an e-mail that Michael (our soldier) had wrote back to us.  Students then made cards for Michael.  Some things that the students wrote in their cards were:

• Thank you for keeping us safe.
• Thank you for being in the army.
• Happy Veteran's Day!
• Thank you for fighting for us.

I will be sending the cards to Michael at the end of the week. 

Looking for a volunteer

I am looking for a volunteer to come Monday through Thursday from 9:20-10:00 to assist during part of our reading block.  If you are interested or know someone that might be interested please contact me at 507-379-4971 or e-mail me at hleach@albertlea.k12.mn.us.  Thanks!

Check out our wiki...

On the right side of the page under newsletters and other documents click on Mrs. Leach's wiki.  I will be adding flashcards (alphabet, numbers, etc), bi-weekly newsletters, etc. for you to access at home. 

Conferences

Thanks so much to all of the families that were able to make it to conferences last week.  It was so nice getting to talk with everyone.  Please check out the new tab features on our blog and remember if you ever have questions, please give me a call at school or at home.

Halloween Party

Daily 5 (Listen to Reading, Read to Self, ABC Word Work, and Work on Writing)

PALS (Peer Assisted Learning Strategies)

Kindergarten Pajama Night

Pumpkin Patch

Kindergarten Pajama Party in the Albert Lea Tribune

Read the article by clicking on the following link: http://www.albertleatribune.com/2010/11/02/hawthorne-pajama-parties/.

Week 9 in Kindergarten

We are working on the letters E and O and sight words go and we this week.   In math, we are working on teen numbers, estimation, counting to 100, counting by 5's and 10's to 100, and counting backwards from 20.  We have been practicing writing our numbers 0-31 daily and working on sequencing numbers 0-31 with flash cards.

PALS is officially up and running.  Students are doing the large group word game and partner work in PALS (Monday-Thursday).  During partner work students are being introduced to/reviewing letter sounds, working on sight words, and working on stretching and reading three letter words.

We have just added Listening to Reading to Daily 5.  When students are signed up for Listening to Reading they may read a book on the iPod or listen to a book on the iPod.  During Daily 5 time students are Reading to Self, Working on Writing, doing ABC Word Work, and Listening to Reading for 30-45 minutes a day.  Students complete two task a day and the next day they do the other two tasks.  Students have been doing a nice job working quietly during Daily 5 time.  We are now working on working the whole time.  While students are working on Daily 5 work I am pulling them in small groups and having them read books or work on letters/sounds.

Don't forget Conferences

Don't forget conferences are tonight (3:30 pm - 8:00 pm), Thursday night (3:30 pm -7:30) pm, and Friday (7:30 am - 3:00pm).  If you cannot make your confernece time please call me and let me know so that we can reschedule.  Thanks!

BOOK FAIR IS OPEN DURING CONFERENCES!!!!

iPods and Computers

Free Choice