Welcome 2012!

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday and break from school! Thank you for the gifts that you sent my way. They all were so wonderful and it was very thoughtful of you!

I am so happy to be back at school with all of my kiddos! On Tuesday we welcomed our 26th child into our classroom. Tilki Nerviani joins us all the way from California! She is a sweet girl and seems to be enjoying her time with us at KE!

We spent most of this week reviewing and getting back into our routines. We continue to work on place value and money in Math. Students are learning about the hundreds, tens and ones place for place value. We work with blocks to make numbers and identify which place they are in. On Wednesday we started making number stories involving money. The stories go something like this: Ms. Stumpf has 14 pennies and Mr. Cayton has 22 pennies. Who has more money and how much more money? We have learned 2 different ways to solve these problems and I am so proud of the efforts each child is putting forth. It has been awhile since we have worked with money and the kiddos have not forgotten anything!

We continue to do guided reading everyday. Starting next week I will be testing each student for their most recent reading level. I have a general idea as to where everyone is at but I like to administer the "offical" test just to make sure. Keep up the great reading and word work at home! I apologize for not getting the spelling lists updated on the blog this week!

Starting on Monday, January 9 we are kicking off an all school reading challenge called Reach for the Stars. Your child will be bringing home his/her packet on Monday. This reading program is through Usborne Books. Students will go into the Library on Monday to fill out their wish lists. Once they come home you will see that their is an envelope to get pledges. The pledges that students earn go straight to books and reading. Half of what they raise will be awarded to them for the purchase of books at the book fair and the other half will go to the KE Library to purchase new books as well. The book fair will be open to the public on Jan. 26 from 4:30-8:00. That night the KE Booster will also be hosting a Chili Supper from 5:00-7:30. (free will donation supper). If the whole school reads 80,000 minutes Mr. Cayton will be taking a few pies to the face!

Stay posted for pictures from Grandparent's Day and Ms. Stumpf's birthday at school!

Also a few weeks ago I posted about our class basket for KE Fun Night. Yes, Fun Night is a ways away but this year I want to do a holiday basket. Any holiday items that you want to send our way for the basket are greatly appreciated. I thought this would be something we could add to all year long.