Mrs. Maxham’s Newsletter

2/27/09

Dear Parents,

          I would like to thank Jeff Fleming for talking to our class about electricity.  The students had many questions about his work as an electrician and his experiences with electricity.  He also brought in a special treat for them.  Cupcakes were frosted and arranged to look like a light bulb.  The students enjoyed asking questions and seeing some of the tools that he uses with his work.  The cupcakes were delicious too!

          This week both classes have begun reading Cave of Falling Water by Janice Ovecka.  Janice Ovecka is a Vermont author and you may remember her as the author of The Captive of Pittsford Ridge which we read last year.  Cave of Falling Water is a book that is set in  Vermont during three different time periods.  During each time period we will learn about a different culture through the eyes of a young girl.  Throughout the book there is one place that the girls can go to escape their troubles, the Cave of Falling Water.   This week we have read about Woni, an Abenaki, whose tribe is dealing with disease, death, and the threat of losing its way of life due to the influence of the white man.  She and her friend, Hawk, have just discovered the cave and have decided to name it Cave of Falling Water after their friend who died.  This book will take us about three weeks to complete.  During that time, the students will not have spelling homework or tests.  They may have reading assignments to complete or other language arts homework. 

          The reading genre for next month will be non-fiction.  This will be the last month that students can earn a Pizza Hut certificate for a free personal pan pizza. 

Have a good weekend!