8-Nov. 1-5, 2021

Dear Families,.

We have had 2 exciting days that I have to share with you all. I'll share Tuesday's first and then Monday's. Yesterday, we had an extra block student in our class helping so with 2 student block 3 student teachers we were able to do a lot with rotations. For reading and writing we were able to get to all 4 stations: Reading and finding "u" words, Writing with Mrs. Pilate, Word work-Election poetry, and Read to Someone: Living and Non-living things. We also were able to do 4 math rotations with 2 regarding money and games, another one with Counting on and proof and the final-math reading books about money. To top it all off, since it was such a beautiful day, we were able to do 3 garden rotations: 1-Studying how our sun flower is in the dying life cycle phase using drawing and good vocabulary words, 2-harvesting the rest of the garden items so we can enjoy a final garden harvest salad of lettuce, spinach, kale, sorrel, carrots, and celery, 3-Planting miilkweed seeds in our Registered Monarch Waystation garden to follow-up with the story: The Seeds of the Milkweed Plant. Today's plan and multiple rotations fully utilized our newly elected classroom leaders and running mates. It was fun to see how our our elected leaders faired and how the others helped at rotation time as they are all the leaders of the different groups.

Monday, our class elected their Lead Classroom Helpers. To follow up with Friday's candidates/running mates speeches for lead classroom helper, we had a Town Hall style meeting. Class citizens asked specific questions to either the Count, Big Bird, and Cookie Monster or addressed them to all the candidates as to how they would help them in specific situations.We had questions regarding how they will help when one doesn't understand a math problem, how will you help keep me organized, how will you help me when I don't know a word and even helping me stay safe outside. Rose (Count's running mate) even joined us from her travels via google meet and shared how she will help. Note: She was also our 1 absentee ballot. All the candidates. answered very well and stayed true to their campaign slogans. I must commend the Cookie Monster team. They were awesome, especially Emery with sincerely saying something related to "I'll give you a cookie" for every answer. When all the votes were tallied, The Count won by a narrow margin of 3 votes. Many voted for Cookie Monster and being fooled by the "feel good" answer Emery provided the class with what she promised-a cookie (a paper cookie). A wonderful discussion ensued. See below for the campaign slogans:

Big Bird: I will help you however I can. If I don't know, I will find out and come back to show you. I encourage students to never feel guilty about not knowing everything. I don't, myself and learned to not give up."

The Count; "Call 1-800- THE COUNT. Any time of day, you can COUNT on me to help you." Calling the COUNT. Ring, ring, ring Count, we need your help, "I'm here and will be there for you no matter what."

Cookie Monster: " A cookie for every kid." " Here's a cookie."

I truly thank you all for your support and help to do these great learning opportunities. For the rest of the week, we''ll be shifting to learn more about Veteran's Day, putting our garden to it's winter rest and beginning our new study of non-living things: rocks and earth materials. (geology).

Stay tuned for other snippets from our class,

Mrs. Pilate