Notes from Ms. Stern

·As you have probably heard, we will be celebrating our first Charlie Caps party of the year on Monday. This is a three-parter: a pizza party for lunch (therefore, you will only need to provide a drink and/or snack if your child plans to eat pizza), a special movie in the afternoon, and an opportunity for the kids to teach the teacher. If your child would like to “teach,” please make sure he or she prepares ahead of time. Please note that this is optional and children do not HAVE to present.

·We have begun a new unit in Writer’s Workshop: memoirs. The children are learning to tell and write stories about parts of their lives, as they remember them. After experiencing a few cases of writer’s block from the get go, we discussed how sometimes writers use photos or objects as inspiration and to help them remember important memories and events. I demonstrated this by sharing some of my own photographs to explain important or significant moments in my life. Please help your child think about some of his or her memorable experiences (that they are able to remember, not stories that are told to them). Remember, memorable events can be happy, silly, sad, frightening, or exciting. Next, collect 5 artifacts (photographs, postcards, dolls, awards, stuffed animals, blankets, etc.) connected to some of your child’s meaningful memories. Your child must be able to easily explain these artifacts. Place them in a shoebox or bag that can be carried to school and return them by Monday (12/3). You may choose to decorate these boxes or send them in plain. Make sure the box is labeled.

·Finally, if you are planning on participating in the Meals on Wheels Covered Cupboard event and are in need of a shoebox, please let me know.

Thanks so much!