Adventurers Team
                                                     Team teachers Pam Wise/Joplin James

     Welcome to the Adventurers ParentLink message for September 26^th. 

     It was great to see so many parents at the Adventurers Parent Night on Thursday evening. We  hope this was useful and informative.  Thanks to those who brought goodies to share, a special thanks to Ginger who made invitation calls to our new Adventurers families to attend, and to Beverly Boget and Caitlin Waddick who took notes to share with parents who were unable to attend.  You will find these attached below and hope you will find this useful.  

   We would sincerely appreciate any feedback about the evening. We welcome your input and also will value any suggestions of questions/answers to add to the Parent Information section of the Adventurer homepage.

Fly, Fly, Butterfly!

   Upon arriving at school on Monday we discovered that one of the Painted Lady butterflies had emerged from its chrysalis.  By Wednesday all five had hatched.  It was fascinating to watch these grey, damp creatures transform into colorful butterflies.  Their metamorphosis was rather quick compared to other species.  It was interesting to watch a chrysalis wiggling around as the caterpillar shed its skin for the final time! On Thursday we said our farewell to the Painted Ladies and sang "Fly, Fly, Butterfly!" as they fluttered off into the wild. The butterflies appeared to enjoy the warmth of the afternoon and eagerly took flight.  It was both a sad and happy occasion.

Fire Prevention

   Tuesday morning was very busy.  We met with volunteer firefighters to discuss fire safety.  They showed us all their gear and Mrs. Kendrick from Journey got to dress like a firefighter.  She said that the gear was very heavy.  We learned about the best ways to exit a smokey building and when to throw a pillow out your bedroom window.  Next we went outside to practice “Stop! Drop! And Roll!”  We also practiced crawling through a smoke filled building.  The firefighters also brought one of their trucks to see.  We were amazed at all the equipment they carry.

In the afternoon, we had our first Fire Drill of the school year.  Everyone did an excellent job of staying together, following directions, and being very quiet.

Picture Day

    Wednesday was a great day to smile.  If your child missed having his/her picture taken, there will be a make-up session at a later date.  This will also be the day when class pictures are taken.

Math:
       This week in math, first graders continued to work on place value with the tens and ones blocks. We also learned about thermometers.
       Second graders reviewed Unit 1 and took a brief end-of-unit test.  We will be doing some problem solving for the next few days.   Second graders need to bring in a gallon sized freezer bag, preferably one with a zipper.  They also need to bring in a paper towel tube and a clean cotton sock.

"I Love to Read" records:
    Last week's  total of almost 5,000 reading minutes was NOT surpassed with a disappointing total 3,346. We're confident Adventurers can do much better next week, if everyone remembers to fill out the record and return it on Friday.  We hope you'll find the "I Love to Read" record a useful motivation for daily family reading.  Please help your child record their minutes each evening and total them up each Thursday, so they're ready to turn in on Fridays. 
  Also, please help your child remember to bring her/his reading books to school each day!! 

Friday Healthy Team Snack:
     For our Friday healthy snack, Kayla’s mom treated us to strawberry, banana, chocolate fondue with a secret ingredient of spinach. Ask your child how s/he like the spinach/chocolate sauce.
   Next week we will be making some “Harvest Soup” and butter for our snack.  If anyone would like to make some healthy bread or biscuits to go with this, please let us know.  Several families have already signed up for a Friday snack.  Check the schedule on the Adventurers homepage and let us know which one works for you.

Red Clover books:
     On Friday, Adventurers voted for their favorite Red Clover book.  Scaredy Squirrel received the most votes. We will have to wait until spring to learn which title won this award for the entire state.  You can learn more about the Red Clover books at: http://www.mothergooseprograms.org/lit_red_clover_nominees.php
 

Estimating Jar:
          This week Ambu put teabags in the jar.  There were 78 and Clark was the closest with an estimate of 83. Hmmm, what will he fill it with this weekend.

FEED: "Food Education Every Day"
       We were impressed by the assortment of vegetables that Adventurers brought in for the Harvest Pizza.  On Wednesday the halls were filled with the delicious aroma of the pizza sauce being prepared.  For our snack on Thursday, we tasted the Harvest Pizza and it was delicious!  We liked it so much that most of us had the pizza for lunch on Friday.   Thanks to the parent volunteers who made this possible.

ParentLink Homework:
    This week we enjoyed sharing the vegetables we brought in for the Harvest Pizza.  This was such a success that the homework .for this weekend is for each Adventurer to bring in a piece of produce for our “Harvest Soup” that we will be making on Thursday for our Friday snack.  We will also be making butter, but we will need something to spread it on.  Would anyone be able to send in some healthy bread, rolls, or biscuits?  Please let us know if you could contribute.

Science Table:
    This week on the science table there were lots of interesting books and activities about caterpillars and butterflies. If your child hasn't chosen a topic and scheduled a week for the science table, we hope to hear from you.  Science table Schedule link.

Parents:
     We have updated our FAQ's on the Adventurers homepage.  If you have the chance we would greatly appreciate it, if you could look over these and tell us some questions that remain unanswered.

Coming Up:

***Wednesday, October 8^th – trip to see the Snow Geese at Dead Creek and a visit to Chimney Point State Park to learn about Native Americans  DRIVERS NEEDED

If you ever have any questions, suggestions, or concerns, we hope you will contact us by email or voicemail.
- Pam 985-3331 #167. Email: PWise@cssu.org

- Joplin 985-3331 #168.  Email: JJames@cssu.org
Adventurers homepage: http://www.scsvt.org/TEAMS/Advent/index.html
 

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Notes from ADVENTURERS PARENT NIGHT: 2008
                                               (thanks to Beverly Boget)

• Most everything you need to know is on the Adventurers web page.  If you have a question that is not answered there, contact Joplin and/or Pam.

• The Accelerated Reader Program allows kids to read and progress at their own pace.  Each day the kids pick a book at their reading level and bring it home.  The goal is for the kids to be reading these books themselves or out loud.  After reading three books at a level, they can take a computerized test.  Based on the feedback they get from the program kids will either read three more books at that level or move up to the next level.

• Homework:

  • Should not take no more than 10 minutes a night plus time for reading.

  • Parents should ideally go over the homework with your child so that you can see what they are doing in class.  If you initial it then Joplin and Pam will know you have seen it.

  • First graders:  Joplin will generally be sending Math "Homelinks" on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  Second graders:  Math homework will be in the yellow folder if they have any.

  • You don’t have to keep all of the homework in the Math binder (1^st graders) or yellow folder (2^nd graders) once it is complete though 2^nd graders should keep things related to game boards and pieces in their folders.

• Parent/Teacher conferences are Parent/Student/Teacher Conferences on the Adventurers Team in  November and March. Students are expected to be included in this conference.

•  Please help your child remember to wear sneakers on the gym days and bring library books to exchange on Library day

• Computer programs used by the Adventurers Team and how to access them:

  • Lexia is a computer program that helps with literacy.  It is available at school but not through the internet

  • WizardSpell is a computer program that helps kids with word study.  It is available as an option during Choice Time at school and can be accessed at home via a link on the web page.  To access type in your child’s first name and last initial (there are a few exceptions like if your child has a three letter name) and the password is SPELL.

  • MathFacts is a computer program that is available at school and through the internet. It can be accessed similarly to WizardSpell with the password of ABC.

• Coming soon:

  • Forming word study/guided reading groups.

  • Forming cooperative groups where groups of kids at various levels can work together on projects.

  • Setting dates for Math Nights.  Math Night is a fun, family night to come together and play math-related games.  They happen two times a year.

Return to the Adventurers Team Homepage

 Home Page maintained by Joplin James & Pam Wise
JJames@cssu.org or PWise@cssu.org
Last updated: September 26, 2008