New Updates

It is good to have everyone back after Thanksgiving.  We are in full swing to make the most of the three weeks left in the year of 2012!

Here are a few calendar updates for you.  These are also listed on the students' newsletters.

*Reading - Lesson 12, A Pen Pal for Max - test will be on Monday, December 3.

*Spelling - Lesson 12 tic tac toe and test - Monday, December 3.

*Math/Multiplication - 10s/11s combined this Friday, and 12s next Friday.

*Social Studies - Beginning Chapter 4, explorers/early settlements, tomorrow.  Our Chapter 4 test will be next week, and from there we will go in to Christmas Around the World.

*Science - Chapter 6 test tomorrow.  Beginning Chapter 7 on Thursday.

Happy Thanksgiving

I am so thankful for each and every one of you!

I hope you have a day filled with family, friends, and thanks for each blessing in this life.

Reading

With the upcoming Thanksgiving holidays and days off from school, don't forget to take a few minutes each day to listen to your child read.

This is why we do Reading Log.  Something so simple makes a big impact.

Take a look at these great sentence starters to get your child talking about what they read.

Visit From an Author

  

PCES third, fourth, and fifth grade students were fortunate enough to meet a real author yesterday.  Mr. Robert Little is an author, as well as an inspirational and motivational speaker.  Students sat capitvated as they listened to Mr. Little encourage them, share about his dreams, and even share a story or two of his own.

The three main messages of his story were:

1) obey your parents

2) be a true friend

3) don't let anyone tell you that you can't

Mr. Little also encouraged students with the motto, If you can believe it, you can achieve it!

Scholastic Book Order

I sent Scholastic Book Club order forms home last week..  If you would like to purchase a book (or two) for your student, you may send a check back to school (payable to Scholastic ... please no cash!), or you may order online!  Please don't feel pressured to purchase, but there are books in all price ranges available.  No tax or shipping costs need to be added.

Click here - our classroom code is HKCZW.

I will close out our classroom order on the afternoon of Friday, November 16, 2012.  The books should be delivered to the classroom after Thanksgiving.

Happy shopping!

Happy Veterans Day

We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.

by Cynthia Ozick

Happy Veterans Day!

Thank you seems so inadequate, but we are so grateful for all of those who have served and sacrificed for our country.

(Remember, no school tomorrow.)

America's White Table

Today in Social Studies we studied Veterans Day.  We talked about the history behind it, why it is celebrated, and what a veteran is.  Then, we read the book, America's White Table.

If you are unfamiliar with the white table, it is a small table set up at military functions and events in order to honor and remember our veterans, specifically those who are MIA and POW.  It is sometimes even set up by civilians as a way to honor those who have served our country. 

Every item on the table, as well as the table and chair, are symbolic.

a small table - to show one soldier's lonely battle against many

white table cloth - to honor a soldier's pure heart when he answers his country's call to duty

lemon slice and grain of salt on plate - to show a captive soldier's bitter fate and the tears of families waiting for loved ones to return

an empty chair - for the missing soldiers who are not here

black napkin - for the sorrow of captivity

glass turned over - for the meal that won't be eaten

white candle - for peace

red rose in a vase tied with a red ribbon - for the hope that all our missing will return someday

Happy Election Day!

Happy Election Day!

Our future voters celebrated today with star shaped cookies, American flags, and read alouds of the books Duck for President and Arthur Meets the President.  We also watched a short video titled, "So You Want to be President".  Students then took A.R. tests and cast their ballot for their favorite presidential book that we read today.

Please stop by sometime and read the students' writings on "If I Were President".  They did an outstanding job.

Today's election celebration came at the perfect time.  We have just finished our study of voting, citizenship, and government.  The students have had a fantastic time, and learned a lot about our country and democracy.

Don't forget to exercise your right to vote today!  : )

Another Owl Star

Another month has come and gone, and our students have voted on another Owl-Star student of the month.  This is someone they felt deserved recognition for being kind, considerate, responsible, respectful, patient, and was over-all a good friend to everyone!  The competition was stiff, but this month’s star student is … Azariah!  Here’s a few fun facts about Azariah.

 

 

Favorite food –pizza

Favorite color – blue

Favorite song/artists – Nicki Minaj

Favorite TV show – Sponge Bob

Favorite book – Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Favorite thing to do –play with friends

Favorite subject – Reading

When she grows up – Become a police officer

Favorite 3^rd grade memory – Making new friends

Look What's Growing!

Look at what we found in our garden this week!

Reminder

The PCES Fall Festival is tomorrow!

$7 for an armband and tickets (for food/games) are 2/$1.

It’s going to be a blast!