Happy Holidays!!!

We had a fantastic last day together and are now enjoying the first day of our three week vacation. Our Stone Soup turned out super yummy, thanks to all the great veggies our class brought in. We made some great cards for the troops, which we hope will lift their spirits this Christmas while they are so far from home. We also worked on some fun Christmas activities and passed out some gifts. I have really enjoyed returning to work and getting to know my students these past few weeks. Enjoy your vacation everyone, because we still have a lot to learn in 2012 when we get ourselves ready for 1st Grade!! So Happy Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas, or other holiday your family may be celebrating this Winter! Have lots of fun with friends and family! Stay warm, happy, and healthy! And I will see you all again on January 9th!!!

Stone Soup Friday!!

To finish our unit on food, our Kindergarten class will recreate a beloved food story by making Stone Soup! I will supply the cooking pot, stone, water, chicken, and seasoning. Your child is welcome to provide their favorite vegetable, diced and labeled in a baggy. We will mix it up in the morning, let it stew for a few hours, then enjoy it around 11 am with the other AM Kinder class. Looking forward to a fun and tasty end to our thematic unit!!

Also, if your family was considering a Christmas gift, may I request gifts for the classroom? We could use more glue sticks, colored copy paper, or donations in the office to purchase more laminate. As you know, our state has been severely cutting funds from education and more supplies will go a long way in helping us provide exciting and enriching lessons for your children. Thank you for all your support and enjoy the long holiday with your family!!

We made it through our first week together...

...and I think the students are okay with me as their teacher (lol).  I am sure that many of them miss Ms. Dawson, but they all welcomed me and have been working hard adjusting to some of the changes I have made upon my return.  We chose new seating groups, adjusted our Carpet Time and Centers routines, and have even made some modifications to the Snack Rule (to name a few).  More changes will be on the way as I slowly return my classroom to the way I like to run it.

I would like to take a second to go over the new snack rule.  Ms. Dawson used to make snack mandatory.  That was her personal decision, and not the view of the collective whole.  My colleagues and I were finding too many snacks simply being thrown out because students weren't hungry (but told they needed a snack).  The new rule for my class is as follows:

         1) Students are responsible for their own snack, if they don't bring one, they do not get one (unless their
              parents make arrangements with me in advance).
         2) Students should only bring 1 small, healthy snack with them to eat (no candy, sweets, etc.)
         3) Students are not to bring drinks (a small water bottle is acceptable).

Please remember that a snack is simply intended to hold them over until the next full meal.  Your children should eat a full breakfast before coming to school, then a full lunch after school.  Most children that eat full meals find they do not even need a snack.  Check in with your son or daughter and see if they need to continue bringing a snack or not. Thank you and I hope this clears up and confusion you may have had on the matter.

I have greatly enjoyed getting back into the classroom, and feel blessed to work with your children.  It has only been a week, but I have already found them to be delightful, intelligent, and hard working.  I have high expectations for this class and see no reason that all of them can't become great readers and writers by the end of Kindergarten.

-Mr. Linnet

P.S. If you are taking the time to read this, please leave a comment.  I am interested to know which families find this blog useful. Thanks!!

Let's get ready for some learning fun!!!

I have been going crazy at home just waiting to come back and work with all of you.  Now that the Doctor has said I can teach again, I am so excited to get back into the classroom to work with all of you.   We will be making some new groups, learning letters and words, making some graphs, and reading lots of great books!!  I hope you have all been working hard with Ms. Dawson, because when I come back I plan on keeping you very busy.  It is my goal that all of you will be reading, writing, and counting numbers to 100 before you leave my class to go to 1st Grade.  Don't be scared of my cane, it is to help give my foot some extra support while it continues to heal.  I may move slowly at first, but by the end of the year I hope to move as fast as all of you!!  I hope you had a great Thanksgiving, and let's get ready to have lots of learning fun before we go off for Winter Break!!
                                                                                                              -Mr. Linnet

Some Bad News...

...I just found out from my doctor Wednesday night that I will be delayed in my return until November 28th.  My foot hasn't healed properly, and I can't really stand or walk on it too well yet.  I am finally out of the walking boot and into my own shoes, but will need a few more weeks of rehab until the doctor will release me back to work.  I will be giving my best efforts to return as soon as possible, but it appears that I won't get to meet your children until after Thanksgiving vacation.  I hope that the class has been running smoothly in my absence, and am eagerly anticipating my return!!

-Mr. Linnet

Looking forward to meeting all of you at the Kindergarten Orientation...

Next Friday, August 12th , we will have our Kindergarten Orientation at Cordelia Hills Elementary School.  Although I am out on disability leave following my Ankle Surgery, I do plan on attending the Orientation so that I can meet all of you and welcome you into my classroom.  I haven't heard who my guest teacher will be yet, but hopefully the School District will select one soon so that you may all meet them next Friday as well.  If you haven't received a notice in the mail yet, keep an eye out as they should have already gone out.  I hope everyone had a great summer and are excited for that first day of Kindergarten!!

Sincerely,

Mr. Linnet

2 weeks later...

Visited the doctor today to check on the progress following surgery, and everything is looking good.  My foot is still pretty bruised, but the swelling is down and the doctor was able to remove the stitches today.  I was placed in a new cast (black) for the next 3-4 weeks, but hopefully if things continue to improve quickly, I can get into a boot next and maybe start physical therapy to build some strength back into my foot.  I'm still not expected to return to work until November, but I am hopeful that once I am allowed to use my foot again, I will be able to cut some time and get back to school a bit sooner.

As you can see, nobody has signed my cast yet, so if you want to be the first, you'll have to come over and say hello!  It's been pretty boring sitting in bed for the past 2 weeks, but I am trying very hard to stay patient and follow the doctor's orders.  I can't wait to be up and about again!  I know that I will not be there for the start of school, so everyone have fun and I can't wait to see you when I return!!

Mr. Linnet

Surgery was Successful!!

My foot and ankle reconstruction surgery was successfully completed on Thursday, and I was able to return home yesterday afternoon.  I have a plaster cast on my foot for the next two weeks, and am not allowed to do much of anything during this time.  On July 20th, I will go back in to have the doctor's remove the plaster cast and the stitches, then they will put me in a regular cast and I will be allowed to move more freely with a wheelchair or crutches.  I still will not be allowed to walk on it until sometime in November, but it will be nice to not be confined to the bed.

Thanks to everyone who has kept me in their prayers, and also to everyone who has sent me the kind words of encouragement.  I can't wait to be up and moving again (hopefully running!!)  I know it seems that I will be gone for a long time, but November will come fast, and then we can forget all about the time I was out!!
-Mr. Linnet

Exciting News for Next Year!

I will be staying in D-8 next year teaching Kindergarten!!  These past few months have been extremely frustrating for me, with the uncertainty of my teaching assignment (K or 6???), but patience paid out and I was fortunate enough to get to stay in the grade that I love to teach.  I know that with my surgery next week, you all won't be seeing me until November, but at least you will know where to look for me when I am back.  Thanks again for everyone's courtesy and support through all of this, it has definitely been a bit of a roller coaster for me!  I miss you all already, and will keep you all updated with what's going on in the Linnet Home throughout my recovery.  Can't wait to get back into the classroom!!

Mr. Linnet

Happy Summer!!

Hello Everyone,

I hope everyone is loving NOT being at school this week!  How is everyone's summer going so far??  I have been very busy as of late, which is a good thing since I will have a VERY LONG rest in a couple of weeks.  I am still hoping to remain in my current classroom next year if all goes well, but no matter what I will still be at Cordelia Hills, you just may not see me until after Halloween.

I just met with my Doctor this afternoon and was given some unfortunate new information.  Apparently my ankle surgery will be more involved then originally thought, and will require me to be off from work until early November.  They have to replace ligaments, repair tendons, and cut/reshape the ankle bone at my heel so that my foot is better aligned with my natural stance (this will give better stability and protect against turning my ankle in the future).

Since I will not be around for a while, I would love for you all to keep in contact with me on the blog.  It is going to get very boring sitting around the house with my foot elevated for 4 months, but hearing from all of you will greatly help in keeping my spirits up.  Feel free to leave me messages all summer and into the start of the year, I would love to know how the school is doing when I am not there!!

My surgery is on July 7th, so I will post again after the surgery to let you all know how it went, and where my class will be next year (Kindergarten or Sixth Grade).  Until then, have lots of fun for me and enjoy your summer!!

-Mr. Linnet

School events next week...

...we are almost there, the FINAL week of the school year!  We have a lot of cool things planned for next week and I want to make sure that everyone knows what to expect. 

On Monday, June 13th, we will have the school BBQ during the student's lunch time.  If your child normally has a school lunch, they will already be receiving a BBQ lunch.  If they do not normally eat school lunch, then they can purchase the BBQ lunch for the same price as a school lunch.  Kinders will be dismissed as normal, and can go to the BBQ with their family if you wish to attend.

On Tuesday, June 14th, the school celebrates outdoor education with the annual Field Day.  Our class will be participating first thing in the morning.  Dress for outdoor play (including getting a little wet).  The dress code will still be inforced (no sandals, spaghetti-straps, etc.).  Shorts and Tennis shoes would be great today!!

On Friday, June 17th, we will have a minimum day for the last day of school.  Please make sure that all books are returned, and any fines are paid so that we can give your child their Report Card &/or Yearbooks.  These items will be held in the office until outstanding fines are paid off.

Thanks again for the great year, and let's enjoy the last week of this school year!!
-Mr. Linnet

Have You Ever Seen a Real Coyote???

Earlier this month, my family got the opportunity to see one at the Suisun Wildlife Center, located at 1171 Kellogg Street, in Suisun.  We took Skylar to see the rescued animals, like this coyote here, and some birds like a Golden Eagle, and a barn owl.  (They also have an albino gopher snake that you just gotta see!!)  If you are interested in seeing some cool animals like these, you should ask your family to bring you this Saturday, June 4th, when the Wildlife Center is hosting a Baby Animal Shower to celebrate the new animals born this Spring!!  It's really a great place to see people who are working to care for animals that might not survive otherwise (this poor coyote lost an eye, and the golden eagle had a wing damaged so bad that he can't fly with it).  Our family appreciated our visit to the Suisun Wildlife Center, and I hope your family does too!
-Mr. Linnet

Concerns About Bullying...

...Hello Everyone,  I am sad to report that we have recently discovered bullying taking place within our classroom.  To my knowledge, there has been no direct forms of bullying, where someone was physically, verbally, or mentally trying to harm another student.  But that does not make this issue any less severe.  Indirect Bullying is also a very harmful act where some bullies somebody else, usually without direct contact.  They can spread rumors about somebody, write mean things about somebody, or tell other people to do mean things to a person.  Often with indirect bullying, the victim knows that somebody is being mean to them, but they do not know who.

The issue we have had centered around a group of students alienating another student.  It started with a leader telling their friends not to play with, eat with, or talk to a particular student.  Whether it began as a game or not, I'm not sure, but it quickly turned into a form of indirect bullying.  The victim was left feeling very sad, very unhappy, and very anxious around the rest of the class.  No child should have to feel uncomfortable at school!!

To address this very serious matter, I taught a long lesson about bullying today.  We watched a BrainPop Jr. video titled "Bullying" (you can go to www.brainpopjr.com to check it out if you wish), then discussed some of the events shown in the video.  I also led the class through some role-playing activities where we identified some of the major players involved with bullying:
     *The Victim (the person being Bullied)
           *The Bully (the person/people harming others)
               *The Friends (the people that come to the aide of the victim)
                    *The "Fake" Friends (the bystanders that allow the bullying to happen)
After role-playing a few common incidents that could occur in the classroom or at school, and discussing ways to handle a situation with a bully, I pulled the instigator of our issue aside (not in the presence of other students) to discuss the situation with them and make sure that it would not continue.

The motto that I left the class with was "Be Safe, Be Happy".  It is my feeling that every student that comes to school has the right to be safe, and be happy.  If someone makes you feel like you are not safe or not happy, then you are probably being bullied.  If you do something that makes somebody hurt or sad, then you might be bullying them.  We should all make good choices so that everyone can "be safe, and be happy".

I am hopeful that we can put this situation behind us, our class is made up of some pretty wonderful and respectful children.  I would like to believe that this was an unfortunate incident where some kids made a bad decision, but I also made it quite clear that any future incidents involving bullying will result in an immediate meeting with the Bully's parents, the Principal, and myself.  I also let everyone in class know that if they are found bullying another student they will not be granted Recess Privileges for the remainder of the school year.

How You Can Help:
Please sit down with your children and discuss your Family Values with your child.  Address Bullying in a calm and respectful manner, but be firm with your expectations for conduct with your child, and what consequences they can expect at home if they are ever found harming another student at school.  As unfortunate as this experience has been for one student in our class, the sad truth is it could have been any of them.  It very easily could have been your child scared to go to school, no longer feeling "safe and happy".  I know that none of us want that, so please take a little time out to discuss this matter with your child, so that we can all do our part to ensure that bullying does not continue with our kids, in our class, or at our school.

Thank you for your attention and action with this unfortunate problem.

-Mr. Linnet

We Need Help for the Coyote Howl!!

I will post a new sign-up sheet on the classroom door.  If any parents are willing to donate an hour out of their evening on Friday, May 20th, we can really use some help covering the stations during the Coyote Howl.  I will be looking to hopefully get a (K) parent and a (1st) parent for each time slot.  Just write your name next to the time slot you are interested in covering, and I will pass the list on to the PTA.  Your help really goes a long way in making this event so successful.  (Don't worry, you all get the easy jobs.  I get to spend 2 hours having kids smash me in the face with cream pies!!)

Thanks again for all the donations for our Star Wars Basket.  We collected enough money to get the DVDs and possibly even a Star Wars Video Game.  We are still working out what kind of basket to package it u, but I think it is going to look really cool.  If you still want to donate items, we could use Star Wars Posters, Dolls, Clothes, and Toys.  (PTA asked us to remind everyone that the items must be new!)  We have received lots of puzzles, school supplies, and figurines, but a variety of items will make the basket look more appealing.  I'm excited to see how the final basket comes out!!

I can't believe it is only 10 days away!  This year has gone by so fast.  We've all been working so hard, that I've hardly noticed how the weeks (and months) have flown by.  Before we know it, the summer will be here, and I will have to start gearing up for 6th Grade.  I guess we all get promoted this year. LOL

Thank you again for all the great help and support you have given throughout this year.
Mr. Linnet

Look out Summer, Here we Come!!

With less than 7 weeks left in the school year, we are making a strong push toward the end of this year.  The weather is growing warmer, the flowers are in bloom, and the kids are growing more and more eager to get outside and enjoy it.  While I encourage all of you to spend as much time outside enjoying all of nature's gifts, please don't lose focus of the academic goals that still need to be met before we move on to the next grade.

This past week I tested all of my students in preparation for their Progress Reports, and I must admit that I am very proud of the growth being made by all.  Most of the students are exceeding grade-level expectations and appear ready to move on to the next grade.  While letters and sounds have been met by everyone, some of the students still need to work on basic reading and writing skills.  Don't forget to read your book bags daily, and practice writing stories weekly (not just for homework).  Have fun with writing. Keep a journal of thoughts or experiences, make up stories to share with friends and family, or simply write a book review telling what you liked or didn't like about each book you read.  Try to find real-life applications to practice your writing, and finding a style of writing that you personally enjoy!!  These skills are not meant just to be completed for a grade, they are intended to help you grow and develop in ways that will help you in all aspects of your life.

With this little bit of advice aside, I also want to remind everyone that the Coyote Howl will be coming up on the 20th of May.  Our class has "Star Wars" for it's basket theme.  Some of you have already begun bringing things in, and I thank you.  Remember, if our class basket earns over $200 from the silent auction, then our class will win another class party.  We are taking donations of $2 - $3 to help in purchasing the DVDs to include in the basket, but any other cool things you find will be greatly appreciated.  I have also sent a letter to ILM requesting a donation (hopefully from their Prop Dept. or George Lucas) to include in the basket.  I am confident that our basket will be a great success and one that many people will take interest in.

I will also be participating in the "PIE IN THE FACE" part of the Howl.  The kids loved this particular event last year, so make sure you bring them by while you are at the Howl to put a pie in my face.  If any other parents would like to volunteer at the Howl, I have a sign-up sheet on my door.  I have highlighted the tables that K and 1st Grade are responsible for, and would love to have a couple parents from our class represent us at the Howl.  This is one of the biggest fundraisers we have at the school each year, and with all the budget cuts we have seen (and felt) over the past few years, I can't begin to tell you how important it is to have us all come together to help support our school with this great evening of fun and games!!

I know this was a long message, but hopefully you have found it informative.  Now that it is over, let's focus on having fun and enjoying the last few weeks together.  I must admit that I was a little nervous at the start of this year in having to teach a K/1 combo with so many students, but now that we are almost over, I feel like it was a great experience for me professionally and will miss this class when the year is over.  Thank you all for all the great fun we have had as a class.  I am proud to say that I have the best class in the entire school!!

-Mr. Linnet

Answer to the Riddle...

...is a baby chick/bird/reptile/ or any other animal that hatches from an egg.  Once you leave your "home" inside the egg, you cannot return.

Happy Spring!!
-Mr. Linnet

Welcome back everybody!!

We had a great first day back from Spring Break.  The students were very excited to get back to school and see all of their friends.  Many were sporting new haircuts, clothes, and backpacks.  They enjoyed talking about the hailstorm last week, as well as the various trips they went on with their families.  I am happy that so many of you enjoyed your time off and were refreshed and ready to go.  I'm looking forward to all the great things we will learn between now and the end of the year.  Can you believe that we are only 10 weeks away from Summer Break?  My how the year has flown by!!

Some small reminders:
*Tomorrow is Picture Day.  Dress nice and bring your biggest smile!
**Coyote Howl will be here before you know it.  Our class has "Star Wars" as our theme for the Room Basket this year.  We will be starting a money donation later this month to purchase the DVD's for the basket, but if you come across something really cool from the Star Wars genre, and would like to get it to donate for the basket, we would greatly appreciate it.  Just send it to class with your child, and we will collect everything.  The week before the Howl, our Room Parents will get together to put the basket together.  If our basket is auctioned off for $200 or more, we win a class party!!  More information will come throughout the month on this event.
***3rd Trimester Progress Reports will go home the first week of May.  Remind your children to always try their best, we will be assessing their skills again in only 3 weeks!!

Extending the Riddle of the Month

Since Mia Johnson's family were the only ones to make a guess, we have decided to extend the wait until Friday.  We shared the guesses that Mia's family had, and decided it would be more fun to wait until Friday so that some more families can make a guess.  Just read the Riddle of the Month poem on our blog, then comment on this post with your family's guesses.  I will reveal the answer on Friday.  Be creative, and have fun with it!!
-Mr. Linnet

Our Second Week of Vacation

Skylar and I have been having so much fun playing together at home.  We've been to the park to play a couple of times, we went to the mall to eat lunch, and we even went to the Dentist together.  Skylar has been all about "Buzz Lightyear", so we must have watched the Toy Story movies about a dozen times now over the break.  I've really enjoyed being home with him, but am also looking forward to seeing all of you again on Monday.  I hope that you have had a great Spring Break with your family, played outside in the beautiful sunshine, and took some time out to read (I read two books over the break- about 1,000 pages!!).  The rest of the year will move fast, so rest up while you can, before you know it we will be back in the classroom learning "to infinity and BEYOND!!!".

-Mr. Linnet

My First Weekend of Break with Skylar...

 

Here we are at Saturday Storytime at the Cordelia Library.  We listened to some stories, danced to some songs, then went over to Arts & Crafts and made a turtle.  Skylar held the glue stick by himself and I helped him put on the dots for the shell.  Skylar liked pushing down the dots into the glue.  It was a fun start to Spring Break.  

Monday we went to Benicia to check out a Children's Gym put on through the City.  Skylar had fun playing with all the other kids and jumping on a little trampoline.  He showed off his skills climbing, going down the slide, and jumping up and down to the music.  Afterwards, we went to Walnut Creek and had an enjoyable lunch at the Cheesecake Factory.  Thanks Keegan for the gift card, we finally got a chance to use it and the food was really yummy!!

I hope that all of you are enjoying your time off with your family!

-Mr. Linnet

Check out the Riddle of the Month!

I'd love for everyone to make their own guesses as to "who?" the riddle is about.  Check it out, then reply to this post with your guesses.  We can then all see who has the most creative, the most wild, or the most unique guesses.  I will share the answer when we return from Spring Break.

(I will give you a hint: "It" is not a person!)

Are you ready for Vacation???

I know, I didn't even need to ask that question.  As you all prepare for a nice, long, two-week vacation; don't forget to stay sharp on some of your learning skills.  I know that many of you plan on giving your Wii some extra attention, but don't forget to pick up a book once in a while too!!  Spend some time outdoors (whenever it stops raining) and look at the plants around your home.  Tell someone in your family the different parts of a plant that you learned.  Maybe put your plant in the ground outside and see if it keeps growing? If your plant grows any fruits or vegetables, you can bring them in to show the class!

First Graders:  You have been practicing on a lot of outdoor skills in P.E.  When the sun is out, get outside and continue working on your Jump Roping Skills.  Toss a Frisbee around with a friend or family member.  You could even ask your parents to go on a hike and check out all the cool happenings in nature.  I know that some of you are in baseball and soccer, which is great!  Try to get outdoors as much as you can over the break!!  (And for all you skaters, scooters, and bike riders: WEAR YOUR HELMET!!)

Oh yeah, I know that we have been working on Digraphs in class all week.  You should all be able to identify (ch, sh, th, and wh sounds) in words now.  Use the next two weeks to hunt for them in stories that you read, words that you see on signs or in magazines, even on boxes or labels at the store.  You will be pretty surprised to see all the different places they show up.  I bet that some of you will be able to identify the "ch" in "chocolate" when you are in line to get snacks at the "th"eater.  Then when you sit down to watch the movie, you can remind Dad to turn off his "Ph"one, so that everyone can hear the movie.  Otherwise everyone will say "Sh".   See, I just found them all!!  Take one day on your Spring Break to go on a Digraph Hunt and see which sound you can find the most.  You could even play against your brother or sister to see who's the best (I know, you are, that's okay, they can still try right?!)

Have lots of fun and don't forget to check in on the class blog from time to time.  I will keep updating it with new posts, links, and maybe even some cool pictures of my adventures with Skylar over the vacation!!

-Mr. Linnet

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!!!

I hope that everyone enjoyed learning about St. Patrick's Day.  Hopefully the Leprechaun's blessed you with a pot of gold on the other side of the rainbow, and not played too many tricks on you today.  Don't forget to tell you family all the you learned about St. Patrick's Day, and why we celebrate it.

Some key things to discuss:
     *Who was St. Patrick and why was he important?
     *Where is Ireland and why do we celebrate this Irish Holiday?
     *What are the colors of Ireland's flag, and what do the colors mean?
     *What are leprechauns and shamrocks?
     *What are some different ways we celebrate St. Patrick's Day in America?

Some great information to remember:
     *St. Patrick was NOT born in Ireland, but was stolen from his family in Britain and brought to Ireland as a slave.  He later left Ireland and returned to Europe, only to find that many of the cities were destroyed from warriors.  He discovered religion and became a priest for the Catholic Church.  After many years as a priest, he was made a Bishop and returned to Ireland to help the Country learn and appreciate Christianity. 
     *Ireland is called the "Emerald Isle" because of how beautiful and green the country is.  Ireland is a large island west of Great Britain or England.  Dublin is the Capital City of Ireland.  They celebrate St. Patrick's Day each year with a festival that lasts for 5 days.
     *Ireland's Flag has three colors: green, white, and orange.  The green represents the people of northern Ireland.  The orange represents the people of southern Ireland.  The white represents the peace and cooperation between the two. 
     *Leprechauns are fictional characters that Irish legend believes guards a pot of gold.   They are mean little fairies that like to play tricks on people.  If you catch a leprechaun, he has to give you his pot of gold.  Many people believe that leprechaun's hide their gold on the other side of a rainbow, so that humans can never get it.  Shamrocks are small green plants that grow in the fields.  They are usually 3-leaf clovers, however in rare cases, some can be 4-leaf clovers.  Irish superstition believes that the 4-leaf clovers will bring you good luck.
     *Some of the various ways we celebrate St. Patrick's Day in America are through parades and festivals, family gatherings, food and fun.  Many cities hold St. Patrick's Day events, with the largest parade held every year in New York.  In Chicago, the city will dye the Chicago River green in celebration of St. Patrick's Day.  Other events include Irish music and dancing, arts and crafts venues, as well as traditional family gatherings where the older members will share stories of "the old country" or show pictures of places they have been to in Ireland.  Some traditional meals include corned-beef and cabbage, soda bread, scones, and potatoes. 
     *In one video segment we watched in class, it was stated that over 70 million people can trace their ancestry back to Ireland.  Many people immigrated out of Ireland to America in the 1800's in hopes of a better life.  People also moved to countries like Argentina, Australia, and Canada.  Because so many people have roots in Ireland, St. Patrick's Day has evolved from a religious holiday, to a secular and global holiday that is celebrated all over Earth.  I hope that your children learned a lot about Ireland today and had fun at the same time!

     Here are a couple of links that they might like to try at home:

http://www.alphabet-soup.net/hol/stpgame.html

http://funschool.kaboose.com/fun-blaster/st-patricks-day/quiz/index.html

http://www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/culture/stpatricksday/

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY EVERYBODY!!
-Mr. Linnet

Upcoming Events...

PIZZA PARTY this Friday, March 11th @ 11am (We won the Box Top Reciepts for 2nd Trimester)

Monday and Tuesday, March 14th and 15th are Minimum Days (Report Card Planning).
Thursday, March 24th is NO SCHOOL (Report Card Conferences)
Friday, March 25th is a Minimum Day (Report Card Conferences)

Monday, March 28th - Friday, April 8th is NO SCHOOL (Spring Break)

Please mark your calendars at home so that you are aware of the upcoming events!!

Hi Guys!

I was trying to get ready for school and I don't think I got it right.  What did I do wrong?  Can someone help?    Love, Skylar

Technology Updates...

... as you can tell, I've updated the Blog for the coming month.  I will be adding a new poem and other things throughout the coming week, but I wanted you to take notice that I've already updated the games and activities online for your child.  Study Island has been updated for the 1st Graders, as well as the Game Links on our Blog.  I hope that everyone is still checking them out and playing them whenever they want some extra practice on things we are learning about in the classroom.
-Mr. Linnet

WELCOME MARCH!!

With March comes the end of the 2nd Trimester, a long Spring Break, and of course all the beauty that comes with Spring.  Our class has started a Science unit on Plants that we will follow leading up to Spring Break.  We will be reading stories about plants and how plants grow; we've begun our terrariums where we are going to try and grow our own plants; and we will also be exploring some other fun activities with seeds and leaves.  If you have plants or a garden at home, take your child out with you and show them how to care for them.  Ask your child to tell you the different parts of the plant, and how it helps the plant to grow.  Learning more about the nature around us all is really fun, and very important in teaching the children how to preserve and care for the things that we need to help us survive!!  Enjoy the coming March and remember we are 3 short weeks to another long vacation!
-Mr. Linnet

OPEN HOUSE THIS THURSDAY!!!

Hello Everybody,

I just wanted to remind and invite everyone to come out this Thursday for our School's Open House.  It will be from 6:30 - 7:30 pm and as far as I know there will not be an introductory meeting in the MPR.  So just come straight on over to our classroom and check out some of the things we have been working on this year.  I will not be leading anything formal, it's just a chance for you and your family to come in and let your child show you the classroom and all the things they have been doing at school.  I will have out some of our Center activities, Literacy Books and Activities, Computers will be set up on Sites we use in the classroom, and of course some of your child's work will be out to look at and admire.  I encourage all of you to "play dumb" on just about everything.  Ask "Why?" as much as you can and take this opportunity to try and get even with your children for all the annoying questions they've asked you over the years.  Really take this opportunity to let them "teach" you all that they have been learning.  This will give you a pretty good idea of how well your child has been paying attention in class and of course, what they show a strong interest in.

I will not be at school during the day on Thursday, as I am attending a Math Pacing Seminar within the District to help all teachers better utilize the mathematics curriculum.  But I want to ensure to all of you that I will definitely be at the Open House that evening.  I will be letting the class now about it tomorrow in class, but if they get confused, I would like you to know that I am not sick, and that I will indeed be at Open House on time and ready for some fun!!

I look forward to seeing all of you in a couple days, and thank you again for all the hard work you have put in this year with your children.  I can see the fruits of labor everyday!!

Sincerely,

Mr. Linnet

Lots to Look Forward to in February...

...here is a quick runthrough of the coming events this month.  Please mark your calendar, as there will be a lot to remember!!

*Books 'N' Bites on Tuesday, February 8th
             (6 - 7pm in the MPR) >see green note in Friday Folder<
*Progress Reports/Proficiency Cards sent home on Wednesday, February 9th
*No School on Friday, February 11th (Lincoln's Birthday)
*Valentine's Day on Monday, February 14th
             (please no goodies, just cards for the class)
*Dine and Donate at Panda Express by the Mall on Tuesday, February 15th
             (11am - 9pm) >Bring Flyer<
*OPEN HOUSE on Thursday, February 17th
             (6:30 - 7:30pm in your child's classroom)
*CORDELIA HILLS DAY at Vacaville Skate Park on Saturday, February 19th
             (12noon - 2pm) >Free with Flyer<
*No School on Monday, February 21st (President's Day)

I'm sure more things will come and go throughout the month, but since I was given all this stuff at once, I thought I would simplify for all of you by putting it on one list.  Now you can print this post and have it as a sort of checklist if that is helpful for you. 
-Mr. Linnet

The 100th Day was so much FUN!!!

We had a great time last Friday celebrating the 100th Day of the School Year.  For our Kinders is was their first 100th Day, while our 1st Graders remembered some of the festivities from last year.  We made a book showcasing things we could and couldn't eat 100 of, as well as the things wish we could and couldn't have 100 of.  The class was very creative in some of the choices they made.  A few of my favorites were "I could eat 100 marshmallows", "I couldn't eat 100 fish", "I wish I had 100 friends", and "I would not want 100 dirty diapers".  If you haven't read your child's book yet, ask them to share it with you.  They came up with their own ideas for each page, as well as illustrated the books themselves.  They really turned out amazing!!

We also counted our baggy of objects on a 100 chart and some of the students realized that their count was off a little, some too high and others too low.  But we had a great time with it anyway!  We also drew a picture of what we thought we might look like when we turn 100.  These turned out pretty fun too.  Most of the class turned them in to me so they are posted on the wall for display.  I loved seeing the pictures of students in wheelchairs, with canes or walkers, and most of them had grey hair, glasses, and wrinkles.  It was very cool to see the perspective these students had of themselves when they are much older.  As most of you noticed, I ended the 100th Day by giving all of the Kinders "$100 dollars".  They got very excited when I told them that I made a trip to the bank to give them each a $100 bill.  They were a little disappointed to see that it was just an oversized bookmark, but they still enjoyed the sentiment. 

To keep the festivities of the 100th Day of School going throughout the month, please continue to have your child practice counting things to 100 on their own.  Another great thing is to practice writing to 100 also.  I will post a sheet on the blog to help you at home.  Simply print it off and you can have your child practice their numbers whenever.  You can also use the squares to help keep count when counting objects!!
Thanks again for helping your child be prepared for the 100th Day and have fun working with 100 at home.
-Mr. Linnet

February is almost here...

...and with it comes 2nd Trimester Progress Reports.  Many of you will not be hearing from me, which is a good thing.  It means that your children are currently making Proficient marks or higher on all grade-level objectives.  The month of February will bring some exciting events.  Groundhog's Day, President's Day, the 100th Day of School, and Valentine's Day are all special days to celebrate in February.  Please help by discussing these holidays at home, and practicing skills such as counting to 100, making Valentine's Cards for friends and family, and taking some time to learn about some of the great President's of the Past.  This will give the children some background knowledge they can share with their friends in the classroom.

As January starts to slip away from us, let's reflect back on some of the great activities we have worked on: celebrating the season of Winter, learning about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement, exploring Life Science and Animal Habitats in particular.  Kindergarten has been exploring Measurement in the area of Math, and 1st Grade has continued to expand their Subtraction skills. We have read and discussed our Neighborhoods, and learned about some important people that help to make our neighborhoods a safe community.  1st Grade has also been learning how to improve their writing by practicing contractions, as well as action verbs in both past and present tense (ie. jumped/jumping) and singular or plural tense (ie. I am/ They are; I was/ They were; etc.).  I am very happy with the work my class has been producing, and want to thank all of you for working so closely with your children at home.  We are definitely getting them started on the right path for a successful academic future.  KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!!

Welcome Back Everybody!!

As you can tell, I've made some modifications for the blog to welcome in the new year.  It will be my goal to update the look of the blog each month to celebrate the mood of the season.  Hopefully everyone is well-rested and had a wonderfully LONG Winter Vacation.  Now that we are back to school, I've already begun testing again in preparation for the 2nd Trimester Report Cards.  I must admit that everyone is doing very well and have obviously been practicing at home.  Keep reading and writing daily.  Work on letter sounds and sounding out words you do not know.  If you haven't learned all your Sight-Words yet, now is the time to really hit that hard.  The 2nd Trimester goes fast, and before you know it we will be in the Spring and getting everyone ready to transition into 1st or 2nd grade.  Thank you to everyone for you generosity over the holiday.  I felt extremely spoiled and probably put on a few pounds with all the goodies you gave me.  Skylar loved it though!!  Take care and I will check back in soon!
-Mr. Linnet