Poindexter Press for the week of January 22nd-25th, 2008

This week went by so fast! Miss Sweet is now leading the children during calendar, Morning Message and during our Shared Reading and Predictable Chart time. Next week, she will also lead the children during Writer's Workshop. I've had several parents ask what I get to do while she is teaching; LOTS of things-where to begin?? I will be finishing up assessments with some of the children, working with small groups of our English as a Second Language students, writing grants so we can plant a Monarch Butterfly garden in the Spring, working on professional development (workshops, projects I've dreamed up for myself, and taking a look at my Science curriculum). I am enjoying a time of self-reflection as well, which is keeping the wheels in my head turning at all hours of the day! Miss Sweet will be assuming most of my regular duties beginning February 4th, so anytime you come in during February-she is our go to person. I will always be available for questions but she is the first person to ask. I know there is sometimes uncertainty when you hear the words "student teacher", "Will my child be taught everything they normally would be during this time?" (YES!!) Kelley and I sit down almost daily and talk about her lesson ideas and make sure she is covering everything I usually would. I am more than happy to answer any questions you might have. I hope you and your child enjoy your time with her, she's got some great lesson already planned, so be waiting to hear about those!
We've spent more time learning about dinosaurs and enjoyed our first Big Book with Miss. Sweet, call Daniel's Dinosaurs. The children first read the story and then participated in many activities, including "roaring" when they heard the word "dinosaur" and making tally marks to count, highlighting important vocabulary, and talking about whether or not the story was real or fantasy. Tuesday, the children used gummy dinosaur fruit snacks to make a graph. We talked about more than, less than and equal to when comparing our graphs. Wednesday, we watched a Reading Rainbow movie clip about palentologists digging up dinosaur bones. Thursday, we used chocolate chip cookies and toothpicks to carefully excavate the chips from the cookies. Each of the children counted their chips and we made a class graph showing how many chips we each had.
Be sure to check out the NEW AND IMPROVED blog online! http://www.poindexterpress.blogspot.com The old blog is up and running again, but I am finding this one more user friendly and nicer to look at! :) BE SURE TO SEND BACK YOUR CHILD'S PERMISSION SLIP FOR THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM TRIP BY FEBRUARY 1ST. EVEN IF THEY CAN NOT ATTEND, PLEASE MARK THAT ON THE PERMISSION SLIP!! THANK YOU!

Have a wonderful weekend! Kristen Poindexter