FUN RUN

Today the students had an absolute BLAST getting to run and raise money for our school.  They were able to run 35 laps and cheer one another on while getting those laps.  I tried to get pictures of the kids running but they were way to fast and the pictures just ended up blurry.  I did get a chance to snap some pictures while they were cheering each other on though.  Hope you enjoy those.  Thanks to all our parents that came out to cheer us on - the kids loved having you there.  I also wanted to thank our room moms for making our break through sign.  It was really cute and a hit with the kids!

Sincerely,
Mrs. Monk

Work on the Floor and Stuffed Animals

Today we enjoyed working on the floor with our furry friends right by our side.  Surprisingly we got a lot accomplished and weren't too distracted by the fact that we didn't have chairs all day. :-)  The kids are really looking forward to tomorrow!  We are only $4 away from our next incentive.  Remember that tonight is the LAST night to get pledges.  Keep working hard to finish strong tonight!  See you tomorrow!

Sincerely,
Mrs. Monk

There was no need to unstack them today.

Who says you need chairs to work?

Having fun writing on the floor.

Sitting or laying . . . kids were getting their work done. 

The girls and their furry friends

The boys with their furry friends

Sportsmanship

Today at CAMP High Five, the students learned about having good sportsmanship.  They learned that whether you win or lose, you need to always be a good sport.  They learned one way to be a good sport, is to give everyone on your team and the other team a high five after playing the game.  What a great a simple strategy to teach good sportsmanship.  When we were talking about it back in class, I found it really funny that a lot of kids could tell me what a bad sport looked like. :-) It was a great way to steer the conversation into what a good sport looks like.  Don't forget tomorrow is our fun run from 1:50-2:40.  If you can, we would love to see you there, cheering on Mrs. Monk's Monsters!

Sincerely,
Mrs. Monk

Extra Recess

Our class earned extra recess and we got to enjoy that incentive this afternoon. They loved having the whole playground to themselves!  This went right along with our lesson of how friends stick together.  The students loved getting to spend some extra time with their friends today.  I am so impressed with all of the pledges you guys are getting.  We are only $12 away from our Dance Party!  I know you guys can do it.  Keep up the great work!

Sincerely,
Mrs. Monk

Friends Stick Together

Today at Camp High Five, the students learned about how friends stick together.  This really supports everything we talk about in my class.  We always talk about how we need to a good friend to others and really support our friends.  The Boosterthon team does such a wonderful job at incorporating all of these character lessons that truly support what we teach in the classroom.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Monk

No Bullying

The students are really enjoying Boosterthon.  There is an extra weekend challenge for a special prize - be sure to check out the email for more specifics.  Today at Camp High Five. the Boosterthon guys talked about the importance of not being a bully and how to stop bullying when you see it happening.  The kiddos are really enjoying their Team Huddle times and being able to have fun with the Boosterthon guys all week long.  Keep working hard over the weekend to earn those pledges.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Monk

Shoes off and Popcorn Party

Today we were able to enjoy 2 of our incentives from Boosterthon.  We were able to enjoy shoes off for the day. Being in just their socks, slipping and sliding all over the place, made today extra fun for them.  I did explain the importance of wearing shoes outside and in the bathroom though... and everyone could agree on why that was important.  The kids also enjoyed a popcorn party.  I bought the pre-popped popcorn this time to ensure that I didn't burn it. :-)  The kids talked about how much better the popcorn was this time verses last time.  Ha!!

Sincerely,
Mrs. Monk

Red Ribbon Week

This week during red ribbon week the students have enjoyed learning about how to stay Drug Free.  Our counselor, Jana Eastham, has done a great job at putting this week together. The students have especially loved the dress up days all week long as well. Today to close out our week, the PTA sponsored the Morris Brothers, to come and put on a show for the kids.  It was a fun show packed with music and great lessons about being drug free and staying drug free.  If you are interested in learning more about them and the specifics of the program, feel free to visit their website at www.themorrisbrothers.com.  Thank you SO SO much to our PTA for sponsoring such a great program.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Monk

Respect Others

Today in our Camp High Five, the Boosterthon guys taught us all about the importance of respecting others.  They talked about how everyone can accomplish different things and how everyone has their own strengths. They touched on the fact that even though we all different strengths that we still need to respect others that might not be as good as us at some things.  They also spoke about how it is great that we are all different and that we should respect one another's differences.  Keep working hard to bring in those pledges.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Monk

Quinoa Anyone??

In reader's workshop we have been learning about several comprehension strategies.  We use these strategies to help us understand what we are reading better.  One of our strategies is questioning.  Students should be able to ask intelligent questions about the story they are reading before, during, after they read the book.  In order to help us practice, we had some quinoa today. :-)  I pulled out the container and told the kids we were going to be having some quinoa.    The questions started flooding in (before questioning) about what this could be and what it taste like.  Then every student had the opportunity to try some quinoa and ask there partner some questions about it (during questioning).  Not everyone wanted to try it and that's okay.  Most though were timid at first and by the second round had a huge spoonful.  After they had each tried some, we sat back had they asked me tons of questions about the quinoa (after questioning) such as what type of food it was and how you make it.  After the lesson, they each went and read from their book box and asked a before, during, and after questions about their book.  Be sure when you are reading at home to get the students to create their own questions about the book you guys are reading.  It really builds their comprehension skills.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Monk

1st Team Huddle

Today the students had their first team huddle with the Boosterthon guys.  They did some fun warm ups and the Boosterthon guys pumped up the kids about raising money for our school.  We have earned up to $6 per lap so far as a class, so we are well on our way to reaching our first incentive.  The class also decided on a team name - Monk's Monsters.  I tried to convince them to go with Monk's Monkeys but I got out-voted.  They were insistent since our Fun Run is on Halloween this year.  How cute?!  They are getting excited and love raising money for our school! Thanks for all your support and encouragement.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Monk

Here are the students during their warm up today!

Fire Safety Clowns

Today we had the opportunity to have the Fire Safety Clowns from Frisco Fire Safety Town at school.  They did a fun presentation that taught the students several good things.  The students learned about gun safety, bicycle safety, smoke detectors protocols, and fire safety.  The students laughed a lot as they learned these great rules.  Be sure to ask them about it at home tonight!

Sincerely,
Mrs. Monk