The Count down begins!

TECH NEWS:  We are having some difficulties with color printers.  Please only print in color when absolutely necessary!  Also be aware of which printer you are using.  We have found piles of papers in the color printers that no one has claimed.  This not only wastes paper, but also wastes the printer cartridges.  These are very expensive and we are running low.  The printer in room 25 is out of black, we have no more black cartridges, so the printer will not work.  Also the printer in Room 35 is broken at the moment.  We are working on fixing it, but these things take time.  I'm just asking that you be careful with what and where you print.  Please print to one of the copiers whenever possible.  If you don't know where you are printing, or what your default printer is, please see me and I will help you find out!  Thanks!
GOOD NEWS!  PTO has given us money for more projectors!  At the moment we have 3 working projectors available for check out.  We will be getting 4 more.  I will let you know when they arrive and are ready to be checked out.  Thanks PTO!!

Kindergarten:
I have been noticing that with the new Glad training that some of you will be doing more Integrated Units.  Please let me know what themes you are working on, and I can help!  Also, I will be able to choose books that fit with your themes to read in the Media Center. In addition, please let me know when you do your fabric unit!  I like to bring in some quilts and read a very special book about quilts.
The choices this week are:

1. Eating the ABCs, we will make our own ABC food book.
2. Families are Different, I have a 4 square about families
3. Corduroy, to go with the Second Step unit this week.

PreK:
To go with the clothes unit, I have The Hat by Jan Brett, or The Purple Coat (maybe).
To go with the Farm unit, I have Wait! NO  Paint and the Three Little Pigs on the iPad.

I hope everyone has a great week! 

Thanksgiving has really snuck up on me this year!  So this week you will need to let me know what you want to do for the next 2 weeks, if you have library on Tuesday or Wednesday.  Otherwise, I will only see your class once before Thanskgiving!
The choices for Kindergarten are:

1. The Trouble with Cauliflower-we will do a paper about foods we like and don't like
2. A Turkey For Thanksgiving (I love this book!)
3. All About Turkeys--we will be wondering about turkeys...
4. Eating the Alphabet -- a class book of food

During our technology time we will look up information about turkeys and will type something on the computer that we have learned.  I'm going to try using Microsoft Word for this--we will see how it goes!

Speaking of technology, my daughter put me on to a website that looks great for our kids!  It's called www.abcmouse.com and it has levels and keeps track of where the child is in the program.  It even supports the Common Core Standards!  It is free to schools, but it is designed to be used in the classroom. Click on the link on the top right corner that says, schools/teachers. If you would try it in your classroom, I would try to figure a way to use it in the Media Center as well.  Thanks!

For PreK this week I will read Milwaukee Cows or Wait! No Paint, depending on your class.  For next week I will read This First Thanksgiving (a counting story), or Thanks for Thanksgiving, depending on our time together!

Since I won't be blogging next week, I want to take this opportunity to wish you all:

 Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy November!

Today I will be handing out overdue notices.  If a child brings in a check or money for an overdue book, please send them to the office.   Linda Stanek will give them a receipt, and let me know what has been paid for.   This is due to a new district policy.

This week in the Media Center we are starting our "Wonder board."  This is a place where the kids can write on a sticky note what they are wondering about.  Then as they are posted, I will chose one for the "Wonder of the Week."  We will put out books and materials to look at, to see if we can answer their question.  I found this idea at the conference I attended in October.  It will be interesting to see what they wonder about!

In Kindergarten this week you have 3 choices:
The WorryWarts (some classes have already heard this one so I have an alternative)
Something Might Happen!  These two books are to go with the Second Step lesson for this week.
The Trouble With Cauliflower--to go with "Around the Table" in Harcourt
If you are doing something different, please let me know!  Also when you are doing an author study, please let me know!  I can help!
Also I would like to know where you are in Jolly Phonics, so I don't get ahead with my Smartboard lesson.

For PreK classes I have some choices as well:
The Rainy Day (a farm book)
Who is the Beast?
Whoever you are.  (Second Step books)

As we begin November, my thoughts turn to what I am thankful for.  One of those things I am thankful for is a great place to work and wonderful people to work with!  Thank you!

Have a great week!