March 30, 2011

Today we had our Read-In for March is Reading Month. Their reading class was transformed into a reading den. Everybody was cozy in their pajamas, slippers, robes, and other fuzzy warm things. Friday, Stephanie Patton, a former student will come and read to our Reading class as our guest reader for the month. Easter is just a few weeks away and tomorrow we go to Confessions after Mass. Everyone takes their Bible and reads or reflects on their confession while we wait for Father Bob. The students are going outside for lunch recess now, the weather is finally warm enough. Be sure your student comes to school in a jacket warm enough for them to be outside. The sixth graders had a Latin American feast when they presented their reports on Latin American countries. Each student brought a food that was familiar to their country and we had a huge long lunch. We ate the main entrees at lunch and had to take a dessert session for an afternoon snack in order to finish all the food! The food was as the kids say "awesome." Thank you to all the parents who prepared food and sent it in, and thank you to Mrs. Martin who reheated and helped to serve it.

BATTLE OF THE BOOKS

I'm excited to tell you about the new reading incentive that Mrs. Perry and myself have elected to do with the sixth grade reading classes beginning with the week of Jan. 31st. The students are put into groups of 5 of varying reading abilities. The students have a list of ten books of various reading levels and interests to read over a period of 10 weeks. As they read these books, they will keep a reading log of the book's plot, characters, settings, etc. They will also write questions that can be used in a team competition to be held in the library at the end of the 10 weeks. Each child is encouraged to read all 10 books if possible, but on a more reasonable note they will only be responsible for 2 to 4 books. These books are AR books so they may be used for AR/Independent Reading points.

The list of books is as follows: Holes, The Indian in the Cupboard, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, My Side of the Mountain, Number the Stars, Sharing Susan, Sticks, Summer of the Swans, Traders in Time, and Under the Blood Red Sun.

Encourage your student to read and read and read. I'm pushing the competition among the teams because it excites them to read when they are competitive. When they have the final round of quizzes in the library, you are invited to come and watch. We will keep you posted of the date. Have a rollicking good time reading before bedtime.