Valentine's Day Fun!

We were lucky to have a warm enough day to get in some sledding as part of our Valentine's Day party.  Check out the fun pictures below!  I hope everyone enjoyed this snowy Monday!

Valentine Art

Last week we worked on a little Valentine's Day owl art project.  The students had to create a repeating pattern in the background.  Some chose to extend the pattern through the owl and some decided create a pattern around the owl. We used water colors to paint it.  They turned out so cute!

Here are a few of our creations!  I love how every painting is different and unique to the student who made it!

Celebrating Martin Luther King Day

In honor of Martin Luther King Day, we have been learning about his life and all that he fought for.  This brought about really great conversation among the students.  We discussed how unfair it would be if the students weren't treated fairly based on eye color or hair color.  The class learned about how Rosa Parks stood up for herself, and how this brought about great change.  This is a very big topic for little ones, but the heart of this message is the importance of treating all people with respect.  I asked the students to brainstorm their own dreams for how people get along and are treated.  Here were some of their thoughts: "I wish for all kids to play together."  "I hope for all people to be treated the way they want to be treated."  "I want all people to be treated fairly."  "I wish for all people to be treated equally no matter what."

Santa Letters

In the spirit of giving and thinking of others, the students wrote letters to Santa asking him to bring something for someone else.  They wrote about pets, friends, and family.  These sweet letters capture the innocence and kind hearts of these kids!  They were supposed to be read at our Authors' Celebration. Since this event was canceled, I am posting them below so families can still enjoy them!

Dear Santa,
My cat Grettle would like some clothes.  I like to dress her up.  And I bet she would like Christmas clothes!  We like to match each other.
Sincerely,
Lynsey

Dear Santa,
Please bring Mom a doll.  She loves dolls.  She likes dolls.  She reads books to dolls.
Love,
Abby

Dear Santa,
Please bring Cooper a bone!  He loves them!  Cooper loves Santa!  And he needs a squeaky toy!
From.
Kaden

Dear Santa,
Please bring my brothers Skylanders Swap Force.  They really like Skylanders.  Please! Please!
Sincerely,
Rowan

Dear Santa,
Please bring my cat Seven and my kitty Maizy some treats.  My cats like them.  I love my cats.  What do you want for Christmas?
From,
Audrey

Dear Santa,
Please bring Michael a farm set.  Please bring Michael a combine.  Please bring Michael a bale mover.
From,
RJ

Dear Santa,
Please bring my dog some dog treats.  He loves them.  He needs them because when we throw a stick he gets some treats.  We have some, but not enough.
From,
Isaac

Dear Santa,
Please bring BooBoo a leash so I can walk him in the snow.  Please bring it!  He would like it.
Love,
Ashlynn

Dear Santa,
Please bring RJ a new toy car.  I hope you like the snow.  Do you have your Christmas tree up?
Love,
Jackson

Dear Santa,
Please bring my grandma a picture.  She loves pictures.  She has a lot of pictures.
Love,
Ava R.

Dear Santa,
Please bring Ava R. a daisy kitty!  Because she loves massages!  And she likes cats!  She is really nice!
Love,
Izzy

Dear Santa,
Please bring my cousin Leyton a mini-me that looks like me, and make sure it has strings for it to pull. Also make sure he can tackle it and make it bounce back up.  I think he will like it because a couple of years ago he kept pulling my hair, and at Ellie's birthday party he kept fighting me.
From,
Mason

Dear Santa,
Will you please get my dad a firetruck because he works at the fire department?  I want you to give him a special one because he is special.
Love,
Ava V.

Dear Santa,
Please bring my dad new gloves.  He needs them to carry wood.  They will keep his hands warm.  You are nice.
Sincerely,
Dustin

Dear Santa,
Please bring Luke a new football.  I know Luke loves football. And I love playing with him.  And he is a good football player.
From,
Michael

Dear Santa,
Please bring my puppy a new sweater.  It is too cold outside for her.
Love,
Ellie

Dear Santa,
Please bring my dog a bone.  She can catch it in her mouth.  When I throw it she brings it back to me.
From,
Luke

Merry Christmas!

We had such a wonderful December in our classroom.  Not only did we have a blast writing letters and receiving letters, we also had our holiday concert, enjoyed a few Christmas art projects, had our classroom Christmas party, and prepared for a December authors' celebration.  Unfortunately, today's snow day means that this Christmas themed authors' celebration will be canceled.  We will plan something different for mid-winter.  Happy Holidays to everyone!  Enjoy your break!

We are Thankful!

As Thanksgiving approached the students worked on a cute turkey project using their own sweet faces and wrote about what they are thankful for.  They brainstormed a list of many wonderful things to be thankful for... family, friends, their pets, nature, their homes, school, teachers, Santa Claus, books to read, and many more ideas.  We briefly hung them in the hall as Thanksgiving snuck up so quickly.  I am very thankful that I get to spend my days with the students in my class.  Each day I get to work with students who are so kind, make me laugh, and who are excited to learn!  Have a great Thanksgiving everyone!