It’s hard to believe that it is March already! It was nice to have a full five day week and have the students back with a more consistent schedule. I am so excited to see all of the growth that has occurred in your children since the beginning of the year and am looking forward to talking to many of you during conferences. Please look carefully at this week’s letter as there are a lot of fun things coming in the days ahead!

Important Dates:

• March 5: Optional Parent Teacher Conference
• March 6: March is Reading: Waldo at Night *Wear pajamas and bring a flashlight
• March 13: March is Reading: Waldo goes to the Game *wear sports gear
• March 14: Chapel with artist-illustrator Joel Tanis-more information below
• March 19: Elementary music program-more information below-7:30
• March 20: March is Reading: wear stripes like Waldo!
• March 27: March is Reading: Beach day *dress in bright colors or beachy clothes (no swimsuits)
• March 29-April 7: Spring Break

A Few Additional Reminders:

Big and exciting news: We will be welcoming a new student, Daisy, to our class on Monday!

On March 14 we will be having chapel at 11:00 in the media center with Michigan artist-illustrator Joel Tanis. We will be selling Dan and Joel’s book, Lulu and the Long Walk. A form should have come home on Friday if you are interested in purchasing the book. If you can’t find the form please let me know and I will get you another. The following is some information about how this idea started:

My name is Jill Koning and I am a ZCS mom with kids in 4th, 2nd and preschool. I had an idea that I wanted to pass onto you both for a chapel at ZCS perhaps in March or when it would work for you. My husband and I recently joined a committee for Blood:Water Mission in the Holland area. Blood:WaterMission helps African organizations to address their water HIV/AIDS issues in their communities (bloodwater.org). As a committee we are wanting to raise awareness and support in the Holland area. Joel Schoon- Tanis, a local artist, is also on this committee and has a passion for this mission. He is going into several local schools in March (reading month) to not only promote reading but more importantly to speak about using our gifts to help others. He illustrated a book called Lulu and the Long Walk” by the lead singer of Jars of Clay, Dan Haseltine, who is one of the co-founders of Blood:Water Mission. They are selling the book and 100% of the money raised will go to helping communities in Africa. Joel would love to return to our school and speak about loving and serving others through our gifts and perhaps draw a bit too. We would love to send home a note to the parents with the opportunity to purchase the book ($20) and all the money will go directly to Blood:Water to those in need of clean water.

On March 19 we will have the opportunity to take part in the Spring Elementary Music program. This is new for the kindergarten classes this year. The following information is from our music teacher Ms. Kristin Baron:

Our Spring Elementary Music Program is quickly approaching! Mark your calendars for Tuesday evening, March 19, at Community Reformed Church in Zeeland. Two short performances will be held: K/1/2nd grades at 6:15pm, and 3/4/5th grades at 7:15pm. Families who do not have students at both levels do not need to stay for both events as there will be transition time. More details to come!

Curriculum:

Bible: This week we began our study of the miracles of Jesus. We started with learning about His first miracle, turning the water into wine. We talked about how amazing it is that OUR GOD can perform miracles and He still does to this day!
I also introduced our new Bible verse Luke 7:22b:

“The Blind will receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised and the good news is preached to the poor.”

Word Wall Word: on

Daily 5: This week we continued to meet in groups with me as well as working on writing, reading to self, reading to someone, listening to reading and word work. Everyone should have one new book in their book bag to practice reading over the weekend. My hope is that very soon we will be able to do additional rounds of Daily 5 and each student will be able to bring two books home.

Phonics: This week we listened to the book, “A my name is Alice” and the students thought of words that began with the first letter of their name. They then practiced writing them and drew pictures to match!

Math: This week we worked on counting on from 5 and drawing circles in a ten frame format to represent numbers.

Writing Workshop: We made pattern books all on our own this week and most of us reached 4 pages! We also learned about surprise endings and added some fun last pages to our books!

Handwriting: This week we worked on uppercase J

Interactive Read Aloud: This week we read the book, A Chair for my Mother, and learned what a flashback is in a story. We also talked about flashbacks in our lives.

Up In Lights: This week Leah Russcher was Up In Lights. Her mom came to share about her and all three of her sisters ate lunch with her! Leah is such a joy to have in class and her smile is the best! We are so glad you are in our class Leah!

Afternoons: This week we continued to enjoy art, play time, quiet time, and also were able to write a class book about 100 day and attend our kick off to reading month chapel!