In writing news, we had a wonderful two days with Amy Ludwig VanDerwater last week.  On Wednesday, she met with Kindergarten and 1st graders, explaining how nature inspires her to write her ideas down in poetry.  Our own James was even chosen to be a chickadee for her poem that she recited for the group!  Her visit was filled with so much love for life, that all students left her talk smiling and motivated to write!  On Thursday, she visited our first grade classroom and helped us write interesting riddles and comparisons.  They were so inspired to write more and more!  They wrote for an hour after she left and begged to write more poetry on Friday.  What a wonderful authentic experience we were able to have.  Thanks again to Wealthy PTO and the EGR Schools Foundation to funding her visit.  Please visit her website to view her latest poem and inspiration from our school (and a particular whiteboard on one of our 1st grader's lockers :-):  http://www.poemfarm.amylv.com/.

In math this week, we have been working more on subtraction strategies, including using addition for harder subtraction facts (when you see 11-9=_, stop and think...how can I use addition to solve this subtraction problem?  If I start at 9 and count on to 11, what is my difference?  9+__=11).  For IXL this month, your child can work on Mixed Operations (F).  Patterning, addition and subtraction skills A-E are also skills that they can review and work on (10 minutes, 3 times a week).

In science this week, we investigated and sorted objects determining whether they are flexible or rigid.  We will be investigating buoyancy of objects this week...we will have some water fun!

We are looking forward to more fun things this week:

• We will be doing 1st grade switches on Wednesday morning to prepare for the 100th day of school (which is officially Thursday)!  Nothing from home is necessary.  
• Your child is welcome to bring in valentine cards Monday-Thursday this week.  On Friday, our Valentine's Day party will be from 2:15-3:15.  Thank you to Beth, Liesel and Theresa for helping create a fun party!  You are welcome to join us even if you did not sign up to volunteer.  

I will leave you with a poem and two snippets from Amy Ludwig VanDerwater's website (The Poem Farm):  

Students - What a magnificent week it has been for me here in the East Grand Rapids School District in Michigan!  I have had the opportunity to love poetry with children in all three elementary schools and could not be more thankful.

...

So much gratitude to third grade teacher and poetry club advisor Kim Doele, principal Anthony Morey, art teacher Peri denDulk, and to all of the teachers and parents who made art, read poems, set up beautiful lunch tables, coordinated displays, and made this week a magical wonderland of poetry.  As I walked into school yesterday, I found a mom writing this on her child's locker whiteboard.  It is a great question that each of us can ask ourselves every single day.

Locker Note from a Mom at Wealthy Elementary

Photo by Amy Ludwig VanDerwater