Buckaroo news for January 27th-30th

Hello Families!  What an exciting week at Camp Buckaroo!  Even though we lost one day due to snow, we sure made up for it.  Here is just a quick snapshot of our learning for this week.  In Word Study, we have been working on /long a/ patterns such as /ay/ and /ai/.  Next week we will explore the pattern /eigh/.   Each small group is also working on an additional pattern based upon their particular need.  In Writer's Workshop, we are brushing up on our punctuation.  We learned the purpose of the period, question mark, and exclamation mark.  Next week, we will be editing one letter to "mail."  Towards the end of next week, we will embark on a huge writing project.  The children will be writing their own Valentines to each other rather than buying them.  I've done this the past several years and the children love it!  Their words to each other mean so much more than the words printed on cards from the store.  More information about this coming next week in the blog.  In science, we learned about rookeries, creches, and porpoising.  The highlight, of course, was the visit from the penguins that you'll see below.  In math, it is a continuation of working with tens and ones.  Currently, we are comparing two numbers with two digits.  I've been attaching math homework the the work mats of children that may have had confusions for each day's lesson.  I do not need them returned but wanted to give you a resource in which to help your child at home.  Oftentimes, when concepts are challenging to grasp, the child just needs more time and experience and this is one way to help.  In Reader's Workshop, we are continuing to learn how to make meaningful connections.

Here is our related arts schedule for next week:  Monday - P.E.   Tuesday - Art Wednesday - Music   Thursday - Library   Friday - P.E.

This little guy has decided to write to Five Guys persuading them to use another kind of oil to fry their foods rather than peanut oil which could make him sick.  He even decided to add some flourish to his greeting to persuade them to listen even more.  It says, "Dear Royal Five Guys."   I would change my practice if I got a letter like this!

Dressed up and ready for our penguin visit today!

Our collection of blankets has begun!  The children got more and more excited about each blanket that was brought in today.  We will be collecting until next Friday if you'd like to send a new or gently-used blanket in.  

Origami in library this week!

More origami with a parent of one of our first graders!

I won't share too much about the pictures because I'd prefer that your child tell you about the visit.  I will tell you that this is an African penguin names Trout.

This is also an African penguin names Halibut.  She is still considered a chick at only a year.  She was hatched at the Columbus zoo!

This is Dury Sudduth and he is a volunteer at the Columbus Zoo.  He is not only fantastic with animals but he is equally so with children.  They hung on every word and I know that they will be eager to share all that they've learned and experienced through this once-in-a-lifetime experience.  Thank you so much, Dury, the young ladies that brought the penguins, and the Columbus Zoo for allowing us this awesome opportunity!