May 20, 2016
Dear Parents,
This week, the students completed the Planting Unit. The students were surprised to come into
school on Monday and find that they had radishes, corn, sunflowers, and marigolds growing in their
gardens. As the week went on, more of the flowers and vegetables they planted began to grow. On
Monday, the students wrote in their journals about the main parts of a plant (roots, stem, leaves, and
petals), and we talked as a class about how each part of the plant has its own job to help the plant
grow. On Tuesday, the students wrote in their journals about the important things all plants need to
grow (sun, water, and soil). The students even did a great job figuring out different ways a plant can
get water: rain, water from a watering can, or water from a hose. On Wednesday, each child made
a beautiful flower during OT group with his/her face as the center of the flower. Our “Kinder-garden”
is on display in the hallway for everyone to see! On Thursday, the students did a great job in their
final practice for the watermelon play. They knew all their lines, the poems, and the song for the
performance. Today, the students did a fabulous job playing their parts in the Watermelon play and
singing the watermelon songs! I am so very proud of each of my students for all of the hard work they
have put into learning their character’s part and learning all the words to our poems and song! I hope
you all enjoyed watching our show and taking pictures of your child on this special day!
Our field trip to the Morton Arboretum will be on Monday. We will be going on our fieldtrip rain
or shine, and it will be all outdoors. Please make sure your child is dressed for the weather. Rain
coats may be necessary if the forecast is rainy that day.
Next week, we will be celebrating all of the Summer Birthdays in our class. If your child has a
summer birthday, please complete the summer birthday form in the Friday folder and let me know
which day next week your child would like to celebrate his/her birthday. We are not allowed to do
edible treats, but your child is welcome to bring in his/her favorite book to share with the class during
our Read Aloud time. Your child will also have a turn to bring home the birthday bear backpack and
write in the class birthday journal. If your child brings home the birthday backpack, please remember
to return it to school the next day with all of the books, journal, and bear inside. We have a few
summer birthdays and we want to make sure everyone has a turn with the birthday backpack before
June 1st.
Exploremore Day will be on Friday, May 27th. The students will be going to 3 fun filled classes
in the morning, and they will be joining Kindergarten for a movie in the afternoon in our classroom.
Please remember, your child will need to bring a lunch on Friday if you did not order a sack lunch for
child for Exploremore Day. All parent volunteers for Exploremore Day need to be at Emerson by
9:15am. Thank you for your support!
Next week will be the “Week of Fun” that the students earned by reaching their goal of 100
Eagle Awards this trimester! Please see the following list of what to wear next week:
Monday - Support your favorite Charity/Cause Day
(wear a shirt from a 5K, Chase Away Cancer, or an event you have been a part of)
Tuesday - Mismatch/Inside Out Day
Wednesday - Jersey/Sports Team Day
Thursday - Hawaiian/Beach Day
Friday - Spirit Day – Emerson colors – blue and gold
Summer Math – Please make sure to keep an eye out for an Emerson Math challenge! All students
will be receiving a Summer Mathlete calendar and a list of math activities (they will be attached in the
Emerson Newsletter) for your child to work on at home this summer. It is extremely important for
students of all grade levels to continue to practice and review their math skills each day so they do
not regress over summer vacation. Please make sure to carefully keep an eye out in our Emerson
Newsletter for more information regarding our Summer Math as well as Summer Reading challenge
and encourage you student to participate in this great learning opportunity. If students complete
these activities over the summer, they will be able to visit the prize board when then return to school
next fall!
***Reminders***
May 23 – Morton Arboretum Field Trip
May 27 – Exploremore Day
May 30 – Memorial Day – No School
June 1 – Last Day of School & End of the Year Party 2:30pm
Have a wonderful weekend!
Miss Jen Hottendorf