Happy 4 day week!

I hope you all had a great 3 day weekend!  Here's to a short week!

Shoe Drive
The shoe drive is still going on, and will go through March 13.  We are collecting new or gently used shoes.  They must be a pair with no holes or worn soles.  They can be any kind of shoe-just no wheels.  They can be in any size as well.  Please send in your donations to school!

Early Release
Don't forget tomorrow is Wednesday!  That means Early Release day!  Dismissal will start at 1:40

Math
Here is what we are working on in math this week:

• multiplication facts
• multiplication strategies
• writing two-step number stories
• number sentences with parenthesis (the introductory lessons to order of operations)
• The unit 6 math test will be Thursday, February 28th.  I'll send home the math review packet this week!

Superkids
Here is what we are working on in Superkids this week:

• We took the unit 5 progress test today.  When those are graded, I will send them home.  We will start unit 6 tomorrow.
• Because we are starting the unit on a Wednesday, the next spelling test will be Tuesday, February 26th.
• memory words: walk, talk, author, autumn, August, daughter, caught, brought, thought, cough, laugh, enough
• alliteration
• main idea
• comprehension
• past-tense verbs
• Super Magazine--The Inside Story

High Ability
Here is what we are working on in our high ability unit this week:

• reading analyzer
• metaphors
• compare and contrast 2 stories
• reading The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane

Writer's Workshop

Here is what we are working on in Writer's Workshop this week:

• research projects--the past 2 weeks, we completed the steps to a research project together, and researched dogs.  Now for the next 2 weeks, students will repeat this process on their own, researching a topic of their choice.
• Cursive writing--review of letters already learned, plus how to write cursive j and f.

Reading Counts

Don't forget to keep reading at home!  We are so close to our goal that we set at the beginning of the year to read 3 million words as a class.  As of this afternoon, our current total is: 2,923,221 words.  We have earned 2,160 reading counts points as a class this year!

Reminder--PTO Reading Counts Award

Again this year the PTO will be rewarding students that have earned the most Reading Counts Points. The top two students from each classroom (Grades 1-4) will receive a "Creekside Top Reader" t-shirt, get their picture taken, and be recognized at Awards Day. The top two students from each grade level will receive a certificate during awards day and will get $10.00 to spend at the BOGO book fair in May. The cut-off date to earn points for this reward is May 1st.

Upcoming Dates

Here are some dates to add to your calendar:

• 2/22--PTO movie night
• 2/26--Jump Rope for Heart money due
• 2/27--Jump Rope for Heart during specials time
• 3/6--K-2 Donuts with Dad
• 3/7--PTO Children's Museum Night at Creekside 5:30-8pm
• 3/8--end of 3rd 9 weeks
• 3/13--PTO shoe drive ends
• 3/15--report cards home for 3rd 9 weeks
• 3/22-3/31--NO SCHOOL-SPRING BREAK

Have a great afternoon!