Learning IS Fun!

I finally finished uploading all of the pictures from Friday! Once again I would like to thank Michelle Coats for all of the wonderful pictures she has taken of our children. I have TONS of photos of our children and I am sure many more will be coming throughout the year. Below is a quick video I have made from the fire truck visit on Friday. The children really loved having the chance to talk to the firemen, see the fire truck, and even holding the hose. You can see how excited they are from the expression the face of each child.

Have you heard about our Thinking Maps? Each week, we create two Thinking Maps (Circle Map) on the letter of the alphabet that we are working. We write the letter in the middle and draw pictures of items that have that initial sound. This week, children got to work together to create their own. This was a review for students and they loved working together. The children in my class love Thinking Maps. Ask your child about them or come inside our classroom and take a look. We currently have all of our previous alphabet Thinking Maps hanging up and we created a class book using our Thinking Maps about colors.

On Monday, we had handwriting centers. Children had a chance to write their name in peanut butter, shaving cream, and with markers. We had so much peanut butter (thanks to the amazing parents) that Mrs. Shannon and I decided to do something creative. This week, your child practiced writing the letter Cc in peanut butter. The children loved this. "I didn't know writing can be this much fun," said one of the students. Yes, in Mr. Gibbs' class everything is fun! We hope to continue to do fun activities throughout the year. Remember to practice proper letter formation with your child. This is very important! Thanks!

We also started our fall workshops this week. We created birdfeeders using pine cones and peanut butter. WOW! What a hit! The children had a fun time creating these. Today, the children actually saw a squirrel eating one. The children loved this. Afternoon workshops will conclude tomorrow. The children who have not yet created one, will do so. Remember we are always looking for volunteers. We do a lot of stations and we could use the extra set of hands. We typically have reading rotations, math rotations, science rotations, and afternoon workshops. Each child is getting individual instruction with a touch of fun!

Amber Wood (Zane's mom) had decided to be captain of our storybook parade! She is going to making the hair and outfits for us. We are asking for a $4.00 fee. Please send this with your child ASAP so that we can get the proper supplies. We are looking for an extra talented and creative parent. We will need a sign made for this event. Mrs. Shannon and Mr. Gibbs have a fantastic idea for the sign but would like a parent to help prepare it. That parent will be awared volunteer hours!

Thanks,

Mr. Christopher Gibbs

PS: Remember - learning IS fun!