Apple Week

 This is Apple Week.  We started with a story about Johnny Appleseed. 

 The students are each making their own book about Johnny.  Each day we will add a page and learn a little more about his life.

 Today we learned that his real name was John Chapman.  Johnny Appleseed was his nickname.

 We will have the finished books on display at Open House on October 9.

 We also did some writing today.  It was our first day to use our writing notebooks to find ideas.  Last week, we put ideas in the notebook about things that make us happy. Everyone had 6 - 9 ideas listed.  Today, they got to pick one of those ideas to write about. 

 They learned how to take an idea and write about it. 

 They could label their pictures like we've been doing or we talked about how to write a sentence and some of the kids were eager to try that. 

 The whole class did such a good job.  This writing is beautiful to me.  They show no fear and are willing to jump in and try something new.  All the writing has meaning.  If you ask the author to tell you about what they wrote, they can point to each letter or word and tell you what it means. 

As we learn more letters and sounds it will be easier for others to read, but right now you still need your child to tell you about it.  Keep encouraging them. 

On Friday, we will be making applesauce in a crockpot.  I would like for everyone to bring an apple to use in the sauce.  It can be any kind.  In fact, the more variety we have, the better the applesauce will be.  If you can contribute an apple, please send it by Thursday.  That way I can have them chopped and ready to go in the crockpot Friday morning.