Monday, November 28, 2016

December in the Dolphin Classroom

     It is hard to believe that the holiday season is here! These four weeks will fly by as the excitement intensifies. We will be studying various holiday customs that exist throughout the world...learning traditions through books, poems, and projects. We will be learning about St. Nicholas Day (The Netherlands), Diwali (India), Hanukkah (Israel), China, Mexico, Germany, Kwanzaa, and our own Christmas traditions. We anxiously await the arrival of your child's paper cut-out in costume on Friday, December 2. They will adorn our bulletin board, Holidays Around the World, for the month.
     As we focus on family traditions and celebrate holidays this month, we will read the book, The Night Tree, by Eve Bunting. As a follow-up to this story, the students will stroll on the trails next to the playground and decorate trees for the animals.
    The annual STA Book Fair will be happening here in our library this week. Our class will be shopping tomorrow, November 29, at 12:15. You are welcome to join us if you like. 
     Finally, in lieu of exchanging gifts between one another in our class, we ask each child to bring in a wrapped "classroom gift" which he/she will unwrap and present to the class. It shouldn't be expensive. We will brainstorm a "wish list" to send home next week. Please do not feel the need to buy any "teacher" gifts. If you are so inclined, please consider a donation to the local food bank. The Stratham Teacher's Association will be accepting monetary donations to "St. Vincent de Paul". Any contribution would be appreciated. Thank you.
     As always, if you have any questions or concerns about any of this information. Please do not hesitate to call or email.
     Enjoy the holiday season with your child!