Christmas Party with STEPS

Today (12/16/15) was our annual Christmas party with our friends in the STEPS program.  We started off with a craft, then had a snack of orange juice and reindeer chow while enjoying the movie Elf.  It's always a great time to get together so all the kids can visit with each other, and I love getting to see my "old dogs." :)

Here is a link to the tree craft we made this afternoon.

Science experiment

Today (12/16/15) the kids did a cool science experiment from the Coca-Cola Bottle News-2-You we read last week.  We talked about how during science experiments you have to use your eyes to watch carefully.  A clear container, raisins, and lemon-lime soda were all we needed for the experiment.  The kids had to make a hypothesis about what the raisins would do in the soda: float, sink, or both.  As you can see from the pictures and video, the kids were super excited about the experiment.

December 14-18

It’s so hard to believe that this is the last school week of 2015!  We have a lot of fun things planned for this week, so please make sure your child gets enough sleep and a good breakfast before school.  I hope everyone has a relaxing and fun break with family and friends.  Merry Christmas!  See you in 2016! :)

Letter of the Week:

# of week:

Stories:

Scholastic News: Green All Winter

Upcoming dates:

12/16/15: Christmas party with STEPS @ MS

12/18/15: Ugly Christmas Sweater Day

12/21-1/4: Winter Break, return to school on 1/5

1/18/16: No School, Martin Luther King Jr. Day

1/20/16: Family Reading @ ECC

Reminders:

• Students need to start bringing hats, gloves, warm coats
• Review Edmark Words/Personal info several times a week
• Read with your child 10-15 minutes
• Send a snack each day
• Tuesday is Library day
• Books, Notebooks, Folder, and Completed Homework need to come back EVERY day

2015 Mall Trip

Today (12/11/15) was our annual Louis-Joliet mall trip with our friends in the STEPS and PATH programs.  As always, we had a great time!  The kids were able to bring money and their shopping list for 2-3 people.  Everyone was able to visit with Santa and tell him what they would like for Christmas.  Lunch was a big hit too!  The mall trip is always a busy, but super fun day in December!

The mall is always great too because we see several other programs with students with special needs out doing their Christmas shopping.  I was able to see some friends from the REACH program in Minooka who I worked with them they were 6-9 years old!  It was fantastic to see all those faces again...all grown up and still doing awesome! :)


Hard at work on their lunch! :)

Visiting Santa!

The kids each got a cookie plate from Santa to leave cookies for him on Christmas Eve! :)

Love that I get to see my "old dogs" from time to time! <3

 TRAILS and STEPS friends! :)

Christmas Spirit!

Last week (Nov 30-Dec 4) was a busy week in the TRAILS program.  After a relaxing Thanksgiving break, we were all very excited to see Simon our classroom Elf was back for the season!  Simon bought the kids "Elf Kisses" and a Christmas pencil his first day back.  Throughout the week, he left the students different notes on their desk and on the front board.  He also gave the students the idea to write Christmas cards to our service men/women to brighten their holiday season.  You can see Simon below relaxing by the little tree and the kids holding their cards for our service men/women.

Thursday was our monthly trip over to the Coal City Public Library.  Ms. Rene read a great Arthur book about Christmas and Hanukkah.  While on our visit, the students make snow globe ornaments.

 We have many more fun activities planned before winter break.  This coming Friday (12/11/15) is our annual trip to the Louis-Joliet Mall.  I think everyone looks forward to this trip: shopping, eating, and visiting Santa!

Let's finish 2015 on a high note!! :)

December 7-11

Letter of the Week: Mm

# of week: 14

Stories: Finishing our stories

The Cave of the Lost

All About Penguins

Upcoming dates:

12/9/15: Early dismissal

12/10/15: Annual review day

12/11/15: Joliet Mall community trip, CCIS t-shirt day

12/18/15: Ugly Christmas Sweater Day

12/21-1/4: Winter Break, return to school on 1/5

1/18/16: No School, Martin Luther King Jr. Day

1/20/16: Family Reading @ ECC

Reminders:

• Students need to start bringing hats, gloves, warm coats
• Review Edmark Words/Personal info several times a week
• Read with your child 10-15 minutes
• Send a snack each day
• Tuesday is Library day
• Books, Notebooks, Folder, and Completed Homework need to come back EVERY day

For the mall trip on 12/11/15:

• Students need money for lunch or a sack lunch.  

OPTIONAL, money/pink list for gift shopping