Halloween Crafts.....um...finally?!

Sorry I am so late getting these up here!  I have a million excuses and none of them are very good..... Enjoy!

It's only 20 minutes a night, right?

Check out this form that I found...it does the math for you. 

I'm convinced! 

Family Trees

Last year I was introduced to another great holiday event that connects to literacy by Mrs. Heidi Clarke.  The Concord Museum in Concord, MA hosts an event each year called Family Trees from November 23rd through January 1st. The museum is decorated with Christmas trees fashioned to represent a variety of children's books.  Information about the event can be found here: http://www.concordmuseum.org/visit/special_events_FamilyTrees.html.  Different events take place during the holiday season that include crafts, author meet and greets, and character visits...including one with Santa!  Some events have an additional cost, but to just check out the trees is the cost of admission ($10 adults, $5 children 6-17, and free for children under the age of 6).   
Emily and I will be checking many of the books represented this year out of the library so we can appreciate their beauty when we visit.  Here is the complete list of titles: http://www.concordmuseum.org/pdfs/2011%20Annotated%20Family%20Trees%20Books.pdf.  I hope some of you are able to check out this wonderful event! 
(One tip....if you do go on a day that there is an author scheduled, bring a book to have signed.  There is a gift shop, but it is small so all the titles aren't available.)

Grace's Photography

Grace had a lot of great opportunities to take pictures the past couple of weeks.  We had our Reading Incentive assembly  We read a ton of minutes, but Miss Spiniello's class won this time!  We also measured our pumpkins, created post cards to send out to our Post Card Exchange buddies, and designed scarecrows about which we are now writing descriptive paragraphs.  You'll see some random recess shots as well.  So much fun in second grade!   

Trick or Treat for Troops!

In talking to students yesterday, it came about that they are interested in donating some of their Halloween candy.    I was able to get in touch with Catching Joy and the FF-182 (Friends and Family of the 182nd Infantry), who are doing a candy collection to be sent to the soldiers. 
Please have your child bring in any candy they would like to donate by Friday.  We will also be making notes and cards to include in the packages for the troop.  If anyone has any Scrapbooking paper that is not being used, please send that in, too, as we can use it for some of our notes! 
To find out more about FF-182 which was started and the Connors, a Walpole family, visit https://www.facebook.com/#!/FF182.  (Believe it or not, Helen Connor is another Blue Bunny connection!)  There is also a packing event planned for Veteran's Day at Blackburn Hall.   Here is the information as provided on Facebook: 

	Time: Friday, November 11 11:00am - 2:00pm
	Location: Blackburn Hall 30 Stone Street Walpole, Massachusetts

 

Please join us on Friday, Nov 11 to celebrate Veteran's Day by supporting an FF-182 packing event. There are several ways to help:

We are looking for donations for the following items:
- children's winter clothing and accessories
- small stuffed animals (new or in good condition)- bring your leftover Halloween candy!

We are also looking for volunteers to help us pack items for transport to the 182 in Afghanistan.

We are seeking assistance with fundraising to help defray the shipping costs. If you represent an organization, group, or business and would like to attend the event - we can arrange for you to have a table where you can promote your group/biz, have a children's activity/craft, or even hold a sale (i.e. baked goods). We are open to all ideas and welcome the entire FF-182 community to participate!

This event is taking place in conjunction with the Walpole Veteran's Affairs Office Veteran's Day ceremonies on the Town Common.

Please contact us for additional information on how you can help. And stay tuned for more details. 

 

 

This is a fantastic way to involve the kids in doing something important for Veteran's Day and to say "Thank You" to those who sacrifice for us all every day!