posted Feb 17, 2012 11:32 AM by Cynthia Friedman
The Heart Fair was a lot of fun. Each student had his/her pulse taken and was able to see a visual of their heartbeat. We had a heart healthy snack of raisins and apples. Small groups went through the giant heart listening to its beat and duplicating, as best they could, the path that blood takes through this most vital organ. Another special learning experience was focused on nutrition. Cade’s mom came in to share her expertise on healthy eating and exercise. The children were quite impressed with her demonstration of how the heart pumps blood. We are continuing to practice the /e/ sound. Our CIK story is “The Lucky Rabbit’s Foot,” focusing on taking other’s property. We will be celebrating Hundred Day this coming Wednesday. Each student is encouraged to bring a hundred tiny objects (100 Cheerios, 100 buttons, 100 stickers, etc.), to be glued onto a paper grid. Reminder: Update your volunteer hours at this link: Time TrackerSave-the-date: Thursday evening, May 10 for the Kindergarten Music Program. |
posted Feb 10, 2012 8:51 AM by Cynthia Friedman
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Our Shape and Say story is “Edwina the Wondering Elephant.”
Our CIK story is “Following the Leader”, focusing on thinking for yourself.
Next Tuesday our class will celebrate Valentine’s Day. The children are encouraged to wear pajamas. Children may bring Valentines for their classmates. We ask that the children sign the cards, but leave the envelopes blank. This prevents delivery from being frustrating for the children.
We are all looking forward to attending the Heart Fair. Thanks for getting your permission slips and bus money to us promptly.
Needed: Adults to listen to children read. We could use two each morning. We have three total at this time.
Save the date: Thursday, May 10, 6:30-7:15pm. Kindergarten Music Program in the cafeteria. |
posted Jan 26, 2012 11:55 AM by Cynthia Friedman
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Last Thursday and Friday we sadly bade our Asian friends, Jung-Feng and Liu Kai, goodbye. The students wrote appreciation letters for them. First, we reflected on all the different ways these two individuals have helped us this semester. Then, pictures were drawn for the one thing that meant the most to each child. Lastly, the children used best-guess spelling to write a caption for their picture. Our helpers were very touched by these letters.
Our Shape and Say story is “A Drippy Day for Daphne,” featuring the letter d and it's sound.
The CIK story is “Letting Others Take Care of Themselves.”
Kindergartners are getting excited about our place value work that is done with the gold beads.
On Friday, February 10, our class plans to attend the Heart Fair at Valley River Center. There will be a giant inflatable heart for them to walk through as they are presented with lessons on heart health including nutrition and exercise. We will go on a 4J school bus that seats over 50, so we will have plenty of room for those who want to help chaperone. (Background check must be on file in office.) A permission slip is going home soon. Also, a group photo will be taken in front of the heart to be posted on the PeaceHealth Facebook page. Students will not be identified but our school will, so let us know (on the permission slip) if you do not want your child photographed. |
posted Jan 12, 2012 12:43 PM by Cynthia Friedman
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From what we hear, the children enjoyed the holidays. We have been busy since returning from the break, immediately delving into an astronomy unit—the solar system. On our first day back, we heard the story, “The Family of the Sun” told with visually beautiful felt pieces on a large glittery (star-studded) mat. The children continue to tell this to each other in small groups during work time. We watched the video, “The Magic School Bus: Lost in the Solar System.” We compared and contrasted the planets then painted them with watercolors to make the banners. The sun was painted with a sponge technique. The children are quite proud of them. And, the trip to the planetarium was enjoyed by all.
Our Shape and Say stories have been “Oscar’s Sore Throat” and “Powder Puff Picnic,” featuring the letters o and p and their sounds.
The CIK stories are “Nobody’s Perfect” and “You’re Special, Too,” which focuses on accepting differences.
Thursday and Friday will be devoted to the life and accomplishments of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. We will make Nobel Peace Prizes and gather with Faith’s upper-el class to listen to part of his “I Have a Dream” speech and singing “We Shall Overcome.”
Hope you enjoy your long weekend! |
posted Dec 16, 2011 10:45 AM by Cynthia Friedman
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The Shape and Say story is “Felicia Flamingo’s Fan,” featuring the letter f and its sound.
District assessments are complete. These scores will be included in the mid-year report that will go home in February.
The children have written thank-you letters to the elementary class in Connecticut who raised $200 for our school by selling items that they baked.
We are creating a dramatization of “The Nutcracker” ballet, acting out each part as it is read aloud. Lots of fun props make it exciting for the children.
Also, we will be decorating a gingerbread house and baking.
JOY OF SHARING FOOD DRIVE! – The Joy of Sharing Food Drive continues all week long. We will happily accept donations Friday morning and then prepare the baskets to go home with Ridgeline families Friday afternoon.
READ-A-THON – Through Wed Jan 4, 2012. Keep reading.
Wishing you all a happy new year. |
posted Dec 9, 2011 10:52 AM by Cynthia Friedman
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Our Shape and Say story is “The Bubbly Birthday,” featuring the letter b and its sound.
Our CIK stories are “Do You Like My Picture,” with a focus on seeking undo amount of approval and “Nobody’s Perfect,” with a focus on dealing with making mistakes.
The children are excited about our new sewing project. They are making little gnomes, using the whipstitch.
More children are doing work in an atlas.
We are looking forward to our first Pajama Day of the year tomorrow and our Book Exchange. Students can exchange each book they bring for a different book.
Thanks to all families that have participated in the Joy of Sharing Food Drive. There is still an opportunity to bring in nonperishable items through next week.
There are two options for obtaining a holiday tree from our fundraiser: Either go out to the farm at Old Mohawk Rd. on this Saturday to cut your own or come by the school this Sunday to buy one in our parking lot. Hours are 10:00 to 4:00 both days.
We have completed the reading part of the district testing and plan to administer the math section next week. |
posted Nov 17, 2011 9:50 AM by Cynthia Friedman
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This week we have been busy practicing standing in rows and saying the two poems that we will recite at our Book Faire this Friday evening at Barnes and Noble. Kindergarten will perform at 6:00 sharp.
Also, we have been weaving paper placemats. We will use these next week when we make cornbread and butter for a special group snack.
Our Shape and Say story is “Inchworm Adventure,” featuring the letter i and its sound.
Our CIK stories are “Look and Listen,” focusing on following directions and we reviewed “Tattletale,” when and when not to tattle.
Thursday the children will core and peel apples to bake with a cinnamon and sugar topping. Yum!
Friday we will view a Reading Rainbow DVD of the book, Germs Make Me Sick. Then we will make virus and bacteria models.
Next week our big event will be Stone Soup. Please send one thin-skinned potato and one carrot. Your child will scrub, peel and chop these for the soup that we will have for a snack on Wednesday. Also, each child will need to bring a bowl and spoon for their portion.
Happy Thanksgiving! |
posted Nov 14, 2011 11:05 AM by Cynthia Friedman
We are pleased with the turnout for conferences. It was a pleasure to discuss the progress the children have made.
Our Shape and Say story is “No Nose Pinching for Nancy,” featuring the letter n and its sound.
The CIK stories are “Pick Me” which focuses on recognizing the negative effects of whining to manipulate and “The Magic Words” which focuses on using please and thank you.
Liu Kai has begun teaching the children a couple of Chinese words each week. She has given lessons on the Chinese words for: hello, good morning, please and thank you.
The students who have completed their world maps have begun working on North American atlases, coloring and labeling the countries and drawing their flags. We had a brief introduction to fractions in order to assist them in drawing the flags.
We enjoyed our first neighborhood walk last week. We collected leaves and seeds from different kinds of trees. We are learning a song about the six parts of a plant. We also saw “Jack Frost,” an early, animated cartoon. Of course, we had to have popcorn with this filmstrip.
Crayon melt, leaf rubbing, watercolor, and tracing are popular works on the art shelves.
Homework is due this Thursday as Friday is a no-school day in honor of our veterans |
posted Oct 21, 2011 9:08 AM by Cynthia Friedman
Our fieldtrip on Monday was a great success. It helped create enthusiasm for our beginning botany lessons about seeds and leaves. We have had a lesson of the parts of a seed that included dissecting lima beans. We are also planting fava beans in our garden beds. Leaf rubbing is another new work in this area of study. We are memorizing a couple of new poems about plants and the fall season. Children are encouraged to bring in seeds and leaves this next week.
Our Shape and Say story is “The Time Tapping Tool,” featuring the sound of the letter t.
CIK stories: “It Was an Accident,” focusing on expressing anger in acceptable ways; “I Can’t Do That, focusing on overcoming the fear of new experiences; and “Tattletale,” when and when not to tattle.
Most homework is coming in on Fridays. Make sure you are overseeing the formation of each letter and that your child is using correct pencil grip.
Conferences are almost upon us. Please signup in the office.
We hope to see you all at the Capital Campaign Kickoff this Saturday at the Southtowne Shops from 11:00am till 3:00pm.
RIDGELINE RISING
Saturday, October 22, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Southtowne Shoppes, 28th and Oak
The Board of Directors of Ridgeline Montessori Public Charter School invites you to celebrate the Ridgeline capital campaign kick-off on Saturday, October 22, at The Southtowne Shoppes at 28th and Oak. Join us to support the Ridgeline community’s efforts to rebuild in our very own school building after being fractured by the fire of June 2009.
The celebration will feature a bounce house, raffle, a silent auction, refreshments, singing, dancing, and a chance to help the Ridgeline community’s efforts to relocate into our own new home. Barry's Espresso Bakery & Deli and Beaudet Jewelry will be donating a percentage of their sales for the day to Ridgeline.
Raffle Items (each worth $300-$400)
A University of Oregon Duck-themed gas barbecue grill, donated by True Value Hardware
A one-hour scenic air flight, donated by Synergy Medical Systems
A two-night stay at Garibaldi, on the Oregon Coast, including a Sea Lion Caves gift package (courtesy of two individual donors)
Raffle tickets are now on sale at the front desk! Stop by to purchase one ticket for $10 or 3 tickets for $25. Of course tickets will also be sold the day of the event. Families may help pre-sell raffle tickets to friends and family by checking out tickets from the office.
Silent Auction Items
The nearly 50 items to bid on include:
One-week stay at Anne’s Cottage (a vacation rental in the Southwest Hills of Eugene), valued at $595
A pedicure from the Chad Michael Salon
Three private Pilates sessions at Pilate Luv
Gift Certificates from Deluxe
Open gym passes from Bounce Gymnastics
One-hour massage from Atlas Chiropractic Center
Blow-your-own-glass float session for 2 from Eugene Glass School
Numerous gift certificates from Village Health
Amazing classroom-created baskets
Ballet and Symphony Tickets
Numerous restaurant gift certificates
One month of kids' Kung Fu from RMA Martial Arts
Neil Kelly Design Consult
And so much more!
Ridgeline Rising Event Schedule:
11:00 a.m. Silent Auction opens
11:30 a.m. Ridgeline Choir Performance
12:30 p.m. Bhangra Performance
1:30 p.m. Small Auction Items Close (valued at $50 or less)
Available for payment and pick-up at 2:00 p.m.
2:00 p.m. Large Auction Items Close
Available for payment and pick-up at 2:45 p.m.
2:00 p.m. Jasper Freedom Performance
2:45 p.m. Announcement of Silent Auction Winners and Raffle Drawing
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posted Oct 13, 2011 12:53 PM by Cynthia Friedman
Our Shape and Say stories for the last week and this week were “The Moaning Mountain” and “Sammy the Snake,” featuring the letters m and s, respectively.
We made pancakes for a second time and muffins on Monday. Many students are working on world maps. A few are nearly finished. New works for arithmetic include the bead bar stair, knot counting, odd/even, hanging teens, grouping tens, and simple addition and subtraction.
Our first fieldtrip is coming up on Monday, following the three-day weekend. Please remember to have your child wear clothing that will keep him/her warm and dry.
We hope families will be able to attend Curriculum Sharing this Thursday. Your children will get a lot from showing you their favorite work materials.
Homework is due Thursday this week. Check your child’s pencil grip and that s/he is forming each letter correctly.
Raffle basket Thank you to those who have contributed to our basket for the raffle. There is still time to send in items/certificates related to the five senses.
CONFERENCES – Conference Schedules are posted in the office (10/31 8:30-4:30 and 11/01 12:00-8:00). Sign up for the time period that best fits your family’s schedule.
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