It's good to be back! (I swear I wrote that title before the news)

I enjoyed my third "first day" of the school year this week! Looks like I'll get my
fourth on Thursday. Lots of good stuff this week. And next week's blog will feature my world famous Christmas movie spreadsheet and bingo game. Just a teaser of what's to come!

Library Checkouts
It was so fun to get back into classes this week. Thank you for giving me some slack as I spend 14 minutes in your room. I will plan to Zoom into your classes next week. If you are a Friday checkout class, please contact me to reschedule. I really want to make sure everyone hears about the....

Cedar Ridge STEAM program
Next week I'll be talking to your classes during checkout time about a new program that we'll launch on the 16th. It's called "Cedar Ridge STEAM" and it's a way for students to check out materials to use at home. Here's how it works:

• Visit the Cedar Ridge STEAM website
• Look around to see what kits interest you
• Use the order for to reserve a kit
• I'll bring them to the student or if virtual, parents will have to come pick up
• Students will have a week with the kit
• Once reserved, I'll place the students in a SeeSaw course where they will upload pictures or videos of their work
• Once the kit is returned and the work is uploaded, students will get a commemorative pin

Check out the site so you can see what's available. I'll be looking to add more kits as the year progresses.

Story Walk
I've started working on adding a Story Walk to the Cedar Ridge grounds. We would be able to add different picture books and activities to a series of stations that students can visit while walking the path. Another fun way to get kids reading and outside! I'd love to get it going in the next month. Yes, it'll be cold, but kids can go outside in the cold! 

Chicken Coop revisited
For those of you who are new to our school, last year 2/3 of 5th grade was challenged to research and design a chicken coop. Mr. Higgins' class, the first to start the project, started building the coop which is located in the courtyard outside of Ms. Roetemeyer's classroom. Of course we weren't able to finish it before the year was cut short. The plan is to have chickens onsite this spring. Look for updates over the winter as to how your class can help with the care and learning involved with taking care of chickens! We also hope to have students build planter boxes and benches this spring for that courtyard, COVID willing. Should be fun! 

Have a great weekend!