December 7-11

Giving The Gift Of Reading To Kids  (Part 2)

The 100 "Greatest Books for Kids," ranked by Scholastic Parent & Child magazine:

                1. Charlotte's Web by E.B. White

                

                2. Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown

3. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle

4. THE SNOWY DAY BY EZRA JACKS KEATS

5. Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak

6. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

7. Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss

8. The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank

9. The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

10. Frog and Toad Are Friends by Arnold Lobel

11. Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

12. The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

13. Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans

14. The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame

15. The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds

16. Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt

17. Pat the Bunny by Dorothy Kunhardt

18. When Marian Sang by Pam Munoz Ryan

19. Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale by Mo Willems

20. Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein

21. Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis

22. Corduroy by Don Freeman

23. The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster

24. The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper

25. The Giver by Lois Lowry

26. Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin

27. Black on White by Tana Hoban

28. Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems

29. Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. by Judy Blume

30. My Rotten Redheaded Older Brother by Patricia Polacco

31. The Mitten by Jan Brett

32. The Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown

33. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

34. Swimmy by Leo Lionni

35. Freight Train by Donald Crews

36. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

37. The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear by Don & Audrey Wood

38. Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney

39. Zen Shorts by John J. Muth

40. Moo, Baa, La La La! by Sandra Boynton

41. Matilda by Roald Dahl

42. What Do People Do All Day? by Richard Scarry

43. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

44. Good Night, Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann

45. The Composition by Antonio Skarmeta

46. Not a Box by Antoinette Portis

47. Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle

48. Hatchet by Gary Paulsen

49. Martin's Big Words by Doreen Rappaport

50. Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan

51. Sylvia Long's Mother Goose by Sylvia Long

52. The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

53. The House at Pooh Corner by A.A. Milne

54. Through My Eyes by Ruby Bridges

55. Smile! by Roberta Grobel Intrater

56. Living Sunlight by Molly Bang & Penny Chisholm

57. The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket

58. Harvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar Chavez by Kathleen Krull

59. Dear Juno by Soyung Pak

60. Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes… by Annie Kubler

61. The Lion and the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney

62. Diary of a Worm by Doreen Cronin

63. The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

64. My Truck Is Stuck! by Kevin Lewis

65. Birds by Kevin Henkes

66. The Maze of Bones by Rick Riordan

67. Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan

68. Counting Kisses: A Kiss & Read Book by Karen Katz

69. The Magic School Bus at the Waterworks by Joanna Cole

70. Blackout by John Rocco

71. Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson

72. Are You My Mother? by P.D. Eastman

73. Tea With Milk by Allen Say

74. Owl Moon by Jane Yolen

75. Holes by Louis Sachar

76. Peek-a Who? by Nina Laden

77. Hi! Fly Guy by Tedd Arnold

78. Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien

79. Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney

80. What Do You Do With a Tail Like This? by Steve Jenkins & Robin Page

81. Lincoln: A Photobiography by Russell Freedman

82. Ivy + Bean by Annie Barrows

83. Yoko by Rosemary Wells

84. No No Yes Yes by Leslie Patricelli

85. Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume

86. Interrupting Chicken by David Ezra Stein

87. Rules by Cynthia Lord

88. Grumpy Bird by Jeremy Tankard

89. An Egg Is Quiet by Dianna Hutts Aston

90. Puss in Boots by Charles Perrault

91. Team Moon: How 400,000 People Landed Apollo 11 on the Moon by Catherine Thimmesh

92. What Shall We Do With the Boo Hoo Baby? by Cressida Cowell

93. We the Kids: The Preamble to the Constitution of the United States by David Catrow

94. I Took the Moon for a Walk by Carolyn Curtis

95. A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park

96. Gossie by Olivier Dunrea

97. The Adventures of Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey

98. First Words by Roger Priddy

99. Joyful Noise: Poems for Two Voices by Paul Fleischman

100. Animalia by Graeme Base

Nov. 30 - Dec. 4

Giving The Gift Of Reading To Kids  (Part 1)
Check Out These Recommendations For Great Books For Young Children

WHAT DO WE HAVE FOR THE YOUNGER READERS?"Gallop" by Rufus Butler Seder (Workman) has something fascinating called scanimation: Short lines of text are accompanied by moving pictures. The youngest kids (and their parents) will find incredible entertainment with each turn of the page.

Another great picture book is "The Wizard" by Jack Prelutsky with illustrations by Brandon Dorman (HarperCollins). The combination of illustrations and poetry are simply brilliant.


WHAT DO YOU HAVE FOR RELUCTANT READERS, THE KIDS WHO JUST DO NOT LIKE READING?
Some reluctant readers like to read books just for information instead of a story and this is where "Do Not Open" is a great choice because it's a challenge to NOT open it, but once that happens there are great pieces of information that really are compelling to anyone.

"Do Not Open" is right in line with DK's New York Times bestseller "Pick Me Up," and uses the same irreverent style to explore all the things "THEY" don't want you know about. From the Mona Lisa's hidden past to the history of Area 51, "Do Not Open" explores lost worlds, unravels secret codes, and lets readers step through the looking glass to see if they can handle the truth!


DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING THAT THE WHOLE FAMILY CAN ENJOY?We were truly thrilled by a book called "Great Joy" by Kate DiCamillo with illustrations by Bagram Ibatoulline (Candlewick). This is a book that we at Kidsreads.com are calling an Insta-Classic. We love the old-fashioned illustrations as much as the prose.

And last but not least is a book that they'll love as a stocking stuffer: "Winter in White: A mini pop-up book" by Robert Sabuda (S&S). Pick up a couple of these as great items that will be "forever" books, meaning you bring them out each holiday season. We recommend these be kept in a "high place" until it's time to read them for the family. These books are a lot of fun to experience but are delicate and not really made for a lot of handling. They will immediately become family favorites.

This is adapted from a CBS online article by Carol Fitzgerald of KidsReads.com, TeenReads.com and The Book Report Network offered her recommendations for the best new books to give as gifts for children of all ages.

June 1-5

Spelling Lesson 32 Quizlet

Reading Corner

Book to be looking for in November 2015:   Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Old School.

If your child gets frustrated in math, they should understand how math will fit into their life.  Share how it applies to your life.   The following article shares a video link to show how math applies to the real world.  

Television Personality Ty Pennington Teams Up with Scholastic to Give Mathematics an Extreme Makeover  APRIL 15, 2015

NEW YORK, NY — What are two things you need to build a house? Ty Pennington, best known for hosting ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, will show students in grades 4 and up that along with the proper materials, they need strong math skills. Scholastic [NASDAQ: SCHL], the global children’s publishing, education and media company, today released “Math@Work™: Math Meets Homebuilding,” the third episode in an educational web series connecting mathematics directly to careers and problem-solving skills used on the job.

The 15-minute “Math@Work: Math Meets Homebuilding” webisode is available for free on the Scholastic Mathematics website at: www.scholastic.com/mathematics.

Hosted by Ty Pennington and set in New Orleans’ Ninth Ward, “Math@Work: Math Meets Homebuilding” pairs two local students with experts from Make It Right, an organization founded in response to Hurricane Katrina by Brad Pitt in 2007 to build environmentally-friendly homes for people in need. Along the way, Ty challenges the students to think about the mathematical skills they need to install solar panels and a front walkway for the home. “Math@Work: Math Meets Homebuilding,” teaches individual learners and classrooms audiences across the country a number of mathematical skills including measurements, ratios and rates.

“Learning to become a carpenter not only opened my world up to incredible opportunities, but it taught me the importance of math skills beyond school,” said Ty Pennington. “I am proud to work with Scholastic to show students across the country the math used when constructing the fine details of building a house, while simultaneously finishing a home for an extremely deserving family in New Orleans.”

“At Scholastic, our focus is to make learning relevant for children and we understand how important it is to engage students with topics they are excited to learn about,” said Margery Mayer, President of Scholastic Education. “By connecting mathematics to 21st Century careers, Math@Work shows students how important the skills they are learning in the classroom today are for a successful future in a variety of jobs. With Math@Work we answer the age old question, ‘when will I ever use this skill beyond the classroom?’”

From the creators of MATH 180™, Scholastic’s revolutionary intervention program designed to get middle school students fluent in the foundations of mathematics, each Math@Work webisode is paired with lessons that will facilitate mathematical discussions and problem solving. The full series including, “Math@Work: Math Meets Fashion” hosted by Tim Gunn and “Math@Work: Math Meets Culinary Arts” hosted by Carla Hall can be viewed on the Scholastic Mathematics website at: www.scholastic.com/mathematics.

http://www.cbcbooks.org/television-personality-ty-pennington-teams-up-with-scholastic-to-give-mathematics-an-extreme-makeover/#.VWCZ8PlViko

A Look Ahead:

·  Fri 6/5 - 4th grade bowling field trip

·  Mon 6/8 - Picnic/field day-in the morning & talent show-1:00pm

·  Tues 6/9 - Early dismissal 11:00am / Last day of school

·  Tues 6/9 - Market Day pick up

·  Wed 6/10-Tues 6/30 - Summer Enrichment

May 25 - May 29

Spelling Lesson 31 Quizlet

A Look Ahead:

·  Mon 5/25 - Memorial Day - No School

·  Fri 6/5 - 4th grade bowling field trip

·  Mon 6/8 - Picnic/field day-in the morning & talent show-1:00pm

·  Tues 6/9 - Early dismissal 11:00am / Last day of school

·  Tues 6/9 - Market Day pick up

·  Wed 6/10-Tues 6/30 - Summer Enrichment

PBIS Community Service Project: School Supplies Collection

Do you throw out those unused school supplies at the end of the year? Half-used notebooks? Incomplete marker sets? Instead, consider donating them to local schools who desperately need them. Prairieview is collecting those leftover supplies now through Friday, June 5, 2015. See the attached flyer for details.

You may wonder, "How do I incorporate Memorial Day into a family learning experience?"  Well, the following article from PBS shares some traditions that you may already participate in or want to incorporate.

Discover Memorial Day Traditions and Activities

Every Memorial Day, families and communities across the nation take time to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation. Americans observe this special holiday in many different ways. Review some of the most popular Memorial Day traditions below.

Displaying the Flag
On Memorial Day, the U.S. flag should be displayed at half-staff until noon. In the morning, the flag should be raised momentarily to the top and then lowered to half-staff. Americans can also honor prisoners of war and those missing in action by flying the POW/MIA flag.

Visiting Grave Sites
Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day because communities honored their war dead by decorating their graves with flowers. Many Americans make special flower arrangements and deliver them as a family to grave sites of their loved ones and ancestors.

Participating in the National Moment of Remembrance
In accordance with a congressional resolution passed in 2000, Americans pause wherever they are at 3:00 p.m. local time for a moment of silence to remember and honor the fallen.

Visiting Local Veterans’ Homes and Hospitals
Many living American veterans require long-term medical care or housing assistance, and they can often feel forgotten. The Memorial Day holiday is a great time to let them know that we appreciate their sacrifice and that of their families and their friends lost in battle.

Attending Memorial Day Parades
The Memorial Day parade is a time-honored tradition in cities and towns across America. Neighbors come together to remember with pride those who sacrificed so much for our country.

Experiencing the Nation’s Memorials
Memorial Day can also be an opportunity to visit or read about the national memorials in Washington, DC, as well as local memorials around the country.

Brushing up on Family and American History
Memorial Day is a favorite time for Americans to read their family history, look at old photographs, and learn about their ancestors, especially those who died in the service of their nation. It’s also an occasion for reading Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address and other historic and patriotic speeches by presidents and leaders of the armed services.

Wearing Memorial Day Poppies
The tradition of wearing red poppies on Memorial Day was inspired by the 1915 poem “In Flanders Fields”by John McCrea. War worker Moina Michael made a personal pledge to always wear red silk poppies as an emblem of “keeping the faith with all who died,” and began a tradition that was adopted in the United States, England, France, Australia, and more than 50 other countries.

http://www.pbs.org/national-memorial-day-concert/memorial-day/observation/

May 18 - 22

Spelling Lesson 30 Quizlet

A Look Ahead:

• Tues 5/19 - PV Beginning Band Concert @ LV
• Wed 5/20 - 5th gr Parent Night
• Thurs 5/21 - PV Spring Concert (Cadet Band & Choir) at LV
• Fri 5/22 - Summer Enrichment registration closes
• Mon 5/25 - Memorial Day - no school
• Mon 6/8 - Picnic/field day & talent show
• Tues 6/9 - Early dismissal / Last day of school
• Tues 6/9 - Market Day pick up
• Wed 6/10-Tues 6/30 - Summer Enrichment

District Eat Out - Menchies May 15-17th:

Use the attached flyer  to earn 20% of all sales this weekend - May 15, 16 and 17th for CCSD66 PTO - all weekend, anytime of day.  Menchies Yogurt is located on 75th/Lemont Rd in the Best Buy strip mall.

Summer Enrichment:

Summer Enrichment registration closes next Friday, May 22, 2015.  Register now so your child doesn't miss out on the fun!!!!  http://www.ccsd66.org/summer-enrichment-program

May 4 - 15

Spelling Lesson 28 Quizlet

Spelling Lesson 29 Quizlet

It was great seeing all of you at Open House!  Thanks for coming out, socializing, and seeing all the learning and great projects the students have displayed!

Important Dates

• Mon 5/4 - Fri 5/8 PARCC testing
• Fri 5/15 - Early Dismissal at 11:00am
• Fri 5/15 - Spirit Day - Favorite vacation destination shirt

PARCC Testing 

PARCC Testing will occur this week. Preparation for the test is the best way for them to feel confident about the process. As you know we have taken the first round of PARCC Testing.  I recommend that students practice the ELA and Math practice test this weekend at home as well. Please continue to encourage your child to work on the online practice tests at home to make them more comfortable with the format and tools available on the test. 

A fun website to visit is Interactive English Language Arts and  Interactive Math.  This can help your child refresh their knowledge on prior concepts taught and expand on additional skills.  

There are three tests to be taken on three separate days: one ELA test and two Math tests. Please make sure your child has plenty of rest this week.

Testing Dates: May 4, 5, & 6

Testing Order: May 4--ELA 1,    May 5--Math 1,    May 6--Math 2

Testing Times: 4th-- Testing begins at 8:10 for 4th grade.  

Please try your best to not be late on these days, as we need to begin promptly.  

April 27 - May 1

Spelling Lesson 27 Quizlet

Important Dates

• Mon 4/27 - Fri 5/1 MAPs testing
• Thurs 4/30 - Spring Open House, Book Fair & Ice Cream Social
• Mon 5/4 - Fri 5/8 PARCC testing
• Fri 5/15 - Early Dismissal at 11:00am
• Fri 5/15 - Spirit Day - Favorite vacation destination shirt

MAPs Testing will occur this week.  There are two tests to be taken on two separate days:  Math and ELA.  
Your child will test on Monday and Wednesday if in Mrs. Bell's homeroom.  If your child is in Mrs. Beseth or Mrs. Bucklin's homeroom they will test on Tuesday and Thursday.  Please make sure your child has plenty of rest this week.

The Case of the Missing Conjunctions 

by Reading Connection, Beginning Edition

April 2015

    Or, and, or but?  One of these words is missing from each sentence in this game.  Let your little detective crack the case - and learn about conjunctions (words that link other words or clauses).  

    Cut out three sentences from a magazine that include or, and or but.  Snip out the conjunctions and lay the remaining sentence pieces on a table.  Now, write those conjunctions on separate slips of paper, and hide them around the room.  Your child can use a magnifying glass (or her super x-ray vision) to find the missing words.  

     Then, help her decide which conjunction goes where.  Explain that and means both ("She eats apples and oranges."), or means one or the other ("Should we walk or bike?"), and but explains a difference ("I want a pet hamster, but Mom said no.")  Once all the conjunctions are in place, help her read the complete sentences.  Case solved!

Learn more about conjunctions by watching the following video ... 

April 20 - 24

Spelling Lesson 26 Quizlet

Important Dates

• Fri 4/24 -  3rd trimester mid-term
• Fri 4/24 - District Eat Out at Chipotle Mexican Grill
• Mon 4/27 - Fri 5/1 MAPs testing

My Writer's Notebook

by Reading Connection, Beginning Edition

April 2015

    A writer's notebook can inspire your youngster to write every day.  Give him a notebook, and let him decorate the cover.  Then, share these ideas.  

Onomatopoeia
It's fun to say and write words that sound like their meanings.  Your child might list ones such as boom, hiss, and crunch.  

Heart Map
This big heart is filled with all the things your youngster loves.  Let him draw a heart that fills a page.  Inside it, he can illustrate and label his favorite things (family, mountains, music).  

Jokes
Help your child write down jokes he hears or thinks up.  He could draw a funny picture to go with each one.

Questions
Does your youngster wonder why apple slices turn brown or why puddles disappear?  When he asks a question, have him jot it down.  Help him look it up in a book or online so he can add the answer.