Math Wiki...

We recently joined a math WIKI group called Primary Math. It is a site set up for primary classrooms to share their math learning with other classrooms across the world. Please take a few minutes to visit the site. Be sure to take a look at "Patterns We Wear", "Colour Patterns" and "Patterns We Made" to see some of our contributions. Be sure to bookmark the site as we will continue adding things as the year goes on.

Light Green...

About a month ago we participated in "BLOG ACTION DAY". With that we shared our thoughts to do more to help save the earth. In keeping with our desire to be more careful with our environment and what we can do to help, we are going "LIGHT GREEN". Over the Thanksgiving break, the kids were told to check out which light gets the most use at home. We spent time today learning about the effects of using a regular light bulb vs. the CFL light. We like to call it the "CURLY FRY LIGHT" because it reminds us of Curly Fries. ;-). We learned it takes a LOT of regular bulbs to do what the CFL light can do.
The Home Depot store on Rt. 59 & Stearns Rd. in Bartlett, donated a CFL light for every kindergarten student at Spring Trail. We hope to replace the old blub at home that gets the most use with the new CFL bulb. From our little home survey we found out that most people use the light in the kitchen the most.
We really appreciate the help of Home Depot in getting our families started on the road to GREEN. Please be sure to thank them the next time you go there to shop!
We watched a good video that explains it all. Please take time to watch it too.

Click To Play

If the video doesn't play, click here New Light Bulbs in Plain English.

Here are a few other links that may help you make the decision to go "LIGHT GREEN" with us.

Lights of America: Fluorescent Vs. Incandescent, Incandescent vs. CFL vs. LED Light Bulbs, One Billion Bulbs: Learn About CFL light bulbs.

ComEd Cares: Change A Light-Change The World, Energy Star Products, The Energy Dr.Answers Energy Questions, Recycling CFL bulbs.

Did You Know: If every household in the U.S. replaced one light bulb with an ENERGY STAR® CFL, it would prevent enough pollution to equal removing one million cars from the road.*

If you find other sites you think would be helpful and informative, please leave the link in our comments and we'll check it out. Thanks and THINK GREEN!!

(*from ComEd Cares)

Gifts from New Zealand...

Our friends in New Zealand sent a package to us. We were so excited. We tried to guess what was inside. We got a lot of very interesting things. Photos, souvenirs and stuffed animals. How wonderful! Thanks Manaia Kindergarten for sharing with us.

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Light Project...

Before our break for the Thanksgiving Holiday, the children were given an assignment to do at home. They were to try to notice which light/lamp gets the most use at home. They needed to write it on a form that came home with each child. We will be looking at those results in class later this week. Parents, if you need another copy of the note that came home, click on the link below:

Light Project Form

Please help your child find out which light/lamp is used most, fill out the form and return it by Wednesday, November 28th. Thanks for your help and support.

Our Package Arrived...

About a week and a half ago, we mailed a package to our "Blog Buddies" at Manaia Kindergarten in New Zealand. We talked about sending a package to them to share something from our world with them. Back when we did our "Squirrel Facts", they told us that they don't have squirrels in N.Z. We knew right away what to send to them. Mrs. Blakely ordered a squirrel puppet on the Internet. Several parents went to the bookstores in town and online and got squirrel books to send along with the puppet. Mrs. Blakely showed us books on Amazon.com and both classes got to order a book they thought our Blog Buddies would enjoy. We gathered several other squirrel related items, gave the squirrel advice on flying in a plane, kissed him goodbye and shipped everything off in a big box to New Zealand. The kids at Manaia Kindergarten seemed to have welcomed the squirrel with open arms. Click here to see what he did on his first day in New Zealand: Mr. Squirrel's First Day in Manaia Kindergarten, N.Z. We are excited to see what he'll do there.

Happy Thanksgiving....

Whether you spend Thanksgiving at home, on the road or in some other way...I would like to extend to you wishes for a very lovely day. I hope that you have fun with family and friends and that each of you take time to reflect on the things that you are grateful for. Be safe in your travels and keep gratitude in your thoughts, actions and heart!

Top Dog...

We would like to send a big THANKS to Tony (AKA: Top Dog) at The Dogfather's in Bartlett. Tony recently donated a computer and peripherals to our classroom. The computer is up and running and we're having fun! Thanks also to Tony for his continued support and assistance as we raise money for technology in our school. The next time you're in the area, (Rt. 59 south of Stearns Rd) stop by for the best dog in town.

Be sure to tell 'em Mrs. Blakely sent you! ;-)

F.Y.I....The Dogfather's will be celebrating their 1st anniversary on Dec. 1 & 2 with "Customer Appreciation Days". What better time to grab a great meal and show a return of support?

Thanks again Tony, you're the best!

We're Lovin' It....

We had another FANTASTIC turn out for our McDonald's No-Cook night. What a great chance for our Spring Trail families to get out of the house and meet up with friends for food and fun. It's so nice to see so many families come out and support our school....We're lovin' it!!

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Similarities and Differences...

Sometimes we play a game in class. Mrs. Blakely chooses two kids to come up and stand in front of the class. Then she says: "Turn around, turn around, turn around and face the class". She does that so we can see the whole bodies. Then we can say the things they have that are the same. The she says "Turn around, turn around, and face the class." Then we tell how they are different. Now you know how to play this game. Watch this video and try our game too.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Bats are back...

We're back to share with you some of the things we learned about bats. A few weeks ago, we made a chart of the things we "thought" we knew about bats. But now we know some of those things were true and some were not true. We discussed with partners, some of the many things we learned. Then we wrote two bat facts. Each child picked one thing to share here. (I promise you we really did talk about MORE than just bats favorite food!!) ;-)

AM Class:

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

PM Class:

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Family Breakfast...

We had our first ever, FAMILY BREAKFAST at school. There was plenty of food, a raffle, and lots of smiles to go around....

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Computer Drawings...

Some of our Easy Tech lessons teach us how to begin using GRAPHICS programs on the computer. One lesson has us making "Self-Portraits". Take a peek at what some kids have done. Keep in mind, they are trying out a new skill....DRAWING with a computer mouse!

BubbleShare: Share photos -

Check back soon, as more kids will complete the GRAPHICS lessons and have pictures to share here as well.