Mr. Graves' Weekly Update
December 4th, 2023
Winter Reading
Does your youngster prefer to read alone, with family members, or in the company of friends? With these ideas, he can do all three this winter.
Choose themes
Encourage your child to read more by coming up with wintry themes for choosing books. For example, he might name “ice-skating” or “penguins” and pick out a biography of an Olympic skater or an adventure tale set in Antarctica. After he finishes each book, he can write the title on a paper snowflake and tape it to a wall. How many snowflakes can he hang up?
Discuss poetry
On a snowy day—or any day—read winter poetry together. Get a volume like It’s Snowing! It’s Snowing! (Jack Prelutsky) or Winter Bees & Other Poems of the Cold (Joyce Sidman). Boost your youngster’s reading comprehension by talking about the poets’ word choices. Why did Prelutsky write “the air is a silvery blur”? What did Sidman mean by “the sun’s pale wafer”?
Read with friends
Your child can see friends over winter break and practice reading at the same time by forming a book club. They might pick a chapter book to read, then meet to discuss it and enjoy a related snack, craft, or game. Or they could each bring a different picture book and take turns reading aloud. Idea: Suggest that they keep their club going all year long!
With something to think about.....
Here Comes the Bus
As a reminder, please know the time of your student's bus stop. We are happy to offer Here Comes the Bus as an aide for parents tracking their student's bus, but there may be some times when the app is not exact. We certainly do not want students to miss the bus, so please be sure your student is at their stop at the scheduled time. To remind yourself of your pickup time, visit our Transfinder page.
Golden Opportunity Award Winners
Each month, students who go above and beyond in meeting the Goshen Lane expectations of being extra safe, helpful, and caring have the chance of being recognized as the Golden Opportunity Award Winner for the month. Winners are awarded with a certificate of recognition, a Golden Opportunity T-Shirt, and a pancake breakfast cooked by the school principal. Congratulations to the September Golden Opportunity winners:
Kindergarten: Mohamed B. Noah Y. Ava F.
First Grade: Ali A. Aydria K. Anthony L.
Second Grade: Peyton H. Karter J. Rylie F.
Third Grade: Oliver R. Josiah T. Amir A.
Fourth Grade: Lena A. Evelyn P.
Fifth Grade: Sabirin A. Jaydin M. Emma B.
