University Schools Spirit Week 2011 kicks off tomorrow. Â
- Monday, October 3rd – Favorite Team Day
- Tuesday, October 4th – Blue and White Day (our school colors)
- Wednesday, October 5th – Formal Fun Day (Track Meet/not too formal)
- Thursday, October 6th – Clash Day (clothing that doesn’t match)
- Friday, October 7th – Retro Day (clothing from a favorite decade)
- Saturday, October 8th – Homecoming Football Game – 1:00 kick off
Reading ActivitiesÂ
For the past few weeks 1st and 2nd grade students have been participating in Literacy Groups.  Each group meets for 30 minutes and will rotate through many different skill activities throughout the school year.  Students join one of nine participating teachers and learn with a variety of new students.  This also allows us to support smaller groups of students.
Literacy Groups take place before P.E.
 Monday through Thursday.  After P.E. we are together in our classroom for Reading Groups.  Students are assigned to different color groups.  Each reading group reads either a nonfiction or fiction book.  Every 2 weeks reading groups have a new book to read.  Groups complete activities and assignments that promote new skills and abilities.
Although we didn’t have Spelling last week, we will resume our normal schedule this week. Â In fact, a second grade student in our class shared an online resource, Spelling City. Â Use this website in order to study your specific spelling words throughout the week.
Don’t forget that books come home on Fridays. Â Each Friday, we end our busy week at our school library. Â First, we sit in the Cove (pictured above) and listen to a book read by one of our librarians. Â Next, we get to explore books, read, and check out up to 3 books. Â Make sure you pick one book in particular to read carefully, a few times, while preparing to take an AR (Accelerated Reader) test. Â Then on Monday, when we visit the computer lab, bring the book and take the AR test. Â Some students are close to reaching their first trimester Reading Goals.