Tis the season to get going. We are still working, even though some are starting to feel the holiday crunch. Everyone still needs to pull their own weight and be actively participating in their daily learning.

Spelling: We will be working on pages from our workbooks. I am pleased to announce that 5 of the children completed all 8 bonus lists for the term. Bonus Lists: Everyone is back to list #1, Days of The Week, it is a new term. I am going to have the children write spelling sentences this week.

Reading: We have finished The War with Grandpa. We will be reading a few stories from our Anthology this week and work on some of the ELA skills that go along with the stories.

Written Language: We will be working on a written project to develop a new game for the War with Grandpa. They will be working in groups to develop an original game. The game must tie into the story and have a clear set of directions. I have given each group a journal to write down their thoughts and plans as they work through this project. I will be collecting the journal and grading each members entries and participation.

Math: We will be moving back to multiplication. I will be reviewing many different ways to solve a given equation. We will be tying in many different word problems and work through them. (too much information, not enough information, multi-stepped, and $) All of the problems will have some element of multiplication in them.

All our math concepts, will not be taught in isolation. Everything in math builds on the previous day or concept. That is why it is still imperative to stay focused and participate.

DCR UPDATE: This is an independent math packet that reviews all the concepts and skills we will be using throughout the year. The children should be pacing themselves, 3-5 pages per week. I give them a weekly check on the board and they should be on pages 46 - 65 (book #2) as of Friday 12/05/08. There are 3 packets, one for each term. They need to try to finish one packet each term. They do not need to go ahead. It is not a race. I am pleased to announce that 8 children have completed Book #1. I have instructed them to go back and fix all their errors before I will give them DCR #2. I am so excited. We are starting to develop great work habits.

Application of facts and terminology is key to success in math.

Science: We began our new unit on Electricity & Magnets. I love working with electricity and magnets. I know, it is shocking that I like it. LOL Last week, the children made simple simple circuits using a battery, a bulb, and one wire. Everyone eventually got the bulb to light up. Again, shocking! LOL

Social Studies: We have finished the Southeast. We filled in and corrected our study guides. The children should be studying their notes and their study guides for a test before vacation. I want to have everything wrapped up before we leave on our holiday break.

Projects: Talking Calendars are due Dec 18th or the 19th. I have sample form previous years for them to look at for meeting the criteria. Most of the children did a great job on their first round of Talking Calendars. I can’t wait to see/hear round #2.

I gave everyone a list of activities and dates for December. We will have our Holiday Party on Tuesday, December 23rd, from 9:15 - 10:10. We have signed out the cafeteria as a fourth grade to have our “food” celebration in the food safe environment.

I think we should have donuts, hot cocoa, and orange juice. I have plenty of cocoa. I just need donuts, Styrofoam cups, marshmallows, cups and oj. If there is anything else anyone wants to provide. I am all for it.

Thanks, Mr. L.