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. We are back to the regular list of bonus words. The children are either on list #1 or #2.

Reading: We have begun a very short novel titles, Goliath’s Christmas. It is a very quick read and a great novel to get into the spirit of the seasons.

Written Language: We finished our games for War with Grandpa last week. We also created a giant class multi-paragraphed essay on “The Stranger”, by Chris van Allsburg. We will hang it up in the classroom as a sample and an expectation of what we are capable of doing on our own.

Math: We will be continuing with 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 49 - 70 (book #2) as of Friday 12/19/08. There are 3 packets, one for each term. I am pleased to announce that 10 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.

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: The short test is either Dec. 22nd, or 23rd. It is their choice as to when they will take the test. 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. When we get back from the break, we will start fresh with the next region of the U.S.

December 17 & 18th: We will be switching classes for 5 rotations and do some sort of holiday activity. This should be a fun and exciting 2 days of switching.

December 18: Talking Calendar due (Thursday)
Holiday Concert for parents 9:30-10:30 grades 1/2
2:00-3:00 grades 3/4
December 19: Talking Calendar due (Friday)
Holiday Concert for students 9:30-10:30 & 2:00-3:00

December 22: We will be watching as a fourth grade the first half of the movie “Prancer”
- SE test (Monday)
- High School Band performs

December 23: We will watch the second half of the movie, “Prancer”
- Holiday Celebration 9:15 - 10:10 in the cafe
- 21 items are due
- SE test (Tuesday)

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.