Spelling: We will be working on pages from a packet. We are back to the regular list of bonus words. The children are working at their own pace to complete the 8 bonus lists.

Reading: We are reading a short novel, George’s Marvelous Medicine. This is a story about a boy who creates a “magic” potion to cure his grandmother of her wicked ways. It is a very funny boo, that challenges your imagination.

Written Language: We will be working on practicing for the MCAS long composition. We will probably take a couple of days to do it. The normal routine is for the children to do all the writing in one day. We are almost there, but not quite ready for that challenge. WE will work ourselves up to that level and be totally ready when the Long Composition day arrives.

We have to get focused and use our time wisely for our Survivor Stories. Many of us are on day 3 or more and have been typing away. Some of us are still on day 1. WE need to do our best and have a top quality writing piece.

We have time on Wednesday 2/4 from 2:00 - 3:00 and on Friday 2/6 from 2:30-3:10. I hope that everyone will buckle down and get going. What I have read so far on the stories, I like. We are on the right track.


Math: We will continue with more advanced division and work on figuring basic averages. We are still going to spend some time working through some word problems, two over two multiplication, and I will start going through some sample MCAS math problems every Friday.

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 71 - 99 (book #2) as of Friday 2/6/09. There are 3 packets, one for each term. I decided to give everyone, done with Book 1 or not, a copy of Book 2. Everyone by now should have completed Book 1, and fixed all their errors.

Science: We will then continue with our unit on Electricity & Magnets. We created ”houses” with three rooms with all different types of circuits and switches. WE are ready to begin our second part of the unit on magnets.

Social Studies: We have a Midwest test this week.(Monday or Tuesday) I am going to coax all the children into taking it on Tuesday because, I am having major difficulties formatting the test and getting it to print out. It is just about ready to be printed. I was finally able to upload it from my stick drive and on to my computer. SO, everything should be all set for tomorrow.
We should be on to the next region map this week.

Dates to remember:

Friday February 13th - Red, White, and Pink Day from 2:30 -3:00 in the cafeteria. Don’t forget to bring in your valentine’s prior to the 13th to distribute them in the classroom.

Book Report due MArch 18th. Everyone should be pacing themselves by doing a little bit each week. I have gone over the expectations 3 times with the class. I will go over them again before and after February vacation.


Thanks, Mr. L.