Okay, in my haste to get all the information out to parents, regarding the classroom book publications, I mistakenly gave you a date of January 19th, for ordering extra copies of your child’s book. Well, now that I have had time to think more clearly, I realized that we will not be in school on that day. We can hold off on ordering more copies until a later date so, we can have a better picture of what the books might look like.
I was also given a more definitive date from Mrs. Perry, regarding the publication. The copies ready for print need to be in her hands on February 25th. They will go out for publication at that time, and be processed on March 5th. This is very exciting so, I am sure that I will be contacting everyone again with more information soon.
I would still like to see everyone come in to school ready to go. It is still taking some of us, way to long to settle into our daily routine, especially with their morning work. They need to step it up!

Spelling: We will be working on pages from our workbooks, from the story. We are back to the regular list of bonus words. The children are either on list #1, #2, #3, or #4.

Reading: We have been reading the novel; Courage in the Sky: Amelia Earhart. I have been taking notes along the way and I have given the children a typed copy of each set of chapter notes. I will be using these as a guide to develop a model for our biography book reports. This will hopefully ensure that all are on the same page, when it comes to developing and doing their own report.

Written Language: We are finishing up a simple writing assignment on a snowman on Monday. We will be beginning the very rough development of our book project early this week.

Math: We will begin simple division and tie it into the corresponding multiplication fact. We are still going to spend some time working through some word problems and I will start going through some sample MCAS math problems on 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 60 - 80 (book #2) as of Friday 1/16/09. There are 3 packets, one for each term. I am pleased to announce that 12 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 continue with our new unit on Electricity & Magnets. I love working with electricity and magnets. I know, it is shocking that I like it. LOL Before vacation, 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
We will be creating “flashlights” with a simple circuit and connecting it to a switch.

Social Studies: I have broken the children into groups and they are taking notes on the different sections of the Midwest. They will develop a poster of information and present it to the class. (the climate, landforms, the resources and industries, people, and the early settlers.) I am trying to begin fostering more independent work habits. I have already modeled what I expect them to present in previous regions. It is up to them as individuals and groups to develop a finished product.


Thanks, Mr. L.