We have begun working through some MCAS practice, in ELA and Math from years past. After the Thanksgiving break, I will send some home for practice. The children should work through them with parents, for all to get an understanding of the expectations.

Spelling: We will be working on the pages from an old workbook, Lesson #4. The packet has been copied and distributed to everyone. They will also have 5 sentences to write on lined paper, using the spelling words. The sentences are also due on Friday. (The sentences need to be done in cursive.) I am pleased to announce that 4 of the children have completed all 8 bonus lists for the term. We have a bunch of others, who are right on their tails. If they have completed the 8 lists they are done for the term.

Reading: We are continuing with, one of my favorites, War with Grandpa. The story is about a family who has a major change in their lives. Their grandfather moves in with them. Well actually, he moves into the sons room and the son is relocated into the attic. Peter, the son, is not to happy about his new living quarters and her “goes to war” with his grandfather over his territory, his old room. The story is quite humorous and very enjoyable.

We will again, be writing long answer questions in our journal for this novel. A major reminder to everyone is that we can and should go back into the story to provide evidence for our answers. The children need to read the assignments over carefully and check that they have answered their questions completely.


The steps to answer a question are:
1. Restate the question
2. Answer the question
3. Support you answer with evidence from the story

Written Language: We are going to continue with or writing of descriptive paragraphs this week on scarecrows. The children need to become more descriptive in their writing. I have told them to include color, size, and shape any time that they are describing something. This gives the reader a chance to visualize the object in their mind.

Math: We will have a simple assessment of our math knowledge in geometry this Thursday. As far a math goes, this week will be an M WEEK. Meaning, that we will work on multiplication, money, and some MCAS practice. WE need all the practice we can in those three areas. SO, why not use a little time each day to build upon what we already know. I am having the children practice counting and making change this week, in preparation for the opening of the School Store. The facts are coming along and they still need work on them, but only time will tell.

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 37 - 56 as of Friday 11/21/08. 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.

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

Science: We continue to work through our unit on “Land and Water”. We are almost done with our unit. We have to plant grass this week and then wait until it is fully grown. I hope that will be done before Thanksgiving. I am happy to announce that our grass grew over the weekend and therefore, we can wrap-up Land and Water before Thanksgiving. YEAH!

Social Studies: We have moved on to the Southeast. The children have filled in a map of the regions with states and capitals. We will be researching and working through the major landforms, clinmate and the resources and industries of the southeast. We will do some simple comparisons of the Soputheast and the Northeast. Using a venn diagram.

Projects: Talking Calendars are due Nov. 19th. I have sample form previous years for them to look at for meeting the criteria.
Thanks, Mr. L.