This Week is Christmas Spirit Week:

• Monday – Christmas Hat Day
• Tuesday – Red or Green Day
• Wednesday – Deck the Halls (Get Christmasy!)

Math: We will be going over the Unit 3 Math Review test today in class and students will have the opportunity to ask questions and try problems similar to the ones they missed.  Tomorrow, students will take the final test, answering only the questions they missed on the review test.  Please keep in mind that this test is hard and will continue to be difficult for students that do not study.

Reading/Social Studies: We will continue our reading of non-fiction texts, focusing on the branches of government.

• In order to allow students to have a hands-on experience with government, we will have a classroom government go into place when we return from break.  Students had the opportunity to give campaign speeches on Friday before the class voted for members of our Legislative (rule makers), Executive (rule enforcers), and Judicial (consequence makers) branches of government.  Students who are not elected will be given other classroom jobs so that all students are active members of our classroom community.  I have a feeling that we will have a few kinks that will need to be worked out in the beginning, but I think putting the classroom behavior in the students’ hands will be great in the long run.  Please let me know if you hear of any problems from your children regarding this new format we will be trying out.

Writing: Students have finished their final opinion pieces and will be using this week to work on refining their writing skills with additional Christmas themed opinion writing.

THIS WEEK:

• Monday
  • Students will be exchanging small gifts with their reading buddies this afternoon as well as just spending some quality time with them before the holidays
• Tuesday
  • All students have passed their multiplication fact quizzes and will therefore be invited to our pizza lunch celebration.  They will NOT need to order or pack a lunch on Tuesday.  Lunch will be provided for all students.
• Wednesday
  • Students will be participating in their holiday sock gift exchange Wednesday morning.  They will be allowed to spend the day shoeless, showing off their cool new socks.  If you haven’t brought in socks yet, you only have a few days left.
  • Our Christmas party will be held Wednesday from 12:40 until 2:10.  If at all possible, please avoid scheduling appointments during this time as I would hate for students to miss out on this fun time to celebrate with friends before break.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.

I hope everyone enjoyed our long weekend and a wonderful snow day yesterday!

THIS WEEK…

Math – We will be working to finish our division unit.  My goal (as long as the weather cooperates) is to take the review test on Friday, have the weekend to analyze the results, and then reteach on Monday and Post-test Tuesday of next week.  Students should be practicing their division all week, focusing heavily upon word problems.

***We have been lucky enough to receive funding for student access to Moby Max school-wide.  We encourage students to use this site at home as well as at school.  It adjusts to meet the needs of each individual student and covers all subject areas.  If you haven’t already, have your child show you the site and you will quickly see the benefits this tool could have.

Reading – We are continuing to read non-fiction texts, but focusing on the federal, state, and local governments to incorporate our Social Studies standards.

***Please remember to have your child read EVERY night.  The best way to improve reading skills is to read.  No matter the age, students also benefit from read aloud, so think about sharing some of your favorite books with your child, or read a few chapters of their favorite book with them.

Writing – Students have been working hard to write opinion essays.  This week, students will choose one more debate prompt as their focus for an opinion essay.  They will be given much less guidance so that way I can determine where their strengths and weaknesses fall.  I will then meet with students one-on-one or in small groups to assist in any area they may need help, before allowing them to take a stand on a U.S. policy issue for the final, graded, opinion essay.

***If your child needs extra help with opinion writing, consider having them write to you about something they really want.  Perhaps they really want to go skiing.  Have them write an opinion/persuasive essay trying to convince you to take them.  The more opportunities they have the write, the better they will become.

Social Studies – Students will be studying the three branches of government: Executive, Legislative, and Judicial.  Students will be expected to complete a Government Mini-Project the week we return from break regarding the three branches.  Expect to see information regarding this project coming home later this week.  Students are allowed to begin working on it over break, however it is NOT required.  I would like the holiday break to be about spending time with family and friends.

***Encourage your child to watch the news or read the newspaper to see their government in action.

IMPORTANT DATES:

• Friday, 12/16 – Popcorn Friday / Hudsonville Spirit Wear
• Tuesday, 12/20 – Multiplication Fact Masters Pizza Party 12:20 – 12:40
• Wednesday, 12/21 – Christmas Party and Holiday Sock Exchange
• Thursday, 12/22 – Monday 1/2 – Winter Break