<p style="text-align: justify"><span style="color: #ff0000">Wow!  I cannot believe that it is already the last week of school for 2009!  So much has gone on this year!  Students are learning testing strategies, are able to multiply and divide, and students are learning to reading independently by applying reading strategies!  I am so very proud of all that we have accomplished!  We still have so much for to do! </span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify"><span style="color: #ff0000">In January, students will begin to learn cursive.  We will continue to work on reading strategies and applying them to book that we are reading independently.  In Mathematics, students will work on place value in whole numbers and decimals.  We will also begin a new unit in Science. </span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify"><span style="color: #ff0000">This is what we are planning on doing this week!</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center"><strong>Instruction</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: justify"><strong><span style="color: #008000">Literacy:</span></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: justify"><span style="color: #008000">This week, I am reassessing students to learn the progress the students have made so far.  During that time, students will work on literature circles to improve their reading strategies.  Students will also be reassessed on their STAR Reading.  Please remember that these assessments are just one piece of evidence of progress.  I also use observations to learn more about your child during reading time. </span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify"><strong><span style="color: #ff0000">Mathematics:</span></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: justify"><span style="color: #ff0000">Students will have their Unit 4 Math Assessment on Thursday.  Students will receive a Math Review on Tuesday to practice for Thursday.  Here is the overview for Mathematics:</span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify"><span style="color: #ff0000">Monday:  Exploring Arrays and Practicing Multiplication and Division Facts</span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify"><span style="color: #ff0000">Tuesday:  Estimating Distances with Map Scales</span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify"><span style="color: #ff0000">Wednesday:  Coin Toss Experiment (Understanding outcomes and checking predictions)</span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify"><span style="color: #ff0000">Thursday:  Math Assessment</span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify"><span style="color: #ff0000">Friday:  Math Games</span></p>
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<p style="text-align: justify"><strong>Science:</strong></p>
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<p style="text-align: justify">This week is our last week on the Water Unit.  We will focus on our last topic:  condensation. </p>
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<p style="text-align: justify"><strong>Holiday Homework:</strong></p>
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<p style="text-align: justify">Students will be given a holiday assignment that is due when students return.  These activities are to help students retain the information they have learned over the past few months.  A rubric, directions, and examples will be provided.  If your child will not be in school on Friday, PLEASE NOTIFY ME so that I can prepare the assignment early for your child.</p>
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<p style="text-align: justify">**Mr. Walter would like students to bring a shirt on Monday to be worn during painting**</p>
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<p style="text-align: justify">  Have a wonderful and safe holiday!  See you in 2010!!!</p>