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<h2>Weekly Overview for Jan. 4, 2010</h2>
<h2><span style="color: #800080">D</span><span style="color: #800080">ear Parents,</span></h2>
<h2><span style="color: #000000"> </span></h2>
<span style="color: #808000">W</span><span style="color: #808000">elcome back!  I hope that your holidays were pleasant.  It's great to be back, I missed the children and was really glad to see them today.  We're off to a great start this week.  I would like to tell you that we are gearing up for ISAT testing and will be focusing a lot on building specifc skills related to this major intiative, which are considered very high stakes in our school system.  Students will be given a practice test to determine what we need to focus on .  Also, there is a website available for you to help your child at home with practicing for the test.</span>

<span style="color: #808000">Here's that link:  <a href="http://metacat2.com/iltestlinks.html">http://metacat2.com/iltestlinks.html</a></span>

<span style="color: #3366ff"><em>Language Arts:</em>  <span style="color: #000000">Our story this week is "Food from the 'Hood:  A Garden of Hope" in the Open Court anthology.  This selection tells of how some students worked together to rebuild the neighborhood around their school after riots destroyed the area.  It's a perfect example of how kids can really make a difference in our world.  Students will be tested on Friday.  </span></span>

<span style="color: #3366ff"><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #3366ff"><em><span style="color: #ff6600">M</span></em></span><span style="color: #ff6600"><em><span style="color: #ff6600">ath:</span></em>  </span></span></span><span style="color: #000000">We are continuing Unit  4 on Decimals and Their Uses and complete it by the end of the week.  Our focus will be decimals and money and students will learn to balance a checkbook and keep a bank balance.  We will also work on examining the relationship among metric units of length.  These are the last few lessons in this unit and the test will be next .</span>

<span style="color: #000000"><em><span style="color: #ff00ff">S</span><span style="color: #ffcc00"><span style="color: #ff00ff"><span style="color: #ff00ff">c</span>ience: </span> </span></em>Students will learn more about magnetic forces in our Magnetism and Electricity science unit.    Hands -on  activities will be done to begin to see the connection between magnetism and electricity.</span>

<span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #ff6600"><span style="color: #339966">So</span><span style="color: #339966"><span style="color: #339966">cial Studies:</span> </span><span style="color: #000000">  </span></span>Our Time for Kids issue this week really relates to our reading selection.  Congress is reviewing the national guidelines of the National School Lunch Program and explores the issue of how the shift needs to be made from prepackaged foods to locally grown natural ingredients.  Students will be investigating our own school lunch program here at Ray.</span>

<span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #333399">A</span><span style="color: #333399"><span style="color: #333399">rt</span>:  </span>We will use lines to create patterns and values and students will vary color and size to create abstract compositions.  </span>

<strong>Homework  1-4-10</strong>

<strong>Assignments:</strong>

<strong> </strong>
<table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="61" valign="top"><strong> </strong></td>
<td width="150" valign="top"><strong>Mon.</strong></td>
<td width="128" valign="top"><strong>Tues.</strong></td>
<td width="111" valign="top"><strong>Wed.</strong></td>
<td width="111" valign="top"><strong>Thur.</strong></td>
<td width="111" valign="top"><strong>Fri.</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="61" valign="top"><strong>L/Arts</strong></td>
<td width="150" valign="top"><strong>Read for 30 minutes.</strong>

<strong>Book Notes</strong>

<strong>Spelling</strong></td>
<td width="128" valign="top"><strong>Read for 30 minutes.</strong>

<strong>Book Notes</strong>

<strong>Poetry </strong></td>
<td width="111" valign="top"><strong>Read for 30 minutes. Book Notes </strong></td>
<td width="111" valign="top"><strong>Read for 30 minutes.</strong>

<strong>Book Notes</strong></td>
<td width="111" valign="top"><strong>Read for 30 minutes.</strong>

<strong>Book Notes</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="61" valign="top"><strong>Math</strong></td>
<td width="150" valign="top"><strong>Study Link</strong></td>
<td width="128" valign="top"><strong>Study Link</strong></td>
<td width="111" valign="top"><strong>Study Link</strong>

<strong>Practice for timed test</strong></td>
<td width="111" valign="top"><strong>Study Link</strong></td>
<td width="111" valign="top"><strong> </strong></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
 

<strong> </strong>

<strong> </strong>

<strong>Story:  <span style="text-decoration: underline">Food from the ‘Hood:  A </span><span style="text-decoration: underline">Garden</span><span style="text-decoration: underline"> of </span><span style="text-decoration: underline">Hope</span>   </strong>

<strong>Genre:  Expository</strong>

<strong>Spelling:  </strong>
<table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top"><strong>glare</strong></td>
<td colspan="2" valign="top"><strong>beware</strong></td>
<td valign="top"><strong>daring</strong></td>
<td colspan="2" valign="top"><strong>clarify</strong></td>
<td colspan="2" valign="top"><strong>comparison</strong></td>
<td colspan="2" valign="top"><strong>declare</strong></td>
<td valign="top"><strong>library</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top"><strong>narrate</strong></td>
<td colspan="2" valign="top"><strong>nightmare</strong></td>
<td valign="top"><strong>prepare</strong></td>
<td colspan="2" valign="top"><strong>repair</strong></td>
<td colspan="2" valign="top"><strong>scare</strong></td>
<td colspan="2" valign="top"><strong>swear</strong></td>
<td valign="top"><strong>earned</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top"><strong>mere</strong></td>
<td colspan="2" valign="top"><strong>harvest</strong></td>
<td valign="top"><strong>scarf</strong></td>
<td colspan="2" valign="top"><strong>scholarship</strong></td>
<td colspan="2" valign="top"><strong>despair</strong></td>
<td colspan="2" valign="top"><strong>spare</strong></td>
<td valign="top"><strong> </strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="11" valign="top"><strong>Vocabulary:</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2" valign="top"><strong>community</strong></td>
<td colspan="3" valign="top"><strong>restoring</strong></td>
<td colspan="2" valign="top"><strong>harvest</strong></td>
<td colspan="2" valign="top"><strong>organic</strong></td>
<td colspan="2" valign="top"><strong>vendor</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="52"><strong> </strong></td>
<td width="34"><strong> </strong></td>
<td width="34"><strong> </strong></td>
<td width="56"><strong> </strong></td>
<td width="39"><strong> </strong></td>
<td width="39"><strong></strong></td>
<td width="39"><strong></strong></td>
<td width="39"><strong></strong></td>
<td width="27"><strong></strong></td>
<td width="27"><strong></strong></td>
<td width="52"><strong></strong></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
 

 

 
<h2><a href="http://pitts.cuipblogs.net/files/2009/12/ani-brrr.jpeg"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-191" title="ani-brrr" src="http://pitts.cuipblogs.net/files/2009/12/ani-brrr-86x150.gif" alt="ani-brrr" width="86" height="150" /></a>Weekly Overview</h2>
<h2>Dec. 14, 2009</h2>
 
<h2><span style="color: #ff0000">P</span><span style="color: #ff0000"><span style="color: #ff0000">ar</span>ents:</span></h2>
<h2><span style="color: #ff0000"> </span></h2>
         I have been having quite a bit of difficulty getting postings updated, however try, try again.  This week has been especially busy since it is the last week before break.  We have maintained our regular schedule as much as possible.  On Friday after lunch, we will have a holiday pizza party, all students have not brought in their $2.50.  Please see that they bring their money on Friday.  Thanks to those generous students who have paid a little extra to help cover the cost of the party.

         Students put on a play for their kindergarten buddies on Wednesday, and I was very proud of their mini-production.  Mr. Walter, the primary Spanish teacher,  just happened to be in their classroom during the performance and asked the principal actors to come to his class and do the play while he read the story in Spanish.  That was an added bonus.  Progress Reports will come home this week, I have also included the Accelerated Reader printout for your child.  Many students have been taking tests regularly, if your child has not, please encourage them to do so in order to meet their goal for this marking period.

        We did not read a story this week as we have been working really hard on various literacy activities related to the current issue of Storyworks magazine.  Students will take a comprehension quiz on "Where the Wild Things Are" on Thursday.

         The Science presentations on the human body are going extremely well.  I am very  pleased with the children's hard work.  Friday is the last day I will accept these projects. 

<span style="color: #ff0000">That's <span style="color: #008000">all for this</span> year!  S<span style="color: #008000">ee you in 2010! </span> Have a <span style="color: #008000">wonderful h</span>oliday!</span>

 

 
<h2>Weekly Overview for the week of Dec. 7, 2009</h2>
<h3><span style="color: #0000ff">Dear Parents:</span></h3>
<span style="color: #0000ff">These last two weeks before the Winter Break will be very busy.  Our holiday party will be on Friday, Dec. 18.  The details have not been worked out, when they are finalized, I will let you know.  As of now, student s will exchange holiday cards and a hand made craft item for the kindergardeners in Room 102 (which I will provide).  They are very excited to also produce their own version of  "Where the Wild Things Are" to them next week.</span>

<span style="color: #800080"><em>Language Arts: </em></span> We are resuming our Open Court anthology series and the new theme is Dollars &amp; Sense.  This week's story is "Starting a Business" from The Kid's Business Book, which takes students through the planning process on their way to entrepreneurship.  They will be tested on spelling, vocabulary and comprehension on Friday.  An essay on "The Best Thing About Holidays" will be completed this week .  Students are to have someone at home review their final drafts which are to be completed on Wednesday.

<em><span style="color: #ff0000">Math:</span></em>  We have begun Unit 4 on Decimals &amp; Their Uses.  This unit reviews basic concepts, decimal notation and their applications in the real world.  Multiplication timed tests will be given on Thursday.  Please keep handy the parent letter for reference.

<em><span style="color: #339966">Social Studies:</span></em>  Time for Kids will be our resource for the global human rights issue of "Helping Girls Succeed".  Students will make a pamphlet to explore the facts from this article.  Our "glogging" has begun.  Ask your child about that.  It promises to be a new and exciting way to present their research to the world.  They are putting together a glog about what they've learned about the 50 states.

<span style="color: #ff6600"><em>Science:</em>  </span>We began our physical science module last week by observing the interaction of magnets with everyday household items.  The "Force" will be explored in more detail this week with the investigation of attraction and repulsion.

<em><span style="color: #333399">Art:</span></em>  We finished our paint compositions last week. Watercolor will be our medium this week while we practice different brush techniques to create various hues and tints.
<h2>Homework</h2>
Please remember students should be continually working on their science presentations.  Although most students have had their projects approved, there are still a few who have not.  The project proposal is due Friday, Dec. 11 and the final presentation is due on Monday, Dec. 14. 

 

<strong>Assignments:</strong>

<strong> </strong>
<table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="61" valign="top"><strong> </strong></td>
<td width="150" valign="top"><strong>Mon.</strong></td>
<td width="128" valign="top"><strong>Tues.</strong></td>
<td width="111" valign="top"><strong>Wed.</strong></td>
<td width="111" valign="top"><strong>Thur.</strong></td>
<td width="111" valign="top"><strong>Fri.</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="61" valign="top"><strong>L/Arts</strong></td>
<td width="150" valign="top"><strong>Read for 30 minutes.</strong><strong>Book Notes</strong><strong>Spelling </strong></td>
<td width="128" valign="top"><strong>Read for 30 minutes.</strong><strong>Book Notes</strong><strong>Poetry</strong></td>
<td width="111" valign="top"><strong>Read for 30 minutes. Book Notes Complete first draft of essay</strong></td>
<td width="111" valign="top"><strong>Read for 30 minutes.</strong><strong>Book Notes</strong></td>
<td width="111" valign="top"><strong>Read for 30 minutes.</strong><strong>Book Notes</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="61" valign="top"><strong>Math</strong></td>
<td width="150" valign="top"><strong>Study Link</strong></td>
<td width="128" valign="top"><strong>Study Link</strong></td>
<td width="111" valign="top"><strong>Study Link</strong><strong>Practice for timed test</strong></td>
<td width="111" valign="top"><strong>Study Link</strong></td>
<td width="111" valign="top"><strong> </strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="61" valign="top"><strong>Science</strong></td>
<td width="150" valign="top"><strong> </strong></td>
<td width="128" valign="top"><strong> </strong></td>
<td width="111" valign="top"><strong>Magnet Response Sheet</strong></td>
<td width="111" valign="top"><strong> </strong></td>
<td width="111" valign="top"><strong> </strong></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<strong>Story:  Starting a Business </strong>

<strong>Genre:  Expository</strong>

<em><strong> </strong></em><strong>Spelling:  </strong>
<table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top"><strong>watermelon</strong></td>
<td valign="top"><strong>season</strong></td>
<td width="106" valign="top"><strong>reason</strong></td>
<td width="130" valign="top"><strong>horizon</strong></td>
<td width="107" valign="top"><strong>happen</strong></td>
<td width="92" valign="top"><strong>opinion</strong></td>
<td valign="top"><strong>custom</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top"><strong>crimson</strong></td>
<td valign="top"><strong>garden</strong></td>
<td width="106" valign="top"><strong>mitten</strong></td>
<td width="130" valign="top"><strong>person</strong></td>
<td width="107" valign="top"><strong>kitten</strong></td>
<td width="92" valign="top"><strong>dungeon</strong></td>
<td valign="top"><strong>problem</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top"><strong>button</strong></td>
<td valign="top"><strong>lessons</strong></td>
<td width="106" valign="top"><strong>preparation</strong></td>
<td width="130" valign="top"><strong>vacations</strong></td>
<td width="107" valign="top"><strong>obligations</strong></td>
<td width="92" valign="top"><strong>customer</strong></td>
<td valign="top"><strong> </strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="7" valign="top"><strong>Vocabulary:</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="100" valign="top"><strong>entrepreneur</strong></td>
<td width="69" valign="top"><strong>maintenance</strong></td>
<td width="106" valign="top"><strong>service</strong></td>
<td colspan="2" width="237" valign="top"><strong>manufacturing</strong></td>
<td colspan="2" width="163" valign="top"><strong>profitable</strong></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>