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<h2>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>