Next Week's Plan

Well, we're half way through break. I hope everyone is enjoying it! I just want to let you know what is in store for when we return. We will spend a lot of time reviewing the expectations and procedures that we set up at the beginning of the year. In math, we'll spend time reviewing and then move on to more algebra. We will begin researching and planning the biographies we'll be writing throughout the month of January. These biographies will be about Famous Hoosiers. Each student gave input before we left for break and will be assigned one of those people. We will begin the new year by reading something short (I haven't decided what just yet). Sometime around the middle of the month, we will begin reading Because of Winn-Dixie. We'll also be starting a Social Studies unit on the early people of Indiana through the pioneers.

See you all soon!

Happy Holidays!

With the weather, I didn't get a chance to tell everyone to have a happy and safe holiday season. Please check back soon because I'll be posting some of the pictures I took from Mini Mall and our party. Both of which were a huge success.

I know many of you are sad because we didn't get a chance to say good bye to Mr. L. He'll be working full time at his own school when vacation is over, but I'm hoping we can arrange something so that everyone gets a chance to say good bye. I know he really enjoyed his time in our classroom, and he'll miss all of you.

I'd like to encourage everyone to practice their multiplication/division facts over the break and to keep reading. Please have a safe and relaxing vacation! I'll see you next year.

Mini Mall is Coming!

I'm sure you have heard by now that our class is participating in Mini Mall. This is an experience where the children decide whether to provide a good or service for their fellow classmates. They may choose to make bookmarks, decorate pencils, or sell hand-drawn pictures. These would be goods. They may also choose to paint fingernails, sharpen pencils, or personalize items. These would be services. There are many, many choices. My only rules are that they may not sell food items (even if they meet the wellness guidelines) or resell their own belongings.

To further the learning experience, students will be earning and spending money. Each student started with $100 in mini mall money. They can earn more money by doing their Just Read and coming to school. They can also earn additional money for class stars and compliments. Their expenses include desk "rent," store "rent" (day of Mini Mall only) and goods/services tax. They are also fined for signing into the behavior book or not following procedures. My goal is to encourage them to think about pricing competitively yet for a profit.

Mini Mall will be Nov. 17 from 1:45-2:45 in the cafeteria. Students should have everything they need here that morning. They may also make advertisements and bring them in to put up beginning the week of Dec. 8. This is not a requirement. Please ask any questions via the comments on the blog, since I'm sure there will be other parents with the same question.