Keeping Warm

I don't just mean with sweaters and coats (though, please do that, too)! With all of the school that we've been missing, please make sure that you are keeping up with reading and practicing those math facts. When we return next week, we'll pick up right where we left off. We have to review last week's algebra before moving onto lines and angles as we begin geometry. We will also be having an indicator quiz in reading. After the quiz, we'll be sharing our questions from Because of Winn-Dixie. Sometime on Monday, we will discuss the answers to our questions on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and watch a video. I will also be looking at extending the deadline for the social studies lessons to next week. Please remember that this is an in-class project, even though some students have opted to make things at home to bring in. (I love the intiative!!)

Just to let everyone know, I am making some changes to our daily schedule starting on Monday. Our intervention specialist, Mrs. Bogue, will be resuming work with students for additional help in reading and math. To better serve those students, I need to make adjustments to our daily schedule. I'm not sure what the schedule will be yet. I will post it as soon as I figure it out.

Have a good weekend and stay warm!

We're Baaack!

We had a wonderful first week back. I was so proud of how everyone came in ready to work. The class received a lot of compliments from other teachers on their behavior, which I always love to hear. We've already earned another reward--on Monday, students will choose a friend they would like to sit by for the day. They really deserve it!

Next week, we will be starting to read Because of Winn-Dixie. This is one of my favorite books because its many themes reach out to a lot of different readers. We're also currently working on writing biographies. I'm amazed at the level of interest everyone is showing in his/her famous Hoosier. I can't wait to see how the reports turn out. In math, we're going to continue algebra. I've also been reminding students that they need to practice their multiplication and division facts at home. Flashcards are great...students can set a goal for how many they'd like to complete in a minute and increase their goal as they get better. Also, a great website for fact practice is www.aaamath.com. Another subject the students are really excited about right now is social studies. We're studying Native Americans who settled in Indiana. Students are in groups, and each group is respsonsible for learning about certain tribes. They will then present a lesson to the rest of the class about what they have learned. Lastly, students are responsible this week for answering a question about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s life. The students generated the questions and chose which one they each wanted to answer. However, most students were so excited that they found the answers to their questions after they finished their quizzes on Friday. As I've mentioned a few times already, they've been very motivated since returning from vacation. This new year is filled with great topics, so I expect the level of motivation will continue!

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.