Lots of Good Stuff...

OK...where to begin...

Let's start with this direction...hug your kids hard tonight...they have written the most beautiful letters to the soldiers in support of the U.S. Dept of Veteran Affairs program "Soldiers' Angels"...I told the kids they could do more than one final copy as extra credit...I have a couple of kids who did FOUR beautifully hand written copies. I am really proud of all of them.


Writing
So, we reviewed the format of a "friendly letter", discussed what kinds of information should go in our letters, and then we wrote rough draft and final draft letters to the Soldiers (as mentioned above). But this week we also wrote paragraphs about the growing and repeating patterns the kids made during math. The kids created a growing pattern of at least four levels and a repeating pattern with at least two shapes in the core of the pattern...then we worked to solve them! That was fun and challenging. They followed up the pattern work with the writing assignment that they drafted in the Computer Lab using Microsoft Word. These patterns and paragraphs are hanging in the classroom. And then of course, the homework assignment - Write About Your Bedroom - using fractions. I LOVED reading these paragraphs! I made notes on a lot of the papers suggesting some elaboration...you're going to here that a lot this quarter...I want to see more details, more adjectives, more WOW work...so as you review the papers in your child's folder, please encourage your child to do WOW work and discuss what that entails. Thanks.


Language Arts
We finished up our short story unit and took a "clicker test" this week...if you don't know about clickers...ask your child...they LOVE clickers. They did a good job answering questions and showed their understanding of the different types of stories and the characteristics that define them. Today I introduced the Poetry Unit. I LOVE this unit and look forward to sharing it with the kids...I asked the kids today if they have a favorite poetry book at home...if not, please have them check one out of the library on your next visit...at some point they will need to memorize a poem and present it to the class. Thanks to Allie for sharing some of her favorite Shel Silverstein poems this morning.


Science
We have completed so many tests on our mystery powders and have collected a lot of pertinent data that we will use to determine what each powder is...during the water test we found that some of the powders created solutions and others suspensions. During the vinegar test, we found that one of our powders had a chemical reaction when mixed with the acidic liquid. During our iodine test, we found that one of the powders had a chemical reaction...a color change...when mixed with this liquid. Next week we will complete a Cabbage Juice test and we will see the results of how heat affects each powder. Needless to say, your budding scientists are having a ball! Today they took a test and were able to use their notes to help answer a couple of questions...this helped the kids to see that keeping accurate and detailed records is extremely important when doing science.


Math
I gave the Quarter One post test yesterday...I was so pleased with the results...ask your child about it. I have to keep the assessments, but they saw them today and they know what their pre-test score was and what their post-test score was...everyone showed improvement. We have been working with fractions this week...equivalent fractions, simplifying fractions, fractions of a set, fractions on a number line...yesterday we "made pizzas" and compared the different sized pieces to add and subtract fractions.

A Giving Opportunity
"Christmas in Afghanistan" is our focus for next week...Logan Cresswell's uncle was deployed to Afghanistan last week. He is part of our own Frederick based Marines, Bravo Company, 4th LAR. Logan's mom, Kristen Forse, is putting together care packages for these brave marines that will include letters from our class. The goal of "Christmas in Afghanistan" is to send each Marine a "present" to open on Christmas day. Mrs. Forse is also collecting items for the care packages...below I have listed these items. All donations must be collected by December 1st in order to get the care packages there on time. If you have any questions, please contact Kristen Forse at 240-357-0626. Items that are in need include: baby wipes razors shaving cream bar soap socks hand/foot warmers toothbrush/toothpaste magazines books crossword puzzles stationary gum canned food candy...

Report Cards
Remember that this year's report card will look VERY different...listing 3rd grade indicators for all subject areas. Make sure your child's report card indicates that he/she receives "Essential Curriculum with Enrichment" and that they receive G & T services. This implies that the letter grades listed on the report card reflect his/her performance in a Magnet classroom setting. In the case of Math specifically, your child's letter grade reflects his/her mastery of the FOURTH grade curriculum standards, NOT the 3rd grade indicators listed. It seems confusing now, but I'm sure you'll find it easy to figure out when the hard copy arrives. Please feel free to contact me with any questions/concerns you have regarding this issue...or any other!

Have a wonderful weekend...hug those cute little people...they work so hard!