I think I'm finally catching up!!

So...where to begin?! Just a quick update...on Thursday of last week my oldest son (who was five years old when I met my husband and is now 25!) and his wife came for a visit...that next day, my 13 year old went into the hospital with asthma...we thought he'd be released the following day and lo and behold...he spent three nights and was released Monday night...so on Tuesday, the whole family had a "shut in" because we had yet to be in the same room together since my son and daughter-in-law had arrived...on Wednesday, we all returned to work and Robert and Kim returned to Chattanooga...Connor is now healthy...and I'm almost caught up grading papers!!!


And the best news of all...while Robert and Kim were here I learned I am going to be a GRANDMA!!! So...now you're caught up on me...let me catch you up on the REAL reason you check this website...YOUR KID!!

You would think with the holidays upon us, your kids would be climbing walls...not true...as I type they are working SOOO hard on their state brochures....let me tell you what was done to get us to this point. This project hits on so many indicators...in Language Arts we are reading social studies text to find the main idea, taking notes, and rewriting information from our own perspective...so the kids first researched using Culturegrams, an on line resource, then they gathered facts from textbooks and a non-fiction book from the library. All this was going on, while in Social Studies we were focusing on physical geography, natural resources, and climate. Then the kids organized their facts to create a brochure encouraging people to visit their state....making sure to incorporate the geography, natural resources, climate...and of course, facts they just found downright cool! They developed a slogan to use as an enticing title, designed pictures, printed maps and flags, and are in the process of finishing the final product...they are SOOOO good...the brochures, and YOUR KIDS.


Towards the end of the week we shifted our focus to cultures around the world...this coming week we will talk about immigration...the hows and whys...and how it has helped shape our wonderfully diverse country. Speaking of cultures...your child has a culture project due next Monday, December 20th...if you haven't seen the project, check your child's take home folder! They will receive two grades...a social studies grade and an oral presentation grade.


Speaking of grades...sometimes I wish they didn't exist...not because I don't like grading papers...but because many of the kids are very hard on themselves and get very upset about grades...I try to help them see that if they get a grade they dislike, its a learning experience and it will help them to improve in some way...however, this past Friday I returned a BOATLOAD of papers...some three weeks old, and there were some unhappy faces in the crowd. Most of the kids had a lot of A's, but as you know, the ONE "not so good grade" overshadows all the others. ;-( As I told the kids...if anyone has a C or below on a quiz or test, they are allowed to retake it to help improve their grade. Please sign the graded quiz and when it is returned, I will ask your child if he/she wants to retake it...and then I will give them a couple nights to study before I retest. Please email me with any questions about this.


In Math this past week we worked on coordinate points...they were introduced to all four quadrants of the coordinate plane...then each child drew a picture on grid paper and wrote directions using coordinate points for another student to create their picture...it was a very fun way to ensure they understand coordinate points...some kids even chose to use all four quadrants!! The kids also wrote about mystery fractional creatures and had to use each other's clues to identify them around the room. This coming week we move into the land of decimals...



For four of the five days this week we have had lessons on personal body safety. Your children have been extremely mature and have asked excellent questions. We have discussed safe touches, unsafe touches, and unwanted touches. They have been introduced to new vocabulary: victim, sexual abuse, physical abuse, neglect, and have been taught the difference between an OK secret and a not OK secret. The students created a Trusted Adult Directory so they know they have more than one person to turn to with a question or concern. At the end of each lesson the students are given a file card to jot down a question that they are wondering about...even if the kids do not have a question, I require them to write something down...this way, all questions are confidential since everyone has dropped one in the box. Again, I have been extremely impressed with their maturity handling this subject.

In case you haven't noticed...IT IS REALLY COLD OUTSIDE!! Please make sure you are sending your child to school with hats and mittens...unless the temperatures drop below 20 degrees fahrenheit, we go outside...even for a short time...to run off some energy...SOOOO...please help your child remember all the necessary pieces of clothing to stay warm...thanks!

Have a great weekend...enjoy this joyous time of year