Late again...maybe Monday should be the new Friday?

OMG...I am writing THIS week's post right now and saw that LAST WEEK's post (this one) never posted...OMG...then you'll see that my first line is REALLY appropriate...'cause this post is SUPER LATE. I am almost done today's post and was so excited to be "on time"...here is last week...this week's is on it's way....

I guess I need a nickname...how about "Late Kate"? I'm really sorry...that's all I can say!

Let me tell you about last week...

First of all...we've started our Entrepreneurs unit...I'm sure you've heard about it by now...the kids have formed six companies within the classroom...and last week they brainstormed products, worked through finances to see what materials they could afford, which type of advertising they'd use, and their cooperative skills were put to the test!! It's hard when EVERYONE is a leader! So after they decided which materials they needed and what types of advertising they would do, they had to use mad math skills to figure out the cost of each individual product. Then, based on that amount, they had to set the selling price for their product...all in hopes of making INCOME!! This week they will specialize, complete production, create advertisements, and become interdependent...wish me luck!! ;-) Next week we will commence with two different Market Days...more on that at the end of this week!

In poetry we have continued our focus on figurative language and the tone and mood of poems. Today I introduced the "diamante" poem and the kids picked a person, place or thing to write about. Later this week we will be researching a famous person of choice to write a diamante poem about. We will use SIRS and I will instruct them on all the important components of that research portal while we gather info.

Last week in Math we worked with geometry...3D shapes, angles, lines...we got out protractors and measured angles to determine whether they were obtuse, acute, or right angles...we looked at triangles and categorized them based on their angles...we saw isoscolese triangles, scalene triangles, and right triangles...we determined the difference between prisms and pyramids, and made 3D models to help hone in those differences! We will continue with geometry this week.

And then finally, we spent five lessons last week focusing 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.

NEWSFLASH!!
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!

YOUNG AUTHOR'S CONTEST
I sent home information about the Young Author's Contest on Friday...unfortunately, we received this info kind of late, but your child does still have TWO days to turn in a piece of writing. Twenty kids put their hands up saying they were interested, and we sure do have some excellent writers, so I hope they'll be able to participate. I believe the entries are due Wednesday!

Whenever I find a contest that some of the students might be interested in, I try to send the information. Contests are such a great way to show off their talents...I believe I sent a paper home last week about an Economics poster contest, too. Check the Take Home folder for info on that!

I hope you and your families are enjoying this very joyous time of year! Stay warm and as always...email me with questions or concerns. Maybe I'll see some of you at the PTA meeting tomorrow night or the BOE meeting on Wednesday. I'm planning to speak at the BOE meeting...hope to see you there!!