Snow!
Due to the snow days we’ve had this week, students will not be receiving word study words. We will start with a new set of words next Monday.
Biography projects are now due WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10.
As always, please contact me if you have questions 
CelloBop
This week we had the pleasure of having a professional cellist, Gideon Freudmann, come visit our school. We got to listen to him play an acoustic cello and an electric cello. It was quite the treat!
Here is website http://cellobop.com/ if you would like to listen to him online.
Students: What was your favorite part of Gideon’s performance?
January Update!
Lots is going on in our classroom right now! Here are some of the big things that are happening:
- In math, we have started long division! We do not use the “traditional” method for this in Everyday Math. We use an algorithm called Partial Quotients. Below is a WONDERFUL video that I’ve found on the internet of a teacher teaching partial products. This may help some of you who have no idea what your children are doing when they are dividing. It’s much different from the “old way”!
- We have just finished a science unit on matter, and we ‘ve begun a new social studies unit on The Northeast Region of the US. Please be studying the states in this region with your children, as there will be a map quiz coming up!
- In language arts, we’re coming to a close with our unit on Tall Tales. We know that Tall Tales are stories about real people where the truth in the story has been exaggerated or “stretched out”. Ask your children to share some of their favorite tall tales with you. We’ve read many in class!
- Now that our Tall Tales unit is over, we are beginning to learn about Biographies. Each child will be doing a biography project in the coming weeks. Be on the look out for a paper that I’ll be sending home about this assignment.
- Since returning from break, some students have forgotten many of our school and classroom rules. We’ve been very talkative in the past few days, and the students are all working hard to break this habit. Please encourage your child at home to use their best behavior in school.
Winter Break
Hi boys and girls,
I hope each of you has had a wonderful holiday break! I hope that you took time to rest, and you enjoyed being with your families and friends.
Over my break I traveled to Richmond to see my family. I also got the chance to go to several movies. It’s been a great holiday!
Please leave a comment letting me know what you’ve been up to. I’d love to know something fun you did over your break. Just leave a comment below!
Holiday Movies and Specials!
Do you have a favorite holiday movie or special that you like to watch each year? Let me tell you about mine…
Every year at Christmas I enjoy watching the movie Home Alone. This movie is about a boy named Kevin who gets left at his family’s home when the rest of his family travels to Paris, France over Christmas. The craziest part, is that while he’s home alone, two burglars try to break into his house. Kevin pulls lots of pranks to get the burglars to go away, and it makes me laugh every time I watch it. This movie has a nice message, because it reminds you how important and nice it is to be around family at the holidays.
NOW…please tell me about your holiday movie or your favorite holiday special! Leave a comment below.
(To leave a comment, you will need an email address. If you don’t have an email address, you may just type YOURFIRSTNAME@vbschools.com This will allow for your comment to go through!)
The Holidays
We are getting very excited for our winter break around here! As we wind up 2009, I have asked the students to remember to stay focused and on task in class.
We are having a little bit of trouble remembering to do our homework each night. Homework is an important piece of school work, as it’s great review, and it allows students to practice what we did during the school day. Please remember to check your child’s agenda each night OR you can always check what the homework is on the blog (see homework page link on the right).
Be looking for a note in the next few days regarding our Holiday Party. Everyone will be assigned an item to donate for our party.
US Regions – The Southeast
We have started our Social Studies unit on the Southeast Region of the United States. This region is rich with culture and history, and we’ve got lots to learn about it!
Students already have a map of this region (one in their binder that they filled out and another in their textbook). Please be studying these for a MAP QUIZ ON FRIDAY 12/4!
Thanksgiving
During this time of year, we have lots to be thankful for.
Here are some things that I am thankful for:
- I am thankful that I live in a free country.
- I am thankful for the food that I have to eat each night.
- I am thankful for my family and friends.
- I am thankful for my silly dog, and for the long walks we go on.
- I am thankful for all of my students. Each of them makes my work day a little more exciting.
- I am thankful for the bright sunshine. I love being outside on a beautiful day!
Please leave me a comment with a list of things that YOU are thankful for
Canned Food Drive
Don’t forget to bring in canned food for our food drive this week! It’s a great way to help out others!
Weather Test Update
Due to our days off last week, the weather test has been moved to Thursday of this week. Please study your study guide!
