Happy Holidays!
If you just pinched yourself to see if you were dreaming then by now you know that you aren't! It is the last school week of 2011 and while it is only a three day week we are jamming five days worth of fun and learning into it. One big announcement this week is that there is no homework this week (except of course to read each night). I hope that this helps your student ease into the Christmas break nicely. Also, interims went home last Monday so if you did not receive one then your child is on grade level. There are a few students who are on the border in writing so this holiday I will be sending home a Christmas Break journal with all of the students. They can write down each day what they do over the break to help them practice their handwriting and indenting (the first line of each paragraph). Every student that writes in their journal at least 9 of the days we are out will earn a prize when they return to school on Tuesday, January 3rd. I'll even be writing in my own journal as a way of walking the walk with the students. Please do not have your student rush through the last day of break to complete nine entries. My intention is not to stress my students out but help them build their skills through daily practice while at the same time giving them a record of memories. As I've grown up I've forgotten many stories from my elementary days and rely on friends to remind me, my goal is for your student to not only practice but to also create something that you can cherish and that they can relish when they are older.
In Math this week, we are wrapping up our Unit 5 word problems. We will also be using the holiday season to create Gingerbread House Graphs, work through 2 and 3 digit addition and subtraction problems (NCSCOS says we should be working with #'s thru 500), and of course a few fun word problems. Since we do not have any math homework this week please encourage your student to practice their math facts (1+3=4) at home. I have seen some of my students blossom thus far this year while a few of my friends are still dependant on their fingers. While that is still alright, your student should be making the transition from fingers to facts currently or very soon. I do not want any of the Heroes to fall behind in this vital area. As an extension, I have begun to show some of the students the relationship between addition through grouping and multiplication. If your child is ready please support this learning at home. At the same time, if your student is not able to solve basic one step math problems please do not push them into multiplication. Pushing students beyond their ability only creates learning gaps that can lead to problems later.
In Reading and Writing, we are continuing to write our Snow Monster stories that may be a comedy or a tragedy depending on what your student wishes to do. I know I love a good laugh so hopefully that will be the direction that they go in. The main goal is for your child to continue to practice their paragraphs and handwriting. We are also finishing up some of our nonfiction writing and learning about all of those text features that exist in nonfiction writing.
Don't Forget
*Hanukkah begins on sundown Tuesday.
*Wednesday is our "Polar Express Day" where your student can choose to wear their pajamas if they would like. We will also be drinking hot chocolate but feel free to send in another snack for your child to eat during the movie. Your child can also bring in a favorite stuffed animal if they would like.
*Our Christmas Break begins on Wednesday at 3:45 pm. Please have a safe and happy holidays and I will see you all next year on January 3rd! I am already excited about all of the fun that we will have next year.
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