Important Dates . . .
December 15 -- 3rd Grade bowling in the morning
December 16 -- 4th Grade bowling in the afternoon
December 17 -- Tivoli field trip in the afternoon
December 20 -- Winter Break Begins
January 3 -- Classes Resume after Winter Break
January 17 -- M. L. King Birthday -- No School.
Plan Ahead:
*Classes resume on Monday, January 3.
Holiday Service Project:
Don't forget about our Holiday Service Drive. We are looking for donations such as new toys, new games, toiletries, and food for the needy families in the Darien area. All donations are due on Monday, December 13. Thank you for opening up your hearts to help make the holidays a happy one for those who are less fortunate.
Language Arts
We wrapped up our Noun unit this week. What a great job each child did on this unit!!!
Reading/Social Studies
This week we will read from an online news subscription we just received! It reinforces our events news reports. This weeks theme is The Polar Express. Not only do we learn a little about the story The Polar Express, but we will see how it connects to social studies concepts. The news lessons also focus on word building and comprehension skills.
Please keep reading 20 minutes a night for the Independent Reading Program! This month I will be only requiring 12 days at 20 minutes. Please sign on the date the reading was accomplished. This red folder should be turned in every Friday to make sure they are staying on track. The Independent Reading Folder should be turned in for a grade at this Thursday. Keep reading!
Spelling
Once again the spelling words this week will reflect the fifth chapter science terms. They will be receiving a spelling practice page daily as an assignment. A test over the lesson will be given Friday. Please try to help your child study daily. One strategy you can use to help with spelling words this week is utilizing this website: http://www.kidsspell.com/ On this website students can learn spelling words, practice spelling tests, and play fun spelling games.
Practice pages will be assigned for the upcoming week's list on Friday to give additional study time. Over the weekend would be a good time to discuss the meaning of the words. Although we work on meaning typically on Fridays and Mondays, help from home is greatly encouraged! They will be receiving them daily as an assignment. A test over the lesson will be given this Friday.
Science
This week we will be completing Chapter 5, Exploring Earth's Surface. The "Big Idea" of this chapter is the Earth's surface is made up of many different materials and can change over time. To begin reviewing for the Chapter 5 test you can review the science vocabulary words using flashcards, worksheets in science binder, and reread Chapter 5 in the textbook(p. 194-229) which was sent home.
Math
We will be completing Chapter 3 this week. Not only have they learned strategies to subtraction, but we will continue to reinforce problem solving throughout the chapter and year. Just a reminder of the strategy the children are learning: PAL.
P = problem ( 2 + 2 = )
A = answer ( 4 )
L = label ( toys )
Daily Homework
Reading - 20 minutes and complete Independent Reading Folder Log
- monthly turn in on this Thursday
Spelling - Practice Page nightly to be turned in & study words for test
