January 30th - February 3rd

If you had the chance to attend the Science Fair last week, you were able to see all of the wonderful projects and cool science activities. I have to point out the talents of Crea's stepdad who was able to build a pyramid of foam plates and aluminum cans that almost touched the ceiling. It was the tallest can/plate structure that I saw all night.

Reminders/Upcoming Events:

- I've added the calendar to the top of the blog (easier to see). I hope this helps all of you keep track of what's going on in the classroom.

- I also added a link to the left side of the page called, "Writers' Workshop Help". On this page you will be able to find pictures of the writing I modeled in class. This is to help students who did not finish their writing in class and need to complete it at home. I often hear, "I forgot what I was supposed to write or what it was supposed to look like." Be sure to use this to help your writers at home. If your child is finishing all of their writing in class, they usually won't have writing homework.

- We are still in need of VOLUNTEERS and DONATIONS for our annual Kiss-o-Gram sales. We are asking for anyone who can donate any of their time from February 7-13 from 10:45-12:45. You can help any or all of that time. We also still need LOTS of Hershey kisses (nut free)!

- Early Release on February 1st at 12:45.

- Progress Reports go home this week. This is the time to correct any work below a 70 and turn in missing work. Most assignments have extra copies in the classroom filing bin. Your children are able to look through this bin at any time if they have lost the assignment.

- Somehow, we've RUN OUT OF PENCILS. I can't believe it. Lately, I've seen most of the class using mechanical pencils. If you choose to buy your child a mechanical pencil, please make sure they also have lead. I do not have lead. If you would like to donate pencils (mechanical or regular), we would greatly appreciate those!

- Thanks to those who donated snack this week! I'll let you know when we are in need of more.

- This week's Spelling tests had lots of low grades. Be sure your children are practicing their spelling words EVERY night, even if there isn't a worksheet or formal practice being sent home. Better spelling will help us become better writers.

What we're learning...

Math - lines and angles (assessment over polygons, 3D figures, lines, and angles on Friday)

Science - water cycle

Social Studies - Civil War (assessment on Friday)

Language Arts - persuasive writing and creating an advertisement

Homework:

Daily - Practice multiplication facts for at least 10 minutes. Read for at least 20 minutes.

Monday - geometry angles; write each word 3 times each

Tuesday - spelling worksheet

Wednesday - geometry lines; Write each word in a sentence.

Thursday - editing practice and take a pre-test for spelling with a parent/friend/sibling, etc.

Spelling:

bloom, cookbook, soon, shampoo, wool

prove, group, brook, foolish, bulletin

cocoon, raccoon, roof, coup, proofread

stool, crooked, smooth, scooter, cartoon