The Most Wonderful Time of Year!

I really do love this time of year, with all its craziness and festivities!  The children are just so full of joy and excitement, that it's hard not to catch their spirit!  With that said, we are still hard at work here in 4K!  Here's some of what's been going on ...

ELA: Students are excited to be working on a holiday research project here at school.  Each partnership is researching a different winter holiday from around the world...some are fairly obscure!  After researching basic information about the holiday, students will create a presentation to share with the class next week.  Ask your child which holiday s/he is learning about!

We continue to work on parts of speech, with our most recent focus being adverbs.  And, students have spent a lot of time creating a booklet called "Hooray for the Holidays" in which they are writing about holiday wishes, memories, and traditions.  We will share these with each other next week, then they will come home for you to see!  

MATH:  All math classes took a test last week on chapter 5.  Fractions will be our focus throughout the third quarter.  A great thing to do for your child is to point out fractions as you use them in your daily life...when you're baking for the holidays, how much pizza is left, what fraction of the presents have bows, etc.  This will help your child see the practical, everyday uses of fractions.  

SCIENCE:  After studying weathering, erosion, and deposition, we spent about a week learning about all the different landforms that cover earth.  Now we are learning about the faster processes that can change earth's surface...volcanoes, earthquakes, floods, drought, etc.  Students are always intrigued by the various forces of nature!  

NEXT WEEK:  One day next week, I would like to show your children the movie "Because of Winn-Dixie" since we just read the book.  It will be my present to them and I will serve them treats and drinks.  IT'S A SURPRISE, so please don't tell! Also, it is rated PG, so please let me know if you DO NOT want your child to watch this movie with us.  

Here are some other specials things going on next week:
Monday, December 18:  4th graders wear green!  (Bright Holiday Lights!)
Tuesday, December 19:  Pajama Day! (no slippers)   (Settle In for a Long Winter's Nap!)
Wednesday, December 20:  Wear your favorite holiday sweater, hat, socks, scarf 
and/or  accessories! (Holiday Cheer Gear)
Holiday party @ 2pm!  

Thursday, December 21:  FIRST DAY OF BREAK!  ENJOY!