Wednesday, December 19, 2012

For Christian Studies, I brought in a couple sand dollars I found on the beach when I went to Seaside, Oregon for the teacher conference.  I shared the legend of the sand dollar with the students, and I broke one of the sand dollars open so we could see the five doves of peace.  I gave each student a sand dollar ornament with the legend on it that they can take home today.  They also get to take home the mitten ornaments they made. 

The Christmas program performances are at 2:00 and 7:00 today!  Students should go to their classroom at 6:30 tonight.

There is chapel tomorrow at 8:40.  The Christmas party will start about 10:00.  Each student should bring in a book for the book exchange tomorrow.  It is an early release day - students will get out at 11:15. 

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

We reviewed for the math test, which is tomorrow!  Students also have their 50 states and capitals quiz tomorrow! 

Homework for today is...
Math practice test
Study capitals

Monday, December 17, 2012

This morning, we had a dress rehearsal for our Christmas program.  We reviewed the states and capitals of the Northeast.  Students will be quizzed on all 50 this Wednesday.  In Math, we worked on choosing addition or subtraction to solve problems.  Students need to label their answers!  Tomorrow, we'll review what we've learned this chapter.  The math test will be Wednesday.  I read aloud a book called Silver Packages about a Christmas train that runs in the Appalachian Mountains.  It makes several stops, and children in poor towns receive Christmas presents from the people on the train. 

The class did so well today - they filled their jar and will receive a reward that they will vote on! 

Thursday is our Christmas party.  Each student should bring a book for the book exchange that costs $5 or less. 

There is no spelling or memory this week. Students do not have to read for 20 minutes this week. 

Homework for today is...
Math worksheet (Lesson 3-9)
Study states and capitals
Some students still need to fill in their next book project choice.

Friday, December 14, 2012

This morning, we worked on selecting addition or subtraction to solve problems.  We made a list of key words that are clues for when to add and when to subtract.  We'll finish up chapter three in math next week and take the test on Wednesday.  In Social Studies, we added the Northeast states and capitals.  Students will be quizzed on all 50 on Wednesday. 

Homework (due Monday):
Choose book for next book project

Thursday, December 13, 2012

This morning, we ran through the Christmas program and got to watch the actors!  The students took their states and capitals quiz.  In the afternoon, we finished our centers, had library time, and worked on our memory verse. 

A note is coming home today about what to wear for the Christmas program.  Our Christmas party is Thursday the 20th.  I will not be here that day, but there will be a substitute and a few parents to help with the party.  The class will be doing a book exchange at the party.  Each student should bring a book that is no more than $5.  If you are unable to get a book, please let me know, and we'll make sure to have extras.

Homework for today is...
Vocabulary p. 65
Subject pronouns p. 67
Read Ramona Forever during 20 minutes of reading

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

It's 12/12/12!  At 12:12, Mr. Haan made an announcement, and we had a 12-second long cheer!  That was a good time!  More students got to share their book projects today.  We worked more on subtracting across zeros.  Tomorrow morning, we're going to be practicing our Christmas program songs with the whole school and watching the actors, so the students will get to see how their songs fit with what the program is all about!

The quiz over the West, Southwest, Midwest, and Southeast capitals is tomorrow!

Homework for today is...
Spelling p. 53-54
Math worksheet (3-8)

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

In Math, we worked on subtracting across zeros.  We'll finish up with that tomorrow.  Students brought in their book projects today, and they look great!  Some started sharing today.  We went over what prefixes and suffixes are and some examples of them.  Then the students read Ramona Forever.  Some students need to finish reading it tonight.  Most of the students have finished sewing their mittens for their Christmas ornaments.  They turned out really nice! 

Homework for today is...
Choose book for next book project (due Monday, Dec. 17)
Finish reading Ramona Forever

Monday, December 10, 2012

This morning we talked about the second week of Advent.  A second candle is lit that represents peace.  In Math, we worked on subtracting greater numbers.  In Social Studies, we reviewed the capitals of the Southeast states.  The students will be quizzed on those on Thursday. 

I could use some help on Wednesday and Thursday with centers from 12:30-1:30.  Also, I don't have a lunch parent for Wednesdays.  Let me know if you are interested in helping with either of those things! 

Book projects are due tomorrow!  Students should look at the directions and rubric in their folders to make sure they did everything they need to do! 

Homework for today is...
Math worksheet (3-7)
Book project

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

We had such a great time at Chenoweth House this afternoon!  I am so proud of how well the students did visiting with the residents there!  We spent some time visiting before we started making snowman ornaments for them to put on their Christmas tree.  After that, a few students performed by playing piano or singing.  Then the whole class sang a couple songs for them.  Thank you to the parents who drove!  If any of you could send me pictures of the visit, that would be great since my camera batteries were dead! 

Homework for today is...
Study the Midwest state capitals

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

This morning, we practiced Christmas program songs with the fourth and fifth graders.  After that, the students took a quiz on following directions, which all of them failed!!!  Many students missed problems on the homework that's coming home today because they didn't follow the directions!  I tried to emphasize the importance of taking your time and reading carefully before jumping into an assignment. 

Tomorrow, we will be going to Chenoweth House to sing and play songs and do a craft with the residents there.  We will leave at 12:45. 

This Friday, I'm planning to have the students do some simple hand stitching with yarn for our Christmas ornaments.  Yarn needles will not go through the felt, so we will have to use some pointy needles to be able to do the project.  I will discuss with the students how to use the needles and how to be careful with them.  If a student is being careless, they will have to stop and put the project away.  If you have any concerns or questions about this project, please email me.  I would love to have some parent helpers here at that time (Friday, 2:00) to help students and watch to make sure they are being careful.  Let me know if you are interested!

Our Christmas party will be Thursday, December 20, which is a half day and the last day of school before break.  Email me if you are interested in helping out!

Homework for today...
A few students need to finish their how-to paragraphs.