Week of Dec. 11th-14th

It sure has been busy at school the past week.  Students have worked hard and are definitely getting ready for Christmas break.  Their excitement and level is high and I'm sure next week will be magnified even more. We only have four more days to push through and then two weeks off!

In writing we have been working on an opinion/persuasive piece.  Students have had to write and prove what the best gift would be with reasons to back their claims up.  It has been fun and we hope to wrap them up on Monday or Tuesday at the latest.

We finally finished our book "Wonder" it has been such a joy reading this with the kids and hearing their insightful comments.  It has brought up many different topics which kids are dealing with also.  Auggie is now embedded in all our hearts. We worked on the strategy of compare and contrasting different characters in the book.  It helped us to see a few characters in a new light.  Next week we will be doing a few different activities around "Wonder" and having our vocabulary test on the words from "Wonder".  Kids can practice at home and access them by going to quizlet.com, searching for my name (nichyde) or use this link you can copy and paste into your browser:  https://quizlet.com/236458891/wonder-book-vocab-words-flash-cards/
The test will be on Thursday!

• We will be going to see the movie "Wonder" as a class in the afternoon on Wednesday, January 10th.  We will be walking to the Fallon Theater on Main Street.  The cost is $5.00 which includes entrance into the movie, a small drink and popcorn.  You can send your money in next week or on Monday Jan. 8th.  We will be going with the 5th and 6th grade classes.  Last year they went to a movie together and want to keep the tradition going.  We are excited!  

In projects we are working on learning the states and capitals of the United States.  Students have been working on acrostic poems of the 50 states and learning a few things.  We will be starting the colonization of the United States soon after the Christmas break.


NEXT WEEK- IMPORTANT:

• Our holiday celebration will be on Thursday afternoon.  Please have food/snacks here by 1:30.  We will do our "Secret Friend" exchange of gifts, have a little craft and then students voted they would like to watch a movie.  Monday they will vote for which one.  It will be a Christmas themes one that is G or PG.  I'll send out an email so you are aware which one it will be.  
• If for any reason you cannot send in a gift for the "Secret Friend" exchange, please let me know ASAP. I do not want to have anyone left out of the exchange and am more than happy to get something, I just need some time. 
• Please send in gifts anytime next week.  Only put who the gift is for, not who it is from. 
• Thank you so much to Shauna and her parents for bringing in a small tree for us to use.  
• Lots of sicknesses are rapidly being shared by all, so PLEASE rest up this weekend, wash your hands often and if your  child is sick, keep him home so we don't spread it more than is needed! 
• Call the office 423-5437 by 9am if your child is sick.  It really helps our wonderful office ladies! 

December 4th-7th

We had another busy week last week.  With parent conferences, as well as everything else, I put the blog on the back burner and am just not getting to it.  Please forgive me. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting with almost all of you for parent-conferences.  Thank you for taking the time to come in!

Last week in writing, we started persuasive writing and students have been working hard on an opinion writing piece giving reasons and evidence for the perfect gift.

In Reading, we have continued to work on the book "Wonder" and are almost at the end.  I have enjoyed hearing good feedback from almost all of my students about the book.  Last week the strategy we focused on was recognizing literary elements in our reading.  Students were able to notice some foreshadowing, figurative language and pick out a few different themes that are in "Wonder".  We will finish the book next week and do a few activities before we go see the movie.  The tentative date is for Wednesday January 10th after we get back from the break.

In projects, students made the lyrics up to a song based on one of the science concepts that we have worked on.  They all did an AMAZING job! They performed for 3rd grade on Wednesday for extra practice, then on Thursday they performed for the 6th and 8th graders.  I was so proud of all of them!  It takes a lot of courage to get up and sing.

Holiday Plans: Students drew names for "Secret Gifts" last week.  Please don't spend more than $5-$10 on the gift.  Have students bring them to school anytime next week, by Wednesday at the latest so I can get a gift if someone forgot or wasn't able to.  If you are unable to, please let me know as soon as possible.  We will be doing the gift exchange Thursday as well as doing a little craft and watching a movie.  If you would like to bring some snacks in for the kids for Thursday, please let me know soon.  I have a couple of parents who are bringing something, but need a few more items.  I appreciate all your support!  Have a wonderful week.

November 27 week

Our week back after Thanksgiving break was busy and full of fun activities!
Writing: We watched some videos and did a few activities on prepositions, figurative language, homophones, homographs and parts of speech.  We started Mentor sentences this week, and will continue next week.

Reading:  We are getting closer to the end of "Wonder."  We have had some lively discussions and great conversations about our strategy we worked on, determining and analyzing the author's opinion.

Projects:  The kids have been having fun coming up with songs about ecosystems. They will finish up this week and perform for a few different classes.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

• Parent Teacher Conference is this Friday, December 8th.  If you have not signed up with Sign-Up Genius or contacted me for another time, please do so and I will do my best to accommodate your schedules. 
• I have been working hard with Fallon Theaters for the movie, "Wonder" but, unfortunately, they cannot get it until January.  So, we will go on a walking field trip to Fallon Theaters when we get back from Christmas break. There will be a $5 fee which includes entry into the movie as well as a small popcorn and drink. Students will then compare the book and the movie. More information to come. 
• 5th graders have expressed their desire to have a "Secret Santa" gift exchange with classmates.  They will draw names this week and purchase a gift for the other student ($5-$8 range) and bring it wrapped to the class party on December 21st.  Please only have them put who it is "TO" - they will reveal who it is from after it is opened.  If your child is unable to participate, please let me know so we can assure that every students has a gift.