Weekly update 12/18/13

It's vacation!  I know I am excited for some time with my family and friends to celebrate the winter holidays.  I hope you all have special plans as well.  Even though, it's coming up on vacation, it's still business as usual around here.
Few important reminders…
* Friday, the 20th, is pajama day for earning 9 baseballs.  Please be sure your child is dressed warm enough for the weather outside.
* Friday, we will also be having popcorn (no nuts) with a movie.  If your child needs a different snack or gluten free popcorn we have some but you need to let me know (it usually is anyways but not all boxes say it).
* School is out beginning at 3:00 Friday through Wednesday, January 1.  School resumes on a regular schedule on Thursday, January 2 at 8:20.

What's been happening this week?
In literacy, I've started some assessments to see how students have been progressing so far this year.  We've been working on asking questions as we read and understanding why we ask questions when we read.  We also started working on asking questions before, during, and after reading.  This is very important for students to be able to do as it helps build their comprehension, helps us learn new information, and we read because we're curious!  In writing workshop, we've been working on some creative writing, such as what you would like, do, or say as a snowflake.  The answers are great!  We do lots of narrative writing and will start opinion writing after break but creative writing helps build their imaginations!  In Fundations, we've been working on trick words, 2 syllable words, open and closed syllables, and suffixes such as -y (sounding like "e") and -ly.
*Ask your child why we ask questions when we read.
In math, we've been working on geometry.  This week we used polygons to learn different names of shapes, sort them into different categories, and push ourselves with a mid-year test.   When we return from break, we will work on quadrilaterals and later move into the unit called "The Art Show" which involves measuring in many different ways.
* Ask your child what a polygon is.
In social studies, we started Mexico!  On Monday, we took off from Logan, flew over to Mexico, watched an in-flight presentation on Mexico, and landed in Mexico City.  Before we could leave the airport, we had our passports stamped.  The students LOVED it!  We've been learning about where Mexico is located, what a child's life is like there, and what the flag represents.  When we return, we will focus more on the flag and the geography.
* Ask your child if they made it through customs.  :)

Finally, have a wonderful and safe break!
Mrs. DeKing