December 17, 2016

Each child in Room 118 has worked so hard in 2016! I am amazed and incredibly proud of how much we have learned and grown since September! It is truly a pleasure to work with your children every day! It is hard to believe that we are getting ready to celebrate the holidays already! I hope everyone enjoys a happy, safe and relaxing holiday and vacation! See you in 2017! :)

We had so much fun at the 4th grade Hoe Down on Friday! :)

Literacy

This week in Literacy we will be reviewing concepts presented in our third unit of stories! We will continue to discuss what it means to be creative! We will not be learning a new spelling rule this week and will not be having a spelling test on Friday! 

Computer Lab

Last week in computer lab we explored how to insert a picture into a Microsoft Word document! We also continued to experiment with changing a font's style, size, and color! 

Math

This week we will begin Topic 8 in our math curriculum which focuses on adding two-digit numbers! Throughout this unit students will be exposed to many strategies for adding two-digit numbers such as using ones and tens models and a number line. Students will also learn a computation strategy called Partial Sums. After attending several math professional development workshops last year, it has been determined that the way we have been taught to solve two-digit addition problems is truly not the best way for students to learn how to add! Instead we will be using the Partial Sums method! I have provided a picture of this strategy below! Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions that you may have! 

Solving addition and subtraction problems using a new math tool called a beaded number line!

Mr. Lies Presentation

This past week we had the honor of attending a very special presentation made by Mr. Brian Lies. Mr. Lies is a local author and illustrator who spoke to us about the writing process and how we can infuse our creativity and imagination into our work! Mr. Lies also completed an incredible sketch right before our very eyes! Ask your child to tell you their favorite part of Mr. Lies presentation!

We supported a very special friend on Thursday by wearing his favorite color, white!

We recently filled up our bead jar for the second time this year! To celebrate we ate lunch in the classroom! Congratulations to all of the children for continuing to make wonderful choices and to show incredible self control each day!

GoNoodle

This week we started using a website called GoNoodle in our classroom! This site provides exercise, focus, learning and relaxation videos that we have been using as fun movement breaks! The children have been SO excited about this new tool! Ask your child to tell you what their favorite GoNoodle activity that we have done so far is!

Star Student

Congratulations to Ruby who was our Star Student last week! We loved learning more about Ruby from her All About Me poster and from the pictures that she brought from home! Keep up the amazing work Ruby! :)

Important December Dates:

Monday, December 26th - Monday January 2nd

No School

Winter Break