December 14th, 2012

This morning students took the 50 State Capitals test...and the Language Arts test.  Eeek!  They were good sports about it, though.  They also received another assignment to write a 3-point paragraph about Christmas, Winter, or a similar topic.  THIS 3-POINT PARAGRAPH IS DUE TUESDAY.  We are particularly looking for more detail.  For example, if one topic is Christmas traditions, please tell us how the tradition started, who started it, what it entails, etc.

We finished reading Johnny Tremain.  Hip, hip, hooray! ...and we watched him participate in the Boston Tea Party.  NO, THE STUDENTS DON'T HAVE JOHNNY TREMAIN HOMEWORK THIS WEEKEND, BUT TAKE THEM TO THE PUBLIC LIBRARY FOR 30 MINUTES TO LOOK AT THE DISPLAYS AND CHECK OUT SOME INTERESTING BOOKS.  Also, books would be a great Christmas present for the kids.  Look online for book lists for 4th and 5th graders.  Ask your child what genre interests him or her.

In math, we worked more on nets of a solid.  HOMEWORK WAS EXERCISE 15, AND TESTS 8 & 9.  On Monday we will be doing the review and Tuesday we will complete Unit 4.  These kids are really sharp.  It is also interesting to note that those who struggle with processes and memorization find their strengths in the spatial applications.  Please give your child every opportunity to participate in home projects, building, manipulative games, and problem solving activities.  Maybe a good old-fashioned Christmas present would be a model kit, wood and saw kit, sewing kit, etc.  These are great ways to foster spatial understanding.

During Cultural Roundtable we learned about Peru, Paraguay, Chile, and Argentina.  I was very pleased with student behavior during the presentations.  Proper audience etiquette is being stressed.

We worked on the Covey Seven Habits and Leader in Me.  Please praise your child for being proactive when he or she really is.  Tell them the character trait you admire that they have just shown.  For example, if Johnny takes out the trash without being asked, say, "Wow!  You are so proactive!  You took the trash out without being asked.  That shows that you are responsible."  Be sure to back up the trait with the example of positive behavior you see.  And don't hesitate to curb any inappropriate behavior with, "Honey, that simply isn't acceptable behavior.  The proper way to ... is ... "  Children want to be respected enough to be told how to behave correctly.  Positive reinforcement works wonderfully, but don't hesitate to gently correct.

Enough for 'free advice'!  (That's what my siblings call it!)

We finished Bill Nye Magnetism and students worked very hard completing character descriptions.  THESE CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS ARE DUE TUESDAY.  Two students have lost them!  I will look extra hard in the classroom tomorrow.

Minicourses were fun.  They are the best time of the week!  Have a great weekend.