Schools out 1 hour early!!!

I know it only snowed for a total of 8 minutes today and now we have to leave school early, but here is a picture of all of us outside tasting the huge flakes of falling snow right before it stopped!!! Happy Holidays!

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever Field Trip

We had a blast at the play today!!! We received tons of complements about our behavior and respectful nature. Our class rocks!!! Here are some pictures of us going to the play. I was not allowed to take pictures during the play...but at least I got some before!!!

On the bus about to leave.

Waiting patiently in the lobby before we entered the auditorium.

Waiting for the performance to begin. We had some pretty close seats!

Gazette Memo Dec. 14-18

The only homework this week is to study multiplication, read 20 minutes and complete reading log responses.

Winter Mug Exchange
On Friday, December 18th our class will be participating in a Winter Mug Exchange. I am asking that each student bring in one winter/holiday ceramic mug stuffed with small treats and wrapped in some type of plastic wrap. The students will exchange mugs with one of their peers. The mug (including all items inside) should cost no more than $5 and it should be able to be given to a boy or a girl.

The holiday time is when people greet one another with good cheer. During our mug exchange, we will be discussing why it is important to treat people with love, respect and kindness not only at the holiday time, but throughout the year.
I would like all children to be able to participate in the Winter Mug Exchange, so please try and turn in all mugs by Wednesday, December 16th. Let me know if I can assist you in any way.
We will also be having our multiplication sundae party plus a holiday movie. If you would like to donate toppings for our ice cream, that would be wonderful! Everyone has been working so hard on their multiplication!!! They all deserve this tremendous reward!
On that day, the students will also be allowed to wear their favorite pajamas and slippers (bedroom shoes). They may bring in a blanket or a pillow, but not both. I want them to be comfortable and have a special day. I’m looking forward to it!
Items to remember:
*Pajamas
*Slippers
*Holiday Mug
*Sundae Toppings

*Blanket or Pillow

Planet Productions

Here our pictures of the planet projects each group completed!!! They are very interesting and packed with lots of information. I'm not sure if you can read them, but if you click on the pictures, a larger image will come up. Enjoy!!!

Mercury

Venus

Earth

Mars

Jupiter

Saturn

Uranus

Neptune

Planets in our Solar System

Final Research Day!!!

Today was the last day to gather all the information for the planet group projects. I saw so many wonderful things. Not only were students using resources such as the internet, but they were also using books from the library to help answer some of their research questions. There was also lots teamwork throughout the entire room...way to go Super Space-ka-teers!!!!

Jimmy Dean...Spaced Out!!!

I saw this super funny commercial on television this weekend about our solar system. It is a You Tube video and if you'd like to watch, just click here.

Spelling Words Dec. 7-11

Study words here.

Prefix bi- and mis-
Character Words

1. bicycle
2. biweekly
3. bimonthly
4. bisect
5. bifocal
6. mistake
7. misunderstand
8. misbehave
9. misuse
10. mishandle
11. honesty
12. caring
13. open-minded
14. listener
15. thinker

Important Sundae Announcement!!!

Only 9 more days before our delish ice cream sundae multiplication party takes place. The suspense is killing me!!!! Keep up the hard work!

Gazette Memo Dec. 7-11

There are only two weeks left before we can get some much needed rest!! Our solar system studies are going extremely well. The students should be done with their group projects by Tuesday. They will be posted outside the classroom for ALL to see!!!

Please…please…please make sure field trip money is turned in. Our class might not be able to go since only half the class has paid.

The multiplication sundae party (December 18th) is drawing near. If you would like to help our class, we are in need of any toppings that would make our ice cream party “out of this world!” Those can be brought in at any time.

Thank you for being such wonderful parents!!! You are not only helping me out, but you are also a vital part to your child and their peers’ academics. We appreciate everything you do for us!

This week’s objectives:
*Math- Multi-digit addition and subtraction problem solving, patterns (numbers and shapes, growing and repeating), analyzing graphs, multiplication and division.
*Reading- prefix bi- (two) and mis- (not) before and during reading strategies for nonfiction, main idea and supporting details in nonfiction, summarizing
*Science –Making observations and use of appropriate technology to build an understanding of the earth, moon, sun system. Observing patterns of movement in the sky (sun, moon, stars) and identifying shadows and their changes throughout the day
*Writing- writing a research report on a planet. Focus on main idea, writing a topic sentence, and supporting the main idea with relevant details. Afterwards, writing a letter to Mr. Claus!

We Need Your Help!!!

Only half the class has paid their $10 to attend the field trip on Dec. 15th. Please send your money in SOOOOOON!!! I would love to have my entire class at the play. We finished reading The Best Christmas Pageant Ever today. The spirit of the holidays was among all of us. We can't wait to see how the play compares to the book!!!

Astronomer Central

Here are internet links you can explore to help with your planet research:
Kids Astronomy
Astronomy for Kids
The Nine Planets
Star Child
Astronomy
Our Solar System
National Geographic
Planets and Moons
Journey into the Universe

Here are some easy crafts you can do at home:
Enchanted Learning

Out of This World Report

This just in...the class has been put in groups of 3-4 and they will be doing inquiry based research on a specific planet within the solar system. They will be working with their Solar System Study Buddies throughout the next few weeks as we explore all the marvelous objects in the sky. After they complete their research, they will be compiling the information by writing a few paragraphs summarizing what they found. I CAN'T WAIT!!! Please feel free to stop by and check out our final products which will be located outside the classroom sometime next week! Here is the class showing how thinkers can do research to find answers to their questions.