Friday’s Message:
Hanukkah
Micah’s dad, Mark, shared some of the traditions of Hanukkah. The students learned about it’s history and the symbolism of various activities. He lit a menorah and explained why there are eight candles. They sang songs, and even made up some verses for “Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel” (made of clay). Then they played the dreidel game with skittles. They even had a contest to see who could spin their dreidel the longest. Everyone got and a dreidel and gelt to bring home.
Gingerbread
Today Blythe’s moms, Deb and Arlene, brought in gingerbread people for the students to decorate. We also read the story “Gingerbread Man.” It was a fun way to end our week/year.
We’ve had lots of sweet activities this week. The students did a terrific job on their gingerbread houses. Before bringing them home the students shared one thing they liked about their candy building. Then they wrote a story about their gingerbread house and they had to be in the story. Ask your child what s/he wrote.
Time Capsules
When students return in January, they’ll be writing for a time capsule. During the vacation, save a plastic jar or container (larger than “peanut butter” size ) with a lid.
No homework but....
There is no “assigned” homework over the Winter Break that needs to be turned in.
However, continue to:
*Read and record in your Reading Log
*Practice addition and subtraction combinations to 12
(flash cards and/or oral problems)
*Attached is a list of high frequency words from the Open Court decodable books. We’ve covered most of these words. Make “word cards” for words your child has difficulty reading. Play word games with these words as mentioned earlier this year.
*Work in Open Court Phonics Workbook
We completed Unit 4 Lesson 7
*Turn off the tv and computer. Attached are some ongoing activities you can do with your child. Have fun together!
Have a WONDERFUL break and I’ll see you next year!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Friday’s Message:
Conferences
I have had a least one conference with everyone. If at any time you would like another conference please feel free to contact me. You can send a note with your child and / or call the school office (879-1420). I’m usually here after school if you want to drop by.
Gingerbread Houses
We built our gingerbread houses this week. It was a two day project. As students made the icing , they read the recipe, learned about measurements and fractions, and worked with partners. To build their house, they had to work together. Their partner had to hold the walls in place while each student put icing on their house. They put the roofs on the second day.
Students shared orally the goodies/ candies they brought to decorate the houses and then we did sorting activities with the candies. Next week we will do a blending lesson with the names of the candies and math lessons with the candies they choose to decorate with. I also have a writing and an art lesson planned.
I read one version of Hansel and Gretel. If you have this story at home, could I borrow it so they can hear another version. Or better yet, maybe you would like to come in and read it to the class!
Time Capsules
When students return in January, they will be writing a time capsule. During the winter break save a plastic container with a lid. The container should be around 6 inches tall and 4-5 inches wide. Have your child bring the clean container to school in 2007. (If you have any extra containers, please save them for us!) THANKS!
READING
Read and record in your Reading Log.
WRITING
The year 2006 is almost over. Have your child write one special thing that happened. Be sure to include why it is special. Write several sentences.
We’ve been working on using descriptive words and extending sentences/stories. Please encourage your child to do so.
MATH
Your child is bringing home his/her dreidel and the directions for the game. (We used beans instead of pennies.) When your child made the dreidel, they were using math concepts. Playing the game, they used more math.
Have your child play the dreidel game with you and/or the family at home. When your child plays, have him/her write at least a dozen number sentences (or more) to show what happens to his/her pile of beans/ or whatever counters you decide to use.
For example, in class each student started with ten beans. The dreidel is spun and lands on “shin;” the student writes 10 - 1 = 9. When it is time for another round / spin, everyone puts another bean in, including your child, so s/he would write 9 - 1- = 8. Spin the dreidel again, if it lands on gimel, your child takes all; write 8 + ___ (whatever is in the middle of the “pot”) = ____ (total amount). Continue to play and write number sentences.
The purpose of this week’s math assignment is to practice writing addition and subtraction number sentences, understanding when to add/plus or subtract/minus.
As student’s spun their dreidel, they read/told the name of the Hebrew symbol and did the action. Play the game with your child at home. This is the chart we used in the class.
ACTS OF KINDNESS / SEASON OF CARING
I read the story The Magic Dreidel by Eric Kimmel. We talked about during this time of the year, there is a lot of caring and giving of things to people who have less than us. (For example, the “food drive” we’re having at school) Then I had the students think of something the driedel could spin out to help others. They wrote about what it was, who it was for, and why.
During the week , while you are out and about, listening to the radio, watching television, reading the newspaper, etc. , have your child write down the good things people are doing for strangers, people they don’t know. Write at least 6 good deeds. Tell what the act of kindness is and who it is for.
Also during the week, have your child write 6 acts of kindness s/he does. Tell what it is and for who. Of course your child can write more than 6 for either group.
Friday’s Message:
“Gingerbread” Houses
We will be making gingerbread (graham cracker) houses. Besides working cooperatively and having fun building their houses, students will also be doing various math and language arts activities.
Students will make the icing by following the recipe. They’ll sort, graph, make comparisons, and do number sentences with the candies. They’ll write about their houses and how they made them.
I will get the graham crackers and ingredients for the icing, but would appreciate parent donations for the candies we’ll be using to decorate the houses. We need things like m&m’s, gum/spice drops, mini candy canes, holiday candy mixes, colorful breakfast cereals, and other treats you think the kids will enjoy using to decorate their houses. We’ll be doing oral language with them and blending/spelling the names as we make a chart.
Please bring in the candy/ edible decoration before next Wednesday. Thank you.
Help Needed:
Last week I asked if a couple of parents could help assemble our next set of Open Court decodable booklets. This consists of tearing the booklet out of a “workbook” and stapling it. Toby’s and Camila’s parents helped assemble our first set of booklets. I wiould greatly appreciate if other parents could help with the next set. Thank you.
READING
Read and record in your Reading Log.
WRITING
Many special occasions are celebrated in December. Write about a holiday you celebrate with your family. Name the holiday and tell what special activities you do. Write complete sentences. Extend your writing.
MATH
We have been working on number fact families. A number fact family is when the same numerals are used to write number facts. For example:
6 + 3 = 9 5 6 11 11
3 + 6 = 9 +6 +5 - 6 - 5
9 - 3 = 6 11 11 5 6
9 - 6 = 3
Using a pair of dice, have your child roll them. Write two addition and subtraction facts using the numbers rolled (if they roll “doubles” they can only write one addition/subtraction number fact). Have your child prove, show and/or tell you, that the number facts are true.
Write three number fact families in number sentence form Write three number fact families in column format. Make sure your child aligns the numerals when they write the problems in column format.
If you don’t have dice, have your child use manipulatives to make a number fact, then using those three numerals, wirite the number fact family. You may also want your child to do this if s/he has mastered the number facts to 12.
SING A SONG
What is your favorite holiday song? Sing it at home. Choose a favorite stanza/phrase from the song. Write the words (for the favorite part of the song).
Draw a picture of it.
Students will tell the name of their song and share their favorite phrase/picture. If your child would like to sing the song, we’d love to hear it.