December 15, 2010

Spelling this week is days of the week and months. The test will be on Friday instead of Thursday because the kids just got the list yesterday. Each child also has to learn the Spanish word for his/her birth month. This word is not capitalized. Other than the Spanish word, everyone is taking the same test.

There will be a science test tomorrow, but it will not be necessary to study for it. The kids will be able to use their binders during the test. We went through the binders today to be sure they had all the papers they need. This is a difficult unit, which is why we are doing it this way.

Book-it reports for this month need to be handed in by Tuesday, December 21. Some students have already handed them in, but I have not gotten their coupons to them yet. I will get these out next week.

I have just a few reminders about the Christmas party, which is December 21 in the afternoon.
We could use a few more treats and a beverage. So far we have puppy chow, fruit salad, and veggies and dip. Plates are also taken care of. Don't forget to have your child buy a gift for $1.00 and to bring $4.00 or so as a gift for almoner fund. If you want more details, check back to the November 23 blog.

December 9

Here is the information you need for Monday. We are going to see "A Christmas Carol" at WLC. The play begins at 12 noon, and the bus leaves at 11:20 am. We will be eating a very early lunch before we leave. These are the parents who signed up to go. If you wish to drive yourself and meet us there, instead of taking the bus, you may do so. Just let me know so we aren't waiting for you.

Grube
Daniels
Harder
Kosloske
Kane
Conte
Moriarty
Boreson
Goba
Bigalka
Rivera
Smrz
Burke

The play lasts about an hour.

Next week the fourth graders will be having something they rarely ever get--a substitute. Mrs. Spaude will be teaching Wednesday afternoon and all day Thursday and Friday. That is because Mrs. Johnson is going to New Ulm, Minnesota for her daughter's graduation. Mrs. Hackmann is going to Washington DC with Mr. Hackmann in connection with the PEP Grant. Mrs. Johnson will be teaching her classes on Wednesday morning, and Mrs. Spaude will be teaching the morning classes in the afternoon, except for phy ed, which will stay as is.

December 7, 2010

Permission slips came home today regarding the pep grant. Please sign and return ASAP. Your child signed one in school today also. Those that came home are one/family.

Spelling this week is different. We are doing homonyms. Your child did not get an individual list this time. We are all practicing the same words, and there will be a sentence test on Thursday, with all students taking the same test.

Book orders are due Tuesday at 3:15.

This week's blog word is "elbow bump", which is what we are doing now at the end of the day instead of high five. It's an effort to keep from spreading germs.

Check back to previous blogs for information on the Christmas party.

Christmas and other info, November 23

This is also coming home today in your Tuesday folder.

Science
The test for this unit will be next week Wed. Dec. 1. A study guide will be coming home on Monday.

Singing
We sing with grade 3 in church this Wednesday at 7:00. Please meet in the classroom at 6:40 to warm up with our pianist. We will be sitting upstairs in the balcony. If you want your child to join you after we sing, please let him/her know. Otherwise we will remain upstairs until the service ends.

Christmas
The Christmas party in our room will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 21 in the afternoon. If you would like to bring something, you may sign up in the parent tray in the classroom, starting on Monday. Since we just finished talking about health in science, we encourage healthy treats, such as fruit, cheese and crackers, popcorn, veggies and dip, and juice instead of soda. You could also sign up to bring paper products, if you prefer. If you wish to send candy or other sweet treats, please have it wrapped so that it can be sent home later. Those who don't get to contribute for this party will have an opportunity to do so for Valentine's Day.

In connection with the party, the tradition has been to pick names and buy a gift for $5.00. In our classroom, we do something different.
1. We don't pick names. It seems that it is hard to keep it a secret anyway, so the girls bring a gift for a girl, and boys bring a gift for a boy. Then on party day, we pick numbers to see who gets what gift.
2. We only spend $1.00 on the gift. Since all of us seem to have more "stuff" than we need, we buy our gifts at the Dollar Store (you wouldn't believe the amazing gifts we have seen over the years, and it is fun to see what you can find!) and bring the other $4.00 to put in the almoner's box. That way we can have fun, and also help those who aren't as fortunate as we are. By the way, the $4.00 is just a suggestion. You can give as much as you feel moved to give, or less if your situation makes that a necessity. Oh, and shopping at the Dollar Store isn't a requirement either. Wherever you shop, you can find gifts for $1.00. And please do not feel moved to spend more than a dollar, because that can lead to hurt feelings in everyone who did not get the expensive gift.

December field trip
This is just a quick reminder that we are going to see A Christmas Carol at WLC on Dec. 13. Those of you who signed up are already paid. I will post more details after Thanksgiving.

Having a blessed holiday and safe travels, if you are going anywhere.

November 21

This will be short and quick. I just want to let you know that there will be a Tuesday note in your folder this week filled with lots of information about the coming weeks. I will also post the same information here. Stay tuned.

November 14

It was great to have time to chat with all the fourth grade parents. I hope all of you enjoyed your days off also.

The mini-report is due in one week, November 22.

Your "bread-in-a-bag" should be sealed in a closet somewhere. Bring it to school on Wednesday.

The form to fill out for your interview with a smoker should have come home today. The student should interview the smoker and write down the answers. The form should not be filled in by the person who smokes. If no one you know smokes, try to find a former smoker. The interview can be done in person or over the phone. This form should be filled out and turned in on Monday, November 22.

Watch for spelling lists to come home on Mondays, stick them up on the fridge, and then study for a test on Thursday.

The blog word for this week, which must be spelled correctly, is actually a phrase, "Smoking--don't get me started." Put it in your assignment book for Friday.

mini-report and family trees

On Friday, I handed out instructions for doing a mini-report for science. It should be self-explanatory, but I will clarify a few points. This is NOT a major report which requires a title page, bibliography, etc. That one will come later. This is about one page of information about a disease that is of interest to the student for whatever reason. Even though a formal bibliography is not required, there does need to be a list of resources that the student used. Even if the student already knows a lot about this disease, the purpose is to do research to learn something new, and then share what was learned in the report. It is due November 22, in case the student did not write that down. But I would encourage getting it done earlier, if possible, since there are several other "home" assignments to do this month. These include recording what you eat for a day, interviewing a smoker, and an experiment with bread, which is coming home this week. Each of these activities will be assigned and given a due date, but I am making you aware that they are coming.

Students will also be getting forms to fill out for Family Tree Day, which is not until spring. This is family tree information that we will be sharing in class. I hand them out early because the holiday season can be a great time to get information from relatives we may not get to see very often.

I can answer questions about either of these projects at your consultation this week. We look forward to seeing you all!