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Thursday, December 20, 2012

Sunday, December 16, 2012

Polar Express Readers Theater

Enjoy Lily, Caitlyn, Nadia, Patrick and Daniel in their rendition of The Polar Express:

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The performers took their show on the road and read in Mrs. Karsbaek's classroom, Mrs. Walkosz, and in the office for Mr. Burger and the office staff.

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Bringing us up to date!

I know I am behind in posting, but I have misplaced my USB cord for my camera.  So, until my new one arrives...no pictures or videos.  Soon, I hope!

Reading:  We have been learning about the text features of non fiction and using it to write opinion pieces.  We are learning how we have to support our opinions with evidence from the text.  This will continue for a few more days and then we will work on reading with fluency by using readers' theater.  More on that later!

Writing:  we have been working on researching the life of Amelia Earhart.  We have learned how to take notes and organize our research.  We have also learned to take our notes and write sentences in our own words.  Tomorrow, Wednesday, we will take our sentences and begin drafting our biography.

After that, we will take a break from writing biographies until after holiday break.  We will then do a quick review and then write our own biographies.  I don't want to rush writing the biographies before break as we have so much to get in, it makes sense to take a break.

In math we continue to learn about 2D and 3D shapes.  We will finish up unit 5 before holiday break.

We also made holiday cards as part of our online project with schools around the country.  The cards went in the mail today to 29 schools across the United States and Canada.  We also sent one to Caitlyn's dad who is stationed in Africa.  When we start to receive cards from those same schools, we will learn about United States geography.  We also learning about geography and maps across the world with help from our "Elf on a Shelf" Rudy!

Yes, yesterday we received a VERY COLD package from the North Pole and inside was a book called Elf on a Shelf, our elf that we named Rudy, and a TOP SECRET envelope.  Inside the envelope we learned about our mission:  to help Rudy as he travels around the world to learn about holiday customs in the United States and countries in all the continents.  We collect facts about the customs, compare and contrast them with our own customs, as well as locate the country on the map of the world.  Rudy takes our facts back to Santa each night and returns the next day with a new assignment and new country to visit.  We will also have some special visitors to tell us about holiday customs they celebrate.

Today we previewed the book fair.  Tomorrow, Wednesday, at 12:50-1:10 we will return to purchase books.  If you want to purchase books, use the wish list your child brought home, and either send in the money in an envelope labeled with the amount of money inside and your child's name.  You can also meet us in the library at 12:50 if you wish to help your child purchase books.  You can also wait and visit the book fair after school on Thursday.  The times are listed on the wish list your child brought home.

Next week, on Wednesday, we will take our reading MAP test.  On Tuesday, the 18th, we will take our math MAP test.  Just make sure your child gets a good night sleep the night before and eats a good breakfast to prepare.  And, of course, keep reading to your child every night and discussing the book.

Our holiday party will be on Friday, Dec. 21.  We will have a Polar Express Day and students will be able to wear pajamas to school that day.  (They don't know this yet, so...shhhhhh!!!!!)  I am looking for a volunteer to make and serve hot chocolate and volunteers to bake Christmas Cookies. (no peanuts or cookies baked where peanuts could have been present or with peanut oil).  Let me know if you can help.

Our student teacher, Ms. Fischer, will leave us on Dec. 14.  We will celebrate all her hard work on that day.

Phew...we have been busy!  But, we have been very busy and in this time of secrets....there is even more I COULD share, but it's top secret!