Happy Holidays! Great Party! Holiday Reading Challenge! Practice Math Facts! Workon Science Projects! Be sure to also enjoy time with family!

Happy Holidays! December 20, 2013

Thank you to Mrs. Fitch, our room mother, for planning an amazing holiday party! Thank you also to all the parents who came today to help! It was wonderful! The children made ornaments, played bingo, decorated cookies, and made holiday cards for children at Dell Children's Hospital. They also ate fruit, veggies, brownie bites, and Rice Krispy treats! Our book exchange was a lot of fun! We chose books one at a time and kids could steal or chose an unopened book. Poor Gavin got his books stolen at least 3 times! He was a great sport and still ended up with a perfect book for him. The kids had a great time with all of our celebrations today! Thank you again!

Thank you also for the wonderful presents! You are all very generous. Thank you for your support and for sharing your children with me.

We began presenting our biography projects today and will continue on Tuesday, January 7. If your child hasn't completed it yet, go to smore.com to finish up. We will begin reading folk tales and other traditional tales in January. We will be discussing character traits (protagonist and antagonist), how characters change in stories, plot with rising action, climax, and resolution, and the impact that the setting (time or place) has on the story. The children will choose a tale to retell to the class.

In writing, we will work on revising and editing our essays on what we want to be when we grow up and why and will begin writing new personal narratives. Talk about small moments that occur during our winter break. Those moments may become your child's next great piece of writing!

In math, we will continue working with fractions and begin working on geometry. Look for problem solving situations over break especially involving fractions, geometry, and multiple steps. Be sure to practice math facts over break. Remember firstinmath.com is a great resource! Your child should be quick with those multiplication and division facts.

In science, we will have fun with some soil explorations. Be sure to continue working on science projects! Check point #3 will be due on Thursday, January 9.

In social studies, we will learn more about explorers in Texas.

Don't forget to record reading minutes on our Holiday Reading Log! 200 minutes is the requirement. Read more and receive prizes!!!!!! Are you up for the challenge?

Have a wonderful holiday break. My husband, daughters, and I are traveling to Philadelphia to see our extended family. We are especially excited to meet our great niece, who is 3 months old, and see our other great niece, who just turned three! Be sure to relax, be safe, and enjoy your time together.

I will miss seeing your child but look forward to a wonderful second part of 4th grade!

Sincerely,
Pam Bartholomew