October 29, 2008
Dear Families,
Can you believe that we are at the end of October already? Wow! This week felt like a very busy week, this is what we’ve been doing all week.

Reading – We started our focus on Comprehension strategies for reading. Students are writing about “Imaginings” they had while reading in their response journals. We are learning about how visualizing helps us to understand what we read (especially in Non-fiction reading). And we will be talking about making connections. The three kinds of connections we make as readers are: Text to text, text to self, and text to world.

Math – students have been focusing on perimeter and area this week. They used a math tool called “tangrams” to help them explore area.

Science – we are continuing to use the Discovery Education website to learn about the human body. Additionally, we have two more visits from the SMILE DOCS and will soon be working on a culminating project. Please, ask your child what they are learning about the body from the medical students.

Writing – Sudents continue to put thoughtful work into their memoirs. We’ve written new beginnings, developed the setting of our stories, and have added some great detail. I am impressed with the effort they are putting into their work.

S.S – Map 2 (50 States) quiz 2 this week (on Halloween!) All students will take the quiz this week. Because this quiz involves so much memorization, I ask them to do it twice – the 2nd time just for practice.

Other important events coming up:

Trick or Treat for UNICEF – students brought home their boxes Tuesday. The school would really like to beat our record for last year. Please help the children who benefit from our collection by allowing your child to participate or by donating to UNICEF yourself.

Picture make-up day/class picture – Thursday, October 30th

Wrapping paper pick up – Thursday, October 30 from 2:30 - 6 PM, in the back gym.

Halloween – We will not formally be celebrating Halloween. (No Costumes PLEASE) What I plan to do is “expand” our snack for TFK and then do some small crafts (Horrogami and skeletons with pipecleaners). Parents are welcome to come in and join us. I’ll probably need some help making skeletons and horrogami.  (oh, it’s a surprise, don’t tell….) Just let me know if you’d like to join us. THANKS!

Endeavor will be hosting a pie-sale for the Holiday Fair (Saturday, December 6). Flyers will come home this week with sign ups for help.

Conferences (and school half days) on November 19th, 20th, and 21st, the sign up sheet went home this week.