December 10th

December 10, 2008
Dear Families,

First of all, I would like to say THANK YOU to everyone who helped make the Holiday Fair a success! Endeavor’s pie sale went very well. We earned over $400 for the team! Thank you for your support.

We are taking advantage of a full week this week. Some things we’ve been doing:
Reading – We’ve gotten a good start in our reading groups. The children are learning new vocabulary, we’re discussing the setting and characters, making predictions, and learning the routines of reading group assignments. We will also compare the 4 books and their relation to the theme of Survival.
I’m sure you heard about our first week of Reading Buddies last weekend. The students LOVED it! This week, our first grade friends will be joining us in our classroom!

Writing – this is the last week for working on our Memoirs. Students have been creating artwork to go with them. The finished product is a secret surprise! 

Science- We worked together through the steps of the scientific method. I emphasized how specific scientists need to be when creating materials lists, making observations, and when explaining procedures for experiments. Ask your child “Will ice melt faster in water or air?” Then find out if they accepted or rejected their hypothesis.

Math – this week we are studying the patterns in multiplication facts using a multiplication chart. We’re also using lots of great math words like: product, factor, multiple, symmetry, square numbers, and more. Additionally, the students got the opportunity to explore some websites that allow them to practice their multiplication facts and more! Check it out on our website http://www.scsvt.org/TEAMS/ENDEAVOR/index.html

Social Studies – Some children still need to practice their mapping so that they can pass the capitals quiz. This is their 3rd chance. If they’ve passed once, they’ll need to take it again just for practice. Coming up: Our first focus in VT studies will be VT geography. We’ll start after the December vacation. The maps are coming out now!

Other Important dates:
COATS FOR KIDS Dec. 1--19

Please help Shelburne Community School in helping others this winter. Please bring in any used (good condition) coats, snowpants, boots, hats, or mittens/gloves for the “Coats for Kids” program. All items will be cleaned by Gadue’s Dry Cleaning and distributed locally to families in need. Drop-off box is located in SCS front lobby. If you have any questions, please contact Sarah Vincent at 985-1549.
• 12/10 School Board Meeting 7:00 p.m. CVU
• **12/11 4-5 Chorus concert 7:00 p.m. Cafeteria**
• 12/24-1/2/09 Holiday Break--NO SCHOOL
• 1/15/09 6:00 p.m. Positive Parenting Workshop, “Top Ten Drug and Alcohol Parent Traps” with Margo Austin. Read more