February 11

Dear Families
What a beautiful day we're having! I hope you all get a chance to get out and enjoy the sun and the warm (well, compared) breeze.

We continue to be on a roll with the work we've been doing in school.

Students are continuing to work in their reading groups. Students know that if they aren't able to complete their assignments in class, they are expected to take their reading group work home to work on it (Yes, it can count as their reading HW). Ask your child about their book and how it relates to VT history.

Additionally, students are working towards finishing their Response to Literature. My goal is to have all students complete their 2nd (and final) drafts by the end of next week. You may see this come home for HW next week.

We finally got to get into the big black box in our classroom this week. (Officially, it is called the Abenaki History Kit.) Students looked at a time line about the "pre-contact" period in Vermont and we studied some of the materials used by the Abenaki. These studies will continue into next week.

All of the students enjoyed going to the book fair this week. Thank you to everyone who donated a book or books, to our classroom! New books are always EXCITING!!

Students are doing a mini-research project on one of the "Famous Sites" from the last map that we studied. Each student is making a brochure with facts and pictures about their assigned site. This is a great introduction to research AND the students are learning about one of the sites they recently studied.

In math we continue to learn about decimal place value, zeros in decimals, comparing decimals, and how decimals and fractions are related. Next week we'll be learning about metric units of length and converting between mm and cm.

I look forward to seeing the Vermont posters that students have been working on! It's always great fun to see how creative the children were and how much they learned about the geography of our great state! Reminder that they're due this Friday.

Finally, we will be taking a field trip to the Vermont Historical Society Museum in Montpelier on Tuesday, March 10th. I'll attach the permission slip to this email. Students will also bring a paper version home for you to sign. I am asking for parents to drive - We need about 5 drivers. If you hope to drive, please make sure that the office has evidence of your current insurance policy.

Other reminders:

Reminder - we'll be having a small Valentine's party on Friday before the early dismissal. If you can send in a snack or drink, that would be appreciated. Just let me know. Thanks

Tomorrow night! -2/12/09 Red Barn Order pick-up 2:30-6:00 p.m. outside gym doors

2/13/09 Half day for students--dismissal starting at 11:35 a.m

2/23--2/27/09 Winter Break--NO SCHOOL No school on Monday 3/2 either - teacher inservice.

3/10 - Field Trip to Montpelier - 8:30-2:30

Keep in touch



Cara :)