Happy 2009!!

I hope all of you out there had a wonderful winter break! I thoroughly enjoyed my time off with my children.

Well, we are back in action and have a lot going on...hopefully, many of you are reading!

In math, we reviewed multiplication and division word problems. We also discussed solving multiple choice questions in math. I introduced the idea of a distractor (the most commonly chosen WRONG answer) and went to great lengths to demonstrate why they still needed to think through the problem and do the work...not just select an answer from the list of choices. Then we went ahead and practiced solving such problems. For homework they need to complete their classwork and practice their multiplication flashcards.

Following math we went to the media center to review the plagiarism lesson taught Mrs. Rose had done prior to the break. We also reviewed the research process and introduced the cities that will be choices in the travel brochure/research unit. Then the children did a quick book exchange before heading off to art.

Following art, lunch and recess the children will choose a city for their research project. I will put 24 strips of paper, each labeled with a city, in a hat. Each child will select a piece of paper and discover the city that they will research. The children will also continue working on their writing to inform piece and go to FASTT math.

After FASTT math I will introduce and assign a paper bag book report that will be due 1/22. PLEASE look for the assignment sheet in your student's binder this evening! Finally, we will end the day with a presentation given by Mrs. Harman about our school's upcoming science fair.

So, as you can see, there is a lot going on...we begin researching our cities tomorrow, in school, the children need to begin their paper bag book report ASAP and some (many?) will want to get started on a project for the DES science fair.