Today in Science the children constructed a "star-finder". If they set it correctly by the date and hour, and if the sky is clear, it should help them find and identify constellations. We tried it on an online game yesterday, and found that it isn't always easy. Of course, it works better if you are out in the country!

We reviewed division with a 2-digit divisor today. Hopefully most children have grasped this concept now, and also shouldn't have math homework.

We did a very complete review sheet for the Social Studies test. They also had 25 minutes to study as a group. Some groups stayed more focused than others. They do need to spend time studying their notes, vocabulary words, their corrected vocabulary quizzes, and they should read through the chapter. You may want to make certain that your child can read the material easily and fluently.

We had a spelling pretest today, so they know which words they need to study. I again strongly suggest that your child use www.spellingcity.com. This is list 4-3.

A memory assignment is due tomorrow!

Chapel offering envelopes were handed out.

We're very close to mid-quarter. Your child should be very close to having 1/2 of the points!

The children were reminded today that memory is actually supposed to be homework. Studying memory desperately in school so that they can say it on time doesn't really help them remember or understand it, and it takes time away from what they are supposed to be doing.

All children took the Star test today, and are bringing home a sheet explaining the results. It should be in their take-home folder. It would be so wise for all of them to read the recommended amount of time each day!

They all have their Science book and notes for homework tonight. They have all of the information they need to begin studying for the test.

Today we talked about Baptism in Religion class. They are bringing home a worksheet that does NOT need to be returned to school, but is meant to help you and your child think about the importance and significance of Baptism in our daily life.

We have taken 2 achievement tests so far. We also heard from the governor's wife, Sally Ganem, as she read the first chapter of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. That is the book the whole school will be reading. A reading schedule and a book will come home today with the youngest child.

We are setting AR goals for 4th quarter today. Your child needs to challenge him/herself to read more and to read books that will help improve reading skills.

Corrected Math lessons are sent home each day. Your child will be benefit by this if he/she reviews problems missed and corrects them. They'll see those problems again!

Today all students are bringing home their Religion take-home test. We talked about number one. If you are unsure of an answer, give the reason why you chose the answer you marked. It is due tomorrow morning.

All students also have homework for Social Studies. There is an Activity Book sheet (pages 99-100). One of those sides can be done by using notes. They also have the vocabulary review sheets to do. This is to help them begin to prepare for their test.

The end of the quarter is next week. Only 6 students have all of their AR points!

You should have gotten the new newsletter in your email yesterday. Your child also has one in his/her take-home folder. We cleaned out desks today, so some children have quite a few corrected papers in their folder also.

Please look through corrected work, especially review worksheets. They are allowed to use their books and notes to complete those assignments. They are also free to ask questions. They really should be getting very good grades on them. A particular annoyance to me is when they miss points on their spelling worksheets - the list is right in front of them on the same sheet, and they misspell words. They need to show they care!

I asked them to take their reading books home and read "Give Me Liberty" again. They should also study for their spelling test. I also suggested they take Social Studies home and begin reviewing for the test. The Social Studies test is on Wednesday. I will have an after-school study session on Tuesday until 4:15. Please let me know if your child is staying.

Those children who have not yet returned their permission slips for the field trip need to do so. Also, please send your $5.00 if you haven't. I've sent the check.

We do not have school tomorrow! All of the children have Science homework to do, and should work extra hard on Memory so they can still finish on time.

Please look over math papers. It is becoming harder for some children to remember everything because we're doing things they haven't done before. They may have to have some concepts explained a few times. They should also look in the lesson that the concept was taught in to see the examples.

Keep the Riley family in your prayers. We know the joy of the resurrection of Christ, but we know they will still miss their mom, wife, and grandma!

We had 3 tests today - Reading, Science, and Spelling. Be sure to watch for those grades, either by finding the corrected paper or checking Powerschool.

Some students should be bringing home Math Test 14A along with their corrected test to prepare to take 14B.

The spelling pretest is tomorrow. It would be good to practice - those words are in the newsletter.

Mrs. Gansebom gave the assignment to memorize the words to the Star Spangled Banner by February 29.

They had a lot of time to work on Math today, so they shouldn't have much left. EVERYONE should have taken Social Studies home to study.

Read AR - our 5th grade is in 9th place nationwide!

Remember - WE SING SUNDAY AT 8:00 AM AT CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH! Please meet in the balcony.

All children have a review sheet to help them prepare for the Religion test on Monday. They should also learn some of their memory - they need to say one of the lessons by Monday noon.

We continue to work on those skills that will help us be better students. ATTITUDE is so important. We need to be ready and willing to learn, and recognize that learning requires work and effort. It's not a "passive" activity. We talked about what that looks like!

There is a Math test on Tuesday. Has your child been bringing home corrected work and going over problems that were missed? That's the best way to prepare.

We finished a Religion unit today. All of the children have in their planner that they are to take their book home and check through the pages. The unit is from pages 102-121. Tomorrow I will give them a review sheet. They will have the test on Monday.

We have tests in Language Arts tomorrow. I encouraged them to read their selection again at home and go over their notes. It's "The Master Spy of Yorktown." They also have a spelling test tomorrow.

It will be mid-quarter when we have our conference next Thursday. At that point your child should have half of their AR goal accomplished.

Tomorrow is the day all State Reports are due! Some children are bringing home the poster board to finish up.

Today the children are bringing home three corrected tests. I'd like you to see these. Some of the Science tests have the review sheet stapled to it. It continues to be a little challenging for some to learn the material they are tested on. If your child wants to take Form B of the math test, he/she is bringing home Form A to make corrections and study so that they are prepared and understand why they got the problem wrong. If you are not seeing corrected math papers daily, you should be. This is how your child prepares for tests - learning from mistakes!

Some children have to say Memory tomorrow morning, and then again on Wednesday morning. Eight children are finished for the week! Check out this Youtube to see how the children got inspired to learn their memory!

We had a Social Studies test today. We had enough time for the students to spend half an hour in review. They were given specific topics to review. Some children didn't choose to use this time well. Hopefully it was because they already knew the material exceptionally well and didn't need any more review.

There is a Science test on Monday. Everyone should have their book, notes, and a review sheet. They had some time to work on the review sheet during class, but didn't finish. If they fill in all of that information, and know what is on the review sheet, they should do well on the test.

They have three memory assignments. They've been given a deadline of noon on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday to help keep them on track. Studying over the weekend would be great!

Some children are bringing home material to help them finish up their state report. It is due next Friday.

Social Studies test tomorrow! I gave them 2 worksheets to do to help them study for the test. There is no reason they can't get 100% on those papers if they take their time and use their books and notes.

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We also have a Language Arts test tomorrow on the Midnight Ride of Paul Revere. They also have a spelling test tomorrow. In other words, they have plenty to do tonight!

We didn't get to go out today - too cold! We did watch "Johnny Tremain." Maybe they'd be able to tell you some of the important historical details they learned.

Students have a number of corrected papers in their take-home folder today. These need to be used to help them learn from mistakes. If they go over especially math and Daily Reading, they won't continue to make the same mistakes!

Memory is meant to be HOMEWORK! I told them that they needed to say at least one of the petitions to me by noon tomorrow, and the other before lunch on Thursday, or they'd get to practice during recess!

Everyone should have their Science book and notebook. They should be reading E27-E29 and reviewing the rest of the chapter.

We're getting closer to half of the quarter - they should be close to half of their AR goal.

It's been a while! Now I have to get back in the habit of doing this.

Not as many children said memory today. It would be best if they could say one of the petitions tomorrow.

We had a little excitement today. Steve escaped his cage - we think because someone hung the bell on the side and he climbed it. However, we found him without incident, and he obediently got into his ball (bribed by some food) and is now in a new home which will be more escape-proof.

I think the weather is going to change. I also think a classroom of children predicts weather just as well as some meteorologists!

They have a Social Studies test on Friday. It won't not happen even if they're not prepared!

A number of children chose to retake the math test. Hopefully, they prepared and did better!

I still have too many children who haven't yet said any memory this week. I'll be sending emails tomorrow if your child still hasn't said any memory.

I reminded the class several times today that they are to take either Social Studies or Science home every day to review lessons, study vocabulary, and look over notes. They should have one or the other!

I've said a few times today that I wished I could videotape them as they are doing certain things. You would either be very amused or very not! I think it must be the week before Christmas break!

Everyone has many corrected papers in their folder. They should be showing you! Some want to re-take their math test.

Everyone should either have Social Studies or Science at home to study. We'll have tests in both before Christmas.

Read AR!

Study memory AT HOME!

Orphan Grain Train stuff!

Today we got a lot done. The kids were awesome! I'm very proud of them!

Everyone had a choice of taking home either Social Studies or Science to study. They should also be learning their memory this weekend. Saying it out loud while looking in the mirror is a good strategy!

We were able to help the 1st graders create an alphabet book. We had to create text boxes and drag pictures onto a Word document from the Internet.

Read AR! There's one week and 2 days until the end of the quarter.

We have a reading benchmark assessment on Monday.

Tomorrow we are going to Heritage of BelAir. We'll leave at 1:45 and return before school is out.

A number of students still haven't said any memory to me this week. They really can practice all by themselves by reading it to themselves in the mirror out loud until they can say it alone. It really isn't good to wait until the last minute to do all of it.

I really tried to help them get all of their work finished in school today. If they have much homework, it is a case of not using time wisely.

We had a Social Studies test today. We're all hoping for good grades!

Only 2 people are at their goal in AR. Everyone also really needs to read!

We're practicing for our trip to Heritage of BelAir. We need 8 more permission slips, and we need more drivers! It's Thursday that we're going.

Study memory at home! Make sure your child can say it to you. They can practice by saying it to themselves in the mirror.

Tomorrow we have the chapter 6 Social Studies test. Children should have with them to study their book, their notes, their corrected worksheets (including the vocabulary review), and their vocabulary cards. Hopefully they've been reviewing after each lesson so they know the material well.

PLEASE have your child practice memory at home. They've had these same assignments for a couple of years, so it's not brand-new material.

I need 9 more permission slips for our trip to the nursing home on Thursday. So far parents of Emma, Hailey, and Cole have said they'll drive, giving us 12 spaces. We need more drivers!