Happy New Year!! I hope everyone had a restful holiday recess. The upcoming months are going to be very busy with a lot of learning, fun, activities, and field trips too! Please keep reviewing multiplication facts with your child. The children are excelling and I am proud to say everyone is doing an excellent job on their weekly multiplication quizzes! Children are improving each week, but still need to practice and review their facts to reach their goal of 100% correct! In math we are currently in Unit 5. The class is learning how to multiply 2, 3, and 4 digit numbers. The children are solving problems using the partial sums method and lattice. Please keep referring to the family letter if you are having trouble explaining such methods to your child. Also, the Everyday Math website is a HUGE help. On the site you will find detailed descriptions of how to do both methods. Students were given their Everyday Math user names and passwords a few months ago. If your child has misplaced his user name and/or password I would be happy to print out another copy for you. January is a very exciting month because all of the fourth grade classes begin, "The Battle of the Books." Battle of the Books is a great way for children to get excited about reading. The kickoff for the Battle is January 13th. The children will be receiving a list of the Battle Books and a story map folder that day. Please encourage your child to read as many books a possible. We have finished the unit on Ecosystems. Thank you to the parents that have offered to give our fish and snails new homes. The children really enjoyed observing and learning about their critters and our environment. Next we will learn all about electricity and magnetism!! In social studies the class has begun learning about the original colonies and colonial life. We also just finished reading the book, A Lion to Guard Us. It is a great book about a family searching for their father in Jamestown. Ask your child all about it! It is also a Battle book too!!THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!!Thank you to everyone who made food and volunteered their time for our International Luncheon. The luncheon was a huge success! The food was simply amazing and greatly enjoyed by everyone. It would not have been possible without your help and support! "The International Luncheon Cookbook" was distributed before the holiday recess.I want to also THANK YOU the class for the wonderful gift card. It will definitely be put towards good use :-) As always feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns. I am always here for you and your child. Thank you for your continued support!~Mrs. Labrosciano