What's NEW!
December has been an exciting month with everyone getting ready for the birth of Jesus. I hope that all of you are taking some time with your children to read the story of Christ's birth from the Bible, as well as fun stories about Christmas. I am trying to share some of the Holiday traditions from around the world with each of my classes. Check out your child's class and see what they have been learning.
In Kindergarten we are reviewing our library manners and how to treat books. I am concentrating on students coming to the library and using quiet voices for the next few months. We have enjoyed a couple of good stories these last few weeks. Last week we read, "The Wild Christmas Reindeer" and I sent home a reindeer paper bag puppet with each child. This week we read, "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens. This version was written so that the children could understand it. We talked about being nice to one another all year long, not just at Christmas. We will be watching an excerpt from the Polar Express next week and they will be getting a little surprise from my friends at the North Pole.
In First Grade, We read, "The Polar Express" by Chris Van Allsburg.We discussed how it is different from the movie that most of them have watched. they received a picture of Santa's workshop to color too!They are listening to the story of "Auntie Claus", who is the "Big Guy's" sister" and how important it is to stay off the naughty list. The children will NOT be checking out books over Christmas break this year.
In Second Grade, we learned last week, about Christmas traditions in Italy. We listened to the story, “The Legend of Old Befana” by Tomie dePaola. I told the children about Befana in my house when I was growing up. My mother is from Naples, Italy, so she continued the tradition of Befana with us when we were growing up. It is celebrated on January 6, the Feast of the Three Kings. This week we also listened to “Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins”. We discussed the traditions of Hanukkah and in particular the menorah and the dreidel. It was a good story.
In Third Grade we have been busy in both Library and Computer class. In Librarythese last weeks we have been focusing on Biographies, Autobiographies,and Collective Biographies. The children learned that these have a special place in elementary school libraries and their call number starts with a capital B, but that in the public libraries they are in the 920 and 921 Nonfiction section. We discussed and completed worksheets about the differences between biographies and autobiographies. We listened to the story, “The Light of Christmas” , a beautiful story that focuses on the true meaning of Christmas, Jesus. In Computer Class we have been learning about Powerpoint. We learned how to work with placeholders on slides and add text to the placeholders. We also began working with Type to Learn which focuses on their typing skills and keyboarding. This program will keep track of their progress and allow me to send you a progress report on your child. We will be working in depth with the Powerpoint program after the Christmas holidays. In the Fourth Grade the students have also been sharpening up their library and computer skills. In Library class the chidlren worked with the Dewey Decimal system last week. They catagorized books according to a chart they were given. They will also be working with a Book Index and how it can help us with research. We listened to the story, "The Night of Las Posadas," which is a story that shares a tradition from mexico. it is celebrated for 9 nights and begins on December 16. the final night ends with a procession with mary and Jospeh looking for an inn. Mary and Jospeh finally arrive at the stable,usually in a church, and remain there to remind us about the birth of Jesus. There is a tradition that started with me about three years ago. The fourth grade helps me decorate the library by making "Choir Children." This is a fun activity for the children that helps them with following oral directions. We will be making these choir children this next week and they will come home after the Christmas break. In Computer class we have focused on Powerpoint and begun making our own Powerpoint called, "My Life". The children are learning about backgrounds and the different forms of background that can be used on a slide. They will be focusing on animations and transitions after we come back from Christmas break.
The Fifth Grade have been working on their grammar skills and some research skills with me as a whole group on Mondays. We have worked on forming singluar and plural possessives as well as how to capitalize Titles of books, music and more. We also have worked on spelling skills. By now you should know that the children will receive their spelling packet on Fridays and need to return it to me by the following Thursday morning. I will grade it and give it back to them before the end of that day. They take their test on Friday mornings with me. We also work on Research skills when I have them on Monday mornings. We will be focusing on how to use encyclopedias and how make note cards for a report. In Computer class we focused on terminology dealing with Powerpoint. We then reviewed our skills by completing a Powerpoint called,"Symbols of America". We will begin making our own Powerpoint presentations when we return from Christmas break.
BOOK WORMS Our Kindergarten & First grade Bookworms had a nice visit with each other last week. The Bookworms listened to the story, "The Legend of the Candy Cane" and then learned a little history of the candy cane's origins. Did you know that the candy cane has been around for over 230 years? I also sent home a special envelope with a poem about candy canes and seeds. The Second grade Bookworms will meet next Wednesday and I have some fun plannd for them. Check back next week to hear what we did!
It's chilly outside! Why not curl up with a good book and stay warm inside instead?
Mrs. K.