Language Arts: We are on Theme 4, Lesson 13.  The spelling words for the week are chip, chin, inch, such, catch, match, wish, shop, saw, were.  The high frequency words are air, fly, friends, grew, need, play, rain, watch.  The vocabulary words are astonishing, continue, doubt, transform, examine, devour. We are focusing on identifying and listing story events in sequence.  

Science: We are continuing our unit on Aquatic Plants. The Shedd Aquarium is bringing plants for us to study from their tanks this week. (I thought it was last week…oops!)  We are also observing and recording what we see as we germinate bean seeds in the classroom.  Last week most of the seeds sprouted, and this week we will continue to record our observations and then plant the seeds to take home.  If you nurture your plant well at home, it WILL eventually grow a bean or two!

Math: We are now on Unit 6, which focuses on measurement concepts.  Last week we measured classroom objects and ourselves using chains of 45 colored links organized in groups of 5 to facilitate skip counting while measuring.  This week we will do a math “lab” activity in which we roll cars down a ramp and measure how far they travel with our links. For a special holiday treat, we will also repeat our “Colors” data collecting and graphing activity – this time using m&m candies! 

Writing: We will have a Writer’s Celebration in class on Wednesday, December 16^th at 1:30.  Students will share their stories and list books with the class in an informal setting.  Parents and other family members are invited to join us for this event.  Cookies and juice will be served after the reading.

Social Studies: Our activities this week focus on reading, discussing and sharing about different winter holidays and their traditions.

Holiday Party: We will have an in-class holiday party at 1:00 on Friday.  Please sign up to bring a treat to share! (Juice, snack, holiday cookies, etc.)  We don’t need a lot and I already have napkins and cups.  I will be showing a short winter-themed movie to the class and we will also have some craft projects available for those who are interested.