THE STRATTON SOUND

In reading this week we began reading Christmas stories in literature circles. We reviewed difficult vocabulary and utilized context clues to decide the meaning. We also brainstormed synonyms and antonyms. We practiced answering questions with these stories also. Some of us are still forgetting to look back for key words. The questions made us reread a lot to find the answer. We will have a quiz over these stories before break.

Please monitor that your child is reading for December. If they get behind in their reading they will have to read over their break.

In math we completed Unit 5 with a test that came home on Thursday. Then we began Unit 6 over division. We practiced our division steps. To help us remember our steps we learned "Does McDonald's Sell Cheese Burgers?". This reminds us that we divide, multiply, subtract, check and then bring down our next number. Check means we make sure the answer we get when we subtract is less than the number we are dividing by. Most of us seem to be catching on, but please watch their practice at home. We will be having this unit test before Christmas break.

In social studies we began learning about Ohio in the 1700 and 1800's. We discussed the Native Americans that occupied Ohio during that time. Then we learned what role the British and French had in Ohio. We will be discussing the American Revolution and how it changed the country we live in now. We will continue our journey to statehood next week, 

Reports were our focus in writing this week. We worked on creating strong main ideas. We practiced together in class. We worked on writing emperor penguin reports this week.

A few reminders about upcoming activities. We will have our Christmas party on Thursday, December 18th. Please don't forget to send in a gift for our exchange by Friday, December 12th. Remember there is a $5.00 spending limit for the gift. Below is a list of the parents who volunteered to send in items for the party. We will have 25 students celebrating our party with us. Notes will be sent home Monday also.

Thanks so much for helping us celebrate the holiday season!