Recognition Awards

I'd like to extend a very big CONGRATULATIONS to Sydney and C.J for winning the Kindness and Caring award for the month of December. Not only are C.J. and Sydney kind to their peers inside the class but out on the playground as well. They care about their classroom and their belongings, when someone gets injured and most of all, they care about how they treat their teachers. They are always listening attentively, waiting their turn, and using their manners on a consistent basis. Thank you very much for being outstanding role models for your classmates.
For the month of January, we are focusing on TEAMWORK.

Time Test

The time test we took on Friday has been marked and returned to the children. You will find it in their bags tonight. Please review, sign and send it back tomorrow.
Thanks

Spelling Lesson 14 - words with g or gu

gas
game
gate
gave
garden
garbage
garage
geese
giggle
gum
guard
guess
guest
guide
guy
guardian
language

Get to Know Your Multiplication! 1’s, 2’s, 5’s, 10’s and 11’s

Over the next few nights, you need to begin memorizing your multiplication facts. On Friday, we will have a contest to see who knows their multiplication best! Prizes will be given out!

Tips for studying the facts on the back of this page:

Zero and One Times Tables :: Could This Get Any Easier?
Check this out: if you multiply ANYTHING by zero, the answer is zero. Anything. 4 x 0 = 0 and 1,000,000 x 0 = 0. One times tables are almost as easy. Any number multiplied by one is always itself. "Huh," you say? Well, check it out: 1 x 10 = 10, 1 x 42 = 42, 8,726 x 1 = 8,726. Simple, right?

Two Times Tables :: Double Your Pleasure
When you multiply a number by two, you just double that number. That's some pretty simple math. So, if you want to figure out what 2 x 7 is, you just add 7 + 7 (the answer is 14, by the way). Any number times two is the same as that number PLUS itself. Here's one more example: 2 x 5 is the same as 5 + 5, which equals 10. Practice a couple -- it's really easy.

Five Times Tables :: It's Why You Have Fingers
First things first - can you count to five? Yeah? Then you can figure out your five times tables. So, when you want to multiply a number by five you just count up by fives that may times. Let's review how to count by fives: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25... and so on. Got it? So if you want to multiply 5 x 7, you just count by fives, seven times. 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35. So 7 x 5 = 35. If you have trouble keeping track, just use your fingers.

Ten Times Tables :: Just Add Zero and Stir
Here's another no-brainer. If you want to multiply something by 10, just add a zero on the end. Here's an example: 10 x 8 = 80 or 10 x 100 = 1,000. Try it with any number - from one to a billion. It's just too easy.

Eleven Times Tables :: Seeing Double
Here's another one that's as easy as pie. Any number - up to nine - multiplied by 11 is itself written out twice. Confused? Just check it out: 9 x 11 = 99, 4 x 11 = 44, 3 x 11 = 33 and so on.

Christmas Notice

We’ve been working very hard for our Holiday party…it looks pretty promising! So this is just a reminder that our Secret Santa gift exchange will take place on Friday. Remember, gifts should be in and around $5. Also, if you’re interested in sending in a treat for the class please feel free. I am also permitting the kids to bring in toys or games of their choice as long as it is pre-approved by the parents. And one last note, I understand Christmas is a time for giving, however, if you had intentions to send a gift in to me, please consider making a donation to Free the Children instead. Your kind gesture would be greatly appreciated.

Math Test - Time

On Friday, December 11th, we will be having a test on TIME. Today we will be working on a time quiz which is very similar to the test. Every student will be bringing the quiz home tonight so that you can spend a little time discussing and reviewing what needs to be worked on.

Thank You!

It was so nice to meet with all the parents for teacher interviews. A lot of positive dialogue took place and I look forward to the improvements to come. Thank you so much to all those for making it in to see me, and to all those who were unable to attend, I look forward to discussing your child in the near future.

Spelling Lesson 13 - Words with g or j

jacket
jar
jeans
jelly
jet
job
joke
judge
jump
just
gentle
general
giant
giraffe
gym
jungle
gigantic

Secret Santa

For the last two weeks and over the month of December, our class is working towards earning a Holiday party for Friday, December 18th. On this day, I would like to do a Secret Santa gift exchange where every student brings in a wrapped gift with a value of approximately $5. The gifts need to be boy and girl friendly so you need to be creative with what you send in. Participating is NOT mandatory, however if you choose not to send in a gift, your child will not be able to participate in the exchange.

How it works:
Wrapped gifts will be placed on a table and each student will get a number from 1-21. The student with number 1 will choose a gift off the table and unwrap it. The student with number 2 will then have the option to take the gift away from student 1, or grab a new gift off the table. This keeps going until all gifts have been received.
Remember, a girl OR a boy could pick your gift so try to find something that is appealing to both.

Ideas for gifts:
Ø Books
Ø Sweets/chocolates (peanut free)
Ø Gift card (to the movies, to a restaurant, Wal-Mart)
Ø Winter wear (hat, mittens, scarf)
Ø School supplies

Empathy Award

I'd like to extend a big congratulations to Colin and Madi for winning November's character trait award. Colin and Madi demonstrate empathy on a continual basis in and outside of the classroom. They always go out of their way to comfort and support those in need and are always the first ones to notice when someone is down, feeling blue, injured or simply in need of a hug. Thank you Colin and Madi...Keep it up!
For the month of December, kindness and caring in and outside of the classroom will be the character trait we will be focusing on.

Tutoring

This notice is for families whose child has been participating in my tutoring sessions. Please be advised that Thursday's tutoring session will be the last one until the new year. I will send home a note indicating the start date at that time.