December

Dear Students/Parents/Guardians,

Progress reports went home this week. I am hoping for a lot less missing assignments at the end of this quarter. The quarter ends on January 14, 2011. Please make sure your child is turning in all of his/her assignments. Missing assignments can make a grade suffer tremendously. If you have questions, or your child has questions on an assignment, they can come and see me in the morning before school starts. Otherwise, if they do not turn in an assignment on time, it will be counted as “late” and be marked as a lower grade.


Math Vocabulary
We are learning a LOT of new math vocabulary in chapter 5. Here is some of the vocabulary we are studying. Your child will need to know these definitions for the chapter 5 test, so please study with and quiz them on these.

equation – A sentence that contains an equals sign (=), showing that two expressions are equal.

expression – A combination of numbers, variables, and at least one operation.

parentheses – The parentheses () tell you which operation to perform first.

pattern – A sequence of numbers, figures, or symbols that follow a rule.

solve – To answer a question.

variable – A letter or symbol used to represent an unknown quantity.

Next Week's Spelling List
government govern opinion
onion union companion
million behavior believe
system possibly possible
piece peace certainly
certain witness investigate
therefore before
*Please study these words and be ready to take a test on Friday!


Classroom Supplies
We greatly appreciate any supplies you want to bring into our class. Some of the things we use the most are:

· Tissues and Paper Towels

· Paper or Plastic cups

· Baby Wipes and Hand Sanitizer

We can also use any old games or books you are looking to donate.

December Happenings
- DIBELS testing begins today through December 10^th

December 9^th is the Liberty Home Basketball Opener with the girls at 4:00 and the boys at 5:00.

· Kindergarten Christmas Recital is on Friday, December 10^th from 9-9:30 in the Sanctuary.

1^st-8^th grade Talent Show and Christmas Sing is on December 17^th from 10:00-11:00am in the Sanctuary


Next Week's Assignments

This week in Reading we are doing DIBELS testing and reading comprehension. In science, we are discussing cells and doing an experiment about them. In social studies we are learning about mammals, birds, fish, and reptiles found in Arizona.

We are learning algebra in math and how to solve for a variable. In writing we are writing the rough and final drafts of our stories using the writing process. Please read 20 minutes every night (even on the weekend) and have your planner signed by a parent or guardian.

Reminders to Students
Turn in all assignments.
Have your planner signed every night, even on days we don’t have school.


Reminders to Parents
1. We are collecting Box Tops. Please cut them out!

2. Winter Break is December 20-31, 2010.

3. School resumes on January 3, 2011.

Upcoming Events
Dollar for Duds Day
December 10, 2010

Half Day
December 17, 2010

Winter Break
December 20-December 31, 2010

School Resumes
January 3, 2011

End of the Second Quarter
January 14, 2011


-Mrs. Marsh