Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! I hope that you and your families had a wonderful winter break, and that your students are recharged and ready to resume their studies! We have many events coming up in the next month, so it will be a busy time! Here are some of the highlights from December:

* Math - We completed Chapter 10 (multiplication/estimation and algebraic concepts) and will start on Ch. 11 (multiplication by double digits) on Monday, Jan. 3. This unit is a bit more challenging for students as we try to learn about this form of multiplication through different methods, including area rectangles and the distributive property. Many students find the "traditional" algorithm method more prone to errors, so we teach these other methods in order to give students other ways to "break down the numbers" in their heads! Ask your child to show you another way to multiply other than using the algorithm method!

* Language Arts - We have begun corresponding with our Lynbrook "pen pals" - students received their first pen pal letters in December, and sent holiday greetings back to the Lynbrook students before our break. We hope to meet our "pen pals" in person at the Year End Picnic at Murdoch Park! We have also been reading stories from our reading textbook, focusing on comprehension and reading response strategies. I also enjoy reading the "response logs" that your child completes each day after their 30 minutes of reading. We will start preparing more intensively for the STAR fourth grade writing test, which will be administered on Tues., March 1 - right after our February break.

* Science - we have finished the "magnetism" portion of our science unit, and the students really enjoyed our hands-on activities! We are now proceeding with electricity, and learning about different kinds of circuits. Our upcoming field trip to Intel Museum on Mon., Jan. 24 will allow the students to learn all about how electricity and conductivity are essential in computer technology! We will also have a "hands-on" lab where students will build their own circuits!

* Social Studies - students have learned about the Mission period in California History through a variety of methods including videos, Tech Lab research, and library books. Students will work in groups to design their own "mission" using the information we have learned about the 21 California missions! Also, we will practice this week for our classroom "Geo Bee" on Weds., Jan. 5. Although this is a "voluntary" participation event, I hope many of my students will choose to challenge themselves in this event!

*Technology - I am asking students to begin a new project in the Tech Lab this week, which will continue throughout the year. They will pick one subject each week to write about after we have had discussions in class. I am also hoping this will help them to continue improving their keyboarding skills! You will be able to view their completed "logs" in the Tech Lab at Open House in May!

* Second Session Morning Enrichment Program - please note that if your child is enrolled in the morning enrichment program that starts next week, they are expected to arrive at school NO LATER than 7:45 AM! So, get those alarm clocks set for an earlier wake-up time!