Happy Holidays!!

We had a wonderful time celebrating the holidays today.  We made necklaces and watched The Polar Express with Mrs. McLain's class.  Then we went to the Winter Celebration as a  whole school.  We had four students, Jaylin, Alexandra, Laci and Logan, who were elves in a play. Each grade had a few songs that they sang too.  It was a great time!

I want to wish everyone a safe and happy holidays!

WInter Break Challenge

On Friday, students will come home with a Winter Break Reading Challenge.  Students are being challenged to read 15 minutes 10 times over the winter break.  For this challenge, students need to choose 10 different marshmellow reading challenges.  After completing each challenge, students then need to glue it to their mug.  Students may also decorate their mug.  This is DUE back by Wednesday, January 4, 2017.  The students who are able to complete this challenge, will have lunch with me on that day.  Good luck!!

Problem of Week

This week Problem of the Week solvers were:

Quintin & Jack

Congratulations!

Wrapping Presents

Thank you to the parents for sending in wrapping paper and boxes.  Students had a wonderful time wrapping their gifts this afternoon.  There are some students who are very talented wrappers.

Book Buddies - Reading Holiday Books

Today, we went to the common area to read with Mrs. Rehm's class for book buddies.  Students were asked to bring in their favorite holiday book.  They spent their book buddy time reading holiday books and taking AR tests.  Here are some pictures.

Here are some pictures of the books that were brought in.

Biome Boxes

For the last few weeks, students have created a biome (wetland, rainforest, grassland, desert, tundra) in which to grow a lima bean.  We have been watering, giving light, and care.  However, we have found that the lima bean just doesn't want to grow in these biomes.  We have also found out that a biome (wetlands) that has too much water can get mold. Yuk!  Take a look at the pictures.

North America Map Quiz

Week of December 19th

We have a few fun events happening in our classroom next week.  A copy of this flyer will be coming home tomorrow with students.

Chorus Concert

Today, HMS was invited to watch a preview of the concert that will be presented this evening at Cawley Middle School.  We had many students participate. Great job Kate, Tobi, Alexandra, Nathaniel, Luke, Jaylin, Kaylee, Laci, and Logan.

Device Party

We had a wonderful time at our Device Party on Friday. Many students brought in their own device and pj's. Students found a comfy spot and enjoyed a game or two on their device.  

Hour of Code

(click on the words above to go to the website)

We completed Hour of Code!   Many students coded with Moana or Minecraft.  They persevered through challenges and started to learn the language of coding.   It was quite impressive!  Here are some pictures of our Hour of Code.

It's a Deal! Summary

Today, the students and I worked on summarizing It's a Deal, which is a nonfiction text.  We used the following organizer to help us summarize the story.  Take a look...

Fire Fighters Visit

Thank you to the Hooksett Fire Department for visiting our school today.  Students were able to get a tour of the fire truck.  Then two fire fighters came into the classroom to go over fire safety in student's houses.  Take a look..

Life Cycle Projects

Students did an amazing job with their Life Cycle Projects.  They have all shared their projects to the class.  I have displayed them on the bulletin board outside our classroom, as well as, put the 3D projects in the hallway.  For doing such a nice job, students have been rewarded with a free kids meal from Applesbee's.  Congratulations to all students!!

100 Squares Party

*** The Party is on Friday, December 9th.

Book It Updates

There were many students who completed their November Book It.  They had to read 250 minutes and complete 3 AR tests with 80% accuracy.  Congratulations to the following students...

Nathaniel

Miles

Jaylin

Kaylee

Laci

Addison

Tobi

Jack

Week of Dec 5th

This week we will be starting Unit 3 (Money) in our Language Arts program.  I will be asking students to bring in something to add to our Concept & Question board related to money.   Students can bring in rare money or foreign money (or anything else they want to share that relates to Money).  I will take a picture, print it, and send home the item (for safety).   Practicing the vocabulary (on bottom of each spelling list) will be important as the economics concepts we will be talking about can be challenging.   Our first story is "It's a Deal."

In math, we will finish Chapter 6 (Multiplication x6, 7, 8, 9).  It is very important that your child knows their multiplication facts for this chapter.  I will continue to give students their fact quiz on Tuesdays and Thursdays. 

In writing, we have worked hard on Argumentative (Opinion) and Narrative Writing.  This month we will focus on Informational writing.  Informational writing conveys factual information about something.   After practicing, students will be expected to use nonfiction text to create graphic organizers with information.  Students will then take their "notes" and put it into appropriate paragraph form, using their own words, and write multiple paragraphs about their topic.

Hour of Code

On Thursday, our class will participate in Hour of Code.  Hour of Code is a one-hour introduction to computer science.  Students will learn to "code" and learn about how computer science is impacting our future.   Students can even code at home!  Visit code.orgfor more information.

This map shows where students across the world will participate in Hour of Code.

Problem of the Week

We had 3 students solve the Problem of the Week.  They had to use their knowledge of multiplication on one side and solve clues on the other.  Congratulations to...

Quintin

Jack

Logan

PTA Annual Holiday Fair

The PTA's annual Holiday Gift Fair is on Saturday, December 10.  It will 
run from 10 am - 1 pm at Underhill.  This year they are also having a 
pancake breakfast!

Khan Academy

For Homework next week, I have decided not to send home a math page homework.  Instead, I am asking students to study their multiplication facts in a way that works for them.  I have created a paper for students to document how they practiced.  I have also included several games that students can use to practice.

Multiplication Fact Practice

Directions:  As we are working on Chapter 6 - Multiplication, it is very important that students are practicing their facts.  For homework this week, I am only assigning practicing multiplication facts.  There are several ways students may study their facts.

1. XtraMath - I have changed students to the multiplication program.  Students just need to sign in and start practicing.  https://xtramath.org/#/signin/student_other .  You may use my e-mail address to sign in: acoulon@sau15.net

2. Kahn Academy - We went on this program on Friday during computer lab.   Their username and passwords are stapled on to the front of their agenda books.  Here are the steps for students to log in.

• Go to https://www.khanacademy.org/login
• Type in username and password
• Under Math by Grade - click on 3rd
• At the top - click on Practice
• Go to Multiplication and Division

3. Other - Please explain on chart below (flashcards, timed tests, orally, etc)

Day	Facts Practiced	How Practiced (XtraMath, Kahn Academy, Other)
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday