Parents, did you know that the three states of matter we learned about in elementary school has been expanded to five, and perhaps even seven? Ask your student what the two new states of matter are, and ask them to describe each.

Mrs. McPherson is organizing another great book fair. We will begin to visit it December 3. Please send money with your students if there are books they would like to purchase!

Welcome back from the Thanksgiving break. It was great to see your happy faces again. We have now wrapped up most of our 1st trimester projects and presentations. There are still a few students who need to wrap up this part of the process. Please note that teachers are finalizing grades this week. Check PowerSchool later in the week to get a good picture of your students 1st trimester grades.

I hope you enjoy a great break and fun holiday with family and friends. Happ ...

The first trimester Theme project is due on Thursday. The students have worked hard on this effort for several weeks. We have already had the pleasure of watching several presentations. Some of the topics thus far have included cornhusk dolls used by colonial children, the life of a drummer boy in the Revolutionary War, candlemaking during the colonial era, and foods of the colonial and Revolutionary periods. We have had the opportunity to make dolls, play on a homemade drum, watch wax become a candle, and turn cream into butter! The students are doing an incredible job. Please make sure you have all of your project materials in class on Thursday even if you are not presenting so that your work can be graded.

LANGUAGE ARTS:  As a reminder, the student written and illustrated children's books were due last Monday. I am missing  few books. Please turn in your draft and final copies right away. I am setting up dates for the students to read their books aloud to 1st and 2nd graders. The next major assignment is the novel book project. Please check out the guidelines posted on my blog on November 9th. The project (five-paragraph essay AND hands-on project) are due this Friday, November 16th.

MATH:  I am looking forward to meeting with my math class again! This week, we will continue to work on Module 5 concepts. Please note that I will be offering 10 points of extra credit this week. This will be handed out Wednesday and due on Thursday. This should help some students whose ...

Please note the following guidelines for the 1st trimester book project. The project has two components:

1. Five-paragraph essay: Each paragraph should be at least five sentences in length. The essay can either be typed by the student, or handwritten. The first paragraph should include an introduction to the book, including main characters and settings. The middle three paragraphs should each focus on a different theme from your specific book. Examples include friendship, loss, discovery, etc. The final paragraph should include the student response to the book with details from the text to support your opinion.

2. The project must be one of the following five options:

A. Poster story web with illustrations: Create a web diagram on posterboard. Include at least 20 details from the book.

B. Make a recipe from the book and bring it to share with the class

C. Advertisement for the book: This can be done vi ...

Most students have been using our Computer Lab time wisely. If you have not already done so, complete your final 10 (for a total of 20) notecards and final 2 (for a total of 5) bib cards, due at the beginning of class on Tuesday.

Thank you to the parents who helped make our Halloween Party a huge success. The kids had a great time. We appreciated all of the food and party donations, as well as the parent volunteers in the classroom. You are the best!

KSS will be here before we know it! Our class goes to KSS November 7-9. The deadline for all paperwork was today. Please be aware that it is critical that all pieces of information are completed. Today I am sending home (see Monday folder) the Adams 12 Medical Form. This form MUST be completed, regardless of whether or not your child takes medications. If your child does not need medications, you do not have to have a doctor's signature. Simply write "NO MEDS" across the top of the form, and sign and date it. Please review the list of items needed. A copy is posted under the 5/6 Team documents. Make sure clothing items fit. Also, if your student will not be attending KSS, he/she must complete the alternative assignment, also posted on the 5/6 team page. Students not attending KSS will not come to school at Stargate on the 7th-9th.