First though, allow me to share a little...Winter vacation at the Grewell Ranch was full of fun, laughing, snow, feeding cows, and a TON of family functions. Zach's brother, wife, and nephew were here visiting from the NorthEast coast! (Which state could that be students???). We so enjoyed all our time with them, especially all of Tristan's magic shows! Such a sweet little boy! I also got to catch up with many of my Bitterroot Elementary friends over a fun dinner and a few lunch dates. We spent many nights playing family games like Dominoes, Apples to Apples, and card games. Mostly though, we so loved all the fun in the snow. Beau was blessed with his very own four wheeler from Santa. He went up and down Grewell Lane a million and one times. Emma loved being pulled by Zach and Grandpa in the big calf sled up and down the same road. Sledding down the driveway and hills on the ranch was also very fun! Feeding the cows each morning was Zach's task, but we went along with as well. I forgot how much fun cows are to feed. They just come a running when they hear the feed truck. Lastly, we spent a lot of time just hanging out at home. Emma was blessed with a new iPod, so she had fun loading it with apps and music. I read an actual book (not school related!) and caught up on some Netflix shows I had been wanting to watch. Spending time at home is one of my favorite things to do.
All good things must come to an end though. As I type this, I think ah man...already back to work. But, I can't wait to just sit with the kids tomorrow morning at Fly time and listen to all of their Holiday stories. I have reserved the entire time to do just that...catch up.
Upon leaving before break, we had a great time learning and celebrating Polar Express Day. We spent the morning writing Cinquain poems about our yummy hot chocolate after reading the story. We also did some work on some vocabulary that was in the story along with the many similes and metaphors we heard. Lastly, we ended the book part by making a sequence train for the main events of the story. There were 12 train cars that the kids put in order by memory. I was pleasantly surprised at their ability to remember all the details. That means they were making connections to the text!
We took a break and had a wonderful pizza lunch together. A HUGE thank you to Noah B and his family for being my elves and helping me out! I will be sure to pay it all forward! What a wonderful way to spend our last lunch of the year and it was so awesome to meet Noah's dad and older brother. It is clear to see where Noah gets his character from! Thanks again!!!
The afternoon was where we switched from academic to fun. While watching the movie, the kids also built their candy trains. I always love to see how different each scene comes out! Hopefully, they made it home safe and sound. Poor Reece went home sick in the morning and missed out on the afternoon fun. Therefore, Emma, Beau, and I spent a couple hours at his house over the break building ones with him. We were glad he was feeling better and that we were able to hook up and have some fun over the break!
We ended the day with David's Star of the Week presentation. David likes Minecraft, coonskin hats and his family and friends. Thanks for sharing with us David!
This week academically,
Math: We will continue with measurement. We will switch from metric to customary. Customary is far more difficult due to all the different conversions American's have. It is not consistent all the way across like the metric system. You have to know different conversions for distance (inch, yard, mile), weight (pound, ounce, ton), and capacity (cups, pints, quarts, gallons). We will also practice measuring with a ruler to the nearest length using both metric and customary units.
Lead 21 Reading: We will continue with Unit 3: The Atlantic States. We will go into our small groups again. Kids will also be adding independent reading to their rotation plates. We will be focussing in on making connections, rating a story with evidence to back it, fact and opinion, making a 4th grade prediction, asking inferential and literal questions, and visualizing. We will also resist sequencing.
Lead 21 Reading Inquiry Project: We will continue to research information about our chosen states. Kids will begin to build their game boards as well. There will be some work done at home, and some work done at school. The at home part will be later in the week or possibly even next week.
Book Reports: Kids should be reading a biography book. They have three weeks to finish up.
Social Studies: We will tour the SE region. Those that haven't taken their states and capital's test on this region will take it tomorrow.
MT History: We will continue to look into our state symbols.
Science: Project lead the way. We will begin to look into kinetic and potential energy and finish building our cars and pendulums. We will also begin to look at simple machines.
Fly Time: Dealing with anger appropriately and warning signs that we are getting angry.
Check out this awesome picture of AJ! Gotta love when kids start to love the word too!!!
I am hoping that all the travelers got back safe and sound. I have missed all the kids and can't wait to see them all again tomorrow. Drive safe and dress warm. It seems winter has settled in again, and I am sure Mr. Pertuit will be eager to get those sleds out at lunch recess. I am sure my commute will be just lovely, but I will be there!!!
I would like to leave this post with a heart felt thank you. The many gifts from kids and their families warmed my heart. I absolutely loved each and every one of them. I am so grateful to have a job where I love coming to work every day. Having supportive parents is an awesome bonus. You are all so kind, and thank you so much for filling my bucket!
Welcome back and let's have an amazing 2015!!!
Code word: 2015 for $10 on Monday
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