Weekly Update

We had a great four day week and the girls worked hard after our snow day on Monday. This is the time of year when everyone feels very comfortable with one another as well as with me, which is a really great thing. Sometimes this level of comfort can lead to some bossy and unkind behavior. It is always good to check in as a class and reinforce how we all want to be acting towards one another as well as to ourselves! Thank you for your encouragement at home.

Here are some curriculum updates and reminders.

Math: We are persevering through unit 3 and we identified mixed numbers and improper fractions, and have started to learn how to convert between the two. This week I had the class reflect on this past quarter and make goals for the next quarter. When I asked about things they have not enjoyed, math seemed to be a big theme for many, and specifically fractions. In Singapore Math, we go in depth with fractions, which can feel overwhelming. I am asking the girls to try their best and listen carefully. They are doing a great job and we will continue working through fractions. From this week's Pick 8, there are a handful of girls who still struggle with multiplying by a two digit number. I will review this skill whole group and individually. If they scored an N on this week's Pick 8, I would like for them to practice at home as well.

Language Arts: The girls are almost finished writing their persuasive essays. They are very convincing in their stances on various topics. This is a great experience for them to learn how to write a multi-paragraph essay. We will finish this writing lab next week and move on to our next friendship themed writing lab.

Social Studies: We completed the web quest about MLK and had a nice discussion about his life. The girls created portraits of him and they look great. They are also in the midst of creating their earthquake movies about the San Francisco earthquake of 1906. We have lots of work in progress projects that we will finish up next week. 8 members of our class are in the Inclusion club and did a great job leading us in chapel today and sharing their experience when they visited The Faison School.

Reminders and Important Information

• Next week is Spirit Week! On Wednesday they may dress as a holiday; on Thursday, they may dress as a decade, and on Friday they may wear gold or white for the cheer rally that day
• Spanish begins next week
• Scholastic Book Order is due by Friday, January 25
• Scavenger Hunt
• From Mrs. Irving: Author Russell Ginns is coming to St. Catherine's School on Monday, January 28th. He is visiting to celebrate both the paperback release of Samantha Spinner and the Super-Secret Plans and the upcoming March release of the next book in the series, Samantha Spinner and the Spectacular Specs. bbgb, our local bookshop, is offering the opportunity to purchase autographed copies of Russell's books.
  Order online to pay with a credit card at  http://bbgbbooks.com/book-buzz/. We are receiving a 15% discount on the books. When ordering online, use coupon code cat15.  Please place your order by Friday, January 18th. Note: the new Samantha Spinner book (Samantha Spinner at the Spectacular Specs) releases on March 12th, so Russell will sign customized book plates during his visit and these books will be delivered to your child's classroom on release day. You may call bbgb with any questions at 804.353.5675.