Happy New Year!!

Welcome back!  The students arrived Wednesday morning ready to work.  Our new CSA, Mrs. Gansert popped in for a visit and to introduce herself to the students.  The students welcomed her warmly and were very excited to meet her.

One of our first activities of the week was writing our school resolutions for 2013.  We also enlisted the help once again from Mrs. Moran for our new classroom door.  The sign says, "Room 204 is "snow" much fun."  The students all received a snowflake and wrote one thing about our class that they think is fun.  Some of the answers were:  brain breaks, math games, word work and even...learning.

In Math this week, we learned some strategies to adding more than three numbers together.  We also began solving subtraction number stories.  As we continue this year and adding more difficult skills, it becomes more and more important for the students to know their math facts.  This is something that we practice often in school but can also be practiced at home.

We were introduced this week to Angela Johnson, a mentor author.  During the next few weeks, we will be looking at some of Angela's stories and use some of the same techniques she uses in her writing.

In science, we started our new unit, Solids, Liquids and Gas.  We began by comparing to objects and discovered why they both considered solids.

I have received many of your community pictures for our technology project and would like to thank you for your cooperation.  I am looking forward to how this project is going to turn out.

On another note, please keep in mind that although this season brings snow and fun, it also brings colds and sickness.  We try to encourage hand washing as much as possible.  Also, the students do go outside during these winter months, so they will need hats and gloves and winter coats.  Keep in mind, our classroom being upstairs can get very warm even in the winter.  So therefore, layering is always a good option. 

Remember Friday, January 11 is a half day for students! Have a great week!!