10/17/07

Whew! They’re done! NECAPs, that is! It is our hope that the results will drive our instruction as well as allow us to see what areas in math, reading, and writing need improvement. The kids held up marvelously to all this testing. Despite losing valuable and precious instruction time, they were patient and tolerant.

If you haven’t heard yet, I have started a blog for our classroom. You are welcome to visit and read the comments that are posted, though I ask that only students in my classroom make postings. Go to www.riccardiswonder.blogspot.com. I am still learning how to use the blog most efficiently so bear with me.

Next Monday we will start a new unit based on multiplicative reasoning, or simply, multiplication and division. I will be instructing a group using the Investigations lessons, Building on Numbers You Know as well as the Connected Math lessons, Prime Time. Ms. Baker will use the Prime Time lessons as well. The "Data About Us" projects, from the Connected Math series, look informative! We will wind up that unit next week too. Next week will also see the beginning of the much-loved ancient Egypt unit. Students will not only learn more about the mummification process (which is always popular for some grotesque reason) but will learn about the history of ancient Egypt, the affects, geography, and contributions of the Nile River as well hieroglyphs, gods and goddesses, and ancient artifacts. We will be visiting the Fleming Museum November 16 (permission slip to follow next week), which has an Egyptian mummy and other artifacts. The popular funeral mask-making session will be held on-when else?-Halloween!

Fundraising for the end-of-the-year 5/6 trip will be underway shortly. We have contacted our own John Snell to make soy wax candles in five wonderful scents and in two sizes. Your child will come home with next week a bag with a sample candle and an order form. In addition, we are also working on an energy efficient light bulb sale that will take place later in November-what better time to sell both when the daylight is diminishing! Our class will contribute to the trip fund on November 15 when we hold our first bake sale. More details will follow….

In my last newsletter, I asked parents what they thought of the June trip and if they had any ideas about where we should go or how the funds should be used. I didn’t get any response but I am hoping that it is because we all busy and thinking of "the now," not about what might happen next year! Again, I am open to all and any suggestions. We have discussed the trip at great length, and the students know that our destination will be based on funds raised. While Boston has been the popular choice for my class the last three years, we now have to plan a trip with twice as many students (Ms. Baker’s class). Just let me know!

Sincerely,

Patty Riccardi