December 15th-19th Newsletter

^{Math Tutoring}

^{Tutoring will continue this week at the regularly scheduled times after school. (3:30-4:15, Tuesday and Thursday)}

^{Testing, Testing, Testing}

^{This week we are completing our mid-year testing with the SAGE assessments.  Each test takes approximately an hour and a half in our lab.  So far, we have been working on the writing portion of the test. The kids seem to be doing pretty good considering it is just a few days before the Christmas break.}

^{No Homework Packet this Week}

^{There will not be an assigned homework packet this week due to the testing schedule.  However, there is a reading calendar to be completed for reading every day.  Class assignments not finished in the day becomes homework for that evening and is due the next day.}

^{Christmas “White Elephant Game” pm Friday}

^{On Friday, we will have a small Christmas Party.  We exchange “White Elephant” gifts on that day as part of one of our games.  If possible, I would like your child to bring an anonymously wrapped gift for the game.  The item does not need to be new.  It is intended to be a silly, prank style of gift.  If purchased, I ask that you spend no more than $ 1 for the gift.  I will have a few extra gifts in case your child is unable to bring one.}

^Volunteers

 ^{If you are interested in volunteering in our class, please just let me know when you are available and I would be glad to have you help in our class.}

^{Curriculum this week.}

^{Math- Division of decimals.}

^{Language/Writing/Reading-  Writing a creative story.  Utah Writes} 

^Project.

^{Science- Physical and Chemical change.}

^{Social Studies- The American Revolution}

^{Home Practice of Writing Skills}

^{A great website to utilize at home to improve writing skills is utahcompose.com.  I encourage students to use this site to improve their writing skills.  It is a great tool and gives immediate feedback.  The students know their username and password to access the site at home.  The site includes lessons, videos, and writing opportunities that are immediately scored.    Students are also given the opportunity to revise their writing in order to improve their score on the essays.  As an}

^{incentive, I will award 25 extra credit points for every essay that scores 18 or higher.  I ask that you encourage your child to do as much writing as possible.  This is a great tool to use and has a variety of topics to write about for the essays.}

^{Grade Printouts}

^{I will be sending home grade printouts home on Thursday  so you can keep up to date with your child’s progress.}

^{Multicultural Night}

^{Multicultural Night will be held on January 29th.  We are looking for people that would like to represent a country.  The night is held in the gym and volunteers set up a booth or table and talk about the traditions and culture of a country.  If you are interested in participating please let the  P.T.A. know.  They have forms available.}

^{I hope that all of you have a very Merry Christmas and a safe holiday season.}