Happy 2009!  It is hard to believe that our school year is half over.  It is that time of year when many supplies need to be replenished.  Please check with your student to see if he/she needs new folders, scissors, pencils, etc.  Thank you!

Lit- We have started reading the novel The Whipping Boy by Sid Fleischmann.  Along with reading the novel, we will be doing various activities and projects.

Science - Students have started a new unit with the start of a new year!  We will be studying cells, the difference between plant and animal cells, life cycles, and genetics.  Students will be working on a cell project beginning next week.  This is a group project and students will be designing and building a model of a plant cell and an animal cell.  They will also be creating a poster to go along with their models.  This will all be done in class.

Math-We are working on ratios and proportions.  We will be having a quiz on Tuesday/Wednesday, Jan. 20-21.  I will send home a sample quiz on Thursday/Friday, Jan. 15-16.

Comp.- Over the holidays we received many pen pal letters.  The men and women in the military  truly appreciate the letters.  One pen pal sent us an American flag that was flown in a combat mission over Afghanistan in honor and appreciation of the letters we sent to her and other military members.  She also sent us a certificate signed by the pilots.  We will proudly display the flag and certificate in our room.  Our next pen pal letter will be sent so that they receive it in time for Valentine's Day.
Also, we will finish our lessons on verbs and begin the next spelling/vocabulary unit.  In addition to this, I will be explaining the writing contest all of the students will be involved in and start discussing expository writing. 

History- We will continue to discuss the explorers of North America.