BONNIE AND EMILY’S NEWS – DECEMBER ll, 2OO8

ACADEMICS:

Students have begun to analyze their Election Results data, comparing and contrasting class data with local and national results. The class has jumped into fractions, decimals, and percents, with lessons involving fraction insets and the Montessori Candelabrum of Numeration, as well as applying them to their election statistics. The students final election assignment is to compose an expository essay summarizing at least three candidates’ results. In addition, we are exploring the anatomy of flowers, macroscopically and microscopically, as well as moving forward on the 19’s News newspaper and the students’ ongoing Shakespeare production. In between, we are managing to squeeze in more Peace Bead and tea stand creations, as well as baking for our Sidewalk Sale!

HOLIDAY AND HALF-BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS:

Along with celebrating the December half-birthday celebrations of Shiv Antar, Noah, and Megan, we will also be studying and celebrating the many holidays that December brings, including Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa. As part of our ongoing compare and contrast studies, we will be enjoying a recycled gift activity next Tuesday, reinforcing the giving component of all of these holidays. Please make sure your child brings in any functional, used item, wrapped and ready to give by Tuesday morning. The only absolute “no-no’s” are broken items and any item representing a weapon. Otherwise, students should choose an item that they no longer want/need, or with which they feel they can part. Ask your child for the details of this activity, and then for a follow-up description of how the activity turned out!

HOMEWORK:

Students who are behind should set a goal to get all old homework and book reports turned in by the holidays – let’s start the new year with a clean slate! We will not have a formal spelling quiz next week (instead we will enjoy a spelling game on Thursday to review all old themes/foci).

SIDEWALK SALE:

Thank you to the families who have lent us mixing bowls, et cetera. Please let us know if you need these items back immediately; otherwise, we will return them next week after our final baking effort! Remember to come visit us before and/or after school this Friday and next!

END-OF-YEAR TRIP:



Huge thanks to Lauren Richardson (Abby’s mom) for all of her work organizing our end-of-year trip thus far. Please find in your child’s binder an Information and Commitment Slip regarding this trip. Please fill out the bottom portion and return with your deposit money by NEXT FRIDAY so that we can confirm our reservations. To summarize, we are headed to the OMSI Camp Kiwanilong Nature Education Camp (near Astoria) from May 4th through the 6th, then making a slight detour on the way home for an overnight in the shark tunnel at the Oregon Aquarium, returning on May 7th. The details, approximate costs, et cetera are outlined on the info. sheet. Again, please provide the bottom portion of the Info. Slip, as well as the deposit money for your child by next Friday as we are lucky to have these dates available to us, and they can only be held without a deposit for ten days.

BONNIE’S E-MAIL INFO: Please feel free to contact me at my personal e-mail address: felas69@yahoo.com .

In Peace, Bonnie and Emily

“Psychologists have often affirmed that if your own adult ability be compared with the child we should need sixty years hard work to do what he does in three..” - Maria Montessori