December Updates

During the month of December students will be learning quite a bit of history.  In addition to learning about indigenous Americans, we will learn about 16th century Africa, and European Explorers.  While these lessons are taking place students will be researching a Native American tribe from the Pacific Northwest, Eastern Woodlands, Great Plains, or desert Southwest. Much of the student's research and project work will be done at school, although they may occasionally do some of the research or planning at home. Students will need a shoebox for this project, by the way!

We will then share our learning in a classroom open house on Thursday, December 16th in lieu of a holiday or Christmas celebration.  If you had volunteered to provide a food or drink for the December party I will contacting you about whether you are interested in providing a Native American food item or drink instead.  The students and I are very excited to share our learning in this way.  Exploring early (early!) American History is critical as students learn about the early days of the United States and our country's struggle for freedom.

Charity Donations

Waukazoo is a Toys for Tots donation site. Donations will be collected through we go on Christmas break. Waukazoo is also collecting new or gently used hats, mitten, and scarves via a hat and mitten tree. This is also placed at the front of the school. I was able to find several items my girls weren't wearing anymore or that had gotten too small that were still in good condition.

Finally, our class has voted to make a Christmas donation to the DeVos Children's Hospital. How can you help with this? Ask your son or daughter about his or her favorite book! In lieu of a gift to me, please consider purchasing or donating a copy of your child's favorite book to the Helen DeVos Children's Hospital. In return, I am also going to donate 500 Scholastic points and purchase books for the hospital. The hospital is currently reopening on January 11, 2011 and will feature 150 pediatric physicians and 40 pediatric specialties. The hospital is currently scheduling self-guided tours for a community preview event. You can learn more about the new Helen DeVos Children's Hospital by visiting http://www.helendevoschildrens.org.

Please think about these worthwhile charitable opportunities.

Odds and Ends:

• Each student will need a metal coffee can by the first of February. If you drink coffee and buy your coffee grounds in a metal can, please send it in to school.
  
• As you are baking this holiday season you have many wonderful opportunities to teach measurement math. Discuss measurement terms with your children; discuss the difference between US terms for measurement and the metric system. Check out the following website for ideas: http://mathcentral.uregina.ca/beyond/articles/Cooking/Cooking1.html!