A Note from Averyville

January 6, 2009

SOCIAL STUDIES

We have completed our study of the Plains Indians and are begin our study of the Indians of the Southwest. We will be focusing on the Navaho, Apache, and Hopi. In addition to the stories in our Open Court Series, our connected reading will be Annie and the Old One.

The children will begin learning the first set of states located west of the Mississippi River. Please look for a map to come home that shows the next group of states your child will be expected to know. This will also include Rocky Mountains, Mississippi River, and the Gulf of Mexico. The test is scheduled for January 13. The cumulative map test will be January 15.

MATH

We will begin multiplication this week. Prior to our memorization of facts through twelves, we will spend a few days laying a strong foundation for the understanding of the concept. We will be using a matrix, row and columns, and repeated groups to facilitate understanding of the concept.

As we begin memorization of facts, the children will be asked to take timed test to work on speed and accuracy. You can help your child by drilling the presented facts each night.

BOOK REPORT

Our book report for the month is based on a realistic fiction. A realistic fiction is a story that could happen but didn’t. It is not historical fiction. That assignment will be in the spring. The book should be completed no later than Monday, January 26. We will begin working on our report in class on that day.

HANDWRITING

All assignments, including homework, should be done in cursive. We will complete all lower case letters this week and will begin working on the upper case letters. Spelling tests are taken in cursive; therefore, the children should be practicing their words by writing them in cursive.

SECOND SEMESTER

There is much to be done to prepare these students for fourth grade. In order to do this, we must cover much material and work at a faster pace. I am expecting your child to put greater energy and effort in all assignments as well as keep up with the pace of the class. I will not accept work that is not neatly done and does not represent the child’s best efforts. I am confident that each child will be able to rise to the occasion.