We have been busy the last few weeks.  

       In reading, we are finishing our story and Time news article on Spiders.  Every student chose a spider, did research on the spider's adaptive characteristics  and  environment , and wrote a poem.  They added a cut-out of that particular spider to their finished paper and shared the information during the presentation.  In creative writing, they made up questions to interview their spider.

     In Science we are learning how to distinguish an invertebrate and a vertebrate.  One of our labs included observing and recognizing characteristics of animals and classifying them. Everyone made a chart  comparing and contrasting each vertebrate phylum by it's birth, body covering, how it gets oxygen,and the environment it lives. Our assessment will be on Thursday.  

     A Veteran's Day sheet went home last week asking if anyone in the family has served in one of the branches of the military. With the pictures and stories  brought in, we will have an opportunity to learn about special people who have served their country.

     For Thanksgiving, we are learning about the Northwest Coast Native Americans and their culture.  We recently finished a story about the Plains Native Americans and how they celebrated the fall season.  I attended a class at the Terra Art Museum years ago and found out about the Button Blankets from Alaska.  The Inuits traded furs with the European traders for buttons.  Each clan or family chose a special symbol for their family and they made a large blanket to wear as a cloak with that symbol on the back outlined in buttons.  Each student will choose a native animal as killer whale, Kodiak bear, or eagle to design their blanket to take home.  We will also learn about all the native animals and the family celebrations of the Inuits. Please remember to send in white buttons if you have any at home. 

     In Math we are working on word problems and multiplication tables.  Math Bees and computer games are helping  us succeed in these skills.  Next we will be multiplying with two digit numbers.   

     After studying the lives of Saints for our Mass, we continued to read about more Saints.  We will be participating in a play each week  learning about a particular Saint.  This week we will learn about St. Kateri Tekakwitha.  We are making props and will take turns being a part of the plays.

     If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.

                                       Thank you, 

                                    Ms. Judy   (jmeehanms@comcast.net)