Dear Families,

Happy New Year and welcome back! I’m looking forward to a fun and productive 3rd quarter with my awesome students. Thank you so much for the many Christmas gifts I received. You truly blessed my family and me with your thoughtfulness and generosity.

ORAL INTERPRETATION POEMS: 

This week students will select poems to memorize for the class oral interpretation speech meet which will be held on January 26. Students may select poems from a variety of sources. There are many poetry books at school in the library and poems are also available on-line. Students should submit a copy of their poem for approval by this Friday, January 9. Once selected, students should begin to memorize their poems on a daily basis at home with parental guidance. Thank you for your cooperation in helping your children learn their poems.

All students are expected to memorize a poem as part of their oral language grade for third quarter in language. Grades will be based on rubric scores and advancements will be made based on presentations and scoring. The top three students will advance to our school oral presentation chapel on January 26 and, if chosen, will then represent our school at the Peach Blossom Festival in early spring.

Requirements include:

1 1/2 to 2 minutes in length

Choose selections that allow children to “bring to life” their pieces through their voice and and gestures

Poem of integrity and value

Humorous or serious

Appropriate selection for age

Identify the title and author at the beginning of the selection

Vocal variety in volume, rate, pitch

Expression of voice and face

Hand and/or Body Movements

Eye Contact

Creativity Utilized

Meaning and Emotion

Naturalness and Sincerity

WRITING:

Students will write fictional narratives during the third quarter, focusing on story elements such as characters, setting, villain, conflict, rising action, climax and resolution. We will begin with reviewing and practicing writing dialogue.

READING:

The required reading for January will be a genre of the student’s choice. Students will write a Response to Literature which is due on Friday, January 30. We will review how to write a Response to Literature in class. Class time will be given every day for silent reading and students are expected to read a minimum  of 10 pages a day. If they are unable to complete this in class, then reading becomes homework.

MATH:

This week we will begin Chapter 7 Fractions.

SOCIAL STUDIES:

This week we continue our time travel to the age of exploration.

BIBLE:

This week we continue Unit 4 Gospel Writings: Jesus’ Birth and Early Ministry

SCRIPTURE MEMORY VERSE:

The memory verse for this week is 1 John 5:14 and the test will be this Friday, January 9. Students will be graded on writing the verse accurately, including correct wording, spelling, punctuation, grammar and scripture reference.

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.

1 John 5:14

SPELLING: Spelling Lesson 18 words will be tested this Friday, January 9

Lesson 18

Words with –ation, -ition, -ion

  1. accusation
  2. adaptation
  3. animation
  4. application
  5. conversation
  6. transportation
  7. destination
  8. preparation
  9. emotion
  10. variation
  11. definition
  12. rejection
  13. ignition
  14. opposition
  15. recognition

Challenge Words

  1. estimation
  2. excavation
  3. exhibition
  4. occasion
  5. procession

DATES TO REMEMBER:

  • School Resumes: January 5
  • Happy Birthday, Ian Benggon!  January 10
  • NO SCHOOL – Martin Luther King Day: January 19
  • Oral Interpretation Assembly: January 26 from 1:30-2:45
  • NOON DISMISSAL – Parent Teacher Conferences: February 2 through February 6
  • NO SCHOOL – Lincoln’s Birthday: February
  • NO SCHOOL – President’s Day: February 16
  • Elementary Spring Pictures: March 3
  • End of 3rd Quarter: March 13
  • SAT 10 Testing: March 23 through March 27
  • NO SCHOOL – Easter Break: March 30 through April 6
  • School Resumes: April 7