Happy Holidays

I hope you all have been staying warm! The kids were so excited to finally make it outside Friday... a little indoor recess goes a long way!
This week we have been busy in math. We wrapped up unit 8, where we used the equal arm balance to find the masses of various objects in our room. This week we began adding larger numbers. As a class, we have been exploring various strategies used to add larger numbers including: base 10 pieces, tallies, pictures, the 200s chart, and the paper pencil method (vertical addition with carrying).
I won't be telling you much about our current writing project, because it's a surprise! I will tell you however, that they have been working hard and have been producing some great writings!
Your child received a new spelling list last Wednesday and this will be the last new sort before break. We will begin our regular schedule in spelling when we return in January. Thank you for practicing at home.
This Thursday we will participate in the 1st and 2nd grade Gingerbread day! From 9-11 we will rotate between our classrooms and have fun with the various gingerbread activities!
In health this month we have been studying how to stay safe and stay well. When we return in January we will begin our new science unit about weather.
I can't believe this is our last newsletter of 2009! I hope you have a wonderful holiday season with your family and friends. I look forward to making many more memories with your children in 2010!