Can it be that the holidays are just around the corner? My, my my! Things will really start heating up around here, now!
During the month of November, we will be moving along at our current pace with our Language program. There will be more emphasis on identifying the characters, setting, and plot of a story and using outlines and webs to summarize a story and pull out the important parts. Our spelling patterns have taken us into consonant blends and digraphs and we will be working with compound words and contractions. The main focus of our spelling program, and one in which you can help out at home, is to make sure the children are constantly aware of what they are writing and if they know how to spell a word in their heads, it is spelled correctly on paper. As simple as this sounds, this is the biggest hurdle all of us need to jump.
Our Math program continues with a further knowledge base of fractions, time, money, and number sense, as well as the usual drill on number facts. Don't tell the children, but they will soon be working on 100 facts at a time.
In Social Studies, we are working on one of my favorite units of study--the First Thanksgiving story. We are looking at the history a bit more in depth, though, with a bit of what England was like under King James (along with a smattering of Henry the Eighth, his wives and children), a look at the Mayflower and what the accommodations were like during that historic voyage, and the hardships endured during the first year in the New World. We also talk about the major Native American characters involved and the fragile relationship that developed and then fell apart. It makes for an interesting story and one with direct ramifications to our lives today other than the eating of turkey on the day.
In Religion, we have been talking in depth about the Ten Commandments and the Beatitudes in preparation for our study of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. We will get to the celebration of the Sacrament with the main themes being making the right choices, taking responsibility for making wrong ones, God's forgiveness and always-present help when we are sorry and wish to do better.
One event of note for this month is the Thanksgiving Food Drive for Lazarus House. They are in serious need over there, their numbers of needy growing steadily. Please encourage the children to bring in their pasta and soup. I have spoken to them about even buying some with their own money for their own donation.
The other event of note is the Book Fair which takes place the week of November 16th. The day for Room 205 to visit is Thursday the 19th, but you, as parents, may certainly come in before school to peruse the books (great Christmas presents) or bring in your child to make choices together. Mrs. Trovato always does such a terrific job, so try to stop by!
I think that's it. Have a lovely family-filled Thanksgiving. I, myself, give thanks to God for the pleasure of being able to work with your wonderful children each day. How lucky I am!