Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas Everyone!
What was your favorite Christmas gift? Enjoy the vacation!

Snow Day!

Mrs. Morris and family have been in the Orlando airport since yesterday afternoon. We're hoping to get on a flight this morning. What are you doing for fun today?

What's New This Week?

Well it's sunny and very warm in central Florida this week - record breaking high temperatures in the high 80's yesterday and today. I heard from Sean that the Phillies have made a deal for Roy Halliday - what does everyone think about that?
If you would like to know more about the Stetson hat that you are reading about this week, you can visit http://www.stetsonhat.com. The history of this American original is very interesting.

Science Homework December 3, 2009

NOTE: The website has been updated since this morning. If you have trouble finding the info on meteorological winter, read about December Storm Tracks instead and make some notes about what you found out.

Go to http://www.accuweather.com/kidz

Click on the button "Worst Weather"

Answer the questions on the worksheet.

Look around the site some more and post a comment about something interesting you found out.

A Balloon, A Stick, and Some String

What can you do with a balloon, a stick and some string? You can prove that air DOES have weight! We proved that although air is invisible and colorless, it does have weight. We are learning about the relationship between air and our weather. Check out some of the weather sites. What did you find out?

Our Missions Project

Our Blessings Mix was a big hit! We sold out in two days! Thank you everyone who helped by donating for the project. It shows us that when everyone does a little bit, together we can do big things!

During Advent, our little acts of kindness and generosity can make a big difference in our homes, school, and community. What can you do for someone else today?

Thankful Thoughts

As we gather to give thanks this week, I am especially thankful for the gift that each of my students is in my life. I am grateful for the privilege of teaching in a Catholic school and for the support of my students' parents. May each of your families enjoy a very Happy Thanksgiving! Scroll down to read our prayers of Thanksgiving - they would make beautiful table prayers for your feast!

We Salute Those Who Serve

As our country honored veterans this week, we participated in "Operation Thanks" by writing letters that will be mailed to a troop of Marines serving in Iraq. We pray daily for those serving in the military and for their families. Do you have a family member to add to our prayer list or a story from a veteran to share?

24

We are having fun while building computation skills by playing 24. In this game, players are given four numbers and must add, subtract, multiply and/or divide to get 24. Each number can only be used once, and all numbers must be used. It's a challenge for all ages! Fans of 24 might want to put a deck of 24 cards on their list for Santa! There's a link in our links section to play an online version of 24. The more you play the better you get!

What We Wonder about Weather

Watch a weather report on TV or read a weather report in the newspaper or on http://www.weather.com/. Write two facts and two questions about the weather. What are you wondering about the weather?

Math Extra Credit Problem

Use the Guess and Test strategy to find the answer to this problem. No dividing allowed!

Mrs. Kirby and Mrs. Miller spent a total of $50.00 on dinner for their two families. Mrs. Kirby spent $7.00 more than Mrs. Miller. How much did they each spend on dinner? Bring your guesses and your solution on paper for extra credit! You may comment on how many guesses it took you to get a solution that worked. Were you able to teach your parents how to use Guess and Test?

Reading Homework 11/2

We talked today about how authors use sensory details to help us visualize people, places and events in a story. Read for 15 minutes and then comment. Tell the title of the book you read and list 3 details about how someone or something looked, sounded, tasted, smelled or felt in the story. You may use the author's exact words or you may use your own words. Remember that all the important details in a book title should be capitalized!

Help Wanted - Green Team

If you have ideas about going green in our school and our homes, apply to be on the Room 4A Green Team! We need team members who will take the lead in helping us all find ways to make a difference for planet earth.
Here's a great website to look around for ideas: http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/caer/ce/eek/index.htm

If you would like to be a Green Team member, comment on this post and tell why you would be good at the job!

Our Resident Sports Writer

All of us in Room 4A are proud of our St. Ephrem's official 2009 World Series sports writer, Dan Avington. Make sure to read Dan's recaps of the games on the St. Ephrem website. http://saintephremschool.com/online%20communication/Oct%2009/World%20Series%20Game%202.pdf

If you love sports, there are many careers where you can use your talents to be a part of the game - even if you're not one of the players! Do you know someone who has a sports-related job?

Fall Festival 2009

Our Fall Festival on Friday was a day of fun for everyone. Mrs. Ellis and the teachers and parents who gave their time and effort to make this day a success deserve a great big thank you!

What was your favorite event of the day?

Our New Blog

I am very excited about the possibilities of our new class blog. Blogging is one of the newest ways for people to communicate. What do you think of our blog?

We're Helping Monarch Butterflies

Our class is participating with other classrooms throughout North America in a symbolic butterfly migration. The project is sponsored by Journey North, an organization that provides educational programs about endangered species and promotes conservation efforts. Our butterflies are now on their way to Mexico. They will spend the winter there, just as the real monarch butterflies do. They will be cared for by a class of schoolchildren there, and in the spring we will receive butterflies in return. Our beautifully decorated butterflies carried messages of friendship to our neighbors in Mexico.

Estamos ayudando a las mariposas monarca!

Visit http://www.journeynorth.org/ to learn more.

Students: How can we help the monarchs in our yards and neighborhoods?

We're Phanatics About Reading

Our Phanatics about Reading challenge has officially begun! Visit our blog often to share your opinions of the books you're reading and have some fun talking about reading.

Answer this question and earn a ticket:

Where was the most unusual place you spent time reading this week?