Upcoming Events:
NO SCHOOL tomorrow, February 11th
and also
NO SCHOOL Friday, February 12th
and also
NO SCHOOL Monday February 15th
Our school days off for Thursday the 11th and Friday the 12th are Teacher In-Service Days. We'll be here from 8 a.m. until very late each day working on curriculum development and working on our accreditation.(The latter of which we have been working on for 2 years! We're nearly complete; however there is much more work to be done).
Sunday is Valentine's Day. Happy Valentine's Day to you and yours!
Monday the 15th is also a day off from school; however, it is a federal holiday celebrating Presidents' Day.
Please remember to have your child back at school on Tuesday. We will have missed them and can hardly wait to see them again!
Here's What's Happening in
Beacons' World!
Reading: Students have working hard on their S.R.A. which helps them in reading comprehension skills, language arts, spelling, vocabulary and grammar. It also is an excellent preparation for standardized tests because it offers the opportunity for a student to gain experience with multiple choice questions along with higher level thinking skills.
Writing: Attention parents! Your Beacon is in need of memorizing his/her home address!! We are writing friendly letters and it is imperative that your child learn how to write his/her address ie.the house number, street address, city, state and zip code. Please work on this over our extended break for it will be part of their spelling test next Friday.
Math: The Beacons have proved they are dividing machines! While some students still need to develop their math facts, they all understand the concept of division. They will get plenty of practice at this in the future. For now, we're moving on to a mini-unit on telling time. Students will get a chance to practice telling time and problem solving the passage of time.
Quizzing your child at home on both digital and analog clocks will help reinforce these important skills.
Math: The Beacons have proved they are dividing machines! While some students still need to develop their math facts, they all understand the concept of division. They will get plenty of practice at this in the future. For now, we're moving on to a mini-unit on telling time. Students will get a chance to practice telling time and problem solving the passage of time.
Quizzing your child at home on both digital and analog clocks will help reinforce these important skills.
Science: Beacons explored the scientific process by working on two different experiments. Last week we investigated the effects of color on temperature. The Beacons then designed their own experiments using thermometers, water, ice and insulation. It was wonderful to see them working through the first steps of the scientific process; asking "What if" and "How", formulating hypotheses and designing experiments to test their ideas.
This week we learned more about the craters of the moon. We first checked out possibly the coolest website ever, google earth- moon. Follow this link to see all the site has to offer, including actual close ups of moonscapes, videos from the Apollo missions and more:
www.earth.google.com/intl/en/tour.html/#v=0
After touring the moon we developed the questions: How are craters formed and how does the shape of meteorites affect the shape of craters on the moon? After selecting different "meteorites" each student made a hypothesis. Then, bombs away, we got to test the meteorites by crashing them into a flour mixture. Next week we'll complete the scientific process when we analyze our data and formulate conclusions.
This week we learned more about the craters of the moon. We first checked out possibly the coolest website ever, google earth- moon. Follow this link to see all the site has to offer, including actual close ups of moonscapes, videos from the Apollo missions and more:
www.earth.google.com/intl/en/tour.html/#v=0
After touring the moon we developed the questions: How are craters formed and how does the shape of meteorites affect the shape of craters on the moon? After selecting different "meteorites" each student made a hypothesis. Then, bombs away, we got to test the meteorites by crashing them into a flour mixture. Next week we'll complete the scientific process when we analyze our data and formulate conclusions.
Social Studies: The Beacons are all excited about researching their Greek god or goddess for our February 26th (2:15p.m.-2:45 p.m.) presentation of our very own Living History Museum! I've sent e-mails to many parents regarding their child's costume. If you have questions about your Beacon's costume, just let me know. It's going to be a fun, wonderful and educational time!
We hope you and yours enjoy Valentine's Day with your loved ones! We certainly love your Beacon. Thank you for the privilege of teaching your child!
"When you're in Love, you can't fall asleep because reality is better than your dreams"
~ Dr. Seuss
We're looking forward to another exciting week with your Beacon,
Betsy and Tamara
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