March 1st, 2018

Happy first day of March - could we not have more beautiful weather??? - I plan to enjoy dinner out on the patio this evening,  I hope your family finds some time to enjoy the weather and each other!!!

Today students took the Westward Expansion before the Civil War test and we will now move into the Civil war unit.  It is a long, but very interesting unit and the students are so fortunate to be reading at the same time an excellent historical fiction book "Across 5 Aprils".  As per the writer of an overview of the author said, "(The author Irene) Hunt drew on the rich legacy of her grandfather's stories to write an award-winning historical novel." Irene Hunt herself said of her novel:

As to the story of the Creightons (the main characters of the novel), there is hardly a page in this book on which a situation has not been suggested by family letters and records and by the stories told by my grandfather.

Reading this book while studying the Civil War will really bring to life what our country endured during that time.

Tomorrow students will take the Unit 5 math test. To prepare they need to finish the study guide which we will go over before the test and I also gave the answers to all the textbook problems so they could do they ones we did not do and check themselves.  The AzMerit test will soon be upon us and students need to know not only the concepts, but their math facts.  Please review these at lest 3 times per week - especially multiplication and division.

Wednesday will be the test over the bones and joints of the body.  Today I gave them a skeleton reusable practice sheet that they should check themselves on often before March 7th.

****Next Wednesday we will be having a shower for Mr. McBrien.  Thank you to the 4 families that have contributed to the gift card our class will present to him.  If you also want to contribute please send in your contribution by Tuesday 3/6/18.  I also appreciate the 2 typed (font 14) sheets of marriage advice for the book I am putting together for him.  I would really like to have each student participate ad since I need to put the book together I would need these by Monday at the latest.  If you would like to help by sending in snacks, fruit or veggies for our shower that would be very much appreciated.  Connect with Mrs. Stoutenberg or look for her sign up to come out soon. The wedding colors are grey and yellow.

Thursday we will be going to Field Day in the afternoon and If you can help please sign up on this link.  signup.com/go/dHAJZAb
If you can be our water parent just let me know via e-mail.

Friday we will be celebrating our Secret Garden Party.  Chaperone list goes live tonight.  See blog on 2/27 for link.