Hello from the land of Digitopolis!! Multiplication, division, fractions. We’ve had a good week getting better at all of the above. I have loved being able to watch the way that each student began to become at ease with new concepts and then ask for more problems to solve - well, not every student made that request. 😊. I am pleased that they were all able to reach the benchmark of 80% accuracy in solving equations. Backup practice at home, done so in a problem solving way - measuring in the kitchen, measuring length and width, estimating distance, etc - will be a great help to all. We will continue to have practice problems each day as we now move into our next block, which will be North American geography.

The first week of the block we will focus on the physical geography of the continent without borders, identifying deserts, mountains, tundra, plains, rainforests, and rivers, lakes and surrounding oceans. Stories from the people who settled in each of these areas will be the lead-in to the second week of study, which will focus on identifying the way North America was inhabited and by whom. In the third week, we will explore the natural resources of the continent, again without borders. In the second block, which will be later in the semester, we will look at the history of the borders between the United States, Mexico, and Canada and focus on the regions of the US.

The students got a good start on their Journals this week. Organizing, making lists, prioritizing, and journaling through reflection and creative writing will all be in one place for them,

Our activities that usually fill the MLK Day are curbed this year. I encourage you to do something as a family to make your community a safer, more just place to live. The school community has a great project planned for the next two weeks. Please read the announcement, download a flyer, and send something for the food pantry or a hygiene pack.

We only spent one morning inside this week because of the cold. The weather forecast predicts a little milder weather this week, with some rain at the end of the week. Every student should have a hat, gloves, and a thick jacket. Scarves, throws, thick socks, and weather proof shoes are all a plus along with a thermos of warm liquid. 😉

Have a great week!

Blessings,

Kathee