maps...polar bears...camouflage

This week with our Wonders program we will be talking and reading about maps and how to use them.  What is a compass rose?  Why are maps important?  How can we use a map to locate places?  The book Me on the Map by Joan Sweeney is a great introduction to maps and geography.  We will take what we learn about maps in this book and apply it to our own lives.  Where is New Boston on the map?  How about the state of New Hampshire?  Our country...our continent?
 
Our phonics focus continues with tricky digraphs.  This week we will learn about ch, tch, wh, and ph.  Our spelling words are:
 
whip, whale, catch, match, chin, graph - - many, around, with exposure to:  by, place, walk
 
How many of the Acts of Kindness activities been done by your child?  Each time your child does an act of kindness, they get to “trim” Santa’s beard.   I can’t wait to hear all about this during the upcoming week.
 
We will continue adding and subtracting within 10 as well as work on measurement.  We will be comparing the lengths of objects as well as measuring with standard and nonstandard units (such as unifix cubes).
 
This week in Science we will answer the question:  Why are polar bears white?  We will be making observations to construct an explanation of why camouflage is helpful to animals.
 
We are about halfway through the book Charlotte’s Web.  We are all enjoying Wilbur and Charlotte.  In fact, Charlotte and her web have made their way into our classroom.  Our plan is to watch the movie on Friday, December 21st.  Your child may bring in a stuffed animal or a pillow for Movie Time.  The only rule is:  the object must be able to fit in their backpacks.   
 
Elfie, our classroom Shelf Elf, appeared last Monday.  He is a big help in reminding us about “expected behaviors”.  Ask your child about his hiding places.
 
Snow reminder...your children will need the following snow gear in order to play outside at recess:
              hats, warm coat, snow pants, gloves/mittens, boots
Please be sure your child has all of these every day.