I know we are ALL ready for the holiday break next week! I hope you all enjoy your family time together. If you could do 2 things for me over break, I would REALLY appreciate the help!!!

Counting money to $1.oo has been very challenging for many students. I'm actually shocked that Kindergarten standards ask kids to county pennies to 30 cents, and 1st grade wants different money combinations to $1.oo. That's quite a jump! If you have spare change in your purse, couch cushions, in the car, or ANYWHERE...please help your child count it out. If you see they aren't really sure how to jump from a quarter to a dime, or a dime to a nickel, please practice during the week. We will have 1 more week devoted to counting money when we get back, and then it's time to assess for the report cards.

Second, we will be starting a "landforms/where we live" unit when we return. By the end of the unit, students should be able to recall the names of their address, city, county, state, nation and continent AND locate them on a map or globe. (Google Earth anyone?) Please practice these skills with them!!! If they come to me knowing ALL of this after Thanksgiving, I will let them eat lunch with me on Friday and provide them a special treat :)

Thank you for ALL your help and Happy Thanksgiving!