Homework

How's is going at home?  I'd like to hear how much time the students are spending on homework.  The common core curriculum is quite intense compared to our state standards.  The kids are going to be so much further ahead than in previous years.  I'm seeing great thinking skills in the classroom and hope you are seeing this at home as well.  Although the curriculum is challenging, I hope students are enjoying their involvement with the text they are reading.  Parents, are you seeing this?  Have the students been discussing "Touching Spirit Bear" or "Secrets of the Spirit Bear?"

Non-fiction Reading

The second quarter of school is going to focus more heavily on non-fiction reading.  What kinds of topics interest you?  I see kids that love to read about animals (me too!) and some that enjoy reading about cars, tanks, and planes.  I am an old map geek too.  Every time a fiction book sports a map at the beginning, I am pouring over it.

What to read?

I'm seeing some renewed interest in Harry Potter.  I LOVE THAT SERIES!!!  I also found a biography of J.K. Rowling.  Are you guys biography readers?  What's the latest and greatest that you have been reading?

"Touching Spirit Bear"

"Touching Spirit Bear" by Ben Mikaelsen is the novel study we are currently reading in class and at home.  This book is about a 15 year old boy who is a really BAD kid.  He is a bully.  He doesn't take responsibility for his own actions or words, and he is not really even a decent human being.  This book has brought about some interesting conversations in our classes.  Please feel free to talk about this book with your children and take the opportunity to discuss value systems that are important to your family.  I am very pleased to see the students being outspoken about their ideas of good behavior and the morals they have and expect from each other!  Your children are 100% delightful!