November 16, 2012

Dear Gefen Families,

This week we talked about the names and values of coins. We also took some time to observe them and then we created posters to report our findings. This activity should help the students as they learn to recognize coins at a quick glance. We also began counting up small amounts of change.

I encourage you to check out these fun math websites that your child might enjoy at home to practice money skills as well as addition and subtraction:  MathBlasters, the Counting Money game, and the Dollar Store Game.

In science we continued our investigation of air by looking at air under water. Groups were given a water basin, paper towel, foam ball and plastic vial. Ask your child what happened when he/she crumpled up the paper towel, put it in the vial and pushed it into the water. What happened when they tried the same experiment using the foam ball?  Key words for the week were vial, submerge and basin. We also shared a great story, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.

We did a variety of Thanksgiving related grammar skills this week. In addition, we pretended that we were turkeys and it was only days before Thanksgiving. Students had to write to the owner of the turkey farm, convincing him to spare their lives. It was a lot of fun to hear what the "Gefen turkeys" had to say! Check out the Save the Turkey! book that went home.

Shabbat Shalom,

Hamorah Caren

Reminder:
Wednesday, November 21st, school ends at 11:15.