McVay Nov. 29 - Dec. 3

Laugh, Love, and make family memories this Thanksgiving Holiday!

Math - 

Multiplication and Data Graphs are the focus for December.  Brushing up on our multiplication facts is something I want to incorporate with the regularly scheduled unit of work.  I will be working from both Chapters 7 & 9.  It might be a challenge, but I believe the students will rise to the challenge and benefit from the added practice.

Science - 

Chapter 1 Lesson 2 will be read and completed by the end of the week.  I hope to finish Lesson 3 before we depart for the Christmas holidays.

Social Studies - 

Chapter 4 will be the focus as we embark on the voyages across the Atlantic Ocean.  Map skills will accompany this unit of studies and parallel the math unit on reading graphs.

When I count my blessings, I count you twice!

Much love and appreciation to all of my room 123 families!

Happy Thanksgiving,

Karen

Smith November 29-December 3

Parents and Students:

It has been a busy but fun week! We are all looking forward to our week of Thanksgiving Holidays, Nov. 20-28. I wish for you and your family a blessed Thanksgiving. Travel safely, eat turkey with all of the trimmings, and enjoy that family time!

Assignments for November 29-December 3:

Spelling Lesson 16 grade on Wed., Dec. 1

From The Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler

The students were greatly surprised when we found out that Mrs. Frankweiler's lawyer, Mr. Saxonberg, was also Claudia and Jamie's grandfather! Claudia and Jamie will take the mystery of "Angel" home with them since they have traded secrets with Mrs. Frankweiler. Claudia and Jamie will be written into Mrs. Frankweiler's will to inherit "Angel" if they do not reveal who sculpted the statue. The students are completing a wonderful booklet full of fun memories of this most entertaining novel. We will review Ch. 6-10 upon returning from Thanksgiving holidays.

Ch. 6-10 grade on Thurs., Dec. 2

Bible

Students will learn about the last years of King Ahab's reign (Lesson 12). Ahab was caught up in a web of sin, led by his wicked wife, Jezebel. God sent prophets to warn Ahab, but he refused to listen to the voice of God. Even though Ahab disguised himself going into battle, a stray arrow found its way between his armor, and he died. We learn that we should follow all of God's Commandments, not just the ones we choose to follow. If we choose to disobey God, we can be caught like a bug in a spider's web.

Bible Lesson 12 grade on Fri., Dec. 3

Creative Writing

Story Starter: Claudia and Jamie Kincaid have finally saved enough money to visit their secretly adopted grandmother, Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. The students will write about another mystery that Claudia and Jamie find in the "Mixed-Up Files". Students will have the option to work individually or with a partner to create this addition to the novel.

English

After our creative writing project, we will continue the study of verbs. Lessons 9-10 cover correct use of be and have and contractions with not. (P. 114-117)

Wordly Wise

We will prepare Lesson 6 (parts A, B, C, D, and E). Lesson 6 grade will be Tues., Dec. 7.

Note the Following:

1. Space Camp Forms: Please return the medications sheet and the Trinity Student Emergency Form ASAP. If you will fill out the front and sign and date the back of the emergency form, it can be notarized in the Lower School Office.

2. The Birmingham Bus trip to Children's Theater and McWane Science Center is Dec. 9. We look forward to seeing "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" at BCT and also to a fun afternoon at the McWane Center, including the IMAX movie, "Animalopolis". All students and chaperones will ride the bus. If you were listed for this trip on the field trip note sent home last Monday and have not returned the trip confirmation sheet, please do so ASAP.

3. ProjectGive Wristbands will be on sale Nov. 30-Dec. 3 in the Lower School hallway. Proceeds from the wristbands will go to support ProjectGive, the overseas ministry for this year. The cost of each wristband is a $5.00 donation to ProjectGive to support the digging of wells in an effort to provide fresh water.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday week!

Gidget Smith

McVay Nov. 15 - 19

What an awesome time we had with the microscopes.  Ask your children to tell you about the area pond water we saw, lots of swimming microorganisms, ewww!!

Math - 
We will finish Chapter 6 this week.  Lesson 6.6 is on the Distributive Property.  Showing all of your work is essential when doing math, especially algebra.  Points are taken when all of the work is not shown.
Daily grade on Wednesday followed by a Chapter grade on Thursday

Science - 
 Lesson 1 quiz will be on Tuesday.  Use the daily grade paper in the Monday folder to prepare.  


Social Studies -
Chapter 3 daily grade will be on Wednesday.


During this time of year I reflect on how God has blessed my life.  I am so thankful for the opportunity to be partnered with you in educating your child.  
I thank my God every time I think of you!

Karen McVay

Smith November 15-19

Parents and Students:

We are one week away from Thanksgiving Holidays! I know we are all ready for the break!
The following grades will be taken next week.

Wordly Wise Lesson 5 grade on Tuesday, Nov. 16
Remember, students need to review Parts A, B, C, D, and E in the book as well as study their definitions. The practice in the book is application of the word meanings.

English Verb Tense Lessons 5-7 grade on Tuesday, Nov. 16
Students should review the rules for these lessons and look over their practice work. (P. 104-109)

Spelling Lesson 15 grade on Wednesday, Nov. 17

Bible Memory (Psalm 8: 5-9) due by Friday, Nov. 19

Writing:
You will find a copy of your child's writing for the Holiday Writing Contest in Monday's folder. Each child will have a mounted/laminated copy to put in their portfolio. These will also be displayed in the hall beginning Dec. 1.

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler

This fun story of the two run-aways, Claudia and Jamie, continues as they try to solve the mystery of the statue of the angel. Could Michelangelo be the artist? Will Claudia and Jamie continue to successfully hide out in the Metropolitan Museum of Art? Will Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler be able to help Claudia and Jamie with the "Angel" mystery? We were able to read Ch. 7-8 in class today so we will be doing questions and illustrations for those chapters on Monday. We will be reading Ch. 9-10 and completing those chapter questions and illustrations also next week. The Ch. 6-10 test is TBA next week.

English:

We will continue the study of verbs: Writing With Verbs and Lesson 8 on subject/verb agreement (P. 110-113; 143)

Spelling Competition:
Grades 5-8 enter the Montgomery County Spelling Competition each year. We have a Spelling Bee in each homeroom first. There will be one representative from each homeroom and two additional representatives to participate in the Trinity School Competition. We had classroom spelling bees today to select our first four representatives. On Monday, the four runner-ups from today's competition will have a spelldown, and the two winners of that competition will join the other four representatives for the school competition. Good luck to all of our winners! The Trinity School Competition will be held on Dec. 7th at 3:30. We will send a reminder of this date to the participants in the school competition after Thanksgiving.

Enjoy your week of Thanksgiving Holidays. May God's blessings be with you and your family during this special time.

Gidget Smith

McVay Nov. 8 - 12

Camp Chandler was a blast!  I want to post a special thank you to the parents that weathered the cold and sprinkles to chaperon! Pictures will be posted soon.


Math - 
Chapter 6, Finish Lessons 1-3 and then a daily grade. 
Lessons 4-6 will have a daily grade next week.

Science - 
Chapter 1 "What are Cells?", Lesson 1
Read and discuss pages 54 - 59 
We will have a daily grade and a quiz on this lesson. Friday is the onion lab!
Study:  outline, vocabulary, work completed in class, and diagrams from Science Lab

Social Studies -
We will begin Chapter 3, "Life in the Eastern Hemisphere." We will read and discuss this chapter. There will be no tests or quizzes on this chapter, though there will be a daily grade. This chapter focuses on what was occurring in Asia, Africa and Europe while the Native Americans were settling North America.

Monday folder will have mid-term reports.  

Thursday is a school holiday, Veteran's Day.

Your families continue to be a blessing to me.
Karen McVay 

Smith November 8-12

Parents and Students:

Camp Chandler was a success! Even with a little cold weather and just a sprinkle of rain, I believe fun was had by all. We will be posting some pictures this week on the blog so you can see your children in action. Thank you to all of our parent chaperones! We appreciate your help and hope you enjoyed the day.

Spelling Lesson 14 grade on Wednesday, Nov. 10

Bible Lesson 11 grade on Wednesday, Nov. 10

English:

We will continue our focus on verbs and begin working on Lessons 5-7 verb tense (P. 104-109).

Holiday Writing:

The final editing and printing is finished, and the essays have been turned in. The Public Library will notify our school of any winners or honorable mentions in December.

Wordly Wise:

Lesson 5 definition cards are due on Tuesday, November 9. We will complete parts A, B, C, D, and E throughout the week. Lesson 5 grade is on Tuesday, November 16.

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler:

The activities and experiences of Claudia and Jamie continue to be very entertaining. They each have a very unique character. We will begin reading Ch. 6 on Monday. Students are doing questions and illustrations for each chapter that will be made into a booklet when we finish the book. As time permits this week, we will read Ch. 7.

Note the following:

1. Midterm reports will be in the Monday folders. Please sign those reports as well as the papers. Some folders are coming back with the papers unsigned. Please check that you have signed both sets before returning the folder. Also, please remove any handouts and keep them at home.

2. Beginning Monday, November 8, students will change classes at 8:10 A.M. as we rotate morning and afternoon sessions.

3. Thursday, November 11, is a school holiday.

Have a wonderful week-end!

Gidget Smith