December #2 Update
December 8, 2008 by James Hendricks
[post also available at www.teamhendricks.com]
Hello Team Hendricks Families!
Thank you for the donations to our blanket project. We currently have about half of our goal! Students are really excited about the project. Again, if you can spare a couple extra dollars to donate to the project, I will match the donation and it will go toward our final delivery.
Study Island
During conferences, several families asked about additional homework for students to work on after assigned homework time. I would like to remind parents of a new program that Southeast has released to all third and fourth grade students. Study Island at www.studyisland.com is available for students to use for free. Each parent received their child’s username and password in the progress report. If you need another copy of your child’s credentials, please email me, call me, or send me a note. I will be happy to provide it.
Now that the snow is flying, I would like to request that parents send in the following items for their child:
- Extra Pair of Socks (Snow gets into boots and soaks socks! Dry socks make the afternoon go so much better!)
- Extra Sweatshirt (The room can be a little chilly at times, especially on cold days. An extra sweatshirt kept in their locker can be grabbed in a second to warm up.)
Also, snow items need to fit into their lockers or be placed under their desks. An extra bag (like those new reusable bags from the grocery store) can be used to keep everything together in one place.
Questions about these items can be sent to me by click on “About” at the top of the page and scroll to the bottom of the page for my information. Have a great week!
December Cultures and Traditions Project
December 4, 2008 by James Hendricks
See this post in the handout sent home with students:
Choose to be Challenged
December Project
The following activity extensions are provided for students to extend their learning. These projects provide opportunities to explore concepts that have been presented during class. Each student should decide on one or more projects for homework this month. I hope that the open design for homework will help students and families juggle the many extra evening demands during this month.
All projects are due on Monday, December 22.
Research toys from around the world and design a book or presentation that tells about and illustrates each type.
- Investigate two holiday traditions and compare how each holiday is similar and how each is different. Christmas, Kwanzaa, GruBe der Jahreszeit, Feliz Dia de los Reyes, Diwali, and Hanukkah are some examples. Prepare a presentation with a visual chart or poster to share with the class.
- Research a country that you would like to learn about. You may wish to research a country that is part of your own heritage. Focus your fact-finding on how this country celebrates traditions and holidays. Organize your information into a large, over-sized travel brochure.
- Have your family help you create a family tree. Go back as many generations as you can recall facts about. Create a fancy design and mount it on cardboard or in a picture frame. Consider making several copies to give as gifts. Note: Family tree making software programs should not be used for this project.
- Self-design option. You and your parents may elect to design your own independent research topic. This should be a project related to cultural traditions or family heritage. Please submit a written proposal a general description of what you would like to do, to me for approval by Monday, December 8.
This is your time to shine! Presentation is very important with this project. Computers can be used. Neat handwriting is a MUST! Classroom materials are available to use for this project; ask when you need them. Don’t wait until the last minute to complete your project! Use your best effort to make a project that you can be proud of!
December Community Service: Blankets!
December 4, 2008 by James Hendricks
[Also posted online at www.teamhendricks.com]
Dear Families,
Community service is an important part of a theme we are exploring during the month of December. This month, we will complete a short community service project that will allow our class to create fleece blankets that will be donated to families in the Mansfield.
I will be purchasing fleece material to make these blankets. If you can spare a few dollars to help with this project, it would be extremely appreciated! Depending on the funding, we will make as many blankets as we can. Donation of money to the project is completely optional and all students will be able to participate in this project.
This is a great project that will allow your child to “give back” to our local community.
Best wishes,
Jamie Hendricks
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