February 18

Happy February! Is is really the 18th?? I have not added to this blog for quite some time - not that we aren't doing anything - just that time is getting away from me with all the hustle and bustle of things to do!

We are working on Lent projects including daily "stepping stones" on our journey with Jesus. Today we had our first Lenten meditation and wrote in our Lent Journals (myself included.) We talked about Ash Wednesday on Tuesday and then again before mass Wednesday to remind the kids what it's all about. We'll be doing different activities and art projects during Lent.

We are working on TIME in Math. It's before and after the hour, estimated time, and time relationships. It's so hard for the kids since they are dependent on digital clocks. Just when I think they've "got it", I find they don't! If you can work with your children at home with this, too, it will help.

We have begun the next unit in Science. Today we did an investigation using rock salt, sand, and water. Kids used magnifying glasses to observe the rock salt before adding the sand and water, and they shook the jar for 5 minutes and then observed the rock salt after that. They did really well on figuring out WHY and HOW it changed!

We are learning about the branches of our government in Social Studies. It's geared down so this age can grasp it without using the big words Legislative, Executive, and Judicial. We also do our Weekly Readers for Social Studies, and they always have interesting topics about current news.

We did reading assessments and found out that we are on the right track! The kids have "moved up" in levels - some as much as a few levels. A new program added last week is called Cops for Kids Reading Program. Officer Gene Brinker is coming in one day a week to read to my kids. You will receive information on this soon. In addition to reading to them, he also discusses the books and ideas from them. Yesterday he read BRAVE HARRIET and he talked about her difficulties as a woman trying to fly across the English Channel as well as how women didn't always have the same rights as men. He chose the book because it reminded him of his mother who NEVER complained and how gentle and kind and smart she is. It's a great idea and the officers who do this are wonderful!