As we finish the quarter, I have conferenced with every student regarding what assignments they have missing and what are their goals for this coming quarter. I am rescheduling our trip to Johnson Creek to Tuesday, February 7th from 9:00am to 11:30am. We have been studying elapsed time: please talk time (identifying) and talk about elapsed time (if it was 3:00pm and I went for a 35 minute run, what time would I get back?). Also, cook or bake something with your child to reinforce fractions. Make sure you talk about changing the recipe (What if I doubled my amount of flour? How much would I have then?). If you do not bake or cook with your child, read nutrition facts on a food item. They often have fractions lurking about. I am excited to present a writing contest put on by Tryon Creek State Park. It is for grades K-6 and is officially called the “Tall Tale Writing Contest.” Students write an imaginative tale or fable with the title, “How Crow Got to be so Clever.” More details at www.tryonfriends.org. Speaking of Tryon Creek (one of my family’d favorite stomping grounds), they will be hosting, “Owl Fest 2012,” Saturday, March 3, 2012 from 5-7pm. See the above website for details and map. Mark your calendars! My family and I will be there. So will teh Audubon Owls Hazel and Julio! In math, we start a unit on perimeter and area. Valentine’s lists went home. If you choose to bring Valentine’s, please bring one for every student. I would recommend using reusable items for your cards. Leo, Henry and I cut up a bunch of Joe’s O’s cereal boxes, painted tehm all with glubs of red, white, and pink (and other colors) paints, let dry and then pasted a quick note on the card. I think we might even attach afew candy hearts when all is said and done. I think Valentine’s is a great time to show your appreciation for members of your class. Homework: Spelling packet based on possessive forms of nouns, math division, and “What Do You Know About H2O?” packet. If parts of the packet are challenging to you, please go to http://conserveh2o.org/kids for any additional help. If you do not have internet access, please let me know and I can arrange a time for you to look up words during the week if needed. Make sure you mark and write down words you are having trouble with before you ask to look up during the week. The last page experiment will not be due.