Currently and Peek at My Week Linky Double Duty!

Where has November gone?  This is insane!  Christmas is closing in on me, but that does mean that in three weeks I get three weeks off.  So, I guess I won't complain too much:).

Most of these "Currently" statements need no explanation, but maybe just a little about my favorite tradition.  I love baking, and if you have been following my little blog for any length of time, that is no surprise.  I especially love baking at around the holidays.  It is something that I did with my mother and grandmother.  My grandmother taught me to make the best chocolate chip cookies on the planet with her Bauer mixing bowl and wooden spoon.  My mother showed me how to make fudge that will melt in your mouth.  Now that they are both gone, somehow the mixing and the stirring of the sweetness transports me back to standing on the red pull out step stool, measuring and mixing under their close supervision.

Now that I am wiping away tears, I am not sure how to transition out of that paragraph:)  So, I will just remind you to go over to Oh' Boy 4th Grade! and link up with Farley for her December Currently.

A Reluctant Peek At My Week

1.  Scheduling Conferences

Before we went on our little break, I sent this home.

Looking back, I can only say I was exhausted and had the best of intentions of being super teacher .  However, it will keep me on track for the next three weeks.  I know that those conferences are scheduled, out in the universe for all to see, and now, I have to do them.  This will be the third time we will conference this year.  It is so important to involve the parents of my Read 180 kids every way I can. They will be great!  God willin' and the river don't rise....

Seriously, I can say that this notice lit a little fire under some student's tushies.  I had at least eight of them frantically trying to get their missing assignments together at lunch.  Oh, did I mention that I have started sending Weekly Grade Reports home in a non-lose-able blue folder?  This notice was tucked in their folder, and parents were expecting it.

2.  Fraction Bars

We will be doing fraction bars.  I love doing this and it has been years since I have had the freedom to do them with my class.  It will take a few days worth of Math time, but so worth it.  This group needs to see it and do it, multiple times.

3. Persuasive Writing

We have been doing Perfect Paragraphs with the Scholastic Action magazine Debate articles, but now we will be moving into a 5-paragraph essay/letter.  It will be a little twist on the traditional letter to Santa.

4.  Interactive Reading Notebooks

Going into break, their Notebooks were getting a little sloppy.  I am going to hit them hard with our rubric.  Maybe even do a peer assessment mid-week.

It is designed specifically for the Read 180-System 44 classroom.  I just cleaned it up and put in my Teachers Pay Teachers store.

Which reminds me, don't forget to make your wishlist!  The sale starts tomorrow and runs through Tuesday!  Everything (all 8 items!) in my store will be 20% off.   Plus, if you use the secret code "CYBER" at checkout, they will add another 8% discount.

Don't forget to link up my buddy Jennifer at Mrs. Laffin's Laughings for a Peek at [Your] Week!
Be brave!  Soldier on!  We only have three weeks until Christmas break!