The month of November feels like it just flew by.
With many short weeks and lots of fun activities December has arrived in a flash. 
As we wrap up the term and prepare for the next, we are working on a number of interesting projects. You are busy building your unique schools, creating visual conclusions in Science and researching your genres like mad for Literacy. It is amazing to see you all so engaged, focused and excited. We are really enjoying our time with you Division 6. You are a wonderful bunch!
In Math, the grade 5’s have been busy practicing their division skills, which, as you know, is also practicing your multiplication skills. Next Wednesday, we will have our Multiplication/Division unit test. 
You will have some time on Monday and Tuesday to review and practice in class before the test so you can ask any of your questions or work with friends to review all that we have been doing this unit.
In Social Studies, our study of international festivals and traditions continued this week. We reviewed what we have learned about Diwali, Hannukah, and Kwanzaa through a game called “KABOOM”. Over the weekend you should study those 3 festivals and get ready for our quiz on them next Friday! Any of the Kaboom questions can be on that quiz!! 
The Kaboom game is available for you to play during the week if you wanted to brush up a bit more before Friday. The festival we looked at this week was CHRISTMAS!! 
We watched a video and learned that Christmas is celebrated by many cultures all around the world and in a variety of ways. We did our Graph of the Week around the Christmas traditions we have in our homes. Some of the options were: decorating the outside of our homes, setting up a Christmas tree, doing special baking or crafting, going to see holiday events, and visiting Santa. 
What we discovered was that a huge majority of our class not only celebrates Christmas but also engage in at least one or more of those traditions. Which traditions have you already done as part of your Christmas preparations?
One Christmas tradition that happens at schools quite often is doing a SECRET SANTA gift exchange and you all were very excited to keep that tradition going this year in our class as well! One thing that we had to decide on was the BUDGET we’d like to stay within. After a few suggestions were made, we took a vote and we landed on $15. We did say that this could change based on what families felt was reasonable. Remember, this is optional, so discuss this with your parents and make a final decision if you want to take part in this or not. 
Next week, we’ll set aside time to fill out a “wish list” and do our Secret Santa draw. We’ll have our Secret Santa gift exchange on the last day before the holidays which is Thursday, December 21st.
The Winter Concert is also being held next week. We will be rehearsing and watching on Wednesday and Thursdays.
your families will be invited to watch during the day on Friday. Our performance for families is between recess and lunch that day. Your costumes should be a red or white top with black or dark bottoms please. Please make sure you have them with you on Friday so our class looks great up there on stage!
Your blog response is this:
Have you discussed our Secret Santa plans with your parents? Do your parents feel that $15 is a reasonable budget or should it be lower? Based on your discussion with your parents, are you going to participate in our Secret Santa gift exchange?
We MUST have your response in order for you to participate in this activity…
Have a wonderful weekend Division 6!
Mrs. Gil and Mrs. Davis