Family and Cultural Traditions from Around the World!

 We were so lucky to have a couple of visitors to our classroom this month. MayBelle's grandparents came in to talk to us about the Netherlands and Nigeria. We learned so much from them!

 Here's MayBelle and a photo of her great-great grandparents from Holland.

 Map skills!

 We even got to see traditional Nigerian clothing and learned how women there carry their babies on their backs

 Brooke's mom came to visit and talked to us about their family holiday traditions. Their family enjoys making crafts together around this time of year so she brought two special crafts for us to do together.

Watching the Shrinky Dinks shrink in the toaster oven- so cool!

Children's Hospital Fundraiser

Hard at work making art to support Helen Devos Children's Hospital! Compassion in action!

How to Make Hot Cocoa

 After working hard on our "how-to" writing unit, we all enjoyed drinking hot cocoa and listening to each others work. Each student wrote a paragraph on "How to Make Hot Cocoa". Stop by and check out our writing on the bulletin board!

Holiday Happenings in our Class!

 "Elfabet" the Elf made his appearance last week! The kids are excited to see where he is hiding each morning, and of course we are all on our best behavior!

 Elfabet took over the whiteboard while we were gone. He left us a note and some special "quiet" puffs to remind us to listen during class.

 Happy Birthday!

 Sneaky Elfabet got into the birthday cookies before we did. But he left a thank-you note and a special candy for the birthday girl!

 As we "travel around the world" and learn about other countries and cultures, we decided to try a German tradition of leaving our shoes outside for St. Nikolaustag to fill with goodies. We did math class with one shoe on and full of anticipation- would he find us?

 The joy of the season! Such excitement as we realize that our shoes have been filled with treats while we were hard at work on subtraction!