We had fun last week studying pirates and enjoying Pirate Day. The Pirate party was a wonderful ending to a day full of treasures.

For the next few weeks we will be reading a novel, THERE'S A BOY IN THE GIRLS BATHROOM. It's about a boy who is the oldest child in fifth grade. He lies, pick fights with the girls, and the teachers say he has "serious behavior problems." No one likes him-except the new school counselor. She thinks Bradley is sensitive and generous, and she even enjoys his far-fetched stories. The counselor knows that Bradley can change, but Bradley isn't so sure. It's a touching and serious story with humor and insight.

We have written our first personal narrative paragraph. We will now begin writing a Christmas mystery. The children will have a blast.

We have started a new unit in math. Multiplication and division will be the focus.

The lighthouses have arrived and are beautiful. We have begun making our presentation.

We are studying verbs in English. The boys have learned a rap about helping verbs and the girls are singing about helping verbs to the tune of Jingle Bells.