Dear Parents,

Our Town Square unit begins Monday, November 17th. This is an economics unit that asks these essential questions:

1. Can we have everything we want, and do we obtain our wants and needs the same way?
2. Do all people use the same goods and services?
3. Can all people be producers and consumers?

In math we will work on the following processes and skills:

• Number and Numeration
  • Draw the correct quantity of items to represent number.
  • Practice writing numerals.
  • Discuss and reinforce the concept of zero
  • Count dots on a single die.
  • Read and write numbers 1-6.
  • Count numbers of dots on dominoes.
  • Match numbers of dots to written numerals.
  • Become aware of equivalent names for numbers.
  • Read numbers.
  • Compare and order numbers.
  • Practice oral counting.
  • Practice one-to-one counting.
  • Recognize numerals and represent numbers with objects.
  • Compare and order numbers.
• Operations and Computation
  • Develop and use strategies for solving addition and subtraction problems using concrete objects.
  • Begin to understand the meaning of addition and subtraction.
• Data and Chance
  • Create a simple graph of dice rolls.
  • Make predictions about dice throws and discuss results.
  • Think of and categorize likely, unlikely, certain, and impossible events.
  • Use the basic language of probability to describe single events.
  • Use the basic language of probability to describe predictions.
• Measurement and Reference Frames
  • Investigate the use of the pan balance and weighing techniques.
  • Use a pan balance to compare and describe the weight of various objects.
  • Measure items using objects of uniform length.
  • Compare lengths and arrange items by length.
  • Use clay and a pan balance to experiment with adding and removing weight.
  • Balance objects with lumps of clay.
• Geometry
  • Describe symmetrical objects.
• Patterns, Functions and Algebra
  • Create and describe a pattern.

Our Thematic Unit Block (social studies) outcomes are:

• Needs are what people require in order to live. Wants are the things they would like to have.
• Goods and services enable people to meet their needs and attain their wants.
• People are producers; they work to make goods and provide services used by themselves and others.
• People are consumers; they obtain goods and services by making them, buying them, trading for them, and receiving them as gifts.
• Since people can’t have everything they want, they have to make choices.
• People spend money to acquire goods and services, save money for a future purpose, and donate money to help others.

Interactive Websites that support the Town Square curriculum include:

• Coins for Candy: http://www.beaconlearningcenter.com/WebLessons/CoinsForCandy/money001.htm
• Freddie’s Fast Food: http://www.little-g.com/shockwave/food.html
• Bear Market: http://www.little-g.com/shockwave/market.html
• Match Coins: http://www.mhschool.com/math/2003/student/activity/courses/grk/ch11a
• Money Practice: http://www.coe.uh.edu/archive/math/math_lessons/mathles3/tutor.htm
• Spending Spree: http://www.primarygames.com/Spending%20Spree/start.htm
• United States Mint Pocket Change Games: http://www.usmint.gov/kids/index.cfm?fileContents=games
• Counting Money: http://www.hbschool.com/activity/counting_money/ (challenge)

Our Winter Wonderland Party will be held Friday, December 19th from 9:15-11:30. Several parent and/or grandparent volunteers are needed to make our Winter Wonderland Party a success. Your Room Parent will be contacting you soon regarding your involvement in the Winter Wonderland Party. Please remember that donated baked goods must be commercially produced and packaged, according to HCPS directives. Consider sending a light lunch with your child on this day, as we will be enjoying refreshments throughout our morning schedule.

Please review the following reminders and requests:

• Practice shoe-tying. Your efforts are greatly appreciated. Encourage your child to become a shoe-tying helper! In the meantime, please tie double knots in shoelaces.
• Practice buttoning and zipping coats. Cool weather is here and it is very helpful if your child can put on and fasten his/her coat independently. Remind your child that a coat worn to school must be worn for outdoor play and must be worn on the ride home. In anticipation of colder weather ahead, hats and gloves are recommended.

You can contribute to your child’s early school success by checking homework, reading theme-related books together, working on related projects and crafts at home, playing board games, listening attentively as your child talks about school activities, and involving him or her in experiences that reinforce our Town Square lessons. Please send photos of your child participating in theme-related activities for inclusion in the Town Square Photo Album.

Does your career or hobby relate to our current theme? Consider sharing what you know with us by visiting our classroom as a guest speaker or planning a theme-related lesson or hands-on project. We’d love to have you join us.

Please visit mrshess.org regularly with your child. Remember to submit your child’s lost teeth so that they will be included in the Tooth Graph.

We would like to encourage you to sign up for the eschoolnewsletter.com. It will provide you with HCPS announcements as they are available.

Sincerely,