2007 University of Minnesota’s Insect Fair The Monarchs in the Classroom Insect Fair is an opportunity for students to display their research projects in a science fair-like setting. It is held annually at the University of Minnesota and is sponsored by the Medtronic Foundation, the Minnesota Higher Education Services Office, and Monarchs in the Classroom. The 11th annual Insect Fair is on Saturday, December 15, 2007, at the University of Minnesota Coffman Union (Minneapolis Campus) from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Students will present their research and be interviewed in small groups.  They will have the opportunity to attend two break-out sessions that include fun activities on insects.  All participants will receive a lunch and awards for best questions, best display, and best overall project will be given. Parents are invited to view student projects through out the day. This year we have 8 students participating.

Congratulations to Student Performers Several Horace Mann students are performing in the near future. A fourth grader (T. B-C.) and a first grader (T.S) are performing with the Minnesota Orchestra. A fifth grader (S.L.) will be dancing in Loyce Houlton’s Nutcracker Fantasy at the State Theatre. Way to go students and good luck!

What is the Giving Tree? You may have noticed a tree outside of the office at school. You may have also noticed post-it note “leaves” that decorate the tree and then disappear. The post-its represent wish list items for the staff. If you notice a “leaf” that you could provide, simply take the post-it. Give it and the item to the staff member. As always we greatly appreciate your support!

What do Legos and Saint Anthony Falls Have in Common? 5th and 6^th grade students have been working on an exciting interdisciplinary project. They have been studying the history of the Mississippi River, especially in relation to the Ford Plant. This learning encompasses environmental science, service project, research, reading, writing, social studies and so on. In the coming weeks, students will build replicas of the Saint Anthony Falls in legos. They will generate paper contour maps. Then they will take their learning to the University of Minnesota where they will tour and see state-of-the-art computer graphics and mapping tools that are used with satellite technology!

6^th Grade Student Leaders Start Toys for Tots Project Our sixth grade students have begun a service project to raise Toys for Tots. Their drive will run from December 14-19. Students can bring donations to the office and there will be a receptacle. The students asked that no toy weapons be brought as donations. They thank you for your generosity.

Band Concert at Lunch Mr. Fulton is going to try something new this year for our band students. They will perform for the rest of the school during lunch on December 19. Students will enjoy their repast to the delightful tunes of the Horace Mann Small Ensemble Band!

How Do the Programming Changes at Homecroft Affect Horace Mann? Several parents have asked me how the recent programming changes in the district will affect us. It is not clear whether there will be boundary, bussing, or other changes. Although the Board has approved changes, the details have yet to be worked out. I do know that about 30 students will be eligible to choose Horace Mann next year. I am expecting some of the families to choose our school, but not all. I will keep the community posted as I learn new information.

Tips for Reading at Home One of the most important parts of our reading curriculum is reading at home. The simplest and very best way to interest children in reading is to read with them or talk with them about good books you read. This should be an important part of your child’s daily home life. Research has repeatedly shown that the amount of time that a child is read to or reads, at home, has a direct correlation to how well the child does in school. When you read to or with your child, he/she is learning much more than just what happens in the story. As your child becomes interested in books, he/she becomes curious about the words and pictures. The main point of reading is reading for meaning and comprehension. Read a variety of stories that you and your child enjoy, both fiction and non-fiction. Talk about what you are reading. “Why did that happen?” “What might happen next?” “How did the character feel?” Stop occasionally and “remember” with them what has happened so far. At the end, talk about what the book reminds you of—another book, a personal experience, something you’ve seen somewhere, etc. These are vital steps to a child becoming a successful reader. Most importantly, when we take time out of our busy and hectic lives to sit and share a book together it automatically reinforces the idea that reading is important. Your time reading and discussing books with your children at home is the foundation of a lifetime of reading. (courtesy of Ms. Muehlenbeck)

Our school has made a goal of 20 minutes of reading time daily. You will notice starting in December that teachers are recording and monitoring daily reading of the students. So, find a comfy spot, curl up with a good book, and read!

Survival Guide for Parents of Gifted Kids Last night several parents met to begin Horace Mann’s first ever Gifted/Talented (G/T) Parent Support Group. The group had a lively discussion. Parents are interested in many areas: making sure that both identified gifted and talented students and students who are not identified are challenged and enriched, making sure that children are served at the appropriate level, supporting each other with parenting challenges, having an opportunity to brainstorm and vent, bringing and sharing ideas and successes, gaining a sense and understanding of the level of rigor (challenge) in the regular classroom, dealing with children’s social and emotional development, advocating for children both in school and at the legislature, learning together, and providing enrichment opportunities.

Our next meeting will be Monday, January 14 at 6:00 p.m. The group decided to focus on:

• Developing an awareness of the scope and sequence in the gifted and talented program
• Making sure all children are challenged

Mariana Tennyson will present a comprehensive overview of the gifted program. We will begin a book study of The Survival Guide for Parents of Gifted Kids: How to Understand, Live With, and Stick Up for Your Gifted Child! By Dr. Sally Yahnke Walker. Copies will be available for purchase at the meeting.

Please RSVP to 651-293-8965, ext 305 if you are interested.

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