Homework for the Week of 30 November - 4 December

This week's homework includes studying vocabulary, reading each night for 20 minutes, and completing the puzzle of the week The vocabulary list is as follows: 1. barrier 2. calculate 3. compose 4. considerable 5. deputy 6. industrious 7.jolt 8. loot 9. rejoice 10. reliable 11. senseless 12. shrivel Students should be able to spell the words, know the definition, be able to use the word properly in a sentence, and also be able to identify the part of speech. Puzzle of the Week: "Will you take me teacher shopping, Aunty?" Asked Gina the last time she visited me. "Teacher shopping? What? I thought you all liked your teacher. Why would you want to get a new one? And where do you think you could buy one anyway?" I asked. "No, silly" said Gina. "I don't want to buy a teacher! I have been saving my money and I want to want to buy a Christmas present for my teacher! Will you take me?" "Well, I guess I could do that," I said, "but you do know that the presents teachers like best are those that come from the heart, not the store." "What do you mean Aunt Mathilda?" asked Gina. "Well, Gina," I explained. "Something that shows you really care - like a nice card that you made yourself, or something you helped bake. Those were always my favorite presents from my students." "I know what I could do!" exclaimed Gina. I went to a bead store last week and saw lots of fancy beads. Could I use some of my money to buy beads to make a necklace?" Asked Gina. "What a great idea, Gina!" I agreed. "I have been wanting to try my hand at that myself." Soon we were at the local "String em Along" bead store. There were hundreds of beads to choose from, but soon Gina had a plan for her necklace. I agreed to pay for the wire and the clasp, so that she could spend all her money on beads. "I have saved $3.00, said Gina. The 3 types of beads I would like to use cost, 25¢, 10¢ and 5¢ each. I want to use all my money, with none left over. I want my necklace to have a repeating pattern, beginning and ending with a pink bead and I want mostly purple beads – my teacher's favorite color. I also want to use some of all three kinds of beads in my necklace." Is it possible for Gina to do this? Can you design a necklace following all these rules? After you solve the problem, check out your answer with an adult, and remember to tell them how you figured it out. What helped you to get started? What was tricky about the problem? Love,Aunt Mathilda