Horizon Elementary News

Dec. 1: December Parent Newsletter Emailed Home

Dec. 2: Special Education Appreciation Day

Dec. 2: Elementary Choir Winter Concert 6 pm PAC

Dec. 4: First & Second Grade Musical 6 pm PAC

Dec. 4: 12 Days of Christmas. (Dec 4- Dec 19)

Dec 4: 4th Grade Field Trip

Dec 4: 1st & 2nd Grade Musical 6pm PAC

Dec 8-12: Holiday Grams on sale (see flyer above)

Dec. 10: Board Meeting 7 pm

Dec. 16: Sub Perb Winner Lunch

Dec 17: Second Quarter PBIS Incentive PJ's & Movie w/ Mellon & Johnson

Dec 18: Cocoa, Crafts & Cuddles (Kindergarten) 2:30

Dec. 19: Early Release- 1:15 pm

Dec. 19: End of 2nd Quarter/End of 1st Semester

Dec 19: Frozen Friday

Dec. 19: Frozen Friday

ELA: We are continuing our work through Skills Unit 3 where we are spending a lot of time focusing on vowel teams and reading decodable books. In our upcoming Knowledge Unit, we will be spending time learning about insects and writing an opinion piece.

Math: We have just begun our work with two digit addition and subtraction, so we will continue to strengthen our knowledge of math strategies to help us solve problems. We will also spend some time working on word problems with two digits numbers, so we can sharpen our comprehension skills as well.

Science/SS: In Social Studies, we are going to continue learning about People of the Past by studying multiple Native American groups.

We can’t believe our second quarter will be wrapping up this month! We are so proud of the students and all of their hard work this quarter!

ELA:We started our new ELA unit over Ancient Rome.Students are diving in and exploring its culture and historical events. We will study the historical rise and fall of the Roman Empire,while reviewing the spelling patterns of /r/-controlled vowels, verb tenses, subject-verb agreement, and common suffixes.

Math:Our math lessons have been understanding the meaning of division and exploring the relationship between multiplication and division. We will continue to work on our multiplication and division facts throughout the month. Please keep practicing math facts and reading with your child at home during winter break to help them stay on track for when we return.

Science/SS:We wrapped up our science unit over animal and plant life cycles and adaptations and we switched back to social studies, with our new unit being over Missouri Civics, Government and Influential People. This unit will include a project over a Missourian and researching how they were influential to our state.

ELA: During December, we will wrap up our poetry unit! Fourth graders have been doing an amazing job analyzing poetry and emulating the style of famous poets in their own writing. Our next unit will be Eureka! Student Inventor.

Math: We are diving into the world of Geometry this December! Students will learn a plethora of new vocabulary, including: point, line, ray, angle, acute, obtuse, right, parallel, perpendicular, and symmetry. We will also learn how to classify 2-D shapes by their lines and angles. Most excitingly, students will learn how to measure and draw angles using a protractor! This unit comes with a lot of fun opportunities for students to be creative and I’m very excited to see all we will accomplish!

Science/SS: We have lots of big things this month! School of Economics Field Trip! Then we will be having an electrical company come to us for an in school field trip! We also will be able to fit in one more science unit before break!

ELA: We are wrapping up our second unit and will begin working to compose a multi-paragraph essay that answers the following prompt: Based on the texts you have read, what stands out to you as one important characteristic to have as a problem solver or investigator? As we work together, we will learn how to structure our writing to include important details from our readings and organize ideas so that they flow together logically. Our next unit will provide opportunities to learn about the sinking of the Titanic through various readings. Students will have the chance to decide who, they feel, is responsible for the ship’s sinking.

Math: We’ve kicked off our geometry unit by reviewing what students already know about area. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be learning how to find the area of more complex shapes - including parallelograms, triangles, polygons, and composite figures. This unit will carry us through the end of the semester, and I’m excited to see students build confidence with these new skills!

Science/SS: In our new Thermal Energy unit, students act as thermal scientists working with the principal of a fictional school, Riverdale, to help choose a new heater system. The principal is considering two water-based systems that work in different ways. One uses a small amount of warmer water, while the other uses a large amount of slightly cooler water. Students compare these systems at the molecular level and use the Thermal Energy Simulation to understand temperature and kinetic energy. By the end of the unit, students use their explanations to recommend which system will heat the school more effectively in winter.

December: Safe Gaming Practices - Play with purpose, not just for points.

1. Talk about learning through gaming — strategy, teamwork, and resilience are wins too!
   
   

2. Let kids set a timer and stick to it — self-discipline is part of growing up.
   
   

3. If a game doesn’t go well, help them say: “What can I do differently next time?”
   
   

4. Encourage respectful chats and model how to handle frustration with grace.

Kindergarten: Coding with Sphero Indis to help Santa save his presents—playful problem-solving meets robotics magic!

1st Grade: Engineering challenge: design boats that can hold at least 10 marbles. Testing buoyancy and persistence in action.

2nd Grade: Launching into Code.org—building the foundations of computational thinking one block at a time.

3rd Grade: Practicing email etiquette and Google Docs skills—learning to communicate clearly and collaborate digitally.

4th Grade: Focusing on sportsmanship as they prepare for Battle Bots—because teamwork and respect are just as important as winning.

5th Grade: Designing in Tinkercad as part of a collaborative project with Kindergarten—bridging creativity across grade levels

Here’s a look ahead at what will be happening in the library for the month of December:

PreK and Kindergarten: We will be finishing up our Building Block Nominee reading so that we can be ready to vote for our favorites. Our voting deadline is January 15. We will also be sharing some fun holiday stories and doing some hands-on activities to support the stories.

First Grade: We will continue to share our Show-Me Nominee books so that we are ready to vote for our favorites in March. We will also be comparing fiction to nonfiction books and studying the jobs of authors and illustrators. We will also be sharing some fun holiday stories and doing some hands-on activities to support the story.

Second Grade: We will continue to share our Show-Me Nominee books so that we are ready to vote for our favorites in March. We will be working on the skill of comparing fiction to nonfiction books and doing some arctic animal research to practice picking out important facts as we read. We will also be sharing some fun holiday stories and doing some hands-on activities to support the story.

Third - Fifth Grade: Students will continue to work on reading their way through their grade level state nominees. If students are working towards earning the field trip incentive they must have 4 of their 6 books read before we leave for break. We will also begin researching the way the holidays are celebrated around the world and how different holiday traditions came to be. Students will learn about citing sources and how to responsibly use the internet to find new information.

Sixth Grade (Books vs. Movies): We have finished our first chapter book (A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Bad Beginning) and picture book (Zathura), so we are getting ready to dive into our second chapter book. As we finish the book we will watch the movie to compare. So far it seems as though we are Team Book in the library!

I am so impressed by all of the students who participated in the November reading challenge to Save the Gobblers! We have a lot of turkeys hanging up in the hallway at Horizon. I am still waiting on the skating reading logs to be delivered, so hopefully we will be able to use those as our December reading challenge.

This is such a busy time of year in the art room! Here’s a bit about what we’re working on in art class:

Kindergarten: Kindergarten has been working hard to learn about the primary colors (red, yellow, and blue), and how to mix them to create secondary colors (orange, purple, and green). They used Model Magic to create a color wheel. They’re now applying that knowledge as we learn to use our paints. Our Kindergarten paint sets only come in the primary colors, so they are mixing to create any other colors that they want – even brown! They have learned how to set up their paint, how to use it, and how to clean it up.

2nd Grade: 2nd grade has been working steadily on opening up painting studio and beginning to open up printmaking studio. However, 2nd grade artists have been most excited about creating their clay projects. They were focusing on the clay skills of using a slab (a flat piece of clay) and scratching and attaching (how we stick 2 pieces of clay together) to create a fun melted snowman. After a few weeks of dry time, their snowmen will be ready to paint!

Clay (Pinch Method), Clay (Coil Method), Clay (Slab Method), Cardboard Sculpture, Paper Sculpture, Recyclable Sculpture, Yarn Weaving Pouch, and a Functional Perler Bead Creation.

Many students have completed Level 1, and are moving on to Level 2. Level 2 Badge choices are:

Abstract Cardboard Sculpture, Tantamounter (creating a replica of an object), tie dye mini pillow, plaster gauze, soft sculpture, 3D room, cardboard tube relief sculpture, recyclable sculpture, and an explosion sketchbook.

Hello Horizon families! Here’s a little bit about what will be happening in the music room this month:

Kindergarten: Kindergarten will continue to learn about the musical opposites loud and soft while learning how to use our singing voice. This unit will also include review of the musical opposites fast and slow. Music games such as “Find the Keys” and “Grizzly Bear” will be incorporated into our lessons for students to practice and experience loud and soft.

1st & 2nd Grade: 1st & 2nd Grade have begun working on music for their upcoming music program! Their program will take place on December 4th at 6pm at the PAC. Please make sure to mark this date in your calendars and be on the lookout for more information. I’m so excited for you to see what we have been working on this year in music!

3rd Grade: Students are working on our Recorder unit! If you have not purchased a recorder for your child to use and practice at home, please be sure to do that. We will be learning the notes B, A, and G on the recorder and participate in recorder karate!

4th & 5th Grade: Students in 4th and 5th grade will begin their ukulele unit, which will continue through December. After learning or reviewing all of the basics as a class, students will work to learn songs and earn prizes as they work for each ukulele karate belt.

Ms. Pawlcyn’s Counseling Lessons

Hello Wonderful Families!

As we step into December, a month filled with twinkling lights, excited whispers, and a unique blend of joy and frenzy, our focus in school counseling lessons will be on a crucial life skill: Emotional Regulation. It is the process of understanding, managing, and responding to our emotional experiences in a healthy and socially acceptable way. It's not about suppressing emotions, but rather learning how to navigate them.

During our classroom lessons, we'll be exploring our "feeling brain" and our "thinking brain." We'll practice being "emotion detectives" who can name our feelings and then choose tools to help us manage them. The goal is to help your child:

• Name Their Feelings: Use specific words like "frustrated," "overwhelmed," "disappointed," or "joyful" instead of just "good" or "bad."

• Identify Body Clues: Notice how their body feels (e.g., a hot face, clenched fists, a dancing heart) when a big emotion is on the way.

• Choose a "Calm-Down Strategy": Have a personal toolkit of simple, healthy ways to reset when emotions run high.

The why behind learning about emotional regulation:

Drives Academic Success

• Enables Focus: A child who is upset, frustrated, or distracted by big feelings cannot focus on learning. Regulation skills allow them to calm down and re-engage with the lesson.

• Promotes Perseverance: School is full of challenges—a difficult math problem, a confusing reading passage. Regulated children are more likely to persist through frustration instead of giving up or having a meltdown.

• Improves Problem-Solving: When the "emotional brain" (the amygdala) is in control, the "thinking brain" (the prefrontal cortex) is offline. Regulation allows a child to access higher-level thinking and find solutions.

Builds Healthy Social Relationships

• Fosters Empathy: Understanding their own emotions helps children recognize and respond to the feelings of others, which is the core of empathy.

• Enables Conflict Resolution: A child who can manage their anger or hurt is more likely to use their words to resolve a conflict with a friend ("I didn't like it when you took my toy") rather than hitting or screaming.

• Helps with Making Friends: Children who can manage their emotions are generally more pleasant to be around and are better at the give-and-take required for friendship.

Develops Resilience and Coping Skills for Life

• Teaches Coping Mechanisms: Life is full of disappointments, big and small. Emotional regulation equips children with a "toolbox" of strategies (like deep breathing, taking a break, or talking it out) to handle future stressors, from not making the team to dealing with workplace pressure as an adult.

• Builds a Growth Mindset: When children learn that they can get through difficult feelings, they develop the confidence that they can handle challenges. This "I can do hard things" mindset is the essence of resilience.

It Promotes Physical Safety and Well-being

• Reduces Impulsive Behaviors: Poor impulse control is often a result of big, unmanaged emotions. A regulated child is less likely to run into the street without looking, hit someone, or engage in other dangerous impulsive acts.

• Improves Physical Health: Chronic stress and big emotional outbursts take a toll on the body, affecting everything from sleep to the immune system. Regulation helps maintain a calmer, healthier state.

Think of emotional regulation as the operating system for a child's life. Without it, even the best "hardware" (intelligence, talent) can't function properly. With it, a child can navigate the complex world of learning, friendship, and personal challenges effectively. It's the skill that allows them to feel their feelings without being ruled by them, setting them up for success in school, relationships, and life.

How You Can Help at Home: Tips for a More Regulated Holiday Season

The holidays can be overwhelming for kids (and adults!). Here are a few ways you can support emotional regulation at home.

1. Name the "Holiday Fizzles."

• Acknowledge that big excitement can often lead to big letdowns. You might say, "It's normal to feel a little sad or grumpy after all that fun. It's like our happiness has a crash. Let's give ourselves a quiet minute."

2. Co-Create a "Cozy Corner" or "Calm-Down Kit."

• Find a small, quiet space at home where your child can go when they feel overwhelmed. Stock it with a soft blanket, a favorite book, some crayons, a stress ball, or a calming glitter jar. This isn't a timeout spot, but a "time-in" spot to recharge.

3. Practice "Belly Breathing" Together.

• When you see emotions escalating, try this: "Let's be balloons! Let's breathe in to fill our bellies with air, and then sigh it all out." This simple act physically calms the nervous system.

4. Build in "Brain Breaks."

• Between parties, shopping, and visitors, schedule 15 minutes of quiet, unstructured time. This could be listening to calm music, building with LEGOs, or just staring at the clouds. It helps prevent sensory overload.

5. Be a Calm Captain.

• Your child co-regulates with you. When you model taking a deep breath before reacting to spilled hot chocolate or a traffic jam, you show them a powerful way to handle big feelings.

Wishing you a peaceful and joy-filled holiday season!

This month in Mrs. Newman’s counselor lessons, our Kindergarten- 2nd grade students are learning the important difference between tattling and reporting. Students are practicing how to recognize when a situation is unsafe, harmful, or involves someone getting hurt—times when it’s important to report to an adult. They are also learning that tattling usually involves trying to get someone in trouble for something small. By understanding the difference, students build responsibility, problem-solving skills, and confidence in knowing when to seek help.

In our 3rd and 4th grade classrooms, students are focusing on empathy—seeing situations from someone else’s perspective and understanding how others may feel. Through stories, discussions, and activities, students are practicing how to “put themselves in someone else’s shoes” and respond with kindness and compassion. These lessons help strengthen friendships, support positive decision-making, and build a caring school community.