Monday

Hope you had a great weekend!
FYI:
*new books logs will be coming home this week in the Wed. folders
Math:
Today we began our new unit on decimals.  Students did a great job.  We worked with manipulatives to help us see how fractions and decimals are alike.  Students also practiced writing decimals in word forms.
HW: decimals worksheet

Reading:
Today we began our new skill on problem/solution, and climax of a story.  However, we began the day with an ORQ on character's actions from last week.  We read the story together and then discussed what it would take to get a 4, and then students did the ORQ on their own.  Next we read Uncle Romie and Me and discussed the climax of the story.
HW: define vocab words, finish ORQ if needed

Science:
Students presented their Shark Tank activities!! I was impressed! Some were super creative!!
*There were a few students who did not have a project. Students had 5 nights to work on this and 2 full science class days where I had a project for them if they couldn't think of one and supplies! I was disappointed.  Students are expected to bring one in tomorrow if they didn't have it ready today.
Writing:
Today we worked on Family Ups and Downs poems.  They were cute!

*We got to meet and hear Miss Kentucky speak on African-American History as well as watch a Step-Show from a UK fraternity! It was so neat!!! :)

Have a good night,

Friday

Please read the post about Read Across America Day!!!

We had a great Review Friday today!
We began the day with Calendar Math and then Geometry! Singapore Math takes much more time than the 'old math' so we are now learning Geometry on Fridays! We learned about different quadrilaterals. 

Next we had a mini-lesson on Self-Esteem.  I read a cute story about a little girl and the students wrote down all the things they LOVE about themselves in their writer's notebooks!

We also had SS today. Students finished up their Daniel Boone articles from last Friday.  Students were also put into groups to create a play based on early KY settlers or Daniel Boone.  They began writing it today and we will perform next week!
HW: complete Daniel Boone articles by TUESDAY

We enjoyed our Math Buddies by adding money. Both classes needed the practice!

Next, we had Class Meeting, DEAR time, and finished the day with Health.

Have a wonderful weekend,

Thursday

FYI:
Please read the below posts about Read Across America Day!! :)

Math:
Today we took our Fractions test.  We will begin decimals on Monday.
No HW

Reading:
Today we continued with our skill on character's actions.  Students are doing a great job with this.  We shared our character book with a neighbor on the changing characters and then students turned that in.  We also took our vocab. test today. I only had 7 kids out of 30 do the extra credit!!!!!!  We also read our short leveled books and worked on responses with character's actions changing.  Lastly, students were assigned their new Lit. Books based on their MAP Lexile scores.  We made our reading response journals but did not begin reading. 
HW: finish first response in reading journal

Science:
Today I gave student's time to work on their Shark Tank activity.  Many students were given supplies and everyone has an idea!! :) They are due Monday. Can't wait for the presentations!
HW: work on Shark Tank conductor/insulator activity

Writing:
Today we worked on poems again! Our poem of the day was on pets! Not all of us have our own pets, but we do have Stella and Ned, so they gave us something to write about!
No HW

Have a good afternoon,

Wednesday

We welcomed a great new student today! We're glad you're here, Tyson! :)

FYI:
Check Wednesday Folders!
March 2 is "Read Across America Day". If you would like to come in and read a short children's book (about 5 min. long) to our class, we'd love to have you! I will try to work around your schedule; however, I only have my homeroom from 7:45-8:15 and 11:30-1:30. Please email me with questions or if you'd like to participate! If you'd like to send in your favorite story that you and your child like to read, do that and I can read the story or your child can to the class! :)


Math:
PRACTICE problems from the review for Test tomorrow!!

Reading:
Today we worked more with character's actions.  We read a short passage from the book, Because of Winn Dixie. Students then depicted the 3 main characters and described how their character's actions changed throughout the story. 
HW: finish character's actions from reading, study words for test, extra credit: write vocab sentences

Science:
Today we continued learning about heat, and talked about insulators and conductors.  The students did great! We also started a project that will be due MONDAY.  Students are to create their own insulator or conductor! They can use any house-hold item!
HW: work on Shark Tank insulator/conductor project

Writing:
Today we worked on poems again, YAY! We wrote Lighthearted Lament poems.  The kids did a great job and they were cute and funny! We're moving right along!
No HW
*Mrs. Sharp came to read to our class this afternoon. She read, E for Ethics.

Have a great night,

Tuesday

Hope you enjoyed a nice long weekend with your kids! :)

FYI:
Book Fair info coming home in Wed. folder tomorrow
No Chorus this week
March 2 is "Read Across America Day".  If you would like to come in and read a short children's book (about 5 min. long) to our class, we'd love to have you! I will try to work around your schedule; however, I only have my homeroom from 7:45-8:15 and 11:30-1:30.  Please email me with questions or if you'd like to participate! If you'd like to send in your favorite story that you and your child like to read, do that and I can read the story or your child can to the class! :)

Math:
Today we spent more time practicing fraction problems with word problems.  Most of the students did well, but we still need to practice!
HW: do practice problems from their review guide - test on THURSDAY

Reading:
Today we started a new unit on character's actions.  We got into small leveled groups and read a really funny play.  Students and I discussed how and why the character's actions changed from the beginning of the story to the end.  Then each group was able to present the poem.  Too cute!  We also read from our read-aloud and copied down the new vocab words this week.  We will be back to normal and using each vocab word in a sentence correctly for the test on Thursday.
HW: define vocab by using a dictionary or dictionary.com (students were encouraged to take home one of my dictionaries if they did not have one at home)

Science:
Today we began our new unit on Heat, Light, and Electricity.  We just focused on heat today.  We did a few experiments and had lots of great discussions about how heat is produced, friction, etc.  The students did a great job! I also helped them with 'note-taking' to get some key ideas from their reading in the KCCT book. Lastly we answered some questions to wrap-up heat in our science journals and I helped the students restate the question in their answers.
NO HW

Writing:
Today we continued with our poetry unit and wrote Sound poems.  They were really good! I can't wait to compile all our poems together in our book!
No HW
Have a great night,

Thursday

Quick Post:
Math: worked on all review items on fractions, kids did great! NO HW

Reading: took vocab test, presented plays {too cute!!}, and students are currently taking AR Lit. Book tests
No HW

Science: health today

Writing: We wrote observation poems and WOWZA they were great!

Wednesday

*Mid-Terms will be coming home in your child's Wed. Folder. I try my best to keep the grade-book updated, so hopefully you have been checking I.C. and already know what your child's grades will be.  Grade-Book has already been updated since the posting date; so if you check tonight, that is why there are extra grades.

Math:
Today we worked hard on changing mixed numbers to improper fractions.  The kids did great! Every child passed the quiz I gave, and only 3 students did not get a perfect score! I was so happy! We also made a review sheet to practice all the things we've learned so far in fractions.  Lastly we continued working on 4 digit subtraction.
HW:  complete review sheet
*Currently, the math test is scheduled for next Thursday

Reading:
Today we continued our study on genres.  We looked at fantasy-fables.  Students used the laptops to see Aesop's traditional fables and how college students from UMass changed them to make them more modern.  We found characteristics of fables along with compare/contrasted them using a venn diagram.  Next we worked on our plays that the students will be presenting on Thursday. Lastly, students had time to read in their Lit. Books
HW: FINISH lit. book - taking AR test tomorrow, finish fable chart if not in class, study vocab words for test tomorrow

Science:
Students took their test on Weather and States of Matter
No HW

Writing:
We began our poetry unit by looking through different poetry books and finding rhyme and verse.
No HW

Have a good night,

Tuesday

The Mayor came to speak to our 4th graders!! Ask your kids about it! :)

HW only today:

Math:
fractions HW sheet

Reading:
finish bio., study for vocab test on Thurs.

Science:
study the packet and pages from class for test TOMORROW

Have a good night,

Monday

Happy Valentine's Day! :)

FYI:
Mid-Terms will be coming home in the Wed. folders
Tuesday the Mayor will be coming to GSE and speaking with our 4th graders!
Science Test moved to Wednesday

Math:
We practiced more with improper fractions to mixed numbers.  Students have another practice page to work on. Please check and sign.
We also practiced subtraction - a lot of the students have a lot of problems with this. If you're able to find extra time to give practice problems that would be great.
HW: fractions worksheet - 6 problems

Reading:
Today we continued working on genres. We worked on plays.  Students made up a new Epilogue to the play we read on Wed.  Then students began making up their own plays using the characteristics we found for plays.
HW: read in Lit. Book (Lit. Test on Thursday)

Science:
Today we practiced come questions that will be similar to those on the test.  I've moved the test to Wednesday due to my absence for the Behavior Committee I'm on and will miss 1/2 day tomorrow.
HW: practice problems from study packet for test on Wed.
Writing:
All articles are in and I am in the process of grading those. 
We did a short writing activity based on the book we are reading as a class.  The entries were funny!
Have a great night,

Thursday

*Please help your child remember to bring in his/her Valentine's box/bag and valentines for tomorrow!

Party will be at 1:30 tomorrow afternoon!


No HW today :)

Random Acts of Kindness Week at GSE:

Random Acts of Kindness Week Agenda:




Monday, February 14th, 2011

Wear Red to School Day

Kindness Wall Display

Morning news Kindness skit

Kindness Pledge-on morning announcements



Tuesday, February 15th, 2011

Kindness Wall Display Continued

Morning news kindness skit

Kindness Pledge-on morning announcements





Wednesday, February 16th, 2011

Kindness Wall Display Continued

Say something nice day

Morning news kindness skit

Kindness Pledge-on morning announcements



Thursday, February 17th, 2011

Kindness Wall Display Continued

Kindness Post Office

Morning news kindness skit

Kindness Pledge-on morning announcements





Friday, February 18th, 2010

Kindness Wall Display Continued

Kindness Post Office

Morning news kindness skit

Kindness Pledge-on morning announcements

Tuesday

Short Post Today! :)

Math:
NO HW, some students have an extra sheet to work on if he/she didn't pass the equivalent fractions quiz today.

Reading:
Practice vocab. words, Finish poetry sheet from class, read 2 chapters in Lit. Book

Science: Guidance, no HW

Writing: Health, no HW

Monday

FYI:
~Valentine's Day Party is THIS Friday. Please bring a decorated bag/box in for yourself {if you need a bag have your child let me know and I will give them one}. IF you bring in Valentines, you must have one for each student in our class.  The flyer that was sent home last week has a list of current student names.

Math:
Today we continued with equivalent fractions and we also began comparing and ordering those fractions.  Students did a GREAT job with this! Tomorrow we will take a mini-quiz...if everyone passes the quiz I have promised the class a pizza lunch to go along with our fractions unit.
HW: worksheet on equivalent/comparing fractions

Reading:
Vocab. Words can be found HERE. Include Fiction and Non Fiction to those words as well.  Vocab Test will be the correct spelling of the word and the definition this week.
Today we worked on different genres and their characteristics.  We read a non fiction story and talked about what types of hints we can find in the story.  Students also had time for their Lit. Books.
HW: read 2 chapters in Lit. Book

Science:
In science today we created concrete poems while describing the 3 states of matter.  So far, the student poems look great and are very creative!!
HW: finish concrete poems if not finished in class

DEAR: Students were able to read AR books, take AR tests, and complete a level of Lexia.

Writing:
Some students worked on typing their articles on the computers.  Other students were able to choose a topic from their Writer's Notebook free-writes and type that story/poem/etc.

Have a great night,

Friday!

These kiddos are ready for Super Bowl Weekend! :)

We had a great Review Friday!

We started off the day working on math skills.  Students rotated in groups with me, laptops, and Ms. Powell.  I worked with students on fractions - mainly equivalent fractions.  Ms. Powell worked with students on multiplication facts, and on the laptops students worked on the MAP skills on their RIT levels.  We love this site!

Next we moved on to reading.  Students took AR tests, did a few levels of Lexia, or read their AR books.

Then we completed our Native American powerpoints and presented those.  The kids were also given leveled activities to learn through a WebQuest on Daniel Boone.

Students also completed an On-Demand for Ms. Sharp.

We ended the day with Math Buddies working on multiplication.

Have a great weekend!

Thursday

Quick Post Today... Only showing HW

**Students can wear their PJ's to school tomorrow because.... If you were at the Awards Ceremony you would know why!!!!! :) My class was amazing, did not talk while teachers were presenting, only clapped at the end of each awards section, and kept hands to themselves.  Needless to say, I was a proud teacher! :)

Math: Practice sheet with equivalent fractions - due to me before 8:00am Friday morning
*Students have 3 practice pages to help them

Reading: No HW

Science: No HW Ask your child about the experiment today and how it relates to 3 States of Matter (tell them to use their 'particles' words)!

Writing: No HW

Wednesday

Wednesday Folders will be coming home tonight!
*Math Tests from my class are coming home tonight. If your child scored a C or below, he/she has a stapled packet of work to help review the skills.  Please complete this WITH your child and they can receive extra credit. It is due by Feb. 11

Math:
We continued learning about fractions.  Today we began making equivalent fractions with 2 fraction sets.  Most students did a good job listening, working hard, and trying their best.  This is not an easy concept, so we will be working on this for the next few days.
HW: using the class from in class, complete 3 problems and get signed by a parent

Reading:
Today we continued with text features and worked on comparing/contrasting.  We contrasted a leveled reader to the text we read on Monday.  We also took a practice probe on several text features.
HW: complete venn diagram on leveled readers (if not finished in class), practice vocab words for quiz tomorrow

Science:
We continued learning about matter and it's physical and chemical changes. No HW

Writing:
We continued typing our articles on the mini-laptops. No HW
No HW

Have a great night,

Tuesday

FYI:
TOMORROW at 1:30 - Awards Ceremony in Gym
Math:
We continued learning about fractions today.  Students worked with fraction strips and fraction circles to help with adding and subtracting, reducing fractions, and naming fractions.
HW: complete sheet with all of the above from in class

Reading:
Today we finally were able to present our hybrid ads from last week's persuasive skill.  They were SO funny and very, very good! :)
We also learned more about cause and effect as one of our text structures this week.  Students participated in a cool smartboard activity which helped them understand the differences.  We also found cause and effect relationships in our lit. books.  Lastly, we quickly practiced a few vocab. words.
HW: write each vocab word in a sentence, finish cause/effect paper from in class

Science:
Today we continued with the 3 states of matter.  We did 3 experiments to tell the chemical and physical changes of each! Ask your child about them! 
No HW

Writing: We began typing our articles on the mini-laptops.
No HW

Have a great night,