Wednesday

FYI:
*Mid-Terms were sent home today in the Wed. folders please check for them.

Science:

Today we continued learning about food chains and food webs! We worked on a hand out that asked about the differences and similarities in a food chain and a web and the componants of each one.  Most students finished this in class. 

HW: Food Chains and Food Web Worksheet if not finished in class

Reading:

*Vocab words for the week are posted under the section to the right. **Just a reminder, the vocab. will be posted under the MONDAY post once my long-term sub begins.

Today we worked continued to look at character traits. We reviewed the character traits for our treasures story that we read together yesterday and completed a task where we identified three characters in the story and listed 10 character traits about each one.  Next, students got into their lit. groups and read 2 more chapters together.

HW: Finish after reading question in journal

Math:

We worked on multiplying numbers with zeros.  We practiced many problems in the class as a whole group.

HW: Sheet with 6 questions they are to complete and have signed.

Writing:

Writing was cut short due the speech given by President Obama.  We worked on a their/there/they're worksheet. Lastly, we got in some DEAR time.

HW: Worksheet if not finished in class

Mrs. Brady

Tuesday!

FYI:
*A note is being sent home today about the President’s speech for Thursday. It will be a passive permission.  ONLY if the parent does not want their child to watch will a note be returned.
*Mid-Terms will be coming home in the Wed. folders
*TOMORROW is dress like a Cow day. :) Students can wear black and white for the cafeteria!
*MY MATH ONLY: your child received their test back today. They aren't the greatest... This is one thing I do not like about Singapore - they only give one chance to see if the child has mastered the skill.  According to the quizzes and classwork, I know most children have mastered these skills (factors and multiples!!!). However, if your child received a C or below, there is EXTRA CREDIT work attached to the test. This will need to be completed and turned in BY MONDAY.

**Today was KY Kids Day! SO SORRY I had nothing planned! I never received an email saying what the school/PTA was planning on doing!!! :(  So, the kids got 5 minutes of extra recess to "celebrate" being a great KY Kid.

Science:
Today we continued learning about food chains! We used a hands-on activity where students built food chains from different ecosystems.  They did a great job! Next, each student was given a science vocab word - producer, consumer, or decomposer.  They had to draw and write one item that was in their vocab range. Next, students were given 30 seconds to get together with other students to make a complete food chain - all without talking! They did a great job and it was fun!  Lastly, students took a quiz over food chain vocab words.  Most did really well! It's already in the gradebook if you'd like to see what your child got.
No HW

Reading:
*Vocab words for the week are posted under the section to the right. **Just a reminder, the vocab. will be posted under the MONDAY post once my long-term sub begins.
Today we worked on character traits.  We looked at a few examples from Harry Potter and then character traits for our treasures story that we read together.  Next, students got into their lit. groups and read 2 more chapters together.
HW: finish defining vocab if not done in class
Math:
We did not get to have Math today due to Mrs. Maldonado's class MAP testing.
*MY MATH ONLY: your child received their test back today. They aren't the greatest... This is one thing I do not like about Singapore - they only give one chance to see if the child has mastered the skill. According to the quizzes and classwork, I know most children have mastered these skills (factors and multiples!!!). However, if your child received a C or below, there is EXTRA CREDIT work attached to the test. This will need to be completed and turned in BY MONDAY.


*My homeroom worked on multiplication during our regular switching math time.

Writing:
We started with working on their/there/they're again with an acitivity in small groups.   We went back to visit our personal narratives we had to stop due to the Diversity Poems. We re-looked at the memories we had chosen to brainstorm about and chose 1 to write about. Then we did a quick pre-writing mini-lesson with a smart board activity.  The kids were also able to get into small groups and share some of their Writer's Notebook prompts they've been working on. Lastly, we got in some DEAR time.
No HW

Monday!

Hope you had a wonderful weekend!

FYI:
*Creepy Crawly field trip - please send in your $1 if you haven't yet!
*Picture Money can be turned in ANY time!
*Mid-Terms will be coming home in the Wed. folders
*Wed. is 'dress like a cow day' per the cafeteria!!!!
Science:
Today we worked on food chains.  We discussed why all things need energy, talked about producers, consumers, and decomposers.  Students were to make 2 different food chains using their science words to label.
HW: finish food chains posters if not finished in class, EVERYONE: pg. 156-159 in KCCT book - read and answer the questions on a separate sheet of paper

Reading:
Today students took their first reading assessment over things we've learned so far (summarizing, key details, theme).  Then they were able to read 2 chapters in their lit. groups.
HW: answer their "after reading" question in their reading response journals

Math:
Today we took the pre-test for Ch. 3.  Students will receive their tests tomorrow with an extra credit sheet attached to it if they received a C or below. We also played Around the World.  This unit will be on multiplication and division. PLEASE try to help your child memorize the facts at home!
No HW

Writing:
Today we read for a while, had a severe weather drill, and then worked on finding the difference in there, their, and they're. We'll be working on this each day this week!
No HW

Have a good night,

Review Friday

Good Afternoon!

We had a great Review Friday today!

Math Groups:
Today we worked in small math groups.  Students rotated between working on 4 digit +/- with math tiles, rounding in a small group with me, and multiplication.  Mrs. Powell was out today so there are NO multiplication packets going home today.
UK Opera Play:
The UK opera play came to our school today to perform Little Red Riding Hood. It was great! The kids were really entertained and we loved it! We learned a little from the actors about what it takes to put on a drama play!

Reading:
We had DEAR time and are enjoying checking out books from my class library! The kids are doing a nice job checking out the books and putting them away correctly.  We also had time to read with our writing buddies - we did not write today!

Science:
We did not get to science today!

Social Studies:
We did double SS today! Last week I realized that my kids did not know the continents and oceans nor could place them on the map! So today we worked on topical maps and then we worked on continents and oceans.  We made neat projects with this, which I am keeping in our classroom for a little bit! They are so good and the kids were excited to learn these!

We didn't have enough green and blue play-doh, so we just used what we had!! If you're able to send more in for us, that would be great! :) We used a lot today! The kids were really good at making the correct shapes and labeling them!

Have a good weekend,

Thursday!

FYI:
*Please turn picture money forms in ASAP!
Science:
Today we completed our biomes project in pairs with the laptops.  Kids learned all about different biomes and where they are found/plants and animals there/and what the climate is like.
No HW

Reading:
Today we continued learning about theme.  Students and I went over the 4 stories from yesterday and talked about the theme. They are still confusing theme with summary, but we are working on it!! Students also read and listened to 2 different stories and picked out the theme.  Lastly, we worked on reading in our lit. groups and completing our reading response journals. 
HW: finish reading lit. chapters and finish responding to journal entry if not in class
*students are in 6 different lit. books based on recent lexile level and behavior

Math:
We took the Unit 2 test today. Hopefully scores will be coming home soon!
No HW

Writing:
Most of us finished our diversity poems! YAY! Students had time to complete those today as well as some DEAR time.
HW: finish poems with art picture if not in class

Have a good night,

Wednesday!

FYI:
*Check Wed. Folders tonight!
*Mid-Terms will go out NEXT Wed. in the folders.  This is a good chance for you to see how your child is doing mid-way through the first 9 weeks. As always, you can check daily on the parent portal for grades from me and Mrs. Maldonado. If you don't know how - check the tab on the right that says "Grading Scale" and there is a link to follow.
*Friday we will get the UK Opera to come and present a play for us at school! @ 9:15
*MAP tests are still...going... a lot of kids haven't finished, so we are just waiting until Mrs. Rowe in the computer lab has time for us to get back in there. Scores will be sent home ASAP once I receive them.
*Graded papers are coming home from the kid's mailboxes in the Wed. folders
*Science Tests are coming home in the Red folders.  Most kids did AWESOME! We had a lot of A's and B's and 3 perfect scores from: Tabi, Sydney, and Kaelyn!!

Science:
Today we continued researching different biomes with the mini laptops.  We are using a great website to find all different kinds of biomes and are able to locate where they are, characteristics about each, plants/animals/food, etc.  The kids are enjoying it!
No HW

Reading:
{no vocab due to MAP testing}
Today we went over the difference of theme and summaries again and we worked on the story we read yesterday.  Next, students were placed into groups of 4. They each had a theme story to read to their group and decide what the theme was. They did an excellent job working together. Lastly, we got our new lit. books and made our new reading response journals.
HW: finish theme stories if not in class

Math:
Today we practiced for the test! Remember, it is tomorrow!! Please help your child study tonight!
HW: practice the study guide and sheets from the blue math folder for the test tomorrow (if you help your child study, please sign the study guide!)

Writing:
Students got their papers back with their spelling mistakes and organizational mistakes.  We worked today on re-doing those and working on their art posters to go along with their diversity poems.
HW: finish poems if needed at home

Have a good night,

Tuesday!

Good Afternoon!

FYI:
*You will be receiving an important paper from the office regarding Ms. Borders' leave of absence.  If you have any questions about this, please contact the office, as I know nothing more than you do.
*Creepy Crawlers field trip money is due THURSDAY!
Just showing HW today! :)

Science:
No HW

Reading:
Finish reading The Raft in Treasures books and answer these questions: what is the theme, write the summary
Math:
Finish study guide, and study the guide! Test is Thursday

Writing:
No HW

Monday!

Good Afternoon!
The 4th Grade Teachers were not at school today. We had our PLC PD, which is a professional development meeting ALL DAY to work on the new reading standards.  Each grade level and every school from Fayette Co. will be doing these! They are once every 6 weeks.
Hopefully I'm doing this right and my blog is scheduled to post on Monday!

So, here's a quick run-down of HW that should have taken place with my sub, Dr. Smith:

Reading: turn in reading response journals...but no class due to MY homeroom taking the MAP test during reading time.

Math: HW workbook page 29, parents please sign

Homeroom: turn in multiplication packets from Friday

No science or writing HW today.

Review Friday!

We had a great Review Day!

This morning we started off with the Science Test.  I've graded all the open response questions, but haven't made it through the multiple choice.  Hopefully those will be passed out in the Wed. folders next week!

Next we had math groups! Small groups rotated and focused on multiplication facts, rounding, and multiples. Students did a great job rotating and keeping up with the task! Yay!
HW: complete Multiplication Facts packet for MONDAY

Mrs. Moses also did a lesson on Bullying with us this morning.

Also, we earned our entire row of PAWS!! We earned 13 green PAWS from the Cafe. So, students enjoyed their treat by watching just a little bit more of their movie from lunch bunch.  *Please make sure to ask your child if he/she got lunch bunch today!

In social studies we focused on map skills today.  Students learned to read several different maps and then began making their own maps.  We did not have enough time to finish these today! No HW

We did not get to have Writing Buddies due to their MAP testing, so we did the activity on our own! We made up football chants (poetry) for tomorrow's big game!! :)

Lastly, the GRAND OPENING of the Bookworm Cafe Library was today!! This has been a long time coming for the kids! But we had to model, model, model, and earn the privilege!! These are all books I have bought over the years.  They are very organized into Lexile level groups or genres. Students have a check-out station and know how to check out and put up books.  Hopefully we can continue this in an organized way so we don't loose the privilege! :)

Have a great weekend...and REMEMBER: Monday reading HW is due!

Thursday

FYI:
*High Attendance Day today! We were ALL here in our class! YAY! Thanks John for the cookies to celebrate! :)
*Book Fair for Families is tonight!
*If you are reading the blog, please make a smiley face next to your name in the planner for tomorrow! :)
*My small group lunches started today! I like to have these a few times a year just to get to know the students a little more on a different level than 'teaching' them.  Kids signed up 6 at a time for 4 different days.  My first one was today and it went great! It was nice to help develop conversations and discuss manners while eating! Plus, the kids are hilarious! :) I will have the other 3 lunch groups next week! {homeroom only}
**If you are not receiving this blog (as an email) until very late, please consider checking the blog by the address around 3-3:30. I usually have my post written by then and it contains good information! :)

Science:
Today we reviewed sample test questions for the test TOMORROW!
HW: study the study guide with a parent and use science journal! If signed, saying parent helped you will get bonus points on test.

Reading:
Today we took our Vocab. test. We also went over theme from the stories read yesterday.  Lastly, students got into their Frindle lit. groups and read.  Most students finished the book and were able to complete the questions. 
IF NOT, HW: finish reading Frindle and answer the questions in Reading Response Journal.  They have received a copy of this page, but I am ADDING it here so that none of the students can claim they couldn't do it because of a lost paper. THIS IS DUE MONDAY.Answer in your Reading Response Journal. RESTATE the question in your answer.

1. What is Mrs. Granger’s famous ‘battle cry’ that all her former students remember?
2. Why do those students want to stay after school and be punished by Mrs. Granger? Why do they consider it a ‘badge of honor’?
3. If ‘ain’t’ is not a proper word, how can it be found in the dictionary, as Nick points out? What is Nick trying to prove when he brings this point up with Mrs. Chatham, the principal?
4. Bud Lawrence wants to own the copyright for the word frindle. What does he plan to do with it? How can someone own the rights to a word? Explain how this is different from owning a bike or a pair of sneakers, or even a pet dog.
5. How does the experience of inventing a new word and becoming a celebrity affect Nick? Why does he think twice about testing out his new idea: protesting the poor food in the cafeteria?

Math:
Today we began working on multiples.  Kids seemed to get this a little easier than factors...but it is still hard because of the multiplication facts!! I know I sound like a broken record, but it is just not in our content to have time to re-teach the multiplication facts! Believe me, I wish we had time to spend a few weeks on memorizing these ONLY! So, I truly need your help in getting your child to practice his/her facts on a daily basis. I am thinking of sending home a weekly multiplication fact log (similar to a book log) but I also know how busy everyone is with church, sports, family time, etc.  I will let you know what I decide!  This is just truly a skill they should have come to 4th grade with!We did a lot of whole group practice with multiples as well as a few activities!
HW: workbook pg. 27, please check and sign.*Also, remember I have lots of fun math games listed under my "Fun Learning Games" tab to the right. Anytime your child plays one of these, let me know and they can receive extra credit! :) There are a few factors and multiples games on there!

Writing:
Today in writing we went over the diversity means interviews. Students then got into small groups and shared and wrote down other thoughts on what they think it meant.  We began a rough draft on our poems today.
No HW

Vocab Words - Did You Know?

I've moved the Vocab. Words tab to the right of the blog up! Hopefully, this is easier for you to find!

Did you know if you click on the button, it directs you to the story we are focusing on in Treasures, along with fun vocabulary games to play to help with the spellings and meanings of the words???

Use this as a resource to practice vocab. words!

**Also, when I am on Maternity Leave, I will ask my sub to write the Vocab. Words on MONDAY's post only. You can refer to that post throughout the week.  It is just a little more time-consuming to write it under the "vocab words" tab if you are not familiar with the blog lay-out! :) Thanks for understanding...and I hope it helps anyways that vocab. words are written for you for the week!

:)

Wednesday

FYI:
*Check Wed. Folders
*In folder, you will receive your child's reading and math MAP test IF they have completed the test.  I have a sheet attached explaining the score and the test.  If you need another copy of this letter I've attached it to the bottom of this blog post for you to read.  IF you do not receive either data sheet it is because your child is still working on BOTH tests. I will send home your copy and a copy of the letter as soon as one or both of the tests are complete. {homeroom only}
*{homeroom only} I am sending home the new Lexile Level sheet that correlates to the MAP RIT level as well as your child's reading level.  If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.  Other Parents - if your child is in my Reading Class and you'd like a copy of this, just shoot me an email or a note and I will copy one to send home for you. (or math class too!)

Science:
Today we worked on our study guide for the test on Friday. Students did a good job and used their resources from past lessons to help. We will go over this tomorrow and play a game to get us ready!
HW: finish study guide if needed; study from the sheet for test

Reading:
We continued to work on theme today.  We talked about different themes in a story as well as got into our leveled reader groups.  Students read science fiction stories and answered comprehension questions about theme.  Students were also given a choice of 6 different pre-made themes to then write a story about. Can't wait to read these tomorrow! We were also able to practice the spellings and meanings of our vocab. words.
HW: finish leveled reader questions, finish theme stories, study for vocab test

Math:
Today we continued to practice with simple word problems on factors, GCF, LCF, prime, and composite numbers.  We split the kids into 2 smaller groups and went over HW with the students.  If your child turned in his/her HW they received a 100% because we went over it and corrected it together to make sure students understood.  We also completed a word problem on rounding that will be very similar to the math test question.
HW: more word problems, please check and sign

Writing:
We finished reading our diversity article and watched a Tumble books on Diversity.  Next, students interviewed a few people on what diversity means to them.  They will also be asking YOU tonight! :) We are hoping to get our rough draft written tomorrow.
HW: interview at least one person on diversity question

Have a good night,


MAP Data Sheet – Math and Reading
{You are receiving this in the Wed. folder attached to your child's MAP data sheet IF you are in my homeroom class}

Your child recently took the MAP Reading and MAP Math test. This is a test your child will take 3 times a year. The first test is to show your child and his/her teacher where the child’s academic ability is and what strengths/weaknesses your child has in different sub-categories in Math and Reading.


Since this is the beginning of the 4th grade, your child’s score from last year (3rd) does not hold any bearings on this score as it is a new test.


The NWEA provided us with a National Norm Means Score for each of the 3 tests. For the first test, the mean score for the beginning of the year MAP assessment is as follows:


Math: 203.6
Reading: 199.6


If your child is on or above this score, that means your child is above the national norm for this time of the test. If your child is below this score, that means your child is possibly struggling with several areas this test assessed. On your child’s paper, it shows the separate sub-categories of the test.


Our goal is to have each child progress the next time we take this test (in the Winter). Hopefully, your child will show a lot of growth from now to then considering the test assessed 4th grade content that has not been taught yet!


This is also a test that should be allotted around 1 hour or more to take. Students had 1 hour and 40 minutes to complete each test, but were given extra time if needed. IF your child tested in less than 45 minutes, I would suggest your child could have done better if more time and effort was presented on this test.


If you’d like more information about this test, please use the “Frequently Used Words and Their Meanings” sheet you were provided with in my Open House packet or find the tab on my blog to read more about the use of the MAP test.
Thank you,


Mrs. Burton


*If you are receiving this letter with only 1 of the data sheets, this means your child has not yet completed his math or reading test. Once the test is complete, I will send home his/her data sheet for you.

Tuesday

*FYI:
*My class has orchestra on THURSDAY instead of Wed. due to a Music test tomorrow.
*We have a 2 hour meeting after school today! So, I will be away from my computer until later tonight but I will be able to check emails and respond to you then if needed!
Science:
We continued learning about life cycles.  We learned about a plant life cycle and made one for a bean plant.
No HW
Test on Friday - we will get the review guide tomorrow

Reading:
*Vocab. words are listed under the Vocab Words tab to the right of the screen. We will have the test on Thursday even though we didn't have class yesterday!
Today we played a secret code game with our vocab words to help with the spelling.  Then we partner read our Treasures story and focused on theme.  Next, students had some time to define their words.  Students also got into their lit. groups and read Frindle.
HW: finish defining words IF needed

Math:
Today we continued learning about factors, GCF and LCF.  Students did a pretty good job with this! So we went back and reviewed prime and composite.  Next, we did lots of different word problems from the Singapore text. 
HW: similar word problems worksheet, please sign

Writing:
We read a diversity article and then wrote about our own thoughts on what Diversity Means for the PTA Reflections letter.  Be ready for your child to ask you what you think it means, too! :)
HW: finish diveristy thoughts if needed

Have a good night,

Monday!

Hope you had a nice weekend! :)

FYI:
*Keep bringing in those UPC labels from Sunny D for free books for our classroom!
*Book Fair is this week! Doughnuts for Dads/Muffins for Moms is this Wednesday morning
*Homeroom: Science Test is THIS Friday
*Maldonado Math Test is THIS Wednesday
*Thursday is HIGH ATTENDANCE DAY. Please try to have your child here!
*NEW Book Logs are coming home today! If your child completed the reading MAP test today, their Lexile reading score is on the bottom. It is due Oct. 7th
{if you need to remember what Lexile means, go to the FAQ tab to the right of the blog - you can also access your child's lexile level of the book they are reading by going to this site: www.lexile.com }

*No Reading Class TODAY only due my homeroom taking the READING MAP test.

Science:
Today we learned about animal life cycles.  Students made their own life cycle activity on a butterfly and we learned about the 4 stages of life every plant and animal goes through.  Students also worked in pairs to read an article about different animal life cycles and answer comprehension questions about it.
HW: none
*We will be having our Unity and Diversity Science test on Friday. Students will receive their review guide on Wednesday.

Reading:
MAP test instead for my homeroom only

Math:
Today we continued learning about factors and learned about common factors, greatest common factors, and least common factors.  We also reviewed prime and composite while doing this! Mrs. Powell and I split the kids up into smaller groups to work on this skill and everyone seemed to understand this! We just STILL really need to work on memorizing multiplication facts!!!
HW: Common Factors worksheet - the first problem is one we did together in class so students will remember how to do this when they get home. Please sign.

Writing:
Ok, once again, we have to take a break from our personal narratives!! :( Ms. Borders has asked us to put those on hold to work solely on the PTA Reflections piece.  So, today we brainstormed about the theme (Diversity Means...) and read a couple of diversity themed books.  Then we put together an interview questionnaire that will help us create our poems!

We also had a little bit of time for DEAR.

Have a great night,

Friday

Scholastic/Sunny D are teaming up to give each classroom can get 20 free books if you have 20 SunnyD UPC codes turned in before the end of November! Please send those in if you can!

FYI:
*Book Logs were due today. If your child did not bring it in, they can receive partial credit if turned in on Monday. It will result in a zero after that.  This grade will be in the Writing Grades section since it is a homeroom assignment/not a reading class assignment.
*Monday we will be taking our Reading MAP test from 9:20-10:40. Please try to have your child here!

Review Friday!
Today we worked in our math groups small groups with me on factors and rounding, and multiplication facts with Mrs. Powell.  Your child WILL NOT receive their multiplication packets to complete from today because of the power outage and the time lost there! So sorry!! We WILL have that next week!

We also had a short recycling program for about 20 minutes from LFUCG.  Students learned what can and cannot go into the bin and why it's important to recycle.

We also had a lesson on 9/11.  Students used their interviews from YOU (thank you!!) to help our discussion as well as we watched a Scholastic video on 9/11. Students were very interested in this.  Please continue this lesson at home with the kids this weekend!

For Social Studies today we worked on longitude and latitude as well as being able to point coordinates on a grid.  The rain unfortunately made our activity not happen - a grid with water balloons outside! Hopefully we will be able to do that next Friday! We did play a fun game to point out coordinates on the smartboard. Everyone loved that game!
http://www.kidsgeo.com/geography-games/latitude-longitude-map-game.php
You can play the game this weekend for extra credit!

With our writing buddies we helped them make Acrostic Poems using their names and picking out good adjectives. 

**We had a major power outage this morning! The kids were great though and we were still able to most of what was planned! :)

Have a wonderful weekend, Go Cats!

Thursday!

Good Afternoon! Sorry for the late post! I had to unfortunately take a half-day today due to a doctor appointment (it was at 1:30 and I'm just now getting home! yikes!!!).  My office has been wonderful at accommodating my weekly appointments for after-school times, but today just couldn't be helped! :)

FYI:
*Homeroom Book Log due TOMORROW!!! Hopefully you'll get a free dinner to Pizza Hut with their gift certificate once they turn it in completed tomorrow!
*MAP testing today went pretty well.  I will be sending home reports early next week for today's test on Math with an explanation guide. All but about 4 students finished.  The 4 should be able to finish tomorrow or sometime next week.  Excited to see the scores improve throughout the year!
*We will have a short recycling program tomorrow!

Short today!:)
Science:
No HW...we learned about inherited and learned characteristics. 
We also had our first Guidance class during this time with Mrs. Moses today on Bullying. 

Reading:
We did not have today due to my class taking the MAP test.

Math:
{with sub.}
Students were to work more on prime and composite numbers with factors.
HW was 2 pages in their workbooks - I'm at home and cannot remember what the pages were...I'm SO sorry! Hopefully your child wrote it down in their planners like asked!!!

Writing:
{with sub.}
Students were to work more on adding details to 2-3 ideas about their brainstormed topics for their personal narratives. No HW

**9/11 Homework:
Students were given an interview sheet to interview YOU! Please try and be P.C. about this without conveying too many opinions. :) We will be learned about 9/11 through a Scholastic-approved video and book. We will also be holding a candid but very educational/P.C. conversation tomorrow! :)

Have a wonderful night,

Wednesday

FYI:
*Check Wed. Folders!
*Homeroom Book Log is due FRIDAY
*MAP math test for my homeroom is TOMORROW! Please remind kids to do their best!

Science:
Students presented their review posters from yesterday and then we took a quiz.  I haven't graded them yet...hopefully they did well! We also started learned and inherited traits.
No HW

Reading:
Students worked in small leveled groups on main idea and key details on short texts.  Students did a good job with this.  Students were also given extra time to read Frindle so we can get this book finished soon!
No HW

Math:
Today we continued working on factors and making factor rainbows.  We also learned about Prime and Composite numbers through our factor rainbows.  STUDENTS NEED TO PRACTICE MULTIPLICATION FACTS DAILY. 
HW: prime and composite sheet with factor rainbows. please sign.

Writing:
Today we continued to work on personal narratives by brainstorming a smaller selection of memories we would like to write about as well as reading other personal narratives and talking about what we like about them. 
Students also got to meet and talk with Mrs. Brady, my long-term sub.  She was able to stay all afternoon and help with the students as well as get to know them more! I am truly hoping for an easy transition. 

Have a great night,

Tuesday!

Hope you had a wonderful 3-day weekend! :)

How many of you remembered it was picture day today?! Not me!!! :(

Weekly FYI:
*In READING we will not be having vocabulary due to only having classes twice this week! Thursday during our reading time my homeroom will be taking the MAP test.
*Homeroom will be taking the MAP test from 9:20-10:40. Please try to not schedule appointments during this time and please have your child here!
*Homeroom Book Log is due THIS Friday
*Students will be meeting their Long-Term Sub this Wednesday! Mrs. Brady is very excited to meet the kids and has offered to come up and shadow me to know the routines and schedule before she begins! Please remind your child to have nice manners to her! :) We want to make this an easy transition for the students.{however, I am hoping to not leave until early October}
*We will be discussing 9/11 on Friday. We have a scholastic video and a book to read. If you don't want your child to participate, please let me know. I will have an alternate lesson for your child.

Science:
Today in science, groups split up and reviewed different lessons we've learned throughout the Unity and Diversity unit.  Groups are going to present their posters to the class as a whole class review and then we will take a quiz over the information we've learned so far.
*Students also took their class pictures during this time!
HW: finish posters if needed.  Ask your child which concept they had!

Reading:
Today we wrote and told oral stories based on space adventures. We made sure to have a main idea and supporting details.  We also worked in small groups on short texts with detail questions.  Students did an excellent job working on this! Lastly, students worked in their Lit. Groups on fluency and comprehension reading their book.
No HW

Math:
Today in math we reviewed rounding and most students did a great job! I was excited! We also started factors today.  As we were doing these, I realized most students DO NOT know their multiplication facts. :( Which of course proves it to be very hard to learn about factors! So, we stopped our lesson and wrote out our 1-9 facts.  Then we continued on learning about factor rainbows.  Students MUST learn these facts! I will help them as much as I can at school.  If you need mult. cards to use at home please let me know and I will get some made for you.
HW: finish multiplication facts if you need to, complete factor rainbows for the following numbers (students should already have this written down) 20, 70, 35, 45, 42, 24, 18.  20 is already done for an example and there's a picture below in case your child didn't bring home either sheet of work.

Writing:
Today we started up with our personal narratives again.  We took a break from these last week as I realized we still needed some prep-work in writing skills. Today we worked in our writing groups and brainstormed a few places and people we could write about. We also learned to NOT write bed-to-bed stories with oodles of information that would be boring to readers, just what was needed.  We read a few examples and then tried a few out on our own.
HW: finish "this is my life" sheet if not in class

Have a great night,

Friday!

We had a wonderful Review Friday!

We started off in small review Math Groups.  Students worked on math tiles with Mrs. Coleman, small group on rounding with me, and multiplication facts with Mrs. Powell.  Students worked very hard and very well this morning!
HW: ALL students who are NOT in Quest (those students were gone) have a multiplication packet to complete by Tuesday.  This will begin as a weekly assessment on Multiplication Facts.  There is a letter attached explaining more about this. Please read and sign. Thank you.

We also had some time to get into our DEAR places and read our AR books or take AR tests. 
No HW

Students worked on a writing assignment for their Writing Buddies.  We made acrostic poems and were hoping to show the 2nd graders how to do this by using good adjectives.  We did not get to this this week, but we will next Friday! :)
No HW

For science today we completed our animal adaptations game.  Some of the questions were hard but students took a lot of time to think about the correct answer! Way to go: Jorge, Savanna, Jack, and Maddy L. for winning!!
No HW

In social studies today we quickly reviewed landforms and bodies of water.  Then we moved on to making our own compass rose and learning about cardinal directions, intermediate directions, and relative location. Students did a great job with this and we were able to get outside and do a fun activity with our compass rose!
No HW

*******REMEMBER: no school on Monday and PICTURE DAY is Tuesday!!! :)

*Also, I am in need of some plain white paper plates for a science activity if you can send any in! We need 2 per student, so 48 total please! Thank you!! :)

Students get to take home their Chia Pets today! We had a great time observing them in science and giving them water and sunlight to grow!!:)

BEFORE

AFTER!!!!

Have a wonderful and safe holiday weekend!!

Thursday

Short Post! We had a LONG team meeting and then I have a doctor's appt. right after school!

Just showing HW:
Science:
Finish adaptation drawing if not finished in class

Reading:
No HW

Math:
Rounding sheet - PLEASE check, due tomorrow

Writing:
No HW

Have a good night!
PS-- if you aren't getting this until really late...you may want to check the actual blog! I write posts between 1:00-3:00 every day! :)