Tuesday!

Meeting during planning/Meeting after work... so short post today! Sorry!

Our day was AWESOME! We learned so much and in many creative ways! Please ask your child to tell you all about each subject!! :) :)

HW:
math sheet - There are 3 different ones circulating around, so if your child forgot his/her, just email me and I can help! Thanks!

grammar sheet - section B only

Monday!

Welcome Back!

FYI:
*Grades will be coming home in the Wed. folders this week.
*I still need 2 empty 2-Liter bottles if you have any to spare!
*I need someone to do a job for our room - cutting please!! :)
*We are little sickies in this room! If you have any tissues to spare we would greatly appreciate the donation!!! :)

Science LO: I can explain why flooding causes a fast change to the Earth's Surface.
Activity: We had so much fun this morning! We started out with a demonstration with dirt, water, and apartment buildings.  From this experiment students asked all kinds of inquiry questions! We decided through this activity and 2 other experiments that flooding is a fast change and it is caused by more than just rain fall! :)
No HW

SS LO: I can identify the regions of KY.
Activity: Today we just talked about the regions of KY and color coded the regions.  It was quite interesting to hear the reasoning from the kids about WHY we have regions...they are in for a big learning treat as none of them could tell me why!! We will be going into more detail with each region and tying in our growing knowledge of fast and slow changes.
No HW

Writing LO: I can use quotation marks correctly.
Activity: We watched a super cute video and some kids memorized the chant to remember when to use quotation marks and commas! Then we worked on several different examples in our Writer's Notebooks.
No HW

Reading LO: I can describe character traits based on their actions.
Activity: Students received different character trait cards.  First they read about the character and a short blurb about their personality and then they predicted knowing the trait what would come next for the character.  Students then read a play and decided what events would be coming next after they learned a bit about the character's personality.
No HW

Water-
This week we will be learning Greek & Latin root words, prefix and suffix words that mean words with water.  For this week, this will take the place of vocabulary packets.

Thursday

FYI:
Class Pictures Jan. 29th
*No vocab test this week, they will be turning in their packets for the grade

**New Units Today**

Science LO: I can explain earth's crust and plate tectonics.
Activity: Today we learned about Pangaea and the ring of fire.  Students were so interested in both these items! We are going to have a fun unit ahead! 
No HW

We tied into our whole group reading today with our new book, I Survived Hurricane Katrina.  We read through chapter 3.

Reading LO: I can explain character traits.
Activity: After learning about character traits and why they are important to our reading, we worked on giving ourselves and one for a friend a character trait bracelet!
No HW

Writing LO: I can organize my thoughts for a personal narrative.
Activity: We wrote for each subject today, but for our writing piece time we worked on our graphic organizer for our narrative pieces.  We will do more on this!
No HW

Math LO: I can create equivalent fractions and complete parts of a whole.
Activity: Students worked on several different number and picture problems with fractions. 
Small Groups: We had a re-teach group, an enrichment group, and a whole group going on this lesson.  Everyone did VERY well on the exit slip! Hoping to keep the momentum up for the fractions unit!
Challenge Group: I can add and subtract unlike denominators by using equivalent fractions.
No HW

Wednesday

Science Fair Day!
The kids did an awesome job! They were so wonderful with the judges!
Gray & Annika from our class are moving on! Woo Hoo! :) :) :)

FYI:
*Literacy Letter
* Need 3 EMPTY 2-liter bottles if you have any to spare!
Our new student teacher from UK came today! Miss Kirk will be with us this semester.

Our morning was a bit crazy with the science fair. We didn't get to every subject with the interruptions of going to the science fair and then going again to look at all the projects!

Reading LO: I can describe events important to scientific texts.
Activity: Students took a quiz over this information. We will be moving on in our units tomorrow.
No HW
*Literacy Letters

Writing LO: I can determine the theme of a narrative piece.
Activity: After adding to our anchor chart from yesterday, students watched 3 different narrative stories being read online. We picked out why they were either narratives about a person or event.
HW: none

Math LO: I can determine fractions on a number line.  I can create equivalent fractions bigger and smaller than the one given.
Activity: We had 3 centers today.  Center one was an equivalent fraction "go fish" game students played in small groups.  Not only did they have to find equivalent fractions, they also had to simplify fractions.  The second center had students choosing where a fraction or mixed number should be placed on a whole number line.  The third center was students practicing dividing and and multiplying fractions to create equivalent fractions.
HW: 1 sheet with 4 problems
Challenge Group: workbook pg. 95, 1 problem

Monday

FYI:
*Literacy Letter due Thursday - please use guide!!
*SCIENCE FAIR BOARDS due WEDNESDAY MORNING! You can bring in Tomorrow
*Jan. Book Club - Jan. 24th (just a heads up for transportation)
*MAP testing is TOMORROW! Students know their goals...PLEASE help them get to bed on time tonight and eat a healthy breakfast!!!!!
*Report Cards are NEXT week! I am slowly but surely entering in all the grades! Of course, if there was a concern, I would have already contacted you!

SS LO:  I can create a timeline describing how KY became a state.  I can correctly use Word, drawing tools, and typing skills on a mini laptop.  I can research and find main idea in my research about KY becoming a state.
Activity: Students worked on cooperative pairs to read and create a timeline about KY progressing as a state.  They did a WONDERFUL job on this! I'm proud of their technology skills, too!
No HW

Reading LO: I can describe events and important details from technical texts. 
Activity: We worked together to pick out important information as well as place steps to important information in several examples of technical texts.
HW: bring in a recipe, instruction manual, or directions to something to share with the class (if you can - no worries if you don't have something to bring in!)

Science: Not today - Conservation, Summer Camp information is coming home

Math: I can explain equivalent fractions.
Activity: Students worked with manipulatives and worked with the algorithm to solve equivalent fractions and explain why they are equal. 
HW: sheet - please complete all the circled problems...kids have 2 examples on the sheet we did together as well as their practice sheet from class
*Challenge Group will resume tomorrow - had to make sure they have the 4th grade standards! :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wL4hICyMLKU - cute Equivalent Fractions video

*New CARS & STARS group - ask your child their focus for the week!
*No RtI today due to Conservation

Thursday

Another great day and only 1 more to go until the Weekend! :)


Reading LO:
I can connect what I read to what I see.
I can describe events that take place in a historical text.

Vocab. Section A - HW if not finished in class

Science LO:
I can describe renewable energy and alternative energy.
No HW

No SS today

Writing LO:
I can create a persuasive letter using persuasive techniques.
No HW

Math LO:
I can explain parts of a fraction.
I can create equivalent fractions.
HW: page with 2 questions (1 example) and needs to be signed
Challenge Group HW: pg. 103-104 in math workbook

Wednesday

Welcome Back!!
I have heard all about your breaks...through your kid's words! Sounds awesome and fun-filled!  Although it was hard to leave this sweet face today...

I was SO excited to see your kids and their sweet faces this morning! Everyone came in with a great smile and a wonderful attitude to start the day of perfectly! Yay!

FYI:
Literacy Letter DUE Jan. 10th
SCIENCE FAIR PROJECTS due NEXT Week!! Jan. 9th

This morning we used some time to review our behavioral expectations, work completion expectations, and general hallway/cafeteria expectations.  I was quite proud of all the things the kids remembered!  We are currently under "Behavior Bootcamp" this week.  Whoever wins the most tally marks gets a surprise on Monday! Ask your child how many tally marks they earned today!

Reading: I can read and understand scientific texts.
No HW

Writing: I can use progressive verbs in my writing.
No HW

Math: I can identify parts of a fraction.
No HW

RtI Reading
Cars & Stars

No SS or Science today

Wed.

PJ Day tomorrow!!

Party - 1:30-2:15!

Tuesday!

2 More Days until the Break!! :)

FYI:
*Tomorrow is wear your favorite Christmas/Holiday outfit! I'm hoping to see some CUTE dressed up kiddos tomorrow!!
*Thursday is PJ Day! And Party day!! Hope to see you all there - 1:30
*Happy Feet (the movie) is rated PG.  It says for rude behavior.  We are only allowed to watch G rated movies unless we have parental consent.  So, we have a note in the planners. Please sign if you are comfortable with us watching this movie.  If you are not, no big deal! Just do not sign or send me in a note.  I will have another option! :) If you'd like to read about the movie, click HERE from CommonSenseMedia.org webpage.  

Literacy Letter's were due today.  Kids have notes in planners if they didn't turn them in today. PLEASE get them to me tomorrow!

No Vocab. this week.  We will start fresh when we get back from the break.

Science LO: I can explain uses for fossil fuels.  I can explain what renewable sources of energy are.
Activity:  Students looked at several different renewable energy sources through an interactive site on the Smartboard.  Then, each student in a group had a different article to read about Hydro Energy, Wind Energy, Fossil Fuels, and Solar Energy.  After they read their articles, the students had to explain to their group about the energy power they read about/its uses/etc.  I ended up finding out a lot of kids didn't know about the Hoover Dam. So, with a few clicks I found a great video from National Archives to play for the kids about the making of Hoover Dam.  I learned so many new things, too. The kids loved it and all took wonderful notes!
No HW

SS:  We ended up talking a lot about the Hoover Dam and how it really helped transform our country with it's irrigation system and all the man-power it took to build the Dam.
No HW

Reading LO: I can explain specific parts that help me understand scientific texts.
Activity: We read about the Gold Rush of 1949.  Students used this article to find specific facts and understand the how and why of the importance of this text.
No HW

Writing LO: I can use progressive verbs in my writing.
We began to read Snowflake Bentley.  We are not finished, but we will be tying in our connections with this story to our own lives and then using a progressive verbs to help us write about the connection we have to Mr. Bentley.
No HW

Math LO: I can analyze patterns.
Activity: Students worked on geometric patterns.  We did some with shapes and some with logic questions.  Then students created their own tessellation patterns.
No HW

RtI Math
Cars & Stars

Monday!

Glad to see almost all my kids here today! :) Hoping to make it a great week! :)

FYI:
*Literacy Letters DUE TOMORROW
*Winter Party at 1:30 on THURSDAY
*No School on Friday
*Movies! We need Lunch Bunch movies! If you have any G rated movies and you can let your child bring them in for a short period that would be great! We are also in need of a movie for Thursday.  Something wintery but not with Christmas or Santa in the movie.  Any ideas?! Happy Feet??

**Please let me know if your child will not be here on Thursday so they can still get their gift from me!!!

Science LO: I can identify uses for fossil fuels. 
Activity: We learned about fossil fuels and how they are natural resources.  Along with this, we talked about our environment and how to conserve energy.  Students watched a couple cool Brain Pop videos with this.  Then as small groups, students started designing our new school as an energy efficient school.  The ideas the kids were coming up with were great! Excited for them to present tomorrow!
No HW

Reading LO: I can identify important statements in scientific texts.
Activity: Students read from a scientific text on different types of earth materials we use in every day life.  Then we dissected how to really understand all the information a scientific text gives us.
No Vocab. this week
HW: literacy letter

Writing LO: I can use research to help in my writing.
Activity: Students continued to look up information about our Secretary of State.  We will eventually be writing her a persuasive letter to actually persuade her to come and speak with out 4th grade! Hope it happens!
No HW

No SS today

Math LO: I can analyze patterns found in the real world.
Activity: Students worked on word problem patterns today and found how it can actually be useful to know how to analyze patterns!  Students did a great job. 
*We also reviewed some of our geometry terms from Calendar Math by making a Snowman Geometric picture.  They are coming home today for you to see.
No HW
*Challenge Group - quiz over 5th grade Algebra on Wed.

RtI Reading
New Cars and Stars groups

Friday!

Whoops! We did not write in our planners today! SORRY! We went from one thing to another ALL DAY LONG!! :)

Here's a look into our day...

First, we completed math groups -
Analyzing Patterns
Analyzing Input/Output Table Functions
Double digit division
Multiplication Fluency
calculator numeracy

Then we took our vocab. tests.  I hope to have those in the gradebook next Tuesday!

Next, we read out of the year in review issue of Time for Kids.  There were some really cool things...but the neatest thing was our UK Basketball team was in the issue!

We then created 1st grade reading level books for our 1st grade book buddies.  We helped them read the book and let them decorate it.

We had our CARS and Stars reading groups and finished up our last day of the current skill. 

In the afternoon, we had Health with Mrs. Embry, Recess, and our KPrep Awards ceremony from Mr. Brehm on last year's scores.

Have a good weekend! 4 more days until family time!!

Thursday

FYI:
*We are still collecting:
items for Refuge Clinic
$$ for Wed.'s play

Literacy Block:

Science LO: I can explain helpful uses for earth materials in our world today.
Activity: We tied in learning about how Daniel Boone's use of flint with our 3 properties of classifying rocks.  We also used a few Kagan Strategies and were very good with cooperative group work.  Students brainstormed several uses for different earth materials and then we read about diamonds. 
No HW

SS LO: I can explain the need for political parties.
Activity: Students learned more about how our statehood came about. We learned today about the Democratic Party and the Whigs party.  We learned all about the different laws and rules people were angry about.  Students then watched a cool historic video on the old capitol in Frankfort and how/why our state's capitol is there.
No HW

We also began learning about one state representative.  We did some research about Allison Lundergran Grimes.  Students will eventually be writing her a letter persuading her to come to our school! I hope she does!

Writing LO: I can use progressive verbs in my writing.
Activity: Students worked in Rally Coach groups to complete progressive verbs.  We will be taking a quiz over this tomorrow.
HW: complete the packet from today if not in class

Reading LO: I can make connections with what I see and read.
Activity: Students worked more on connections with text to text, text to self, text to world, and text to media.
No HW

Math LO: I can analyze patterns.
Activity: Students worked on number patterns, symbol patterns, and more.  Students created their own as well and then answered each others!
HW: 2 problems on a sheet
Challenge Group: Analyzed patterns within a word problem.
HW: 2 problems in their workbooks

RtI Math
Cars & Stars Groups

Have a good night,

Wednesday

FYI:
*Wed. Folders are coming home tomorrow. Sorry!
*Ms. Wilham's last day was today! We wished her well!!

HW today:
write vocab words (spelling) on the back of the vocab. packet

Have a good night,

Tuesday

Quick Post - Faculty Meeting Day!

*FYI:
Field Trip $$ due tomorrow!
Still collecting items for our community service project

LO's & HW

SS: I can explain early life on the frontier.
NO HW

Science: I can explain uses for earth materials.
NO HW

Reading: I can make connections when I read.
HW: Vocab - write sentences on back of vocab. packet

Writing: I can use verb tenses correctly.
NO HW

Math: I can explain algebraic equations.
No HW

Our Morning time and Math time was SUPER fun this morning! Ask your child what all we did!!! :)
~ Mrs. Burton

"This morning I learned and ton and everything was awesome!" - Annika

Monday

FYI:
Science Fair paper due Wednesday
Multiplication Bee on FRIDAY
KPrep Awards on FRIDAY
*New Units began today!!

Literacy Block:

Science LO: I can describe ad classify properties of earth materials.
Activity: Today we participated in a rock classifying activity. Students were experts at knowing how to find different properties of rocks.  Ask your child the 3 ways to classify properties of earth materials!! (color, luster, hardness)
No HW

Reading LO: I can make connections when I read.
Activity: Students watched a video of the story Thank you, Mr. Falker, being read.  Students then made connections that we had previously talked about.  We made a human web out of these things and realized how much more engaged we can become when we are reading and making these connections.  Ask your child to tell you the 4 ways to make connections (text-text, text-self, text-world, text-media).
No HW
*Literacy Letters due NEXT Wed.

Writing LO: I can identify and use verb tenses in my writing.
Activity: We tried a new Kagan learning technique today.  We used Rally Coach where students had a partner and one partner did a problem while the other was coaching them on, and vice versa. It really seemed to work well and students did a great job with this!  We used different verb tenses - past, present, future.  I did seem to have a few still confused on this (hoping this would have been a review skill) based on the Daily Dog assessment, so we will continue doing more lessons on this skill.
No HW

Math:
*Math tests from Ms. Wilham have been graded.  She has passed back a few tests with xtra credit work attached to help bring up their grade.
Our new mini unit before the break is to analyze patterns and more algebraic expressions standards.
LO: I can create a rule for algebraic patterns.
Activity: Today we worked on input/output patterns and boxes.  Students tried out a few on the smartboard first.  Then we each created out own boxes without telling the rule.  We used Rally Coach again and worked with different partners to find out their rules.  Students did a great job.
HW - practice sheet - circled questions are the ones they complete
Challenge Group: I can analyze patterns.  Students worked out of the 5th grade Algebra standards.  They are similar to what the students learned last week, but more complex.  These students will take their Algebraic Thinking test next week - Wed.
HW: none, they finished in class


*Cars and Stars - new groups, ask your child what skill they are working on this week!
*RtI Reading

Friday!

FYI:
*Literacy Letters due DEC. 18th!
*We are still collecting items for our class community project for December
*Our Class Party is on Dec. 20th from 1:30-2:20.  There will be a letter going home about this soon. I'd love to have everyone attend if you can! The More the Merrier!! :)
*See you all at the GSE Bazaar tomorrow! We are going to be there from around 9-10!!


We had a great Review Friday! Your kids need extra play time after the amount of assessments we had to do!! :)  This was definitely our assessment week with ending our Literacy Block unit.  We will begin new Science, SS, and Writing/Reading standards next week!

**The assessments look weird!! :) We are beginning to model them like the new state test will be - KPrep.  There is an answer booklet and a test booklet for Science!!

*Science Fossils Assessment: Students were given their tests back today. Overall, I was SO impressed with the scores!! I told the students if they wanted to earn extra points for the questions they missed, they can make it up and re-do those questions.  It is due to me on MONDAY.

*Reading Assessment: Whew! This one was tricky! There were only 2 multiple choice questions and they were very 'involved' questions! There was also an Extended Response.  Those are graded, and entered, so I will be passing those out today as well.  Students have a note on the bottom of their test if they need to FIX their test. It is DUE BACK on Monday.  If you aren't sure if your child should re-do his/her test, you can check Infinite Campus.  The grades are posted under TRLI4.6.  Anyone who scores a low B or below should be expected to correct their test.

*Writing Assessment: We didn't finish this!!! The writing standards were tested inside of reading texts! So, there was a lot of reading and we did not have time in our day to finish! Whoops! We will finish up on Monday.

*Math Test:  Ms. Wilham concluded her unit on Algebraic Thinking and gave students their tests.  These will be given back on Monday.

Today we did not get to have Math Groups :( so do not be looking for a slip to sign this weekend!
We did participate in our last CARS & STARS groups for this week.  Next week students will rotate to another group/teacher and review another reading skill. 

Students also met with their Reading RtI teacher for a quick assessment for data.  If your child is in MY RtI Reading group, you will receive a little informal note about their performance.  If your child returns this with a signature they can eat in the room on Monday.

We finally got to complete our Thanksgiving Community Service project today! WOW. The kids were really putting so much thought and effort into decorating the flip flops with love and care.  We talked all about how fortunate we are and how we really need to remember that this time of year! Maybe, just maybe, you won't hear "I want that, I need that" too much this weekend! hehe :)  I will be delivering the flip flops to the appropriate people at Southland Christian Church who will be going to Haiti over the Holiday Break.  With giving these flip flops, children will get to attend school.  Students cannot attend school unless they are wearing shoes! So crazy for us to talk about in here, but so proud of the conversations that occurred during it.

cute little baby ones!!!!!

Lastly, we participated in helping our 1st grade Book Buddies reading and taking AR tests.

Have a great weekend!! ~ Mrs. Burton

Literacy Letter Help!

Literacy Letter Help!
Dear Student,
Here is a guide to help you make your literacy letter better and get the best grade possible while learning the most! Use this template as a guide for the next letter.

Dear Mrs. Burton,

1^st Paragraph:
book title
main characters
what is going on in the chapter(s) you are reading

2^nd Paragraph:
choose something we’ve talked about in class and relate it to your book -
point of view, main idea, 1^st hand/2^nd hand account, inferencing, etc.

3^rd Paragraph:
Predict what will happen next in the story.  Give me 1 or 2 details about why you think it’s going to happen.

End your letter with:
Your Friend,
your name

*Of course, you need to show me that you can use SPELLING, PUNCUATION, SENTENCE STRUCTURE well, too!! :) :) :)

Wednesday

FYI:
*Change for Change boxes are coming home today!!! We want to win!!!
*Dec. Community Service project sheet is coming home in the Wed. folder
*We will do our Flip Flop service project on Friday
*In School Field Trip permission form is coming home today

Literacy Letter's were due today! Students who brought it got a surprise reward - lunch in the room!
The next Literacy Letter is due Dec. 18th.  Some students will be getting an organizer to help with the quality of their letter.  I will give those by Friday.

Literacy Block:
SS: I can describe a conflict or compromise early KY settlers had.
Activity: Students and I read and discussed a text.  We found several different conflicts and compromises.  Students then answered an Extended Response.  We used our language standards as well in this answer.  This will be graded as a test.
No HW

Reading:  I can compare 1st and 3rd POV in texts.  Today we worked on several different reading texts - short and long.  Students compared and found key words for picking out the correct POV.
No HW - we will be testing over this on Friday

Science:  I can describe fossils and how they help explain our environment today.
Activity: We worked on a study guide for our test tomorrow.  Students were soo good! I know they are going to rock the test! We also watched a review clip of fossils and played a jeopardy game with fossils.
HW: study with the study guide for test tomorrow

Math:  I can create and explain a multiplicative comparison problem. (Ms. Wilham)
Activity:  Students created their own multiplicative comparisons in small groups.  They not only created a problem, they also had to create a visual for how to answer these word problems.  Then students taught their peers about how to answer the problem.  Lastly, students played a game with multiplicative comparisons.
HW: students will be testing on this on Friday

*Cars & Stars
*RtI Reading
*PLEASE be asking your child where he/she lands on for the behavior chart! I do not have this week's print out yet!

Tuesday

FYI:
*Literacy Letter's due TOMORROW
*Reading Test & Math Test on Friday
*SS Extended Response on Wed.
*Science Fossils test on Thursday
*Jan. Book Club letters were sent home yesterday. Your child needs to return those to me to participate if they want.  When they return, they will get the book choice list.  Students will circle the book of their choice and then I need another signature of the student and parent. Thanks!
Literacy Block:
Science: We did not have science today
SS: I can explain conflict and compromise during early KY settlements.
Activity: We did several things this morning with SS.  First, we brainstormed some ways we've seen both in our reading and learning.  Then we read about Daniel Boone's capture and students worked in cooperative groups to determine different questions on conflict and compromise.  Next, we watched a video about early KY settlers and students broke up into 4 different groups and researched more on education, resources, children, and clothing.  Students did a great job presenting their findings to the class.
HW: come students did not finish the questions - they need to finish for HW

Reading: I can determine the POV of a text.
Activity: Today we went over as a class the sample test they were given yesterday.  We re-worked some problems the students were having.
No HW

Math:  I can solve multiplicative comparison problems.
Activity:
HW - finish Multiplication Fun sheet for Ms. Wilham


*RtI Math
*Cars and Stars Reading Groups

Monday!

FYI:
*new vocab this week, test will be Dec. 14th
*literacy letter due WEDNESDAY
*Book Club letters are coming home today - please sign and return if your child wants to participate
*I am back to teaching! Ms. Wilham will conclude her math unit this week.

This morning was a bit crazy! We had our school wide spelling bee! Malak represented our classroom wonderfully and stayed in the fight through 11 tough rounds! In the end, a super spelling in 3rd grade won!  This took up much of our morning - an hour and a half to be exact! So, we did not get science or SS in today and just a little bit of reading!  Don't worry, we will catch up this week!

We also did not have RtI time due to our Chorus Concert! GREAT JOB to Ryleigh and Hannah.  They perform tonight at 6:30, too! :)

We are also coming to a close on our unit.  This was the first unit in which we made the changes to our schedule and the way we were teaching. I can't say enough of how much I have valued this process.  I think the students are learning so much more in ways I didn't even know possible! We will have our tests this week (see below) and begin our next unit on Monday.

SS Test - Wednesday (extended responses, no study guide)
Fossils Test - Thursday (study guide will be provided)
Reading/Language Test - Friday (students have their 'new unit vocab.' sheet to look/practice from)

HW for tonight:
Vocab. - finish section A unless finished in class
Reading Packet - finish unless finished in class
Math - finish exit slip if not in class