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