This just in...WINTER BREAK STARTS EARLY!

I'm sure this is very exciting news to your kids...but I have to tell you...I'm kind of bummed. Not only did I have a few academic things to wrap up before break...but I had a holiday gift that I wanted to give the kids, and some fun lessons on holidays around the world. Oh well...not in my control, right?

Well, here is what I would have told all of your kids on Wednesday, had I seen them:

"Have a very merry whatever it is you celebrate. Enjoy your families and friends. Eat lots of yummy foods. Give your brains a break...and come back ready to work hard in 2010! Be safe, healthy and have a Happy New Year!"

And then I would have asked for a handshake or a hug...not everyone likes a hug...but its always my preference. :-)

May you find peace and happiness in whatever it is you celebrate at this time of year...I plan to.

Happy New Year to you all!!

Snowy Saturday...

Hello to my favorite students' families...are you staying warm?

We had a great week...here's how it all went down...

Math
We are heavy into geometry...we discovered the difference between prisms and pyramids, cones and cylinders, we worked with bases, faces, vertices, edges...we used pattern blocks to show transformations (slides), rotations (turns), and reflections (flips)...and then traced those pattern block shapes to determine perimeter measuring to the closest centimeter...this was all after our measurement of angles using protractors...the kids love geometry...and so do I! We are going to experiment with finding the area of irregular shapes in the few days we have left before winter break (hopefully!?!).

Language Arts
Our language arts curriculum focuses on reading Socical Studies texts...identifying text features of non-fiction and determining importance when reading non-fiction. I like to bring in biographies during this part of Language Arts. They're reading enough SS text during Social Studies...so we're determining importance when reading biographies. This past week each child was allowed to choose between Thomas Alva Edison and Louis Braille. They are reading and note-taking...determining what is important in each chapter. They will be synthesizing this information in the beginning of January, when our focus will turn to writing multi-paragraph reports. This is all preparation for a fun project I call, The Wills Wax Museum. Each child will be choosing a person who has made a positive impact on our country...someone who has worked for the common good. They will research this person using articles from the computer, books from the media center, and of course, their almighty schema! They will produce a multi-paragraph biography of their important person, and then YOU will be invited to visit our museum as your child BECOMES that important person. Many of the students who were in the 2nd grade magnet class came to our museum last year, so they are already excited about the prospect of this project. There is a lot of writing that goes into this biography study...hence the reason I have been pushing writing paragraphs down your child's throat...in order to move to multi-paragraph, they MUST be able to write a solid paragraph...and I'm happy to say...they're ready! I won't know the date for our museum for awhile...it depends on our schedule...but I can tell you that I will give you at least three weeks notice.

Social Studies
This unit has us exploring the diversity of our community...in order to do this...we had to go back to how our country became so diverse...so, as you know, we discussed how each of our families came to America. We have continued to discuss diversity by moving into the study of cultures and what each individual culture has contributed to our country. This week, each table group took a different topic and became the "masters of that topic"...they read a non-fiction piece, determined what was important, constructed a teaching poster, and presented to the class. We learned that a culture is a group of people that have similar traditions, languages, clothing, and holidays that they celebrate. The kids did a great job and continue to improve in oral communication.

As I type "they" say this storm is stalling. Oh dear. Last time Connor measured outside we were already at 14 inches...stalling?! That could be bad news....I can't imagine not seeing your kids next week...but if it keeps snowing...who knows what will happen!

Stay warm, have fun, and I will hopefully see 20 of my very favorite people BEFORE winter break!

Diamante poems revealed...WOW!!... need I say more?

Our Class
smart, funny
thinking, writing, reading
brains, talents, personalities, smiles
discussed, learned, laughed
fabulous, energetic
2010
by Mrs. Wills

Sorry I'm late...

'Tis the season, everyone...seems like I'm running late for everything lately...my apologies!

We had a great week...here is the run down...

Language Arts...
All I can say is WOW...do you have any idea how many of my students are AMAZING poets?! They wrote diamante poems and color poems this week...HOLY STROMBOLI...they're SO good. We used Microsoft Power Point to publish the diamantes...I am in the process of turning them into a movie that will run sometime in the next week, right here on the blog...so keep on the look out for that! They then published their color poems by hand...in their "neatest handwriting"...and made covers for each of those poems. They will be hanging in the classroom next week...and they are truly beautiful poems...I can't wait for you to read them!

Math...
This past week we headed into geometry. I was able to determine by pretesting the kids that most kids already knew the definitions of an acute, an obtuse, and a right angle...so we pressed forward...they learned to use protractors and became masters at measuring angles!! We then researched and discussed the differences between prisms and pyramids...we will be putting all this together next week as we determine what types of angles each geometric shape has, how many faces, lines, vertices, etc...its a fun unit!

Social Studies...
We have left Chemical Tests and have now moved into a Social Studies unit that focuses on the history and cultures of America...I cannot tell you how great the discussion was the day after the kids brought back their "Coming to America" papers! We all learned SO much about each others' families. While reading from their textbooks, the kids built a timeline and will use it next week to answer questions. This will lead us into a study of many of the different cultures that make up our great country.

IMPORTANT NOTE:
this past week the kids got back a few graded tests...if you and/or your child ever want an opportunity to retake a test, the procedure is as follows...
1. look over the test with your child to discuss the problems/questions missed
2. sign the graded test
3. have your child return the test to me and I will give them a make up test within a week
4. help your child practice the skill or go over the concept in order to be prepared
5. once the make-up test is complete, the new grade will be averaged with the old grade for a final grade

If you have any question about this...feel free to email me.

I hope you all enjoy your weekend...I plan to!

Oh Happy Day....

It's been a GREAT week and we got to end it with a really fun and exciting celebration...we were the first group of people to hear A Different Kind of Flea...the first children's book written by our very own, Hoseok Lee, illustrated by Urbana's very own, Heather Ovenshire! What a treat for all of us! Hoseok and his mom, Catherine Kim, gave our class bookmarks as a gift. We were very honored to be the first to see and hear his book! Tomorrow there is a PTA fundraiser at Barnes and Noble in FSK Mall...Hoseok and Mrs. Ovenshire will be signing their books, and there are other special events planned...the UES chorus will perform, Mrs. Hollenbeck and Mr. Watkins will be reading books...it's a "can't miss" kind of afternoon...hope to see you there!

In other news this week...

Language Arts
This week we have continued our work with poetry...defining and using terms such as metaphor, simile, personification, mood, tone, assonance, consonance, alliteration...we have been using a T chart to try to make sense of poems...one side for the quotes, one side for "my words"...what the kids think they mean...this is a very hard skill...so much inferring involved...but the kids are pretty amazing at figuring out the messages in some very complex poetry. The poems the kids came back with on Thursday were awesome! They did a nice job showing their comprehension of the articles through poetry. The kids have printed articles about a person they find interesting because next week we will be writing Diamante poems about those famous people. (Sorry again about the password mixup!) Thanks to those of you that thought to check the blog!!

My favorite conversation about poetry this week was based on the poem "Mother to Son" by Langston Hughes. I have printed it below...ask your child about the poem...

Mother to Son

by Langston Hughes

Well, son, I'll tell you:

Life for me ain't been no crystal stair.

It's had tacks in it,

And splinters,

And boards torn up,

And places with no carpet on the floor--

Bare.

But all the time

I'se been climbing on,

And reachin' landin's,

And turnin' corners,

ANd sometimes goin' in the dark

WHere there ain't been no light.

So boy, don't you turn back.

Don't you set down on the steps

'Cause you finds it's kinder hard.

Don't you fall now--

For I'se still going' honey,

I'se still climbin',

And life for me ain't been no crystal stair.

Math
We spent time this week focusing on two different concepts...algebra and coordinate points. I have been tremendously impressed with your kids ability to solve for the unknown...WOW. This has been a fun week of math!

Science
The mystery has been solved...all mystery powders have been revealed...and today we celebrated the end of the unit with "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" game in the computer lab. I am happy to report your kids won ONE MILLION DOLLARS! Not so happy to report, it's not real money...sorry. It was a lot of fun. There will be a science test at the end of next week...they will get a study sheet on Monday or Tuesday of next week.

On Wednesday we celebrated a full marble jar with GAME DAY! We played games in the computer lab, we played board games during language arts, we played math games during math...it was a very fun day! You wouldn't believe how many indicators I hit with game playing...check out a few of them....

• L.A.300.50 Students will develop, demonstrate, and/or independently apply an understanding of the role language plays.
• L.A.300.10.04d Follow a set of multi-step directions.
• L.A.300.70.05b State a position and support it with reasons. (trust me...they do a ton of this when they play games together!!)

Have a great weekend! I'll be at Barnes and Noble tomorrow at 1pm...maybe I'll see you there!

OOPS...glad you checked here!

I hope some of you visit this blog this evening when your kids say, "But Mrs. Wills said I HAVE to look for articles!"

I didn't realize they need a password.

Here is the info you need. Sorry for the hassle!!

userID: fcpsues
password: ues

Again, sorry for causing a problem!!

Science Fair 2009

I'm thankful for...

WOW...that's a hard statement to follow...let's see if I can make my answer blog worthy...

I'm thankful for...

...neelam

...garrett

...john b.

...olivia

...jacob

...logan

...john g.

...dylan

...zach

...clifton

...hoseok

...quinton

...kevin
...allie

...viktor

...farzad

...nicholas

...corry

...phuong

...samantha

The direction on the board said, "Use your hands to make a turkey!" Amazing how one bunch of "turkeys" can work together when asked, isn't it?!

I'm also very thankful for...

...my family...they are my pride and joy

...my friends...if only I had more time

...my job...I am very blessed to wake up wanting to go to work

...and so much more...

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

...may you enjoy all of the things you are most thankful for....

Happy American Education Week!

We had a great week...I was gone for two of the days, but tons got done, as usual!! I had the opportunity to attend a workshop given by Kay Law, a specialist in the area of teaching gifted learners. This workshop was offered by the Bureau of Education and Research and I walked away with lots of new ideas!!

This week we had quite a few guest readers in celebration of American Education Week. Ms. Kim, Hoseok's mom, came in on Monday to share some of her favorite poetry, as a kickoff into our poetry unit. On Wednesday, Mrs. Gibbons, Zach's mom, and Mrs. Cicerone, Jacob's mom, both came into the classroom to share their love of reading. Mrs. Gibbons shared a book full of similes titled My Dog is as Smelly as Dirty Socks, and Mrs. Cicerone shared a part of the novel A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle. The kids enjoyed all of the readers and I'd like to thank them for their time! Please shoot me an email if you would like to come in and share a book or part of a favorite book with the kids...we love having guest readers and it's important for our kids to see that reading is enjoyable at all ages and in all stages of life! (Grandmas and Grandpas...that means YOU, too!)


We also had a wonderful visit from John Steven Gurney, author and illustrator. Thanks to our wonderful PTA for bringing Mr. Gurney in during American Education Week...he was WONDERFUL!! He showed the kids all of the books he has illustrated and talked about his exciting career. He inspired many of our classroom authors and illustrators! It was a wonderful presentation...thank you PTA!!

Another thanks to ALL of you for the donations of envelopes and stamps last week. I am proud to say our 20 students wrote 35 letters for the Soldiers' Angels letter writing campaign!! We turned in about 150 envelopes and over 50 stamps...you all are extremely generous...thank you. We will be starting new letters next week for the "Christmas in Afghanistan" effort for the Frederick based Marines. We will also be composing poems for these men and women to enjoy over the holidays! Please review the list of needed items for these marines (previous blog post titled "Where to Begin" Nov. 6th) and send them in by Monday, November 30th if you are planning to participate! Thank you!!


Now to our academic week...


Math
We have been working with simplifying fractions, finding least common denominators in order to make equivalent fractions, adding and subtracting fractions, and creating mixed numbers from improper fractions. We have broken up into different groups in order to maximize learning during math. If you find your child struggling with an assignment, please feel free to send me a note. If they do not tell me they're having trouble, and their papers are coming back with correct answers, I will assume they are doing it with little to no help. Thanks!


Language Arts
Poetry is our new focus...we will be working on so many different types of poetry...reading it, analyzing it, writing it, breathing it...just kidding...but we will be working with poetry into December. Each child was asked to memorize a poem for next Tuesday. They can use one of the short "Fall Poems" I gave them or choose a favorite of their own. This assignment is part of the ongoing attempt to make them excellent public speakers. Please encourage your child to use a loud, clear voice, a good pace, and expression. Also, because it is memorized, their eye contact should be spectacular!! I will be scoring all of these areas while listening to your child recite their poem.


We are finishing (I HOPE!) our Ella stories. Once they are published I will be scoring them and sending them home. They are so fun to read, but they take a long time!! As well as taking this story through the entire writing process, we have been perfecting the art of writing a friendly letter, and I feel confident your child has mastered this form of writing.


Science
As science would have it...we had a failed science experiment this week. It was finally time to see what chemical reactions would occur when mixing the powders with red cabbage juice. Guess what we learned? OLD red cabbage juice causes NO chemical reaction with our powders. So, then I figured we'd scrap that and I'd show them the video of what kind of chemical reaction occurs when each powder is heated...then I couldn't find the video to SAVE MY LIFE. It was not one of my better science lessons. HOWEVER...we watched the heat video later in the week, and I'm hoping my husband is a real dear and will cook me some cabbage juice this week (he's a much more skilled cook than me!!) We will be drawing some conclusions as this month comes to an end...the kids have been doing a great job!


I'm sure I'm forgetting something...I'll send a weekend post if needed...hope you have a wonderful weekend...I plan to!

Newsday Tuesday

Kind of catchy, don't you think?

An important piece of news...

The due dates that I have assigned to each part of the science fair project are suggested due dates!

It is totally fine with me that many children have not turned in the pieces by the time those dates come along...it was a way to help make the final product less tedious for them (and YOU!)

In the same way, the Monday, November 23rd deadline, for turning in the boards and presenting the info, is suggested...I, personally, would not want to work on a science fair project over Thanksgiving break, so I asked that they be completed ahead of time...HOWEVER...you and your child may need the extra time...therefore...please know that ALL BOARDS are due BY Monday, Nov. 30th at the latest...and if your child finishes ahead of time, by all means, bring it to school!

If you have ANY questions about ANY of this, please email me and I'll be happy to help!

I'm really excited to see their projects!

Lots of Good Stuff...

OK...where to begin...

Let's start with this direction...hug your kids hard tonight...they have written the most beautiful letters to the soldiers in support of the U.S. Dept of Veteran Affairs program "Soldiers' Angels"...I told the kids they could do more than one final copy as extra credit...I have a couple of kids who did FOUR beautifully hand written copies. I am really proud of all of them.


Writing
So, we reviewed the format of a "friendly letter", discussed what kinds of information should go in our letters, and then we wrote rough draft and final draft letters to the Soldiers (as mentioned above). But this week we also wrote paragraphs about the growing and repeating patterns the kids made during math. The kids created a growing pattern of at least four levels and a repeating pattern with at least two shapes in the core of the pattern...then we worked to solve them! That was fun and challenging. They followed up the pattern work with the writing assignment that they drafted in the Computer Lab using Microsoft Word. These patterns and paragraphs are hanging in the classroom. And then of course, the homework assignment - Write About Your Bedroom - using fractions. I LOVED reading these paragraphs! I made notes on a lot of the papers suggesting some elaboration...you're going to here that a lot this quarter...I want to see more details, more adjectives, more WOW work...so as you review the papers in your child's folder, please encourage your child to do WOW work and discuss what that entails. Thanks.


Language Arts
We finished up our short story unit and took a "clicker test" this week...if you don't know about clickers...ask your child...they LOVE clickers. They did a good job answering questions and showed their understanding of the different types of stories and the characteristics that define them. Today I introduced the Poetry Unit. I LOVE this unit and look forward to sharing it with the kids...I asked the kids today if they have a favorite poetry book at home...if not, please have them check one out of the library on your next visit...at some point they will need to memorize a poem and present it to the class. Thanks to Allie for sharing some of her favorite Shel Silverstein poems this morning.


Science
We have completed so many tests on our mystery powders and have collected a lot of pertinent data that we will use to determine what each powder is...during the water test we found that some of the powders created solutions and others suspensions. During the vinegar test, we found that one of our powders had a chemical reaction when mixed with the acidic liquid. During our iodine test, we found that one of the powders had a chemical reaction...a color change...when mixed with this liquid. Next week we will complete a Cabbage Juice test and we will see the results of how heat affects each powder. Needless to say, your budding scientists are having a ball! Today they took a test and were able to use their notes to help answer a couple of questions...this helped the kids to see that keeping accurate and detailed records is extremely important when doing science.


Math
I gave the Quarter One post test yesterday...I was so pleased with the results...ask your child about it. I have to keep the assessments, but they saw them today and they know what their pre-test score was and what their post-test score was...everyone showed improvement. We have been working with fractions this week...equivalent fractions, simplifying fractions, fractions of a set, fractions on a number line...yesterday we "made pizzas" and compared the different sized pieces to add and subtract fractions.

A Giving Opportunity
"Christmas in Afghanistan" is our focus for next week...Logan Cresswell's uncle was deployed to Afghanistan last week. He is part of our own Frederick based Marines, Bravo Company, 4th LAR. Logan's mom, Kristen Forse, is putting together care packages for these brave marines that will include letters from our class. The goal of "Christmas in Afghanistan" is to send each Marine a "present" to open on Christmas day. Mrs. Forse is also collecting items for the care packages...below I have listed these items. All donations must be collected by December 1st in order to get the care packages there on time. If you have any questions, please contact Kristen Forse at 240-357-0626. Items that are in need include: baby wipes razors shaving cream bar soap socks hand/foot warmers toothbrush/toothpaste magazines books crossword puzzles stationary gum canned food candy...

Report Cards
Remember that this year's report card will look VERY different...listing 3rd grade indicators for all subject areas. Make sure your child's report card indicates that he/she receives "Essential Curriculum with Enrichment" and that they receive G & T services. This implies that the letter grades listed on the report card reflect his/her performance in a Magnet classroom setting. In the case of Math specifically, your child's letter grade reflects his/her mastery of the FOURTH grade curriculum standards, NOT the 3rd grade indicators listed. It seems confusing now, but I'm sure you'll find it easy to figure out when the hard copy arrives. Please feel free to contact me with any questions/concerns you have regarding this issue...or any other!

Have a wonderful weekend...hug those cute little people...they work so hard!

Where to begin....

Happy Friday...we have been super busy...here is the rundown...

LANGUAGE ARTS
In Language Arts we have been focusing on fables, tall tales and legends...these kids are very knowledgeable when it comes to all different types of stories! While reading fables we have been discussing the moral/lesson, while reading tall tales we have enjoyed the exaggeration and impossible feats, and now that we're headed into legends, we are discovering what make these stories different from all the others...we haven't figured that out quite yet...just started the Legend of Sleepy Hollow today! At the end of this unit the kids will take a test...one that summarizes all that we have been reading, discussing, and reflecting on. The test will cover the elements of each type of story: folk tales, fairy tales, fables, tall tales, and legends.

In writing I am pleased to say that almost all students have finished drafting, revising, proofreading, and conferencing their "Ella" stories. We will begin the publishing process next week. I am excited for the final products! Speaking of writing...take note of the special message at the end of this post...a letter writing opportunity that I am very excited about!

We took a break from word study this week and will continue with it for next week. I feel like I need to make something more clear for both students and parents. WORD STUDY is truly the study of words...sometimes it's about spelling, other times it's about the meaning, many times it is both. Many of our students are excellent spellers. When given the 15 word pretest, they do not get any wrong. Those children are encouraged to look for words that they have misspelled in their writing (and put in their Quick Word Handbook) or words they find that they do not know the meaning...it may not always be a challenging spelling test on Fridays, but the goal would be that each student is spelling and using the words appropriately. There are certain word study/vocabulary/phonics assessments that all students in each grade level have to take....our word study activities help the kids prepare for such assessments. If your child is writing very simple sentences and you see that there is not a lot of challenge involved...encourage (or force, whichever you prefer!) your child to write more elaborate sentences, using the words in appropriate and descriptive ways. Some of the challenge HAS to come from them...I can only provide the foundation. It may sound as if I am being defensive...but, actually no one has come to me and said that it's not challenging...however I am seeing some kids just doing what is asked and nothing more...I'd like to see the "more" in their word study work. Thanks for letting me vent! :-)

MATH
We have been working with fractions and patterns this week. The fourth grade indicator is that "students will identify, describe, extend, and create growing patterns (with at least 3 levels of growth) and repeating patterns (at least 3 repetitions) using symbols, shapes, designs, or pictures to generalize a rule"....iayaiyai!! So we took that indicator and paired it with "students will read, write, or represent proper fractions of a set or region using symbols, words or models." What better way to pair them than to have the kids create their own patterns...had to have at least FOUR levels and the core of the repeated pattern had to be repeated at least two times...and then to write about the patterns using fractions. You should have seen their heads swimming!! Some of my favorite words..."this is hard..." :-) Results of their efforts will be hanging in the classroom soon!

SCIENCE
You have sent me some aspiring scientists!! They are heavy into figuring out which mystery powders are which household chemicals...and of course, they all think they have it figured out! The focus this week was to provide evidence from an investigation to identify the processes that can be used to change materials from one state of matter to another...we made solutions and suspensions...then used filters to separate the mixtures...then observed crystals!! You should have heard the noise levels in here...the more excited they are, the louder they get. I should back up and tell you that on Thursday, while we waited an extra day for all of the water to evaporate, the kids read a non-fiction article about crystals, highlighting new information that they found. I had a child tell me that he went to La Paz for dinner last night...and he said, "Guess what I ate on my chips?! CRYSTALS!" I love it when they make connections! We will continue our investigations next week as we add different liquids to see how the different liquids affect the chemical reaction with each powder.

Speaking of science...the science fair projects are now in full swing. The kids' questions and hypotheses were due today...along with the UES forms for the Science Fair. I am still missing 7, so please check your child's folder for the form and see that they fill it out and you sign it, please. We will be working as a class next week discussing the next steps, I will model the steps and they will record the next deadline in their agendas. I am hoping to help them (and you!) stay on top of it so that you are not left spending Thanksgiving weekend doing a science fair project! Please email me as you have questions.

And now...to the letter writing opportunity..."Christmas in Afghanistan"...Logan Cresswell's uncle was deployed to Afghanistan this week. He is part of our own Frederick based Marines, Bravo Company, 4th LAR. Logan's mom, Kristen Forse, is putting together care packages for these brave marines that will include letters from our class. The goal of "Christmas in Afghanistan" is to send each Marine a "present" to open on Christmas day. Mrs. Forse is also collecting items for the care packages...below I have listed these items. Please know that I completely understand how tight times are right now, I just wanted to make you aware of these care packages that are being put together, and if you were looking for an opportunity to give this holiday season, there is one going on in our "own backyard" with which you can participate. All donations must be collected by December 1st in order to get the care packages there on time. If you have any questions, please contact Kristen Forse at 240-357-0626.

Items that are in need include:
baby wipes
razors
shaving cream
bar soap
socks
hand/foot warmers
toothbrush/toothpaste
magazines
books
crossword puzzles
stationary
gum
canned food
candy

Have a great weekend...enjoy your families.

Happy Fall Festival Day!

So, if you don't mind...I'm taking a shortcut this week...we were busy all week...investigating, computing, reading, discussing, and as always, having fun...but I was also dealing with a loss in our family and my energy is spent...so I'm hoping you'll all forgive me for leaving out the details...I didn't skimp in my lesson planning or teaching...just in my blog...oh yeah, and in grading papers...your kids will be getting TONS of papers after this weekend.


So, I'm just going to share pictures from today...we had SO much fun...a huge thank you to Mrs. Gallo for planning our party...and thanks to all the parents who donated $, supplies, food, and/or their time...you'll see we had a great day!

We started the day with

PUMPKIN MATH...

...and then...

our FALL FESTIVAL party!!

Have a wonderful weekend...and REMEMBER...no school for students on Monday!

PAJAMA DAY PICTURES...ENJOY!

Make sure to read the post that follows these pictures!!

HAPPY PAJAMA, SLEEPING BAG, HOT CHOCOLATE, GRANDPARENTS' BREAKFAST FRIDAY

You got that right...total chaos in my room today...but fun and still full of learning...I'm just not quite as FULL of patience :-)...but hey, it's Friday, right?

LANGUAGE ARTS
We ventured into folk tales this week...we've listened to stories about Anansi the Spider, read various other folk tales, discussed their characteristics, compared stories, and analyzed characters...next week we're headed into the land of FABLES...some of my personal favorites!

The kids shared their projects this week...what a great job they did...and their oral communication continues to improve! I know I've said this before...but each oral presentation is practice for a BIG FUN project I like to call The Wills' Wax Museum later this year...so loud, clear voices and eye contact are VERY IMPORTANT!!

Everyone is continuing on their "Ella" stories...some are drafting, some are revising, some are proofreading, and a few have finished. By next Friday all students will have completed their rough drafts. We will work on final drafts in the computer lab the first week of November. These published pieces are true works of art!

MATH
We finished out our multiplication unit with a quiz and we will work on algebra indicators over the next few days. Did you know...these kids LOVE function tables!! Ask your son or daughter what a function table is and have them make one for you to try to figure out. We started out by defining a function table, solving some function tables, being STUMPED by a function table (I LOVE stumping these kids...you should see them all squirm when they can't figure something out!:-)), and then creating their own function tables for each other. Today we are going to have "Function Tables Around the Room"...their creations hung up for each other to solve! REMINDER...your child should continue to work on multiplication facts at home!!

SCIENCE
What a bunch of scientists you've sent to me! They can't get enough...they come into the classroom and immediately look to see if Science is on the schedule! We are working on a unit titled Chemical Tests. We have been discussing properties of matter...observable properties and measurable properties. We have been reading about chemical properties and physical properties. The kids got to experience observing both this week during an experiment. We observed the physical properties of water and a white powder. Then we mixed the two substances together to observe the chemical properties of the new substance. We will be conducting many experiments next week and continue focusing on the science indicators.

SCIENCE FAIR PROJECT
I realize that the next statement may make me incredibly unpopular...I will take that risk. EVERY STUDENT IN MY CLASS IS REQUIRED TO DO A SCIENCE FAIR PROJECT. Ok, there, I said it. The kids are coming home today with some information about the science fair. I have put together a packet that will help the kids step by step with the science fair project process. Please look over the packet with your child and begin brainstorming ideas for their own project. More details to follow.

TUESDAY OF THIS COMING WEEK
We are headed to the ESSL this Tuesday...we are all very excited to see the new ESSL building! I will try to remember to take pictures while we're there.

FRIDAY OF THIS COMING WEEK
It's Pumpkin Math Day, it's Fall Festival Day, and it's an early release day...tell me that won't be another chaotic one! :-) Thank you to all of the parents who have remembered to send Mrs. Gallo the $3 to help with the needs of our party...I met with her yesterday and she has a fun party planned for your kids! Our Pumpkin Math activities might get a little messy, so keep that in mind when your child is getting dressed on Friday!

Have a wonderful weekend...I am off to the beach with my sister, Mom, and Dad, for an annual rest and shop weekend!!

Happy "Crazy" Week!

And no, that does not mean we're celebrating my mental state!! :-) We have had the craziest schedule ever...lunch today was at 10 and we had to go to the lunchroom packed to go home...from lunch the kids went to specials and then to dismissal! Although we were only here a couple of hours each day...we got quite a bit accomplished!


Math
The kids took the multiplication facts test again today...ask your child if they showed improvement from last time...please remind your child to practice these facts...they can use flash cards, recite them orally, or play one of the many games available on the computer! We have spent the last two weeks on our multiplication unit...estimating, solving three digit x one digit algorithms, listing factors, multiples, and learning the properties...next week we will be turning our focus to DIVISION...the two are so closely tied, it only makes sense! The students will be completing an investigation at home making sure to include all important parts of an investigation...more to come on that!


Language Arts
We have read SO many Cinderella tales!! Everytime I turn around we find another one...the latest version we read was a Native American Cinderella titled Sootface...John B. found that one at the library and we read it together on Monday. All of the versions we've shared and the work we've done with the fairy tales has led us to where we are now...writing our own "Ella" tales!! Wait until you read them! The students are all at different stages in their writing...they first brainstormed characters and objects that match their particular "Ella", they then mapped the story on a graphic organizer...this organizer helps the kids see the rising action, the turning point, and the falling action...and then the rough draft...some kids are well on their way, others will begin their rough drafts on Monday. Each student will do a peer revision and will meet with me, before a final draft is done in the computer lab. Wait until you read them!!


We are turning our focus next week to FOLK TALES...we will get to know Anansi the Spider very well over the next week...discussing how trickery is a main element in folk tales, just as magic is a main element in fairy tales!


SCIENCE
YAH!! We're ready to begin our first science unit of the year "Chemical Tests"...the kids will LOVE this unit...they will be working in teams to do different tests on "mystery powders" in order to draw conclusions about what each powder really is. I also LOVE this unit...we work on many different science indicators during this unit...students see that keeping records is a very important part of the scientific process! More to come about this fun unit.

$ for Ms. Gallo

I know it's a busy time of year, but if you could please send the $3 into Mrs. Gallo for her planning of the Fall Festival Party, I would greatly appreciate it!! Put it in an envelope with your child's name on it and attention to Mrs. Gallo. THANKS!!

Parent Volunteers NEEDED!!

So...here are two opportunities...

1. ESSL field trip...Tuesday, October 27...slip will come home this Monday...we'll leave around 9:10am and get back around 11:15am.

2. Friday, October 30...Pumpkin Math 8:30-10...I need at least four parents...I have two right now...each parent needs to bring a medium sized pumpkin and a few easy supplies...please email me if you are interested/able.

I hope you have a great weekend...stay dry!!

Math Investigation Pictures

I know I am missing ONE friend from the pictures...sorry!!

Here are your kids working very hard on their Math Investigations...

and I'm here to tell you...

they CAN count the uncountables!!