Hi, everyone...sorry to miss my Friday posting...this week really got away from me! Here is an update on everything I can remember! ;-)
SCIENCE
We are well underway in our Populations unit!! The kids planted three different kinds of seeds yesterday in preparation for one of the populations that will be sent to us. We get a shipment of aphids in a couple of weeks, and the seeds we planted on Thursday will be used for our aphids! On Monday we'll be planting terrariums for the populations of crickets and chameleons that will be shipped to us later this month! The students used the scientific process while planting...we asked the question "Do soaked fava beans grow faster than unsoaked fava beans?" We observed the wet and dry beans and made a hypothesis. We will now continue to observe as we await the first sprouts and make conclusions based on our data...these kids sure love science!!
WORD STUDY
This past week we did a word study unit on vocabulary from science...and I'm pleased to say that everyone did a super job on their word study tests! During the school day we did many different activities to use the words in a fun and different way. We played "Spelling Hopscotch" outside, made "Spelling Flowers", and created a picture dictionary to make sure the kids knew the meanings of some of these rather large words! I was pleasantly surprised at how many kids enjoyed the "Create Your Own Activity"!! We had some amazing games and word searches that we all got to try out!! Next week we will focus on a different 12 words from the science unit...I'm looking forward to seeing what they come up with for the "Create Your Own Activity" again!
MATH
We are jumping from one subject to another in math these days...Quarter 4 is a review and extension of so many of the objectives covered during the other three quarters. I pick the concepts to teach based on the pretest that I gave at the beginning of the Quarter. This past week we were focusing on geometry. We had a lot of fun with Marshmallow Geometry where we constructed 1, 2, and 3 dimensional figures and discussed their vertices, angles, sides, and faces. I had to pry the papers apart to look at them because they were SO sticky!! We constructed a triple venn diagram sorting shapes by attribute. We did this in cooperative groups...and I'm pleased to say...they were EXTREMELY cooperative! I am always in awe of these kids and their ability to work with many different people. They argued quite a bit during this project, but it was GOOD arguing...they were using all kinds of math language as they decided which part of the venn the shapes fit in. Yesterday we worked on using geometric shapes when making patterns and working through word problems.
LANGUAGE ARTS
We finished King of the Wind...I'm not sure who enjoyed it more...the kids or ME! What a wonderful piece of literature! We are now headed into a unit on plays. The students will be comparing a story to a play and identifying all the elements in a dramatic play. They will be assigned to one of three plays and will be doing all the leg work to prepare for a production...a small production that will put on in the classroom for the other two groups. All three plays are fairy tales that have been "fractured"...they are very funny and I think the kids will really enjoy this unit!
WAX MUSEUM
We have begun practicing our wax museum. The kids will be have to practice every evening for homework. They DO NOT have to memorize their biography. However, they should know it SO well, they can talk about "their" lives, not read about "their" lives. By now, the kids need to have a good idea of what they will wear or bring for their performance. We will be having a dress rehearsal on Wednesday, May 14th for the second grade magnet students, so they will need those things then. If you have ANY questions about the wax museum, please email me and I'd be happy to help! I am very excited to see the finished product!
I will be out Tuesday morning to attend a field trip with my four year old daughter, Kate. But will return in the afternoon. Mrs. Gallo will be subbing for me!
Have a great week...and as always, please contact me with any questions!
May 3, 2008
April 25, 2008
Happy Last Friday in April!
WOW...isn't that an amazing title...the last Friday in April. Unbelievable! We have had a good week...here is a quick update!
Interim Reports...one of my students told me that interim reports were due this past Thursday...oops!!...thank goodness for these kids...they keep me on my toes! I will have interim reports for the kids on Monday...that will give me time to correct the millions of papers I have and average the grades...sorry they will be a few days late!
Math...we have been focusing on multiplication this week...properties of multiplication, factors, multiples, estimating, and solving equations. We have been using dry erase boards a lot...the kids love them and it's a great way for me to quickly see their acquisition of skills. Although we have a class supply of dry erase markers, many are drying up. If you happen to have extra dry erase markers at your house, please send one in with your child...this would be very helpful to our math instruction...thanks!
Science...we are having a fabulous time learning about frogs!! We have read books about frogs, visited a website dedicated to facts about the frog population in Maryland, we "hopped" around the room reading articles about frogs, and we've gone on "frog hunts" in the wetlands...a favorite activity of this group! Next week we will be synthesizing all of the information we have gathered...and delving into the science experiments that come with the SCIS Populations unit. We had a great field trip to Fountain Rock Nature Center where we talked about the populations of many different animals! (See the previous blog.)
WAX MUSEUM...the WAX MUSEUM performances are scheduled for Friday, May 16th at 9:15 am. We hope you all can make it!! REMINDER: The students will have to have what they are wearing or holding for their presentation on Wednesday, May 14th for our dress rehearsal.
Lunch next week...make sure your kids get a really good breakfast next week...our lunch time has been moved to 12:30 to accommodate the 5th grade science MSA testing...so they will be VERY hungry by lunchtime. :-)
Interim Reports...one of my students told me that interim reports were due this past Thursday...oops!!...thank goodness for these kids...they keep me on my toes! I will have interim reports for the kids on Monday...that will give me time to correct the millions of papers I have and average the grades...sorry they will be a few days late!
Math...we have been focusing on multiplication this week...properties of multiplication, factors, multiples, estimating, and solving equations. We have been using dry erase boards a lot...the kids love them and it's a great way for me to quickly see their acquisition of skills. Although we have a class supply of dry erase markers, many are drying up. If you happen to have extra dry erase markers at your house, please send one in with your child...this would be very helpful to our math instruction...thanks!
Science...we are having a fabulous time learning about frogs!! We have read books about frogs, visited a website dedicated to facts about the frog population in Maryland, we "hopped" around the room reading articles about frogs, and we've gone on "frog hunts" in the wetlands...a favorite activity of this group! Next week we will be synthesizing all of the information we have gathered...and delving into the science experiments that come with the SCIS Populations unit. We had a great field trip to Fountain Rock Nature Center where we talked about the populations of many different animals! (See the previous blog.)
WAX MUSEUM...the WAX MUSEUM performances are scheduled for Friday, May 16th at 9:15 am. We hope you all can make it!! REMINDER: The students will have to have what they are wearing or holding for their presentation on Wednesday, May 14th for our dress rehearsal.
Lunch next week...make sure your kids get a really good breakfast next week...our lunch time has been moved to 12:30 to accommodate the 5th grade science MSA testing...so they will be VERY hungry by lunchtime. :-)
April 21, 2008
Fountain Rock Nature Center
What a wonderful field trip we had today! The program was about Populations...the kids learned the definition of populations, they learned about food chains and food webs, and they learned about the limiting factors of populations (ask about that one). They got to study animal skulls and determine which animals they came from, they got to watch a frog eat TWO cockroaches, they learned not to be afraid of snakes, and they got to become part of a food web. I have included two pictures that I took from my cell phone (forgot the camera!)...the first one is the group involved in becoming part of a food web, and the second picture is an example of a food chain. Fortunately, the rain didn't keep us inside the whole time...at the end of the program, the rain let up and we got to go outside and feed the fish and the turtles. We also got to eat our lunches outside. Overall I think the kids would tell you "it was awesome!"
April 16, 2008
Friday, April 18th
Another week gone by...hard to believe! This is a reminder that your child will need a bag lunch on MONDAY for our field trip to Fountain Rock Nature Center...let's hope we have the kind of wonderful weather we've had this week!
WAX MUSEUM UPDATE
The kids have done an amazing job writing their rough drafts! Revising is not the favorite activity of this group, so I've had to really push them to make changes...but the results are wonderful! We have set a date. Please join us FRIDAY, MAY 16th from 9:15 - 10:15 in the cafeteria. Although your child's part will only last a few minutes, please plan to stay for the entire performance...thank you. We will have a dress rehearsal the Wednesday prior, so the kids will need their "outfits/artifacts" by Wednesday, May 14th. Please discuss with your child what he/she would like to wear/bring with them that day.
MATH
The students took the Q3 post test this week. They are bringing home their pre and post test scores today so that you can see how well they're doing! Those tests are kept in my file cabinet at school. We have finished division, and I'm happy to say we are all "long dividers" now!! Those students that were already "long dividers" spent some time investigating two digit dividends...groaning while they worked :-)!!
WRITING
Your child is also bringing home a creative story today. This story was written in class. It all started with a fun activity called "Writing Around the Room"...ask your child about that one! Then they took ideas and organized them into their graphic organizer. From there your child wrote a rough draft, edited with a peer, and revised their work. We had a few mini lessons along the way that focused on ideas, word choice, and conventions. There is a narrative rubric and a grading sheet attached to the work as well. The narrative rubric allows both you and your child to see which writing traits were focused on, and how well they achieved in that area. The kids can build their own ideas of how to improve based on the rubric. The grading sheet lets the kids know what I looked at when grading, and it is an opportunity for me to give them suggestions on what to work on for their next piece. As always, if you have any questions, feel free to contact me. PLEASE SIGN THE GRADING SHEET AND RETURN THE WHOLE PACKET TO ME!
LANGUAGE ARTS
We are still reading The King of the Wind in class and discussing elements of a story in literature circles. As the children read each chapter, they mark unfamiliar vocabulary in the book with sticky notes. The kids have been discussing these words in literature circles and then looking up the words in the dictionary, searching for the correct definition. Your children are like BIG SPONGES...they learn these words and then...use them correctly...I just LOVE IT!! Ask your child to tell you about our novel...it is a wonderful book!
STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL
Today, in your child's take home folder, is a sign up sheet to help with our class game at the Strawberry Festival. This is such a fun family event, but IS NOT possible without help from parents. Please sign up for a 1/2 hour slot for that day...it is a very small amount of time, but a HUGE help to Mrs. Hersey and Mr. Vittetoe, who are organizing our class game. Keep your eyes open for details about the Strawberry Festival...they should be coming home soon!
WAX MUSEUM UPDATE
The kids have done an amazing job writing their rough drafts! Revising is not the favorite activity of this group, so I've had to really push them to make changes...but the results are wonderful! We have set a date. Please join us FRIDAY, MAY 16th from 9:15 - 10:15 in the cafeteria. Although your child's part will only last a few minutes, please plan to stay for the entire performance...thank you. We will have a dress rehearsal the Wednesday prior, so the kids will need their "outfits/artifacts" by Wednesday, May 14th. Please discuss with your child what he/she would like to wear/bring with them that day.
MATH
The students took the Q3 post test this week. They are bringing home their pre and post test scores today so that you can see how well they're doing! Those tests are kept in my file cabinet at school. We have finished division, and I'm happy to say we are all "long dividers" now!! Those students that were already "long dividers" spent some time investigating two digit dividends...groaning while they worked :-)!!
WRITING
Your child is also bringing home a creative story today. This story was written in class. It all started with a fun activity called "Writing Around the Room"...ask your child about that one! Then they took ideas and organized them into their graphic organizer. From there your child wrote a rough draft, edited with a peer, and revised their work. We had a few mini lessons along the way that focused on ideas, word choice, and conventions. There is a narrative rubric and a grading sheet attached to the work as well. The narrative rubric allows both you and your child to see which writing traits were focused on, and how well they achieved in that area. The kids can build their own ideas of how to improve based on the rubric. The grading sheet lets the kids know what I looked at when grading, and it is an opportunity for me to give them suggestions on what to work on for their next piece. As always, if you have any questions, feel free to contact me. PLEASE SIGN THE GRADING SHEET AND RETURN THE WHOLE PACKET TO ME!
LANGUAGE ARTS
We are still reading The King of the Wind in class and discussing elements of a story in literature circles. As the children read each chapter, they mark unfamiliar vocabulary in the book with sticky notes. The kids have been discussing these words in literature circles and then looking up the words in the dictionary, searching for the correct definition. Your children are like BIG SPONGES...they learn these words and then...use them correctly...I just LOVE IT!! Ask your child to tell you about our novel...it is a wonderful book!
STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL
Today, in your child's take home folder, is a sign up sheet to help with our class game at the Strawberry Festival. This is such a fun family event, but IS NOT possible without help from parents. Please sign up for a 1/2 hour slot for that day...it is a very small amount of time, but a HUGE help to Mrs. Hersey and Mr. Vittetoe, who are organizing our class game. Keep your eyes open for details about the Strawberry Festival...they should be coming home soon!
DON'T FORGET FAMILY GAME NIGHT!!
This coming Tuesday, April 22nd, from 7:00-8:00 pm at UES is Family Game Night...a chance to play fun educational games with your family and friends! The Home and School Connection Store will be here with wonderful games to play...they'll also be available for purchase! Please RSVP using the form that comes home in the Take Home Folders or by printing a form from the UES website. Would love to see you all there!!
As always...have a wonderful weekend! I look forward to seeing your kids on Monday...dress for the weather!
April 11, 2008
Happy Friday, everyone! The magnet third graders are happy to report that we are finished with MSA's!!! It has taken us a couple of days to get back into our routine, but we have arrived and are ready to finish the year with a bang!!
WAX MUSEUM UPDATE
The students worked in the computer lab this week recording their research into a graphic organizer. We used a program called Inspirations to web our information...the kids did a great job! Many students returned their signed webs today. If you did not see your child's web, please look through their Take Home folder, sign it, and return it for Monday. They will need their webs to complete the next part of our project! Next week, we will be working on our rough drafts. These rough drafts will be written in first person, as if your child IS the important person.
FIELD TRIP ALERT!
On Monday, April 21st, our class will be going to Fountain Rock Nature Center for a program that will coincide with our next Science Unit...Populations. I can take a few parents on this trip, so if you're interested, please send me an email. The form should be coming home today or early next week. We will be at the Nature Center from 9:00-12:00, so the students will need to pack a lunch for our trip. More to come on this fun endeavor!
LONG DIVISION
We have been working on long division this week...we all started out at different places in our "long division journey", so we broke into different learning groups, and everyone seems to be plugging along. It is imperative to have quick recall of multiplication facts in order to long divide...so keep practicing those facts!!
Speaking of Math...do you know about our Family Game Night!? The Home & School Connection Store is coming to UES and bringing lots of fun games for families to play. Imagine...having fun and learning at the same time! :-) Please plan to come if your schedule allows...it's Tuesday, April 22nd from 7:00 - 8:00 pm. The teachers will be manning some of the different games...I'll be there!! If you do not have an RSVP paper...click on this link, print one out, and send it in to me! http://schools.fcps.org/ues/index.html Hope to see you there!
KING OF THE WIND
We are reading a wonderful novel written by Marguerite Henry titled King of the Wind. During this unit, we are using Literature Circles to discuss and explore all of the different elements of a story. We are also delving deep into the advanced vocabulary of this novel. We have SIX different Literature Circles going at once, and they are really doing a very mature job of discussing and sharing...I'm very proud of them! Each day a different student is responsible for being the "director" and leads the discussion group. I am consistently impressed with your children!
ECONOMY TEST
Heads up!! Next Friday, April 18th, the students will have an Economy test. They will be bringing home their Learning Logs on Monday to study the vocabulary. They will have to be able to identify the differences between natural, capital, and human resources, they will have to be able to show they understand supply and demand, and they will have to be able to identify the differences between facts and opinions. If they study their vocabulary, they will do just fine!
As always, if you have ANY questions, please feel free to email me karen.wills@fcps.org .
Have a wonderful weekend!
WAX MUSEUM UPDATE
The students worked in the computer lab this week recording their research into a graphic organizer. We used a program called Inspirations to web our information...the kids did a great job! Many students returned their signed webs today. If you did not see your child's web, please look through their Take Home folder, sign it, and return it for Monday. They will need their webs to complete the next part of our project! Next week, we will be working on our rough drafts. These rough drafts will be written in first person, as if your child IS the important person.
FIELD TRIP ALERT!
On Monday, April 21st, our class will be going to Fountain Rock Nature Center for a program that will coincide with our next Science Unit...Populations. I can take a few parents on this trip, so if you're interested, please send me an email. The form should be coming home today or early next week. We will be at the Nature Center from 9:00-12:00, so the students will need to pack a lunch for our trip. More to come on this fun endeavor!
LONG DIVISION
We have been working on long division this week...we all started out at different places in our "long division journey", so we broke into different learning groups, and everyone seems to be plugging along. It is imperative to have quick recall of multiplication facts in order to long divide...so keep practicing those facts!!
Speaking of Math...do you know about our Family Game Night!? The Home & School Connection Store is coming to UES and bringing lots of fun games for families to play. Imagine...having fun and learning at the same time! :-) Please plan to come if your schedule allows...it's Tuesday, April 22nd from 7:00 - 8:00 pm. The teachers will be manning some of the different games...I'll be there!! If you do not have an RSVP paper...click on this link, print one out, and send it in to me! http://schools.fcps.org/ues/index.html Hope to see you there!
KING OF THE WIND
We are reading a wonderful novel written by Marguerite Henry titled King of the Wind. During this unit, we are using Literature Circles to discuss and explore all of the different elements of a story. We are also delving deep into the advanced vocabulary of this novel. We have SIX different Literature Circles going at once, and they are really doing a very mature job of discussing and sharing...I'm very proud of them! Each day a different student is responsible for being the "director" and leads the discussion group. I am consistently impressed with your children!
ECONOMY TEST
Heads up!! Next Friday, April 18th, the students will have an Economy test. They will be bringing home their Learning Logs on Monday to study the vocabulary. They will have to be able to identify the differences between natural, capital, and human resources, they will have to be able to show they understand supply and demand, and they will have to be able to identify the differences between facts and opinions. If they study their vocabulary, they will do just fine!
As always, if you have ANY questions, please feel free to email me karen.wills@fcps.org .
Have a wonderful weekend!
April 4, 2008
It's Friday!
MSA Tests
I'm sure your children are going to be exhausted tonight! They have been working SO hard on their MSA tests...they are to be commended!! Don't forget...we have one more test day...Monday is Day 2 of Math, so make sure they get a good night's sleep on Sunday night and have a great breakfast before school...thanks so much to everyone for having them here on time...it makes a HUGE difference!!
Wills' Wax Museum
CONGRATULATIONS to the class! Every single student has picked a famous person to research and returned their Wills Wax Museum slip in by today! The students have picked so many WONDERFUL people to learn about. We will be working in the computer lab a lot next week...we're going to be compiling our information using a program called Inspirations. This program allows you to web on the computer, print out the web, and then convert the information into outline form...who would have thought it was possible?!?! By the end of next week the children should be ready to start their rough drafts. This is all in preparation for our Wax Museum where parents will get to come visit and watch our wax figures come to life to tell you about their lives...it should be AWESOME! By the next blog, I will have a date pinned down, so that you can mark your calendars!
New Novels
We will be working in new novels over the next two weeks and participating in Literature Circles where the kids will discuss different story elements with each other. Each day there will be a discussion piece and a written piece devoted to different indicators in the language arts curriculum.
Math
We will be working on division over the next week or so. I gave a pretest last week, and there are many students at different points on their acquisition of long division, so we will be breaking into groups in order to differentiate the curriculum.
We have about seven more students who need to pass the multiplication facts test!!! Please continue to practice these facts at home...it makes division SO much easier!
I'm sure your children are going to be exhausted tonight! They have been working SO hard on their MSA tests...they are to be commended!! Don't forget...we have one more test day...Monday is Day 2 of Math, so make sure they get a good night's sleep on Sunday night and have a great breakfast before school...thanks so much to everyone for having them here on time...it makes a HUGE difference!!
Wills' Wax Museum
CONGRATULATIONS to the class! Every single student has picked a famous person to research and returned their Wills Wax Museum slip in by today! The students have picked so many WONDERFUL people to learn about. We will be working in the computer lab a lot next week...we're going to be compiling our information using a program called Inspirations. This program allows you to web on the computer, print out the web, and then convert the information into outline form...who would have thought it was possible?!?! By the end of next week the children should be ready to start their rough drafts. This is all in preparation for our Wax Museum where parents will get to come visit and watch our wax figures come to life to tell you about their lives...it should be AWESOME! By the next blog, I will have a date pinned down, so that you can mark your calendars!
New Novels
We will be working in new novels over the next two weeks and participating in Literature Circles where the kids will discuss different story elements with each other. Each day there will be a discussion piece and a written piece devoted to different indicators in the language arts curriculum.
Math
We will be working on division over the next week or so. I gave a pretest last week, and there are many students at different points on their acquisition of long division, so we will be breaking into groups in order to differentiate the curriculum.
We have about seven more students who need to pass the multiplication facts test!!! Please continue to practice these facts at home...it makes division SO much easier!
Did you see the NEW picture of Callan I posted!? Is he cute or what?!
Have a great weekend!
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