Monday

It is hard to believe that tomorrow is October. We will add up the students days of reading for those who will get the pizza award. We can't do it till next week, but we will let you know. This morning we sorted and reviewed the spelling words. The students had to do one column in cursive. Then we went to the typing lab. Students are struggling to remember to keep their hands in home position, but once they do, their speed increases.

In math we added longer numbers, the students did just fine with it. Then, we played jacks. Many of our students struggle with hand-writing. Jacks and marbles are two games that help with actual eye hand coordination. While some of the class is playing, other students are at the table with me working on their handwriting. Then in social studies we reviewed our counties song. Finally we are learning America the Beautiful for our patriotic song. We reviewed that and what the words actually mean. In reading we are finishing the story, Sarah Plain and Tall We read part of this story in our reading book. Now the students can find what is happening.

Friday

Students took their "Mae Jemison" reading test today and also took their spelling test. In math students learned how to regroup to the thousand place. We played a fun, and frustrating game, but once they got the hang of it, it was fun. During art we painted pictures for our new story, a myth, Daedalus and Icarus.

Thursday

Students reviewed for the reading test today. We will do the vocabulary tomorrow morning before the test. We also have the spelling test tomorrow, so make sure that studying is done tonight. In Language Arts we discussed comparing and contrasting, a requirement in common core. We also are starting to work on the difference between plural and possessive nouns. In math we worked more on the standard algorithm of addition with three digit numbers. We covered regrouping (carrying) in the tens place. Tomorrow we will cover regrouping in the hundreds place. During Social Studies we practiced our Idaho and the county's song.

Students that did the Rock the Walk, got their papers back today. Those who have not collected the money need to collect it and return the paper with the money.

Wednesday

This morning we read the story about Mae Jemison aloud. Then we watched a short video on her life. Students took a spelling test today. They were given a paper yesterday to practice their words, but only a few got it done. I stapled it to their spelling test so they could remember to get it done before the final test on Friday. We are writing a new paper on "Fences." It is a five paragraph essay to help them prepare for their direct writing assessment. I will correct the essays again and again until the students get it right. It is a bit frustrating, but they will learn by doing it correctly, and learning that trying to squeak by means we have to write the paper again.

In math we got to do the math algorithm today. The students seemed happy to do it the old-fashioned way. I think though, that as they learn different and new ways to add and subtract that they will better understand what we are doing. Students might bring extra papers home today, if they didn't get papers done, I have asked that they be finished and turned in. In Social Studies the students are watching a movie about the geography of Idaho. It is taking a bit of time as they are learning how to take notes too.

Tuesday

Students finished studying their fluency words. Each student should have read the story about Mae Jemison. Students all received the worksheet for studying their spelling words. In math we discovered the importance of estimating. Most students seemed to understand this fairly well. During social studies we learned about the geography of Idaho. We will continue that tomorrow.

Monday

We reviewed our fluency words this morning and then went to the computer lab to work on our typing skills. In math we reviewed subtraction using the number-line. Then in social studies we began learning about the counties of Idaho.

Tomorrow is the "Rock the Walk," the children were to get pledges and then walk around the track to earn money for the PTO. It was really fun last year, but this year, make sure you bring a jacket, just in case. Parents are encouraged to come to cheer on their children.

Friday

I seemed to have missed yesterday. Today students took reading and spelling tests. Then we started subtraction on a number-line. It is a little disconcerting to them right now, but they will get it. The basic idea is to put the two numbers on the number-line, then using tens and hundreds jump your way to the next number. You use the ones to get you to the tens and hundreds. Students then made moon phase posters so they know which phase of the moon is coming. Then they went to PE.

Wednesday

We finished our fluency testing today. When you come in for Parent/Teacher Conferences, we will discuss this. We learned about "Point of View" in language arts and took a pre-spelling test. Students had a new experience in math today. We are learning to add differently. Just as an example, if you were to add 272 and 59, you would look for easy to add numbers. So you might (there are many options) take one away from the 322 and end up with 321. Then move that extra 1 over to 59 and you have 60. 60 is a friend, or easy to add number. Then you would "decompose" 371 to 300 + 20 + 1. Then add your 60 to the 20 in the tens place. You would end up with 300 + 80 + 1. Those are easy to add numbers and the answer would be 381. You can break numbers up in many different ways. It will take a bit of work to understand, but we can do it

Tuesday

Students started fluency testing today. They will do this once every month so that we are able to see how the students are progressing. We also learned about the Constitution today, as September 17th is Constitution Day. We reviewed the preamble, the first three articles, the Bill of Rights, and a few amendments. We will do a little more of this tomorrow.

We reviewed what we have learned in math and will move forward tomorrow. We will start adding large numbers.

Community learning center has begun. If your child is interested in being a part of this, contact Amy Lemmon or Lori Zilles to see what you need to do.

Monday

This morning as the students were reading in groups, I took a group at a time and discussed their tests with them. I am teaching them to write complete sentences as their test answers. We are also working on spelling and following instructions. The other students read, "Two Tickets to Freedom," a story about escaping slaves. It is an excellent story.

In math we took a pre-test to prepare us for our worksheet tomorrow. This worksheet is designed so that I can see if the students have learned about rounding, patterns, and learning to express numbers in many different ways. Those are the three Common Core requirements we have worked on these last three weeks.

Friday

I hope to have the spelling and reading test corrected by Monday. We learned more about recognizing patterns in math today. We practiced a few easy patterns, and then one that was a little more difficult. Students have to recognize the pattern, then they have to put in words what the pattern is. That is hard for many of them.

We re-arranged seats today. I am hoping it will help students stay on task. We also watched the movie, "Cipher in the Snow." We discussed bullying, and what we can do to help ourselves to not become a cipher. We also talked about helping others to feel important. Finally, we went to an assembly in the auditorium. This year we will be encouraging students to read at least 20 AR points per trimester. There will be a fun activity for those who accomplish this goal. We also began to learn the school song for the year, Neil Diamond's, "Their Coming to America." Each class is representing a state, ours is California.

Thursday

In our Daily Oral Language today we learned about comparative and superlative adjectives. We also worked on the difference between too and two. We reviewed for our reading test tomorrow and played a spelling game to review for the spelling tests. Then students came up and shared the information they had learned about their vocabulary words. Finally they did some writing on the story we just finished. In math we worked on patterns and at the end of the day we practiced writing the cursive lower case f.

Tomorrow we will have our spelling and reading tests. We also will be having an assembly at 2:15. This will be to introduce to the students the motivational plans we have for them. Today a note should have come home to tell parents about the insect collection. Please read through it. Also, please make sure that you return the medication release form and the information form for the students.

Wednesday

Today we discussed the heroes in 9-11. We watched a video to show why this tragedy happened. Then we read stories and learned about different people who worked to keep others safe. We also had pictures today and our spelling pre-test. Students who missed words need to write them five times. Some students need handwriting practice and were asked to neatly write their spelling words for practice. We also read "Sarah Plain and Tall."

Tuesday Picture Day tomorrow

Students reviewed the patterns for their spelling words today. We played a game to put each word in the correct category. Students will have a spelling pre-test to take tomorrow. We are also going to have a lesson about 9-11. Students weren't even born when this happened and they need to know what everyone is talking about.

Tomorrow is picture day. If you want your child to have pictures, please send the money for this. Also, the typing program is www.typingweb.com

Monday - Pictures on Wednesday

Students read an excerpt from Sarah Plain and Tall today. Then we went to the computer lab and typed. We went to a free site, www.typingweb.com where the students could put in their own username and password and have their own customized typing program. I hope this will help them all. Students can get on these at home too.

In math we worked more on rounding numbers. Students seemed to do quite well on it. They even were able to recognize their own mistakes. In science Miss Lu is teaching about the scientific method. Then everyone went to PE.

Remember, Wednesday is school picture day. Also, we will be learning about 9-11, and why it was an important day.

Friday

Students took reading and spelling tests this morning. Then we reviewed what the different genres are in our reading. During math we learned how to round five digit numbers. Some students are still struggling with this so it would be helpful if you could review it. One way we do this is to took at the place value we are rounding to. Then move to the right, to the digit in the next lowest place value. If it is five or more, we round the previous number up. If it is less than five we leave the previous digits alone. Then all the numbers following change magically to zeros.

In the afternoon we watched a short video about the book we will be studying next. We will be reading a short excerpt from the book, Sarah, Plain and Tall.

Next Wednesday we have school pictures.

Thursday

Students took their spelling pre-test today. Those who did not get 100% need to write each word ten times so they will be prepared for tomorrow's test. They will only be given 15 of the words. We also prepared for the reading test tomorrow. In math we practiced comparing and ordering five digit numbers. We used the relationship of greater than and less than. Then we practiced multiplication facts on the laptops.

Many of the children are in the play, "The Wizard of Oz." This play will be put on Saturday night at 7 p.m. at the Dahle Performing Arts Center. It is free. It might be fun to bring your family for a good evening of fun. Also, Wednesday, September 11th is picture day.

Wednesday

We reviewed our spelling patterns today. The students took the words home and are to write them three times, twice in cursive if possible. We also read our story Toto. In math students learned different ways to write five digit numbers. We wrote them in written form, expanded form and standard form. We are using those words so they remember each form. We went to music and in social studies students reviewed the Idaho symbols by making folders for their social studies work and drawing on the folders.

Tuesday

It was kind of fun to get back to school today. Students started with their new spelling lists. We sorted the spelling words and the other spelling words that fit the pattern of the words. Students also read the story, "Toto." We will read it again tomorrow. Finally, students fixed their writing and spelling on our science page from the first week of school.

In math we worked on understanding how to say, write and understand five digit numbers. This is a review for some of the students, but not all of them. Those students who understood had another page to do that was a little more difficult. I had these students check their work against each other and explain how they got their answers. It was interesting to hear their discussion.

In Idaho History we learned all of the different symbols of Idaho. Ask your student and see what each one remembers.

Labor Day - No School

Hope you enjoy the lovely rain today. We will see you all tomorrow. Today would be a great day to read!