Thursday

This morning students reviewed for their spelling test tomorrow and re-read their story in teams.  Next we worked on pronoun-antecedent agreement.  As a reminder, that is making sure that the noun and the pronoun are talking about the same number: The boy got the books and put them on the dining room table.  Instead of: The boy got the books and put it on the dining room table. Then we practiced finding adjectives to strengthen our nouns.

In math we worked with symmetry, that is fun and, almost always, easy. Tomorrow is Spirit day and three tests, so make sure that the students get a good night's sleep and a good breakfast in the morning.  Also make sure they have a maroon or white white white (well mostly white) shirt to wear.

Wednesday

A special thanks to the mothers who volunteered to come today to take the students to the play.  I think they all enjoyed it.  We took our spelling test this morning and then worked on our adverb essays.  Students are correcting each other's essays so they will learn what to look for in their own essays.  We also did our vocabulary words today.  Students should be able to do their vocabulary words on their homework now.

In math we did reflections.  This is drawing the mirror image of another picture.  It was interesting as we tried to make the pictures work.  Sometimes we used the mirror so the students could see the reflection even better.

This afternoon students read, worked on lost math sheets and then went to the play.

Tuesday

This morning students read the essay on the Gutenberg Printing Press.  Tomorrow we will watch a short video about this.  We will also have our spelling test.  If you go to this link barton.mpls.k12.mn.us/words_their_way
you can look up the spelling words.

After reading we started another adverb essay.  Students write a story using as many adverbs as they can correctly use.

Math was fun. We went outside and found perpendicular and parallel lines.  Then we came in and learned about lines, line segments, rays, perpendicular and parallel lines.  Students went to library today.

Tomorrow students will go to the first act of the high school play.  We would like a few parents to sit with the students.  If you are able to help, please email me at  cwinward@wssd.k12.id.us

Monday

This morning was spelling and computers.  Then we did our last division page.  However, looking at the grades we are discovering a lot of missing pages. Students will be starting on geometry for the next couple of days.  We should have our test on Friday. Students will be making that up.  In the afternoon students went to science today.  They finished a paper about time. Then, since we have the high school play on Wednesday, students went to music today.

Friday Spelling tests and Reading tests

I had a parent in for conferences today and we got to talking about spelling words.  As she talked it dawned on me that I could put the link up to where the spelling words are.  So I will do that about once a week hopefully on Fridays, so you can link onto their words.  Their homework sheet has the initials and number of their word list so you can find it easily.  I hope this helps.

We took spelling and reading tests today and worked on figuring out the differences between writing an informational essay and a story.  Students read their AABB poems from yesterday.

In math we practiced our division.  We will get this down.  Here is a link to show you one way of doing hangman division.  We are trying to find the largest number that the divisor can go into.  The answer is the important thing, not how many steps.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mU_9y_MoYLA



Spelling link

http://barton.mpls.k12.mn.us/words_their_way

Thursday spelling test tomorrow

This morning after we learned about apostrophes, we went outside and wrote poems about nature.  We wrote an AABB poem with three stanzas.  It is a little tricky to balance the rhyming and the rhythm, but we are working on it and should soon get it.

In math we are still working on division.  We tried a new way today.  It is called hangman math.  It is similar to the standard algorithm, but gives a lot more room for wiggle.  For example, you write the problem out the same, but instead of putting answers on top, you put a complete place value answer on the side.  So if I was dividing 3 into 1815, I might say, well 3 won't divide into 1000, but it will divide into 1800 600 times.  I write the 600 just to the right of the 1815.  Then I multiply it out and under the 1815 I write the answer to 600 x 3 which is 1800.  Then I do the standard part and subtract.  This leaves me with 15.  How many 3s are in fifteen, 5.  I write the 5 under the 600 and multiply the 5 x 3 and see that I am at the end of my problem  I add the 600 and the 5 and that is my answer.  We have not tried it with remainders and I don't think we will be doing that this year.  The biggest difficulty is being fluent enough in our multiplication, that we recognize the answers.  But we will continue to work on that.

I did get to go to the Milton Creagh program last night.  He did an excellent job.  He talked about the ease of gangs getting into small towns.  He said this happens because of the music videos and tv shows that children watch.  He went to a tiny town in Alaska, and the young people were split up into gangs.  They had never seen gangs, but they had watched enough of it on music videos and television, that they knew all about them.  I will mention more of his lecture as I thought it was very good.

Wednesday

After our spelling test today, students wrote their missed words 5 times each.  They should have their lists at home to study.  Some students did not turn in their practice words, or they only turned a few words in. Those points are going to hurt their spelling grade.  Please make sure they get the work done. After spelling we got onto our vocabulary words, so students can finish the vocabulary part of their homework.

In math we continued in division.  Miss Lu is going to try a different way tomorrow and I am going to see if it works as well.  Some of the students are understanding this, but some are not.  Students had music today.

Tuesday Spelling Test and Milton Creagh 7 p.m. tomorrow

After another student found an assignment in his desk that he was positive he had turned in, I have decided to make an assignment sheet.  When the assignment is given all students will get out the sheet, write down the assignment and then, when it is done and turned in, they can check it off.  I hope this helps students learn to keep track of their responsibilities.

This morning we read the article, "We'll Be Right Back After These Messages."  Then they wrote their genre reports.  Tomorrow is the pre-spelling test.  Anyone who gets 100% will earn $25 and a gold card.  In math we continued to work on our division.  The students appear to be understanding it pretty well.  But I think I will give them a few extra problems each day so that they will maintain their understanding.

Remember, tomorrow night at 7 p.m. Milton Creagh will be coming to speak about diversity and bullying.  It would be a very good thing to attend.  This will be held at the Dahle Performing Arts Center.

Monday

What a very blowy day we have had.  Students had to stay in at lunch recess because the wind was blowing the snow sideways.  This morning we reviewed spelling words and went to type.  Please make sure your child has their spelling words written three times by Wednesday.

In math we started the new division, look back on Friday's blog to show you how it is done.  Then the Lion's Club from Preston came and awarded Parker $35.00, $25.00 for the best essay in 4th grade, and $10.00 for the best in 4b.  All students who turned an essay in got a nice flag pin.

We learned about Purim today in our study of different cultures.  Purim occurred yesterday.  We also had a $100 fine for any student pinching on St. Patrick's Day.

Friday

Students took their spelling and reading tests this morning. Then in math we did a math in a minute, multiplication and division test. We have started doing division.  However, this is different.  Just like in our partial product multiplication, our partial product division strategy separates the numbers into place values and then divides them.  For example, if a student was to divide 42 by two they would separate the 42 into 40 and 2.  Then they would divide the 40 by 2 which is 20, and then divide the 2 by two and get a 1.  Finally students would add the 20 + 1 and get 21.  It is a different way to do it, but it is not difficult, once you under stand the steps.

Then students participated in the AR incentive activity.  The first thing was to take some clay and mold it into the head of a president.  We did have to have a discussion about how to be a leader and how to take turns.  Then students went outside into our beautiful sunny afternoon and played on the little push seat scooters.  They had a great time.

I am still doing conferences with any parents that wish to set up a time to come in.  My email is cwinward@wssd.k12.id.us

Thursday

Today was a day of catching up.  Students finished writing their genre and adverbs papers.  They finished their vocabulary words and their paper on Messages by the Mile.  Then they worked on their ABAB three stanza poetry.  Finally they were able to read and take AR tests.  In math, students took the Module 9 test.  I am in the process of grading that test.

Tomorrow will be fun.  We will be taking our reading and spelling test.  We will also start division.  But after the work is done, all students who have earned at least 20 AR points this trimester, there will be an activity.  It should make for a fun day.

Wednesday

This morning students reviewed the vocabulary words and took their spelling test.  We worked on finishing our one paragraph story using adverbs.  Genre papers were also worked on actively. In math we learned to change miles to yards and then to feet.  Students seemed to do quite well on this assignment.  We also took our pre-test for the math test tomorrow.  Some students took the page home to finish or redo.

Students started a 5 paragraph essay on the story we read in reading.  Then students went to music.

Tuesday

This morning students finished reading, "Messages by the Mile."  It is about the sounds that whales make.  Then we went to Youtube and listened the whale songs.  Our next lesson was about using adverbs.  The students often misuse them.  For example, a student might write, "He had unhappily on a dress."  We have discussed that adverbs tell about verbs, but it just hasn't gotten through to them.  So today students wrote a short story that was to use adverbs in every sentence.  Some students caught on, others will have to go through their papers and add adverbs.

In math we changed inches to feet and feet to yards and yards to feet and inches.  Students seemed to get it fairly well.  Tomorrow we will finish the unit and take a pre-test.  On Thursday we will correct the pre-test and then take the test for Module 9.

During social studies students are finishing their story boards.  They are getting ready to film their Idaho history sequence.

Please make sure your child is getting their homework handed in.  If they don't get at least five reading days, they must stay in during afternoon recess and read.

Monday

I hope you all enjoyed your lovely week-end as much as we did.  We surely had great weather!  This morning students reviewed their new spelling words and then we went to the computer lab to learn to type.  In math we learned to compare inches to feet and yards.  We will continue this tomorrow.  In social studies the students are working on their story boards so they can begin filming the epic story of missionaries coming into Idaho.  Students are kicking against the story boards, but I am holding them to that so they can have their films organized before they start filming.

On Friday students who have earned at least 20 AR points last trimester will be participating in an activity.  On the 19th of March, Wednesday, a nationally known speaker will be coming to the auditorium at 7 p.m. to help parents and teachers deal with bullying, diversity and abuse prevention. Please consider coming and hearing what he has to say.

Thursday No School on Friday

This morning, after the students took their spelling tests, we worked on using adverbs in sentences.  I have noticed that the students can use them when speaking.  But when they are asked to write a sentence using an adverb, it invariably modifies a noun, and it sounds really strange when we read it aloud.  So today we worked on that problem.

In math we reviewed multiplying whole numbers by mixed numbers.  I think the students felt more secure doing that today.  When we get back on Monday, we will be changing inches to feet and feet to yards and inches.

During social studies students had time to finish their story boards before they begin filming their story on missionaries in Idaho.  They can do some research at home.  The one missionary that is giving them the most problem is Jason Lee.

Finally, homework papers went home tonight.  Please make sure that students are getting these done.  Hope you enjoy having your sons and daughters at home.

Wednesday Remember no school on Friday!

Students took their spelling test today.  Then we began work on external context clues, what words in a sentence help you understand the meaning of unknown words.  Students then had to write sentences using those words.

In math we learned how to multiply mixed numbers.  Students should have brought home 9.7 and 9.8 to show you what they did today.

During Social Studies students wrote out their story board so they would be ready to start filming their lessons on Idaho History.  It should be interesting.

I have parents signing up for conferences.  If you need to come in and visit with me, please email me and set up a time.  Thanks!

Tuesday

This morning we read the article about slavery music.  We then took the time to sing some of the songs.  Students went to a ballroom dance presentation with two of our own students participating.  We didn't have a lot of math time, but we used a number line to explore how we multiply whole numbers by fractions.  For example, if a student had 7 pieces of string that were each 3/4 of a foot long, how long was the string.  We used a number line to jump 3/4 seven times.

In Social Studies we reviewed the information about the different missionaries that came into Idaho. Students will be making a story board and then use the information to film a short video teaching about the topic.

Monday

This morning we reviewed our spelling words and then went to the library to type.  Please make sure that your student is studying these words at home.  In math we learned about multiplying a whole number with a fraction.  During social studies we learned about different groups that came into Idaho that made it what it is.  First, of course, were the Native Americans followed by Lewis and Clark.  Next came the trappers and then different religious groups.  We watched a video showing all of this.

You should be receiving a note from me.  I would like to meet with all of the parents in the next two to three weeks to make sure we are doing all we can to prepare your child for the 5th grade.  Please email me at cwinward@wssd.k12.id.us and we can work out a time.

Tomorrow, at 10:30, students will watch the ballroom dance teams.  That is always fascinating.