Wednesday

Students took their spelling tests this morning.  We learned that there really is a word, swum, and drunk, and sunk and that they require a helping verb to be used correctly.  We studied a little more about verbs and then reviewed the meaning of our vocabulary words.

In math we practiced locating decimal-fractions (decimals) on the number line.  Then students ran to the auditorium to practice for our spring program which is next week.  In the afternoon we relaxed a bit to get ready for May Day.

Tuesday

Thanks for getting the book orders in on Friday.  We will send out one more order, probably tomorrow.  That way we will get things back in time, before school is out.  It would be good for your children to have good books to read over the summer.

Today we read our play and each student had the opportunity to take one of the parts.  We also studied spelling.  In math we took our test, students appeared to understand the material quite well.  I will know better after grading.  If you  need a spelling list for tomorrow's pre-test, look on yesterday's blog for the list.

In math for the next 12 lessons students will learn about comparing decimals and fractions.  They will also learn about pounds, ounces, gallons, quarts and pints.

Monday

After reviewing our spelling words, students went to the computer lab to work on a power point research project.  This is one of the common core standards we are to teach.  Fortunately, the students quite enjoy it.  In math we did word problems using volume.  The students are doing a little better understanding these and it went quite well.  Most of the students worked on Khan Academy today.

In the afternoon students went to Miss Lu's class and had science, then we ran to the auditorium to learn a dance for the spring program.  It will be one week from Friday.  Students spelling is Blue WW 43  Green SA 32 and Yellow Dr 32.  The link to these words is: http://barton.mpls.k12.mn.us/words_their_way

Just choose the correct list and you will have what you need to make sure your child is studying. Please make sure the homework pages are getting done. Even if your child has faithfully read all week long, if it is not signed, and that is their job, we don't count it.

Friday and testing is done

This has been a crazy, busy, day.  We took reading and spelling tests, then ran to the Middle School for our math SBAC.  As soon as we were done we came back for the fine arts assembly and then went to lunch.  Our class had 80% of school colors so we got to go to lunch first!

In the afternoon the students went to the k-2 grade spring music program.  As I said, it was kind of crazy, but everyone had a great time.

If your student did not get their homework page in today, the purple one, please talk to them and get it in.

Thursday Last tests are tomorrow

Don't forget to wear maroon and white tomorrow!  This morning we read the story, Two Drawings and students were to read Pocahontas.  We did our vocabulary words and worked on our limericks.  In math we continued working on the relationship of liters to real life containers.

In the afternoon half of our class went with the honor choir to prepare for the program tomorrow afternoon at 1:30 for the k-2 grades music performance.  The rest of us worked on our May Day flowers and I read to students about Lewis and Clark.

Tomorrow is the last day to order books for this month's Scholastic order.  There were a lot of interesting books available.

Wednesday - Last test on Friday

Students took the second part of their reading test today.  I think, for those who took their time, it went well.  We next did math and learned more about liters.  The assignment was easy so I included another division sheet.  I really hope they can practice on this so next year it is easier for them to do division.

In the afternoon we finished our limericks and diamante poems, took our spelling tests and went to music.  Please talk to your student about spelling.  Those who are struggling really need to study.

We sent information for a book order, it needs to be back on Friday because we have one more to send out before year's end.  You can complete the order online using the code L8J7V

Tuesday - Testing first thing Wednesday morning

Just for your information, our class will be testing Wednesday morning at 8:15.  Please make sure your child gets the sleep they need and are well-fed and at school by 8:10.

Today students read Pocahontas, reviewed their spelling words, wrote sentences using their spelling words and wrote their genre paper.  In math we reviewed changing Kilograms into grams and Liters into Milliliters.  They seemed to get the idea easily.

In social studies students worked on their Limerick and Diamante poems.  Those are both due tomorrow.  Afterwards they went to the library.

Monday Testing Thursday and Friday

Our testing went well this morning.  Students took their time and seemed to move through the questions as expected.  After we got done, we had a longer recess to clear everyone's brain.  In math we changed Kg to g and then read and completed story problems.

In social studies the students learned about diamante and limerick poems.  We will be doing those tomorrow.

Remember we have testing on Thursday and Friday at 8:30.  Please make sure your student is ready for these.

Friday

This morning instead of having a reading test, we watched a movie on Louis Braille.  I believed they learned much more from the movie than they would from the test.  It is on youtube and shows his life and what he did to invent braille reading.  We also took our spelling test and worked on our narrative essays.

In math we worked on converting kilograms to grams.  I brought a scale and we determined the mass of different objects.  Then students held the objects so they could feel the difference.  We talked about the difference between mass and weight.

In the afternoon we started our May Day art project, it is fun.  We will be taking our second yearly test on Monday at 8:30 a.m. It will be a math test.  Please make sure your child is ready with a good breakfast and a good night's sleep so the test will be easier for them.

Thanks, Catherine Winward

Thursday

This morning students learned more about adjectives.  They also studied about intensive, reflexive and demonstrative pronouns.  Then they worked on their genre papers, did fluency testing and started the rough draft of their narrative essay.

In math we combined decimals with meters.  They jumped and then measured the jumps in hundredths.  That was fun.  Then they were able to complete the paper to see if they understood the information.

In social studies we looked at rocks and learned about the three different types of rocks.  Then we learned a song.  So often these children compare themselves to each other and only see the other's best side and their worst side.  So we sang a song to encourage the students to realize that it is good to be different.

Wednesday and we are back online

This morning students took their pre-spelling test.  Seven students earned 100%  Next we worked on our vocabulary words. Students also had about 15 minutes of reading time.

In math we worked on hundredths again.  We compared 2.05 to 2.50.  The students are understanding this quite well.  With a little more work they will have it.

After lunch students took their first SBAC test.  It was reading and writing.  Students seemed to finish fairly easily.  Mrs. Royer and Mrs Waldron were in there the entire time making sure all went well.  The SBAC tests the standards we have been teaching all year.  If you would like a copy of them, come and see me.  I have plenty.

Remember the last day to turn in projects for the Fine Arts Festival is Friday.  We have some great artists in our class and it would be nice to have them represented.  Remember, it doesn't cost anything.

Friday and Tuesday

For some reason I can't get on the site, I can edit things however.  Remember the spelling test is tomorrow.  Today we started on our narrative essay.  We worked more on decimals and fractions.  Students learned about the celebration of Passover and got to eat matzos.  We also looked at my pictures of the lunar eclipse.

I hope I can get this blog working again.

http://barton.mpls.k12.mn.us/words_their_way  DR is Yellow, list 30  SA is Green list 30 and WW is blue list 41


We took our spelling and reading tests this morning.  Then students learned about Narrative Essays.  These are essays that are stories about the author.  The idea of the essay is to make a point about something they have learned in their lives. Students took home a pink paper to help them come up with an idea for their essay.

In math we continued our work with decimal fractions.  Students seem to be understanding this pretty well.

In the afternoon, for social studies, we went over to the cemetery to see what we could learn there.  We looked at the different headstones to glean information about the people who have died.  We will take that information on Monday and use it as part of a lesson from our book.

Have a great week-end.

Thursday

This morning the students did their DOL and then started their Genre paper.  I have changed this. As I looked through the Common Core requirements I wanted to make certain the students can summarize their material.  So we are now writing a short summary, similar to what is expected for their homework, they also write how the material affects them and then they must compare and contrast the story with another story they have read.  After this we did our vocabulary words.

In math we are talking about decimal fractions.  Students seem to be understanding this quite well.  In social studies we learned about  the homesteaders coming to Idaho.  Tomorrow, if the weather lives up to its promise, we will go to the cemetery to learn what we can from that.  It is really an interesting expedition.

Literacy Night on Wednesday

This morning the students took their spelling test. 8 of the students earned 100% and 4 more only missed one word!  That is the best we have done all year.  We finished our story about Koko's Kitten and then watched a short video about the real Koko and his kitten.  We did our vocabulary words too.  The students should be ready now to write their vocabulary sentences on their homework page.

In math we learned how to make equivalent fractions from 1/5 to 2/10 to 20/100 and more.  In social studies we hit a brick wall on our filming.  Students just couldn't seem to work together without quarreling, so we had to end the idea.  Maybe we will try it later on something else.  We need to practice following instructions and getting along.

Don't forget that tonight is Literacy Night with Dr. Seuss.  The book fair is open too.

Tuesday Literacy Night Wed. 6:30-8:00

This morning, after a quick study of spelling words, students read, "Koko's Kitten."  It is a nice story about a gorilla that knows sign language.  We had fun signing some of the words.  Then students rushed off to the Book Fair over at the Dahle Library at the middle school.

In math we reviewed how to do division without remainders.  Students are finding this easier to do now.  Tomorrow we start exploring fractions with tenths and hundredths.

In the afternoon students began filming their social studies projects.  We should be ready by Thursday.

The Literacy night is tomorrow at the school.  It should be quite fun.  Also, the Fine Arts Festival is coming up.  Students must have their project in by next week.  If you need more information, they should have brought home a lime green paper with more information.

Monday - Please get homework pages in

This morning students got their new spelling words.  They should have their lists at home to study.  Our goal is that everyone can pass so there are no Friday spelling tests.  One place to study is Spelling City.  In the search choose Teacher's Name and then type in Lucherini.  There are two Lucherinis choose the one from HBLee.  Students can play free games to practice their words. We also went to computers to practice our typing.

In math we reviewed the basics from the test.  We will do that again tomorrow to see how well students remembered over the break.

During social studies students were given their subject and got right to work on their story boards.  We should be filming tomorrow and Wednesday.  Hopefully we can show our films on Thursday.

Literacy night is Wednesday from 6:30 to 8:30.  I will be reading Dr. Seuss from 7:00 to 7:30.  Also the Fine Arts Festival is coming up the 14th through the 18th. The book fair is this week at the middle school, next to their library!! Yea!