Friday

I am including the address so students can go online and take the AR tests, I hope this helps so everyone is able to attend the party.  Some of the students are really working hard to make it.  The online sit to take tests is:   http://ar.wssd.k12.id.us/RenaissanceServer/

Just paste that into your address bar and it should get you there.  You can also go to the home page of the school site and that will direct you to Renaissance.

We have had a terrifically busy day.  Students took reading and spelling tests, learned how to change fractions into decimal fractions (those have a power of ten) and then changing that into a decimal.  Students watched the 3rd grade perform their version of Frozen, and then we practiced for the end of year dance.  We barely had time to run into our classroom and clean it before we left.  Our spring program is on the 9th at 1:30, best to be in your seats by 1:15, it gets very crowded.

Thursday - Happy May Day

May Day was first celebrated to welcome in the summer.  Of course, we know summer doesn't come for a while, but in May the weather begins to let us know that summer is coming.  For May Day our students made baskets and flowers and then quietly went down the halls and hung the flowers on the doors of each classroom.  It was fun.

In language arts students learned more about Latin Root words.  Then they got their vocabulary words done. In math we worked on putting decimals in order and understanding the difference between tenths and hundredths.  In science the students are learning about force and motion.

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!

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.

Friday Report Cards should be home today

The auction went well today and we had two students in the walk of fame with over 300 points!  Report cards were also sent home.  If you want to arrange a time to meet with me, I would love to do that.  Just get in touch with me and we can schedule a time to sit and talk.

Students took their Anne Frank test today.  Then we went to the website and went through a "virtual" annexe.  Students really enjoyed that.  In math we learned about finding perimeter.  We will keep reviewing perimeter and area so the students keep those two items straight.

In the afternoon students displayed their fantastic solar systems.  Most of the school came and paraded through while we watched a video that compares the sizes of the planets to the stars.  Finally we had the auction and the Walk of Fame.  What a good day.

Next week there will be no school on Friday, March 7, as it is a scheduled teacher work-day.

Thursday - Auction tomorrow if . . .

Today we did our vocabulary words.  We also discussed the use of quotation marks and underlining to show titles.  The interesting thing is today, with so much on the computer, we just italicize instead of underline. In math students reviewed how to find the area of a rectangle.  Then the students had one rectangle in another rectangle and had to find the area of both rectangles and subtract one from the other.  They did pretty well.  Tomorrow we will do perimeters.

Miss Lu has had a great time seeing all of the solar systems come in.  From 12:30 until 1:00 tomorrow there will be a walk-through so you can see what all of the students did.  The other classes will be able to see it too.

Wednesday Soar System Thursday, Friday Auction

Students took their spelling test today.  They have to write any words they have missed five times.  Then, we read an excerpt from the story, "The Diary of Anne Frank."  We discussed the conditions of the world at the time and talked about why this kind of thing happens.  In math students took a test for the last section.  We will be review finding area tomorrow.

The solar system models are due tomorrow.  They can be up to a week late, however, they will be losing point for every day it is late.

Remember to send auction items with your students.

Tuesday - Solar System Thursday Auction Friday

This morning the students finished typing their patriotic essays.  We also learned about using commas and quotation marks.  In math we reviewed for tomorrow's test. We also took an evaluation to see how well students have learned the information this trimester.  We will continue to review these items so students will remember them.

Students have their solar systems due on Thursday.  Many interesting ones have been coming in every day.  They have been fascinating to see the creativity.

Monday Solar Systems due on Thursday

Thanks so much for everyone who came to the HoeDown on Friday.  It was fun.  Today we worked on our Patriotic Essays.  They need to be finished on Wednesday, so we are working hard to finish them.  Students got their spelling papers.  They are due at the start of class on Wednesday.  In math we worked on word problems in metrics.  That really stumped a lot of the students.  We will review it, but the test is much easier than today's work.  I think they will do fine.  We will review tomorrow and then start the test on either Tuesday or Wednesday depending on the need for review.

We will be having our classroom auction on Friday afternoon.  Students have been earning 4b bucks for different things, getting homework in, working, doing jobs, just the basic classroom activities.  Please send something with your student to auction off.  Only students with something to auction will be able to participate.  This doesn't need to be something from the store, just something at home that isn't getting much use anymore.  Thanks for all you do.

Thursday

We are reading the book, The Big Wave, by Pearl S. Buck.  It is causing quite the discussion in class.  Today we reviewed how to write dialogue in our stories.  We also worked on our vocabulary words.  In math we continued our work on the metric system.

Remember, tomorrow is the Hoedown, it begins at 6:30.  Through the funds earned the students will have their field trips.  Thanks for all you do.

Friday

It is the Hoedown tonight.  It starts at 6:30, come eat, see your children dance, bid on auction items, and have a good time.

We took our reading and spelling tests today.  Then we learned  more about metrics.  Today we dealt with changing kilometers into meters.  The worksheet was a bit tricky, but we are getting it.  We also finished the book, The Big Wave.  It has a happy ending.

Please get all the book orders in this week-end.  We need to get those done as we have the new book orders for March.

Wednesday

Students took their spelling test this morning and then we read the story, "The Big Wave." It is a sad story, and we will be reading the book in class so the students can hear "the rest of the story." After the story ended students wrote their genre paper which tells what genre the story is and then information about the story.

In math we learned about millimeters and their relationship to meters and centimeters.  Then in science students learned about the solar system.  Finally they went to music class.

Remember that the Hoedown is Friday.  We hope you can all come.

Homework: Math: MondayWrite this number in written form 234,983  Tuesday: Add these mixed numbers: 2 5/6 + 3 2/6  Wednesday: Sara was three times as old as her little brother.  Her little brother was 4, how old was Sara?  Thursday: Add these numbers; 2,357 + 4,764

Vocabulary words: tidal, wreckage, unconscious, sorrowfully, unfortunate.

Yellow list: exclaim, exclamation, assume, assumption, proclamation, explain, presume, reclamation, proclaim, acclaim, consumption, reclaim, perceive, acclamation, resume, received, explanation, reception, consume, presumption, resumption, perception.

Green list: saucer, awful, also, always, author, almost, August, all right, lawyer, although, awkward, autumn, laundry, laughed, awesome, gnawed, caution, flawless, faucet, already, auction, gawking, sausage, haunted

Blue list: watch, small, thought, salt, walk, though, calm, bought, wand, talk, stalk, bald, wasp, fought, swap, chalk, stall, ought, swat, brought, cough, also, almost

I hope that is all.

Tuesday

I hope your days off were as lovely as mine were.  We got right back to work this morning practicing our spelling words and typing our patriotic essays.  In math students learned to change meters to centimeters.  They also learned that the United States, Liberia and Myanmar are the only countries who do not use the metric system. After lunch students read or worked with me on their math facts.

In science the students were given a paper by Miss Lu to explain their next project.  Students are to make a model of the solar system. It is due February 27th. Then students went to the library.  After recess we looked at maps that showed a lot of interesting information about the world.  Remember, Friday is the Hoedown, a fund raiser that will allow students to go on an end of year field trip.  If you have anything you would like to donate to the silent auction, please bring it to the school.

Thursday no school tomorrow or Monday

Today was fun. We got our work done in the morning. We took our spelling and reading tests. In math we learned how to round six digit numbers and we worked with place value with six digit numbers.  Students had one dice with place values and another with the numbers 1-6.  They would roll the place value dice and then the other dice to determine which number went in which place value.

I would like to especially thank Dana Kay Moyle for pulling our Valentines Day party together.  Also, our thanks go to Kristy Jensen and Jaymi Nance for bringing treats.  The children had a great time.  Thanks to all of you, as parents, who make sure that none of the children get left out, and that everyone feels cared for.  Have a nice holiday with your children.

Wednesday Valentine Party is tomorrow at 12:45

Today was exciting as students spent time getting Valentine boxes made for the Valentine's Day festivities tomorrow. We also had school. The students took the Star Reading test to determine their reading levels. I will have a couple of the students re-take the test as there were extenuating circumstances as to why they didn't score as high as they should have. We also took our spelling test today. In math we began learning how to figure out where numbers are on number-lines. It seems so easy to adults, but teaching children how to figure out whether we are counting by tens, hundreds, or ten-thousands is a little tricky. It is amazing what we take for granted.

We had more than half of the class go to honor choir today. I let them go because some of them wanted to, and others wanted to see what it is like. But if they choose to go next week, they will need parent's permission.

Tuesday

We reviewed our spelling words today. We talked about why the different words were spelled the way they are. The students will have a spelling test tomorrow,and the next test will have to be on Thursday as we have no class on Friday. Math was simple, we worked on reading and writing more 6 digit numbers.

In the afternoon we played a Lewis and Clark game. It is online and your student can go to it by going to www.usmint.gove/kids/games/lewisclarkadventure/ I hope you allow them to take advantage of this learning game.

Monday

We read the funniest story today, McBroom and the Big Wind. It is a tall tale, and it makes me smile. We went to the computer lab to type our patriotic essays. Following directions is a skill the students are still learning, but I daresay that as adults, we often struggle with that too. In math we are writing and comprehending 6 digit numbers. It is fairly simple and we should be able to get through this first part of module 8 very quickly. In social studies we learned about Sacajewea. Then students went to P.E.

We will be making Valentine Boxes this week. If your child has anything they want to use to make one, send it by Wednesday. Our party will be on Thursday as there is no school on Friday.

Friday

It was a day of testing. Students took their spelling test, followed by a reading test, followed by a math test. Sometimes it just works out that way. They did have time to work on their Patriotic Essay, read, and finish their vocabulary words. Students seem to be in a big rush to get AR points, now that the semester is closing soon. Please encourage your student to read everyday, and not just cram it all in at the last minute. It will be easier, and they will be reading at their level.

Remember the Hoedown is coming on the 21st of February. Businesses are being so helpful by putting items in our silent auction. If you have anything for the silent auction, please bring it to the school. And I apologize that these will be close to the same time, but our class auction will be on the following Friday. So if you can think of a thing or two for the class auction, that would be great too.

Thursday

We reviewed capitalization and punctuation this morning. Students began work on a new paper; Patriotism, What Does Red White and Blue Mean To Me. In math we reviewed for our test tomorrow. Then we worked on using fractions in word problems. In social studies we learned about what supplies were taken on the Lewis and Clark expedition. It might surprise you some of their required supplies. Then students went to P.E. where they learned one of the dances they will be doing at the Hoedown on February 21st. We are getting some nice items for the silent auction. You should have received a handout for the Hoedown.

Homework this week is: Math: multiply 32 x 48 using the partial products method of Foil. Math: Write this in expanded and written form: 234,568 Math: Shirlene had 423 cards. She got 14 more from her grandmother, then she gave 25 to her little sister. How many cards did Shirlene have left? Math: Agatha wrote twice as many mysteries as Dr. Watson. Dr. Watson wrote 35 mysteries. How many mysteries did Agatha write?

Vocabulary words this week are: expedition, arctic, glacier, constellation, insulation.

Blue spelling words are:soon, good, cool, crook, fool, wood, could, noon, groom, hood, root, stood, tool, hook, troop, route, hoop, should, brook, stool, proof, wool, would, soot, roost.

Green list is: needle, feather, succeed, season, increase, leather, compete, repeat, defeat, feature, heavy, freedom, pleasant, meaning, indeed, extreme, fifteen, sweater, eastern, steady, healthy, people, reader, thirteen.

personal, personality, hostile, brutal, mentality, general, hostility, fatality, mental, fatal, formality, local, mobile, generality, brutality, locality, original, formal, individual, originality, mobility, fertile, individuality, fertility.

Wednesday

Today we finished the story of Matt Henson. It was a good biography, it teaches us to work hard. It also teaches the students that in the face of great disappointment, they can still do what needs to be done without carrying on. We had our spelling test today. In math we learned out to subtract fractions that required borrowing a one from the whole number. We used number-lines and the standard algorithm. We will just touch on this briefly and revisit it later in the year. In social studies we watched a fun video about Lewis and Clark. Then students played a game to test their understanding of the trip. Finally, we wrote supplies that we think would have been taken on the trip. Students went to music today.

Tuesday

Our Internet was down yesterday so I didn't get this written in. Today the students took the Direct Writing Assessment. We have worked on this all year, and will continue to do so. In math we learned how to subtract mixed numbers on the number-line. This shows students exactly what we are talking about when we say 3 3/4 - 2 1/4. We have nearly all of the students on the Khan Academy. I have gone in and given them recommended work so they are ready to keep moving forward. In Social Studies we learned about Lewis and Clark. We will continue learning about them for the next few weeks.

Friday Chinese New Year - Young Ambassadors right here in Dayton!

Students took their spelling test to day and then we began the celebration of the Chinese New Year. We learned about the 12 year cycles. Most of the students in our class were goats or monkeys. 2014 is the year of the horse. Students drew pictures of their critter. Then in the afternoon each student made a dragon to represent the monster Nian who used to terrify villages.

In math we thought we thought we had met Nian with a worksheet that went a bit beyond the student's ability. We will revisit the problems on Monday when everyone has seen how it is done, and is fresh and ready to try again. Homework pages are due today and the new blue ones will be going home tonight. Please encourage your child to write the paragraphs correctly.

Remember, the Young Ambassadors will be coming tonight to the Dahle Performing Arts Center. This would be a great way to influence your child toward an interest in music. Studies show students more involved in music seem to do better in school.

Thursday - Sign homework pages due tomorrow

Today students showed the videos they made with their vocabulary words. We discussed what was good about each one and what they could improve. We will do this about once a month. I hope this will teach the students a new skill and help teach them the vocabulary words even better. Students discussed simple sentences, complex sentences and compound sentences in our Language Art books. In math we reviewed our multiplication strategy of partial products. We learned that one way to multiply 42 x 38 is first to decompose the numbers and end up with (40 + 2) x (30 + 8) Then we taught them the foil method, which is multiply the first numbers in each parenthesis, 40 x 30= 1200, then the outside two numbers 40 x 8 = 320, next the two inside numbers 2 x 30 = 60, finally the last two numbers 2 x 8=16. You get four different partial products and then add those products together and you have the answer. The "FOIL" stands for the order first, outside, inside and last.

Remember the Young Ambassadors are coming on Friday. For those with children who love music, or you want them to love music, this might be the way to get them interested.

Wednesday - Spelling words and Homework

blue team: boy, point, whole, soil, noise, soy, spoil, join, coil, joy, foil, moist, joint, boil, toy, voice, coin, broil, cloak, choke, oil, stole, choice, loan, bowl, because

green team: rooster, include, Tuesday, reduce, balloon, useful, cartoon, doodle, fewer, jewel, refuse, raccoon, toothache, excuse, noodle, beauty, shampoo, pollute, chewy, scooter, confuse, cocoon, cougar, amuse, because

yellow team: volcano, volcanic, compose, composition, conspire, admire, custodian, competition, serene, divine, conspiracy, custody, complete, admiration, invitation, define, serenity, divinity, invite, opposition, definition, reside, oppose, resident, because

Math: Monday Use the standard algorithm to calculate the difference between 4,281 and 9057 Tuesday : Circle the fraction that is greater: 10/6 or 5/4 (hint: you will need to get the denominators the same) Wednesday: Lucille needed to be at school at 8:00. If it takes her 57 minutes to get to school, what time would she need to leave to get to school exactly on time? Thursday: Add these mixed numbers: 4 5/8 + 3 6/8

Vocabulary: Write these words in complete sentences that show what they mean. chafing – befall – pursued – deserted - idly

Today students did something different. They recorded their vocabulary words using the IPads. They had to make up a story board showing the requirements and then come up with a way to film the vocabulary word. They are learning the words as well as how to edit on the IPad. In math the students are now using partial products to multiply two digit numbers. It was a bit tricky, but they are getting it. The tests from last week should have come home today.

Tuesday

We began reading the story of Matthew Hensen, the man who accompanied Robert Peary to the North Pole. It is a tremendously fantastic story of courage and determination. Then we decided to do something different with the vocabulary words. Students are going to use the iPads and iMovie to present our vocabulary words. In math we practiced our partial product multiplication.

There is a program coming up that you might want to attend. On Friday, January 31st the Young Ambassadors from Brigham Young University will be performing at the Dahle Performing Art Center. This should be a fantastic performance and something wonderful for the children to see. If you buy your tickets in advance it is $7 for students and $12 for adults. It is $40 for the entire family. If you buy tickets at the door it is $10 for students, $15 for adults and $45 for the family. You can come to the District Office to buy it or online www.wssd.k12.id.us

Monday

Students received their spelling lists this morning and we reviewed the spelling words with each group. Then we went to computers. We had to use key covers for some of the students as they are struggling not to look down the entire time. In math we added 1000s to our partial group multiplication. The students seem to be comprehending this new way to multiply very quickly. We were actually able to do two lessons today because they are moving so quickly. We will, eventually, teach the standard algorithm for multiplication. However, using this one makes it much easier for the student to actually understand what they are doing with the standard algorithm

Please work on addition, subtraction and multiplication facts with your students. They really need to feel more confident with these numbers.

Friday

Students took their reading and spelling tests this morning. Then they began to work on their persuasive essays. Some students are really moving along well on these. In math we took Thursday's idea and increased it by multiplying in the 100s place. This afternoon students had Lara Sant come and talk to them about staying healthy. Then they celebrated the 100th day of school in the gym playing games. Your students were so good they earned gold cards!"

Thursday

This morning we started out by learning a little more about similes and metaphors, the possessive form of nouns. Then we worked on how to get a good main idea in a paper and then back it up with details. Students at this age tend to want to wander a good bit and my goal is to help them learn to stick to the idea they started with. In math we learned a different way to multiply. First, the problem is 6 x 24. Draw a rectangle that has 6 on the width and 24 on the length. Next you "decompose" or break up the 24 into "friendly" numbers such as 20 and 4. Then multiply the 6 times the 20. Next multiply the 6 times the four. Add the two answers together and you have the answer to 6 x 24.

Wednesday

Students took their spelling pre-test today. We had three who got 100%. I am noticing that usually, when the students write their spelling words the three required times, they do much better on the spelling test. We discussed the setting, plot, characters, conflict and resolution from our story. Then students reviewed the vocabulary words and did their vocabulary pages.

We had our math test today and I hope to have those graded tomorrow. However, they will not get them home until I can catalog which questions were missed and that takes a little extra time. Finally students got onto Khan Academy. They went to music this afternoon.

Tuesday

I apologize for not writing yesterday, I could get Ask Teacher up, but I couldn't get the computer to let me type on it. Cole came and fixed it today, so that is great. Our new story is, "Shadow of the Bull." It is not my favorite as a young man is gored by a bull and the village men bring the son of the country's renown, though deceased, bull fighter in to see the injured man. The son wants to be a doctor, but sees no way out of the expectations of those around him. We talked a lot about pride, the kind that you are pleased when you do a job well, and the kind when you are just arrogant.

In math we began working on a pre-test to prepare us for the real test tomorrow. Students must be able to add fractions and do word problems and picture problems using the fractions. When students were finished, those who have parent permission worked on Khan Academy. This allows me to see where students are struggling, how long they have worked on the different problems, and who is really working. The best part is I can help students with areas they have difficulties, instead of doing a hit and miss kind of helping.

Friday

We started with the spelling test, moved onto the reading test, and then went onto math. We added mixed numbers where the fraction equaled more than one. Students had to add the whole numbers, add the fraction, recognize it was more than one, and then adding the new whole number to the previous whole number and include the new fraction. It was quite a stretch, but I think they understand it. In the afternoon we had our first Show and Tell and enjoyed that. Next week students will be going to Miss Lu for science and learning about our solar system.

Thursday Tomorrow is Show and Tell

We are going to have our first show and tell day tomorrow. If your child has something to bring or something to tell us about, please encourage that. We worked on our vocabulary words today. We also learned about inferences and the difference between drawing conclusions. The two are very similar. As the students do this I go around and make sure that they are writing good sentences.

In math we continued adding together mixed numbers, students seemed to do a good job on this. I sent home a book order catalog today. If you want to order online our classroom number is: L8J7V. Reading is a great way to gain knowledge. I am also reading individually with each child to see if they are able to read comfortably at a 4th grade level, another requirement of common core. I have the students read from the reading book and listen to see if they read easily, fluently and then I ask questions to see if they can comprehend what they just read.

Wear maroon or white tomorrow.

Wednesday

After our spelling test I took a few students out to listen to them read. One of the requirements of Common Core is to make sure students are reading at grade level. One way parents can help with this is to team read, that is both parent and child read aloud the same material at the same time, kind of like a choral reading. Students also worked on Language Arts and wrote the four basic types of sentences. In math we are starting to find different ways to represent mixed numbers, for example 2 1/2 can also be written as 5/2. Students are taught that the two is 4/2 and then we add that to 1/2. In social studies students made their posters, and watched a video of Rosa Parks. We discussed the need to be respectful of everyone. Then they went on to music time.

Tuesday

Today we followed along as we listened to our story read to us. I thought it would be an interesting way to change the pattern of doing things. Then students wrote their genre paper explaining the genre, how the story affected them, how the story might affect the world and then they had to related it to another story we have read. In math students worked on understanding mixed numbers. They learned to write mixed numbers in different ways. In social studies we learned about some of the civil rights history of the United States. Tomorrow we will watch a short clip on Rosa Parks and then make a poster. Students then went to the library.

Monday

This morning we worked on our spelling words and then went to the computer lab to practice typing skills. The new test, the SBAC will require students to type our math explanations. The more quickly and accurately the student types, the shorter the test will be for them. In math we learned how to change fractions into whole numbers. For example 8/4 = 2. We talked about the relationships, that 8 divided by 2 =4. In social studies students learned about the ideals of Martin Luther King Jr. Students should be getting close to their second AR goal. We are encouraging them to read and test at school, the more students read, the easier school will be for them.

Friday

Students took spelling and reading tests today. We also reviewed vocabulary words. In math we did 6.5 which was using a tape diagram to differentiate between comparisons involving subtraction and division. This taught the students how to decide if the word problem involves subtraction or division. They also did 6.6 which is again using word problems by comparing things. I kept a few students in during morning recess to review some mistakes they made on 6.4 so that they will not fall behind. In the afternoon we finished most of our legends and then students went to P.E. Congratulations to Cooper, Parker and Tanner for being in the Walk of Fame this afternoon.

Thursday

The class finished the story "The New Doctor" and wrote their genre paper telling how this story affects them and the world. Then we began discussing different ideas we could come up with ideas to write a persuasive paper. We discussed things the students felt passionate about. I was interested to learn how politically aware this class is. In math we worked again on differentiating between how to read word problems that ask students to multiply and understanding word problems that deal with addition. Today's problems included division. Each student was given multiplication/division triangles and so we put the numbers in a triangle with the product at the top of the triangle and the factors in either lower corner. Students are continuing to practice addition facts at their tables. Once they show they can do these well, we will take out the multiplication cards and work harder on these.

In social studies students finished reading their legends. A few students had to start again as their story wasn't a legend, though they were interesting. Tests went home today as did a letter from me about the Khan Academy and a request to you as parents to contact me if you feel a need to discuss your child. The second paper that went home was about our upcoming Hoe Down. The money from this is used to allow students to have an end of year field trip. If you have anything to donate to the Silent Auction, please bring it to the school. The Hoe Down isn't until Feb. 21st so now is a good time to get started planning.

Wednesday

Monday's tests did not go home today. I still need to finish cataloging how students did on each question. This morning we took a spelling test, worked on our vocabulary words and then read more from our story. During math we worked on the difference between, "Jane bought a dress for $5. Her shoes cost twice as much as her dress, how much did the shoes cost? How much did she spend altogether." and "Jane bought a dress for $5. Her new shirt cost 3 dollars more than her shirt. How much did the shirt cost? How much did they cost together?" We also talked about learning to explain your thinking in writing. The SBAC test that is taking the place of the ISAT tests requires the students to explain their thought processes. In social studies we began reading the legends the students wrote. Some needed to try again as a legend has to explain why something is the way it is. It has been fun listening to their ideas. The students had music today.

Please make sure that your child has winter clothing. They are required to go out for recess and it is so cold out. Also, a paper went home today about free dental care. Please look over it and see if this is something your family could use. Thanks for all you do.

Tuesday

This morning students reviewed the words for our new story, "The New Doctor," and then we started the story. Next students wrote a story and had the other students do a peer review on it. In math students are learning how to recognize what to do with word problems. They will be learning when to add or multiply. In social studies students watched a Native American legend about why the rabbit has a short tail. Then students wrote their own legend. Afterwards they went to the library. After P.E. we reviewed some of the information from the test. I should have those back to the students tomorrow. We had a few who did not get them turned in and I wanted to grade them all before I passed them back. Be looking for the test tomorrow.

Monday

This morning we reviewed our new spelling words, then we headed to the computer lab to type. In math we took a test on Module 5. I will be grading those tonight and we will determine if anything needs to be re-taught. Then we will move on. In Social Studies we talked about Native American legends. Students were asked to pay attention as they drive home today and come up with an idea for their own legend. We will be writing legends tomorrow.

Friday

Today we practiced writing and correcting. Then we prepared for the math test on Monday. We will review, and the students who were gone today will stay in at morning recess so they can review also. In the afternoon we finished our Kwanzaa mats and had P.E.

Thursday - Happy New Year

It was an interesting start to school this morning as it was a bit cold. But we got to work and after a bit, all went well. We are starting a new unit in writing. The students have been writing all year, but we are now starting to peer edit. The students will have someone else read their work and determine what needs to change. This should encourage everyone to do a bit better because as you begin to critique another's work, you find the deficiencies in your own. We also worked on our angles again. Students are starting to make progress here. We also started a discussion about Kwanzaa in our social studies unit. Students learned why Kwanzaa got its beginning in the 1960s. Tomorrow we will talk a little more about this new holiday. Wear school colors tomorrow!

Friday, Merry Christmas!

We had a great day today. We finished, A Christmas Carol, made gifts and opened presents. The students did very well on their two songs at the program. May you all have a blessed Christmas. We will see your children on January 2nd, 2014.

Thursday - gift exchange is tomorrow

Students enjoyed seeing Christmas around Cache Valley. Different people came in and had the students join them in various activities about Christmas. Then in the afternoon we went over to practice for our Christmas program. Hope to see you there.

Wednesday

We finished our second, A Christmas Carol movie today. The class seemed to like it. On Friday we will watch the last one. We are hurrying to finish the book too. In math we learned how to recognize acute, obtuse and right angles. Then in the afternoon students practiced for the program set for Friday afternoon. Please make sure to be there early. Also, students need to get their gifts for the exchange here tomorrow. It just saves a lot of grief if the gifts are here a day early.

Tuesday

Students studied their vocabulary words today, tomorrow we will review. Then we started the second of the, "A Christmas Carol." This one is the "Muppet Christmas Carol." Again, we are comparing similarities and differences between the movies and the books. Math was a bit of a challenge today as students began using protractors. I think the most difficult part is remembering where to place it so you can use both angle arms. We worked diligently on the page, and will continue to do so. Students then went to science and library. We finished the day cleaning and reading, "A Christmas Carol." Please remember to send a gift with your child by Thursday. It will make everyone's life calmer. And at this time of the year we seem to all need that.

Monday - Christmas is coming

This morning students read their stories and we finally got to watch Mr. Magoos's A Christmas Carol. We will be watching two other versions and compare those with the actual story by Charles Dickens. In math we struggled with measuring angles. It was new, we redid the paper and some students will have it as homework tonight. Make sure they are putting the lines together and the point of the measuring tool is on the point of the angle. We will continue this tomorrow.

On Thursday we will be doing Christmas around Cache Valley in the morning. On Friday we will have our Christmas Party from 11:00 to 11:45. Before that we will be finishing our last A Christmas Carol, movie. We will be doing a gift exchange. Your child can bring an inexpensive store bought gift or something homemade. Please make sure the gifts are here by Thursday so we don't have to fret on Friday. Thanks!

Friday

Our Hour of Code on Wednesday went really well. Some of the students have already started on the Khan Academy lessons for coding. Some are just reviewing the first lesson to relearn the information. I really would like to use the Khan Academy for all students to help them in the areas they are weak. If you will send me permission, I will put your child in my class. Thursday we learned about adding fractions and Friday we learned how to do word problems with fractions. Students needed to understand which information was necessary. We took reading and spelling tests today and started on our first, "A Christmas Carol" movie. Unfortunately the school Internet did not cooperate. We will be comparing the movies to the book, which is a skill listed under the common core to compare and contrast.

The Christmas program is next Friday at 1:30 in the auditorium You are invited to watch your child in this activity. It is a good idea to arrive early as last year there was standing room only. Also Scrooge is being presented in Preston tonight.

Tuesday, please let me know

This morning we practiced making sentences more exciting. Students had fun adding words to their sentences so the sentences would be more exact in meaning. Then we read our fluency words for the story, "The Bridge Dancers." Then we read the story. In math we are learning to add fractions. This is fairly simple for the students who add well. For those who do not, it is a trial. Please practice basic math facts with your children regularly. It is one thing that parents can do that will help students so very much.

Tomorrow, during math time, we are going to do something very different. We are all going to go on Khan Academy to learn a little computer coding. We will just do it for the one day. Students that find it interesting can continue with Khan Academy lessons. I would like each parent's permission to register their child on Khan Academy. I have sent home an email asking for that permission. If you do not want to do that, they can do this without registering. Please let me know as soon as possible as it does take the parent's email to do this and I need to set a password up. So it will take some time. This should be an eye opener for the children as to how easy basic coding is. Many jobs in the future will either depend on farming or coding.

Monday

Today students reviewed their spelling words. We sat at the table and the students were able to see the connections in the words that they are spelling. Then we went to the computer lab. Students that can type more thatn 20 words per minute with 95% accuracy are being allowed to type stories. We will be getting into power point after Christmas.

In math we learned how to multiply denominators together to get a common multiple. Some students really struggled with where to put which number. We will continue to review, or you can help them at home. Then they went to Science where there are learning about how animals use camouflage

We are having a food bank at the school. Students are encouraged to bring food for those without. Canned food is the best to bring. Thanks for your help. Also, we need any book orders in right away. Please get this done so I can send it in. Thanks!

Friday

So sorry for the lack of posts, my mom has been having some health issues and I had to be gone today. Students should have taken their reading and spelling tests. Some students will be in different spelling groups and their homework pages were handed to them before I left school today. They also had an art activity this afternoon. Our Scholastic reading orders need to be places as soon as possible. If you could please get online and post your order. The password to do so is L8J7V. Thanks

Wednesday

We read the most interesting story today. It was about the first doctor who opened a chest to sew up a heart. The story told how dangerous it was for the doctor, but he knew the man would die if he did not operate. Students then started on their third story. This one is a narrative. They are to tell a story. It is required for the 4th grade common core. This story must have conversations in it. In math we came one step closer to the mathematical way of finding equivalent fractions. It will be nice to get here.

In Social Studies we learned the dance "Mayim" to got with our Hanukkah study. It is a fun dance and the students appeared to be having a great time. Then we sang "Hava Nagila." Students went to choir, they are getting ready for the Christmas Program which will be held about 1:30 on December 20th. If you plan on coming, come early. Scholastic book orders will be due on December 6th. That way we will get the books back in time for Christmas. You can order online. Our class's code is L8J7V http://www.scholastic.com/parents/

Monday and Tuesday

This week we are learning about Hanukkah. On Monday we listened to a Hanukkah story and today we watched a movie and each student made a menorah. As students learn about different cultures, they will learn to appreciate other people. The story of Hanukkah tells how the Jews fought against the Greeks who were trying to destroy the Jewish faith by encouraging the people to give up their beliefs.

We took a math test yesterday and today started anew on equivalent fractions. Up to this point we have just compared models. But tomorrow we will begin seeing the mathematical way to find equivalence.

In reading we reviewed the new words in our reading selection. There were many words that the students were unfamiliar with. We will not be doing normal vocabulary this week, and the first spelling test will be Thursday instead of Wednesday.

Friday

Today students took their reading and spelling tests. They also worked on their fences page. During math we started learning a new strategy in multiplication called decomposing. We took numbers apart and then divided them. We will work more on this on Monday. Then we started our auction and had a great time figuring out how much money we needed and had, and could be buy what we had bid for. I think the auction itself was quite the learning experience. Homework papers are coming home that will go from this Friday until next Sunday. That way the students can still read during Thanksgiving and have a paper for you to sign off.

Thursday Auction tomorrow!

We celebrated another birthday today and finished reading our story. Tomorrow will be the spelling and reading tests. In math we practiced relating connection between multiplying by tens, hundreds, thousands etc. In Social Studies students gave their last native american reports. Almost all of the students were prepared.

Tomorrow, along with being spirit day, is our class auction. Students will bring different items form home and auction them off. It is a reward for good behavior. I am also trying something new. Each student has, on their desk, a little piece of paper. If I have to get after them for calling out, not following instructions, being off task, etc., they put a mark on their page. Anyone with less than three marks at the end of first recess, gets $5.00 of our class money. This rewards those who are doing what they should. I appreciate ideas from parents that make our class move along better. Thanks!

Wednesday

This morning the class reviewed all of the vocabulary words and took spelling tests. In math student practiced multiplying and noticing that relationship between numbers as they are multiplied by tens, hundreds and thousands. In the afternoon two of the groups gave their Native American reports and showed the dioramas. Most did a great job. The last part of the day, after music, we went to see a little play put on at the auditorium. It was very good. Remind your children to bring things for the auction on Friday. We are getting a few things in and we all want them!

Tuesday

We practiced finding the subject and predicate in sentences this morning. Students then started their fluency list. Then they started the reading. It is quite fascinating, things that people used to believe before there were microscopes. In math we are working on division with remainders. We did it in an odd, way, figuring out the multiplication problem that would lead to the division problem. The purpose in this is to make it easier for the students to connect the two operations. We also took a 3x multiplication page. Students took it home. Please help them learn the ones they are not fast on.

In Social Studies students were supposed to bring the assigned parts of their diormas. Many forgot the parts. They can come in before school and during first and second recess to take care of this tomorrow.They will start the reports tomorrow also.

Monday

This Friday will be our Big Bucks Auction. Students have been earning 4B dollars throughout the school year. They earn this by their behavior, work and attitude. To make this auction work, each student needs to bring something to auction. It can be a small toy that the student no longer uses, but is still in good shape, a treat, a craft, anything like that. This is not to be anything expensive, so please help them use wisdom in what they bring.

We did our spelling words this morning and then worked in the computer lab. We hope to work on a short Power Point presentation after Thanksgiving. In math we dealt with the relationship between division and multiplication. In the afternoon students worked on their Native American project. This will be due on Wednesday and Thursday. They need to be working on their diorama too.

Friday

Student took their reading and spelling tests today. Those students who missed spelling words were required to write them ten times. The hope is that they will spend a little more time studying next week. Then the students began on their writing assignments. In math we did story problems that required adding and subtracting. That was startling to some of them. They asked why they needed to learn this. I pulled out my check book and showed them how important it is to know how to add and subtract so you don't get overdrawn. In the afternoon we did some science supporting the information students are learning in Miss Lu's class. We talked about vertebrates and invertebrates and then watched some videos showing the different animals. We watched how a sponge takes food in, we saw jelly fish, and watched a sand dollar move.

On Friday the 22nd we will be having our class auction. Each student is to bring an item to auction off. It is not to be anything expensive, a liter of pop, homemade cookies, a toy in good condition that just isn't used anymore, a book that has been read and put aside. All children must have something to add to the auction so they can participate.

Thursday - School Colors tomorrow and read!

Students wrote a short paper concerning their reading assignment for the week. They also presented their vocabulary words to the class. They are getting very good at this. Each student also re-read the story. Tomorrow there will be a spelling and reading test. In math we worked on word problems using subtraction. Most of the students did quite well on this. In the afternoon students went to science and then headed to the auditorium for an assembly. Ask them about that. We ended the day reading, A Christmas Carol.

Tuesday

This morning students reviewed how to put paragraphs in a logical order. They need to do this for their reports. Next we went over the fluency words and then read our story. It is a folktale called, "Salt." After recess students practiced subtracting and regrouping. This is something that is often a bit of a struggle as students try to understand about zeroes and subtraction. Students then went to science and library. Mrs. Maw said that our class was exceptionally good going to the new middle school library. I gave them all gold cards for good behavior. After the room was cleaned we went back to reading our book, "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens. In December we will be watching movies of the Christmas Carol and compare them to the book.

Monday Veterans Day

This morning we learned about Veterans Day. We listened to the poem, "In Flander's Field" by John McCrae, "In Flanders field the poppies grow. . . " Then we made poppies to remind us of the many sacrifices that have been made for us. We hurried on to do our Language and spelling and then went to the computer lab to type. In math we worked on subtraction. At 11-11 at 11:11 all of the school stood and said the Pledge of Allegiance. This was the time that the armistice was signed that was to end all wars. In the afternoon students went to science and then we had the Veterans Day assembly to honor those who gave so that we could have freedom.

Anyone who still wants to order books, please do so now. We only have two orders in.

Friday

We did our math and spelling tests today. Those who missed more than two had to come in and re-take the test at lunchtime. It seems to me that some of the students aren't studying their words and I hope that this encourages the students to do better. We worked on our writing, then some students read their paragraph on why we shouldn't use drugs. In the afternoon we worked on an art project. In our story this week we learned about stencils, so the students made stencils and colored them in. Then the sheriff sent a few officers to encourage our kids to stay off drugs. We ended the day with the Walk of Fame.

If you have anything you want to order from Scholastic Books, please do it before Monday as I will be sending things off in the afternoon. Thanks!

Thursday - wear red tomorrow

This morning we reviewed our vocabulary words. Students should be able to write their sentences on their homework. Then we worked on writing a thesis statement for an essay and how to write the sentences to explain topic sentences. In math we worked on the subtraction algorithm with three digit numbers. If your student talks about regrouping, it is just the old borrowing, just with a different vocabulary.

Tomorrow is our last day in anti drug week. Students have been asked to wear red. If they don't have an entirely red shirt, then help them find something that is red. We are also working hard to get 1/3 of their AR points by November 15th. Just as an aside, I have told them that next semester, this will not be acceptable. They must be reading the majority of their books at their reading level We will have the Walk of Fame tomorrow at 2:45 and our assembly is at 2:00.

Wednesday Book orders due on Friday

Students took their spelling tests this morning. Then we read, wrote more on our anti-drug essay and took AR tests. During math we took the 2nd half of the math test. I took some of the students this morning, before school, and during morning recess to work on areas they were struggling with the math test. In the afternoon students went to choir and to Miss Lu's class for science.

Remember that book orders are due on Friday. It is best if you order online. If you cannot, just sent the paper, filled out (last time I had two with no names on them) and the money and I will do the ordering. Tomorrow is hat day.

Tuesday

We read our new story today. It is about a visually impaired boy and his friend who start a business. We then did our fluency words and started on the vocabulary words. In math we took a test and corrected it in class. Then students went to the library and to science. Students have been taking AR tests in the morning and hopefully they will achieve their goals.

Tomorrow is wacky hair day.

Monday

Today was mismatched day. Tomorrow will be twin day. I told anyone that didn't have a twin to wear a sports team shirt and jeans and we would be matched. We did spelling and typing this morning. In math we prepared for our test tomorrow. The students seemed to understand the material. In the afternoon students took AR tests and then went to science.

Friday

This morning, after our spelling and reading tests, students started working on their writing. They are learning to add more information to their paragraphs, which is not as easy as it sounds. They are also working on their grammar, spelling and handwriting skills. After recess we reviewed rounding. Students were instructed to take their paper home. Please look at it and see if they need more help. We worked on equivalent fractions in class. Students struggled in following the instructions to write the numbers on the number line showing how many fractional parts were in each section. Once they followed that instruction, it was much easier for them to complete the assignment.

Next week is Red Ribbon week. We will be teaching the students the joy of staying away from addicting substances. Monday is mismatch hair day, Tuesday is twin, or triplet or . . . day, Wednesday is wacky hair day, Thursday is hat day and Friday is red shirt day. Please help your child participate in this activity and more importantly, talk to them at home about the need to stay free from addicting substances. Share with them how difficult it is to stop and how much control of their lives, their money and their freedom people lose by becoming addicted. Thanks for all you do.