Thank you for an amazing year with your amazing children!
I hope you all have a wonderful summer.
I will be heading to Eagle next year... be sure to drop in and say hi if you are in the building!
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Wrapping Things Up
I can not believe that we are wrapping things up in fourth grade!!!
This week we are completing Ecosystems (test Friday), Hands on Equations (test Friday), Book Buddie Projects (presentations on Tuesday), and our Friendship Books.
We have had an amazing year and I am so grateful for the hard work of Team Jones!
This week we are completing Ecosystems (test Friday), Hands on Equations (test Friday), Book Buddie Projects (presentations on Tuesday), and our Friendship Books.
We have had an amazing year and I am so grateful for the hard work of Team Jones!
Monday, June 6, 2011
Poetry
We have just completed our 18 poetry centers, read poetry, and published 2-3 poems. All of this hard work can be found in your child's Writer's Notebook and their Writing Portfolio. Way to go Team Jones!
Center 1 – Feeling Poem Center
Center 2 – Read to Me Center
Center 3 – Bio Poem Center
Center 4 – Simile, Metaphor, Onomatopoeia Center
Center 5 – Building Blocks Center
Center 6 – List Poem Center
Center 7 – Missing Titles Center
Center 8 – Visualizing Center
Center 9 – Window Center
Center 10 – If I Poem
Center 11 – Bookmark Center
Center 12 – Portrait of a Poem Center
Center 13- Crack Open a Word Center
Center 14 – Line Break Center
Center 15 – Poetry Story Center
Center 16 – Analyze Center
Center 17 – Free Write Center
Center 18 – Where I’m From Center
Our next writing piece is a Friendship Book. It will be introduced today!
Center 1 – Feeling Poem Center
Center 2 – Read to Me Center
Center 3 – Bio Poem Center
Center 4 – Simile, Metaphor, Onomatopoeia Center
Center 5 – Building Blocks Center
Center 6 – List Poem Center
Center 7 – Missing Titles Center
Center 8 – Visualizing Center
Center 9 – Window Center
Center 10 – If I Poem
Center 11 – Bookmark Center
Center 12 – Portrait of a Poem Center
Center 13- Crack Open a Word Center
Center 14 – Line Break Center
Center 15 – Poetry Story Center
Center 16 – Analyze Center
Center 17 – Free Write Center
Center 18 – Where I’m From Center
Our next writing piece is a Friendship Book. It will be introduced today!
Friday, May 27, 2011
Friday update 5/27
I am happy to report that we are in the final stretch of school. I am sending home a paper newsletter to make sure I hit all families with the information. Please continue to check our Blog for all up to date info! I wanted to give you an update on the curriculum for the remainder of the year!
In Reading Workshop we are starting buddy reading and projects on Friday. Students will be reading the same book with one or two partners. They will share, discuss, and question each other as they read. In addition, they will complete an in-school project together when they complete the book. In addition, I will begin reading with each student to document his or her growth through this year. It is amazing how far some of my readers have come!
In Writing Workshop, we are currently in the midst of Poetry Centers. Each poet will complete 18 centers teaching skills from word choice to visualization. At the conclusion, we will have a book of published poems to share. We will also complete a Friendship Book in June.
In math, we have been working on probability with M&M’s (they came home yesterday!). We will have a test on Friday on these concepts. Beginning next week we will be working on Hands on Equations. This is the introduction to algebra for your students. It begins with “hands on” concrete representations. It is a great week or two of math! Following Hands on Equations, we will be working on real life word problems (grocery shopping, traveling across the US, etc). It is exciting and educational.
Our SS presentations began today. The handouts and posters look fabulous. It is clear that a lot of time went into these. We spent three weeks in class and in library researching and learning about our topics. We will do 2-3 presentations per day working in chronological order.
We still have a unit of science to complete as well. Ecosystems is a fun unit that we will begin right after the NYS Science Test. We have begun our review for the test and will continue brushing up on our science before Monday June 6th.
Everyone seems to be looking forward to their trips to Eagle and Slingerlands. I will accompany them for lunch, recess, and an activity. It should be great fun!
In Reading Workshop we are starting buddy reading and projects on Friday. Students will be reading the same book with one or two partners. They will share, discuss, and question each other as they read. In addition, they will complete an in-school project together when they complete the book. In addition, I will begin reading with each student to document his or her growth through this year. It is amazing how far some of my readers have come!
In Writing Workshop, we are currently in the midst of Poetry Centers. Each poet will complete 18 centers teaching skills from word choice to visualization. At the conclusion, we will have a book of published poems to share. We will also complete a Friendship Book in June.
In math, we have been working on probability with M&M’s (they came home yesterday!). We will have a test on Friday on these concepts. Beginning next week we will be working on Hands on Equations. This is the introduction to algebra for your students. It begins with “hands on” concrete representations. It is a great week or two of math! Following Hands on Equations, we will be working on real life word problems (grocery shopping, traveling across the US, etc). It is exciting and educational.
Our SS presentations began today. The handouts and posters look fabulous. It is clear that a lot of time went into these. We spent three weeks in class and in library researching and learning about our topics. We will do 2-3 presentations per day working in chronological order.
We still have a unit of science to complete as well. Ecosystems is a fun unit that we will begin right after the NYS Science Test. We have begun our review for the test and will continue brushing up on our science before Monday June 6th.
Everyone seems to be looking forward to their trips to Eagle and Slingerlands. I will accompany them for lunch, recess, and an activity. It should be great fun!
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Reminder!!
We still have 17 days of school left. That means that we still have hw! I know it is getting nice outside and there are extra curricular activities, but please make sure school stays a priority! We have had a huge dip in hw completed on time!
Monday, May 9, 2011
Math
This week we will focus our attention on math review, social studies, and writing (but that is not to say we won't be reading!).
We started this week with a great Scotia Glenville Presentation: Measuring! It was a fantastic hands on measurement review. Perfect timing for our math and science state testing that are coming up. We will continue to review math for our tests on Wednesday and Thursday this week.
We have completed revising and editing our Fractured Fairy Tales and we will begin to create our final copy and PodCasts during this week. I can't wait to send home such an entertaining project!
Social Studies is going to take a shift from teacher led to student led. Topics will be picked today! Each student will be responsible for researching and presenting a topic from NYS history post the American Revolution. There is a rubric attached to their direction sheet. This will be worked on both at school and at home.
Don't forget that good breakfast and good night sleep this week!!!
We started this week with a great Scotia Glenville Presentation: Measuring! It was a fantastic hands on measurement review. Perfect timing for our math and science state testing that are coming up. We will continue to review math for our tests on Wednesday and Thursday this week.
We have completed revising and editing our Fractured Fairy Tales and we will begin to create our final copy and PodCasts during this week. I can't wait to send home such an entertaining project!
Social Studies is going to take a shift from teacher led to student led. Topics will be picked today! Each student will be responsible for researching and presenting a topic from NYS history post the American Revolution. There is a rubric attached to their direction sheet. This will be worked on both at school and at home.
Don't forget that good breakfast and good night sleep this week!!!
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Yippie - Yahoo!!!
We have completed the ELA Testing for 4th grade! Fantastic work everyone!
We will continue to work on math review before the tests on WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY of next week.
In addition, we are completing our Fractured Fairy Tales and we will be creating pod casts and CD's as our published work.
Please mark your calendars for the following dates:
TUESDAY May 31st is Chili's Giveback Night for the Dorothy McDonald Scholarship Fund. 10% of sales from 5-8 at the Glenmont Chili's will go to the fund!
MONDAY June 13th is a Lasagna Dinner at school from 5-7 pm!!
We will continue to work on math review before the tests on WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY of next week.
In addition, we are completing our Fractured Fairy Tales and we will be creating pod casts and CD's as our published work.
Please mark your calendars for the following dates:
TUESDAY May 31st is Chili's Giveback Night for the Dorothy McDonald Scholarship Fund. 10% of sales from 5-8 at the Glenmont Chili's will go to the fund!
MONDAY June 13th is a Lasagna Dinner at school from 5-7 pm!!
Monday, April 25, 2011
We're Back!
Welcome back from vacation! I hope everyone is rested and ready for the last 9 weeks of fourth grade... nine weeks... can you believe it??!! Time has just flown by!
This week in math we will be spending some time on measurement. We will work with rulers, measuring cups, make conversions, and word problems. In addition, we will begin our practice for the math test the second week in May. Today we will cover Book 1 and review tomorrow, etc.
In Reading Workshop we are devoting a week to ELA practice. As a class we completed book 3 together in class today to get used to the format. Tomorrow, the students will be taking a practice book 3. This is the final book of the test that we have not covered. The English Language Arts test is next Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
We will be taking a break from SS for two weeks to get some prep time in for our upcoming state tests but we will be back on the third week in May!
Your Yankee Candle Orders are in!!! Please pick them up in the lobby at your convenience this week, all boxes are labeled with your child's name. We are not permitted to send glass items on the bus.
I hope the warm weather really comes this week as the meteorologists have promised, I think we all need it!
Enjoy!
This week in math we will be spending some time on measurement. We will work with rulers, measuring cups, make conversions, and word problems. In addition, we will begin our practice for the math test the second week in May. Today we will cover Book 1 and review tomorrow, etc.
In Reading Workshop we are devoting a week to ELA practice. As a class we completed book 3 together in class today to get used to the format. Tomorrow, the students will be taking a practice book 3. This is the final book of the test that we have not covered. The English Language Arts test is next Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
We will be taking a break from SS for two weeks to get some prep time in for our upcoming state tests but we will be back on the third week in May!
Your Yankee Candle Orders are in!!! Please pick them up in the lobby at your convenience this week, all boxes are labeled with your child's name. We are not permitted to send glass items on the bus.
I hope the warm weather really comes this week as the meteorologists have promised, I think we all need it!
Enjoy!
Monday, April 11, 2011
Beautiful Weather!
It is beautiful outside today. I hope you got some good outdoor time in this weekend as well.
This week is going to be a busy one as we gear up for vacation! I can't believe it is already Spring Break!!!
In math, we will be working to finish up our work with geometry. There will be a test on Friday and the review sheet will come home on Thursday.
Our study of Government and the Constitution will conclude on Thursday with a vocabulary quiz. The 15 words came home today as we summarized our studies in class.
Reading Workshop will focus on the listening passage for the ELA test this week. We will also have a few mini-lessons on main idea, sequence, theme, authors purpose, and important vs. unimportant details. We have just 2 weeks before our test. Everyone will do their best we just need to be relaxed and prepared with the format!
Today we began drafting our fractured fairy tales! This is a very fun unit (my first time). I love the ideas that they have come up with to "fracture" or change their fairy tale. This week we will complete our drafting and begin to revise. We will be publishing our works after break.
This week we have a book letter due. There will be time on Tuesday during our lab time to work on or start letter #7. In addition, we will have spelling tests on Tues and Thurs.
Thanks for all of our support this year!
This week is going to be a busy one as we gear up for vacation! I can't believe it is already Spring Break!!!
In math, we will be working to finish up our work with geometry. There will be a test on Friday and the review sheet will come home on Thursday.
Our study of Government and the Constitution will conclude on Thursday with a vocabulary quiz. The 15 words came home today as we summarized our studies in class.
Reading Workshop will focus on the listening passage for the ELA test this week. We will also have a few mini-lessons on main idea, sequence, theme, authors purpose, and important vs. unimportant details. We have just 2 weeks before our test. Everyone will do their best we just need to be relaxed and prepared with the format!
Today we began drafting our fractured fairy tales! This is a very fun unit (my first time). I love the ideas that they have come up with to "fracture" or change their fairy tale. This week we will complete our drafting and begin to revise. We will be publishing our works after break.
This week we have a book letter due. There will be time on Tuesday during our lab time to work on or start letter #7. In addition, we will have spelling tests on Tues and Thurs.
Thanks for all of our support this year!
Friday, April 1, 2011
Happy April!
Welcome to our first week in April... geesh, the weather is just not cooperating!
I will start our weekly post with a plea for glue sticks... we are down to 3 for the whole class to share! Our Feature Articles and How To Books really used up a lot of glue. If you happen to be in a store that sells Glue Sticks this weekend, we would appreciate you picking up a few for us!!
We are excited to have you in to celebrate Feature Articles today! We hope you are impressed. We have begun our next writing unit of Fiction. We will be taking a new point of view on an old fairy tale! We have spent a good deal of time focusing on Point of View and feel that we are ready for this adventure!
In math, we will be continuing our study of geometry with circles next week. This unit will be competed before April vacation. There is a lot of vocabulary so be sure that your mathematician is using their math notebooks to help with their hw at night!
In reading workshop, we will be looking ahead to the ELA Test the first week in May. Next week we will be looking at good strategies for multiple choice tests and look at a practice Book 1.
We are well into our look at Government in Social Studies. We have seen the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Next week we will take a good look at the three branches of government.
I was so upset to miss two days of school this week and feel badly that Team Jones had to strain to hear me for the rest of this week. I really hope that we will be all healthy and back to normal next week!
I will start our weekly post with a plea for glue sticks... we are down to 3 for the whole class to share! Our Feature Articles and How To Books really used up a lot of glue. If you happen to be in a store that sells Glue Sticks this weekend, we would appreciate you picking up a few for us!!
We are excited to have you in to celebrate Feature Articles today! We hope you are impressed. We have begun our next writing unit of Fiction. We will be taking a new point of view on an old fairy tale! We have spent a good deal of time focusing on Point of View and feel that we are ready for this adventure!
In math, we will be continuing our study of geometry with circles next week. This unit will be competed before April vacation. There is a lot of vocabulary so be sure that your mathematician is using their math notebooks to help with their hw at night!
In reading workshop, we will be looking ahead to the ELA Test the first week in May. Next week we will be looking at good strategies for multiple choice tests and look at a practice Book 1.
We are well into our look at Government in Social Studies. We have seen the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Next week we will take a good look at the three branches of government.
I was so upset to miss two days of school this week and feel badly that Team Jones had to strain to hear me for the rest of this week. I really hope that we will be all healthy and back to normal next week!
Thursday, March 24, 2011
sharing a good quote
"If you can Google it, don't teach it. Teach your kids what to do with information."
-Diane Lewis, Director of Technology, Seminole County Schools, Florida
-Diane Lewis, Director of Technology, Seminole County Schools, Florida
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Tests This Week
Our Feature Articles came out beautifully and we hope you can join us Friday April 1st for a celebration.
We are wrapping up our unit on Fiction in Reading Workshop as we begin to write fiction in Writing Workshop. We will have a quiz on THURSDAY with the elements of Fiction.
Decimals has been tons of fun for the past two weeks but we will be wrapping that up as well on Friday. A review sheet will come home on Thursday.
Don't forget the half day on Wednesday!!! All report cards will be loaded today and you will be able to access them on BC@Home at your convenience. I would like your student to see it as well and fill out a reflection form by Friday.
See most of you on Friday night for Lip Sync... Thank you to Kim Gregory for all of her efforts with this!
We are wrapping up our unit on Fiction in Reading Workshop as we begin to write fiction in Writing Workshop. We will have a quiz on THURSDAY with the elements of Fiction.
Decimals has been tons of fun for the past two weeks but we will be wrapping that up as well on Friday. A review sheet will come home on Thursday.
Don't forget the half day on Wednesday!!! All report cards will be loaded today and you will be able to access them on BC@Home at your convenience. I would like your student to see it as well and fill out a reflection form by Friday.
See most of you on Friday night for Lip Sync... Thank you to Kim Gregory for all of her efforts with this!
Monday, March 14, 2011
A Regular Week
What a fantastic Drama Club performance on Thursday night. Thank you cast and tech crew for your hard work! We also celebrated Ms. Bonk's last day on Friday. We are back to a normal week!?!?
I hope you all had better luck than I did this weekend with flooding! My poor brand new basement was under 3 inches of water when I got home on Friday. Let's just say, it was not the relaxing weekend I was hoping for!
This week we will be spending our math time on Decimals. Today we had a recap of what they have already covered and we took a look at writing decimals and mixed numbers from words and fractions. We will be concentrating on place value, comparing and ordering, and addition and subtraction of decimals this week.
In Reading Workshop, our study of fiction will continue as we take a close look at Plot and Movement through Time. We will begin to think about our next writing unit as well - Fiction - Looking at a fairy tale from another characters point of view.
In Writing Workshop we will be completing the drafts of our Feature Articles. These will be sent home to type on Thursday (due back next Monday). There will be specific directions for completing these!
We will take a small break from Social Studies as we have completed the American Revolution and we will give Mrs. Kourt's class a few days to catch up. I hope you enjoyed their ABC Book!
Thanks again for all of the support you offer to your students!
I hope you all had better luck than I did this weekend with flooding! My poor brand new basement was under 3 inches of water when I got home on Friday. Let's just say, it was not the relaxing weekend I was hoping for!
This week we will be spending our math time on Decimals. Today we had a recap of what they have already covered and we took a look at writing decimals and mixed numbers from words and fractions. We will be concentrating on place value, comparing and ordering, and addition and subtraction of decimals this week.
In Reading Workshop, our study of fiction will continue as we take a close look at Plot and Movement through Time. We will begin to think about our next writing unit as well - Fiction - Looking at a fairy tale from another characters point of view.
In Writing Workshop we will be completing the drafts of our Feature Articles. These will be sent home to type on Thursday (due back next Monday). There will be specific directions for completing these!
We will take a small break from Social Studies as we have completed the American Revolution and we will give Mrs. Kourt's class a few days to catch up. I hope you enjoyed their ABC Book!
Thanks again for all of the support you offer to your students!
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
What, a snow day?
I did not do a snow dance for yesterday... it caught us way off guard! Everyone is working hard to get things done. Reminder, we do have school on Friday.
There will be a SS test on Thursday! Ms. Bonk is sending home the review sheet tonight. Everyone should be well prepared. In addition, they are to finish their paragraph for the ABC Revolution book.
Math is going to be postponed for one day as we are having an emergency drama rehearsal this afternoon. We will begin Decimals tomorrow!
Feature Articles are really coming along. The revision process will be completed by Friday.
I miss my friends as I am attempting to stay out of the classroom for Katelyn to get a true experience from her solo week. I hope they are excited about it at home.
Don't forget our drama performance is 7 pm on Thursday! Hope you can make it, even if your student is not a participant!
There will be a SS test on Thursday! Ms. Bonk is sending home the review sheet tonight. Everyone should be well prepared. In addition, they are to finish their paragraph for the ABC Revolution book.
Math is going to be postponed for one day as we are having an emergency drama rehearsal this afternoon. We will begin Decimals tomorrow!
Feature Articles are really coming along. The revision process will be completed by Friday.
I miss my friends as I am attempting to stay out of the classroom for Katelyn to get a true experience from her solo week. I hope they are excited about it at home.
Don't forget our drama performance is 7 pm on Thursday! Hope you can make it, even if your student is not a participant!
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Ms. Bonk
Miss Bonk is ready for take over week! She will be leading the class in all aspects for the next week (Thurs-Wed.). She is prepped and ready.
Reading workshop will continue to look at the elements of Fiction. Writing Workshop will focus on revising Feature Articles. Math will conclude Fractions and begin decimals. Social Studies will continue our look at the American Revolution. In addition, next week is our drama performance!!!
Reading workshop will continue to look at the elements of Fiction. Writing Workshop will focus on revising Feature Articles. Math will conclude Fractions and begin decimals. Social Studies will continue our look at the American Revolution. In addition, next week is our drama performance!!!
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Vacation
I hope everyone has a fantastic vacation. Hopefully the weather will cooperate.
Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday of this week we are working in the computer lab to complete the research for our Feature Articles. Any research that is not completed, will be assigned over vacation. The following week we will be drafting!
Our study of fractions will continue into the following week as well. We will have a test next Friday.
The American Revolution is in full swing in our classroom. Monday, Jeff Bennett will be here to give us his presentation! That will be a great way to refresh our memories before Ms. Bonk picks back up.
Our study of summarizing will be completed tomorrow. Main Idea remains a tricky concept for many and we will continue to focus on that in book groups. We will begin our study of Fiction after vacation.
Ms. Bonk will have a week of takeover beginning on Thursday 3/4-Wednesday 3/9. She is prepared and ready and I am sure that things will run very smoothly.
Drama picks up to rehearsals everyday after break... only 2 weeks until the big production!!! Please make sure any cast has their lines memorized by Monday!
Have a safe vacation!!!
Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday of this week we are working in the computer lab to complete the research for our Feature Articles. Any research that is not completed, will be assigned over vacation. The following week we will be drafting!
Our study of fractions will continue into the following week as well. We will have a test next Friday.
The American Revolution is in full swing in our classroom. Monday, Jeff Bennett will be here to give us his presentation! That will be a great way to refresh our memories before Ms. Bonk picks back up.
Our study of summarizing will be completed tomorrow. Main Idea remains a tricky concept for many and we will continue to focus on that in book groups. We will begin our study of Fiction after vacation.
Ms. Bonk will have a week of takeover beginning on Thursday 3/4-Wednesday 3/9. She is prepared and ready and I am sure that things will run very smoothly.
Drama picks up to rehearsals everyday after break... only 2 weeks until the big production!!! Please make sure any cast has their lines memorized by Monday!
Have a safe vacation!!!
Friday, February 11, 2011
Fantastic Work
I am so impressed with our Tech Fair presenters. I heard nothing but positive comments about how articulate our fourth graders were. Even parents learned new things!
See some pictures at:
http://bcsd.k12.ny.us/gallery/templates/district/110211_bc_tech_fair/gallery.html
We had a great week. In Social Studies students played Jeopardy, made political cartoons, and learned about unfair taxes imposed on the American Colonists which led to the American Revolution.
Our Feature Articles are beginning... we choose two topics we would like to write about and we broke them into subheadings. Next week we will plan out our writing and do our research. We have spent so much time reading and dissecting feature articles that we are experts now!
In Math, we began fractions with hands on activities. Fraction strips are a great resource for the introduction to fractions and equivalent fractions. We will continue fractions next week!
Our Reading Workshop has focused on Summarizing. This is a difficult topic for some. We will continue to look at summarizing and main idea next week.
We had our second Peaceable Bus session this week, only one more for the year. Mr. Valentini challenged us to have no more bus referrals this year!!!
I can't believe there is only one week before vacation! Let's make it a productive one!
See some pictures at:
http://bcsd.k12.ny.us/gallery/templates/district/110211_bc_tech_fair/gallery.html
We had a great week. In Social Studies students played Jeopardy, made political cartoons, and learned about unfair taxes imposed on the American Colonists which led to the American Revolution.
Our Feature Articles are beginning... we choose two topics we would like to write about and we broke them into subheadings. Next week we will plan out our writing and do our research. We have spent so much time reading and dissecting feature articles that we are experts now!
In Math, we began fractions with hands on activities. Fraction strips are a great resource for the introduction to fractions and equivalent fractions. We will continue fractions next week!
Our Reading Workshop has focused on Summarizing. This is a difficult topic for some. We will continue to look at summarizing and main idea next week.
We had our second Peaceable Bus session this week, only one more for the year. Mr. Valentini challenged us to have no more bus referrals this year!!!
I can't believe there is only one week before vacation! Let's make it a productive one!
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Technology Fair
Please remember that tonight is the Tech Fair! 10 of our fabulous Team Jones members will be presenting the great technology we use to enhance our learning! Please come if you are able.
Middle School Library
7-8 pm!
Middle School Library
7-8 pm!
Friday, February 4, 2011
More snow???
Lets see if we can have a full week of school next week!
We will be taking a test on Monday to conclude our study of long division. Coming home today is a study guide. The test is VERY similar. On Tuesday we will begin our study of Fractions!
Our study of Feature Articles continues as we finalize our look at the different elements of a Feature Article. Next week we will begin picking topics. For next week we will not have a reading calendar!! Instead, we will be writing in our writer's notebook each night. These should be thoughtful entries and be at least 3/4 of a page in length.
Our Colonial NY Test went very well today. The average was 95%!! The American Revolution is up next!!
Summary will continue into next week as well summarize short stories and books. This is tying in perfectly to the book reviews your reader's are working on in library.
I will be out on Monday but Ms. Bonk will be here with bells on along with a substitute. Math tests will be returned on Tuesday.
Enjoy the weekend!
We will be taking a test on Monday to conclude our study of long division. Coming home today is a study guide. The test is VERY similar. On Tuesday we will begin our study of Fractions!
Our study of Feature Articles continues as we finalize our look at the different elements of a Feature Article. Next week we will begin picking topics. For next week we will not have a reading calendar!! Instead, we will be writing in our writer's notebook each night. These should be thoughtful entries and be at least 3/4 of a page in length.
Our Colonial NY Test went very well today. The average was 95%!! The American Revolution is up next!!
Summary will continue into next week as well summarize short stories and books. This is tying in perfectly to the book reviews your reader's are working on in library.
I will be out on Monday but Ms. Bonk will be here with bells on along with a substitute. Math tests will be returned on Tuesday.
Enjoy the weekend!
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
SNOW!
Happy 2 hour get out early day! I am anticipating that there will be a snow day tomorrow (we did do our dance)! Due to this... our SS test is moving to Friday and our Math test to Monday.
I am out on Thursday with two different meetings. Ms. Bonk will be in at 12 to help the substitute. The class will be reviewing for the SS test to help prepare them. In addition, the readings will be coming home today. The test is matching, fill in the blank and short answer. If they have been working hard in class and listening to Mrs. Kourt's lessons as a big group, they will do wonderfully!
Math is going to shift our study of averages to Thursday and we will have a math review on Friday.
Happy Snow Filled Day!
I am out on Thursday with two different meetings. Ms. Bonk will be in at 12 to help the substitute. The class will be reviewing for the SS test to help prepare them. In addition, the readings will be coming home today. The test is matching, fill in the blank and short answer. If they have been working hard in class and listening to Mrs. Kourt's lessons as a big group, they will do wonderfully!
Math is going to shift our study of averages to Thursday and we will have a math review on Friday.
Happy Snow Filled Day!
Friday, January 28, 2011
Flexibility
We worked at teaching our Student Teacher, Ms. Bonk, flexibility this week. With two assemblies and changes to our schedule it was a crazy week!
Today we had a pop quiz on Long Division so that I could see where were were as a class. I am SO pleased. The average was a 95%!!! That is amazing. We will continue long division next week with a study of averages, three digit division with remainders, and word problems. There will be a unit test on Friday.
We continued our study of Feature Articles this week with a look at more of the characteristics they have: facts, opinions, voice, and angles. Next week we will be taking a look at story and then reading many more articles. We will also be getting back into the swing of writing notebook entries.
Reading Workshop this week concluded our study of Inferring. We are great at inferring in all forms! Written text, spoken words, pictures, etc. Next week we will begin our study of Summary. We will begin my summarizing comics. Ms. Bonk and I will be alternating days of teaching during Reading Workshop. We will also continue our book groups.
Social Studies has taken a close look at Colonial New York. That is right, we are now New Netherlands and will soon be New York. We will be looking at Government and Life in a Colony before we review the important information we have learned over the past two weeks with a review Wednesday and test on Thursday. Ms. Bonk will be taking over The American Revolution the following week!
This week we video conferenced with Mr. Reiley's 6th grade (4th period) and saw the mummification of a chicken! Although we had technical difficulty, we had a great time. Next week we will watch their ceremony as they prepare their chickens for their final resting.
The choir and orchestra concerts were fantastic. I am so impressed!!
A big thank you to the PTA for our new technology. We now have and ELMO in our room at all times!! YIPPIE!
Have a fantastic weekend!
Today we had a pop quiz on Long Division so that I could see where were were as a class. I am SO pleased. The average was a 95%!!! That is amazing. We will continue long division next week with a study of averages, three digit division with remainders, and word problems. There will be a unit test on Friday.
We continued our study of Feature Articles this week with a look at more of the characteristics they have: facts, opinions, voice, and angles. Next week we will be taking a look at story and then reading many more articles. We will also be getting back into the swing of writing notebook entries.
Reading Workshop this week concluded our study of Inferring. We are great at inferring in all forms! Written text, spoken words, pictures, etc. Next week we will begin our study of Summary. We will begin my summarizing comics. Ms. Bonk and I will be alternating days of teaching during Reading Workshop. We will also continue our book groups.
Social Studies has taken a close look at Colonial New York. That is right, we are now New Netherlands and will soon be New York. We will be looking at Government and Life in a Colony before we review the important information we have learned over the past two weeks with a review Wednesday and test on Thursday. Ms. Bonk will be taking over The American Revolution the following week!
This week we video conferenced with Mr. Reiley's 6th grade (4th period) and saw the mummification of a chicken! Although we had technical difficulty, we had a great time. Next week we will watch their ceremony as they prepare their chickens for their final resting.
The choir and orchestra concerts were fantastic. I am so impressed!!
A big thank you to the PTA for our new technology. We now have and ELMO in our room at all times!! YIPPIE!
Have a fantastic weekend!
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Mid Term Update
Today I am sending home a mid-term update. Just a reminder that this is the status of your child's grades half way through the term. There is plenty of time to turn around spelling and homework percentages!!!
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Changes
I am going to make life a bit easier on all of us and use our blog as a HW posting site as well. After receiving feedback that BC@Home is not as manageable as we would like, I will be posting the HW assignments nightly on our blog. It will be located on the left side bar.
We were happy to welcome our student teacher, Ms. Katelyn Bonk to our class this week. She is excited to join us as well.
This was an extremely short week but packed full of fun. We had our Floating and Sinking Test on Wednesday. The results were great with an average of 90%. I am working my way through all of the lab journals and should be able to send them home on Friday. The lab groups worked well together and Mrs. Kourt and I had a fun few weeks of science with our scientists! A special thank you to our parent volunteers!
We have continued our study of Inferring during Reading Workshop. We have used comics, sentences, paragraphs, books and finally context clues to infer meaning while reading. As readers we infer constantly. Your readers are beginning to see this in their own reading. We will continue to infer through next week.
Today was the start of Feature Articles for Writing Workshop. This will be a study for several weeks as I teach the purpose, features, and structure of the writing as well as provide instruction on how to do research.
We have returned to division for our next unit of math. We are slowly easing our way back in and reviewing basic division facts before we take the plunge into long division on Monday. Like two digit multiplication, this concept just takes practice.
Our internet safety lesson this week focused on email. I hope your student shared all of the information with you!
Peaceable Bus began today as we got to know our drivers better. We have 3-4 lessons this year as we continue to build a strong community even on our busses.
As a special treat, tomorrow we will be video chatting with Mr. Reiley's 6th grade class at the Middle School. We will be partnering this year to share our work. They are mummifying a chicken and I just had to see it for myself!!!
Thank you for the paper towels and wipes that came in!! It is a big help to us!!
Stay warm!
We were happy to welcome our student teacher, Ms. Katelyn Bonk to our class this week. She is excited to join us as well.
This was an extremely short week but packed full of fun. We had our Floating and Sinking Test on Wednesday. The results were great with an average of 90%. I am working my way through all of the lab journals and should be able to send them home on Friday. The lab groups worked well together and Mrs. Kourt and I had a fun few weeks of science with our scientists! A special thank you to our parent volunteers!
We have continued our study of Inferring during Reading Workshop. We have used comics, sentences, paragraphs, books and finally context clues to infer meaning while reading. As readers we infer constantly. Your readers are beginning to see this in their own reading. We will continue to infer through next week.
Today was the start of Feature Articles for Writing Workshop. This will be a study for several weeks as I teach the purpose, features, and structure of the writing as well as provide instruction on how to do research.
We have returned to division for our next unit of math. We are slowly easing our way back in and reviewing basic division facts before we take the plunge into long division on Monday. Like two digit multiplication, this concept just takes practice.
Our internet safety lesson this week focused on email. I hope your student shared all of the information with you!
Peaceable Bus began today as we got to know our drivers better. We have 3-4 lessons this year as we continue to build a strong community even on our busses.
As a special treat, tomorrow we will be video chatting with Mr. Reiley's 6th grade class at the Middle School. We will be partnering this year to share our work. They are mummifying a chicken and I just had to see it for myself!!!
Thank you for the paper towels and wipes that came in!! It is a big help to us!!
Stay warm!
Friday, January 7, 2011
Running out...
Helpful Parents,
We have run out of absorbent paper towels, baby wipes, and small Dixie cups. If you happen to be at the store and are able to help us out, we would appreciate it!
I am very pleased with the status of our big multiplication. We had a pop quiz today and almost all of the errors made were addition or multiplication errors, not process errors. That is fantastic! We will continue to work on it next week as we do word problems.
Our Reading Workshop will continue to focus on Inferring next week. Your readers are doing a fantastic job.
We have finally reached 5 for a prize with our homework assignments. SINCE SEPTEMBER we have only had 5 days with 100% of HW passed in on-time. I am hoping that we can have this occur many more times this year. The class has voted on a PJ party. We will hold that once Floating and Sinking has come to a conclusion.
Our Memoirs are finished and fantastic. It was wonderful to read about how our class was generous and things they have done that make them a better person. A copy of a class book of memoirs will come home next week for sharing!
I can't believe we have still not had any snow for a delay or a snow day but here is hoping for next week!
Have a great snowy weekend!
We have run out of absorbent paper towels, baby wipes, and small Dixie cups. If you happen to be at the store and are able to help us out, we would appreciate it!
I am very pleased with the status of our big multiplication. We had a pop quiz today and almost all of the errors made were addition or multiplication errors, not process errors. That is fantastic! We will continue to work on it next week as we do word problems.
Our Reading Workshop will continue to focus on Inferring next week. Your readers are doing a fantastic job.
We have finally reached 5 for a prize with our homework assignments. SINCE SEPTEMBER we have only had 5 days with 100% of HW passed in on-time. I am hoping that we can have this occur many more times this year. The class has voted on a PJ party. We will hold that once Floating and Sinking has come to a conclusion.
Our Memoirs are finished and fantastic. It was wonderful to read about how our class was generous and things they have done that make them a better person. A copy of a class book of memoirs will come home next week for sharing!
I can't believe we have still not had any snow for a delay or a snow day but here is hoping for next week!
Have a great snowy weekend!
Monday, January 3, 2011
Back in the Swing
We are back in the swing of things already!
This week we will be focusing our Non-Science time on Inferring during Reading Workshop, Revising and Editing our Memoirs during Writing Workshop, and bigger multiplication during Math! We are going to be busy!
Today we inferred by playing charades with feeling words. Later this week we will be reading comics to infer what is happening.
Revising on the computer this go around will involve inserting comments as well as tracking changes to spelling and grammar.
Bigger multiplication is 2 digit x 2 digit, 3 digit x 2 digit, and 4 digit x 2 digit. Get ready! We will be using graph paper to keep our work organized! Please practice those facts nightly!
We have reached 2011 which means that our reading calendar hw has increased from 90 minutes per week to 120 minutes per week.
We will have both spelling (Wed and Friday) and vocabulary this week.
Welcome 2011! We are off to a great start!
This week we will be focusing our Non-Science time on Inferring during Reading Workshop, Revising and Editing our Memoirs during Writing Workshop, and bigger multiplication during Math! We are going to be busy!
Today we inferred by playing charades with feeling words. Later this week we will be reading comics to infer what is happening.
Revising on the computer this go around will involve inserting comments as well as tracking changes to spelling and grammar.
Bigger multiplication is 2 digit x 2 digit, 3 digit x 2 digit, and 4 digit x 2 digit. Get ready! We will be using graph paper to keep our work organized! Please practice those facts nightly!
We have reached 2011 which means that our reading calendar hw has increased from 90 minutes per week to 120 minutes per week.
We will have both spelling (Wed and Friday) and vocabulary this week.
Welcome 2011! We are off to a great start!
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