Sunny Sunday

I hope that 201 families have enjoyed this glorious day.  We are all a bit under the weather over at my house, but we were able to get outside this morning.

Tomorrow is our first day in the CAC and our daily schedule will be quiet different.

• During this 2 week unit of study, we will begin our day in the pod with Language Arts and Math instruction.  Because most of our day will be spent participating in CAC activities, the classwork an the homework will be altered.
• In math, we will take part in Multiplication Madness. Each day, students will take a timed test.  If the table is mastered, students will move on to the next number.  Students will prepare by working on their facts at home.  There may also be additional problem solving sent home
• We will take the Weekly Reading Test this Friday.  The story is called The Mighty Jackie.
• Please note that it may be more difficult for me to post daily assignments while we are in the CAC.  I do not have access to a computer during the day, and I will also be working on CAC "stuff" after school.  By the time I get to my computer, your children may be in bed.  Students will copy the evening's homework into their agendas before we go down to the CAC each day.
• We will announce the CAC groups tomorrow.  We are trying to give all students their first choice.  It may be necessary to give some children their second choice, as we want to keep each group's size manageable. 
• We would love your help in the CAC!  Please come and join us!

Best,

MB Ginn

Thursday Thinkings

Greetings 201 Families,

Open House is this evening!  I will be here from 6:00-7:00.  I hope that you will be here too!

Today we....

• Finished our Bio Poems
• Worked with words and completed our "Windows of Words" project
• Admired the Physical Properties homework
• Created our Super Hero Diagrams and added descriptive captions
• Corrected the math homework and worked on the new strategy: Make a Table
• Practiced the new skill
• Met in small groups to go over the corrected Chapter 1 math test and troubleshooted
• Handed out CAC Preference Sheets 

Tonight, Please....

• Finish the spelling and vocabulary menu activities
• Get ready for tomorrow's spelling, vocabulary, and reading test
• Complete the math problem solving page
• Complete unfinished classwork: Vocabulary Windows, Superhero, and Language Packet
• practice for your audition if you plan on auditioning
• Come to Open House!!!

P.S.

A few more notes......

• We were not able to send home the CAC preference sheets and audition practice sheets today.  They will go home tomorrow.
• The chapter 1 Math test will be sent home tomorrow.  Your child should make corrections on a separate sheet of paper.  I will assign additional practice for those who need it or would like to raise their grade.  Many of the errors made were due to carelessness.  We will, of course, be working on test taking skills and problem solving strategies.   Please sign the test and return it. 

Wisdom-filled Wednesday

Hello 201 Families,

I hope that you all are planning on attending Open House this Thursday from 6:00-7:00. 210 students want to share the classroom with you!

CAC News:

• Our first day in the CAC is Monday, October 1
• The final performance is Friday, October 12
• Students were given a Preference Sheet today.  They should indicate their 1st, 2nd, and 3rd choices.
• Some students have decided to audition for a speaking role.  These students were given a poem to practice this evening.  Auditions will be tomorrow.  The poem does not have to be memorized!

Today We.....

• Had morning writing conferences
• Discussed the relationship between characters' actions, traits and motivations
• Created BIO Poems.  Come and see them at Open House
• Worked on comparing and ordering numbers using the symbols and terms: greater than, less than and equal to

Tonight at home.....

• Complete the math sheet
• Complete the Physical Properties activity: Find an image in a magazine, paper or flyer.  Cut it out and paste it in the center of the sheet.   Describe the image according to its physical properties: Hardness, Size, Shape, Color, Texture, Taste and Odor
• Read and reflect in your journal.  Most students are getting this feedback from me, "Less summary, more evaluation."   What can we infer  about a character's traits from examining their actions?  Sentences like, "This shows me that....." or, " When ____does _____ it shows______....." are good leads to examining character.

Terrific Tuesday

Today we.....

• Handed in the published drafts of our Super Hero Narratives
• Worked with our spelling and vocabulary words to find synonyms and antonyms
• Discussed Declarative and Interrogative sentences
• Participated in Guided Reading Work Stations: With the Teacher, Word Work, Reading to Self, Reading with a Partner, or Writing with Picture Prompts
• Used scales to measure MASS in grams (g).....used tape measures to record length in centimeters (cm)
• Participated in a Bus Evacuation Drill
• Went to see Mr. Farhenbach in Music Technology
• Took and corrected the Chapter 1 Math Test
• Completed Math Challenge work

Tonight at home.....

• Complete the Math Problem Solving Page
• Read and Respond in your journal.  In your response, discuss one of the  character's inner traits, actions, and motivations
• Do something helpful around the house and do it smiling! :-)

Marvelous Monday

  Tonight at home......

• Read the poem "Secret Talk" in the text or on Think Central found on pages 44 and 45.
• Complete the Comparing Texts questions on page 46.  Use examples from the texts and write in complete sentences.
• Menu Activities are due on Friday
• Math: Test tomorrow!   Complete page 14 to help you prepare.
• Finish the final, published draft of your Super Hero Narrative.  Remember to indent and use paragraph form.  Does your narrative have a beginning, middle, and end?  Are your SH's special powers and motivations described in detail?  I can't wait to read them!
• 3 Ring Binder: if you don't have one, please bring one in!

Fantastic Friday

Greeting 201 Families,

Today we.....

• Watched a Brain Pop about Dr. King and discussed how ordinary people can create change.  Some of the terms we discussed are: inequality, civil rights, universal rights, and community leaders.  This led us to a discussion of Mahatma Ghandi.  The students then responded in their journals to a choice of questions.
• Bridged this discussion with our Super Hero Project.  Our super heroes are fighting to end injustices.  This was a great connection.  The kids created narrative "episodes" that feature their superhero in action.  They then created storyboards that placed events in sequence.  This was a fun way to discuss main idea and details.   Next, we will revise and publish our narratives.
• In Math, we discussed our homework and worked with partners to solve open ended questions surrounding our place value unit.
• We went to Gym and to Science Art
• We said goodbye to our friend Loren.  Today was her last day!  We will miss you!

Homework:

• Read for pleasure
• Math: Finish the double sided sheet that we began in class.  We will be ready for our Math test on Tuesday!
• Science: Pages 391-397

Thursday Update

Hello 201,

Today we....

• worked with Roman Numerals
• Create Place Value study guides and worked on expanded notation and increasing numbers
• Learned about Physical Properties of Matter
• Continued our Super Hero Project
• Took our Fall Language Arts Performance Assessment

Tonight at home.....

• Complete the double sided Math Challenge page
• In Science Fusion: Read and complete the activities on pages 351-355.   Go ahead in write in the book.
• Read for pleasure for 25 minutes or more

Updates:

• Open House is scheduled for next Thursday from 6-7p.m.
• Please sign your child's Agenda nightly
• Each child will need at three ring binder by next week.  Most students have brought one to class.
• Our chapter 1 Math Test will be early next week, on Tuesday or Wednesday.
• Friday reading, spelling and vocabulary tests will begin next week.

A Welcomed Wednesday

What a joy it is to have these 30 smiling and eager faces beaming at me!  Today, we are jumping right back in to our learning.

Today we.....
-Read The Amazing Awesome Man.  This story got us thinking!
-Used bullet style notes to brainstorm ideas and begin the writing process
-Developed our own super heroes, complete with gadgets, catch phrases, and people-helping powers
-Read an informational narrative about Matter
-Practiced place value skills to the ten thousands place.  We talked about increasing and decreasing numbers too.
-Took the MAPS Math assessment.  This test will  be used a a benchmark to measure your child's growth this year.


Homework.......

• Read and Respond: Please use the sheet I provided for your response.  Students, please write using complete sentences, and use specific examples from the text.
• Math Problem Solving worksheet
• Please sign your child's Agenda to indicate that you have seen the completed homework 
• Please read the Edmodo contract, join our Edmodo group, and return the signed contract
• Please sign the Media Consent form 

Notes......

• We have one more MAPS test to go: Science
• 201 students will take the Fall Performance Assessment before week's end.  This is yet another test that will be used to measure yearly growth.  The assessment will be  given again in May.
• Our regular Friday Language Arts assessments will begin next week.  I will send home the Study Guide and Vocabulary and Spelling Choice Menu at the end of this week.  These materials are currently posted on Edmodo
• Our CAC Unit begins on October 1 and our final performance is on October 12.  I hope that you can volunteer your time.  The CAC is a team effort!  :-)

Team201 is back in action!

Hello 201,

I can't wait to see you all tomorrow morning, bright, early, and ready to get back to business!  Here are some of the activities that you can look forward to:

• Edmodo!  Tomorrow afternoon, I will send home a letter that contains our group code so that each student can join our Edmodo group.  I have already posted the Week 1 Study Guide and Vocaubulary/Spelling Menu.  These activities will be due next Friday.
• Fourth Grade Superheros are on the way!   This week we will embark on a creative writing and art project.  If you could use superpowers to help change the world, what would you do?  I can't wait to find out!
• Family Matters!   Pod 200 will dive into the study of all things Matter.  What is matter?  What are the physical properties of matter?   How can we define and compare physical and chemical changes of matter?   We will use these questions to drive our unit of study.  
• CAC!  The calendar may be revised slightly, but it is coming soon!  Our topic is.....Matter! The 200 teachers are planning some amazing arts-integrated activities and we can't wait to get started.
• Do you know your place.......value?  This week we will explore place value concepts in small groups, working with the teacher, partners, and playing problem- solving games.

Big News: My Donors Choose grant is now fully funded, and 201 students will reap the benefits!  Each student in 201 will soon be receiving their very own copy of Super Science, a monthly magazine published by Scholastic.  We will be using the magazines for projects in class and at home.  Thank you donors!  :-)

See you soon 201,

Mrs. Ginn

Data Day in 201

Good evening Team 201,

I hope that this "after dinner" post finds you well.  Thank so so very much for sending in the Lunch forms, the information cards, and the "buzz" sheets.  You parents had more homework that the kids! This afternoon, more forms went home.  Thank you for taking the time to fill out the Emergency Form.  Please fill this out, even if you have filled one out for a sibling.    Forms are organized by grade level.  This enables us to reach you more quickly.

Homework News:

• I really enjoyed reading our students' reading reflections last night!  I was able to have a brief dialogue with each student today.  Most students wrote strong summaries.  Several students recorded their responses a character's actions or to events. :-)  A few students even provided specific examples from the text to back up their ideas. Bravo!    
• Parents, please sign the Agenda each night to indicate that you have "seen" the homework.  Thank you!
• Don't forget that the Owl Project is due on Friday.

Parents, please don't hesitate to email me!  Have a wonderful evening.

:-)

Mrs. Ginn

First Day!

Welcome to the first day of school 201 Students and Parents,
We Made it!  Today went by so quickly. 100 percent of our members were in school today.  :-)

Today we.....
- completed our name glyphs and began collecting class data
- went to Music with Mr. Fahrenbach
- completed a student survey
-organized our supplies

Tomorrow we will.....
-take the fall Reading MAPS assessment
-continue to organize and learn routines
-collect and graph class "glyph" data
-learn about "bucket filling"

Today 201 students copied their homework into their agendas.  This will become part of our daily routine.   Here is a summary of what we wrote:
- read over the packet with a parent and fill out forms
- return lunch form ( if you received one)
- read a book of your choice and respond in your spiral
-Owl project due Friday.  The directions are in the packet

Thank you 201 families for all of the supplies. Please do not hesitate to email with any questions!   I will most likely post again later this evening.    It was a joy to meet all 30 of our team members today!

Students, don't forget to bring a book each day!  I want to know what you are reading.  Our voluminous classroom lending library will be open soon.