Will Wednesday

This is a post-trick-or-treating post!

I hope that you believed your children when they exclaimed, "No homework tonight!"  They were telling the truth.

Today we....
...worked on publishing our Adventures of Conduction, Convection and Radiation comics
...went to see Will at the Film Festival.  It was wonderful!  Tomorrow we will trace Will's journey from England to Istanbul on the map.
... ate lunch in the pod
....heard Mrs. Ginn ask us to sit down multiple times!
....received large quantities of candy from our classmates at the end of the day.  Thank you!
....oohed and ahhhed at the amazing "green mask/hat" creations that our classmates invented.  I was so impressed with all of the entries!

Tomorrow we will...
..work on the reading comprehension portion of our Theme Test.
..go over and correct Tuesday's math homework and dive further into our work with expressions and variables
..complete our Science Comic Strips
..go to Library



Thank you 201 for your amazing enthusiasm!  I hope that everyone had a wonderful Halloween!

Best,

Mrs. Ginn

Today-is-the-day-before-Halloween-Tuesday

Hello 201 Families!

Field Trip tomorrow!  Don't forget to bring a bag lunch.  We will eat in the pod when we return from the Film Fest.
*Bring a bag lunch!
*Halloween treats are optional.  Recycled costume ( mask or hat) is optional.  The contest is tomorrow, after the trip.

Please ask to see the assignment notebook each night, and get a visual confirmation that the homework is done.  Several members of 201 came in "empty handed" today.  


Tonight at home:
-Finish your Character Graphic Organizer
-Complete the Math Problem Solving page
-Use your Science Book to help you: finish the rough draft of your Conduction/Convection/Radiation comic strip.  Remember, your work must show me that you understand each of these concepts.  We will work on our final drafts tomorrow.

Today we....
...watched a Brain Pop to learn about atoms, electron flow and electricity
...explored creating closed circuits in the Science Lab.  We tested and classified items as conductors or insulators.  It was so much fun!
....worked in our Guided Reading groups with Mrs. Ginn ( now known as Mrs. Root), worked on Vocabulary Cartoons, read picture books and responded, read non-fiction titles and created a true/false quiz, or worked with "colorful words."
..corrected portions of our math test
...talked about our "Dear Aunt Sally" and her order of operations

Math Test Monday

Today we....

• Worked in Guided Reading centers on informational text, picture books with strong characters, vocabulary cartoons, and Theme 1 Review
• took a math test and corrected it
• took notes about the three branches of government
• worked on the comic adventures of radiation, convection, and conduction

Tonight at home.....

• complete the math sheet
• complete pages 455 -457 in Science Book
• read for pleasure and respond: Make a list of 5 "colorful" words and their meanings in your book
• Extra: work on your Energy Comic strip

Example:
Glistening =shiney and sparlking
Postitronic= positive energy
Pungent= strong smelling
"Stuck out like a sore thumb" = very obvious

Funky Friday

Today we..

• discussed the ways that heat can be transferred: conduction (think: solids), convection ( think: liquids and gases), and radiation ( think: waves/space)
• watched a Bill Nye and took notes
• took a pop quiz on potential, kinetic, mechanical, and chemical energy
• worked on our Angel Island brochures
• played in  Mr. Meade's Halloween Gym
• took and graded our Kai's Journey test
• corrected the math homwork
• prepared for Monday's chapter 4 math test
• ate lunch and played outside
• went to the Lab for Science Art
• drew names from our overflowing bucket of goodness

This weekend at home....

-Finish the Angel Island Brochure.  Make sure to check for grammatical and spelling errors!
-Complete the Math practice sheet if you did not finish it in class.
-Study for the Chapter 4 Math Test
-Bring in the Film Fest trip form and the money.  The volunteer spots are filled.
-Work on your Recycled Costume if you are choosing to participate on Wednesday


Next week we will......

• prepare for Theme Testing on Thursday and Friday
• create a Foldable Election Project
• create comic strips featuring Energy Super heros : Radition Boy, Convection Girl and Baby Convection
• begin working with expressions
• go to the Film Festival on the 31st
• particapte in the Green Costume Contest 7th period on the 31st

Exciting Additions:
We have artifacts from the Field Museum in our classroom.   Come and see the Gold Mine Model, and the Muscrats.  Thank you to the Harris Loan Center for reopening its doors this fall.  I missed you last year!

Time-Keeping Thursday

Thank you Manuel, for being today's timekeeper.  He watched to clock, and kept us on track.

Today we....
*learned more about the election process
*went to Library, where the students were able to complete research about the election
*converted our Angel Island research into 4 paragraphs
*played a multiplication game with cards
*created our first JAM ( Journal About Math) entry. Today's focus was "problem solving."
*used strategies like "solve a simpler problem," "make a model," "write an equation"
* discussed heat and how energy can be transferred


Tonight at home...

• complete the pages in the Science Text and highlight important phrases
• complete the math problem solving page
• finish your Angel Island paragraphs ( most kids finished in school)
• complete this week's menu activities.  The words and menu are posted on edmodo.

Tremendous Tuesday

Tonight at home:
-BRING IN NEW MEDIA FORM!  ..OR NO CIRCUS FOR YOU!
-Math Problem Solving sheet
-Look on a Book: Read and Complete
-Science: Read and do pp 434-435

We will eat bag lunches in the CAC post-performance.  Bring your own, or have a school-made bag lunch.

Monkey Business Monday

Tonight at home......

• Complete the Problem Solving Estimation page
• Science text:: Read and do 429-433  Tip: the higlighted words are the vocab. words
• New Sp/Vocab words are :  packet, book, think central, edmodo: Menu due Friday
• Read for pleasure

Fantabulous Friday

This weekend.....
..Finish your Figurative Language quote/image/explanation project
...Finish your Science Flap book.  This poster should present all of the information on the Pre-test.  Think of it as a "teaching poster."

Picture Day is Monday!

Thinking Thursday

Once again, thanks to Ginelle for providing us with our daily dose of alliteration.  I will need more ideas for next week, so please send me some brain power!

ST Math Activation Code:  DIS4ODHHV48R74   Don't forget, that's the letter O!

Tonight at home....
-Complete the Estimating Populations page
-Finish the Presidential Candidate 1/2 page organizer.  Record 2-3 bits of information about each candidate's platform.  There is a wealth of information on scholastic.com.  Just run a search for "scholastic kids election."
-Finish this week's menu activities
-Work on unfinished Reading/Language Center work, such as Vocabulary Pumpkins, Character Tree, or the Figurative Language Table.  Most students have completed this work, but some need extra time.
-Read for pleasure and bring your book to school!


Today we.....
* Watched a Brain Pop about subjects and predicates.  We learned that Yoda has perfect grammar. He simply reverses his subjects and predicates.
*Worked in Language Centers
*Took a Math Test and corrected.  I will send the tests home once I have recorded the grades.  Your child should know his or her score
*Took our Science Assessment.  I will work on getting these back to you soon.
*Worked on our math problem solving skills with Versatiles. I love Versatiles!

Don't forget.....
*You have a Reading/Vocab/Grammar/Spelling test tomorrow!

Wacky Wednesday

Don't forget:
Monday is picture day!
Progress Reports were sent home today.  Please sign and return them.

• Tonight at home.......
• Study for the Math test!
• Complete page 30 to help you prepare
• Study for the Matter test.  Hint: if you understand the pre-test, you will do well!
• Complete the double-sided Super Science sheet

Tango Tuesday

Thank you, Ginelle, for Today's blog title!



A note about Progress Reports.....

5 week Progress Reports will be sent home tomorrow afternoon.  Please note that these grades are not final!  There will be plenty of time to raise grades.  In math for example, we have taken just one test!  If your child earned "C" or below, this mark will have a strong bearing on their overall average.  For most students, a simple fix or intervention will help them get back on track.   Please do not hesitate to call me if you would like to set up a phone or in-person conference.  I am looking forward to meeting with you all, and we don't need to wait until Report Card Day!


Today we.........
-discussed candidates and debates, and watched the Ringling Brothers Boss Clown debates
-worked with vocabulary and the Greek and Latin roots: anti-, auto-, bi-, and multi-
-created Character Trees to help us think about character traits and "round vs. flat" characters
-continued our math investigation, focusing on several ways  to come up with accurate estimates.
-sang the Super Six Strategies song with Mr. Fahrenbach.  This is a song we co-wrote to help kids remember how to read strategically. 
-made corrections on our Matter pre-tests and began preparations for Thursday's final test

Tonight:
-Complete the Rounding problems
-Read ONE of the Articles in Super Science and report in the form of a Reading Response or...Create your own Fact Finder, using illustrations and captions to show 8-10 things that you learned or found interesting.
You may work with one of the following articles:
Deep Sea Plunge
The Mummy Doctor
Pumped Up Plants
X-Ray Vision

*Bring the magazine to class tomorrow!!

Enjoy the sunshine!

:-)
Mrs. Ginn

P.S.  I will get you the ST Math activation code as soon as possible.

Magnificent Monday

Thank you, Nazharri, for providing us with "Magnificent Monday."  Thanks Ginelle for your great ideas too!  They will soon be featured.

Today we.....

-had one real fire drill and two false alarms.  It was a bit alarming and more than a bit disruptive!
-read Danitra Brown Leaves Town
-worked on an open ended math investigation, which we will finish tomorrow
-tested how surface area affects buoyancy in the Science Lab
-finally got logged on to ST Math.  I will get you the at-home activation code soon.

Tonight....
-complete page 25 in the math text.  1-10
-read and respond

Tomorrow we will....
--meet with Guided Reading groups
-continue our math investigation and work on rounding large numbers
-correct last night's math homework
-discuss our Matter final assessment and begin creating a foldable study guide
-introduce our Election unit in Social Studies


Don't forget...
-Picture Day is Monday, October 22

Happy Birthday Kendall!

Grand Finale Friday

Bravo! Bravo!  Encore! Encore!

The curtain is closed and the reviews are in.  Everyone agrees: Pod 200's Family Matters is a smash hit! Thank you to all of the students, parents, teachers and staff that helped make our show a success.


This weekend.......
1.Read for pleasure
2. Prepare for your Monday Multiplication Madness.  If you are still on 3, 4, or 5, it is time to double down and study!
3. Pennies! We will definitely do our surface area experiment on Monday.  I promise!

Next week we will.......

• Finish chapter 2 in Math: Ordering and Comparing Numbers
• Prepare for our Matter final assessment
• Read: Meet Danitra Brown in our Harcourt text
• Get ready for our Ringling Brothers Clown Election.  
• Go to ST Math!  Yahoo!

Have a fantastic weekend 201!  I will look forward to seeing you on Monday!

:-)
Mrs. Ginn

Don't forget to send me your ideas for "Days of the Week Alliterations."  I am running our of ideas.  Wacky Wednesday?  Fabulous Friday?  I need new ideas and I need you to help me.  Post your responses here or on Edmodo. 

Theater Thursday

That's right 201 Families, it is almost showtime!

• Doors open at 9:15
• Show begins at 9:30
• The show is approximately 30 minutes
• All students will be given a special T-shirt and props at school in the morning
• Dancers should wear black pants, black leggings or dark jeans
• Dancers may want to wear an undershirt, depending on how your Show T shirt fits, and the movement required by your dance
• All other actors should follow suit: dark jeans, black pants, or leggings.
• If you don't have dark jeans or black pants, just wear dark, neutral colored pants or jeans.

We have all been working so hard. I am so proud of your children!  I hope to see you tomorrow in the CAC!

Homework:

• Work on your Matter Packet
• Some students did not finish last night's task: Take the Reading test.  Please complete this tonight, as we will correct the test and clarify tomorrow afternoon.
• If you have lost your Matter Packet, you should:
• 1. Read and write a reflection

Don't forget, tomorrow's pizza is a "snack."  We will be going to lunch, so bring your usual lunch or plan on getting a school lunch.

Wednesday...___________

Hi 201,

Help me fill in the blank!  Post your response below!

Tonight at home......
-Finish your Reading Test.  Remember these guidelines:
*You may use the book ( and should) for the comprehension and the writing
*Please reread the text to check your answers on the multiple choice.  Some of the questions are designed to trick you and to see if you are reading carefully!
*You may not use the book for the vocabulary
*Don't forget to write the "honor code" on the back of your test and sign it.
I have neither given nor received any unauthorized aid on this test.

Reminders:

• Pizza money is due tomorrow!  Please bring in $3.00 if you would like to eat pizza on Friday.
• Our CAC performance is this Friday at 9:30.  Doors open at 9:15

Thank you, thank you parents, for all of your time and donations!  We couldn't do this without your help!

Can you help us?

We need a few items this week:
-food coloring ( for Monday)
-clean, clear plastic bottles with caps ( for Monday)
-Pennies, lots of pennies, for an experiment ( for Tuesday)
- a grey granny wig ( for Friday)

Please Comment

Hi 201 Students,

Click on the "Quotes and Wonders" tab.  Here you will find  a new quote.  Please post your response in the Comments section of the "Quotes" page.  I want to hear from you!

Fall-Feeling Friday

Hello 201!

I can't wait for to share our CAC projects with you!   Your students have created some amazing content -based works!  I hope to post some photographs soon.

Today we:

• Finished making our comets
• Watched and discussed a Bill Nye the Science Guy segment on Buoyancy.
• Created oil pastel and water color diagrams of the Water Cycle
• Met with Focus Groups
• Went to Gym
• Went to Science Art

This weekend:

• graph your Multiplication Madness results.  
• Prepare your Monday's level.  If you are stuck, or if you are getting into the higher numbers, you should write out each fact several times.  
• Read a book of your choice and respond in your journal. 
• Extra Credit: Complete the experiment that I posted on Edmodo last week
• Extra Credit: Watch the Billy Nye Video that I will soon post on Edmodo.  Make your own Fact Finder ( use blank or lined paper) to show what you've learned. 

Next week:

• We will dedicate a great deal of time to our focus groups
• We will work on staging, blocking, and transitions
• We will create our Lava Lamps
• We will finish our Water Cycle Art 
• We will create Physical Change Origami art

Happenings ( and not happenings)

• We did not have a spelling, or any other type of Reading test today.  We will work these in next week.  Once the CAC is over, it will be back to normal!
• Our show is this Friday, October 12 at 9:30.
• Don't forget that dismissal time on Wednesday is 11:30!
• Parents, email me so that I can send you your Edmodo parent code.  You can then create your own account that is linked to the 201 account!

CAC News/Needs:

• We need clear, clean plastic bottles, with caps, for Monday's Lava Lamp project.
• We also need corn oil!
• Alka Seltzer tablets ( for the Lava Lamps)
• Do you have a grey "granny" type wig?  Old Mama Matter needs one for our show!
• We also need three hard hats or "construction worker" costume hats.

If you are able to donate any of these items, it will be greatly appreciated.  Costume items will be returned!

Thank you, 201, for another great week!  

Weird Weather Wednesday

Hello 201 Families,

I admitt that the weather is not that weird, but I couldn't find a better fit!  Ask you child to send me some ideas for this and the other days of the week.  They can comment right here!

Tonight...,.,
-prepare for tomorrow's Multiplication Madness!
- Complete the pages in the Science book. I know you wrote these down!  This is your job!

We need:
-clear, clean plastic water bottles
- clean, clear baby jars with lids

We will use the first material to create "lava " lamps. If we get enough jars, we can make "density glitter globes."

Do you have a crazy wig at home?  We need one for Cousin Plasma.

Tomorrow we will create our Jackson Pollack chemical change paintings.  Science + Artist of the Month= FUN!

Tuesday Thoughts

Hello 201 Families,

Today we......

• Read the Mighty Jackie and discussed details in the text
• Took our first Multiplication Madness Test.  If your child passed today, s/he is moving on to the next number.  If not, s/he will retest tomorrow.
• Worked on our Matter Family Trees
• Painted Identical paintings.  Tomorrow we will manipulate one of them to demonstrate Physical Change.
• Worked in our Focus Groups
• Practice our Grand Finale song: Family Matters
• Worked together to help the group meet work deadlines

Tonight......

• Read the first article in your Matter Packet.  Write a response in your journal. 
• Complete the Vocabulary page that corresponds with the article
• Write out your multiplication facts to prepare for tomorrow's test
• Work on Comparing and Ordering Numbers on Khan Academy if you have time
• Don't forget that your spelling/vocab menu is due on Friday

Have a wonderful evening! 

Molecule Movement Monday

Hello Families,

Ask your child why today was officially renamed Molecule Movement Monday in 201.  They should know.  Hint: It has something to do with today's arts-integrated project.

• A letter was sent home today that contains the TEAM201 edmodo group code.  Sign up today!
• The new Study Guide and Menu are posted on edmodo
• Studying can be fun! A link to learning games centered around Matter are also linked on edmodo.  
• We will be painting tomorrow.  Dress appropriately!

Homework:
1. Read The Mighty Jackie in Storytown.
2. Respond in your journal.  What character trait or traits would you use to describe Jackie?  Find evidence in the text to support your ideas.
3. Multiplication Madness begins tomorrow.  Prepare for the 2s by writing out the facts. The sky is the limit.  No need to stop at 12!



Parent Volunteers, we need you!   Please come in tomorrow if you can.  We will be painting!