Time Crunch Thursday

Hello 201 Families,

Today's title in is reference to the end of our day.  We were just finishing copying down our homework assignments when we were alerted that, due to a bussing issue, dismissal would begin in just five minutes.  I didn't get a chance to hit the "publish" button on the blog.  Kids did have time to write down their homework.  I hope that you are all using the website, but I also need to stress that homework should be written in the agenda each and every day, just in case!

Tonight at home.....

• Complete the "factors" math extended response problem.  Do not do the time problem.  Use the answer documents that I provided to record your answer. You may use one or both sheets.  These are copies of the answer documents that we will see on the ISAT next week.
• Select the Mt. Everest or the Animal article (last pages) in Super Science. Write a reflection in your journal.

Notes and News..

• ISAT testing begins on Tuesday.  Punctuality is important next week.  This will ensure that your child's morning is calm and will reduce stress.  Students who are tardy may not be admitted to the testing area and may have to make up that morning's test.
• Field Trip forms will go home on Friday. Please note that all money is due no later than 8:00a.m. on Wednesday.  We can not make exceptions, as the Shedd requires payment in advance.
• Our facilities testing will be a bit different next week.  Students will attend a daily "special" class, but the times will be adjusted due to testing.  Some of the classes will be different too.  Hint: you will need gym shoes on two days next week!  I will post the schedule this weekend.
• Box Top fundraising packets will go home tomorrow!
• Homework next week: We will be taking a break from the regular homework routine.  I will ask that your child reads for pleasure each night, gets a good night's sleep, and comes to school on time and ready to go each morning.
• Progress Reports will go home next week.  I am very proud of the work that your children do in 201 each day.  Please note that a drop in grade may be only a matter of one or two percentage points!  Do not hesitate to call or write if you would like to discuss the specifics of your child's progress.  
• Please look for the ISAT encouragement project that will be sent home tomorrow. 

Study Island Solution

Hello Team 201,

I have worked out the technical issues with Study Island.  Students should now be able to see our home page when they log in.  Thanks for your patience!   Now, how about working on some Science on Study Island?

Weather Wednesday

Tonight at home....

Read 15-17 in Holes and complete the response page.  Make sure that your response is based on these chapter.
Complete the Math skills review page.

Tomorrow we will.....

• Discuss figurative language and analyze commercials
• Complete our African American Achievers Stamps
• Learn about cells and review the differences between plant and animal cells
• Focus on measurement and conversions
• Go to Library
• Read and discuss Holes

Metaphor Monday

Tonight at home....

• Finish your Just Like Me project if you didn't do it over the weekend.  Each flap should reflect YOU, and should be finished, outlined and colored.
• Complete the Math Extended Response.  Use the Ask/Know/Show/Explain format.  Remember that your explanation should include math language: I found the product of 2 and 16, because there are 2 pounds, and 16 ounces in each pound.  Do not write about reading the question!
• Complete the reading and activities on the How Light Behaves sheet.  You can easily model refraction at home by placing a spoon or pencil in a clear glass of water.
• Read for pleasure and get a signature.
• Extra Credit. Create an original example of each: simile, metaphor, hyperbole, and personification

Friday Flurries

Hello Team201 Families,

I apologize for this late post.  If it doesn't happen at school, it usually doesn't happen until after dinner!

Today we....

• corrected last night's homework.  We practiced turning fractions into decimals, and we learned how to use place value to compare decimals.
• took our weekly reading comprehension test.
• worked on our Just Like Me autobiographical pieces.  First, we recorded facts about ourselves.  Then, we embellished the facts with our opinions, hopes, and dreams.
• went to Gym and Science Art
• created our quilt squares using the West African Adinkra stamps on loan from the Field Museum

This weekend....

• Complete the Math packet.  We will go over all of the answers on Monday morning.
• Finish the Just Like Me/Artist in Me piece.  Most students are working on the final draft.
• Read for pleasure

Next week's topics will include....

• decimals, probability and measurement
• light, sound and the human body
• a new story entitled Juan Verdades . If you speak some Spanish, you might be able to make a prediction about the main character
• the continuation of Holes
• the completion of our African American Achievers projects
• the creation of a Science Review packet

Ticket Draw Thursday

Finally, we drew "bucket filling" tickets today!

• Tonight at home, work on the Decimals pages.  Please use the first page to help you. 
• Rewrite your Extended Response.  Think about our talk in class today.  Most kids provided excellent evidence, but the interpretations need to be stronger.  Use the leads that I provided, I learned that, In my opinion, this shows me that, I think that, It must have been,  I would have,  I wonder, I imagine that, the author is trying to tell us that, the meaning of this is.......
•  Read for pleasure

Wacky Wednesday

Tonight at home....

• Finish the the Extended Response.  Please, please, use the guide to help you!  Here are a few tips related to this topic: find evidence about how school used to be, show how it has changed.  Then, interpret: what does this show or mean?
• Complete the Multiplying Fractions pages
• Don't forget that we have a reading test on Friday.  Make sure that you are studying that vocabulary!

Types of Rock Tuesday

Thank you, Elizabeth, for providing today's very appropriate title!  Yes, we talked about rocks today.  See if your child can name the type of rock based on these clues:

Clue #1: water, fossils, layers, sediment, canyon, dry river bed
Clue #2: the first stop in the cycle, lava, fire, volcano
Clue #3: heat, time, pressure, root word means "change"

     This morning we also worked on our African American Achievers project. Tomorrow, we will use an ipad app, educreations, to work on our final presentations.
Next. we discussed facts and opinions. Today we worked on writing 15-20 "ME" facts.  These facts influence who we are and how we see the world.  Tomorrow we will form opinions based on those facts.  We are ready to add some adjectives!  We will be ready to begin our Artist in Me portrait/autobiography project.
Later, we went over the 1/8 Note, 1/4 Note Open Response. Most kids got the hang of it.
We also worked on adding and subtracting mixed numbers.  Changing to an improper fraction and then back to a mixed number gets a bit tricky. We will go over it again tomorrow.
Finally, we began working on a new T-Shirt Design for Tim, our BrainPop mentor.  Kids used ipads to help them find visuals of the Rock Cycle.

Tonight at home....

• Finish making Tim's T shirt and complete the writing.  Use the study guide that was handed out today.  Remember, the writing should explain the Rock Cycle.  I should be able to use it to teach next year's group.
• Finish the Fractions Classwork
• Complete the Fractions Open Response
• Read the next chapter in Holes and write a reflection.

Marble Monday

We used marbles, sandpaper, timers and ramps to test how friction affects speed. We had a great time in the Lab.  Students designed their own experiments!  We also....

• We used our ipads to take lots of notes!
• We read the selection Just Like Me and discussed how we are influenced by our past and our ancestry
• We corrected the math homework, practiced converting fractions to decimals, and naming fractions and decimals on the number line.
• We had recess outside, in our new location: the field!:-)

Tonight at home.....

• Read,. or reread chapters 9-11 in Holes and complete the Literature Response Sheet.  Make sure that your responses are from these chapters, even if you are reading ahead or finished!
• Finish today's math classwork: the Geometry Review and the Open Response. Please make sure that you show all of your work for the open response.  Draw models to help you get started, but don't forget to show the numbers!  Remember, the skill is adding fractions, so your response should contain an equation in which fractions are added.

Help Wanted:

Can you sew?  Is measurement a strength?  Do you have a bit of time to help us?

This week, we will use the West African stamps on loan from the Field Museum to begin a class "quilt."

This first bit of help I need is in cutting the squares. I will need about 40 of them, to account for mistakes.  I have the materials and can send them home, along with the measurements.

The second step will be sewing the squares back together, and possibly adding a backing.  I will be open to suggestions on part two, as this is getting a bit beyond my comfort zone!

If you can help, send me an email!

We will need the squares cut out and ready to use by Thursday.

Part two can be completed in a more relaxed time frame.\

Thanks!

Far Out Friday

Have you read about last night's meteor shower in Russia?  You should check it out!

Today we....

• Worked on comparing fractions and finding equivalent fractions
• Completed an open math response. It was a challenge, but we got though it!
• Took our weekly reading test
• Explored topics surrounding Force and Motion on Brainpop

This weekend at home please.....

• Complete the adding and Subtracting fraction packet
• Read for pleasure and get a signature
• Come in on Monday focused and ready to work
• Check out the extra tutorials and games on Edmodo!

This just added: Please read the next story, Just Like Me on Think Central, if you have access.  We will read it on Monday, but you will be better prepared if you have previewed it.

Next week we will.....

• Go to the Science Lab on Monday to explore force, friction, mass and acceleration 
• Clean out our folders and bring home graded work.  Please, bring it home!
• Continue to work on our African American Achiever research and begin drafting our postage stamps
• Break out the West African Adinkra stamp set from the Field Museum and explore how symbols convey messages and meaning
• Learn a new technique to evaluate our Reading Extended Responses. It involves highlighters! 
• Learn how to multiply and divide fractions.  If you can add and subtract them, these next two operations will be a breeze!
• Read the selection, Just Like Me.    We will explore these questions: How do our family histories and cherished memories influence who we are and who we'd like to become?  Where do we see "art" in everyday life?  What does it mean to be an artist and create?  How can art convey mood?  
• We will explore these questions in discussion, writing, and yes, art! Here is a sample of the the project I created last year for this mini unit called The Artist in Me.  The inside quarters contain four paragraphs about four unique characteristics.

Totally Terrific Valentines Thursday

This evening at home.....

• Complete the Comparing Fractions packet.
• Read about Magnetism, Friction, Gravity and Buoyant Force. This is a double sided handout with brief questions.
• Read the next two chapters in Holes: 7 and 8. No written response is needed. Be prepared for quiz.

Wonderful Work Wednesday

Today's title is in celebration of the hard work and team work that got us through the second quarter successfully.  At the end of the day, students received Q2 awards for Perfect Attendance and Honor Roll.  Each child was also honored with a special "fun" award that celebrates their personality and learning style.

Today we......

• worked on finding the perimeter of plane figures
• used our ipads to research our African American Achiever.  We are learning how to take notes on index card, organizing them by sub-topic
• went to Music
• worked on ST Math and met in small groups to correct the homework.  We also worked on comparing fractions on the number line.
• used our ipads to explore Simple Machines and their "every day" uses
• ended the day with our Team201 awards and some reading of Holes

Tonight at home.....

• Reread/read chapters 1-6 in Holes. We have read 1-3 in class. Complete the Read and Respond page
• Please, please, please bring Holes back to class tomorrow, or Mrs. Ginn might have a breakdown.  It won't be pretty!
• In your Harcourt Math Text, complete pages 374-375 problems 19-46

Making Equivalent Fractions Monday

Tonight at home.....
Finish your Equivalent Fractions mini book.  Each page should show 2 or more examples.  Don't forget to explain the "how and why."
Complete the Math Fractions pages
Read the companion story to So, You Want to Be an Inventor and answer the "Compare Texts" questions.
Check out the activities about Simple Machines that I will post.
Complete the Simple Machines handout

*There is no school tomorrow in honor of Lincoln's birthday

Famous-African-American-Friday

Today we.....

• set a class record for morning organization!  Cursive practice on the i pad was our motivation.
• used our  i pads to select a research topic and began looking for information
• took a quiz on our white board apps
• finished correcting the Science test

This weekend at home

• complete the  Week 15 Essentials math sheet
• read So, Your Want to Be an Inventor in the Harcourt Text or Think Central.  There will be a quiz on Monday, so make sure that you are prepared.
• Check out Edmodo and Study Island for extra activities and test prep.
• show someone the Q3 News letter
• look at the note about Valentines.

Tough-test-Technology-Thursday

Today we took the Science Isat Simulation.  It was tough, really tough.  We have gone over about 1/3 of the questions.  We will finish tomorrow.  This data is designed to help us learn from our mistakes.

We decided to add the "technology" to today's title, because we are about to explore on our new i-pads.  Students know that, " with great ipads, comes great responsibility."  Thanks, Jonathan, for this very insightful quote.

Tonight at home.....

• complete the multiple choice questions about Factors and Multiples
• read and answer the questions about Clouds and Fossil Fuels.  These pages are back to back.
• Read for pleasure and get a signature. No written response is needed today.

Wonderific Wednesday

Today we....

• took the math portion of the ISAT simulation
• read Somebody Loves You Mr. Hatch and discussed cause and effect relationships
• further discussed the relationship between the sun, moon and planets
• went over last night's homework and learned about Solid Figures

Tonight at home  please....

• please sign and return your child's report card.  You may keep the MAP test report.  Please feel free to write or call if you would like to set up a meeting.
• finish the math page from this morning and get it signed
• work on the Solid Figures packet. Finish it.
• complete the reading comprehension activities.  We will go over them tomorrow.

Test Taking Tuesday

Howdy 201 Families,

Today we....

• participated in a school-wide ISAT simulation. Today we took the reading portion.
• went to digital music and learned how to save and submit files on Edmodo.
• spent some time studying circles, triangles, and polygons.  We will continue our pre-ISAT geometry unit through mid-next week.  Then, we will move on to fractions.
• went to the computer lab to complete Science Fusion digital lessons about the relationship between the sun, moon, and earth. 

Tonight at home.....

• read the Mini Page news entitled The Stupendous Sun.  Create a fact finder that shows what you learned on the back page: The Mighty Sun.  Include 10 or more facts, and include diagrams, captions, headings, or other text features to show what you know
• finish the Classifying Shapes math packet.  We will correct it tomorrow in class.

Reminders/News.....

• Do you have a copy of Holes by Louis Sacher?  We need four more!
• Tomorrow, we will take the math portion of the ISAT simulation and on Thursday, we will take the science section.  We will go over these tests in class next week.
• Thank you, Sean, for bringing in the Post-its and the tape!
• The i pads are here!  I hope to get them in the students' hands by the end of this week. 
• Please note that I have been "front-loading" lots of material on Edmodo.  Previewing the content at home helps us move through lessons faster.  When we go over the material in class, the students who have previewed the content are better prepared for the lesson.  

Math Madness Monday

Yes, we did a LOT of math today!

• We talked about symmetry and went over the homework
• We use protractors to measure, draw and label angles
• We met in small groups to learn about circles and how to measure the angles in a circle
• We discussed our moon and it's phases
• We made models of these phases using Oreo Cookies

Tonight at home:

• Study the phases of the moon. Listening to the Mr. Lee rap can help
• Complete  the Math packet
• Read for pleasure at home and write a reflection

Contest: Name the Snapping Turtle

Hi Team 201,

Let's give our visitor from the Field Museum a name.   Submit your favorite ideas and we will vote on Monday.

We also need to collect some information about Snapping Turtles.   If antone can print out some articles or pictures, we can add them to our display.

🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢