Making-Words-With-Sub-Monday

Greetings Team 201 Families!

Today we.....

• pretty much "aced" our Social Studies Quiz.  I can tell that most kids studied hard for this one. Great job!  We are working on finding new and better acronyms for remembering the position of the Great Lakes. Ianece came up with this one:  Octopi Eat Half Mustard Sandwiches
• read My Library is a Camel in our Journeys text
• began working on illustrated Vocabulary squares
• learned some fancy new vocabulary in math. Ask your child about minuends and subtrahends.
• did some problem solving in My Math
• went to the computer lab to explore the Circuit games/quiz posted on edmodo

Tonight at home....

• complete pages 105/6 and 111/112  in My Math.  
• begin the Reading Response sheet.  Please complete one activity by tomorrow.  Show me your best work!

• begin studying those spelling and vocabulary words.  We will test on Friday.
• Pin numbers/ student i.d. are being sent home today.  Use this information to log on to Parent Portal and Think Central.  Remember, the password for T.C. is chicago.  Your student i.d. is your username, and we are in Chicago District 299.  Remember to select Walt Disney 60613

Reminders

• Try to get your hands on a copy of Dear Mr. Henshaw
• We will be ready for our next math test on Wednesday

Feeling- Good- Friday

Happy Friday, Team 201

Today we........

• discussed and corrected our Science homework.  We spent some time talking about magnetic fields and poles.  Students had the opportunity to correct or add details to their homework responses.
• studied for Monday's Physical Features of the United States test.  Students practiced locating the features, and they also practiced spelling them correctly.   Scroll down to see the study guide I posted earlier in the week.
• took tests in reading, spelling, vocabulary and grammar.  We corrected them, too!  I will grade the writing and get them back to you soon.
• Went to Gym, lunch and recess
• learned how to play Versatiles to practice math problem solving skills

This weekend.....

• complete the Estimation page, both sides.
• read and record, twice or more.
• study for the Social Studies test!

E Sparks Thursday

Today we launched E Sparks!  Ask your child to tell you all about it!

Tonight at home....

• Study for tomorrow's reading test which will cover comprehension, spelling, vocabulary and grammar.  It might be a good idea to reread the story, My Brother Martin.
• Complete the Math "Enrich" page
• Read the Science pages and complete the activities

Wild Wires Wednesday

All are safe, Team 201 Parents, don't worry.  Today in the Science Lab we  built circuits.  We talked about how circuits can be open or closed.  We discussed the terms: wire, battery and load.   We then tested materials to find out if they were conductors or insulators.


Tonight at home....

• Finish the Reading Response activities
• Complete the "Enrich" math sheet
• Please complete the second side of today's Lab Sheet
• Read and record
• Begin studying for Monday's Social Studies test.  Students have a study guide in their folders.  Look at the last post.  It will guide you and provides all of the information that kids need to know.

Progress Reports are going home today.  Please note that this is a 5 week grade, an that things can change quickly.  There is plenty of opportunity for growth.  

U.S. Physical Features: Study Them, Know Them, Love Them.

Hello Team 201!  I am posting this map so that students have another visual aide to help them learn about the U.S. physical features.  You can use it to help you study at home.  Early next week, probably on Monday, students will be tested on this material.

Features to know, locate, and spell correctly:

The Great Lakes: H.O.M.E.S. - Use the acronym to help you remember them, but you must be able to spell the full names.
The Atlantic and Pacific Oceans
The Gulf of Mexico
The Rocky Mountain Range
The Appalachian Range
The Sierra Nevada Range
The Mississippi River
The Ohio River
The Missouri River
The Colorado River
The relative locations of Canada and Mexico

Another online resource for Map Skills practice can be found by clicking on this link:
  Owl and Mouse Physical Features Map Puzzle
The Physical Features map on the Owl and Mouse Map contains more detailed information than does the above image.  Use the puzzle map, but make sure that you can locate, and spell the features that I've listed on this page.

This link will also lead you to many other interactive map activities and map games.

We will be studying in class each morning this week. We need plenty of practice!

Talkative-Ticket Drawing-Technology Tuesday

Just for the record, it will be Taco Tuesday at my house this evening.

We did talk today, but not in a disruptive way.
We did finally draw tickets for the prize bin.
We did set up our I Pads, again!
We also did many other activities, such as Science, Math, Reading, and Social Studies.


Tonight at home......

• Complete 2 more activities on your Reading Response page
• Complete the My Math pages
• Read, in your Science Text book, pages 501-509
• Get that gold Card signed, record your reading minutes , and bring it to me tomorrow

Tomorrow is Lab Day!

I hope to begin Dear Mr. Henshaw next week!  If you don't have it, try to get it!  E- bay is a good choice.

My Brother Martin Monday

  Good Afternoon..

Today we.....

• watched a Brain Pop on the Solstice and Equinox.
• began our unit on physical features of the United States.  Students were given a pre-test to help me determine our base line.  By next week, students should be able to identify the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, the Great Lakes, Illinois, the Mississippi River, the Gulf of Mexico, the locations of Canada and Mexico relative to the U.S..  
• read My Brother Martin.  We discussed Author's Purpose and we analyzed the text.  We met in smaller groups to learn about Types of Sentences and this week's prefix focus: im-, ir-, il-, and in-.
• in Math, we learned about the Properties of Addition: Associative, Communicative, and Identity.  We even got sneaky and did a bit of pre- algebra.
• logged on to Science Fusion to begin our unit on Electricity.  Today we talked about static electricity.  We will get more "into" this topic tomorrow.

Tonight at home...

• Study those Vocabulary and Spelling words.  We will have a test on Friday
• Read for 20 minutes or more and fill out the Reading Log
• Work on this week's Reading Response pages.  You should have TWO activities completed by tomorrow.  I will collect it on Friday, but I will check the Response log each day.
• Finish any math classwork that didn't get done today.
• Complete the Math sheet: Lesson 1/Enrich.  Use the hints to crack the code.  You can do it!

* The study guide and other enrichment activities are posted on Edmodo
*Please try to get a copy of Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary.  I really want to read this book together, but we can't do it until we all have the book!

Sunny Sunday

Greetings Team 201 Families,

It is a beautiful, sunny Sunday, and I hope that you all are enjoying it.  I have posted a few items on Edmodo under " Assignments"  that I want to share with you.   Go to Edmodo and filter the posts by "Assignment" to access these materials:

•  Next week's study guide is posted. This contains the spelling and vocabulary words, as well as the grammar and vocabulary focus skills.  This week's story is entitled, My Brother Martin. 
• U.S. Physical Features Map Puzzle is posted.  This comes from a wonderful site called Owl and Mouse.  This week and next, we will focus on U.S. physical features.  Students will be expected to know where our major rivers, mountain ranges, oceans and lakes are found on the map. Understanding U.S. Geography will prepare us to delve further into the unique features and history of each region.

This week, we will also begin our regular routines with ST Math and E Sparks.  E Sparks is an app based program that is customized for each child, based on his or her MAPS results.  This is an exciting and new way to differentiate learning.  We will be "E Sparking" in both reading and math.  I can't wait to get started.

See you all on Monday!

Best,

Mrs. Ginn

P.S.

Here are some bonus Brain Pop links that will help you get a jump start on this week's learning!

Longitude and Latitude


Types of Sentences

Final Performance Friday

Thank you, Ianece, for today's title!  Your children were wonderful today.  The show was a success, and we are getting compliments galore.

Thank you, parents, for all of your support in and out of the CAC.

This weekend...
-Complete the activities found in the Science Text on pages440-443.  You may NOT write in the book.  Use a separate sheet of paper.
-Read and record.  I will expect 2 or more entries.
-Please look for a copy of Dear Mr. Henshaw at the library or book store.  If any family is  able to donate copies to the class , it will be greatly appreciated.  I hope that we can share this wonderful novel together. The novel is written by Beverly Cleary.


See you on Monday, Team 201. Have a great weekend!

Time for The Show Thursday

Today we rehearsed, and we rehearsed, and then we rehearsed one more time!  Tomorrow is our big day, and we hope that you will join us!

News and Notes

• Yes, it is true! There is no homework this evening. Students who read and record on their Gold Cards will receive a stamp.
• Doors open tomorrow at 9:15. Our show begins at 9:30.
• If you did not bring money for pizza, please bring it tomorrow.  The cost is $3.00.  Students will eat the pizza at 11:00.   
• We will go to our regular lunch at 1:00. 
• The carpet in PreSchool looks like it will be done soon. I am hoping that we will be back in 201 on Monday morning!

Water Wednesday

We washed our hands a lot today!  We are going to work on these titles!


Tonight at home....

• Extended Response Math practice
• Get today's math test signed and please return it to me
• Energy Packet: Energy Pros and Cons and Cause and Effect + Main Point
• Read and Record

Reminders/News:

• All kids will be receiving T-shirts on Friday for our show. As a base layer, wear black, navy, or jeans.
• Pizza forms went home today
• Our show is Friday. Doors open at 9:15. The show begins at 9:30

Tuesday

Hello Team201 families,


It was another busy day in the CAC.  We created atom models.  Ask your child to tell you about protons, neutrons and electrons.  We also did quite a bit of rehearsing today. 

Tonight at home......
-Bring home your math book and study for tomorrow's math test.  You understand how to round numbers, explain the difference between value and place value, and how to compare and order numbers.
-In your Energy Packet, complete the pages on Energy, Coal, Solar energy, Wind, Oil and Natural Gas

* I did not stamp Gold Cards today.
* Isat scores are going home today
* Pizza party letters are going home today.

Marvelous Monday

Hello 201 families,

Today's title is not too creative.  I didn't have any team input.   This post is getting to you late, and I apologize.   Students arrived back from Computers about ten minutes late, and our dismissal was rushed .

Tonight at home
- students should complete the place value sheet
- students should read and record in their reading logs.

News:

🎤⚡Our CAC performance is this Friday.  I will confirm the exact time tomorrow. We usually begin by 9:30.

🎬 Students will be provided with T Shirts to wear for the performance.  Most students will wear black pants or jeans as a base.  Your " focus group" teacher will let you know if you need something different.

📝We will take a math test on Place Value this Wednesday.  I feel confident that we are ready!  

📖 Post - CAC, I would like to read Dear Mr. Henshaw together.  Each child will need a copy of this novel by Beverly Cleary.  Check it out from the library, or find it at the local book store.  Donated copies will be accepted.  Last year, a parent was able to find great deals on eBay.

Help!!!

Is anyone able to pick up our CAC t shirts on Thursday morning?  They will be ready at 11:00 a.m., and we need to get them to school ASAP on Thursday so  that we can get them organized and distributed.   The shirt company is on South Archer.  We have ordered nearly 200  shirts!   Please let me know if you are able to help us.

Speaking of help,  thank you to Alex's mom, Bianca's mom, Patrick's mom, and to Andreas's mom for all of their help in the CAC!

Thanks to all of you for your donations!!

Faaizuddin-Feels-Better-Friday

About today's post title: Faaizuddin can explain if he wants to. Please, don't press him!

This weekend at home.....

• finish math pages 49-52.
• read and record on your Gold Card.  I should see two entries by Monday.
• write one reflection about the book you are reading at home.  Who is the most interesting character? Why? Use details from the text to support your answer.
• Extra credit: watch the Brainpop segment on Atomic Structure. Complete one of the "activities" or "
  vocabulary" exercises.  You may print it out or write on a separate sheet of paper.

Thrilling Thursday

I wanted to call this post Tonight-is-Open-House-Thursday, but I was overruled by students!  Today we......

• used watercolors to add another layer of complexity to our Energy Source Super Heroes.  
• created Wind Art, using recycled materials.  
• finished painting our Wind Turbines
• watched a Brain Pop on Wind Energy and discussed it
• went to Library
• worked on Place Value and Problem Solving
• met in our CAC focus groups
• ate breakfast, lunch and went to recess
• practiced our final song

Tonight at home.....

• complete pages 46, 47 and 48 in your Math book
• read a book of your choice and  write a reflection. Focus on on part or section that you find interesting and tell me why.  Use evidence from the text and your own ideas.  You should not write a summary.

Open House is tonight!  I will be in 201 from 6-7, and I hope you will be there too!

Windy Wednesday

Hello Team201 families,

Today we...

• met with the entire school by the flag pole.  We sang patriotic songs to help us reflect upon the events of 9/11.
• we watched at BrainPop about 9/11 and discussed the legacy of that day.
• we did some math. Our unit on Place Value continues.
• attempted to finish up our Power Source People Posters.
• some of us were able to begin painting our wind turbines
• learned about our roles in the performance
• talked a bit more about the show and the cast of characters
• went to music, lunch, recess, etc..

Tonight at home....

-Read the Mini Pages on Wind Power. This can go in your reading log for the night.

-Think of two questions that you have about Wind Power.  Write them somewhere on the Mini Pages and bring the article back to school tomorrow.

-My Math pp. 41 and 42

Turbine Tuesday

Tonight at home...

..complete pages 39 and 40 in your math book
....Use last night's packet and grid to create a "fact finder" card.  Record 8-10 facts about an energy source of your choice.  Pick one topic, such as Hydropower or Solar Power.  Add an illustration, diagram, or a series of small diagrams.
-Read, record and get your gold card signed.
--Parents, a note about our CAC performance went home today!

More Energy Monday

Good Afternoon Team 201 Families,

Today was our first day in the CAC!  Thank you to Alex's mom and to Patrick's mom for helping us get organized in our new home.  Today we  discussed energy sources, and we used our ipads, and Brainpop, to do some research.  We are exploring the origins, advantages, and disadvantages of each source.  We are also thinking about the future potential of each energy source.

Tonight at home.....

• Use the handout to help you add to the Energy Sources grid we started today in class.  You may also use internet resources, if they are available.  Students were asked to put a star next to the sources that should be completed this evening: Natural Gas, Coal, Oil, Wind, and Hydro Electric.
• Students should also complete the write-in activities that are found within the packet.
• Students are not responsible for the experiments in the packet, but may want to try some at home.  Go for it!
• Read for pleasure, record, and get that Gold Card signed. 
• There is no math homework tonight, but there will be tomorrow!

Funtastic, Freaky Friday

This weekend at home....

• finish your Super Hero news article.  Check your work for: grammar, spelling and punctuation.  Make sure that your writing is fragment-free.  Have you answered the Who, What, Where, Why,, When and How?  Do you have a:   heading, photo, caption, newspaper title, date, and reporter's name?
• complete your Super Hero drawing.
• I will collect the story ( from last week), the article, and the drawing on Monday. 
• Practice for Monday's audition, if you are planning to try- out for a part.
• Read for pleasure.
• Get your Gold Card signed
• Check Edmodo for extra learning opportunities!
• Help out at home.  Make your bed.  Thank your parents, and do something extra just to help!  That's an order!

Monday is our first day in the CAC.  We will focus on Wind Power!

Tim's T-Shirt Thursday

Today we spent some time with our friends Tim and Moby.  They showed us examples of Energy Sources.  Two words kept popping up: turbine and generator.  We will be digging deeper in the weeks to come!
Students designed a new t-shirt to show what they learned about energy sources.

Tonight at home.....

• Read a book of your choice and use it to complete the Looks on a Book graphic organizer.
• Complete the My Homework math sheet: comparing numbers
• finish up your menu activities. Remember, select one appetizer, one entree, and one sweet.

Tomorrow we will...

• take a reading test.
• finish our Superhero Project
• go to Gym
• work on comparing and ordering numbers
• learn more about renewable and non renewable resources

Winn Dixie Wednesday

Yes, today we spent some time with one of my all-time favorites characters, Opal and Winn Dixie.  We discussed point of view, hyperbole, and flashback. We also explored the text for evidence, asking the question: What makes a friend?

Today was a Lab day.  Students explored the relationship between potential and kinetic energy.  We conducted trials, found averages, and discussed the variables that could have influenced our results.  The lab sheets are coming home tonight.

Tonight at home....

• read Because of BookEnds, found on pp 36-38 of your reading text.  To respond, select ONE of the activities on page 39 and bring it to class tomorrow.
• complete the My Math homework
• review your Potential and Kinetic Lab sheet.  Make sure that it is complete and that you have answered all of the questions completely.  Talk to someone at home about the lab
• Read for pleasure for 20 minutes or more, and record it.
• Get your Gold Card signed!
• Don't forget that your Menu activities are due on Friday!

Parents, please note that Open House is marked incorrectly on the Gold Card.  I will look forward to seeing you on Thursday, September 12 from 6 p.m.-7 p.m..

Technology Tuesday

Today Team201 met their i pads.  We had a few glitches, but most students were able to log on to edmodo successfully.  This week's reading selection, Because of Winn Dixie, is posted as a pdf attachment on edmodo. Filter the posts by "assignments" and you will see it.  Or, just scroll down.

Today we....

• discussed and practiced using our cardinal directions. 
• tackled our Math problems- of- the- day.  
• shared our Owls.  Thanks for your hard work on these!  They are wonderful and will really help make our classroom ours.
• went to Music Technology with Mr. Fahrenbach.  He helped the kids explore a new program.  201 kids were composing music today!
• used ipads and edmodo to read Because of Winn Dixie and to become familiar with our vocabulary words.
• handed out our brand new My Math textbooks.  We are still waiting for a few editions to arrive.  5 students are working from a photo- copied packet.  I expect the books to be in my hands by the end of the week. Yeah!  They just arrived!
• awarded prizes to students who arrived to school with a signed Gold Card and 100% homework each day in August.
• received a Focus Skills  page that contains this week's words, focus skill, and essential questions. Keep this posted at home or in the Homework Folder.

Tonight at home....

• In your math book or packet,  please complete  My Homework, found on pages 15 and 16.
• Read pages 207-213 in the Science Packet: What are Natural Resources?  Complete all activities, within those pages, including the Active Reading.
• Read for pleasure and fill out the Reading Log.  You do not have to write a reflection tonight.
• Plan your Vocabulary Menu activities.  They are on the back of your Focus Skills handout and are due on Friday.
• Get your new Gold Card signed!

By Friday.....

• Vocabulary Menu Activities will be collected on Fridays.  Select one from each category to help you prepare.
• Be ready for the Spelling Test on Friday.  Study at home!
• We will take our first reading test, on story 1, on Friday.

If you are able to.....

• log on to edmodo to watch the Brain Pop segments

Dear Team 201,

I hope that you all are enjoying this beautiful day.  On Monday  Tuesday, remind me to tell you the story about my neighbor,  his car, and a rotted-out tree.

I have posted two assignments on Edmodo for you to explore.  Each one takes you to a different link.  One is a game about Natural Resources created by Harcourt. The other explores energy sources, and contains an online novella about a town and school kids in an energy crisis.

These activities will help you build background knowledge that will maximize our CAC experience.  Remember, our topic is Energy and Natural Resources.

Log on to Edmodo, explore and enjoy!  If you are having trouble logging on to Edmodo, I can help you on Tuesday.