Feeling the Food Love Friday

We wrote love letters today......to our favorite foods. They are scrumptious!

This weekend at home....

• Think about your Biography project. Get the paper signed by an adult, so that I know that they know about this new project.  Don't forget that I need to approve all topics!
• Read the next story in Journeys, The Right Dog for the Job.
• Complete the Main idea and details graphic organizer, using the Dog story.
• Complete, in My Math, pages 529-533

Think About Tests Thursday

Painful Test Thursday, just doesn't work.  Sorry about that, Daniel.  It was a bit painful, I know.  Today's math practice was tough.  We will definitely spend some time teaching and practicing these concepts tomorrow!

This evening at home.....

• read for pleasure and respond in writing. Pick one main idea from your reading.  Select four details that support that main idea or detail. You may write about a character or event.
• complete pp.527-528 in My Math
• show someone your Report Card and get it signed.
• will will take a quiz on Moon Phases on Monday.  Get ready.  Tutorials can be found on this blog and on Edmodo.

 Parents, I would love to schedule a conference, either in person or by phone. Please contact me, if you would like to discuss your child's conference and learning goals.

Welcome Back Wednesday

And.......we're back!  Can you  imagine that 20 degrees will feel balmy? It is great to be back in 201.  We will hit the ground running this week!

Of Note

• The Math Bee has been rescheduled for next Wednesday.
• We are not going on a field trip this Friday. It will be rescheduled.
• Do you subscribe to this blog?  Please sign up to "follow" us.  When I post, you will get a notification.  Many kids were able to take advantage of this during the "freeze days."
• We will not have our regular reading test on Friday. It will be sent home for practice on Friday and will count as classwork.
• This week, we will be talking about fantabulous adjectives. Scroll down to see a video.
• There are extra credit activities available.  Please see the previous post.
• We need wipes and tissue!

Today we....

• learned more about the Phases of the Moon. Students should be able to identify each stage.  The Mr. Lee song is a great help.  Scroll down to last week's posts for the link.
• spent some more time with our friends, fractions.  
• participated in school-wide Common Core test prep. We will be discussing all of our answers, so that the students can get feedback on their responses and learn from their mistakes.

Tonight at home......

• complete the My math handout.
• make sure that you have read Spindletop in Journeys. Many kids got the memo to do this on the "freeze days."
•  Please select one of these Journeys activities and respond in writing: Page 486: Classroom Conversation
  or
  Page 487: Write About Reading writing.
•  Even if you select the "conversation," you must respond in writing.  Talking out your ideas is a good first step.  Perhaps you can work with a classmate to compare ideas via Edmodo. Share ideas, but make the writing your own.  Proofread your work.  Do you include specific examples from the text?  Do your sentences flow? Is your writing error-free?  Good job.
• Many kids completed one of these activities over the "freeze."  Please look over your response to make sure that it is your BEST work.  Congratulations. You are done.  Now, go read a book!
• Read for pleasure and record on your G.C.
  
  
  

Make Me Learn Monday

Hello Team 201 Families,

I am sure that you all know that Winter Weather will keep us away from school again tomorrow. ALL CPS SCHOOLS WILL BE CLOSED ON MONDAY. While you kids may be cheering, your teacher wants to be in school!  I have plans for you, people, and the Mother Nature is getting in the way.

This weekend, you were supposed to read Riding Freedom  and answer the "analyze text" questions.  Now, can you please read the companion piece? Let me rephrase that: Read the companion piece, Spindletop, please.  That is an imperative sentence.  

Then, please select one of these activities and respond in writing. If you select the "conversation," you must respond in writing.  Talking out your ideas is a good first step.  Perhaps you can work with a classmate to compare ideas via Edmodo. Share ideas, but make the writing your own.  Proofread your work.  Do you include specific examples from the text?  Do your sentences flow? Is your writing error-free?  Good job.

Page 486: Classroom Conversation
or
Page 487: Write About Reading

In math, we are working on Comparing Fractions. Soon, we will conquer Mixed Numbers and Operations with Fractions. We are going to add, subtract, multiply and divide those fractions!  Look out, un-whole numbers. Log on to STUDY JAMS to get started. You may begin with the the link here, but I strongly encourage you to look at the other subtopics in this section. You basically have to know everything here.  This link should take you to the Study Jams segment on Least Common Multiple.  If not, just search for it. 

http://studyjams.scholastic.com/studyjams/jams/math/fractions/least-common-multiple.htm

Do you know your Moon Phases?  If you have already studied the Brainpop segment, watch it again! Scroll up to last week's posts and watch the Bill Nye video.  Then, move on to StudyJams.  Search in the Science/Solar System section.  You need to know how to identify each phase, and should know where it is in relation to Earth.  Go ahead and learn from some of these other segments.  

I will give extra credit for any BrainPop activity page.  Find something that interests you and learn.  Print out the activity page, or copy it by hand in your notebook.

Here is another extra credit opportunity:  log on to Wonderopolis.com  You can use the tab. It is easy.  Select a "wonder" topic and read about it. Now, teach me.   Do a little extra research.  Write about your findings.  You may make your own "Fact Finder" card, or write a paragraph.   

I know that your parents won't let you go sledding. It is too cold. Sunday was the day for sledding. We had a great time at Gompers Park! Today is the day to keep warm and home-school yourself. Learn something. That's an order!

Wacky Squirrel Powers Wednesday

Today we......

• spent some time taking our mid-year Benchmark Assessment.  Tomorrow, we will go over the answers together, so that kids can get some feedback.
• discussed the differences between the earth's rotation and orbit.  Please scroll down to watch the videos I posted last weekend.  Study Jams and Brain Pop also have good segments on these topics
• reviewed Equivalent Fractions and related them to Simplest Form. Most kids have covered these topics in ST Math.  Now, we are learning the math behind the models.  Again, I will point you toward Brain Pop and Study Jams for tutorials.
• read a few chapters of Flora and Ulysses, Katie di Camillo's new novel.  So far, so great!  We are building a word list.  Here's is what we have so far: incandescent, illuminated, malfeasance, indomitable, oblige, disdain, astonishing
• spend some time on ESparks, working on our individual reading goals
• logged on with Jiji in the computer lab.  By now, all students should have gained  55% progress.

This evening at home......

• Finish  the "Sum it Up" Science Packet. Student's should use last night's reading in Science Fusion to help them answer the questions.
• Complete the My Math homework on pp 515- 516
• ST Math

Tuesday Time Tracking

This afternoon, we will begin our unit on Earth and Space. Our first goal is to understand the difference between rotation and revolution.   Check out the videos that I posted on Saturday. 

There will not be a regular reading test this week.  We are taking our Benchmark Assessment in reading. This test is not based on specific words or stories, so there isn't a study guide.  This assessment will allow me to "check in" with how your child is doing in reading.  I can share the results with you next week.

We are finishing up the second quarter this week.  Let me know if you would like to schedule a short conference, either by phone or in person!  Please also feel free to send me an email. I can be reached at mport@cps.edu, or by clicking  the "Contact Me" tab on this website.

This evening at home.....

• read pages 297-307 in Science Fusion.  Complete all of the "active reading" activities on a separate sheet of paper.  Record this reading on your Gold Card.
• complete My Math pp. 508, 509, and 510

Sun, Moon and Earth Saturday

Greetings Team 201!  Let's talk about revolution! Click below to warm up for next week's Science topics. We will be discussing the reasons for the seasons, night and day.  We will also learn about the phases of the moon.  Watch, learn, enjoy!

Fractions Friday, take 2

I will post more later.....

This weekend at home......

• finish your Habitat/Web project.  Students, remember these key words: Niche, Food Web and  habitat.
• complete math pages  501-504
• ST MATH
• check the website for information and tutorials this weekend.
• Don't forget to read and record. I want to see evidence of three reading sessions.

* I did not stamp Gold cards today!  I will check the homework after school and will give double stamps on Tuesday

Technology Tanturms Thursday

Don't worry, your children are fine.  Mrs. Ginn is the one throwing the tech. tantrums today.  It will all get straightened out in the morning!

This evening at home.....

• prepare for tomorrow's Math Bee/Race.  We will be playing a modified version of "Around the World" to determine the 201 representative.
• complete My Math pp 495 and 496
• Read the selection Wildfires in your reading text on page 464. 466  As you read, answer each of the questions in writing.

Wild About Moth Coloration Wednesday

I am in a bit of a rush today.  Ask you child to explain today's title.  They should mention the Industrial Revolution and adaptations.


This evening at home.....

• work on those ROK Cards.  I need to see 4 on Friday.
• in the NEW MATH BOOK, please hold your applause, complete page 477 and the Vocabulary Cards.  You need not rip them out of the book.
• Read and record on your log
• Finish your SS scrapbook OR complete a read and written response.

SS Scrapbook questions....

• Is your writing informative and detailed?
• Are your sentences error-free?
• Are you captions detailed and informative?
• Do your diagrams/illustrations reflect your best work?

We will finish putting the books together tomorrow in class

Techie Tunes Tuesday

201 Students created some amazing sounds in Music Technology today.  Ask your child to share them with you!  They are so lucky to have access to these cutting edge resources!   Does it make you want to go back to school, parents?  No response required!


Tonight at home...

• Read the Wild Times article and write a response that examines the MAIN IDEA and supporting details.  Focus on one specific section.
• Complete the Book Playlist activity. The songs should be based on the Wild Times article.
• We have a Math test tomorrow. Bring home your Math book to study.  We will soon be ready to begin volume 2, examining fraction concepts.

Want to Read About Animals?

This Just Added: Wild Times Magazine!

Click on the new tab at the top of the blog to access these wonderful resources from the New Hampshire Department of Wildlife.  You can read them online, or print them at home. This is a fantastic resource for informational text. The articles are both interesting and accessible.  Enjoy!

Job Posting: Chaperones Needed

We are going to the Museum of Science and Industry on 1/31.  Before we can get Board approval, we need two confirmed chaperones.  Please note that this trip requires quite a bit of walking!

If you can join us, please email me or send in a note.  I would like to give preference to new chaperones, but I need to submit the parent names a.s.a.p., so I will honor the first two responses.  Trip details will be announced soon.  Thanks!

Making Sense of X and Y Monday

Today we bumped up the "equation thing."  Your kids worked hard to make x and y make sense.  The words that I kept repeating were, "Use the equation.  Plug it in!  Write something on your paper!"  You may feel free to repeat these phrases at home.

We also began a new research project today. Students have selected an animal to study.  Their research will teach them about this animal's unique niche within its habitat. Students will explore the animal's role within a food chain and the larger web that comprises its habitat.  Students are encouraged to do extra research at home.


This evening at home.....

• Complete the My Math Homework on pages 469-470. We will test on Wednesday.
• Use this week's story, Ecology For Kids, to complete the Text to Text question on page 459
• Study those spelling and vocabulary words!
• Log on to ST Math!
• If you have time, complete some research on your animal.  

Data Night is this Tuesday.  Want to learn about Common Core Standards?  Want to learn more about NWEA and the Maps Assessment?   Need a refresher on reading lexiles?  Want to come see me at school on Tuesday night?  Then, please, come to Data Night on Tuesday!  6:00-7:00. C.A.C..  See you there!

Function Tables, Equations, Variables, Help!

Let's mind our Ps and Qs, and get our Xes and Ys in order!  What is really going on inside that function table? Is is magic? No, it is algebra. This week, you have been writing rules/equations/formulas, to help you unlock the secrets of the magical and mysterious function table.  Remember, when writing the equation the input comes first. The output should be after the equal sign. This seems to be the tricky part for most.  You know what I am going to say….Make a Model! In this case, that model would be in the form of an input/output, or function table.  Numbers go "in" on the left, are magically transformed, and come "out" on the right.  You can do this!

Order in the Court, the math court, that is…..

Here you will find some tips, tricks, and tutorials to help you stay solid using the Order of Operations. You may know how to calculate like JiJi, but if you don't follow the rules, your answer will be….WRONG!  Enjoy, and stay sharp, Team 201.

Feels Like Friday

This weekend at home...

• Read for pleasure. Make sure to  record two or more entries on you log.
• Respond to your reading in writing. Describe an interesting plot event or character and evaluate the events, actions or traits.  Show me your best writing.
• Complete 457 and 458 in My Math
• Have a great weekend!

Talking Tortoise Thursday

Thank you, Daniel, for giving us today's title.  We began our morning with the Desert Tortoise.  We discussed this animal's physical and behaviors adaptations.  Ask your child to tell you about them.  Kids, here are some hints: bladder, burrow, coloration, claws.  Now, go explain this stuff to your parents!

We did two math lesson today, covering Function Tables with Division and Multiplication equations and Order of Operations.  We also spent some more time in the ant colony, working with informational text, and finding main ideas.

Students are working hard on ST Math and ESparks.  If your child is able to log on to ST Math at home, try to devote a few minutes each day, or at least a few times each week.  Even a 15-20 minute session can expose your student to new material and boost achievment!


This evening at home...

• read for pleasure and get your Gold Card signed
• complete the Order of Operations My Math Homework on page 455-456
• finish the Read and Response page, this time working with the fable The Dove and the Ant
• spend some time on ST Math, if you are able to

Our classroom Math Bee will take place next Thursday. Competitors will be quizzed on addition, subtraction, multiplication and addition facts.

Welcome Back Wednesday.......not, Waiting for Blog Tilte Suggestions Wednesday

I am confident that the members of Team 201 can help me improve today's title.  I will wait for them.   Thank you Kesanet, for coming up with today's very appropriate title!  It is great to be back in 201, and to be working with your wonderful children. I hope that you all enjoyed the extended break, that backs are not too sore from shoveling, and that all were able to hunker down and stay warm!

Today we......

• used reading strategies to locate information in non fiction text and completed "close reads" to discover details about our Southwest region.
• read  The Life and Times of the Ant, non fiction, and The Dove and the Ant, a fable, in our Journeys text.
• discussed resolutions for the new year and published "action plans."  We then glued our plans on to student- crafted penguins.
• used algebra to explore function tables using addition and subtraction rules.  We practiced writing equations using variables
• compared and contrasted physical and behavioral adaptations, and used Science Fusion to find some specific examples
• spent some time with JiJi and worked on our ST Math goals.

This evening at home.....

• complete the My Math Homework pages 443-4
• work on this week's Reading Response activities. Your should complete the three Life and Times of the Ant activities tonight.
• read for pleasure and record the minutes on your new Gold Card.

Notes....

• ROK Cards this week are extra credit
• We will not take our regular Reading/Vocab/Spelling test this week.  These words will show up in the Unit tests, so we will be spending time with them in class.
• We will take a quiz based on the reading skills: Using Text and Graphic Features and Explaining Scientific Concepts and Ideas