October Book Project

It's a Pumpkin! It's a Book Project!

It's time to start planning your Pumpkin Book Project.

 Here is how it works

I will send a packet home soon! The materials will also be available to download on Edmodo.

1. Select a book that is at or slightly above your reading level.
2. Make sure that this book contains well rounded characters.
3. Read the book.
4. As you read, complete the Characters and Inferences sheet.  Mrs. Ginn will be checking this each week to make sure that you are keeping up. Stay tuned for due dates.
5. Complete the "Story Map" graphic organizer.
6. Complete the Pumpkin Book Report.  This report should focus on character traits. It is not a summary.  In the report, you will discuss your character's traits and you will use evidence from the text to support your ideas and opinions.  You will use the Characters and Inferences sheet to help you.
7. Decorate a pumpkin. You may use a foam pumpkin or a real pumpkin.  You may not bring a carved pumpkin to class.  It will rot quickly.

  The due date for the entire project is October 30th, so begin planning now.  I must approve all books, so please bring in your reading selection soon.
I can't wait to see the pumpkin invasion!

                   

Team201 Tuesday

Hello Team 201 Families,

Tune in later for more updates.  Right now, we are sticking to the basics.

This evening at home....

• "Understanding Texts" Practice Text
• Go Math pp 73 and 74. Write equations and make models.
• Read for 20 minutes or more and record on your log.

We need:
Googly eyes
Glow sticks
10 more towel rolls

Making History Monday

That's what we are doing in the CAC.

This evening at  home....

• complete the Math enrich/reteach work.
• read for 20 minutes in a book of your choice.
• write a paragraph based on this reading. What was the main idea of what you read? Include 4 or more supporting details.

I will post more later!

ST Math Homework is up and running! Thank you kids, for encouraging me to get this done.  All objectives for the year have been assigned for both home and school.   If you need the code, log on to Edmodo. It was posted over the weekend. I don't want to post it publicly.


We need about 20 more empty paper towel rolls, or about 7 more wrapping paper rolls.
Thanks to all who have helped us reuse and repurpose!

Fab Friday

Thank you to Isa's dad for joining us in 201 today.  The kids had a million questions about his job as a computer programmer.  He spoke to us about the cloud and coding languages.  It was a great kick- off to our CAC unit, which begins on Monday.

This weekend at home...

• Please get the math test signed.
• Some children have been asked to make corrections.  Do this on a separate sheet and show all of the work. I will award some credit if you bring it to me on Monday.
• Revise and finish your dialogue.  Make sure that you have corrected the spelling and the the punctuation is correct too!
• Last year's ISAT scores are in the homework folders!
• Try to bring in use paper towel rolls or wrapping paper rolls.
• If your parents can volunteer, they are welcome to join us!
• Have a fantastic weekend!  I will see you in the CAC on Monday!

Totally Nuts Thursday

I just was.  The original title of this post was Wonderful Wednesday.  The day was wonderful, but it was never Wednesday.  Today we corrected the Math test. Students will bring the test home tomorrow.  Please sign the test and bring it back to school.



This evening at home....

•  complete math pages 67 and 68
•  read the companion piece to Camel:page 96
• complete the final two section of the reading response sheet. Use a book of your choice.

We need empty paper towel rolls and empty wrapping paper rolls.  We are making Code Scrolls on Monday.

Writing Code Wednesday

We are writing algorithms!  By the time we leave here today, your child should be able to tell you about algorithms and how they are used.  We also began our dialogue drafts today.   These conversations should be funny. We've got Day talking to Night, French Fries talking to Ice Cream, and Cookies talking to Milk, just to name a few.   Tomorrow, we will continue to draft, and will begin revising and editing our work.

This evening at home....

• Go to Journeys page 94. Answer the "Classroom Conversation" questions in writing.  Make sure to use details from the text to support your ideas.
• Read for 20 minutes and record in your journal.
• In the new Chapter 2 Go Math book, do pages 61 and 62: Show What You Know

Talking 'Bout Talking Tuesday

Today we talked about how to write about talking.  Tomorrow, we will practice using quotation marks. Kids will create conversations that will help them develop these skills.

There are logs of sickies in 201.  Two kids went home today. We will work on keeping the classroom extra clean.  Wash those hands, kids!

Our CAC unit begins on Monday.  The final performance will be on October 10th, at about 9:30.  Parents, please let me know if you can help out in the CAC.  We need your help!

This evening at home...

• Complete any two sections of the Reading Response sheet.  Make this your best work!
• Use today's review pages, along with the rest of the book, to study for tomorrow's math test. Finish any problems that you did not finish in class. We will go over them before the test.
• Read for 20 minutes or more, and record in your log.
• Fill a bucket!

Map Marking Monday

Today we took a Map quiz!  I will have the results for you soon!


This evening at home....

• Use My Librarian Is A Camel  in Journeys to complete 2 sections of the Reading Response Sheet: Cause and Effect and Compare and Contrast. Compare and Contrast two of the "libraries."  Use details from the text!
• Study Guides are going home today.  Prepare for Friday's tests!
• Math: complete pages 1.8 pp. 53-54. You must draw block models and equations.
• Read and record on your log.

We will take the Chapter 1 Math test on Wednesday.  Tomorrow is review day!

Log on to Code.org

Fantastic Freedom Friday

Emeka provides today's title!

This weekend at home......

• finish the final draft of your descriptive writing paragraph.  We will staple the picture to the front.
• study for the Social Studies test on Monday. Use the map  and the labels to help you study.
• read and record.

Thirsty Thursday

Thanks Huukha, for today's title.  The subject refers to the misplacement of my water cup.  I am parched.  Noah is ready with next Thursday's title.  Stay tuned for that!

Today we....

• reviewed/studied for Monday's quiz on Oceans, Continents, etc.  Students should use the maps and labels to study.  On Monday ,they will receive a blank map and the labels.  Look on Edmodo for great online links to help you prepare.
• practiced writing descriptively.  Students created detailed drawings. They then added written details and adjectives to match.  Tomorrow, we draft!
• met in small groups to discuss this week's story, My Brother Martin.
• went to Video Productions with Mr. Bennet.
• met in small groups to go over last night's math homework. We learned about properties of addition and checked our estimates. They were pretty reasonable!
• worked on individual Esparks goals in both reading and math
• ended the day with Kodable

Tonight at home....

• use Journeys to complete the My Brother Martin review questions.
• complete math homework  pp. 41 and 42
• make sure that you are ready for our weekly language test tomorrow: spelling, reading, vocabulary

Wisdom Wednesday

Isa brings us today's title. Thanks, kids, for all of your alliterations. Huukah handed me a list of 33! Maybe we should call today: Way With Words Wednesday?  Impressive efforts, 201!


Today we......

• failed miserably in the Science Lab.  Well, most of us did. Ask your kids about the experience.
• created I AM poems. These kids have some powerful ideas. They will be on display at Open House this evening.
• worked on renaming large numbers. How many 100s are in 4200?
• went to library

This evening at home....

• read for pleasure for 25 minutes or more.
• write a paragraph about what you read: What was the most exciting or interesting part? Why?
• complete math pages 35 and 36
• please sign and return the Math Quiz, last week's Reading test, and the Spelling test. 

 I hope to see you all at Open House this evening from 6-7. We will have a short meeting with the entire pod, Then, we will enter 201. I will be able to answer questions about homework, classwork, and am looking forward to meeting you all!

Teamwork Tuesday

Thanks, Martha, for providing us with today's title. Students, I challenge you to think of more alliterations that we can use for our daily blog titles.  You can message me on Edmodo.  Wacky Wednesday? Time Change Tuesday?  Help!


This evening at home....

• complete math pages 29 and 30
• in Journeys, read Langston Hughes: A Poet and a Dreamer 
• on page 69, find the Text To Text question.  Answer the question in writing. Make sure to use examples from both texts.  We will discuss your ideas in class. Venn Diagrams may be used to organize your thoughts, but you answer should be in paragraph form.

My Brother Martin Monday

Today's title includes the name of the story that we read in Journeys today. We also had a visit from the designers and Eparks. They were impressed by the students' progress, and were eager to get feedback from them.  Thanks for doing such a great job on the Gold Cards, parents.  Don't forget to sign the reading log and the homework space on the calendar each night.


This evening at home....

• complete the Go Math homework found on pages 27 and 28.
• finish, or begin, the My Brother Martin Readers Notebook pages.
• use the Journeys glossary to complete the vocabulary definitions on the study guide.  
• read for 20 minutes or more and record on your log.  Continue with Wonder.

Notes:

• 201 takes the Math MAPS test tomorrow. 
• We will visit the Science Lab on Wednesday. Mr. Russel will give a presentation on the new 3D Lab, and we'll learn all about how Code fits in to the 3D printing puzzle.
• Open House is this Wednesday from 6-7.  I hope that you will come visit the classroom.
• Our first day in the CAC is next Monday.  Come one, come all to help us prepare for the Cracking the Code show.

Weather Alert: Inside and Out

Good evening 201 Families,

It is getting chilly out there!   Our recess is on the rooftop, so be prepared for the cool breeze.  201 kids also need to prepare for the temperature inside the pod. Students are not permitted to wear outerwear while inside, so make sure to pack an extra layer.

Thinking Thursday

Today we thought about....

• 9/11 and seeing beyond stereotypes
• the elements that go into descriptive writing.
• different types of maps.
• finding evidence in a text to support our ideas.
• comparing and ordering numbers to the hundred thousands place.

This evening at home....

• finish up your Map page, if you didn't do it in class.
• finish the Reading questions, if you didn't finish in class.
• complete math pages 21 and 22.
• read for 20 minutes or more in Wonder.
• complete the Looks on a Book activity. Use Wonder to guide you.
• Make sure that you are ready for tomorrow's spelling/reading test.

We Love The Science Lab Wednesday

I agree that this alliteration is weak. Can you help me think of a stronger one?


This evening at home....

• Complete pages 15 and 16 in your math book: Homework and Practice 1.2
• Read  Because of Book Ends, found in Journeys on page 36.
• Use Because of Bookends to complete the Brainstorming of the Reading Response Sheet. 
• Use Because of Bookends or Winn Dixie to complete the Clarification section
• Read for 20 minutes in a book of your choice.

Test Time Tuesday

Greetings Team201!

Today we.....

• took the fall MAPS test reading inventory test
• corrected our Math homework, taking time to ask and answer questions
• completed Day 4 of our Eparks Launch. We practiced writing "Show What I Know" scripts and tomorrow we will practice recording on the ipads.
• used Brainpop to help us learn about about different types and features of maps
• worked on our spelling and grammar skills of the week: subjects, predicates, and the prefixes dis-, un- and re-.
• enjoyed free time at recess
• attempted to answer the question: What is Computer Science?

Notes:

• If your child did not receive a stamp for homework, it may be because s/he did the wrong sections. 
• Some kids need to make their responses more detailed.  I only assigned two sections last night, but I expect them to reflect one's best work. 

Do you know all of your 2's? The twos are this week's school-wide multiplication focus.  A pop quiz could happen at any time!

This evening at home....

• There will not be regular Math homework, Due to MAPS testing, we did not get to the new lesson.
•  Reading: complete the Connection and Thinking it Through sections of the Response Sheet.  Use what you have read so far in Wonder as the basis for your response.  If you did these sections last night, you need to redo  them.
• Read for 20 minutes and record it on your log.
• Don't forget that we are having a spelling/reading/vocabulary test on Friday.
• Smile!  I can't wait to see you all tomorrow!

More Math Monday

Hello Team 201 Families!

Your kids are at lunch right now. When they get back, we are going to do a bit more math to reinforce today's skills: the value of digits, periods, and comparing numbers.

Today we.....

• shared our Owls. Each child gave a one minute presentation. They are up on the wall and they look great!
• read out first Journeys story: Because of Winn Dixie. We discussed flashback, and went over some of the vocabulary words.
• learned about subjects and predicates. Sometimes they are complete and other times they are simple.
• launched Day 3 of Esparks training. Today we learned how to take a quiz on Esparks. We will be ready for our first Quest soon!
• dove into the new Math series. We discussed how each place value increased by 10 as we move to the greater place. We compared numbers.

Tonight at home......

• Show someone this week's Study Guide.  There is a tab on this blog to access all of the weekly guides.  
• Begin preparing for this week's Spelling Test. It is on Friday.  Practice at home.
• Complete the Math homework pages 9 and 10
• Complete  the Story Mapping and the Prediction sections of the Reading Response sheet. Only do these two sections. Use Because of Winn Dixie.
• Read for 20 minutes or more, record, and get a signature.

News:

• 201 will take the fall MAPS test for Reading tomorrow.  This is simple a diagnostic that will help us set the right goals for your child.
• Open House is September 17 at 6:00 p.m.. I hope to see you there!

Feeling Fine Friday

Happy Friday 201 Families!

We are in a rush, so I will post more about what's going on later.

This weekend at home....
-Finish your Owl. It is due on Monday
-Read and record. I should see 2 entries.
-We are MAPs testing on Tuesday!  201 will begin with reading. This is a "check in" test so that I can set the right goals for your child.

We've Been Working Wednesday

Bonjour Team201 Families,

Day 2 has been jam packed!  Thank you so much for turning in all of the forms. If you haven't gotten to them, please try to get them in to me by Friday.

Today we.....

• took a multiplication quiz. Students will be given a learning prescription tomorrow.
• worked on some grammar
• graphed our "multiple intelligences."
• worked on math problem solving
• created name glyphs

This evening at home...

• Forms!
• Read for 20 minutes and record.
• Write one paragraph about what you read. Ideas:  Write about your favorite part, character or event.   Write on a sheet of lined paper. 
• Math: pages 3 and 4: Show What You Know
• Owl Projects are going home today. They are due on Monday
• Teammate Top Ten quiz on Friday.
• Finish the graph classwork 

Thankful for 201 Tuesday

Happy First Day of School!

It was a pleasure to spend the day with the new Team 201!   Today was filled with administrative chores: forms, books, and procedures.  We meed to spend some time learning the ins and outs of Room 201, so that we can lay the foundation for a great year, learning together.  I can't wait to read all of student surveys this evening.

Parents, there are several forms going home this evening. Some are from me, and some are from the school.  I know that you have tons of homework!  Thanks for your patience and for getting those forms back to me as soon as possible.  My Welcome letter explains our facilities schedule, the homework policy and I hope that you have time to read it this evening.   Maybe you should ask your child to read it to you!

This evening at home.....

• Read for 20 minutes or more using a book of your choice.
• Record the minutes on your Reading Log, which is on the back of the Gold Card and get a signature
• Practice your multiplication tables.  We will take an inventory quiz tomorrow to make sure that you know the facts.
• Begin working on the Teammate Top 10. The main headings should be memorized by Friday
• Get your Gold Card signed. This indicates that you have completed your homework.
• Parents, please complete my Parent Survey and the other Disney forms
• Fill someone's bucket!