Tenths Tuesday

Thank you, Joshua.  Today's blog title fits just right!  Today we dove into our new Go Math chapter.  We wrote fractions. We wrote decimals. We shaded models.  We also corrected yesterday's test. The results will be entered as a 4th Quarter grade, so I will hold on to them until next week.

We also began work on our Woodlands Indians hide narratives today. Each child is creating a narrative using native american symbols. This art project will translate into a writing exercise.  Each story will be translated into English by the author.  Kids are thinking about inventing new names.  Boy Who Stares at Teacher might want to change is name.  Students are thinking about how their personality can be represented by the natural world. Martha may select Rushing Rapids.  We definitely have a few coyotes in the group.  Right now, I see a Gentle Breeze and Blue Flower.

In Science we are comparing complete and incomplete metamorphosis.  We know what morph means, but what about meta?  Can someone please find out? Post your answer on Edmodo.


This evening at home.....

• complete the Analyze Test questions in Sacagawea.
• in the R.Notebook, complete page 244.
• please complete the homework for Go Math lesson 9.1

Don't forget....

• There is not school for students on Friday, and next week is Spring Break!
• Parent Teacher conferences are Thursday, April 16th. I will be sending home a sign up sheet and a link for online sign up
• Field Trip forms will be handed out tomorrow or Thursday. We are going to the Chicago Historical Society  on April 17.  All money and forms will be collected after Spring Break.
• I will not be assigning regular homework over the break. Look for Science/Writing/Diorama project. It will be coming home soon and will be due in early May.

Metamorphosis Monday

Thanks, Isa, for providing today's title. That was some quick thinking!

This evening at home...

• complete pages 493 and 494 in the Chapter 9 Go Math book
• cut out the vocabulary cards and place them in a baggie
• in the Readers Notebook, complete pages 241 and 242
• make sure that you look over this week's vocabulary words so  that you are familiar with them. 
• finish your CC final draft. Most kids finished in class.

Feeling Good Friday

We will have a Math test on Monday!  All kids are coming home with a corrected Review Test.

Was your child absent today? Please make sure that you come to school with .....

• Three paragraphs about Cesar Chavez: non violence/life/quote
• a completed Mind Map
• their IL Dwellings activity
• a brain that is prepared to take the Science Quest.  

Twin Day Thursday

Thanks for twinning with me, Team 201!   There were lots of doubles today!


This evening at home....

• study this week's vocabulary words
• reread Cesar Chavez
• complete lesson 8.5 in Go Math
• complete the other two CC paragraphs.  When you come in, you should have three paragraphs drafted.  Biography/ Quote/Non Violence.  We will revise and publish tomorrow. Most kids are finished with 2/3.
• study for tomorrow's Weather Quest.  We created study guides today.

Wigwam Wednesday

Today we.....

• were dressed up!
• created wigwams in the Science Lab. Thanks, Isa, for donating the paper bowls.
• worked on multiplying whole numbers and mixed numbers.  
• read Holes and discussed
• began research for our Cesar Chavez project
• went to Library
• talked about weather fronts

This evening at home....

• use your notes to write ONE paragraph about C.Chavez.  Remember, the three topics are: the quote, the life, and non-violence.  Select one and write a rough draft paragraph this evening. Use your notes.
• complete the class and homework for Math 8.4. We will do corrections for last night's and tonight's homework on Thursday
• don't forget that you have a Science Quest on Friday.  
• don't forget that tomorrow is Twin Day.  Anyone who wants to be  my twin can wear blue jeans and a back shirt.  

Tech Trouble Tuesday

This evening at home....

• read, or reread chapters 31 and 32 in Holes
• complete the questions based on these chapters.  Answer in complete sentences and include direct evidence.  You may use an extra sheet of paper.
• complete the homework in Go Math for lesson 8.3. 
• finish the Science Fusion up through page 275. Most kids are finished.

Multiples of Fractions Monday

Hello Team 201 Families,

I realize that the blog's background no longer reflects the weather conditions in beautiful Chicago.  It may look like December 25 out there, but I am sticking with the Spring Theme.  I am not surprised by the snowy weather, but to me,  March in Chicago means a green river.

Today we....

• read a story about Cesar Chavez in Journeys
• finished up our IL Mind Maps
• Esparked
• solved problems by multiplying base units by whole numbers
• talked about the weather and weather patterns

This evening at home....

• complete the "Analyze Text" questions in Journeys
• finish your Mind Map
• complete the Go Math homework for lesson 8.2
• in the Readers Notebook, complete page 232

Wish list....

• clear packaging tape
• pencils: please check to see that your child is well-supplied with pencils and a covered sharpener.  We have gone through all of the pencils that were donated at the year's start. :-)
• small paper bowls.  We are going to use them to make wigwams.  There are 30 kids in our class.

Reminders....

• tomorrow is " College/High School" Day. Show your spirit!
• we will take a Science Quiz on Friday. I sent home a study guide today.

Finishing Up Friday

Happy Friday Team 201!   It was a busy day.   This weekend at home...

• finish up our Greek Mythology Cards.  Students should have nine cards completed by Monday.     You can find examples on Edmodo
• finish the lesson and homework in Go Math Chapter 8.1 459-560
• if you are not finished with Holes, make sure that you read several chapters this weekend.

Thoughtful Thursday

 Today's post begins with a message about being thoughtful.  Sometimes, it is not easy to get along with everyone all of the time.   I will remind kids that we need to respect personal space, that manners and courtesy are true soothers, and that unkind words and looks can leave marks that last a lifetime.  Each one of us deserves to be treated with care.  I think that Team 201 understands this.  Sometimes we need a gentle reminder.


If it were Wednesday, we'd call it Wise Words Wednesday.    Today we talked about proverbs and adages. There are lots of links on Edmodo to help you understand these old time sayings.
Look before you leap...
A bird in teh hand is worth two in the bush...
Don't bite off more than you can chew...
Cross that bridge when you come to it...
A stitch in time saves nine...

This evening at home.....

• complete one more Mythology Card
• complete the Vocabulary Graphic.  We had time to get a head start in class.  Pick any 8 of this week's words
• reread Hercules to prepare for tomorrow's test.
• in the Chapter 8 Go Math book, cut out the vocabulary cards and bring them to school
• in the Go Math book, complete pp 453 and 454

Spend some time with these videos. During the test, you will be glad that you did.  Don't cry about prepositions.  I hope you learn something from these clips! 

Weather Wendesday

This evening at home......

• complete RN pages 225-227
• Study for the Math Test.  Go over the Review Test!
• Read and Record
• Make sure that you are finished with 3 Mythology Cards

Top O' The Mornin' Tuesday

Happy St. Paddy's Day Team 201!

This evening at home......

• read the companion text and complete ONE of the  Compare Texts activities.  
• finish the EVEN problems only for the Chapter 7 Review.  If you mistakenly started with the odds, continue with the odds.  Show all of your work.  Prove your answer!
• in the RN,, please complete p 224: Prepositional Phrases
• read, record, and get your Gold Card signed.

Tomorrow, we will continue to work on our Trading Cards and we will complete the Math Review.  We will also go to the Science Lab.  Do you have an empty soda can? Bring it in tomorrow!

Mythology Allusions Monday

Today we talked about allusions to Greek Mythology.  What does it mean to have " the Midas Touch?"  Do you have an "Achilles Heel?"  Some of the references are complex.  We are working on it!  This week, we resume or normal routine. We will take a Language Arts/Reading/Spelling/Vocabulary test on Friday.  Click on the tab above for the Lesson 18 Weekly Study Guide.


This evening at home....

• complete the homework for lesson 7.10. We should be ready to test on Wednesday or Thursday.
• finish the classwork in Readers Notebook pp. 217-219. Most are finished.
• complete page 220 in the R. N..
• answer the "Analyze Text" questions found in Lesson 18: Hercules. 

Farewell Friend Friday

We are going to miss you, Bryce!  You contributed so much to our "Esprit de Corps." Disney's loss is another's gain.  We wish you all the best.  Stay in touch!



This weekend at home....

• complete ONE Deity or Wild Card trading card.  Don't forget that the directions are on Edmodo.
• complete the classwork and homework for GO Math Lesson 7.9
• enjoy the warmer weather!

That's Over Thursday

It is time to get back to business!   Tomorrow will be a regular Friday, subtract weekly Reading Test.  Sounds good to me! This means that we will begin with some cursive and Social Studies, move on to Myths, find our way with fractions, and round things out with the Water Cycle.  This afternoon we will begin our Mythological Trading Cards project.


This evening at home......

• reread chapters 25 and 26 in Holes. Write one summary that includes the main ideas and events from both chapters.  Please proofread your work.  Don't forget to indent and to use the margins!
• complete lesson and homework for 7.8. 

We Were Prepared Wednesday

Today's title reflects the kids' post-test report. I can not divulge any more details about today's session.  Your kids showed incredible test stamina and I am very proud of them!  It was a long morning.  We didn't finish testing until nearly 11: 50, so there wasn't much time for our regular schedule given that we have Library last period.

This evening at home...

• Read the Water Cycle Readers Theater.  Bring it to school tomorrow.
• Work on the 10 word answers about Myths and Fables that you did earlier this week.  Each answer should have exactly 10 words. We will use them tomorrow and Friday.
• Complete the  Math Review sheet.

I did not get a chance to check Gold Cards today. Bring me everything tomorrow and I will give a double stamp!

Testing Tuesday

Today's title just about sums it up.  We will be working through the next Go Math lesson this afternoon so that we can keep on track!  Tomorrow we complete session 2 of both the Reading and Math.   Thursday's test will be shorter, and Friday is reserved for make-ups.   We will NOT have our regular reading/language arts test on Friday.   We will continue our work in Holes and our study of Mythology.

This evening at home....

• complete the Mythology reading and response.
• complete the homework for lesson 7.7 in Go Math.
• please read for 20 minutes or more and add this time to your log.
• please get your Gold Card signed!

Mythological Making Cursive Monday

Today's title comes to us from Sam and Martha.  Thanks for being flexible and willing to blend your ideas.

This evening at home...

• Complete the Medusa and Athena reading and responding activities
• Complete the homework for lesson 7.6 in Go Math

Tomorrow we will take the first units of the PARCC test. Students may bring a water bottle.

Farewell Wall Art Friday

Our walls are covered, and we are ready for Tuesday's PARCC. Thanks to the team of parents that was in the Pod today. What would we do without you? Next week we will test Tuesday- Thursday.  We will continue with instruction, but our routine will be altered.  I expect to finish Chapter 7 in Go Math next week.   Next week, we will spend some time in Ancient Greece. We will read myths and learn about common expressions that stem from these ancient tales.  Do you have any Greek Mythology at home?   Next week we will continue with our Holes unit.  In Social Studies, we will plant ourselves in Illinois territory.  I am looking forward to beginning this unit!


This weekend at home....

• finish the Holes Vocabulary sheet.  All sentences should relate to the story.  Please make sure they make sense!
• finish the Midwest packet. Most students have turned this in to me.
• finish the Go Math lesson and homework 7.5.
• complete all Math Test corrections for .5 credit.
• read Holes chapters 23. 24 and 25

Additional Homework for 201 coughs, sneezers, and stuffy nosers.   There are so many of you...

• drink warm water or tea with lemon and honey.
• if you don't have lemon and honey, opt for  the warm water.
• get some moisture on those sore lips and noses!
• thank your parents by doing something kind for them.
• Get some rest, get well and get ready for a great week!

See you on Monday!  Enjoy the Muppet version of King Midas. 

Thinking Fractionally Thursday

This evening at home...
- Read the companion text to Right Dog For the Job
-Complete one of the Compare Texts activities.  Make sure to proofread your writing. Show me your best.
- In Go Math, we will do select problems from two lessons: page 401 and 402: Evens  Page  407/408 Odds
- Math tests are coming home today.  All corrections must be in by Monday

Water Cycle Wednesday

Thanks to all of the kids who brought in water bottles today.  We are about to put them to good use in the Science Lab.

Today we played a game to help us discuss Holes.    We also wrote fractions as the sums of "base units."


This evening at home....

• Read or reread 92-103 in Holes.   
• Complete the Stanley Character Profile page
• Complete the Go Math homework for lesson 7.2

Team Up Tuesday

Thanks, Isa, for today's very appropriate title!  Today we began our unit on The Water Cycle and Weather.   We hope to be in the Science lab tomorrow, where we will see the Cycle in action.


This evening at home....

• Lesson 7.1 in Go Math
• The Right Dog For the Job: Analyze Test questions
• Finish Science Fusion lesson pp. 245-251  Please do not rip it out, yet.
• Read and Record on your Gold Card

***Please bring in empty plastic water or soda bottles tomorrow.  We need the cap too!  We will use them in the Science Lab!

Math Test Monday

I have the tests, but the results are not in.  I hope to have them for you by tomorrow.   Tomorrow kids will get new Go Math books too.


This evening at home....

• read the next three chapters in Holes.  I am about to read aloud, and I am not sure how far I will get! 15,16,17
• complete the double sided math practice
• complete Readers Notebook pp207 and 208
• complete the Holes "Journal" writing page. The response should be based on evidence in chapters 15,16, and 17.