Friday, October 30, 2015

Finding the Clue Friday

Happy Halloween to all of the Team 201 Families!


This weekend at home...

  • read for 40 minutes or more.  You can split up the sessions or do it all at once.
  • explain to your parents that I have the Gold Cards.  
  • finish the North East packet so that you will be ready to rap and write on Monday
  • get your Math test signed. Corrections are due by Friday.
  • get your field trip form signed. Money and forms are due on Friday.
  • give your parents the note about the Picture Day change. Our new picture day is Wednesday.

 I am looking for two volunteers for our field trip on Thursday November 12.  I will accept the first two responses I get.  Feel free to send me an email or fill out the form and return it.

We will have out Pumpkin Gallery walk on Friday.  Thanks for your hard work on these amazing projects.  I can't wait to read the character essays!


Thursday, October 29, 2015

Indentation Frustration Thursday

     Parents, I promised you that this Pumpkin Project would not involve a ton of extra homework. Today, I am trying to make good on that promise.  We worked really hard to create, edit and publish our Character Traits writing. We wrote "hook" sentences. We wrote closing statements. We polished our words and crossed our ts.   And, then it was time to indent. This put a large DENT in our progress.
     Kids, I am beginning a new paragraph. Notice how I have begun this paragraph on a new line. I measured about 5 spaces and then I began to write. This "space" at the beginning of a new paragraph is called indenting.  It tells the reader that a new topic is being introduced. All of the sentences that are in this paragraph are spaced together. The last sentence in the paragraph may extend all the way to the margin, or it may end in the middle of the line. Like this.
     See! This is the start of another new paragraph. I moved to a new line and indented. I made a dent in the writing to indicate that a new paragraph is beginning. Do you understand now? I hope so. Thanks for reading this.

This evening at home...

  • finish the Pumpkin Paper.  Most students finished in class. I tried, parents. I really tried.
  • get your Pumpkin ready and bring it to school
  • complete the Decode the Message sheet.
  • don't forget to study those spelling and vocabulary words. We have a test tomorrow!

News....
  • The Chapter 2 Math test is going home today. Please see the note regarding corrections.   All corrections are due by next Friday.
  • Tomorrow we celebrate Halloween. If you plan on sending a treat, please count them at home. Extra candy will not be returned. There are 31  students in 201.
  • If you plan on bringing a costume, make sure that you wear a base layer so that you can change in the room.  Leave the extras at home: no look alike weapons or masks, please.

We have lots of fun activities planned for tomorrow. Our learning should be frightfully fun!

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Why Round Wednesday?

...Because it makes life easier! That's why!


This evening at home....

  • complete the homework and practice for Go Math lesson 3.2
  • Finish the Text Dependent Questions that we did in class today. Use Coming Distractions in Journeys.
  • complete the "Comprehension Lists" page. Use C.D. in Journeys.

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Times Tuesday

Thanks for working on your times tables last night!
 This evening at home...

  • complete Readers Notebook pages73-76.
  • complete the Go Math Homework for Chapter 3 Lesson 1.  

News I Hope You Can Use
  • I should have the Math Tests in your hands tomorrow. We went over some of the problems today.
  • Yes, you may bring in the Pumpkin Project early.
  • Did you get the  note about Halloween? Scroll back to last Friday's post for the 411.

Monday, October 26, 2015

Movie Making Monday

This week's text, Coming Distractions,  is all about the pictures. Moving pictures, that is. Movies, that is.   Our focus skill is "Fact and Opinion," which is a very tricky one. We are learning lots of new "moving making" lingo, and are getting a sense of the tricks and techniques that are used to capture our attention and keep us believing.  


This evening at home.....

  • Complete the Multiplication Facts page.  Please check your child's work. This should be a quick exercise. Are there trouble spots? Make a note of them and get practicing!  Let's get fluent in multiplication.
  • Answer the "Analyze Text" questions in Journeys. Use complete sentences and evidence from the text to support your ideas.
  • The Pumpkins are due Friday. I can't wait to see them!

Friday, October 23, 2015

Frightening Friday

Today's title doesn't really reflect today's happenings.  We did read a picture book,  Even Monsters Need Haircuts.   We took our reading test and we got ready for Monday's Math test.  We have gone through EVERY problem on the Review Test, and kids should be coming home with work to show, equations, explanations, and correct answers.

This weekend at home....

  • study for the Math Test!  
  • please look at your child's Review Test with them. 
  • don't forget that Character Pumpkins are due next Friday.  I can't wait to see your work!
  • finish the the October Haiku so that is is ready to "pumpkin publish" on Monday. All students should have their October Poetry packets with them. Many have finished.
  • do some ST Math. Try for 15 minutes this weekend. Great idea, Mason! 
  • read!
Don't forget...
  • Picture Day is November 6. Forms have been sent home.
  • Bring your Character Inferences Sheet to school on Monday. There should only be two blank spaces. We will use this as the basis for our essay writing.
  • We will do the Pumpkin Project Writing at school next week.
  • I will need 2 parent volunteers next Friday morning. Send me an email if you would like to help create candy bags in the morning.
  •  Halloween: Students will be able to bring a wrapped, peanut free treat on Friday. We will be preparing bags. I will send home a note about Halloween on Monday. Check this blog for updates.

Here are the Halloween Updates:
  • On Friday, we will celebrate Halloween 7th period, at the end of the day. 
  • Students may bring a costume to school.  Students will be permitted to change into a costume after lunch. Please wear a "base layer" so that you are able to change IN the classroom. We will not be sending students to the bathroom to change.
  • Do not bring any accessories, toy weapons, face paint, or masks to school.
  • If you bring candy to share, make sure to bring enough for everyone. There are 31 children in 201. 
  • We will distribute all  of the candy that your child brings. So,if you buy a volume bag at Costco, please count out the candy you intend to share and send only this amount to school.  There will be a ton ( hyperbole) of candy here on Friday.  This will make my life so much easier. 
  • If you do not celebrate Halloween and would rather that your child does not receive any candy, please let me know. You can send me a note on the Gold Card or email me.

Have a wonderful weekend! Enjoy these seasonal classics from the Muppets.









Thursday, October 22, 2015

Confused About Condensation?

Don't be! I will be adding videos to this post to help you understand water's ever changing states. What is a physical property? How is matter measured? You tell me!








Thinking Thursday

This evening at home....

  • finish the Window Vocabulary. Add color! Make them "window- ready."
  • finish the Go Math Chapter 2 Review. We will go over it tomorrow. Our Chapter 2 Test will be Monday.
  • do not worry about the spelling.  I know that the sheet did not get passed out, so I will not hold you responsible for the words.  In the future, note that you can find all of the weekly skills by clicking  on the Journeys Study Guides tab  that is on this blog. Here you will find the spelling and vocabulary words, the grammar skills and the comprehension focus skill.  The spelling words are also in the Readers Notebook. 

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Water Displacement Wednesday

We are about to go to the Science Lab. We will conduct an experiment to learn about Water Displacement.  We will use this method to find the volume  of irregular shaped objects.  We know, of course, that we use length x width x height to find the volume of regular shaped objects.  Today we worked on using PEMDAS to tackle equations.  We also worked on building equations by matching the words in a problem to "math actions."


This evening at home....

  • On page 188, Read the "Classroom Conversation" questions.
  • Answer the questions on a separate sheet of paper. Use text evidence. This will help you reach for 100% on Friday's test. 
  • Complete the homework and practice for lesson 2.12. We will be ready to test on Friday Monday.  I don't want to give two long tests in one day.
  • Give the Picture Form to your parents. Picture Day is November 6th.




Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Time Flies Tuesday

This evening at home...

  • make sure that your Invasion From Mars summary rewrite is finished. I will collect your reading notebook tomorrow.
  • Complete two more " Character Inference" examples. Make sure to explain why you selected the trait.
  • Finish Go Math 2.11 homework.
  • Readers Notebook pp 67, 68 and 69.

Monday, October 19, 2015

Martian Monday

Today we listened to Invasion From Mars.  We imagined what it would be like to hear this radio play live. Check on Edmodo for links galore.  You can listen to the original broadcast, which was aired in 1938 and is based on the Orsen Wells novel, War of the Worlds.  The Edmodo link also contains links to grammar help, vocabulary and much, much more. Check it out!

Today we explored multiplication with regrouping. Most kids are pretty solid when it comes to multiplying a single digit and and double digit.  The problems arises when the words step in.  Most of today's problems with problems are about reading and planning.  Encourage your child to annotate. Identify the question. Find the necessary information. Make a plan to solve. Will I multiply and then subtract? Do I need to estimate? Is there extra information? Should I consult a chart?  Put those reading and thinking skills to work. The math is the easy part.

Many students have identified their " Multiplication Mastery" targets. One student shared that she needs help with the fours and higher. Another is stuck on the sevens.  Use the links in last week's posts to help your child practice and maintain fluency. Today's lesson was MUCH easier for the kids who know their facts!  Let's all shoot for "multiplication chart- free" by the end of the month.


This evening at home...

  • complete the Homework and Practice for Lesson 2.10 in Go Math. We should be ready for the Chapter 2 test by the end of the week.  Plan for a test on Thursday or Friday.
  • Complete three more "Character Inferences" for your Book Project.   After you add the evidence, include a statement such as:  This proves that _____ is _____ because, or, I think this shows that ______ because______.
  • In the Readers Notebook, finish the Invasion From Mars Summary found on page 62.
  • Complete pages 63 and 64 in the Readers Notebook.


Show your Chicago Cubs some love!  Flash Cubbies Spirit Day tomorrow!
* dress code rules apply


Friday, October 16, 2015

French Friday

Parlez- vous multiplication?  Do you speak Multiplication?  Let's get practicing. Please scroll down to see last night's late- night blog post. Click on the links to practice those skills.


Parents, I have the Gold Cards. Do not despair.  The papers are piling up, and Fridays are busy.  I will check the homework over the weekend. We will review Go Math lesson 2.9 on Monday and will work on 2.10 as well,  If you want to preview the lesson, click on the Math Coach link.

This weekend at home...

  • Read the next text in Journeys: Invasion From  Mars.
  • Practice you Multiplication Facts. You can practice online or make flash cards.  
  • Make sure that you are thinking about your pumpkin project. We will begin the writing next week in class. Pumpkins are due on October 30th
  • Have a terrific weekend!

Thursday, October 15, 2015

Multiplication Matters

It really does!  It is time for Team 201 to get mathematically fit.  Kids who don't know their facts "like that" will be at a distinct disadvantage as we dive deeper into the curriculum. The upper grade teachers are begging the 4th grade teachers,    " Make those kids learn their facts!"

This needs to happen NOW, Team 201.  A select few are carrying the group when it comes to fact fluency. This is a language that we can all learn. It will take a bit of extra effort, but if we support one another, we will be ready to throw those desk charts in the trash!  Let's not really do that last part. Let's just learn how to speak Multiplication.

This is a great link.  I like it because it allows kids to build on their skills, one number at a time.  Feeling shaky? Start with the 2s and move forward.
Multiplication.com Self Correcting Online Quizes

On Friday, kids will receive their passwords and usernames for Mr. Nussbaum.com. We will all take part in the  Great Multiplication Challenge!  Let's get inspired by Mr. Lee.  If you know multiples, you know multiplication.




That's a Noun Thursday

Today we played a game on Brainpop to help us understand parts of speech. We were able to prove that Bravery is a noun. Brave would be a terrific adjective to use on your character inference sheet.


This evening at home....

  • try to watch some of the videos that I posted yesterday. They won't come up at school. Ugh.
  • complete the homework for lesson 2.9. The strategy is "draw a diagram." I expect to see diagrams and equations.
  • complete the " Word Meaning" page, front and back. Select 4 of this week's vocabulary words. 
  • Please finish today's comprehension work.   

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Way To Go Wednesday

Team 201 students were reporters today.   Thanks for the inspiration, Ruby and Kaliyah!  These two friends are publishing a monthly newsletter.   I love this idea and I piggy- backed right on it.   Today kids read Tall Tales. We then worked on writing an article for the Tall Tale Times.  Our articles are filled with hyperbole and descriptive writing. Here are some of the headlines:

Storm Along with Stormalong- Hugh
Giant Baby Born in Bangor, Maine- Mahalet
Blue Ox Found in Minnesota- Nouran
Baby Ox to Big Ox- Giselle
Giant Baby Takes Down Three Navy Ships!- Henry


Today we also spent some more time on lesson 2.8.  Tonight's homework is review.

This evening at home...

  • Finish up you Tall Tale: Proofread, check headings and captions, and add color.
  • Finish your graphs. Make them neat.
  • Complete the Math Review sheet.
  • Complete four more character inferences. Give me details!!


Pecos Bill





Stormalong




Paul Bunyon


What did Delaware? Her New Jersey, of course! When my sister and I were younger, our parents used to sing a version of this song to us in the car. This tune is a bit different than the version I remember, but you'll get the general idea. Fun!     


Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Tall Tale Tuesday

Greetings Team 201 Families,
     Today's title is a reference to Stormalong.  We read this Tall Tale, retold by Mary Pope Osborne, in class today.   We discussed vocabulary and found figurative language a-plenty.  We must have identified billions of hyperbole. Hint. Hint.   Stormalong  is fitting right in with our next Social Studies unit.  Our U.S. Regions study begins this week and our first stop is the Northeast.  Stormalong begins and ends in New England.  We will talk about how this part of the region earned its name.  More on that tomorrow.


This evening at home.....

  • Complete the Homework and Practice for lesson 2.8 in Go Math
  • In the Readers Notebook, complete pagges 54, 55, and 56. You may rip out these pages.
  • Work on the  Inferring Character Traits sheet. Complete the first three  entries.  You may use the same character for each entry, or, you may switch it up!  Use the "Character Trait List" to help you. Find evidence from the text that supports the inferred trait.  If you copy dialogue, you must explain how it supports the trait you selected.
Example:

Character:Harry
Inferred Trait: grateful  
On page 91: Harry is grateful for the love and attention that Mrs. Weasley gives                                   him.  When he eats dinner at their house, it is the first time that he has
 felt like he is part of a loving family.  Mrs. Weasley worries that                                                            Harry isn't eating enough and piles food on his plate. Harry is                                                                 grateful that someone cares enough to fuss over him.


** This Inferring Character Traits will be filled out little by little. Only do the assigned work! Of course, you must use the book that you have gotten approved for your project!

* Sorry about the formatting! I have tried to fix it several times.





Thursday, October 8, 2015

Tricky Thursday

Today's math was kind of tricky.  Your child should be coming home with lots of sample problems to help with the homework.

We had a great time tin the Science Lab today. Ask you kids about those crazy gummy bears.


This evening at home...

  • Read a book of your choice and write a review of the section you read tonight.  What is your favorite part. Why?  The review should show your best writing and should be about 7-10 sentences.
  • Complete the Practice and Homework Math 2.7
  • Have you selected your book for the project?  Please do!
  • Don't forget that we have a Language Test tomorrow.

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Wacky Wednesday

Will every Wednesday be wacky. It is a long way to the Science lab, lunch, recess, and Library on Wednesday.

Math Alert:
Today's classwork contains many multi-step problems.   This is not mental math. I expect kids to get active and think about each step carefully.  You can do it! Make labels!

This evening at home...

  • Complete the homework for Math 2.6
  • Complete pages 43, 44, and 45 in the Readers Notebook.
  • Read and record on your log!

Tuesday, October 6, 2015

Theme Tuesday

Today we talked about how to determine a text's theme. We discussed the need to  examine characters' actions and then make inferences about their thoughts. We thought about different ways to speculate about the hidden message in a text.  Well done Team 201.  We will discuss the themes of theme tomorrow too.  We also talked about how texts can be filled with allusions to classic myths and tales.  We specifically discussed " the Midas Touch."  Kids had lots of prior knowledge about the myth, so it was easy to come to an understanding of the allusion.

This evening at home....

  • If you haven't picked out a book for the Pumpkin Character Project, please do! You must have a book by Monday, or you won't be able to participate in class or homework.
  • Complete the homework and practice for Go Math Lesson 2.5
  • In Journeys, complete the "Analyze Text" questions that can be found throughout the passage. Please write in complete sentences and use evidence from the text.

Monday, October 5, 2015

Matter Matters Monday

This Monday we talked about what really matters: Matter.   We took some notes in our Science Notebooks and used Chapter 7 in Science Fusion to help us understand how to observe  matter's Physical Properties.  We also created a "foldable" inside our Science notebooks. This should help with this evening's homework.

In Math, we continue to work with Modeling Multiplication. Today, we used estimation to check products. We asked, "Is this answer reasonable?"  Encourage your child to identify the key numbers in the problem. Building an equation will bring us closer to the solution.


This evening at home....


  • Look for the Pumpkin Book Project handout. We discussed this first book project today in class. Please work on finding a book to read for this project.  If you are reading a very long book, such as Harry Potter, you won't need to finish the book to do the project. No, you may not use Ivan. 
  •  Complete the homework and practice for lesson 2.4 in Go Math
  • Complete the Physical Properties of Matter square. We can cut them out tomorrow in school.  You may use a picture from a magazine and glue it in the center, print one from the internet, or draw a picture of your choice. Make sure to be as precise as possible in your description.
  • Read and record

Of Note...
  • Most kids remembered that I collected the Gold Cards on Friday and did not return them. You can fill in the weekend reading this evening. All kids are coming home with a Gold Card today.
  • You are invited to the "Men and Women of Disney Breakfast tomorrow morning at 7:00 a.m.. Students are welcome, and must be accompanied by a parent.
  • Weekly Study Guides went home today.
  • I hope you had a chance to read and enjoy the Conversation dialogue writing that your child completed. They are wonderful. We will continue to share them throughout the week.  
  • Our grammar focus this week is Fragment and Run On Sentences. Enjoy the videos!

Thursday, October 1, 2015

Time is Ticking Thursday

This evening at home....

  • Make sure that your Continents packet is finished. It is due tomorrow
  • Complete the Homework and Practice for lesson 2.3 in Go Math
  • Complete a rough draft of your Conversation writing.  We made a strong start today.  Remember, the writing focus is dialogue. Use those quotation marks. It is a conversation, not a story. Use the materials from class to help you.
  • We have a Reading Test tomorrow. Study those Spelling and Vocab. words.