Hello Team 201 Families,


I hope everyone enjoyed the Memorial Day weekend.  Please let me know if you have any questions about the Marble Maze. You can send me an email, or write me a note.

This evening at home...

• Complete the homework and unfinished classwork for lesson 3.3 in Go Math.
• Read the novel you received in class today.  
• Select TWO of the questions from the Fan N Pick deck. Respond in writing. Use your new novel.

Where I'm From Friday

Greetings Team 201 Families,

Do you know about the Disney Multicultural Fair? This going to be a fantastic event. Please join us in the CAC on June 8th for this Second Floor event. There will be games, crafts, and food from around the world.  If you haven't done so, please complete the yellow RSVP sheet that was sent home. I hope to see you there!

Today we took a survey on Google Classroom. We are mapping our countries of origin. Disney families have stories to tell.  We are from all over the world.  This a such a cool project! Ask your child to show you.

Apparently, the substitute teacher decided to assign different homework last night.  Most kids remembered that we went over the homework together, before I left.  Students were given time this morning to get the correct homework done!

This weekend at home....

• Keep working on that Marble Maze project.
• Read and record on your log.
• IXL Math/ ST MATH

MATH MAPS testing in next Friday, June 3!

Have a great weekend. I will see you bright and early on Tuesday morning.

Thursday Thoughts

Hello 201 Families!


I had to leave early today to attend a meeting.  I went over the homework with the kids before I left, but haven't had a chance to post until now.

This evening at home...

• complete the Homework for today's Go Math lesson 13.2
• read a book of your choice for 25-30 minutes
• write STRONG paragraph that tells about...Your favorite character and why you like them....OR....The most interesting/exciting/funny part and why you like it. The topic is really up to you, but you MUST include evidence from the text and explain your ideas clearly.

Tomorrow we will....

• Not take a Journey's Reading test.
• Take the End of Year REACH performance task. This means that you will read a passage, make a graphic organizer, and then explain your ideas, with evidence, in writing. You can't study, but you can decide to bring your "A Game."
• Continue our Odyssey for Orbs of Knowledge and Bead of Understanding
• Begin reading a new book for next week's Book Clubs
• Revisit the "Seeds of the Revolutionary War" and retake the Brainpop quiz.
• Continue to work on the Electricity project.

A note about Go Math

Did you notice that we didn't quite finish Chapter 12?  Don't worry, we will cycle back to it.  All of the lessons in the chapter were covered. I decided to move on to Chapter 13 to give 201 students some time to work on Area and Perimeter. We have been talking about these topics all year. They come up in ST Math, on Esparks and in our morning work.  When we finish both 12 and 13, we will have covered all of the Go Math  curriculum.  I have lots of fun problem solving work and projects that will end the year on a strong note.

What's the Perimeter Wendesday

This evening at home...

• Finish page 719 of the Go Math classwork. Most are done!
• Complete the homework for lesson 13.1
• Write a book trailer for The Wish Giver.  It should be about two to three paragraphs. 

Tremendous Effort Tuesday

Wow!  The "Orbs of Knowledge" and " Beads of Understanding" are flying out of my hands. Several kids earned Beads and Orbs today.

Tomorrow, we take our MAPS Reading test.  This evening, get plenty of rest and come in ready to hit a home run!  Let's not stress, but let's gear up for game time, kids! You have got this!

There is not regular homework this evening.  Reading is life. Please read for 25 minutes or more and record it on your log.

Finding Meaning Friday

Today we are finding out how many words use Greek and Latin roots.  We are transcending our understanding and using word structure to speculate meaning. This is a multifaceted and fruitful dive into Etymology (the study of the history of words, their origins, and how their form and meaning have changed over time. By extension, the term "the etymology (of a word)" means the origin of the particular word.)

Whew!

Kids who finish an Olympian Journal will earn a Bead of Understanding to add to their chain. Students who earn 100% on an Olympian quiz will be honored with an Orb of Knowledge to add to their collection. 

Behold the Orbs of Understanding

This weekend at home....

• Spend time planning the Marble Maze! Remember that Research papers are due June 6th
• Please bring in the Trip Form. This is a free trip. Let's have 100% participation.
• Don't forget that 201 will take the Reading MAPS test next Wednesday. 
• Parents, have you created a "motivational" letter or mini poster for your child? Now is the time! Kids will bring a bit of your support to their testing sessions.

*Progress Reports are in the folders. Parents, please sign and return to indicate that you have seen the report.

*MAPS Goal Setting sheets are also in the folders. I will make time on Monday to go over these with the kids.  

*We will correct last night's Math homework on Monday morning!

A Word about testing.....
Several students are expressing test anxiety.  I understand their feelings! I am talking to the kids about keeping things in perspective.  Each child in 201 has grown this year! Some have made great improvements as readers, others have mastered multiplication facts. Some kids have gained important study skills, or are better at working in a group. Team 201 is filled with artists and poets and riddle solvers and inventors and number crunchers and animal lovers. Not all of these skills, and not all of their growth will be measured on this test.

So, how do we approach the MAPS test?  Should we be really anxious? No. Should we get our game face on? YES!  A healthy dose of adrenaline won't hurt!   Kids, you have been working hard all year. Take this opportunity to show what you know, think hard, solve those problems, and knock it out of the park!  

Image from

Testing Miss Malarkey

By Judy Finchler

Thinking About Friction Thursday

Today we talked about Static Electricity and Atoms.  If you have time tonight, watch some of the Brainpops again. We also began our Greek Olympians Root Challenge.


This evening at home...

• complete the homework for Go Math 12.8
• complete the Wish Giver questions for Lesson 2, pp 32-71. Kids were given time to get the reading done in class today.
• kids who want to work ahead and finish the Poseidon Journal can go for it.  You will  be ready to move on to Nike tomorrow!

Each child will be provided with a "regulation" sized marble this afternoon. Don't lose your marble!  I won't be providing a replacement.   Use this marble to run your Marble Maze tests. Remember, the Prototype Research packet is due June 6.

Will this marble maze be the winner? Is it 22x 22?   Will the marble stay on course? What could be added to add more friction?  Hmmmmmmmmm...

"One" Wednesday

One. Singular Sensation. Every little step they take.....

Thank you Sydney, for today's other suggestion: White Shirt Wednesday


Hats off to the Team 201 Chorus Line and Ms. Smith! They showed true Esprit de Corps in the CAC this morning as they sparkled on stage.

• Read Web Wise and the Poetry Place in the Journeys magazine.
• On page 18, do the Your Turn activity.
• Complete the Vocab page.
• Do the hw for 12.7
• Parents, please sign the Mid Chapter Checkpoint. We completed this in class today and did corrections.  Please make a note of the questions that your child got wrong. By now, they should be able to explain the errors and show you the "hows" and the "whys."

Want to dig deeper into Electricity?  Check out this cool site! It is not ipad friendly, so it is difficult for us to use it at school.

http://resources.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/revision/science/electricity.htm

Tomorrow We Dance Tuesday

Tomorrow is our performance!   Please make sure that your child is dressed in black. Ms. Smith has a white shirt for each child and will bring them to 201 tomorrow. The assembly begins at 9:30. We hope to see you there!


Our Science MAPS test has been rescheduled! I will let you know as soon as I have a definite date.


Parents, have you seen the Marble Maze project outline?  Please check the Green Folder.   Design prototypes must be done by June 6.  The Research portion is due on this day.


This evening at home....

• complete page 341 in the Readers Notebook.
• complete the Go Math lesson 12.5
• Complete the Wish Giver questions, front and back. They are based on last night's reading.

**We have Library tomorrow. Kids, don't you have some homework for Mrs. Rowe? It is due tomorrow!

Making Connections Monday

Today we are connecting the dots. We read The Girl Who Loved Spiders,  and were able to make some connections between this character's fear of the unknown and the racial tensions in Maniac Magee.    After recess, we will be talking about energy connections, and how electricity travels in a path called a circuit. Today's lesson is all about Conductors and Insulators.


Reminders

• Our Dance recital is this Wednesday. I hope that you will join us!
• We are reading the Newberry Award novel by Bill Brittain The Wish Giver. Each child has received a copy. Take good care of it!
• Have you seen a copy of Maniac Magee at home?  I am missing about 10 copies! Help!

This evening at home...

• In the Readers Notebook, finish the two "Advice Letter" pages we began today.
• Finish today's Science Fusion classwork, if you didn't finish in class.
• Math 12.5 Homework and classwork. 
• Read pages 19-30 in The Wish Giver. Answer these questions:

1.Find a figure of speech on page 25. Write it down. To which of the five senses does it appeal?

2. What does the idiom, "...gone fuzzy in the head," mean.

3. Why do you think Polly wants to make friends with Agatha and Eunice.

Formal Language Friday

Thank you Ian J. for providing us with today's very appropriate title!


Parents, please look in the Green Folder. You will find directions for our final Science/Engineering project: The Great Marble Maze.  Please make  special note of due dates and board dimensions.   We will hold a second Q and A session on Monday.

Other Notes

• We have switched the MAPS test order. Please see the edits on the previous post.
• Our Dance Recital is on Wednesday, May 18th at 9:30. I hope that you can make it!
• Kids should wear a white shirt, black shoes and black pants.

This weekend.....

• finish the Homework and practice for lesson 12.4
• read and record.

Field Trip Help

Hi Parents!

201 will travel to the North Park Village Nature Center on Wednesday, June 8.  I need 4 parent volunteers that are able to join us. Please respond ASAP, as we must turn in the parent names in order to go on the trip.  This is an outdoor day and there will be lots of trail walking. If you can definitely make it, please shoot me an email.  I will try to give preference to parents who did not join us for the other trip.

mport@cps.edu

Thursday

This evening at home......

• complete the Vocabulary sentences
• finish the "Invention" sketch and writing.  You do not have to do the other side.
• read and record on your log
• Math 12.3. homework

MAPS Testing Schedule

Greetings 201 Families!  Spring Testing is upon us.


Wednesday, May 18- Science MAPS
Wednesday, May 25- Reading MAPS
Friday, June 3- Math MAPS


What can I do to help my child prepare?
Kids who have been going the extra mile on classwork and homework this year should be in great shape! Why not tackle some new topics on IXL Math and Reading?  The Prep Dog link on this blog is another opportunity for test prep.


Most importantly, encourage your child to stay calm and stay focused.  Spend time on each question and read with care. There is not prize for finishing first, and our anecdotal research shows that early finishers often don't meet their goals. Kids have been working hard all year. They must take the test. We might as well give it our best shot and try to knock one out of the park!


Parent Homework
Create an small 8.5 x 11 "rally" poster for your child.  We can keep these by our side as we test.  Words of encouragement and support go a long way! Another option is to write a letter of support to your child. Kids love these treasures! They love bringing the letters and posters with them to the testing area. During a tough spot, your words of encouragement can make all the difference!

Tuesday

This evening at home....

• Complete the homework and practice for lesson 12.1
• In Journeys, answer the three "Classroom Conversation" questions found on page 756. Use text evidence to support your answers.

May Monday

Hello 201 Families!

We are back in the Pod and getting back into our routine.  Today, kids are coming home with a PARCC practice book. I am using this book to do some extra review for the MAPS test, which will be upon us in a few short weeks.  Please make sure to bring it back and forth to school.


This evening at home....

• finish up the "context clues" class work. Within the story, locate each vocabulary word. Given the context, describe the word's meaning. Do not look up the words in the glossary. Do not use the Vocabulary cards. I will not give credit for "copied" definitions.
• complete pp.55 and 56 and 59 and 60 in the PARCC book.  These are the skills that we reviewed in class today and should help kids prepare for tomorrow's test.
• complete the spelling and vocabulary activities.
• read and record

Final CAC Day Friday

Bravo! Encore!  We did it!  Hat of to you, 201. Your show was fantabulous. You truly are the God and Goddesses of the CAC.

Lucy wants to call today "Fake it 'Till You Make It Friday," which is also a great title. We definitely made it!


This weekend at home.....

• Finish your graphic novel. ALL coloring shading and editing must be complete.The pages are........ CAC Perfomance, Light 1, Light 2, Sound, Seismic, Wind, Ocean Waves, and Air Waves. We will NOT be devoting any more class time to this project.  
• Complete the "study guide" for Monday's Waves test.
• Study the "study guide."  You will be happy that you did!
• Read!

We will go over the Math Review on Monday and will take the Math test on Tuesday.

Tomorrow is Showtime Thursday

This is it!  Parents, I hope that you will join us tomorrow in the CAC for Making Waves. Doors open at 8:45.

Parents who are helping pre-show have already been notified. Thank you so much for all of your help and for the supplies. We couldn't pull this off without your help at home and school.

Reminders

• Kids should wear short sleeves tomorrow. White t shirts, without graphics, are best, but any dark solid color will also do.  No prints! No long sleeves!
• We WILL go to lunch and recess tomorrow.  Consider the post CAC pizza a snack/treat.
• We are ( I am) looking forward to resuming our routine in the pod next week.  

Wave Tech Wednesday

Today we.....

• created crayon resist water color renditions based on the work of Japanese artist Hokusai's wood block The Great Wave off Kanazawa.  They are gorgeous!
• worked on our graphic novels
• worked on our cursive writing
• practiced
• practiced
• practiced
• practiced
• went to lunch
• had fun at recess
• practiced 
• went to library

This evening at home.....

• practice the lines AND the new motions/movements that we added.  
• work on your individual/partner lines. Don't forget the movement. You are god and goddess. Not statues of gods and goddesses. The audience should be in awe of your power! 
• read!
• bring a note of confirmation!

Tomorrow is the last day to bring pizza money!

Thanks for all of the Teacher Appreciation love!!!! I really do appreciate all of you!

Tsunami Tuesday

Greetings 201 Families!

Once again, today was all about rehearsal. I hope that you will be able to make it to Friday's show. Remember, doors open at 8:45, and showtime is 9:00. The show should be just under an hour.

All pizza money must be in on Thursday!  Please let me know by tomorrow if you are planning on bringing in money.   Thanks to the families who have donated the extra money. It may help cover costs for kids who forget or are not able to bring in the money on time.  There are 10 kids who have not brought in pizza money!


This evening at home....

• Read! Please bring in a note to indicate that  your child has read for 25 minutes or more.   We will get new gold cards next week.
• PLEASE help your child practice his or her lines and rap. We need these memorized and read with emotion! 201, you are gods and goddesses. Play it up!!
• No math homework tonight.
• If you have access, please do ST Math or IXL

We will have a Math test next week! Thanks for your patience.

Making Mistakes Monday

We are making lots of mistakes today, so that Friday's show puts us all in crutches!  It has been very difficult to post while in the CAC.

Helpful Reminders

• Show time is 9:00 a.m..  Doors open at 8:45 through the SW door.
• Please send in exact change for pizza money.  The cost is $4.00. If you can donate the extra dollar, just let me know! All pizza money is due by Wednesday. A note went home on Friday.
• Showtime apparel: Gods and Goddesses should wear a "base layer" of a solid color. Short sleeves are preferable.  

Homework

• complete the two Graphic Novel pages that we began in class today
• Read! 
• Complete any classwork on pages 629 and 630 in GoMath

Learn Your Lines, Gods and Goddesses!

1-Holy Harpoons! My arthritis is acting up again!

2-I hope you surfers are happy!

3-I am so angry I could cause a tidal wave!

4-Oh Dear, settle down, just rub some of this fish oil on your joints!

5-Oh Sweet Sea! Elixir of the Gods.

6-And Goddesses!

7-Sound Waves, Light Waves?

8-Electromagnetic Mumbo Jumbo!

9-We’ll show you some waves!

10-Waves you can touch!

11- Currents you can feel!

12-Ocean Waves!

13-They’re wet!

Boys-No one makes Waves like the Ancient Ones!

Girls-Time to go to school

Boys-Old School.

Girls:.Mermaids,

Boys: Sea Creatures...

ALL-Brothers and sisters...Let’s show them how WE Transfer Energy!

Makers of the Swells and Tides We are  Rulers of the Sea Working with the Moon and Wind You will feel our energy Waves across the ocean They transfer energy Currents under water They swirl beneath the sea Ancient forces churning ThatYOU mortals can not see We’re the Rulers of the Water Droplets Flow eternally Our Energy it spans the globe And Waves are what you see Makers of the Swells and Tides The Rulers of the Sea The water may be bobbing but What moves is energy From the Trough to the Crest The transverse wave it travels best

Angry sibling rivalry Between the Wind and Sea Conflicts causing Friction You got your Tsunami Don’t blame me! We are Poseidon's children  and proud are we When you’re talking Energy, don’t you mess with me So bow to our command and to the forces of the Sea Ancient Waves are Power, watch us transfer Energy!