Working Wednesday

Good Afternoon.   We have been working on math ALL DAY!  This evening we will not have any regular homework. Reading is always a good idea.   Or, why not watch a few Science Brain Pop episodes?

Time to Shine Tuesday

Hello Team201 Parents and Families,

Welcome to the final stretch! I hope that you all enjoyed a wonderful long weekend. Today we...

• did our morning math and language warm up
• worked on writing 1-2 minutes speeches for our Animal Project. Kids used their ipads to record their speeches. We are working on improving the content and the delivery. We will give our speeches in class next week.
• practiced prime factorization 
• worked on a Math O Mania bingo challenge to review old concepts and learn a few new ones!
• went to lunch, recess and gym 
• played Math Bingo

Tomorrow we will take the Math MAPS test at 10:30. 

This evening at home...

• begin your poetry Tic Tac Toe.   Please get a parent to sign the card. Yes, practice both poems.
• complete on the Poetry vs. Prose activity.
• there is no math homework.

Thinking Thursday

Alert!!! Most kids in 201 have forgotten how to do double digit multiplication. I am sending home some review. Please check to see that your child practices. We had lots of intervention sessions today, and I hope that all are back on track!


This evening at home....

• The Animal Project is due tomorrow
• Complete the first page only in the math packet: Area of Irregular Shapes.
• If you are getting extra multiplication practice swap 4 Area Problems for 4 Multiplication problems.
• Read and record!

Testing Taco Tuesday

Today's title is an example of alliteration. In fact, everyday's title is an example of alliteration.  Let's hope that's one question you knew definitively on today's MAPS test!

Need to Know

• We will now take the MATH MAPS test on Wednesday at 9:30, not Tuesday. This will give us an extra day next week to get settled and review-push up.
• Don't forget that the Animal Project is due this Friday. Please email me if you have any last minute questions.
• Some kids received bus forms last week. These forms, along with proof of address, are due on Friday.
• Please contact the main office for information about the CAC DVD.

This evening at home....

• Read a book of your choice for 20 minutes or longer.
• Write an opinion piece: What was your favorite/most interesting part or character. Make sure to tell me why by providing examples from the text. Don't forget the wrap up. This response should be one to two paragraphs.
• Math: double sided perimeter sheet.  

MAPS Madness Monday

Hello Team 201 Families,

What a performance!  Pod 200's show was a smashing success.  I am so proud of all of the kids in 201! Their skit/song/dance was difficult, and they performed like pros!

Today was different! 202 took the MAP test in the pod, so we had to be very quiet. I know that they will return the favor tomorrow!  Today we.....

• resumed our morning math/language routine and added in some cursive
• worked on our Illinois Books.
• took our Chapter 12 Math Test
• discussed area and perimeter. We will work more with these concepts tomorrow.
• did some espark math
• read!
• got our Gold Cards back, finally!
• talked about Poetry Tic Tac Toe

This evening at home...

• Read: The Girl Who Loved Spiders in the Journeys "magazine."
• Complete pages 337 and 338 in the Readers Notebook
• Complete the two Error Analysis math problems
• Begin the Poetry Tic Tac Toe. I will collect it on Friday. Be ready to recite.

Brainpop: Poetry

IXL: Poetry

Good To Know

• Tomorrow we take the Reading MAPS test!  201 kids have been reading up a storm this year, and I feel confident that all kids will put forth their best effort tomorrow!
• We will take the MAPS Math next Tuesday,  5/30.
• We will not begin Chapter 13 quite yet. This week, we be hitting a variety of topics in Math.
• The Animal project is due this Friday! Yes, you may bring in the work early.
• Parents, please sign and return to bottom portion of the Progress Report. They were hand delivered to the kids on Friday.

Time to Shine Thursday

This is it! Tomorrow is our big day. Thank you to all of the parents who have helped us put this show together. It takes many hands to get such a grand-scale performance together in such short time!


This evening at home...

• Read!
• Do some IXL Reading. Try you hand at the 5th grade skills! 
• Rest your voice. I need all voices and smiles ready to sparkle tomorrow morning.

Parents:

• Doors open at 8:45
• The show begins at 9:00
• Progress Reports will go home tomorrow.
• 201 takes the Reading MAPS test on Tuesday!
• Animal Adaptations project: due May 26.  Yes, it may be typed or handwritten.  Students who choose to type should proofread as they would a handwritten paper. Don't rely on spellcheck! The rules about formatting and paragraphs still apply! I am fine if parents help out with the typing, yet the content of the writing should be their own.

Costumes

French Sayers

• Wear black pants or leggings to school.
• You will change into the striped t- shirt at school

French Voyageurs

• Wear black pants or leggings to school
• We will provide a white T shirt that you will change into at school

Joliet/Marquettes

• Wear black pants and a black short sleeved shirt. No graphics. If you don't have a plain black T we can turn yours inside out for the show! Plain navy blue will also work. 

Wigwam Wednesday

Hi Team 201!

Please see yesterday's post about costumes.

• Please work on the Review/Test for Chapter 12. You should be finished by tomorrow!
• We need to take this Math test on Monday! We will have time to go over the material on Friday after the show!
• Practice your lines!
• IXL READING/MATH!!!
• I have the Gold Cards! It gets busy down here.

Don't forget that the Animal Research paper and diorama are due May 26th!

PIZZA MONEY!  I only have 10 kids so far. In order to place an order, we will need to have most of the money by tomorrow. If you won't be able to get the money until Friday, this is o.k., but PLEASE let me know. This will help me anticipate need and avoid spending money that we don't have.

Works in Progress Wednesday

Hello Parents,

We are working hard to finish up projects and be ready for Friday's show.   We had our first whole pod rehearsal today!

201, I am proud of you. You are handling some difficult transitions like pros. Your work on stage is really impressive!

Thank you, parents, for your help in the C.A.C! Many hands make light(er) work.

This evening at home...

• there is no regular homework
• please read for 30 minutes in a book of your choice.
• practice your lines and the songs. 
• Pizza Money: Please bring in $5.00

Costumes

French Sayers

• Wear black pants or leggings to school.
• You will change into the striped t shirt at school

French Voyageurs

• Wear black pants or leggings to school
• We will provide a white T shirt that you will change into at school

Joliet/Marquettes

• Wear black pants and a black short sleeved shirt. No graphics. If you don't have a plain black T we can turn yours inside out for the show! Plain navy blue will also work. 

Notes to Parents

I have spoken to the kids about clothing needs.  No parent should be running around buying clothing for this event. We can get extra black leggings if needed! 

More Practice Monday

Today we practiced. And practiced. Then, we practiced some more. We also began our IL Symbols books, worked on converting units of measurement, and worked on getting costumes organized.


Things we need:

This evening at home.....

• Go Math 12.11
• Complete the Growth in Illinois/Map question activities
• Read The Settlement of Illinois.
• Write a paragraph or two that explains the 5 Ws of this selection.

Parents, we are desperate for your help! Any and all parent volunteers are welcome. We hope to see you Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday to volunteer.

Our show is this Friday at 9 a.m.. Doors open at 8:45. Every child in 201 has a speaking part in the show.  They are so excited to share their work with you.  We hope that you are able to join us!

Telling Stories Thursday

Day 4 in the CAC was filled with...

• working on elapsed time.  We will spend a few extra days on this topic! For extra practice, log on to IXL 5th grade and find the "elapsed time" section. Learn away!
• painting!
• tying up loose ends, literally.  We are working on our weaving!
• story telling: we are using "beaver hides" and symbols to tell ILHistory stories.  All are different. Your kids are a creative bunch.
• rehearsal!  Thanks to Ms. Dunne's help, out Hamilton/Yorktown/French Explorers bit is coming along well.

This evening at home...

• Go Math: Elapsed Time hw
• Read!
• Read about French Vs. British in NA Relations AND La Salle.
• Write a paragraph: Compare and contrast the relationship with Native Peoples and the French and British.

Thank you to Brazil's mom for bringing in the white t-shirts. They are Hanes, Boys XL and they look perfect.  Mac's mom is offering to send in a few more. we should be nearly complete! 

Woven Turtle Wednesday

Today's projects included...

• printmaking
• weaving turtles "ojo de dios" style
• rehearsal
• converting units of time
• badminton with Mrs. Ginn
• beaver hide story telling

This evening at home...

• math 12.8
• read
• in the IL Activity Book, read How Illinois Go Its Name, The Mound Builders, and The Earliest Native Americans in Illinois. Answer the following questions:

1. What does the name Illiniwek mean. What language does it come from?
2. How did the name change?
3. Compare and contrast the "Earliest Native Americans" with the Mound Builders. Please use examples from the text and transition sentences. Use paragraph form. 

Costume Update:

Kids who are wearing the white t- shirt with stripes can keep their costume/tshirt if they bring in their own white t shirt!  I would like to get these shirts made soon!  Please let me know if you child will be able to bring in a plain white t shirt (no graphics) or if you are able to donate a package of T-shirts.

Time to Weave Tuesday

Today we...

• took the CPS Benchmark Assessment in Literacy
• worked on some basket weaving. Really.
• finished our canoes
• rehearsed our bits

Kids, I am working on Yorktown right now. I have made some changes that I think you will like.   I will get you a new script tomorrow.

This evening at home...

• Read!
• ST Math or IXL

Costume Call

Is your child signed up to wear a striped shirt and beret? If so, your child may bring in a plain white t-shirt. No graphics, please!

If any family is willing to donate packages of plain, white Hanes t-shirts, I will gladly accept them!

Making Mosaics Monday

Day one is done!  We created some beautiful cut paper Illinois mosaics today. We also got started on our birch bark canoe models. In the morning, we took the Mid Chapter Checkpoint quiz and went on to the next math lesson: metric units of volume.

This evening at home...

• finish up that IL ABC book. Remember, each entry should have an IL connection!
• complete any unfinished classwork and the hw&practice for Go Math Lesson 12.7
• Read!
• Manage your time! Don't forget to stay on top of the Endangered Animal diorama and research paper.

Tomorrow we will...

• take the CPS Benchmark Assessment for Literacy
• weave baskets inspired by native people of Illinois
• finish our birch bark canoe models
• correct our math homework and work on more conversions

Parents who are planning on volunteering tomorrow can come right up to the pod. I have plenty of work waiting for you! :-) Due to a special performance in the CAC, we will spend most of the day in POD 200.

Hello Team201 Families,

Monday is our first day in the CAC.  We are really excited, and have already started practicing our skit and songs.  Please check the CAC Updates Tab for information. We need volunteers! We can't do it without you!

Please don't forget that the Animal Project is due  on May 26. The paper and the diorama are separate entities.   The paper should be handwritten or typed. We have given kids time to begin research in class, but the remainder of the project should be completed at home. Please plan accordingly!


This weekend at home...

• finish up the Animal Adaptations project
• study for the Mid Chapter Check Point
• ST Math/IXL Math
• Read

Thinking Terrific Terrains Thursday

This evening at home....

• Math 10.5
• Create a diagram for your original animal.  Your diagram should include:

-a sketch of your animals
- arrows that point out it's unique traits and adaptations
-a sketch/description of it's major food source(s)
-a sketch/description of it's main predators
-a sketch/description of a plant in the environment
-any other details you would like to include.

Your ideas are great! If you can't remember every unique feature of the habitat you worked with in the Lab, feel free to get creative!

Terrific Titles Tuesday

Your kids have been working hard on revising and editing their Legacy Book Reviews today. We are in the publishing stages and will have a beautiful bulletin board showcase by today's end. Thanks to Dhiren's mom for her help in the classroom today!


This evening at home...

• get the Animal Project signed. Working on this project will constitute the majority of the Language Arts homework during the CAC unit.
• complete the hw and practice for 12.3
• Read! 
• Complete the "Analyze Text" questions for The Fun They Had.

My Illinois ABC Monday

Thank you, Ryan!  Today's title works, and your kids are working on this very project right now. We are getting ready to discuss tonight's writing assignment and pack up for the rest of the day. It is smooth sailing from here: Lunch, recess, and Library.

This evening at home..

• complete the hw and practice for lesson 12.2
• write a rough draft of your book review. Use the template and tips to help you. We will revise, edit and publish tomorrow.