MIss You Monday

Greetings Team 201 and 202 Families!

Today we began our third week of "Remote Learning." It is hard to believe!

Here is some GTK information

• I have posted this week's Activity schedule in Google Classroom. I also sent it via email last night.
• Assignments will be posted each morning, early.
• Please "turn in" work within the Assignment on Google Classroom. Otherwise, it will be marked late or missing. When you "turn in" work, I know you are ready for feedback.
• 201 Google Meets: Monday and Wednesday from 9:30- 10:30 
• 202 Google Meets: Tuesday and Thursday from 9:30-10:30
• Themed  Fun Friday Google Meets: 202 9:30-10:00 and  20110:00- 10:30
• My office hours are from 10:30-12:30 each day. If you contact me during the school day, you will get a quick response. I am online, ready to help and "chat." 
• Students are encouraged to turn in work by the end of the school day. 

Book Buffet Projects

-Several kids have completed the project.

-I will repost the directions on Google Classroom under "Assignments."

-Let's shoot for getting projects done by May 8. 

 Please post photos of finished projects in the Assignment, not to my email or on the "stream." This will help me keep track of the great work you are doing.

I know that you can't go to the store to buy materials. Work with what you have got at home. Let's reuse materials, in honor of Earth Day!

Check out these AMAZING projects done by Cassidy and Jaylee!

Thoughtful Thursday

Can a robot think and feel? Can a robot be annoyed or curious? 

These are just some of the questions that we are discussing in our daily Zoom sessions. I LOVE seeing Team 201 and 202 Fantasticos face to face.  I hope to see more students tuned on April 13, when we will continue our discussions of The Wild Robot, by Peter Brown.  I am really enjoying sharing this book with 201 and 202.

Google Classroom is our new "go-to" spot to find out about Remote Learning assignments and news. New assignments are posted by 8:00 a.m. each morning. 

Remote Learning Tips

• Students should log in to Google and check emails each morning. Note the times for today's Zoom/Hangout sessions.
• Next, log on to Google Classroom. Say hello!
• Click on "Classwork"
• Look under Reading and find today's date. Click on it and click "view assignment,"
• Read the directions and open the attachment.
• Ask questions! I am online early and ready to help. Posting in the "stream" is the fastest way to get help from me or a peer.
• Make a schedule/daily agenda. Develop a plan to get the work done before dinner! You can do it! Your teachers are here to help. Get in touch with us early to get help with assignments or planning.
• Don't miss our Zoom/ Hangout sessions. This is a great way to talk to your teachers and classmates "face to face."

FRIDAY SHOW AND TELL

• Tomorrow, April 3, I will host a "show and tell" session with both 201 and 202. You will have 1 minute to share.
• 202 will meet at 10:30
• 201 will meet at 11:30
• I will email sign in codes Friday morning.

Time to Shine Thursday

201 and 202's work is glittering today!

 I LOVE all of the creative projects that are coming our way.


Here is just a bit of our awesomeness...
* Many kids elected to create a "final project" Percy Jackson Kahoot. I love them. We will play tomorrow.
*Percy Jackson Wanted Posters, both hand-crafted and digital, are pouring in.
*Design A Demi-God Cabin is another project option. Thank you, Chris and Heaven!
*Book Talk Videos? We have got them!  Audrey and Kayla started a trend.  Their video book talks are now joined by Videos created by Ava, Eliana, Jeremiah, and Cassidy. Keep 'em coming!
*Book Talk Blurbs? Yup. We've got those too. Special thanks to Manasseh, Kaleem, and Maddox for sharing your favs.

I am so happy to see so many of our students actively engaged.
Keep those photos coming. I am sending them to our Social Media and Newsletter team.  I will also work on getting these pics posted in our own gallery- right here.

Please do not hesitate to reach out to me, parents. I am here to help you navigate the E-Learning assignments. I can help you prioritize the work if you are feeling overwhelmed, as many of us are right now. I am actively online during school hours and would love to hear from you!

WaitformeWednesay

Today is Ketchup, Mustard Mayo Day

Kids in 201 and 202 have time to CATCHUP and get all of those Percy Jackson reading responses done.
Kids who are on Mayo....

....May select two of the Flocabulary activities posted in Classroom

.....May read ahead in Percy Jackson

......May work ahead in Social Studies

Kids who are done with everything....

...Must feel great about their accomplishments!

Tomorrow is Thumb Through A Book Day. Please check Google Classroom to look for....

•  directions to take us through the final two chapters of Percy Jackson and The Lightning Thief.
• the final Percy Jackson response activity. It will involve a choice, and it will be due on Friday.
• reminders about the Social Studies Postcards, which are due next week.
• Please send my pictures of your child "thumbing through a book." Let's get some 201 representation on the Disney Newsletter.

TeamworkTuesday

Hello 201 and 202 Families,

Today's title reflects Disney's Tuesday Spirit Week theme: Helpful Tuesday. Kids, do something around the house today to lend a hand. Make your bed without being asked, do the dishes, put your shoes away, pick up that towel, play peacefully with a sibling....you get the idea!

Today's assignment is posted on Google Classroom. I encourage all to look at the sample before reading the Percy Jackson chapter. This will save you time. You can work as you read and listen!

Parents, you may notice that I am sending out emails at about 5 p.m. every few days. I am not trying to bother you, and I know that you are busy! For some, working on school work in the evenings is the only option. I understand! The emails are my way of giving a quick heads up as I wrap up my workday.

Many kids are getting feedback on their work early in the day, and are able to make corrections or get one on one coaching. Today, Elizabeth and I worked on her Google Doc simultaneously. It was so cool! As she wrote,  I was able to comment and give suggestions.

Google Hangouts and Zoom: I am still waiting for approval to hold hangouts and zoom. CPS has asked us not to use our cell phones to contact students.

Fantasticos Friday

Hello, Teams 201 and 202!

Well, we got through our first week of e-learning and the "distance" is difficult. As you know, we are in it for the long haul. We will work together to keep brains active and engaged.

Kudos to all of the parents and kids who have learned a zillion new tech skills this week, and are finding a way to get the work done! Hey kids, I used a literary device! Which one is it? Post your response to Google Classroom.

I was especially impressed with some of the Google Slide Show presentations I received today. Kudos to all of the students who got this project done:
Elizabeth (original artwork- WOW)

Congratulations to our E-learning Leaders!

Chris
Jaylee
Leila
Khai
Ava
Eliana
Chloe
Ezabella
Justin
Gabriel
Heaven
Boston
Cassidy
Audrey (early bird award! :-)
Makynzie
Aina
Bauer




What's to come.....

• Having trouble balancing it all? Use the weekend to catch up on missed work. All work is posted in Google Classroom.
• There will be no new assignments posted this weekend. Ahhhhh....
• Need tech help? Today, I posted some Google Slides tutorials.  Googling any "help" topic will get you results. There are plenty of Google Classroom tutorials out there. I think that once you play around on the platform, you will get it.
• Zoom Chats or hangouts: as soon as I get approval, I will post information about meeting times.
• Parents, please email me to if you give your consent for your child to join a Zoom hangout. I need your permission.
• Spirit Week: Look for information about our E-Learning Spirit Week. We have lots planned: dress-up days, Drop Everything and Read Days,  Math Madness Days, Book Cafe Days and MUCH, MUCH, MORE!
• Next week, I hope that we can finish Percy Jackson. I have a new novel ready to go! 
• Check out Disney's newly updated Facebook page. I think you may see some familiar art work up there soon.

Have a great weekend, everyone. Stay safe and enjoy your time together!

Three Things Thursday

Good Morning Teams 201 and 202,


Today on Google Classroom, Team 201 and 202 will be asked to share three things: one hope, one point of gratitude, and one "I -bet- you- don't- know- about- me."

Assignments for Thursday can be found on Google Classroom. Click Classwork. Click Reading. Click "Three Things Thursday."  You will see the work and the directions.

Don't forget to share your artwork with the entire group by posting it on Classroom.  I hope to see more Presidential Posters and App art coming in soon. Some of your work will be highlighted on Disney's new FB page.

I am working out the details so that we can hold a Zoom meeting. Stay tuned!

Let's keep those brains working! I will be available to answer questions on Google Classroom.

Time to Reflect Tuesday

Day 1 is done!   

Huge props to all of the kids and parents in Team 201 and 202 who worked hard and persisted today. We are all finding our way in this new unchartered, e-learning territory. Many very resourceful students were able to work around tech glitches to get their assignments finished and turned in. Bravo!

Here are some updates to keep you informed:

• All assignments will be posted and accessed via Google Classroom.
• If your child has not logged on to "Classroom," advise them to sign in with their cps email. This is the same login that students use in Ms. Kosteki's class each week.
• Students, please check the "stream" and the "classwork" sections to find your assignments.  "Classwork" assignments are organized by subject. Click on the subject, and you will see the assignment.
• Students, please read the instructions with care!
• Working together and collaboration is encouraged. Copying from peer work that is posted is dishonest. I doesn't help you learn, and it is disrespectful to those who are putting forth effort. 
• Parents and students, I have heard from many of you today! Thank you for reaching out. I am here to help.

Google Hangout information:

I have sent invitations, via cps email, to a google hangout tomorrow morning.

202 will meet at 9:30 and 201 will meet at 10:30

*The free Meet app can be downloaded on any device. It can not be downloaded to your cps ipad, which means you will need another device, like a phone, tablet or laptop. Just log on to your cps email, find the invitation from me in your email, and click on the link when it is time for your hangout.

Want to be the star of Dr. Riskus's next  E-learning Email? Want to showcase your e-learning big brain? Read on to see an excerpt from today's email blast and learn how to get your "at home learning story" on the daily Disney email blast!

Dear Disney Community,

I'd like to give a big shout-out to all parents, students, and teachers for working so hard today. Parents, thank you for your support today in ensuring that student learning continues at home, and at a high level. To all teachers, excellent work providing an enriching, rigorous, and fun-filled academic experience for our students. Students, continue working hard and keep sustaining that high energy.

Please see the attachment for pictures and descriptions of the work occurring from home today. As we continue working from home, we'd like to encourage everyone to sustain this solid effort. Also, to accommodate students with internet challenges, we are allowing students to turn in their work by midnight of each day.

Moving forward, please continue sending pictures of what your students are working on at home along with a description and a shout-out to their teacher. Forward all of these pictures and descriptions to Anna Trilla at ahsmith3@cps.edu. In the email to her, indicate that you give us permission to send this picture and description out through mass email and on our social media pages (all parents of the students in the attachment gave their consent to share through email and social media). 

In addition, 500 meals were given out to families today. We are so happy to provide these meals and encourage you to stop by for food. I'd like to thank the engineers and custodians for their outstanding work deep cleaning the school. Let's all keep up the great work!

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE,

The Disney Team

Making Plans Monday

This post will be updated later! Please check later.

Today, we have been practicing how to use technology!
Kids answered some questions on Google Forms. Here is one of them: If you could be one kind of animal, what would you be?
Right now, they are creating Google Slide presentations to share their ideas.

This evening at home....
-Each student in 201 should finish the Animal Slide presentation and share it with me.
-202: we did not have time to do this today. I will challenge you to create and share this Google slide presentation.
-When you are finished, share it with me. Click on the "little round person" icon found in the top right corner of the screen. Add my email address: mport@cps.edu. You should see the picture of Boone. That's me. Push the "paper airplane" icon. You are done!
-Read for 25 minutes.

*Tomorrow's "class work" will involve reading and listening to Percy Jackson online.
201 will listen/read Chapter 14
202 will listen/read Chapter 13.


Kids, this is your job:

• Check the blog, google classroom and your email every morning. 
• Daily assignments will be posted by eight each morning.
• You will turn in work in a variety of ways: posting photos of your work to Classroom, turning in work on Classroom or the Drive, or emailing me the work. Directions will be posted.
• I will plan on holding Google Hangouts, once I get the "hang" of it. Check your email for the invitation.

Here is what kids will be coming home with today:

-Science Magazine- this will be used for reading and for some activities. It is yours to keep. 

-Social Studies Magazines: ditto

-A Reading Response Page that contains activities for responding to both fiction and non fiction text. 

I will work on scanning these materials and will make them available online.

Parents, feel free to email me with any questions!

Please, please, please stay tuned and in touch.

Don't forget, the Book Buffet project is due April 1, or whenever we come back, if it is later than April 1.

Sunday Salutations

Hello 201 and 202,

I hope that all are doing well, hunkering down and enjoying the weekend. I have just received an email from Dr. Riskus that contains some important information.

-On Monday, we will work with our students to prepare them for "distance learning," shoring up passwords, logins, and how to access the content at home.
-Students will bring home iPads on Monday.
-Students will be expected to turn in assignments daily. Students can expect at least one daily assignment for each subject: Math, Reading, Science, Writing and Social Studies.
-Here are some ways that assignments might be delivered: e-spark, IXL, google classroom.
-Students should check their cps emails daily!
-I will be communicating via this blog, email and google classroom.
-Each day, I will be available to consult your child between the hours of 7:30- and 2:30.

Please check back later for updates. This is new for all of us, and we will find our way. Please don't hesitate to reach out with questions!

Boone says, "Go with the flow, kids. It's all going to be o.k.!"

FreeWriteFreshenUpFishForFlunchFriday

Today's title is a collaboration. Fanks to all in 201!

This weekend at home...
-complete all unfinished work. Most kids are in the green. Some kids, due to absences, may have some "make up" work.
-Read!
-Bring your math book home. YOu have math homework. So do you. 
-Make some progress on the Book Buffet.
 KIDS, EMAIL ME THIS WEEKEND. I NEED TO MAKE A 201 AND 202 GROUP EMAIL LIST.
* If for any reason there is no school next week, it will be important that families and kids check the blog. It is also crucial that you send me your cps email. I will write back!

*LSC election notes are going home today.
*Congrats to Audrey and  Heaven. They have earned both 5 Book and 10 Book Swag Tags.

This evening at home....

-Read the Sacagawea section of the Louisiana Purchase packet.
-Complete graphic organizer that follows.
-Study this week's vocabulary words.
We have a reading test tomorrow!

Workout Wednesday

There were many good suggestions today. We voted, and 202 selected Khai's idea. Today was about working out for 202; They had gym. It was also about words.

Today we are working on talking. Really! 201 and 202 students are practicing how to use Accountable Talk in and outside of the classroom.  Becoming more precise, respectful and effective,  communicators is the goal.  Here are some of the "talking tags" we are using in our speaking and writing.



Book Buffet inspiration can be found on this blog. Use the search engine above, on the left, to search book buffet.
I hope that everyone is deep into their book by now.

There is a reading/vocabulary test this Friday. There will not be
spelling test.

SW and W States and Caps test: Monday

IAR testing begin for 201 soon.
Reading: 3/25, 3/26, 3/27
Math: 3/30, 3/31, 4/1

Do we need more wipes? Yes, please, yes!

This evening at home...
-read for 25 minutes or more
-finish the vocabulary comic strip that we began in class. All six should be finished and colored or outlined in color. Personal best, please.
*If you have time to finish the Figurative Language project, great! If not, that is o.k.. I am looking for your "personal best."

Mapping the Route Monday

Today we traveled with the Corps of Discovery, learning about Sacajawea's instrumental role in this journey.

Thanks to all who have submitted a book approval request for the Book Buffet project.  Don't forget that the project is due on April 1!

This evening at home.....

• Read!
• Complete the Text Structures packet by Wednesday.  The first page is entitled "Wildfires." Each text section should be annotated(highlight key words and take notes). Each graphic organizer should be complete.

This week, we will finish up our Unit on "The West." 201 will take a States and Caps test on Monday for both the SW and the W regions.

It is time to move on to Illinois History and Midwest.

Fairly Fun Family Friday.

Progress Reports are going home today.  Please let me know if you have any questions about your students' progress. Don't forget that these grades are a "snapshot" and that there are five more weeks in the quarter. There is plenty of time for improvement. 

This weekend at home...
-finish the Idioms packet. Color. Yes.
-Our story is Sacagewea.

Please make sure that I have approved the Book Buffet book. You should be reading now!

Moody Monday

When the lights when out this morning, the mood was definitely creepy! Your kids kept calm and carried on. Thank goodness the power was restored.

This evening at home....
-Complete the Vocabulary matching found on the inside cover of the packet.
-Show your parents the MAPS letter and IXL skill plan. Kids, show your parents how you log in to IXL and work via the "skill plan." Students whose goals are higher than shown can work with the corresponding skill set in 5th or 6th grade.

*Book selections for the Book Buffet project must be approved by Friday. I will be back on Friday. Feel free to email me if you want a quicker response. 
*There will NOT be a spelling test on Friday.
*There will be a reading and vocabulary test on Friday.
* I will be out of town again for the next few days. Students will continue with the normal course of study and curriculum. Students, all of the work for the week is contained withing the classwork packets. Be sure to hold on to them!

If you have any questions, please feel free to email me. I will be checking frequently.

Frozen Friday

Thank you, Alina, for today's title. When the sun is shining, the freezing is tolerable. Today we...
-took at reading test
-made time for independent reading and espark
-enjoyed our monthly incentive.
-at lunch
-took a spelling test
-visited the African American displays in the CAC Dining Room
-Had a closing meeting
-went to Ms. Kosteki

This weekend at home....
-Log on to Think Central to look at this week's reading test.
-Check the "adages and proverbs" questions.
-For any one of these "adages and proverbs" questions that is incorrect do this:

• Copy the adage/proverb
• look it up
• write down its meaning and give an example

*Get a signature on the Book Buffet Project. Bring it to school on Monday.

*Begin selecting a book. The book must be fiction and must be new to you. Please bring in the book, or the title and author so that I can approve it.

READ!

We need antibacterial wipes, desperately!
There is a confirmed case of strep throat in the pod. Please don't ignore sore throats. :-)

Thursday

This evening at home...

201: Finish the Percy Pages that we worked on today. You can find the text linked on this blog.
-Study for the spelling and reading tests: go over vocabulary words, etc.

202: Use the Venn Diagram to to write a compare and contrast paragraph about Zomo's friends and Hercules Quest. You must indent! You must use compare and contrast key words. See yesterday's blog post for tips. Remember, a paragraph is seven to ten sentences!

Everyone: *Don't forget that there is a spelling/reading test tomorrow.
* I will collect the completed Hercules packets tomorrow. You may use them to study this evening.

Parents, please look over the Book Buffet project guidelines. This project is due on April 1. However, there are some important deadlines.
*The Parent letter must be signed by Monday. All books must be approved by next Friday.

*Volunteers Needed: if any "approved" parent can come in tomorrow, the pod needs help with bulletin boards.  Send me an email! mport@cps.edu

Wondering Wednesday

This evening at home...
202- Finish the Ice Cream book. Also, make sure that all of the writing for the Brilliance project is done. We can cut and color in class tomorrow. You are welcome to do this at home.
*Read!

201- Turn today's Compare and Contrast Venn Diagram into a paragraph. One paragraph. This paragraph should contain 7-10 sentences. It should contain "Compare and Contrast" key words. It should be indented. Remember, the topic is Zomo's Friends/Hercules Quest.

*read
*Fan Books were due today. They are late! The following students met the deadline: Heaven, Mical, Eliana, Grace, Audrey, Liam, Maddox, Elliot, Ezabella, Alina, Justin.

201 and 202- I will be collecting the Hercules Packets on Friday.  They should be 100% complete by then.

Time to Think Tuesday

Today's song of the day was Redemption Song, by Bob Marley. We listened to the acoustic version. Right now, we are featuring some more Bob Marley in the background, as we work on our Brilliance project.

This evening at home....
-Use this link to get to know this week's vocabulary words a better.
https://quizlet.com/24944535/hercules-quest-vocabulary-flash-cards/
-In the "ice cream book" complete the Order and Sequence page.
-201: The Social Studies Fan book is due tomorrow!

*Don't forget that we a spelling and reading test this Friday.

Making Memories Monday

I am so proud of how hard Team 202 is working right now. We on the way toward some solid Black History Brilliance essays.

This evening at home...

• Complete the Hercules' Quest vocabulary activity, found on the second page of the packet.
• All students should be finished with the first two comprehension pages.
• Ask your child about the Riding Freedom activities. A few students are missing this work. I need it by Thursday, or it will be entered as a zero for the progress report.
• READ

201 Students, the SW Fan book must be complete by Wednesday, including the "fun fact" on the back of each state card.

FreezingfarmsfunFriday

Freezing: It was too cold for outdoor recess, according to policy.
Farms: We learned that Texas has more farms than any other state.
Fun: It is so much fun to be in 201, kids want to stay here all weekend. This may be hyperbole or just false, but I am going with it.
Friday: Well, it's Friday.


This weekend at home....
-Click on the Newsela link/tab.  Follow the directions to create an account. 
-Read.
-Southwest Fan book: We will devote just one more class to this project. If you are not ALMOST done, please work on it this weekend.

Next week, we will take both a reading and a spelling test. The words can be found on the front page of the Hercules packet. 

That's Thinking Thursday

This evening at home....
-Read! Idea: read one of the myths assigned on Think Central, or Life in Ancient Greece. You may also read a book of your choice.
-Complete the Vocabulary Crossword, found on the first page of the Hercules packet. Do NOT do the other pages. Bring the packet to school tomorrow.

Today we....
-worked on our Brilliant Black History research.
-read some myths
-worked on text structure, focusing on the  problem and solution structure, which is found in Hercules' Quest. 

It is not too late to register for Six Flags Read to Succeed. The link was posted months ago, but I am posting again, just in case there are any more students who want that free Six Flags ticket. Students who register and enter their reading minutes do not need to bring me the Log sheet.

SixFlagsReadtoSucceed
Enter our class code: JCJZA

Working Walking Wednesday

Thanks to the members of 202, who devised today's title.

This evening at home...
-Complete the Hercules activity. There should be an entry for each page of reading.
-Read!

Page number                             Events(2-3 bullets)                                    I notice/I infer/ I think

Terrific Tuesday

Hello Team 201 and Team 202,

I am so happy to be back in school today. Today we spent some time rereading Riding Freedom. We also discussed adjectives, how they modify nouns, and generated some examples.  Both 201 and 202 took a Reading Test today. This afternoon, 201 will work on creating a Southwest states fan book. We will use links to do some research about each state in the region, and we'll explore some of the region's many landmarks.

This evening at home...
-Read Hercules Quest in Journeys.
-Write a summary paragraph. The summary should be about 7-10 sentences. Indent the paragraph. Use the SBWBST guidelines to help you. Do not label the paragraph with SWBST. 
-We will not take another reading test until next Friday.

Wishing Wednesday

Hello Team 201 and 202 families,

As many know, I am out of town due to a family emergency. 201 and 202 students are moving right along, doing their regularly scheduled activities.  Here are some notes to keep you current.
-The substitute teacher may assign unfinished class work as homework.
-25-30 minutes of reading, each evening, is my expectation.
-Our trip to Facets is this Friday.  I will update the blog later with any important details regarding the trip.  Please bring a bag lunch.  We will eat at school, in the classroom.
-We will take a test on Journeys Riding Freedom next Tuesday.  Our next story is Hercules Journey.  Yay!
-There is no school this Monday, in honor of Presidents Day.
-Next week, we will spend class time working on an integrated writing and Social Science project that highlights Black History.
-I am looking forward to seeing the finished Geometrocity projects!

Thanks for your patience and well wishes this week!

Marvelous Monday

Hello Team 201 and 202 Families...

Thanks to all of the kids who came in ready to work on the Geometrocity!
This week's story is Riding Freedom.
We will take the reading test next Monday, due to Friday's trip.

201 Homework:
-In Journeys, complete the Classroom Conversation questions found on page 486. Use complete sentences to answer each question.
-Read.
-If you did not finish coloring and cutting the Geometrocity shapes over the weekend, do it tonight!

202 Homework:
-Finish the blue "vocabulary rectangles" we began in class. Each space should "show that you know" the word. Illustrations are o.k.. Color is great!
-Read!

Our trip volunteers are Eliana's mom and Chloe's mom. Thanks to all of the parents who have offered to join us. We will have another trip very soon!

Finale Friday

The reviews are in.  Today's grand finale was a smash hit! I am so proud of our kids. It takes a LOT of work and energy to pull it off, and I am sure they will be tired this evening.

Thanks to all who donated their time, artistic abilities, materials and funds. All of the students in 201 were able to enjoy post- show pizza, thanks to the generosity of many! The "Animal Assembly Line (seat shop?) was hard at work all week. A million thanks to you all.

If you have pictures, please email them to me!
Also, please let me know if any parent wants to set up a shutterfly site for the class. This way, we can share photos and get prints easily.

This weekend...
-read
-finish coloring and cutting your phase 4 nets. We will do the final assembly of our Geometrocities on Monday.

Wildly Wonderful Wednesday

CAC Notes:
-Pizza money is due tomorrow. We are asking for five dollars per child. We have several families who have pitched in a little extra. Thank you!
-Sunglasses: all kids will be wearing sunglasses for the performance. Please bring some in tomorrow.
-Attire: each child will be given a black t-shirt. Please wear black on the bottom: leggings, black jeans, sweats.
-Face paint: we need some. We could also use black and brown eyeliner. Can you send some in?
-Doors open at 9:00 on Friday. Showtime is 9:15

This evening at home...
-Practice your lines, your songs and your dance moves.

Musical Moves Monday

Hello Team 201 and 202,

At the end of the day, some of the kids in the walker line were able to help finalize our City Kitty movements. I can't wait to show them to you in the morning, 201.

Today was mostly all about rehearsal. Your kids are doing a fantastic job. Show business is hard work!

These next few days....

• practice your songs, lines, dance moves, etc. We want readers, singers, and dancers who SPARKLE!
• don't forget your pizza money-$5.00 will ensure that all of the kids in 4th grade will enjoy a pizza party.
• check out the CAC tab for scripts, songs, and notes about costumes.

Just in case you do not have time to click that tab...

-Wear solid black leggings, sweats or jeans on Friday.

-Each kid will get a black CAC shirt to wear for the show and take home. Forever.  

-Bring sunglasses!

-We need some makeup so that we can paint "cat" faces on Friday.

That's a Wrap Thursday

That's an idiom that basically means: done! Thanks to all of the kids and parents who made week one in the CAC a great one.

Check out the new CAC tab on this blog to find lyrics, scripts, music, and notes about out City Kitties performance. Bring your dance ideas to school on Monday.

This weekend:
-Don't forget that there is no school for kids tomorrow.
-Please make sure that you are finished with Phase 1 of the Geometrocity
-Complete any two plan pages from Phase 2. Remember, these pages will go on your final board, so they should be neat!
-Any child who wants to work ahead on Phase 2 will be that much closer to Phase 3: building!
-Practice your lines! It's time to memorize!


GTK

• February 7 is the big day! Doors open at 9:00 and the show begins at 9:15
• All students should wear pants, black jeans, black sweatpants or black leggings on the Performance Day
• Sunglasses: we don't have quite enough for our performance. If your child has a pair of sunglasses or can get some, please bring them in! 

Here is a sample of a "Phase Two" grid.

Mathematical Monday

This evening at home....
-Finish Math 10.5 and color
Read for 20 minutes or more
-Look over the City Kitty

Snowy Saturday

Hello, Team 201 and 202 Families,

This weekend at home, a few students need to finish their Opinion Writing final Drafts. All students should have their drafts and the final draft paper.

Some students also need to finish the vocabulary window panes.

Don't forget about IXL!

Yes, we will take a spelling test on Monday morning.


CAC Notes
-Dress for the occasion, which means be prepared to get messy. There is a chance that we will be working with messy materials every day. Oil pastels stain, and paint, glue and glitter are a pain to wash.
-Wear comfortable shoes. The CAC floors are hard!
-Bring a hoodie or sweater. We will be facing the east windows, and the temperatures could be chilly.
-Don't forget to bring in the 20 x 30 foam board. They are available at Dollar Tree and other vendors.
-Please bring in a protractor.
-There will not be "interest groups" this year. Each child will play a part in the homeroom performance.

Get ready to build a Geometrocity! Our learning in the CAC will be immersed in the arts. We will be singing, speaking, and creating as we learn about  area, perimeter, polygons, solid figures, symmetry, transformations, and graphing on the coordinate grid.  Literacy skills will be woven into our learning. We will be ready texts about math in the "real world."

Thankful Thursday

This evening at home....
-Complete the Jose "Characters Changing Over Time" graphic organizer.
-Study your vocabulary words and reread Jose. We have a test tomorrow.
***Extra time? If you have time, you may work on/finish the Vocabulary Windows. If not, no biggie. We will work on it tomorrow.

GTK:
-We will take a spelling test on Monday morning.
-Don't forget about the CAC foam board. A note went home last week.
-Parents, please contact me if you will be able to help in the CAC.

Jose's Way Wednesday

Thank you, Elizabeth, for today's titlspiration.   Yes, we spent most of our time today talking about Jose.


This evening at home....
-201, don't forget to pack your reusable mug. Tomorrow is the day!
-finish the Jose questions that we started in class today.
-Complete the Analyze Similes and Metaphors activity found on p. 302 of Journeys. Here it is:  Page through the biography and find examples of figurative language. List three similes and three metaphors the author uses to describe Jose and his dancing. What is the meaning of each example?

Too Bad No Tacos Tuesday

This evening at home...

• In the Readers Notebook/workbook, complete pages 111 and 112. One side covers vocabulary concepts and the other focuses on spelling.
• We will take a spelling test on these words next Monday. * The Lesson 10 Study Guide can be viewed from this blog. Click on the Journeys Study Guide tab. They can also be found on page 112 of tonight's homework.
• Don't forget that  I will be checking IXL again next Sunday evening. 

Mugs: Please bring in your reusable mug on Thursday!

Fun Friday

Hey 201 and 202 Families,


Please check out the CAC note that is going home today.
Our first day is Monday, January 27.
There is no school this Monday.

This weekend at home...

-Catch up: Vocabulary flap book, Allusion Billboard, Allusion Trading Card, Percy Jackson Chapters 9 and 10
*Tuesday: Spelling Test

*I will be checking IXL on Sunday evening, after dinner. Please make sure that you have done your 30 minutes of practice before 7 p.m.

*Let's shoot for having our Hot Chocolate Read In next Thursday. Each child should bring in a reusable mug. We will not be using any disposable cups.

Thrilling Theme Theseus Thursday

This evening at home...
-finish the chapter 9 side of the Percy Jackson sheet
-reread My Brother Martin and study the vocabulary words. We have a test tomorrow.
*Students in 202 will need to finish reading the last few pages of Chapter 9 and first two pages of chapter 10. Do the side with the suitcases. Write down the EXACT words of each prophecy. 
The text can be accessed from this blog.

If you don't know who Theseus is, look it up. Or, ask Alina or Lincoln. They know!

(birthday)Wishes Wednesday

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Happy Birthday Dr. King

Check out some the Kingspiration.  In class, we are learning about this great man's life and legacy. Our study will continue  these next few weeks. We are talking about how his words and actions play a part in our lives today.  If you scroll down, you will find a video of the memorable I Have a Dream Speech. 

Kids, which of these quotes speaks to you? 

This evening at home...
-complete the My Brother Martin sheet/activities
-in Journeys, read the companion selection about Langston Hughes.
**The vocabulary flap book is due on Friday. We will have some class time to work on it tomorrow. It should include: word art, a definition, a picture, and a caption that uses the word correctly.

Notes:
-There is no school this Monday, in honor of Dr. King's birthday.
-We will take the spelling test on ALL 20 words next Tuesday.Students may earn extra points on the challenge words.
-Next's week's story is Jose, Born to Dance.
-January 27 is our first day in the CAC. We will be immersing ourselves in the study of Geometry, as we explore city planning. Our working title is Mathtopia.  Parents, we need your help. Please reach out if you are able to volunteer.