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.