Terrific Tuesday

Today we...

• worked on some Halloween grammar.
• created some beautiful sugar skull art.
• corrected last night's math homework and discussed "best" strategies.
• watched some videos and read about the origins of Halloween.
• got ready for tomorrow's estimation lesson. We used rounding and compatible numbers.
• turned into Math Detectives and Solved the Mystery of the Tricking Treat. We had to solve puzzles, and  use both our math skills and deductive reasoning.
• worked with a partner on a vocabulary choice board to help us get to know this week's words.
• went to lunch and recess
• came back to 201. We talked about what to expect for the rest of the week (spelling and reading tests on Thursday, the Science Leaf Lab on Thursday, and a special assembly tomorrow and finishing up Tall Tales.

Ask you kids about the origins of this phrase......

This evening at home....

• enjoy trick or treating or a night with family.
• don't eat too much candy!
• Happy Halloween! There is no regular homework tonight.

We need real leaves for Thursday's Science Lab. Kids, you can bring in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors: red, green, yellow and brown.

Halloween Origami and More!

Blinking Eye...


https://www.origamiway.com/origami-blinking-eye.shtml

Links to many Halloween themed origami instructions....
http://en.origami-club.com/halloween/index.html

The History of Halloween...

http://www.history.com/topics/halloween/history-of-halloween

Halloween Jokes....
http://www.funology.com/halloween-jokes/

Field Trip Help

Hello Parents!

We will be going to the North Park Village Nature Center on Friday, November 17th.  201 needs two parent volunteers. If you are willing and able, please send me an email!

mport@cps.edu

Note that this trip will take place outside! We will be doing a bit of trail walking. It should be a great day!

Monday Madness

This evening at home..

• please finish the back page of today's math classwork.
• please do the hw and practice as well.
• read and log it.
• please do page 62 in the Readers Notebook. Note that we did page 61 in class. Most kids are finished. 
• 
  

Notes:

• Tomorrow, there will not be any homework!
• There are 24 kids in our class.Please remember that all treats brought to school will be distributed.
• Kids may wear costumes to school tomorrow.
• We will be doing some fun academic activities tomorrow.
• Students should dress and accessorize at HOME. 
• No toy weapons, full masks, etc.
• I have one parent volunteer. We could use one more helper, first thing in the morning. Please email me to confirm.
• We need leaves for the Science Lab: green, yellow and red. Real leaves.

Frozen Friday

It is chilly out on our rooftop playground! Don't forget to bring your gloves and a hat to school next week!
 Today we....

• took two tests. Ouch! The reading test results are now available on Think Central. It was a short test. I hope to have the graded math tests in your hands early next week.
• continued our discussion of Immigration.
• worked on our original Tall Tales.  These need some more work and we will continue on Monday.
• went to Tech.
• went to lunch and recess. 

This weekend at home...

• read Invasion From Mars in Journeys.
• complete the questions and the Onomatopoeia word art project. Please don't use Pop.

Notes/Reminders:

• Next week is a short one. There is no school for students on Friday.
• Disney celebrates Halloween on Tuesday.  Students may wear costumes to school. Please leave toy/replica weapons at home.  Please do not wear full face masks. Kids may bring an individually wrapped, peanut free treat or a trinket for each member of the class. There are 24 kids in 201.
• 201 needs Band Aides!
• We are beginning our new Science Unit on Plants and Animals. For the next two weeks, we will be studying plant structures and their functions. Next week's lab examines leaves and explores the process of photosynthesis.

Click on the video links to get a jump start!

How to Plants Make Food? Photosynthesis!

Plant Structures and Functions

Pollination: Parts of a Flower and Plant Reproduction

Text Dive Thurday

Today we spent some time diving into Stormalong.  We also spent a great deal of time going over the Chapter 2 Review. All kids are going home with the correct answers and equations. Kids had the opportunity to ask questions and work through answers in a small group.


Notes....

• Yes, we do have a math and a reading test tomorrow! Normally, I won't give two tests in one day. However, I really wanted to spend some extra time reviewing the math concepts today. Pushing the test back to Monday will disrupt our curriculum goals. 
• We will not take the grammar portion of the reading test tomorrow. We will spend more time on these skills and cycle back to assessment when the kids are better prepared.

This evening...

• study for the math test. Tomorrow's test is very similar to the practice! 
• get ready for spelling and reading!
• read Hoderi and the Fisherman.
• complete the Compare Texts: Text to Text question in Journeys. Record your answer in paragraph form. Use examples from the text to support your ideas. Remember, theme is the hidden message. You arrive at the theme by examining what the character's say and what they do.

Way to Go Wednesday

This evening at home....

• finish the math chapter review pages. We will go over answers tomorrow. Test on Friday!
• Read 30 Seconds of Fuel in the packet.  On the back, complete the graphic and the short response.
• read and record.

Traits Tuesday

Today we talked about inner and outer character traits.  Tomorrow,  we will apply this to Stormalong.

This evening at home...

• complete the hw and practice for lesson 2.12
• complete pp. 51 and 52 in the Readers Notebook
• in the packet, read Treating the Red Fox and complete the short response question. You DO NOT need to do the graphic organizer.
• Read and log it.

Reminders

• a note about Halloween is going home today!
• we will take the Chapter 2 Math Test on Thursday.
• on the math homework, ask your child to write equations before solving. This provides a "plan/road map" for solving.

Thank you Yusra, for the straws and tape! We need more....straws and masking tape. Tomorrow is bridge building day!

Tall Tales

Click on the links to read Tall Tales.
Think about....

• What makes a tale "tall?"
• What are examples of hyperbole?
• All Tall Tales take place in "real life" American settings. What are some examples? How are these places described or explained?
• Think about the main character's traits. How would you describe their inner traits? What evidence do you have to support your ideas?

http://ccs.clarityconnect.com/NRiggs/reading.html

http://americanfolklore.net/folklore/tall-tales/


Wednesday Links:
Read the following Tall Tales. After reading a tale, respond in your Readers Notebook to these questions:
*Find the tab "Writing about Reading"

• What is the name of the Tall Tale?
• Who is the main character?
• What are his or her character traits?
• Does s/he have special abilities?
• Are there any "real life" locations in the tale?
• What is the problem/solution?

Pecos Bill:

http://americanfolklore.net/folklore/2010/07/pecos_bill_rides_a_tornado.html

Paul Bunyan:

http://americanfolklore.net/folklore/2010/07/babe_the_blue_ox.html

 

Old Stormalong and the Octopus

http://americanfolklore.net/folklore/2010/08/old_stormalong_and_the_octopus.html

Monday Musings

Hello Team 201 Families,

Today we...

• worked on map skills in the morning.
• worked on multiplying larger numbers and word problems.
• did a quick math "exit ticket" and met with Mrs. Ginn to clear up a few issues.
• went to Gym with Mr. Hoover.
• had a quick snack and listened to and discussed Stormalong.
• ate lunch and had indoor recess
• met with our partners to revise our bridge design.

This evening at home.....

• complete the vocabulary activities page ( double sided).
• do the hw and practice for Go Math lesson 2.11
• read Immigration Throughout History in Kids Discover Geography 
• complete a "fact finder" page based on the Immigration reading. It should contain 10 or more facts and diagrams or illustrations with captions. Your facts may be integrated into the illustration if you don't have enough room on the lines.

We need plastic, non bendy straws and masking tape for the Science Lab on Wednesday!

Friday Facts

Hey Team 201! We are about to log on to code.org.  Use this link and the password that I gave you to do so...

Click here to go to the Fabled Fourth Graders code.org home page.


Other news......

• There are many kids absent today! There was one confirmed case of strep throat in the room. 
• Kids who are not here today can take the Power of W.O.W. test on Think Central. Be warned, I looking for complete sentences for the short answer. I am also looking for text evidence. Take the time to edit your work.
• Parents, please log on to Think Central to review your child's assessments. In class, we will target areas for growth. Is it vocabulary, comprehension, or grammar?
• Mid Chapter Math Checkpoints are going home today. I had a chance to meet with most kids to clear up issues. We will take the Chapter 2 Math Test next week.

We will be redesigning our bridges in the Science Lab next week and need some donations. We need:

• masking tape
• lots of NON BENDY straws
• Our lab day is Wednesday.

This weekend...

• read the tall tale in Journeys, Stormalong. I love this story!
• complete the hw and practice for Go Math lesson 2.10. Sorry about the weekend homework, parents. We are a bit behind schedule!

Thursday Thoughts

This evening at home....

• complete the homework and practice for lesson 2.9. Show work for credit. You may need a separate sheet of paper.
• complete problem 4 in Go Math, found on page 115.
• in the Readers Notebook, complete pages 43-46.
• read, and log it!

We have a reading and a spelling test tomorrow!

Parents, please see the note about Halloween that is going home today.

A note about Go Math: You will see that each day, certain problems are circled. These are the problems that we do for classwork. 

Root Work: Mis-, Non-, Cent, and Spec-

Click on the links to complete the root concept wheel.
Remember....

• write the roots and their meanings in the center
• choose two word for each root.
• write one word in each section.
• show what the word means. You should include a mini-definition, and an icon/picture with a caption.

Mis-

http://www.macmillandictionary.com/us/dictionary/american/mis

Non

http://www.macmillandictionary.com/us/dictionary/american/non

Spec

http://membean.com/wrotds/spect-see

Cent

http://membean.com/wrotds/cent-hundred

Weight Distribution Wednesday

Today we spent some time in the lab testing out our bridge designs.  There was lots of trial and error, and kids used their research to support their design options.  There was a lot of talk about distributing weight!

Today we also.....

• talked about run-on sentences.
• read.
• worked with partners to find the theme of short reading passages.
• worked on using "mental math" strategies and properties of multiplication to solve problems
• finished our theme entries in our Readers Notebooks.
• went to library.

Don't forget that tomorrow is Picture Day!

This evening at home...

• In the packet, read Cartoons For Grown Ups. Answer the questions on the back.
• In the packet, complete the Venn Diagram and short response for Cartoons for Grown Ups. I am sorry that these pages are not in order!
• Complete the HW and Practice for Lesson 2.8

Mental Math Strategies:

Click Here

Text Structure Tuesday

This evening at home...

• make a plan/diagram of your "bridge." Your materials are: straws and masking tape.  You may cut the straws. Remember, your bridge will be set up between two chairs and must be free standing. You may not tape it to the chair.
• complete the activities found on the back of the Text Structure " The Night the Martians Landed." You do not need to do the other pages. 
• complete the math handout, both sides. Today we took the mid chapter checkpoint. We also introduced "cross- multiplication." This is what I call "regular" multiplication! Parents, it should look more familiar!

Monday Musings

Hello Team201 Families,

Today we....

• watched a Brainpop about Bridges. We took some notes, and the kids had a chance to watch the video again and use their notes to take the quiz.
• worked on our Genre graphics
• read The Power of W.O.W.. We discussed the genre, talked about theme, and looked for evidence in the text.
• used partial products to multiply large numbers. Tonight, use the examples from the book/classwork to help you.
• went to Gym.
• worked on our Social Emotional learning goals. We talked about empathy  and respect.

This evening at home...

• read and log it!
• complete the homework for lesson 2.7. Use the partial products method and don't forget to estimate!
• complete the Vocabulary activity for The Power of W.O.W..
• complete pages 37 and 38 in the Readers Notebook. Use the text!

Bridges Basics

Click on the links to get a head start on our Bridges unit. Remember that Scientists do research. So, click away, and learn something new. You will soon be ready to begin planning your own bridge design.  You are doing what scientist do! So that makes you a....

Bridge Basics

What Makes Bridges So Strong? You Tube video

Freaky Friday

This weekend at home....

• Read The Power of W.O.W. in Journeys
• complete pages 39 and 40 in the Readers Notebook. 
• read and record. 
• finish the final draft of "Haunted House For Sale."

Check back for information about building bridges. I will add some links for you to explore.

Time Zone Thursday

This morning we talked about time zones. Today we also...

• worked on some multiplication practice
• went to Gym
• worked on developing strong topic "hooks" for our Haunted House For Sale writing
• planned and organized the "body" of our HHFS listing
• worked some more on using the Distributive Property to multiply large numbers
• participated in a Bus Evacuation Drill
• read!
• went to lunch and recess
• worked with partners on some My Library is a Camel questions to prepare for tomorrow's test.

This evening at home....

• complete the Cause and Effect packet and questions. The "strategy practice" is extra credit. Try one or two...or all, if you have time.
• complete the math handout, both sides.
• read and record.
• prepare for spelling and vocab. test tomorrow. 

Kids, bring home...

• a spelling list from the Readers Notebook

Wacky Wednesday

This evening at home....

• finish the Go Math Classwork. You do not need to do the "homework and practice." You will need a separate sheet of paper. Show your work!
• complete pages 27 and 28, 34 and 35
• read!

Today we....

• started the day with a descriptive word brainstorm. We are getting ready to sell some Haunted Houses.
• went over yesterday's Go Math lesson and practiced using the Distributive property to multiply large numbers by a single digit number.
• went to Library.
• got some hands on experience using Science Tools in the Lab.
• split into small groups to learn how to use and punctuate dialogue. 
• read.
• went to lunch and recess.
• esparked!

Tonight's math problems are difficult.  Kids, think about what makes sense and make an action plan. Use those "boxes."  Kid should refer to today's notes and classwork.

This link may help with the math lesson.

Today is Not Monday Tuesday

This evening at home....

• complete the unfinished classwork and homework for Go Math lesson 2.5
• complete the vocabulary activity. Use Journeys to help.
• read and log it!

Feeling Fall Friday

Today is "fall filled!" We just finished up our October similes and fall poems.  After the reading test, kids were able to do an art project to celebrate their writing efforts.  We will make sure to leave these beautiful fall trees up so that you can see them on Conference Day in November.

This weekend at home...

• read My Library is a Camel in Journeys and complete the "facts" handout.
• finish the "idiom" book. Many are finished with this.  Scroll down on this blog to see the directions.
• study those multiplication facts. All of the kids are in different places. If you didn't receive a brag tag, practice the skill you were on this week. 
• please sign the progress report.

As always, read! You can count the Journeys as one session. I will expect two or more reading sessions.

Notes:

• There is no school on Monday!
• Progress Reports are going home today. Remember, this is just a 5 week check in.  The gradebook is still open for the 1st quarter. Because of the CAC, there have not been the usual amount of assignments. Soon, the gradebook will better reflect how your child is progressing. Don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.
• I apologize for the Think Central issues. I have to manually change passwords for each child. I am working on this right now.  Your child's username will remain the same.  The password will be:    disney

Thinking Thursday

Hello Parents and Families,


Today we....

• worked on some poetry writing in the morning
• went to Gym
• spent some time "attacking" word problems.
• discussed characteristics of reading genres
• completed the Chicago Literacy Performance task.
• practiced logging on to Think Central, IXL and ST Math

This evening at home..

• read about Langston Hughes in Journeys. Complete the "Text to Text" found on page 69. Write in paragraph form. No Venn Diagrams, please.
• complete the Go Math 2.4 homework and practice. Use the classwork to help you. I hope you took good notes!
• read and log it!
• spend some time studying spelling and vocabulary! We will test tomorrow!

I am sending you child home with Think Central password reset information today. Tonight, please attempt to log in to Think Central and reset your password. Please write down this password in the agenda, green folder, and if you are able to, email it to me!

Breakfast in the classroom: Parents, I am so glad that CPS offers free breakfast for every student. In 201, we save a bit of that breakfast and enjoy the calories at about 10:30 each day. The kids really need this, as we don't eat lunch until 12:30. For this reason, I encourage kids to grab a school breakfast on the way in to class. This ensures that they will have a little something for later in the day. If you have time to eat breakfast at home, I encourage you to do so! Often, the school offering is not enough to keep them going all day.  If you child is tardy, they will not get breakfast. Additionally, kids may not eat a breakfast from home or take-out  in the morning. Same goes for snack! Thanks for your understanding!


I am sending you child home with Think Central password reset information today. Tonight, please attempt to log in to Think Central and reset your password. Please write down this password in the agenda, green folder, and if you are able to, email it to me!

What's the Variable Wednesday

This evening at home...

• talk to someone about today's experiment. Discuss the different variables.
• complete pages 21-24 in the Readers Notebook
• read and log it.
• Go math 2.3
• finish the Root Wheel ( most kids turned this in)

Reading Links

Idioms Galore:

http://www.idiomsite.com/

Idiom mini book:
1.Fold the paper
2.Cut with care
3.Trim edges
3. Add one idiom per page
4. Illustrate the idiom/provide context
* Use must use: Peas in a Pod, Dime a Dozen, Practice What You Preach

Root Wheel- make sure that you are connecting to examples in which the prefix means NOT

https://quizlet.com/25744129/words-that-begin-with-the-prefixes-im-il-ir-in-flash-cards/

This next one is a great resource, but the il- card is not great for NOT
https://membean.com/treelist

https://quizlet.com/57786598/prefix-in-im-ir-all-mean-not-all-the-words-are-adj-flash-cards/

https://www.myenglishteacher.eu/blog/prefixes-suffixes-list/
1. Scroll down to find the prefixes im- ir- in- il-
2. Click on the prefix. You will see a "root tree."
3.Choose your word!

Times As Many Tuesday

Today's title is all about the math lesson.  Click here for an AMAZING,  better than Think Central Math resource.   Go Math Materials


This evening at home....

• complete pages 19 and 20 in the Readers Notebook
• complete the HW for Go Math lesson 2.2. NO MODELS= NO CREDIT. Use today's classwork to help you.
• complete the Genres response sheet. Base your response off of the book you are currently reading.
• Parents, please sign the Chapter 1 Math test.

Today we...

• discussed Longitude and Latitude and took some guided notes
• talked about Genres and their characteristics.  We began working in our new Readers Notebooks.
• went to Art
• read and discussed My Brother Martin in small groups.
• delved deeper into Problem Solving using multiple operations.
• brought home some finished work.  Please remove it from the book bag!

Tomorrow we will...

• continue our genre study
• discuss Types of Sentences
• go to Library
• go to the Science Lab
• complete our guided notes and hopefully, play some longitude and latitude battleship

Parents, please remind your child to bring a book to school every day! Reading is part of our daily routine.

Martin and MAPS Monday

Today we...

• warmed up with some multiplication.
• took the Science MAPS test.
• worked on lesson 2.1 in Go Math: modeling multiplication
• created a Scientific Method study guide
• went to Gym, lunch and recess. 

This evening at home...

• complete the homework and practice for lesson 2.1 in Go Math
• complete pages 15/16 in the Readers Notebook. The Challenge is extra credit.
• copy the list of this week's vocabulary words. Select 5 words. Write a sentence for each.
• Read and Log it!