Hello!

I am back from having a stomach virus for a few days. Thanks for your patience!

Math: Worked on holiday activity pages

Science: went over Ch. 6 review; played review game (click link to play)
Science homework: study for tomorrow's assessment; last one for Quarter 2

Language arts: functional reading passage; Grinch

Mark chart slips from last week go home today
Read-in tomorrow: bring favorite things to read; may wear PJs, if desired
Full day of school tomorrow-----then------woo hooo!

One more week!

Math: Extended response; practice ADD slip #1
Math homework: ADD slip #2

Social studies: discussed the Executive Branch (Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General) of IL
Social studies homework: It's a good idea to start committing some of your notes on government to memory

Language arts: Time for Kids; inventions; handwriting

Bottom of sheet to help with goodies for Winter Party due tomorrow (optional)

Happy Monday!

Math: Extended response practice

Science: Ch. 6, Lessons 1-2; handed in cloud/weather charts

Language arts: Finished The Best Christmas Pageant Ever; handed in packets; handwriting; DEAR

Social studies: Rivers extra credit due tomorrow

Music: Recorders needed tomorrow

Should have brought home handout regarding next Tuesday's festivities

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrr.....

Oh my goodness! I was ready for the snow, but not for the cold.

Get grade sheets and planners signed tonight.

Math: Extended response practice
Math homework: get Math Minute assessment signed

Science: Ch. 6, Lesson 1 (a good day to discuss precipitation!); vocabulary preview
Science homework: Cloud/weather chart

Language arts: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, Ch. 2-3; handwriting; DEAR

McDonalds night was postponed until the spring. Coupons for profits to go to Irving will still be accepted tonight, if you planned on it. Thanks McDs!

A Rainy Tuesday

Math: Math Minute Assessment; Graphiti; snowflakes

Language arts: DEAR; started The Best Christmas Pageant Ever; handwriting; got Vocabulary assessments back
Language arts homework: get Vocabulary assessment signed

Social studies: read and took notes from Illinois Handbook of Government

Science homework: Cloud/Weather Chart

McDonalds fundraiser tomorrow night at McDonalds on Brock Drive (off Market) from 5-7. Please bring the yellow slips from school so that Irving can be credited.

Technical difficulties...

My home Internet connection was a bit stubborn this afternoon. Thanks for waiting.

Math: Math Minute review
Math homework: Study for tomorrow's test; get review packet signed

Science: watched Brain Pop videos on clouds and wind; put together cloud finder; started filling out cloud data chart
Science homework: fill out cloud data chart for this afternoon AND tomorrow morning

Language arts: discussed the significance of December 7 in American history; watched a Brain Pop on WWII; wrote holiday cards to troops, doctors, and nurses in German military hospital from Governor Quinn to deliver; took Vocabulary test; DEAR

Happy weekend!

The students did a great job making icosahedrons today. Ask them about it!

Math: Math Minute 35

Science: Experimented with how many droplets of water can fit on a penny

Language arts: DEAR; Six-Minute Solution; Vocabulary Lesson 4; Spelling City
Language arts homework: Vocabulary test on Monday (changed from Tuesday); students should be able to know the meanings of the words as well as their past and past participle forms

Art: study for test on Monday (study guide sent home)

Music: practice "Mary Had a Little Lamb;" remember to bring recorders back on Tuesday

Mark charts due Monday

A week that's flying by!

Math: Math Minute 34
Math homework: review Math Minute notes we have taken this week

Social Studies: finished watching America Rock; discussed goal sheet for government unit; started reading information and taking notes about state vs. federal governments

Language arts: DEAR; Six-Minute Solution; discussed sentences that begin with prepositional phrases; created 5 assessment sentences showing this sentence pattern; checked Vocabulary
Language arts homework: study Vocabulary flash cards, especially the past tense and participle forms of the verbs; assessment on Tuesday

Terrific Tuesday

I was so proud of, not only how many students were eligible for the 0-2 marks party for the month of November on Monday, but also for the students with 0 marks last week. This is a hard stretch of time to go through with few marks, so if your student brings home a mark chart slip with very little on it, CELEBRATE!

Math: Math Minute 32; Extended Response Rubric discussed

Social studies: tests returned; Illinois Government booklets distributed (students will be using these as their text for at least December and January... they should be kept in their expandable files); watched "America Rock"
Social studies homework: get test signed; correct, if needed

Language arts: DEAR; Six-Minute Solution; Vocabulary p. 28-29 (irregular verbs); sentence pattern: starting a sentence with a prepositional phrase

Welcome Back!

Math: Math Minute 31; went over MM 26-30 assessment
Math homework: get assessment signed

Science: Incredible Journey centers; got assessments back
Science homework: get assessment signed; do corrections if warranted

Language arts: DEAR; Six-Minute Solution; Vocabulary Lesson 4; prepositions; handwriting
Language arts homework: anything not completed from class

Get mark chart signed

Bring in tree for the Festival of Trees, of you have not already done so.

Short week!

Due to my absence on Friday, I sent home mark chart slips today. I will not be sending another home this week, nor will the students be getting grade sheets this week. Students also will not be required to get their planners signed.

Math: Thanksgiving Dinner Budget
Math homework (optional): Students may wish to gather some information from home as far as the cost of some typical Thanksgiving dinner items. They may also wish to find ads from the paper for local grocery stores.

Language arts: DEAR; Leather Stories; The Thing About Georgie Reading Counts! tests; Preposition Song assessments
Language arts homework: Preposition Song assessment must be passed before Thanksgiving

Science: read AgMag about pumpkins

Irving Festival of Trees family tree decorating project due November 30 or before!

Social Studies Review Game

Here's a game of Battleship that will help with reviewing for Tuesday's social studies test:

http://www.quia.com/ba/231585.html?AP_rand=37820380

Wonderful Wednesday

ALL CLASSES: GET GRADE SHEETS AND PLANNERS SIGNED

Math: Math Minute Assessment Review
Math homework: assessment tomorrow; get study packet signed

Science: went over chapter review homework; finished radishes experiment; review game
Science homework: test Friday

Social studies homework: get study guide signed and completed; review game tomorrow

Language arts: DEAR; Six-Minute Solution; handwriting (prefixes and suffixes); The Thing About Georgie read-aloud; revised adverb sentences; watched SchoolHouse Rock

Canned Food Drive ends tomorrow

Science Test Review Site

Here's a link to assist in preparing for the science test on Friday. Hope it's helpful!

http://www.quia.com/quiz/1581398.html

Quite a busy week ahead!

Math: Speaker from American Legion; Math Minute 30

Language arts: DEAR; Six-Minute Solution; The Thing About Georgie; Handwriting; Sentence Patterns beginning with adverbs

Science: Finished Ch. 4, Lesson 4; organized Ch. 4 papers

Science homework: Complete on looseleaf: p. 134, #1-7, 8, 9, 13 and p. 135 #14 - 19; study for test on Friday; ANY EXTRA CREDIT FOR THIS CHAPTER IS DUE ON OR BEFORE FRIDAY

Upcoming assessments: Social Studies - Tuesday, November 24; Science - Friday, November 20

Class review games: Social Studies - Thursday, November 19; Science - Wednesday, November 18

A Photo Catch-Up

Recently, we have had several celebrations. We celebrated our Fall Party on October 30. The Vasquez's helped us to make slime! We celebrated knowing our multiplication facts through 12 x 12 today with an ice cream party. Also, we celebrated our veterans with a special bulletin board in the hallway.

Math: Math Minute 29; Problems of the Day #7-8 begun; Ice Cream Party

Language arts: DEAR; Six-Minute Solution; Soliloquy; Spelling City; Sentence group work

Language arts homework: handwriting for today

Social studies: completed cultural contributions presentations; ISN p. 14-15

Social studies homework: walking trip to McLean County Museum tomorrow; see flyer sent home

CANNED FOOD DRIVE CONTINUES

Late posting

Sorry for the late posting tonight. It was a busy night for the Plato house!

Updated grade sheets went home tonight. Each sheet must be signed an returned tomorrow. Planner also needs to be signed and returned tomorrow.

Math: Math Minute 28; went over money assessment; ICE CREAM PARTY tomorrow for achieving math facts goal... congratulations!! You are veterans (of multiplication facts) by Veterans Day!
Math homework: get money assessment signed; get grade sheet signed

Science: observed radish plants; Ch. 4, Lessons 3-4
Science homework: get grade sheet signed

Social studies homework: get grade sheet signed

Language arts: DEAR; Six-Minute Solution; Veterans Day discussion; Vocabulary assessment; handwriting
Language arts homework: get grade sheets signed

Please remember that our canned food drive continues...

Will Everyone be Veterans by Veterans Day?

Tomorrow is the day we have been working toward! If students know their multiplication facts from 2 through 12 by tomorrow, they will participate in an ice cream party on Thursday. We are so very close!!

Math: Math Minute 27; Problems of the Day 2-5
Math homework: Study facts if you need to

Language arts: DEAR; Six-Minute Solution; The Thing About Georgie; Soliloquy; Spelling City; Vocabulary lesson 3
Language arts homework: Study for lesson 3 assessment

Social studies: Cultural Collage presentations

CANNED FOOD DRIVE ALL THIS WEEK!

Monday, Monday...

Math: Math Minute 26; Money Assessment; Problems of the Day 1-5
Math homework: keep studying your facts, if necessary; facts MUST be tested by Wednesday for ice cream party

Social studies homework: Collage symbols due tomorrow; group presentations tomorrow as well

Science: Ch. 4, lessons 2-3

Language arts: DEAR; Six-Minute Solution; synonyms/antonyms; Vocabulary, Lesson 3
Language arts homework: study vocabulary flashcards; assessment Wednesday

Thursday and Friday

Thursday:
Math: Corrected money packet pages 25-26; worked on packet; took x tests
Math homework: finish money packet

Social studies: cultural collage
Social studies homework: return veterans sheet, if desired; have symbols for collage finished by Tuesday; last day to correct tests: tomorrow

Science: observed radish plants
Science homework: last day to correct tests: tomorrow

Language arts: DEAR; Six-Minute Solution; main idea; handwriting; interrogative sentences

++++++++++++++++++++++++

Friday:
Math: corrected money packet; x tests; discussed Monday's assessment
Math homework: get study guide signed; study for x tests; study for money assessment

Science: Ch. 4, Lesson 2

Social studies: Hazard House presentation
Social studies homework: see Thursday

Language arts: Synonyms/antonyms; DEAR sheet collected; Six-Minute Solution comprehension quiz; Handwriting assessment

Get mark chart signed

Chilly Wednesday

Math: corrected division packet and money packet; discussed grade sheets
Math homework: get grade sheet signed; money packet p. 25-26

Science: Ch. 4. Lesson 1-2; discussed grade sheets
Science homework: get grade sheet signed; corrections for test due no later than Friday

Language arts: DEAR; Six-Minute Solution; discussed grade sheets and DEAR sheets; Flu activities; handwriting; Noun-Verb-Noun assessment; interrogative sentences
Language arts homework: get grade sheets signed for reading and communication

Get completed planner signed tonight.

Happy November!

What a beautiful day to start the month!

Math: x 12 test; assessments returned; discussed money packet
Math homework: get two math assessments signed; be ready to make up any facts tests you have not yet mastered; Money Packet, p. 17 and 20

Science: began an experiment on overcrowding; discussed cause and effect; previewed Ch. 4 vocabulary; got assessments back; discussed how to complete corrections
Science homework: get assessment signed; correct assessment if needed/desired

Language arts: Flu booklet; DEAR; Six-Minute Solution; Noun-Verb-Noun group and individual sentences; handwriting
Language arts homework: finish reading Flu booklet; finish salmon packet

So sorry for my absence

I have been home for a few days with a sick toddler (and a sick Mrs. Plato), so I apologize for my absence on the website.

Math: Math Minute assessment; Quiz Works; handed in Division booklets; x10 and x11 facts assessment
Math homework: x12 facts assessment Monday; study flashcards

Language arts: Influenza booklet and worksheets; DEAR; handwriting; Halloween packet

Thanks to the Vasquez's for planning a slime activity for the class today. Thanks also to those who brought in treats. Safe trick-or-treating to all! Sounds like the weather will finally cooperate.

Mark chart slips are due Monday.

Happy weekend!

Just a reminder, the students do not have school tomorrow. Enjoy an extra day!

Math: Math Minute 25; x9 tests
Math homework: Study facts; x10 test Tuesday

Social studies homework: Study for test on Tuesday

Science: Test on Ch. 1

Language arts: Six-Minute Solution read and quiz; The Thing About Georgie; Spelling City

Mark chart summary slips must be signed and returned by Tuesday.

Red-Ribbon Week begins Tuesday: Twin Day! Rely on your BFFs to keep you from using drugs and alcohol.

Conferences tonight

Hello!

Today is a very busy one! Here's the scoop:

Math: Math Minute 24; facts tests
Math homework: x9 test tomorrow; STUDY FACTS!!

Social studies: played review game; studied for test
Social studies homework: study for test on Tuesday

Science homework: study for test tomorrow

Language arts: centers; noun-verb-noun sentences; Spelling City; Soliloquy

Conferences:
4:30 Shyanna
4:50 Thomas
5:50 Jon
6:10 Nala
6:30 Ardit
7:20 Rachel V.
7:40 Sa'mond

Conference Week Continues

It is such a pleasure to have time to conference with parents this week! Thanks so much for your time.

Tomorrow is a big conference day. Here is the schedule:

7:30 - Cindy
7:50 - Rachel H.
8:10 - Madison
4:30 - Shyanna
4:50 - Thomas B.
5:50 - Jon
6:10 - Nala
6:30 - Ardit
7:20 - Rachel Z.
7:40 - Sa'mond

Math: Math Minute 23; x7 facts tests; money packet; homework check
Math homework: Study for your x8 test (and previous tests if you have not passed yet); division booklet, p. 214, 215, 216, 217 (if the directions say to color, you must color... no exceptions)

Science: reviewed for Friday's test; checked crossword puzzle; gathered all Ch. 1 information and formed a study packet
Science homework: study for test on Friday

Social studies homework: study guide due tomorrow

Language arts: DEAR; Six-Minute Solution; The Thing About Georgie; Noun-Verb-Noun sentence patterns

Book fair is going on all this week!

Conference Week

Hello!

I have the following conferences scheduled for today:
Jozalynn - 3:30
Andrew - 3:50
Beronica - 4:30

Students copied into their planners the dates and times for their conferences today. I will post them here as well.

Math: Math Minute 21; math fact tests for 5s
Math homework: Study your x6 facts and your multiplication/division fact families; division timed test tomorrow

Language arts: DEAR; Six-Minute Solution; letters for conferences

Science: finished Lesson 5, Ch. 1; crossword
Science homework: review game Wednesday; test Friday; review Lesson worksheets; finish crossword puzzle

We were visited today by the Air Force Band! What a treat!

Weldon Springs

Although the weather was not the best, we were still able to take our trip to Weldon Springs State Park on Thursday. Carol Thompson, our guide, shared her incredible wealth of knowledge with the students. The science lessons from our book came alive all in one day! Please view the slide show and video below for different shots of the students.

Because of last week's shortness, no mark chart slip will be sent home. There was a slip that several students need to return from the week before.

Also, students should be studying their multiplication facts flashcards every night. We will be testing on the 5s Monday. Some students will be retesting on the 4s, also. If they know all of their facts by Veterans' Day, they will be able to participate in an ice cream party.

Enjoy the sunshine while it lasts!

Slide Show:

Fishing Video:

Just a few reminders

Tomorrow, we will go to Weldon Springs on a field trip. Please ask your student to show you the checklist we discussed today.

Students should be studying math facts flashcards each night. Today they were tested on their 4s, and some students could have done better had they practiced. On Monday, we will have retakes of their 4s, and we will have tests on their 5s.

Keep your fingers crossed...

...for good weather for Thursday!

Math: Math Minute review; multiplication timed test; x 3 assessment
Math homework: Multiplication booklet p. 172-176; get study guide signed; prepare for Math Minute assessment; prepare for x 4 multiplication facts assessment

Language arts: took SRI assessment; DEAR; Six-Minute Solution; Spelling City; The Thing About Georgie read-aloud; Flying Horse

Get mark chart slip signed.

Happy weekend!

Just a friendly reminder of safeguards against the flu:
-wash hands regularly and with soap
-sneeze into your elbow rather than your hand
-get plenty of sleep
-drink plenty of water
-if you feel sick, stay home
-if you have had a fever, and it has ended, give yourself 24 hours before returning to school

We have had a pretty healthy room so far! We are very lucky.

This week:
-School is closed on Monday in honor of Columbus Day.
-Mark chart slips will go home Tuesday. No slips will be sent home for this coming school week, since it will be so short.
-Our Weldon Springs field trip is scheduled for Thursday. Students who indicated they will bring a lunch should remember one for this day.
-Students have no school on Friday. It is a Teacher Institute Day.
-The first quarter ends Friday.

Today's Learning

Math: Math Minute 19; students created flashcards for multiplication facts - by November 11, students will be tested on all facts from 2 x 2 through 12 x 12
Math homework: correct Math Minute 19; study the 2s facts for tomorrow

Language arts: read and wrote Haiku; Vocabulary Lesson 2; handwriting
Language arts homework: study flashcards for vocabulary

Science: Ch. 1, Lesson 4

Get planners signed tonight.

A rainy Tuesday

Math: Math Minute 18; Corrected HW; timed division test
Math homework: Multiplication booklet, pages 164, 166, 167; study fact family triangles

Language arts: DEAR; Six-Minute solution; extended response; Vocabulary, Lesson 2
Language arts homework: study Lesson 2 flashcards

Social studies: Geography challenge 2A; learned about specialty maps

Music homework: quiz tomorrow; study guide provided

United Way fundraiser this week; bring pennies for the jar or dollars for mustangs, if you wish.

A Beautiful Monday

Math: Math Minute 17; Timed multiplication test; Terrific Triangles
Math homework: Multiplication booklet p. 159-160; practice triangle fact families; get assessment signed

Science: created foldable for ways plants make more plants (seeds/cones/spores); completed Ch. 1, Lesson 3; started Lesson 4

Language arts: DEAR; Six-Minute Solution; extended response; Vocabulary Lesson 2; demonstrated Spelling City
Language arts homework: study Lesson 2 flashcards

Enjoy your weekend!

Happy weekend!

There will be no book order form this month so as to not interfere with the school's Scholastic Book Fair during the week of October 19. When you come for conferences, be sure to give yourself time to browse the books!

Math: Math Minute 17; checked HW; Graphiti (coordinate graphing practice)
Math homework: Keep plugging away at those multiplication facts! Timed tests take place each Monday.

Language arts: DEAR; Six-Minute Solution; Handwriting
Language arts homework: If you did not pass the RC! test on Grandfather's Journey, please re-read the story so you can retake the test on Monday (and pass!)

Mark chart slip needs to be signed. Parent conference reminders were sent home.

Happy October!

Math: Math Minute assessment; Terrific Triangles; coordinate graphing
Math homework: Graphiti worksheet #4; Multiplication booklet p. 156, 157, 158

Language arts: Grandfather's Journey multiple choice; took Reading Counts! test for Grandfather's Journey; Vocabulary, Lesson 2; handwriting

Social studies: Geography challenge 2A

Last Day of September!

Math: Math Minute assessment review; checked HW
Math homework: Get study guide signed; study for assessment

Language arts: Grandfather's Journey; Vocabulary, Lesson 2; Handwriting

Science: Lesson 3, Chapter 1 (plant classification)

Manic Monday

Sorry for the late posting! It's been a crazy day!

Math: Math Minute 14; Multiplication timed test; graphing on a coordinate grid
Math homework: Multiplication booklet, p. 148, 149, 150; double-digit by single-digit multiplication quiz tomorrow

Language arts: Six-Minute Solution; DEAR; Grandfather's Journey

Science: Chapter 1, Lesson 2 (classification of living things)

Please return your field trip forms by Wednesday.

Mrs. Plato will be out on Tuesday.

The Weekend!

Math: Math Minute 13; checked homework
Math homework: quiz Tuesday on double- by single-digit multiplication; study math facts

Language arts: Clap-clap-snap sentence game; pre-reading for "Grandfather's Journey;" DEAR; Six-Minute Solution practice and comprehension quiz

Science: Classified fossils; worked on measurement crossword
Science homework: Get Weldon Springs field trip form signed

Mark chart slips must be signed and returned
Some students have forms for parent-teacher conferences; please return ASAP to guarantee your preferred slot

Patriot's Day

Below are a few pictures of our Patriot's Day flag activity. On the flags, the students wrote why they were proud to be Americans. On the back is a copy of the lyrics, "I'm Proud to Be an American." These flags have been sent to various fire and police stations as a sign of gratitude to these civil servants.

Is it Thursday already?

Math: Math Minute 12; checked HW; practiced two- by one-digit multiplication
Math homework: Multiplication booklet p. 146-147; finish up through #15 on reteach worksheet

Language arts: DEAR; Six-Minute Solution; extended response practice; clap-clap-snap sentence activity; handwriting
Language arts homework: get vocabulary test signed

Social studies: Read sections 2.1-2.5 in Chapter 2 (map terminology)
Social studies homework: get test signed

Wonderful Wednesday

This is such a great bunch of students with whom I get to spend my day!

Math: Math minute 11; checked homework; played Terrific Triangles
Math homework: Multiplication booklet, p. 143, 144, and 145; PRACTICE multiplication fact families

Language arts: DEAR; Six-Minute Solution; extended response practice; vocabulary test

Science: finished lesson 1 (cells and differences in cells); began lesson 2 (classifying animals)

PLEASE GET PLANNERS SIGNED TONIGHT!

Happy Fall to All!

Math: Discussed math assessments; checked homework; cut out multiplication and division fact family triangles
Math homework: get assessment signed; Multiplication booklet p. 141-142

Language arts: DEAR; Six-Minute Solution; "Akiak" ISAT prep
Language arts homework: study vocabulary flashcards and p. 11 in Vocabulary book; test tomorrow

Social studies: took test on Ch. 1; started Ch. 2

If you are in Junior Great Books: read and mark story

A Great Weekend Ahead!

Math: Math Minute review; checked area homework; analyzed fact graphs
Math homework: Get addition/subtraction graphs letter signed; get study guide signed; study for Monday's assessment; fact family triangle practice and/or flashcard practice of +/- facts

Language arts: created word map posters for vocabulary
Language arts homework: study vocabulary flash cards

Science: measurement crossword

Reminders:
Mark chart summaries need to be signed.
Picture day is Monday.
PTO meeting Monday night!

A Beautiful Thursday!

Math: Math Minute 10; area activities
Math homework: p. 187, #1-2 (use grid paper from class)

Social studies: Reviewed for test
Social studies homework: Study for test on Tuesday

Reading: DEAR; Six-Minute Solution;

Writing: types of sentences; vocabulary word maps; handwriting

Student who have earned Friday Fun time may bring board games to school tomorrow if they wish.

Wonderful Wednesday

Today we were visited by Earth Express. This trailer came with six stations that informed the students about prairie life. They got a small local taste of many of the things we will be discussing in science this fall. We thank Paula Wager, the coordinator of Earth Express, for this experience.

Math: Math Minute 9; area/patterning activities

Social studies homework: study guide for test due tomorrow

Reading: DEAR; Six-Minute Solution; multiple meanings for words

Writing: Types of sentences; checked vocabulary homework

PLEASE GET PLANNER SIGNED TONIGHT

A Beautiful Tuesday

Reading: DEAR; Six-Minute Solution; Practice Book p. 14-16

Language arts: Watched Schoolhouse Rock nouns video; Handwriting
Language arts homework: (started in class) Vocabulary, p. 11-12

Social Studies: Presented group work; read section 1.6; completed ISN p. 2-3 and class notes

Math: Math Minute 8; went over assessment; subtraction timed test
Math homework: get corrected assessment signed

Marvelous Monday

What a beautiful day!

Lunch detentions were administered today for missing work. Please make sure, if you didn't hand in your signed mark chart, you do so tomorrow, as well as any other missing things.

Math: Math Minute 7; Measurement Crossword; Addition Timed Test
Math Homework: Practice fact family triangles

Reading: Six-Minute Solution; DEAR; Practice Booklet, p. 14-15; "Akiak" retests
Reading homework: If you did not pass the "Akiak" test yet, please re-read the story and prepare for the test.

Writing: We paved the road of Noun Town with specific nouns; handwriting

Science: Ch. 1 Vocabulary Preview sheet; observed and described onion cells; defined Ch. 1 vocabulary

Have a great evening!

A few weekend things

First, mark chart slips went home today. They need to be signed and returned on Monday.

Second, some students need to retake the Reading Counts! quiz for "Akiak." They should have brought home their reading books to re-read the story over the weekend.

Have a great weekend! SAT-10 testing is complete, so it is back to our regular schedule on Monday.

Please ask your child about a few concepts we discussed today:

What is a hero?
What is a patriot?
What did they create today? What did it say?

Parent Orientation

Tonight at 6:30 in room 201. Please join me if you can!

Glorious Wednesday

Hello everyone!


Today, we tested for science and reading comprehension on SAT-10.


Math: We completed Math Minute 6 in class. We also had a subtraction timed test and went over homework.
Math homework: Subtraction booklet, p. 76, 77, 78

Please get planners signed tonight.

Happy Tuesday!

We started SAT-10 testing today. The students took tests in Word Study, Reading Vocabulary and Social Sciences.

Math: Math Minute Assessment; Addition Timed Test
Math Homework: Subtraction booklet, p. 73, 74, 75; if students did not get review packets signed from Friday, they should get them signed tonight

We watched President Obama's message to students and discussed one goal we have for ourselves before November. Students have taken their brainstorming home to share.

Book orders are due Friday! Use our new online ordering, if you wish (see link to the left).

Thankful Thursday

What a great class! I am definitely thankful for each and every one of them!

Math: We completed Math Minute 5 and discussed tonight's homework.
Math homework: Subtraction booklet, p. 72

Social studies: We worked with our social science artifacts today.
Social studies homework: Students who have not finished their sheets about their four artifacts are asked to do so at home.

Language arts: We completed DEAR and Six-Minute Solution. We also checked our vocabulary homework. We discussed the vocabulary that we would be reading in "Akiak."

Wondrous Wednesday

I apologize for last night's lack of homework post. Time got away from me! Here's today:

STUDENTS MUST HAVE COMPLETED PLANNERS SIGNED BY A PARENT/GUARDIAN TONIGHT. Remember that, if they have Mrs. Svob for a subject area, their homework may be different from what you see below.

Language arts: We completed DEAR and Six-Minute Solution. We discussed the theme of journeys and elements of story structure. We completed handwriting practice for today. We also played a game to recognize nouns (quick tip: put a, an, or the in front of a word... if it makes sense that way, it is probably a noun)
Language arts homework: Vocabulary book, p. 8-9

Science: We wrapped up our discussion of process skills by estimating and talking about models. We also worked on a crossword puzzle covering customary units of measurement.

Math: We completed Math Minute 4 and checked our homework.
Math homework: Students should practice their addition/subtraction fact triangles. They have looseleaf paper on which they should write two fact families that have a 10 in them (in honor of this being the tenth day of school). A fact family is a set of equations that are inverses. for example, here is a fact family:
3 + 5 = 8
5 + 3 = 8
8 - 3 = 5
8 - 5 = 3

One week down!

Math: Students were introduced to Math Minute
Math homework: Students should practice Fact Family triangles

Science: Brain Pop video on Scientific Method

Social Studies homework: Students should bring artifacts in a bag that represent something each social scientist (economist, historian, political scientist, and geographer) would be interested in; due Tuesday

Language Arts: took Reading Counts! quiz for Stone Fox; worked on "places" for Noun Town and Verb Suburb; handed in Handwriting and DEAR sheets for the week

Mark chart slips must be signed this weekend.

Wonderful Wednesday

Today:

Math: Triangle fact families for addition and subtraction.
Math homework: Addition booklet, p. 6

Language Arts: DEAR; Stone Fox; Noun Town

Science: Brain Pop video on the scientific method

Patrol meeting after school today for student who handed in their paperwork to Mrs. Hedger

Carnival tomorrow night

First full week!

Happy Tuesday!

Today's planner:

Language arts: We read Stone Fox and completed handwriting; we also organized our expandable files
Language arts homework: If a student wishes to bring a book from home for DEAR, s/he should do so.
Math: We took a timed test for subtraction facts; we cut out fact family triangles
Math homework: Addition booklet, p. 2, 3, and 5; page 4 is a bonus page
Social studies: We took notes about social scientists; we read and took notes about what an economist studies

Reminders: There is a meeting tomorrow for anyone who brought back a signed paper and is interested in being on patrols. Also, the school carnival is Thursday from 5-7.

The First Day of Fourth Grade 2009

What a fabulous day! Below is a slide show of some photos.

Students should have brought home their Boomerang Folder tonight, which had a few items that need a signature from a parent/guardian. Boomerang Folders should come back to school each day.

Supplies needed for Irving Grade 4

10- Plain Folders (Non-Glossy with Brads - Assorted Solid Colors)
1 - Scissors - Fiskars for Kids, Pointed
2 - Pkgs. Wide Ruled Notebook Paper
1 - Elmer's White Glue (8 oz.)
1 - 12" Metric and Inch Ruler
1 - Box of crayons
1 - Box of colored pencils
12 - #2 Sharpened Pencils
1 - Eraser
1 - Water Colors Bradley or Prang
2 - Large Box of Tissue
1 pair - Gym Shoes
1 - Smock or Old Shirt
1 - Pencil Pouch
2 - Expanded Files with 7 pockets
1 - Yellow Highlighter and 1 Orange Highlighter

It's Coming!

Stay tuned for a video message from Mrs. Plato. She's on vacation in Massachusetts, but she will report from the road!

One more week until we meet!!

Mrs. Plato's Summer Reading Series: Gossamer and Penny from Heaven

I finished Gossamer over the weekend. What a great book! For students interested in reading it, the Lexile is 660 and it has an eight-point Reading Counts! quiz. Throughout the book, you find yourself rooting for Littlest and pulling together various story lines to make one, great plot.

I began Penny from Heaven by Jennifer L. Holm after ending Gossamer. So far, I like it very much. It has a Lexile of 730 and a 13 point Reading Counts! quiz.

The setting of the book takes place in the 1950's. Penny is a girl whose father died when she was a baby. So far, she is recounting events that have happened as she interacts with both sides of her family: her mother's side with whom she lives and her father's side whom she visits frequently.

Penny has some underlying social problems that the book has not yet fully addressed. Sounds like she's being bullied by a girl who used to like Penny. She also struggles to get information about her father from her relatives who are not forthcoming and often try to avoid the conversation.

Mrs. Plato's Summer Reading Series: Gossamer

I just started reading Gossamer by Lois Lowry. I have to say, the first Lois Lowry book I read, Number the Stars, remains one of my favorites. Since Number the Stars is historical fiction, I didn't realize that she was more of a fantasy author. Last summer, I read The Giver and that was strange and slightly futuristic (actually a little scary based on what's happening in the world today). Gossamer is starting very similarly.

My twelve year old read it in less than 2 days, so I imagine it will be a quick read. So far I have picked up that there is a character, Littlest One, who is just learning how to gather information about people so as to eventually bestow their dreams on them. Littlest, for short, is very inquisitive about everything, and is thus driving some of the others crazy. It seems like, of this "being," Littlest is somewhat transparent. As they age, the "beings" become more opaque. I am inferring that they are very small, but I am not 100% sure of that. Can't get the image of Tinkerbell out of my mind. :)

I also read Stone Fox in anticipation of reading it with my fourth graders this coming year. Great, quick read, and so many good themes! I won't write too much about that here. I don't want to spoil the ending.

Mrs. Plato's Summer Reading Series: Black Duck

I just finished reading the story Black Duck. I wasn't sure if I would like it, based on its summary. My son picked it out. We also got its accompanying audio book from the library so we could read/listen in the car on a long trip last Monday.

I must say audiobooks make me sleepy! Who knew! Now I know the hard time some of my students had staying awake while I read aloud to them. It's really tough some days, especially if we read/listened in the late afternoon.

Black Duck has a Lexile of 790 and a 14-point Reading Counts! quiz, for students who might be interested.

Historical fiction pulls me in if there is a good plot. This story was based on the illegal "rum-running" that took place during the 1920's and early 1930's in the Northeast. These were the days of Prohibition: alcohol was illegal in the US. The Black Duck was a boat that transported illegal alcohol from ships outside of US jurisdiction to beaches and towns on the coast. People still bought and used alcohol, but it was much more difficult and costly once it was outlawed. The US saw an increase in violence and mob warfare during this time.

The story was a flashback through the eyes of Ruben Hart. Ruben is being interviewed by a soon-to-be ninth grader who thinks he would like to be a journalist. Little does he know the story that is about to unfold as Ruben tells his tales of what it was like to be an adolescent during the Prohibition. Ruben and his best friend, Jeddy Mackenzie, eventually parted ways because of the moral dilemmas caused by a town steeped in breaking the law.

This book has several good, universal themes/questions:
-What cost would you pay to tell the truth at all times?
-Is doing wrong still wrong when everyone else seems to be doing it?
-Love the sinner. Hate the sin.

In the end, I did like the book a great deal. What I particularly liked was how the author gave clues that allowed you to predict some of the plot, and also left some things "hanging" for the reader to infer. We find out that the Black Duck really existed, even though the story in the book was somewhat fictitious. Several parts of the story were based in fact.

Mrs. Plato's Summer Reading Series: Letters from Wolfie Chapters 18-26

Chapters 18-26: Mark stages a protest in his hometown in hopes of gaining attention to the cause of dogs used in war, specifically Wolfie. He is nervous about the protest and thinks that ten to twenty people will show. Because so many protesters wanted to join any protest against the war in Viet Nam, the protest turns into a huge demonstration. As the protest begins, Vietnam Veterans Against the War shows up and takes the lead in the march. Mark's mom helps a veteran in a wheelchair, and her participation in the march sparks a tough time in her marriage. Mark's dad does not oppose the war.

Mark continues to receive letters from Tucker as Wolfie. These letters describe more about conditions than the letters of Mark's brother Danny. Mark's mom believes Danny was trying to spare them worry.

Danny returns home after an injury that cost him part of his leg. He has changed significantly, and really doesn't fit the happy-go-lucky brother that Mark knew before Danny left. He came back angry and embittered. This is hard for Mark and his family to handle. Mark starts to isolate himself from others, particularly Claire.

Finally, the sad news comes that Wolfie was shot and killed by a sniper. Wolfie was protecting the men he was with from the sniper, jumping toward him and thus getting shot. Tucker and a few of the other men write to Mark about their wonderful memories of Wolfie and how grateful they were to have him.

The novel ends six years later with the fall of Saigon. Mark, now a college student, writes a letter to Wolfie describing the events that have occurred recently, and that the war has officially been declared over. He describes the anger of some of the soldiers that the army considered the dogs "equipment," so they had to be left in crates or set free in Viet Nam (most likely to be eaten). Mark's letter ends with Mark writing that he would use what he knew about Wolfie and his life to grow to be the best person he could be, and that he would never forget Wolfie.

Mrs. Plato's Summer Reading Series: Letters from Wolfie Chapters 12-17

Summary of Chapters 12-17: While the letters from "Wolfie" continue and are quite detailed about what Tucker and Wolfie are going through, the letters from Danny remain short and guarded, sparing his family the "gory details." Wolfie and Tucker are in Viet Nam, described by "Wolfie" as very hot, very humid, and a place of distrust. The country of Viet Nam is torn, and simply by living in a geographical area does not guarantee a person supports that government. Tucker explains that he and some of the other soldiers are happy to sleep by Wolfie, as they know he would warn them if someone tried to harm them in their sleep.

In these chapters, we also learn that Mark's worries have affected his grades. His history teacher speaks to him about it and realizes that the issues with Wolfie are really weighing on Mark. For extra credit to get his grade up, he suggests that Mark write a letter to people who might be able to help with Wolfie's situation: congressmen and army officials. Mark writes a lengthy letter and sends off copies.

Sadly, Mark receives one phone call and several other letters in response. They sound like form letters and do not sound like anyone is going to reach out to help the situation. Mr. Casey and Mark discuss the right to protest. Mark decides that a protest will be his next step.

He enlists the help of his friend, Claire, and her mother, both of whom have some experience with organizing protests. When he finds out he needs money for a budget, he speaks with the Humane Society where he got Wolfie. They finance part of the protest. He schedules the protest for the middle of February.

A sad Christmas is described in these chapters. Without Danny and Wolfie, it is hard on Mark's family. He also learns that his friend, Rick, struggles in his family with a father who is an alcoholic. Rick feels he needs to protect his little brother from his father, who is mean when drunk. Rick seems a little uncomfortable that he shared this information with Mark.

Mrs. Plato's Summer Reading Series: Letters from Wolfie Chapters 6-11

Summary of Chapters 6-11: Mark continues his concerns regarding his dog, Wolfie. He worries that he might be more concerned about Wolfie's well-being than his own brother's. His good friend, Rick, assures him that he is not being a bad brother by worrying about Wolfie.

Mark calls the base that is training Wolfie to see if he can get him back. Captain Lenz tells him that, when he allowed them to have Wolfie, Wolfie became property of the US Army. Much money and time has been invested into Wolfie, and he would not get him back. Callously, he suggests that Mark get another dog.

He hears from Tucker Smalley that Wolfie did great in helicopter training, and they will soon be deployed to Viet Nam. This increases Mark's anxiety about Wolfie's well-being. Mark's mom, however, has taken Tucker Smalley under her wing and sends him care packages, as she believes that Tucker might not get communication from home. Tucker is grateful for this.

On the homefront, Mark goes to an 8th grade dance with Claire, a girl in his classes whom he likes very much. In casual conversation, Claire reveals that her brother is a draft dodger living in Canada. Mark is furious about this, and Claire has some moments of embarrassment about it as well. The night ended well, despite this difference.

Many people who care about Mark have spoken with him about his changes in behavior. He has become increasingly quiet and solemn due to all that is on his mind. His brother and his dog are involved in the war and his mother is working increasing hours at her new job at the library. When he needs to talk, he misses having his mom there for him.

Mark reads an article about dogs in Viet Nam. The article spotlights a soldier who feels the dog who saved his life and nearly died himself should be allowed to an end to his tour of duty just like human soldiers. The article sheds light on the discussion of the acceptable use of animals in warfare.

Mrs. Plato's Summer Reading Series: Letters from Wolfie by Patti Sherlock

This summer, I am participating in the Bloomington Public Library's Summer Reading Program. My twelve-year-old son, Ignatius, is also participating. Every summer, we try to read some books together. It is very rare that we pick these books out of the blue. This year we started by using the Rebecca Caudill Young Reader's Book Award list for 2009. Since Ignatius had heard his school librarian discuss Letters from Wolfie, that was what we chose as our first book.

For students who might wish to read this book, it has a Lexile of 760. There is a 14 point Reading Counts! test in Irving's database.

I would like you to read about how we pace ourselves through the book and about what we read. If you, like me, would rather not know about the plot, you might not want to read the summaries. They are intended to make you want to read.

We first went to the Bloomington Public Library site to make sure they had two copies of the book. Whew! They did! When we went to the library, we realized that there are a lot of programs going on that service a lot of people in our area. We also realized that, now that Ignatius was 12, he could get a Teen Zone card. A big day!

Then, I let Ignatius choose how far we should read. He thought the first five chapters would be good for the first day. I made the mistake of letting him play on his Wii before he met his goal, and he became too tired yesterday to finish (52 pages of fairly easy reading), but I hit the mark. I just explained that today, we will enter into it knowing that the reading has to be done first. I thought I would give him a chance.

Summary of Chapters 1-5: The setting of the book is 1969 in America. Mark is Danny's younger brother. It seems like the world revolves around Danny. He has a great personality, and everyone really likes him.

Danny just left for Viet Nam. At the time, our country was at war, and the war against Communism's spread in Viet Nam was going on for quite some time. Danny had written how they could really use dogs to help the soldiers over there. Enter Wolfie, the family dog, a mix of German Shepherd and... something else... with two different colored eyes and a gentle, but hyper, spirit.

At first, Mark and his mom and dad immediately eliminated the idea of "enlisting" Wolfie. However, Mark's jealousy of his brother's fame and pride got the best of him, and, before he knew it, he was leaving Wolfie at boot camp.

When Mark got a form letter from the US Army thanking him for "enlisting" Wolfie, Mark wasn't satisfied with the information he received. So he wrote the captain back with some very specific questions.

He received a letter back from Wolfie's trainer. The captain decided that keeping families informed was a good idea based on Mark's letter. However, the letter made Mark a little nervous, and the private who was his trainer made some negative comments about things Mark liked about Wolfie.

Mark was also struggling with his mom's decision to start working outside of the home. His dad, a music teacher, says that she wants to keep her mind off of Danny being in Viet Nam. She also thinks the family could use some more money, but Mark's dad doesn't think that's true.

Over the weeks, Mark hears some disturbing things from classmates about the use of dogs in Viet Nam. The girl he wanted to impress (who eventually asks him to the girls' choice dance) is actually very upset what she thinks is his lack of knowledge about what's really going on in Viet Nam. To make matters worse, the family receives a letter from Danny that says they should NOT send Wolfie because of some new things he found out about how the dogs are used.

Today's goal will be to reach Chapter 11. With as engaging as this book has been, I don't think that will be a problem!

Happy Memorial Day!

Hello to all!

Our last week of school is on its way! The students have a lot to be proud of. Here are some important dates coming up to keep on your calendars.

Monday, May 25: Memorial Day - No School
Tuesday, May 26: Full day of school; students will come home with a study guide for Ch. 13 science test on Wednesday; students will also have a chance to finish their last writing assignment for their fourth quarter grade; students should study the location of the southwest and west states in the US for an assessment tomorrow
Wednesday, May 27: Full day of school; science test today; geography test for southwest and west states today; any parent donations for the picnic are due today
Thursday, May 28: Full day of school; Miller Park Picnic for those who have earned it; we will be at the park from 10 AM - 2:30 PM; Popcorn Friday money due
Friday, May 29: Full day of school; Field Day; last Popcorn Friday
Monday, June 1: Full day of school; party for patrols - 2:30; students may bring games/puzzles today
Tuesday, June 2: Full day of school; Awards Assembly - 1:20 - 2:00 (letters will be sent home for those who are earning awards at the assembly); students may bring games and/or puzzles today
Wednesday, June 3: Last full day of school; Rain Date for Miller Park Picnic; 0-2 marks party
Thursday, June 4: Meet with teachers and friends on the playground until 9:10; Have a Fabulous Summer!

Another gorgeous day in May

We are so lucky!

Please keep those baby pictures coming in if you can. Thanks!

Also, students who have been given Miller Park permission slips need to get them in by Friday (with the $3 fee). Students who have until Friday to show improved behavior will be given their forms on Friday with an alternate due date.

Math: Math Minute 69; group work

Language arts: Assessment discussed
Language arts homework: Assessment tomorrow; go over study guide and Noun worksheets (dot-to-dots)

Social studies: Geography Challenge for the West

Science homework: Lesson 4 due tomorrow

What a great day!

The weather was terrific today, wasn't it?

Math: Math Minute 68; algebra group problem solving

Language arts: Spelling/Phonics Activity #30 ("ear" sound); DIBELS fluency assessments this week; noun activities
Language arts homework: spelling/phonics assessment Wednesday - study guide will go home tomorrow

Social studies: Corrected the Geo Challenge for the Southwest; began the Geo Challenge for the West

Science: Electromagnet investigation; went over Lessons 2 and 3
Science homework: Lesson 4 due Wednesday

A few notes

Hello to all!

Students may wish to bring in photos tomorrow if they have earned Friday free time. We are creating mini-scrapbooks.

If possible, I would love to scan a baby/toddler photo of each of the students for an end-of-the-year project. I have asked students to bring them in if they are able.

Tomorrow's mark chart slip will indicate one of three things: 1. if a student has earned our May 28 field trip to Miller Park, 2. if a student has not earned our May 28 field trip to Miller Park, or 3. if a student will be observed one more week before a final decision has been made.

Have a great evening!

An update

Hello to all!

This week I took part in technology training at BHS. During that time, I was battling with not feeling too well. This morning, it was not better at all (in fact, it was worse), so I am out today. I miss the students and can't wait to see them again on Monday!

Thanks for your patience and understanding with my absences. It's never ideal to be gone. The typical paperwork did not go home this week, but will be resumed next week.

Students have a social studies test Monday. It was scheduled for today, but I do not like leaving tests for a guest teacher to give. Students perform better on assessments when the teacher is there to clarify any questions for them. The test is on the Midwest - Chapter 8. Students have a study guide AND one of the test questions to prepare.

Have a good weekend! Happy Mother's Day to all mothers!

April showers bring May flowers...

We should have a botanical garden in May with as much rain as we have had!

Math: Math Minute 56; Problems of the Day

Reading: Got TOFGN tests back; Six-Minute Solution; Jackie's Nine - Justice; Consonant digraphs "nk" and "ng"
Reading homework: If your project is not complete, that is still homework

Social Studies: Considered the song "Home on the Range" as part of our tour of the Midwest

Science: Ch. 11 test

Parents!

Hello!

I am in the midst of completing a special project for the students, and I need some help. It requires some baby photos of the students. If you have a photo I can scan, I promise I will return it in good shape. If you have a photo that is already digital, would you mind sending it to me via e-mail? I am hoping to round up all photos by May.

Thanks!

Only one (late) reminder for tomorrow: Mark chart slips are due and the students have a science test tomorrow.

Happy Sunday!

Gone for a few

I will be gone to meetings for a couple of days (Wednesday and Thursday). The students and I discussed what the next few days will entail, and the information should be written in their planners. Grade sheets will not go home this week.

Math: Students will have a math assessment this Friday. Most of the assessment will be based on multiplication and division of three- and two- digit numbers. One part of the assessment will cover recognizing points in the first quadrant of the coordinate grid. Students will spend class time on Wednesday practicing their skills. A good deal of Wednesday and Thursday will involve students working on Problems of the Day.

Language Arts: Students will complete spelling/phonics activities. They will read and answer questions about a booklet about Thomas Edison. Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing projects are due on Friday. Students should be finishing these and preparing to present their projects. The students had a final chance today to discuss the grading rubric and ask questions before the due date.

Social Studies: We are now discovering the Midwestern states. Students will spend time working on puzzles that include different points of interest in each of the 12 Midwestern states, as well as their nicknames.

Science: Test on Chapter 11 Monday. Students have many things from which to study. They are expected to make a study guide (started in class) with the various terms from the chapter. On Wednesday, they will finish a crossword puzzle that will help them review. On Thursday, they will read and discuss some science-related articles.

Popcorn Friday is this Friday! Money is due Thursday for interested students. Twenty-five cents a bag! What a deal!

Spring?

The snow is melting, but it's still freezing. Makes you wonder which part of the globe is "warming."

I was absent yesterday. In my absence, some students made poor behavior choices. Those students served lunch detentions today. We will be having a field trip at the end of the year for students who follow our code: they are courteous, cooperative, and committed members of the Irving School community. We have spoken of this in class and more will be sent home on this. When students are disruptive for a guest teacher, they are not following this code. If this behavior is consistent, the students involved will not join us for our trip. The Friday mark chart slips will relay information about individual student behaviors, particularly in the three key areas of our code.

I have two absences scheduled for next week for Wednesday and Thursday. This offers an opportunity for students to demonstrate improved behavior.

Math: got assessments back; completed Math Minute 51; checked yesterday's classwork

Reading: Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing review; corrected vocabulary puzzles; got spelling/phonics assessments back and reviewed them
Reading homework: Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing test tomorrow; prepare 4-point essay (question on study guide); prepare folder

Social Studies: Geography Challenge for the Midwest

Science: no class today

A big assessment day tomorrow

Sorry for the late posting today! A lot of things got in the way tonight.

Math: Math Minute Review
Math homework: Math Minute assessment tomorrow; look over Math Minutes 46-50 and the study guide

Language arts: Jackie's Nine (Integrity); "gh" as the sound of /f/ activity; got information about TOFGN assessment; took TOFGN Reading Counts! test
Language arts homework: Assessment tomorrow on first 6 spelling/phonics activities; get TOFGN assessment packet signed

Social studies: Test review
Social studies homework: Ch. 6 test tomorrow; study review guide and billboard activity; know the states of the Southeast on a map

Science: Matter group work wrapped up; chapter review begun

No grade sheets tonight

Grade sheets will not be going home this week. The planner is still headed home for a signature.

Math: Spring Training; multiplication assessment
Math homework: Worksheet for students who needed extra practice

Language Arts: Finished Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing; Six-Minute Solution; Silent "gh" crossword

Science: Matter group work

Social Studies: Discussed "billboard" test question
Social Studies homework: Prepare "billboard" test question (sheet should have come home); study state locations on a map for the Southeast

Almost-April Showers

Snow, then rain. Spring in Illinois is always full of surprises!

Some info. for you to know:

• Your student should have brought home a note about an opportunity to have a spring photo taken on April 8. If you are interested in an additional school photo for this year, that's the time.
• Today, a letter will be arriving home regarding a music field trip on April 29. Also, the April School Newsletter will be arriving at your home today.
• I have also instituted some handwriting practice at the end of each day. I can really tell some students have needed it and are benefiting from it. They have papers they can show you each week.

Math: Spring Training packet; ask your student what they have been learning. They have engaged in some fantastic group conversations about multiplication and finding missing factors. It's been a challenge for them, and I am proud of their thinking.

Language Arts: Jackie's Nine topic: Integrity; TOFGN Ch. 10; discussed silent "gh"

Social Studies: Tour of the Southeast; start memorizing locations of states for Ch. 6 assessment

Science: Weekly Reader; ask your students about it!

Welcome back!!

It was so good to see the students again. Glad everyone returned safely.

Math: We discussed the monthly theme of working on a team. We also looked at the April calendar. Then, we worked on our Spring Training packets.

Language Arts: Six-Minute Solution; TOFGN pre-reading for Ch. 10; phonics activity for silent k; read about persistence in Jackie's Nine

Science: Worked on matter packets

Social studies: Tried to identify different music that evolved from the Southeast

If your child has not returned his/her report card envelope and the signed card, these are officially due tomorrow. The copy of the report card is yours to keep.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Top o' the Afternoon to Ya!

Happy St. Patrick's Day to all!

Math: Math Minute 48; Graphiti

Reading: TOFGN Ch. 9 Pre-Reading; silent g words

Social Studies: President presentations (tomorrow is the last day)

Science: Discussed end of the year Miller Park trip expectations; students came up with a great list as a class; worked on matter booklets

We have been working on handwriting exercises to improve our writing and fine motor skills. These will be coming home for parents to view.

Sorry for the delay...

It's been a strange week. I apologize for the lag in updating the site.

We have been a bit low in the homework area due to ISAT. That will change next week. Grade sheets were sent home yesterday. The quarter ends tomorrow. I cannot believe it!

We are a week away from Spring Break. The students have worked hard, and certainly deserve the break. We have early dismissal on March 20.

Reading: TOFGN Ch. 8; quiz on Ch, 7-8

Science: Brainpop videos on measurement and properties of matter

Social studies: worked on Power Points; received order of President Presentations; tour of Southeast
Social studies homework: Practice what you will say for your presentations

Pat the Cat

While we celebrated Dr. Seuss' contributions to early literacy, I challenged the students to write stories using 50 words or less. This was the same challenge Dr. Seuss' publisher gave him and the result was Green Eggs and Ham. Now, after scrutiny from a panel of non-biased judges (OK, it was only my 12 year old, but it wasn't me), I present to you the winning entry: Pat the Cat by Daniel, Austin, Wanyae, Quentin, Jadan, and Shawn. Edited by Mrs. Plato.

Pat's a cat,

and he's fat.

Here is a story

of the fat cat.

Once ago

Pat the fat cat

ate a huge rat.

So then he swallowed Dr. Seuss,

and after that

he swallowed a moose.

The moose never came out,

so Pat just walked himself out.

And once the fat cat never came back

(he swallowed himself).

So that Pat

the cat

never came back.

Now for our day:

Math: ISAT Math Session 1; Session 2 tomorrow (multiple choice and short-answer)

Reading: Six-Minute Solution; Jackie's Nine; TOFGN Ch. 7

Social Studies: Started tour of the southeast; lab time tomorrow for Power Point presentation

Science: Brainpop videos on states of matter and measuring matter

Science homework: finish worksheets; come with questions if you are stumped

Power Points begin tomorrow

We will be starting our Presidential Power Points tomorrow. Students were asked to be sure pages 16-18 are completed in their packets before they would be getting on a computer. It's meant to come only from their timelines, notes, and essays. All research work should be over.

Tomorrow's Friday free time will be Horton Hears a Who. We will also be having PJ day and reading some final Dr. Seuss titles.

ISAT reading, session 3 will be tomorrow. This is the last session of reading for this year's test. It is structured much like today's test, with some multiple choice and an extended response. I was very pleased with student efforts today. They really seemed to give it their all.

Fox in Socks

It's ISAT, Round 2 today! Students participated in science and reading tests today. Tomorrow, they will have their first test requiring a written extended response (reading).

We focused our Dr. Seuss theme on Fox in Socks today. Our funky sock combinations can be seen in the slide show below. What fun!

Students have grade sheets and planners awaiting signatures tonight.

Thank you! Thank you! Sam-I-Am!

Ah, the moral of a great Dr. Seuss book. "Try them! Try them! And you may. Try them and you may I say!" Green Eggs and Ham fit beautifully with our story from Jackie's Nine about determination today. That Sam-I-Am... he was one determined soul.

Today was ISAT, Day 1. Students took a science section of the test today. Tomorrow, they will take a reading section and the second science section.

We are also having Crazy Sock Day tomorrow. I will be bringing in Fox in Socks and attempting to read it to the class. Those who would like to participate are welcome to wear some "odd" socks, if they wish. Friday is PJ day. Those who earn free time will be watching Horton Hears a Who. That wraps up a week about the joy (and comfort) of reading.

In class today, students finished their "What is Freedom?" essays for the VFW Auxiliary contest. They were also offered the same challenge as Dr. Seuss: write a story using less than 50 different words (this was the challenge his publishers gave him; he ended up writing Green Eggs and Ham). They could repeat words, but they had to stick with their list of 50 or less.

Happy birthday, Dr. Seuss!

Today is Dr. Seuss's birthday! That's not why we had off, but that sounds like a national holiday in the works for me. In this post, I have included a "wordle." You can make a "wordle" at http://www.wordle.net/. The application takes text that you enter and creates an image with words in proportion to how many times they are used in the text. Unfortunately, it seems to ignore pronouns. However, enough is given in this "wordle" for one to guess which Dr. Seuss book was Mrs. Plato's favorite when she was a little girl.

One of my favorite moments as an adult was seeing Jessie Jackson on Saturday Night Live reading this book. It's the best! Click here to see.

Important information about the week ahead

Hopefully, you will find having this information early will be helpful as you plan the next two weeks.

• There will be no grade sheets or mark chart sheets sent home this week. They will be sent home next week as usual.
• I will be at a conference in St. Charles on Thursday and Friday. I have the same guest teacher scheduled for both days.
• Monday, March 2 is Pulaski Day. Students and teachers have the day off.
• Tuesday, March 3 is the beginning of ISAT. Click here to see our schedule for testing. If possible, please avoid these times for appointments if you can. It's very difficult for students to make-up these tests. Their best shot at testing at their level is to take the tests at the same time as their peers.

It's hard to believe that we are looking at March already. Where has the year gone? It's been quite a slow and frigid winter, but spring is coming! Yeah!

A long weekend ahead

Have a wonderful, long weekend!

Mark chart summaries went home today. Please sign them and have your student return them.

The main bit of homework is the President Packet. Up through page 15 is due by Wednesday. We will not have any more lab time at school, so timelines should be complete.

See you Monday!

Alert! Guest teacher on Wednesday

Hello to all,

I will be in Springfield at a conference tomorrow. Just a reminder!

Social studies: Discussed essay requirements for President Project; had time in lab for timeline
Social studies homework: Keep reading and taking notes

Science: Went over chapter review
Science homework: Test Thursday; study

Reading: Extended response practice

Conference week

Hello to all!

Some of you will be coming in for meetings this week. I am mainly focusing on parents with whom I have not had a face-to-face meeting, or those whose sons or daughters are in the midst of severe struggles. I also am taking anyone who is interested in a conference. My door is open! I will not be in on Friday. Please remember that the students have no classes that day.

I will have a guest teacher on Wednesday. I thought I would give a heads-up to anyone whose child had a hard time the last time we had a guest teacher.

Reading: Read about courage; brainstormed for a Reading Extended Response practice; Six-Minute Solution fluency practice

Math: Discussed ISAT practice packet; practiced extended response with T-chart

Science: Finished Ch. 7, Lesson 2; completed a chart-reading activity; read about the first pilots to fly into a hurricane intentionally
Science homework: p. 230-231, #1-6, 11, 14, 15-19; test Thursday on Ch. 7

Social studies: Discussed timelines; got Internet site printouts from Mrs. Plato
Social studies homework: Come to school tomorrow with your items needed for your timeline ready to go; lab time tomorrow!

Weekend Update

Friday was a great day of celebration. The students had a packet of Valentine-themed activities. We exchanged valentines and had way too much sugar at our party.

We watched Remember the Titans today. This came from a discussion we were having as I read Jackie's Nine to the class. Jackie's Nine was written by Sharon Robinson, the daughter or Jackie Robinson. She takes nine character traits that her father possessed. For each one, she writes a story from his life where he exemplified this trait. She also adds stories of others who exemplify this trait. Recently, we read about the first trait in the book: courage. She told the story of when her father met Branch Rickey, manager for the Brooklyn Dodgers. Branch tested Jackie to see how he would handle the pressures that would confront him as the first black player in the major leagues. Jackie was infuriated, but kept his cool... even to the point of clasping his hands behind his back so he wouldn't lash out at Rickey. Rickey was enormously impressed with Robinson's composure. When asked, "Mr. Rickey, do you want a ball player who will fight back?", Rickey responds, "No, I want a ballplayer with the courage NOT to fight back." That's a really hard thing for students to ingest, especially since they get a lot of mixed messages in their lives. We discussed the difference between prideful fighting and defending yourself from physical attack. The discussion made me think if Remember the Titans. The students really wanted to watch it Friday, so we did.

Remember the Titans was based on the true story of Coach Boone, an African American football coach brought to be head coach in a community in the early 1970s where the football team had no African American players. It shows the struggle of two coaches who eventually become good friends. It shows what Coach Boone endured to create a team from students who hated each other for no other reasons than that is what society had taught them to do. The team went on to win the State title, with a 13-0 season, despite the team captain becoming paralyzed in a car accident. The students loved this movie, and it is one of my all-time favorites.

The students left today with a few things:

• book orders need to be returned by February 27 if you wish to order
• mark charts need to be signed and returned Monday
• parent-teacher conferences will be held next week; if you wanted/needed a conference, I write a note to you on your child's Home Communication form (sent home Wed.) to confirm at date and time; otherwise, you do not need to worry about having an additional conference with me

Happy Valentine's Day! Thanks to all for the generosity of treats for the party!

Rain!?

It was a great day! Thunder, lightning! Valentine boxes!

Math: ISAT practice
Math homework: HW packet; get grade sheet signed

Language Arts: TOFGN Ch. 5 quiz; TOFGN Ch. 6 read and completed packet
Language arts: get grade sheet signed

Science: Lesson 2, Ch. 7 - tornadoes
Science homework: TRL Lesson 2 - if you need to finish it for homework, please do; test next week; get grade sheet signed

Get planner signed; get home communication and social studies sheets signed
Party Friday - if you signed up for treats - THANK YOU!
Students may need to finish their Valentine boxes for Friday

What a great bunch of...

...parents! I can't tell you enough how much your support of your students' learning means to us all. If I haven't said it lately or often enough... thank you!

Several conference forms were not returned today. These forms are to be returned whether or not a conference is needed. I mainly need to know the correspondence reached home.

Popcorn Friday will be held this Friday. Interested students need to hand in money Wednesday because we have no school on Thursday.

Got extra shoeboxes or tissue boxes? We could use some for our Valentine boxes. I have a few students in need.

Math: ISAT Prep. - Extended Response
Math homework: ISAT Prep. Packet due Wednesday

Language arts: Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing - Chapter 5
Language arts homework: Completed and approved Obama letters will be sent tomorrow

Science: We took a surprise second recess!
Science homework: Students have an extra day to complete the Lesson 1 paper that was due today.

Social studies: Went over packet for President project; Presidents randomly assigned
Social studies homework: Page 2 of packet needs to be signed by Wednesday

Just a reminder

Students have a science assignment due Monday. Also, check out Friday's post for other things they need to remember for tomorrow.

Thanks!!

Happy 100th Day of School!

I am having a hard time believing it is Day 100! The time is passing so quickly!

Today, we celebrated a few things. We celebrated the 100th day of school by completing a few fun activities. Ask your student about them.

We also celebrated my half birthday (yes, I am just a big kid) and Dekhari's birthday with some special treats. The weather was a celebration in itself, as the students finally got to have outdoor recess!

We went to the computer lab for our last class day of typing the letters to Barack Obama. I am so proud of the student work on these. Not everyone has finished, but everyone has shown growth as a writer and peer editor with this assignment. The kids are hoping he will write back. We will see!

We have been doing some preparation for taking the ISAT tests. In math, we discussed how to solve multiple choice and short answer questions. We will also spend some computer lab time next week on practice exercises. The students have certainly learned a great deal so far this year. It's nice to see how much they retained.

Several things went home today:

• This week's mark chart slip needs to be signed.
• A form about parent conferences needs to be signed.
• A form about the Valentine's party next Friday has important information.

Students are asked to bring a shoebox to decorate for valentines. If they bring valentines to school, they must hand them to all the students. A list went home today with the names of classmates. I hope I spelled them all right!

Have a wonderful weekend! Make sure to have your child show you his/her social studies test. They did a wonderful job on them as a whole. They can do corrections if they did not do well.