Hello parents!
What a crazy February. The good news is that I won't be gone as much on March as I was in February (I feel like I should knock on wood...).
This week's fun includes the Illinois Standards Achievement Test (ISAT). The indicator assessments we have been taking have shown the students are prepared for this test, and I have let them know that. All we need is for them to do their best, which I know they will. We will also have some guests from the Illinois State Board of Education this week. They audit random test-taking sites to assess the delivery of the assessment. It helps them to learn if they need to make changes, and it helps us bone up on the regulations involving administering the tests.
Our schedule for testing is as follows. The rest of the week will include very light smatterings of academics, and little to no homework (hooray!). We also have a party incentive for students who have perfect attendance this week. My class and I will discuss a class celebration for Friday when our testing is scheduled to be over.
Monday: Reading, 30 multiple choice, 9:10 - 10:10
Tuesday: Math, 40 multiple choice, 9:10 - 10:10, and Reading, 20 multiple choice, 1 extended response, 1:30 - 2:30
Wednesday: Science, 41 multiple choice, 9:10 - 10:10, and Reading, 20 multiple choice and 1 extended response, 1:30 - 2:30
Thursday: Math, 30 multiple choice, 3 short response, 9:10 - 10:10, and Science, 41 multiple choice, 11:30 - 12:30
Friday: Math, 2 extended response, 9:10 - 10:10
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Happy Sunday!
Just a reminder: No school on Monday, February 22.
Mark chart slips went home this weekend. The letters on the slip refer to a field trip we will be taking to Heartland Community College on March 12. Some students have, sadly, already lost the privilege of the trip. Others still have letters left, but have two weeks to go to hold on to them.
We will be having a Math Minute assessment on Tuesday. Students have a study guide that needs to be signed this weekend. Please look over Math Minutes 46-50 to see areas that need to be studied.
ISAT begins March 1. More information to follow.
I have the privilege of attending the Illinois Computing Educators confence this Thursday and Friday. I will be gone for those two days, but will intermittently check my e-mail if you need me.
Mark chart slips went home this weekend. The letters on the slip refer to a field trip we will be taking to Heartland Community College on March 12. Some students have, sadly, already lost the privilege of the trip. Others still have letters left, but have two weeks to go to hold on to them.
We will be having a Math Minute assessment on Tuesday. Students have a study guide that needs to be signed this weekend. Please look over Math Minutes 46-50 to see areas that need to be studied.
ISAT begins March 1. More information to follow.
I have the privilege of attending the Illinois Computing Educators confence this Thursday and Friday. I will be gone for those two days, but will intermittently check my e-mail if you need me.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Good morning!
Hello!
I will be gone today (this one was scheduled). Here are some announcements that should be helpful:
1. Planners should be signed tonight.
2. Grade sheets will go home Thursday, as will a few assessments to be signed: S.S. Power Point, Science Ch. 10, ADD assessment
3. There is a social studies test on Thursday. We began making a study guide for it on Tuesday. It is all matching regarding US and IL government.
4. Lots of ISAT prep coming up in reading, math, and science. ISAT begins March 1.
Have a great day!
I will be gone today (this one was scheduled). Here are some announcements that should be helpful:
1. Planners should be signed tonight.
2. Grade sheets will go home Thursday, as will a few assessments to be signed: S.S. Power Point, Science Ch. 10, ADD assessment
3. There is a social studies test on Thursday. We began making a study guide for it on Tuesday. It is all matching regarding US and IL government.
4. Lots of ISAT prep coming up in reading, math, and science. ISAT begins March 1.
Have a great day!
Thursday, February 11, 2010
What a day!
I was out again with a sick child of mine. Sadly, I also got hit on Empire this morning! I was stopped in traffic. The person behind me hit the car at about 20 mph. No fun for me or my 13 year old who was headed to school. : ( No one was seriously injured... unless you count the cars and my knee/neck.
While I was gone, here's what should have occurred:
Students took a Discovery Assessment reading test in the computer lab. They did great! It showed that they should be more than ready for ISAT, which starts March 1.
Math: Math Minute; Sports Math; ISAT prep
Language arts: DLR; Handwriting; DEAR/Reader Response; Six-Minute Solution; narrative essay; VFW essay
Social studies presentations were postponed until tomorrow.
Valentine party tomorrow. Students brought home a sheet about it on Wednesday.
While I was gone, here's what should have occurred:
Students took a Discovery Assessment reading test in the computer lab. They did great! It showed that they should be more than ready for ISAT, which starts March 1.
Math: Math Minute; Sports Math; ISAT prep
Language arts: DLR; Handwriting; DEAR/Reader Response; Six-Minute Solution; narrative essay; VFW essay
Social studies presentations were postponed until tomorrow.
Valentine party tomorrow. Students brought home a sheet about it on Wednesday.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Being a parent today
Hello!
My son, Max, is battling a fever, so I am not at school today. Here's what should be true while I am gone:
Math: took ADD assessment; Math Minute 47; ISAT prep. questions
Science: took Ch. 10 test; TFK; Olympics mazes
Social studies: presentations tomorrow
Language arts: DEAR/Reader Response; Six-Minute Solution; Olympics stories; DLR; Handwriting
Students need to have planners completed on their own today (a lot of it was already done with me) and signed for tomorrow. Blank planners will not be counted for credit. This was posted on my board for today. Grade sheets will not be coming home today.
Tomorrow, students will begin their day taking a Discovery Assessment language arts assessment in the computer lab. This assessment will give us some information as to how each is meeting the state language arts standards for fourth grade so far. It also helps me when I am determining report card "meets" and "needs improvement" areas.
My son, Max, is battling a fever, so I am not at school today. Here's what should be true while I am gone:
Math: took ADD assessment; Math Minute 47; ISAT prep. questions
Science: took Ch. 10 test; TFK; Olympics mazes
Social studies: presentations tomorrow
Language arts: DEAR/Reader Response; Six-Minute Solution; Olympics stories; DLR; Handwriting
Students need to have planners completed on their own today (a lot of it was already done with me) and signed for tomorrow. Blank planners will not be counted for credit. This was posted on my board for today. Grade sheets will not be coming home today.
Tomorrow, students will begin their day taking a Discovery Assessment language arts assessment in the computer lab. This assessment will give us some information as to how each is meeting the state language arts standards for fourth grade so far. It also helps me when I am determining report card "meets" and "needs improvement" areas.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
School remains open!
Yes, despite the school closings nearby, we were still open today. The snow seemed to taper off and the streets were in relatively good shape.
Math: Math Minute 46; ADD 12; gold medal problem solving
Math homework: ADD assessment on #10, 11, 12 tomorrow
Social studies: presentations; discussed "What the Flag Means to Me" essay contest
Social studies homework: presentations on Thursday-->Madison, Melody, TJ, Rachel V., Tierra, Jon; work on essay--> due February 17
Science homework: study for test tomorrow
Language arts: DEAR/Reader Response; Six-Minute Solution; TFK worksheets; DLR; 
Handwriting
HandwritingRECORDERS needed tomorrow
Extra fun: students have the option of working on some fun Olympics sheets for points toward medals; each day, a new sheet is sent home
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Abraham Lincoln Museum
Here are some photos from our trip. We had to skip the Capitol due to the inclement weather.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Field Trip Tomorrow!
Hello!
Tomorrow's weather forecast calls for snow. Tomorrow morning, I will check with IDOT and the NWS site to see what's in store. If it seems to be safe, we will proceed to Springfield. If not, we might have to cancel our trip. The safety of the students is our priority.
I wrote a reminder on the mark chart slips if a student planned to bring a lunch from home.
Mark chart slips need to be signed and returned on Monday.
Math: Math Minute assessment; checked ADD 10; mental math for ADD 11
Math homework: ADD #11 (students had time in class so it may already be finished) due Monday
Social studies: finished Power Point; order for presentations:
Tuesday: Sa'mond, Shyanna, Nala, Thomas, Jozalynn
Thursday: Madison, Melody, TJ, Rachel, Tierra, Jon
Social studies homework: go over printout of Power Point; make decisions about what you will say in your presentation; present to someone at home (give them the rubric)
Science: see Wednesday's post
Language arts: Six-Minute Solution; Reader Response Log; DLR; narrative writing; handwriting
Looking forward to a great trip!
Tomorrow's weather forecast calls for snow. Tomorrow morning, I will check with IDOT and the NWS site to see what's in store. If it seems to be safe, we will proceed to Springfield. If not, we might have to cancel our trip. The safety of the students is our priority.
I wrote a reminder on the mark chart slips if a student planned to bring a lunch from home.
Mark chart slips need to be signed and returned on Monday.
Math: Math Minute assessment; checked ADD 10; mental math for ADD 11
Math homework: ADD #11 (students had time in class so it may already be finished) due Monday
Social studies: finished Power Point; order for presentations:
Tuesday: Sa'mond, Shyanna, Nala, Thomas, Jozalynn
Thursday: Madison, Melody, TJ, Rachel, Tierra, Jon
Social studies homework: go over printout of Power Point; make decisions about what you will say in your presentation; present to someone at home (give them the rubric)
Science: see Wednesday's post
Language arts: Six-Minute Solution; Reader Response Log; DLR; narrative writing; handwriting
Looking forward to a great trip!
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Sunshine!
Math: Math Minute review; ADD #10 mental math
Math homework: ADD #10; get ADD assessment signed; get Math Minute Review signed; study for assessment; get grade sheet signed
Science: Ch. 10, Lesson 2; Math in Science
Science homework: (for Monday) p. 302-303, #1-10 and 14-19; p. 305, read and complete #1-4; complete Math in Science (most students have done so); test Wednesday; get grade sheet signed (for tomorrow)
Language arts: Six-Minute Solution; DEAR/Reader Response; DLR; narrative; handwriting
Language arts homework: get grade sheet signed; Six-Minute Solution assessment tomorrow
Social studies homework: come tomorrow prepared to finish your IL government Power Point; last lab day!
Get planners signed, please. No grade sheets yet f0r social studies. Presentations start next week.
A reminder sheet about the field trip is coming home today.
Math homework: ADD #10; get ADD assessment signed; get Math Minute Review signed; study for assessment; get grade sheet signed
Science: Ch. 10, Lesson 2; Math in Science
Science homework: (for Monday) p. 302-303, #1-10 and 14-19; p. 305, read and complete #1-4; complete Math in Science (most students have done so); test Wednesday; get grade sheet signed (for tomorrow)
Language arts: Six-Minute Solution; DEAR/Reader Response; DLR; narrative; handwriting
Language arts homework: get grade sheet signed; Six-Minute Solution assessment tomorrow
Social studies homework: come tomorrow prepared to finish your IL government Power Point; last lab day!
Get planners signed, please. No grade sheets yet f0r social studies. Presentations start next week.
A reminder sheet about the field trip is coming home today.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Field trip soon!
Parents, please ask your students about how many "letters" they have left for the Springfield trip on Friday. Some students are dangerously close to losing the trip! If you want to check with me to verify what your student says, shoot me an e-mail, and I'll take a look. If your child loses his/her letters before Friday, I will give you a call. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that no more will stay here!
Math: Math Minute 45; ADD assessment
Social Studies: worked on Power Points; last work day will be Thursday
Social studies homework: students should not spend work time looking up information for their slides; this can and should be done on their own
Language arts: partner reading about Groundhog's Day; DEAR; narrative "sandwich" discussion; Six-Minute Solution
Music: bring recorders tomorrow
Math: Math Minute 45; ADD assessment
Social Studies: worked on Power Points; last work day will be Thursday
Social studies homework: students should not spend work time looking up information for their slides; this can and should be done on their own
Language arts: partner reading about Groundhog's Day; DEAR; narrative "sandwich" discussion; Six-Minute Solution
Music: bring recorders tomorrow
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