Out Like a Lamb

Is it really the last day of March? Wow!

April is Autism Awareness Month. For those who might not know, both of my sons are diagnosed on the autism spectrum. I have been open with the students about it, and they are interested in learning what autism is. This month we will not only discuss autism, but we will also discuss learning differences, including autism, ADD, ADHD, auditory processing challenges, and the like. My goal is that the students realize that everyone has his/her own learning style, and we must all try to make our classes environments that respect the styles of others.

Math: Math Minute 60; Fraction/Decimal equivalencies

Science: Lesson 4, Chapter 11; comparing decimal measures
Science homework: p. 342-343 #1-19 on looseleaf

Social studies homework: assessment on the location of the states in the Northeast region tomorrow

Language arts: DEAR; Six-Minute Solution; Narratives
Language arts homework: published and edited narratives are due Friday at the end of class
Students have been typing their narratives, and are using a narrative analyzer sheet to edit. Students are encouraged to have a narrative idea ready (preferably on paper). They should not be thinking about what to write for the narrative during typing time. They may need to get their ideas together at home. They are welcome to e-mail what they have to a home e-mail. Finished narratives include a narrative analyzer sheet done by the student and one other person in the class... if they wish to do more than that, they may. Extra copies of this form are available for the asking.

What a beautiful Tuesday!

Math: Math Minute 59; Fraction/Decimal/Percent Equivalencies on the SMART Board

Social Studies: Discussed the Mayflower Compact as part of our tour of the Northeast
Social Studies homework: Know all states of the Northeast region on a map for Thursday's assessment; use blank maps given to you to practice

Language arts: DEAR; Six-Minute Solution; typed narrative; peer/self-editing

Spring fundraiser assembly today. Order forms and brochures came home today.

Welcome Back!

Math: Math Minute 58

Science: Lessons 3 and 4 in Chapter 11

Language arts: DEAR; Six-Minute Solution; Narrative Analyzer; DLR; Handwriting

Please send in baby photos of your student at your convenience. They will be returned.

Spring Break!

Happy Spring Break everyone! School is out for the next five days.

Homework: Play outside! It's supposed to get nicer over the next few days.

Also, I will be collecting baby pics over the next month. If you have a photo that you can bring in, I promise it will be returned after I scan it. If you have a digital photo, please feel free to e-mail it to me at platoj@district87.org. I use them for our year-end DVD.

{P.S.: Parents: Report cards went home Thursday. If you didn't sign the signature card, please ask your student about it. Thanks!}

See you on March 29!

Where is the sun?

Math: Math Minute Assessment review
Math homework: Get Math Minute review signed; prepare for assessment tomorrow

Science: Ch. 11, Lesson 2

Language arts: Six-Minute Solution; DLR; handwriting; narratives; DEAR; Reader Response

I am having a terrible time with my allergies and I went home today with pink eye. I will be out tomorrow.

Happy Tuesday!

Math: Math Minute 52; ADD assessment

Social studies: geography challenge of the Northeast region

Language arts: read Ch.3 in Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing; DLR; Handwriting; Six-Minute Solution; DEAR/Reader Response

Other announcements:

Bring in One for the Books $, if you wish
Chili Supper and Book Fair, Thursday from 5-7
Field trip on Friday
Quarter ends on Friday

Spring is coming!

Today's weather was dreary but WARMER! Hooray!

Students have an ADD assessment tomorrow in math. It will include information from slips 13, 14, and 15.

In math, we covered Math Minute 51 and we started a single elimination bracket set-up for a multiplication competition we will be having.

In science, we read about matter. We learned that matter is anything that has mass and takes up space. We also discussed the three main phases of matter: solid, liquid, and gas.

In reading, we prepared for reading Ch. 3 of Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing. We took a short break from the novel to prepare for ISAT, but we're back! We also completed DLR. If students didn't complete their handwriting assignment for Monday, they were to do so at home.

Reminders:

Friday is our field trip to Heartland Community College. If students said they would bring a lunch from home that day, they will need to remember their lunches. Students who did not earn the trip will be staying with Ms. Fraher.

School Book Fair and Chili Supper is Thursday!

What a gorgeous weekend!

I hope you are enjoying this fantastic weekend.

The only major thing for the students to remember is to get their mark charts signed.

...and enjoy the weather OUTSIDE!

Irving Pride

I am so proud of how the students are doing this week. Testing is stressful, but they have come through it nicely. Tomorrow is our final day of ISAT testing for the year. Results of this test are reported to districts over the summer and to parents in the fall.

The only students who have homework to be concerned about tonight are any students who might have late work to hand in. Also, some students offered to bring in treats tomorrow for our "We Conquered ISAT" celebration.

The weather is supposed to be acting more like spring! We all deserve it after this winter!

Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!

Today is Dr. Seuss' birthday. All this week, we will be celebrating the birth of the man who had a huge impact on children learning to read all over the world.

Today, I read Green Eggs and Ham and Fox in Socks. We discussed that Green Eggs and Ham was written using only 50 words repeated over the course of the book (see the "Wordle" to the left). The students were then challenged to create their own stories using only 50 words. In honor of Fox in Socks, tomorrow will be "Crazy Socks Day" in our room. Students are encouraged to wear socks that stand out (hopefully not due to the smell!).

We also watched one of my favorite renditions of Green Eggs and Ham, found here. LOVE IT!

On Friday, we will be celebrating our job well-done on ISAT. Some students have offered to bring in treats. They were told to ASK (not TELL) the adults in their lives about this and make sure it was OK.

Homework: A Math Minute Assessment is on its way home for a signature tonight.