Invention Convention!

Today we made our prototypes and had an invention

convention! Ask your little inventor about their feedback!

Summer Reading

Summer Book Recommendations

History Museum Part 2

History Museum

Dance Workshop! Our class was in the back, but if you look hard you can see their Mardi Gras Dance Moves!

Game Day!

Today was the culmination of our functional writing project. Students played board games created by their peers. They filled out an evaluation on every game they played!



Weekly Update

• Truman Farewell Party Friday, May 13th
• Field Trip to the History Museum Monday, May 16th
• Concord Info Night @ Truman
• Fun Day Thursday, May 19th
• No School Friday, May 20th

Reading-We are working on Book Recommendations for Summer Reading lists. This is a great activity that teaches summarizing skills and will help each student compile a summer reading list!

Writing-We are finishing our games and directions. They are dues on Wednesday. Our next writing activity will focus on inventions.

Math- We took our negative numbers test today and began our 2nd division chapter. We will begin working on double-digit divisors this week!

Our Blog Discussion for the week is about Heroes :-) Happy blogging.

What is a hero?

What is your definition of a hero? Who is your hero? 

I believe a hero is someone who puts others before himself. A hero shows integrity and selflessness. My heroes are everyday people who help others. Firefighters and police officers are heroes.

Rights of Royals

Britain spends millions and millions of dollars to support the royal family. Some people say this is too much money. Do you think this is a good use of money? Should people have special rights because they were born into royalty? Why or why not?

Summer is Almost Here!!!!

What are your plans this summer?
I am teaching summer school for 2nd grade. I am also joining the Sunset Hills Pool! Does anyone ever go swimming there? Charlie, Nick, and I may see you!

Next Year

I am excited to go to Concord next year, but I am also a little nervous and scared. A lot of my teacher friends are going to other schools. I am worried that we will not get to hang out as much. I am happy to make new friends, but I am worried I will lose old friends. How are you all feeling?

Wringer Reflections

What do you think of our new read aloud book? Please post your reflections. Remember, check back to read the posts and comment on other people's reflections.  Let's have a virtual discussion!

Here is what I have been thinking...

This book reminds me of Middle School. When I was in Middle School I felt pressured to hangout with certain people and act certain ways. Palmer is being pressured to be a wringer and hang out with the gang. At the end of the chapter yesterday I was excited to see Palmer starting to stand up for himself! I am wondering about what will happen to Nipper? I predict that Palmer will take Nipper far away and try to make him fly away. Palmer will not want Nipper to stay in town during Family Fest.

Weekly Update May 2nd-May 6th

Math-I am very proud of the Volume test scores. The students did a super job! This week we will look briefly at negative numbers using a thermometer, then we will dive into double digit divisor long division.
Helpful link:
http://www.mathsisfun.com/long_division.html

Reading-We are winding down our book clubs. I have been very proud of the independence students have shown in their self-led discussions. The literature "movie" roles they have been given have really helped them build the skills to have book talks without the teacher! We will continue to practice our monitoring skills during independent reading.

Writing-Tomorrow we will begin our Board game Bonanza project. This project is the culmination of our functional writing unit.
 http://phillipslindbergh.blogspot.com/2011_05_01_archive.html
This project will be done at school. This is not a project that should be brought home for homework. Ample time will be provided in the classroom.

Word Study- The word study words the last month of school will be states and capitals. The word study contract has been modified for these words. I provided a lot of time in class to study words last week and some students still did not do well on the word study test. Please be sure your child reviews these words nightly.  

Upcoming Events:
Junior Achievement will be on Friday.

Happy 1st Birthday to my little Nicholas!

Board Game Bonanza Project

Your child will be receiving a hard copy or this rubric in class on Monday. 

Board Game Bonanza!

·        You may work alone or with a partner

·        Your game must be for 2 – 4 players

·        Your game may be no larger than the paper your teacher provides

·        You may use other construction paper or recycled materials to make game pieces (no piece may exceed 4 inches tall)

·        You must write all directions to your game for future players

·        You may not give any verbal directions while people play your game

Creative, Neat, Organized Game (10 points

Clear, Easy-To-Follow Instructions (20 Points) Other students (players) Evaluation of your Instructions (10 points)
Self Evaluation (10 Points)

Total Points =50 Points

Due Date:  Monday, May 9^th.

Game Playing Days: Tuesday, May 10^th  & Wednesday , May 11^th.

Weekly Update April 25-29

Good Morning!

Here is what to expect this week.

Early Release on Wednesday!

Math-We started Chapter 30 today. Chapter 30 focuses on solid figures and volume. Today we took a pre-assessment on volume. We also learned the formula to calculate volume.  Volume=length x width x height. We will continue working on this chapter all week. Out test will be either Friday or Monday.

Reading-In reading we have been talking about "monitoring" our reading. Ask your child what monitoring means. Students should also be using their monitoring book marks. The book marks highlight the strategies we have learned this year to help us think while we read. We have learned that good readers do much more than simply read the words!

Writing-This week we are starting functional writing.

• Students will hear, read, and discuss functional writing.
• They will explore how information is communicated though functional writing.
• They will also explore audience and purpose in functional writing.

Word Study-Word Study test today. The next few weeks word study will be states and capitals.

Science-We will continue working with Nature Unleashed this week, but students will also begin Social Studies with Mrs. Davis today.

Study Guide for Science Quiz

Study Guide for Quiz on Chapter 3-Having What is takes to Survive

Reread the Chapter. Quiz will be Thursday.

What are specialized structures? Be able to give examples from the book.

Know the specialized structures that help the plants and animals listed in this chapter.

For example:

• Snapping Turtle-big jaws that help snap up food



• Fish



• Badger



• Bullsnake



• Coyote



• Backberries



• Duckweed



• Great blue heron



• Katydid



How does camouflage help animals survive?





What are internal and external cues? Be able to give examples.

Weekly Update April 18-22

I hope everyone had a nice weekend. Hooray our schedule is back to normal! Here is what to expect this week.

Math-We are working on probability. Expect to see homework on varies probability concepts including tree diagrams. A study guide will come home Wednesday. The test is Thursday.

Reading-Book clubs and group-led book talks are in full spin! Reading assignments and literature jobs have been a bit longer recently. You may see these books coming home for completion. If there are not coming home please ask your child how things are going!

Writing-Fiction pieces are due Thursday!

Word Study-Contract and test Thursday.

Science-Nature Unleashed continues...This week we will be discussing plant adaptations needed for survival, food chains, and animal adaptations.

Social Studies will start up next week. A head up that students will need to know ALL states and capitals and their spelling. They have a practice packet in their expandable folder. Also, next week I will be giving states and capitals as word study words.

We have such wonderful students in our class. Hooray for Dani! Her lemonade stand this weekend raised over $50. She donated that money to the Jacob Swiderski Medical Fund.

Happy Easter!

We Love Kayla and Jacob!

Thanks for wearing your blue and bringing in spare change!

Mid-Week Update

PLEASE WEAR BLUE TOMORROW FOR JACOB AND BRING SPARE CHANGE!

MAP testing is over! We still have a few students finishing up small group testing, but for the most part we are finished. I am so proud of all the students. They all felt so proud being able to show what they know! We have learned so much this year.

We will return to our regular schedule Monday. Please remember the we are off school Friday, April 22nd. I will be giving students word study words and contracts today. They will have a word study test on Thursday, April 21st.

We will also finish up probability tomorrow and next week. Study guides will go home Tuesday and we will have the test Thursday, April 22nd.

In reading book clubs are in full swing. Ask your child if they are reading Snake Camp, Strider, How to Steal a Dog, or Bridge to Terabithia. I am assigning longer reading assignments so you may see these books coming home. Be sure to ask your child to tell you what is going on in their book!

In writing, fiction pieces in writing are due Thursday the 21st as well. I have extended this due date an extra day. Students have been aware of this due date for over a week. Students may type or hand write their polished piece. I ask that these not be worked on at home, as I want to see their independent work. Thanks for your cooperation!

Have a wonderful day!

Nature Unleashed

The other day each student received two copies of an animal (moth, snake, or frog). With the first picture students were told to color the animal any way they wanted. Then, we went out side and placed the animals in a resting place. We discussed the animals and if they would be safe in their resting spot. After much discussion about adaptations and camouflage students were given the opportunity the color their other animal in an attempt to better hide it in the school yard ecosystem. Check out the photos below.

This snake would not be very safe from predators!

The students are searching for the animals hidden in the school yard ecosystem.

WOW! Where is Dani's frog? Oh, there it is. Great camouflage!

Do you see the animal?

Students are looking for great hiding spots. They want their animal to blend into its surroundings.

Weekly Update April 11-15

First, let me say how proud I am of all the students. They are working so hard on the MAP test! They are prepared and showing what they know! This week we will finish testing with Math on Wednesday and Thursday. Thanks again for all the wonderful brain food that has been sent in for our trail mix!

Math-We are testing! Monday and Tuesday will be spent reviewing.

Reading-One book club started last week. The other clubs we begin this week. We will be working hard to have self-led discussions. It is important that the students be able to read and talk about their thinking with each other (with out a teacher facilitating). 

Writing-Our fiction stories are well underway. Some students are ready to begin the rereading and editing stage. The polished fiction pieces will be due Wednesday, April 20th.

Science-Nature Unleashed is underway. This is a great curriculum provided by the Missouri Department of Conservation.  Last week we discussed organisms, population, communities, and ecosystems. We also discussed the importance of space. Living things need space to live. Be sure to ask your child about the life of a crowded plant!

I will out a 1/2 day Monday afternoon. One of my teeth broke (a back molar) this weekend  (ouch!) and I need to go to the dentist. I am hoping they can take care of it in one visit! 

I promised the students that I would post a picture of Charlie as the ring bearer on the blog. So here it is!

He loved his fancy clothes!

My two little boys!

Weekly Update April 4-9

It’s here! The Big Show comes to room 221 Wednesday and Thursday of this week! Just a reminder that we test communication arts this week and math next week. Please be sure your son/daughter gets plenty of rest, eats breakfast, and come to school on time. There is no need to send a snack, as we will have trail mix.




Math-We worked on our study guide today on customary measurement. This was difficult for some students. The test will be tomorrow. I assigned page 534-535 as bonus to encourage extra studying and practice. Students do not need to have conversions memorized, they will be provided.



Writing-Students have chosen their fiction topic and will begin working on their first draft this week. We are focusing on dialogue as our mini-lessons this week. We are talking about how to punctuate dialogue and make it sound natural in the story. We will also be reviewing story elements and be sure our fiction stories contain these elements (setting, character development, conflict).



Reading-We will be gearing up to start book clubs again after the MAP test this week!

Math Review-Fractions

Ordering Fraction-Dolphin Game
Chose the Level -Easy
http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/numbers/fractiondecimalpercentage/fractions/comparingfractions/game.shtml

Drag and Drop-Ordering Fractions
http://www.bgfl.org/bgfl/custom/resources_ftp/client_ftp/ks2/maths/fractions/level4.htm

Adding and Subtracting Like Fractions-Bug Splat
http://www.fekids.com/kln/games/bugsplat/

Measurment Games

Inches to Feet
http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/mathgames/measurement/MeasurementInches.htm

Stop the Clock!
http://www.oswego.org/ocsd-web/games/BangOnTime/clockwordres.html
http://www.oswego.org/ocsd-web/games/StopTheClock/sthec3.html