Sorry, I have class tonight! There is a math test tomorrow. I assigned the practice test at the end of chapter 2 as homework.

Math: P.47 4 & 5. Remember, it's not about the destination, it's about the journey. In other words, I want you to draw a picture (look at the examples in your book) and show your work!
Spelling & Vocabulary: None this week (Unit test)

Wow! Blogger (this website) just completely locked me out using the FireFox browser. This must be Google's way of forcing people to use Chrome. I thought "don't be evil" was their corporate motto!

Anyway, we are making progress on addition and subtraction of decimals and whole numbers. There WILL be a test soon, probably Wednesday.

We finished our 17th keyboarding lesson today, only three more to go! After lunch, we went to the library. Then, we completed our DARE surveys. Don't forget to bring in your signed permission slips to attend DARE class! We practiced identifying the four different kinds of sentences: Declarative (a statement - ends with a period), Interrogative (a question), Exclamatory (shows excitement - ends with a !), and Imperative (may have an implied subject "you", a command - ends with either a . or !). See if your child can tell you the difference. We started science!! I will be teaching a unit on matter. After we cover the basics, we will start having fun with physical and chemical changes!

Math: P.42 9-12
Oktoberfest update: Friday is a SHORT DAY! School is out at 1:15 (and check out Fridays on the calendar below!)

Today, we began the day with a quick math assessment. Nothing formal, just checking in with the kids to see who gets it and who is lost in the woods. Looks like we're about halfway there in terms of estimating sums and differences. In math class we looked at using pictures to model math problems. Specifically, we used a method that is widely used in Singapore with children at a very young age. Why Singapore? Singapore scores first or second every year in a worldwide assessment of mathematics. There are lots of reason why they do this well, but it's worth looking at their methodologies. If you are curious, Google "Singapore Math." We also started adding and subtracting whole numbers and decimals. The topic was just introduced today and homework was assigned.

After math, we met with Mingl's class and re-read our story, Ten Mile Day, and asked the kids lots of in-depth questions. Typically, they share their thoughts with a partner, then we call on kids for their answers. After lunch, we talked about common and proper nouns. Ballet West got the kids sweaty with push-ups and fun movement activities. After that, more common and proper nouns. Recess, then MORE common and proper nouns (I thought this would be a home run, but the kids were struggling a bit with this). We ended the day with keyboarding practice. We made it interesting by doing it to music. Eye of the Tiger was fun, but I think keyboarding to the Rocky theme some was the best. See you tomorrow!

So sorry everybody! I had a sub yesterday and class tonight. I'll post a real post tomorrow!

No homework. Have a great weekend!

In case you were wondering, this morning we started the day with keyboarding practice, then worked on our spelling sorts. I checked the math homework with the class, and we reviewed rounding numbers. I've never had a class quite like this, but most kids seem to understand rounding numbers! After a quick assessment, we explored estimation in terms of adding and subtracting whole numbers and decimals. I'm feeling pretty good about this too, but I will see what a long weekend does to their understanding. Next we went over spelling and sorting their word lists.

After lunch, we had a spelling test. Keep in mind this is a practice test. I am teaching the kids how to sort their words (see yesterday's post if you want to know why this matters). We spent the rest of the afternoon reviewing "shades of meaning," then we took the language test. You can log into your child's Language Arts and Math account using the math book link to the right. I updated the username information after a few parents told me they had trouble logging in. Once in, you should be able to see test results. This site isn't exactly what I'd call user-friendly, but click around and you will find them. If you have questions, email me and I will do my best to help.

Don't forget there's NO SCHOOL TOMORROW!!

In fact, I'm calling this Oktoberfest!! For the next month, there's no school or early-out days every Friday!

Spelling Lists

I have had a couple requests from parents wanting to know how to find their child's spelling list. The spelling lists are derived from three books from the Words Their Way series. The books follow a progression of spelling patterns. Because of this, there isn't just one simple link to the spelling lists. To the right ----> are the spelling list links. Why are there six links instead of three? The first three are PowerPoints. If you have Microsoft PowerPoint, these are a great way for kids to practice sorting their words. The bottom three are simply PDFs of the spelling lists. Most computers can open a PDF, so that is where most people should be looking.

Here is where the groups stand this week. Next week their list will be the next one (they go in numerical order).

• Red Group: Word Within Word, Sort 14 Short -O and Long -O (CVCe and CVVC)
• Blue Group: Word Within Word, Sort 37 Triple R-Blends scr, str, spr
• Green Group: Syllables and Affixes, Sort 30 Unaccented Final Syllable (le, el, il, al)
• Yellow Group: Derivational, Sort 6 Comparative Suffixes (-er, -est, -ier, -iest)

Why sorts? I am trying to teach them how to spell, not just memorize words on a list. If they can recognize spelling patterns in words, then they can apply that learning to other words with the same spelling pattern.

Eventually, students will be practicing their spelling sorts every day here at school. It is not uncommon to see kids that normally do very poorly in spelling, scoring 90% or better. Practice at home is at the parent's discretion and not required. Tests are on Friday, and Thursday on short weeks.

Math: P. 29 13-20 Rounding practice. I'm in a meeting right now, but I'll post more later (hopefully).
Spelling: BTW, we are still learning how to do spelling. This week's spelling test is a practice test.

Math: P.25 18-20, 25, 28 I'm in a class tonight, and I'm trying to remember the specific problems. I hope I got it right! Please check your child's planner. They wrote in it. I saw them do it!

Please be aware: No School Friday! This is a teacher work day. Lots of meetings, teacher dance party, etc. Fun stuff.
Math: P. 25 (lesson 2-1) 12 - 17 Circle the compatible numbers.
Spelling: New list, test Thursday!

This morning, we rearranged and cleaned out desks. When I asked the class to use mental math and "compatible numbers" to solve simple addition problems (Friday's lesson), it was as if I was standing alone in a big, empty stadium. So, we reviewed that, and I assigned a little work to finish at home. Most kids finished in class. Class was interrupted by the CBM (reading) test, administered by the district. I'll be passing that information along at Parent-Teacher Conferences (October 8th & 9th). We mixed up Whole Group Reading with Mingl's class and introduced this week's new story.

After lunch, we did a synonym/cinnamon roll activity (ask them about it). I passed out their new spelling lists. If you would like a copy of their spelling list, shoot me an email and I will explain how to find it on the homework blog. The secret code word is: hardships. Then, we finished lesson 11 in keyboarding, which is one beyond the half-way point. The we finished the day by introducing the vocabulary for this unit. I placed copies of the tested vocabulary in their mailboxes.

PS: Don't forget to check your safety patrol schedules! We had several kids not show up this morning!!

Today, we took the first of three IOWA tests, then because of time, had to bag math. I really don't like to do that, but it happened. Sometimes the first IOWA test takes longer because of set up and preparations. The next test will go quicker. We had a fun lesson on sensory details and how they are used to make reading and writing more engaging. We looked at, smelled, touched, tasted, and listened to the sound of (while we chewed it) a Sour Patch kid and a Pepperidge Farm Goldfish cracker. After lunch, we completed the 8th keyboarding lesson, then studied theme. We ended the day with Mingl's class practicing our vocabulary.

Tomorrow is PE class with Ballet West's I CAN DO program. Bring appropriate footwear! Ladies, you might want to wear some shorts under that dress. This program is active and highly engaging. Your kids are going to love it!

This week, starting tomorrow, we will be taking the IOWA Test of Basic Skills. Tomorrow will be the Reading portion, Wednesday is the Language portion, and Thursday is the Math. Today we started with the IOWA practice test so students know what to expect on the actual IOWA test.

I passed back their math tests from Friday, and went over the results. Test remediations were assigned. We began working on those in class.

What are remediations? After completing a unit in math, I give a test. This test is meticulously gone over by me, making comments when I can, in the hope that the student reads what I have written and learns from their mistakes. This is very time-consuming. Taken seriously, this is a powerful learning tool. No grade is given. Test remediation is then assigned, where the student must:

• Explain their thinking (why did you put the answer you gave).
• Do the problem correctly.
• Explain why this is the correct answer.

They must do this for EVERY problem that they got wrong. Then they must get a parent signature and turn it in to me. I usually allow 2 to 3 days to collect these, then a retest is assigned. The retest is usually given on the computer and parents can see this grade when their child logs into the math book website.

These are due Thursday, with a parent signature. Again, the purpose of this activity is student learning.

Also today, we went to the library, then completed our 7th keyboarding lesson. Tomorrow's secret codeword is: bananas. After recess, we met up with Mingl's class and discussed the "Question of the Week" and went over the lesson vocabulary.

Today we continued our work on comparing and ordering decimals and started looking at patterns in numbers. After math, we read Dr. Seuss's Because a Little Bug Went Ka-Choo! and talked about cause and effect. Then we started composing our own Cause & Effect story, that began with Mr. Nalwalker interrupting our class. We finished the story after lunch, then got together with Mingl's class and read our story for the week, a tall tale called "Thunder Rose." Ask your child what hyperbole means. We are on lesson 4 of 20 in our keyboarding program, which we finished after recess. We ended the day with a birthday celebration of glazed doughnuts, yum! See you all tomorrow!

BTW: a math test is imminent. Look for it on Friday. Also, expect our weekly Reading Street test. Spelling begins next week!

Today, we worked on comparing and ordering decimals. The kids lucked out when I told them they would have homework, but I forgot to actually assign it. We got together with Mingl's class and went over the vocabulary words for this week's unit. After recess, we started practicing typing. We learned the correct fingering to use when pressing the tab key, space bar, enter key, and shift key.

Then we talked about Cause and Effect then read the story, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie. Students really enjoyed coming up with 'then...' statements to the 'If...' statements. We also came together with Ms. Mingl's class and talked about the question of the week, 'How can nature challenge us?' and built a concept map around the question.
 
Students ended the day with Mr. Nalwalker talking about Safety Patrol.
 
See you tomorrow!