TGIF!!

So today is Friday and the end of another week.  Friday's always seem to go by fast because we have resources and lots of tests.  Remember that when planning doctors appointments please.  :)  Fridays are not good days to be out.  It was sooo cold outside this morning the students were very excited when they finally got to come inside.  I had hall duty this week and so I had to stand outside and wait until the bell rang before I could let them in.  As I said the day went by pretty fast.  They took their facts of 14 test, a place value quiz, spelling test, and vocabulary test.  Like I said we have A LOT of tests on Friday.  The day warmed up in the afternoon before we went to recess and so it was pretty nice outside.  Yah!!!!  Well that's all for now. 

Don't forget to make comments or email me if you have anything to say about the blog or school happenings.  Just to let you know I am trying to plan a field trip in February to the Alhambra.  It is going to probably  be around $10.  Then hopefully we will have one in March to the MOSH, then April to Diamond D. Ranch, and then in May to the Jacksonville Zoo.  I'll keep you posted.  So parents I need your opinion on something.  Do you thing that is too many?  The MOSH is probably around  $8, then the Diamond D. Ranch is probably around $10 and the zoo is only $2.50.  So that's $30.50 in 4 months.  Let me know.  I NEED your feedback.  Thanks!  

So the rest of the day finished out great.  Today the students took a quiz on verbs and nouns.  Just from looking at some of them I think I'm going to have to redo the quiz.  I'm going to have to remind them that most of the time there is more than one noun in the sentence.  Look for that in homework next week.  Speaking of homework we will be working on vowel patterns ee and ea next week for spelling words.  Today I showed them a really neat science experiment I found on youtube to demonstrate force and gravity.  Go to the below link to see it for yourself.  That way you can do it at home.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAAfIJGSjQs

Robbins Nest

Go to www.aplusmath.com to practice addition and subtraction facts online

So far today has been a little hectic.  This morning I had a meeting that lasted until 8:30 and therefore that made the kids have to stand in the hallway for an extra 5 minutes, which made them a little wild.  They came in the classroom very chatty.  After they got settled down (me saying okay now you are supposed to be taking out your morning work notebook) they got to it.  The students had to put words in alphabetical order.  This seems to be a task that we are definitely going to have to practice a lot.  Especially when the first two or three letters are the same.  Something that you could practice at home.  I'll try to put something like that in each day so that you know what you can do at home to help your child.  :)  Today we didn't get to centers because it was a reading test day.  They had to listen to a story and answer questions about it.  Then they had to read a level J (where your child should be right now) and answer the questions about that story.  Both of them were nonfiction and so therefore a little more difficult to read and comprehend.  Try to expose your child to nonfiction as well as fiction.  Most books you buy in the bookstores are fiction, but if you ask the salesclerk they can point in the right direction to get some nonfiction books for your child that are on their level.    

Today we worked on Problem and Solution in Reader's Workshop.  Then for Skills Block we worked on singular and plural.  The students gave me words and I showed them how to make them in the plural form.  We made some interesting discoveries about the English language and that it doesn't always make sense.  There are so many exceptions to the rules!  The students continued to work on their reports.  They are having a blast working together to find out information on animals, each other, and the planets.  They are also doing so get checking themselves to make sure they have everything they need by using our report rubric we created.  Today was a short day so we were unable to get to Science, Health or Social Studies.  After lunch it was a quick game of Math Around the World (they love this game) where Brandon was the winner.  He has won about 4 times now.  The kids are trying really hard to beat him and I've told them they have got to practice their math facts at home.  Parents you can help by buying them index cards for them to write their own addition and subtraction facts or buy pre-made flash cards.  Then it was off right to the playground for recess and then back inside for math.  Then they had 10 minutes of some serious brain work when solving the problem of the day.  I'm trying to get those brian muscles strong.  So everyday I challenge them with various types of math problems.  After that they learned how to play Roll-a-Square.  One of the many games we are learning to play that go along with the 100 chart.  Then before we knew it, it was time to go home.  Another day over and gone.  So much to do and so little time.  Till tomorrow......