January 18th, 2013

NOTE: NO SCHOOL MONDAY - PRESIDENTS' DAY - READ!  READ!  READ!

NOTE: THE JAZZ READATHON HAS BEGUN.  PLEASE TRACK, CHART, WRITE DOWN, ETC., EVERY MINUTE THE STUDENTS READ DURING THIS TIME.  I JOKE AROUND WITH THEM AND TELL THEM THEY HAVE TO READ FOR SEVENTEEN HOURS EVERY DAY!!!  JUST KIDDING!  BUT DO HAVE THEM READ.  IF YOU READ TO THEM, THAT TIME ALSO COUNTS.  IF THEY READ TO OTHERS, THAT TIME ALSO COUNTS.

                                                                SO READ!!!!!!

P.S.  THE PUBLIC LIBRARIES WILL PROBABLY BE CLOSED MONDAY, SO VISIT THE LIBRARY TOMORROW AND CHECK OUT A TON OF BOOKS.

I am so proud of these kids!  We had our Language Arts test and U.S. waterways test this morning.  The students did so well.  Students then finished up spelling activities, 3-point paragraphs, and worked on business letters.  3-POINT PARAGRAPHS ARE DUE TUESDAY.  They should look like this:

                                                                       Topic
                                                                    by Name Name

     Indented beginning.  Continue the paragraph without breaking into other paragraphs.  Be sure each sentence begins with a different word.  Make some sentences long.  Others short.  Start sentences with capitals and end with end marks.  At least nine sentences.  Numbers are written in words.  Type the paragraph in 12-18 font of your choice (must distinguish between upper and lower case).  When you are done illustrate the lower portion of the page.  Make sure it is in color and give it a border.


BUSINESS LETTERS ARE DUE THURSDAY.  Type these out and bring them to school so we can make edit them.  We will be addressing envelopes next week.  ALSO, REMEMBER TO BRING IN A 45c STAMP TO SEND IT OFF.

We started a read-aloud book: Jonathon Livingston Seagull.  I love this book.  It is all about character, striving for the best within us, regardless of peer pressure, working toward a goal.  The kids listened and enjoyed it.  We will continue with it next week.  STUDENTS SHOULD BE FINISHING OFF THEIR BIOGRAPHIES AND PREPARING THEIR BOOK REPORTS, WHICH WILL BE SHARED THE WEEK OF THE 28TH OF JANUARY.

During Math we completed Exercises 2-3 in our new books.  EXERCISE 4 IS HOMEWORK.  Some students have elected to complete through Exercise 6 for homework.  If students can handle the load, I would like to push some through this level, into a higher level of decimals.  Please be sure they are understanding that there are 10/100 in 1/10.  This can be a difficult transition into the thousandths.  Share with them many examples of using thousandths, hundredths, and tenths.

Cultural Roundtable was a focus on the Caribbean Islands.

Fifth Graders went to Art.  Fourth Graders interpreted a poem about a centipede who thinks too much.  They practiced handwriting and then, in Science, got to take apart a small machine and look for magnets and how they are used.

After gluing eyes and hair on puppets, we raced upstairs for Drama practice with Mrs. Hagan and Mrs. Allen.  THE SCRIPT IS BEING SENT TO YOU IN A BATCH EMAIL ATTACHMENT.  PLEASE HAVE YOUR CHILD REVIEW HIS/HER PARTS.

The Jazz Readathon began with a jumpstart after school.  Students stayed and read.  Please make sure students chart their reading every day.  Every minute helps.  Our class goal is 90 minutes each day to get a Jazz Player to come visit us!