18 April 2013

THANK YOU TO THOSE BRINGING IN WATER BOTTLES FOR THE SCHOOL!  WE ARE TRYING TO GET 2 WATER BOTTLES FOR EACH STUDENT SO THAT WE ARE PREPARED IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY.

This morning we added to our list of executive departments (Cabinet) for which the president is responsible.  They are:
1. Department of Agriculture
2. Department of Commerce
3. Department of Defense
4. Department of Education
5. Department of Energy
6. Department of Health and Human Services
7. Department of Homeland Security
8. Department of Housing and Urban Development
9. Department of the Interior
10. Department of Justice
11. Department of Labor
12. Department of State
13. Department of Transportation
14. Department of the Treasury
15. Department of Veterans Affairs

We discussed very briefly what some of the responsibilities were of each department.  Students had heard many things from the news and home discussions.  They are interested in current events.  Please discuss them with your children.

THERE IS A VOCABULARY TEST TOMORROW FOR LANGUAGE ARTS.

After reviewing once more the words for the week, we jumped right in to our Invention stories. THE ROUGH DRAFTS ARE DUE MONDAY.  IF POSSIBLE, THEY SHOULD BE TYPED.  Next Friday we teachers will be scanning the stories and sending them to a publishing company to be made into real hard-bound books.  It is imperative that students produce quality work.  I am pleased with the initiative these students are taking in writing lots and following plots, character development, problems, etc. in the fictional styles, and information sorting in the non-fiction styles. 

In Danny, the doctor tells about giving Mr. Victor Hazell a shot.  It was very funny.  Let's just say we will always be kind to doctors' dogs after this!

MATH HOMEWORK IS TO FINISH REVIEW 11.  We worked like crazy people today to get it done.  We used a goal setting method which is quite simple.  Students think of where they want to be in 10 minutes.  They draw a circle there on the paper.  Then, when the timer goes off, if they are there  they get to fill in a smiley face.  What a motivator!  Like I said, it was simple, yet effective!  TOMORROW IS CUM. TEST 11.  SEND YOUR CHILD WITH A LITTLE EXTRA SNACK FOR MORNING RECESS.  It helps them get through till lunchtime.

After lunch and Foreign Language 5th Graders went to Art.  4th Graders wrote in their best cursive and illustrated haiku poems we wrote yesterday.  They are lovely.  We are collecting poems to fill a bulletin board early next week.

After recess we worked again on our Invention stories and Newspaper stories.  Most students are finished with their newspaper articles or fun pages.  We also practiced for the school play.