Merry Christmas!

Good afternoon everyone!

This will be my last blog post for 2014.  I want to thank everyone for all the goodies that were sent in as well as the kind gifts.  I think the students had a good time.

In your child's folder you will find their graded papers for this week.  I would still like the top sheet when they return from break.  This pile is very important since it includes many common core assessments that were taken this week in reading and math.  Please look through them carefully.

Also, you will find a reading packet and math packet for your child to complete over the break.  This packet was required by the administration.  While students won't be in trouble if they don't complete it, it is good practice for the PARRC test. I will also be giving bonus tickets for the prize box for students who complete them properly.

Again, I want to thank everyone for your support and help this year.  I hope you have a blessed Christmas and New Years!

One More Day!

Good Afternoon, everyone!

Tonight's Homework is simple:  Study for spelling and GROW.  :-)

I spent most of the day working on division.  After 4 days of teaching several different strategies, only a handful of students were able to pass the quiz today.  Part of the problem is that, again, almost half of the class didn't do their division homework.  Because of this, I find myself reteaching the same thing every day.  Unfortunately, I have come to the point where I have to say it is what it is.  Break is here and when we return from break, we have to hit the ground running with fractions.  I spent an extra 90 min with the students still struggling today during technology and PE.  The light seems to be going on for many of them.  So . . . some students are finishing the quiz we worked on in school for homework tonight.  We will be having a unit test tomorrow covering multiplication AND division.  It might be a good idea to review a little tonight anyway, even if they finished their work in school.  I appreciate your help on this.

Tomorrow:

• Students are allowed to wear a green top with their uniform bottoms.  We will be beginning the Color Wars when we return from break, and room 403 is on the green team.  Color Wars is a community building exercise where teams made up of students and staff members compete in different areas to win points.  As I said, we are green.  Go GREEN!!!  
• Next, we will be watching the first Narnia movie.  Students are allowed to bring a treat to pass out.  I ask that the treats are already individually wrapped and ready to pass out.  For example, I don't want 3 big bags of chips that I have to pour onto a napkin for the students.  This has to happen before lunch, so much of the stuff will be brought home.  (I'm not going to allow them eat too much junk before lunch.  :-)  )  
• I will not be assigning homework over the break, but the administration has requested that we send home some PARRC review material.  Therefore, the fourth grade has decided to send home a Reading practice test and a Math practice test.  While it is not required, we greatly encourage students to try it.  I will be giving tickets for the prize box for completed packets.  This will be a good sample of what is coming in March and April.  

I think that's it for now.  Text me on the Dojo if you have any questions.

Wednesday, December 17

Hi everyone!

Tonight's Homework:

• Spelling:  Unit 16 workbook pages
• Math: TP 13-4 (Students may choose any strategy, but they must show it!)  Below are two examples of the Partial Quotients strategy I taught today. 

Happy Tuesday!

Good afternoon!

Well, today was our Winter Celebration Assembly and it was a great success!  Thank you to all the parents that attended!

Tonight's Homework:

• Math: #1-8 of lesson 13.6 in the workbook.  Students must show their work and check each problem.  

Students are also putting the finishing touches on Christmas cards for my mom.  In case you haven't heard, my mom has been volunteering on Wednesdays in the classroom.  She helps me out immensely by grading, copying, filing, etc.  She also gets to hear many of the students read aloud to her.  I'm going to surprise her tomorrow with a small token of our appreciation and cards from the students.

And don't forget, Friday is our celebration before the Christmas Break.  We will be watching the first Narnia movie.  Students will be allowed to bring treats to pass out.  Don't worry, though!  Since this must occur before lunch, I will not be allowing the students to fill themselves with candy and cookies.  :-)  I will probably allow them to eat just a couple of things that are passed out and save the rest in a big ziploc bag for home.

I think that's it for now.  Have a great day!

Happy Monday!

Hi everyone!

Tonight's Homework:

• Math:  Choose 10 problems from lesson 13-4 and show work.
• Spelling:  Unit 16 spelling sentences

Tomorrow is our Winter Assembly.  I haven't been told what time it will take place yet.  If you would like to come, just call the office, and they will let you know.

Have a great afternoon!

Thursday, December 11

Hi everyone!

Tonight's Homework:

• Math:  Multiplication Comparisons wkst 2 and 3
• Study for Spelling and GROW

Also, don't forget that tomorrow is a half day.  Students will be dismissed at 11:15 AM.

Have a great afternoon!

Wednesday, December 10

Happy Wednesday, everyone!

Tonight's Homework:

• Math:  Wkbk. lesson 11-4  (Again students may choose any 10 problems.  This time students may use any of the three strategies used in class:  Area Model, Take Apart, or the algorithm.  They must show their work for each problem.)
• Spelling pages were completed in class today while I was at a meeting.  Therefore, students can work on Study Island and/or Compass Learning Reading.

I think that's all for now.  Have a great afternoon.

Tuesday, December 9

Hi everyone!

Tonight's Homework:

• Math:  Workbook Lesson 11.3  (Students need to only choose 10 problems.  They may do more if they would like.)  They MUST use the area model to show for their work.  I know I don't say this very often, but please do not show them the algorithm yet.  Below is an example of the area model, and they have several in their notebooks.  

That's all the homework I'm assigning tonight.  They can work on Study Island or Compass Learning, as well as get an early start on their spelling.

Monday, December 8

Hi everyone!

Tonight's Homework:

• Spelling:  Unit 15 sentences
• Math: Workbook lesson 11-2  (Students only need to do the middle section, and they MUST show their work on the piece of paper in their workbooks.)

Some students have a second math page entitled, "Equal Groups".  This was their bell work this morning.  Most students finished, but the ones who did not have to finish this at home.

Thanks for everything!

Happy Friday!

Hi everyone!

Students were not given any homework for the week end.  However, there are a few students who have some late homework to finish up.  Also, I still need several progress reports back.  If you have yours at home and want to keep it, just jot me a note saying that you saw it.  I just need to know that you have seen your child's grades so far.

There were also a few students who didn't do so well on a multiplication quiz we took today.  I am giving them a chance to correct their mistakes over the week end.  They will retake the quiz for a better grade on Monday.  If this is your child, the quiz should be in their folder.

Finally:

COLOR WARS will be starting after break!!!  The school, including students and staff, have all been divided into color groups.  Room 3 is on the GREEN TEAM!!!!!!!   Dr. Nelson is also on the green team and has issued a challenge.  There will be a raffle for the members of the green team.  To get
your name in the raffle, 10 hours of Study Island and 10 hours of Compass Learning must be completed by December 19.  Let's go, Green!!!

Have a great week end!

Thursday, December 4

Hi everyone!

Tonight's Homework:

• Math: TP 10-1 (They were able to do most of this in class.)
• Study for Spelling and Grow

I want to brag on room 3 a little.  :-)  We took the math portion of our MAP test today, and the students did amazing!  I was so proud of them!  Nobody went down in their scores.  They worked hard and it paid off!  Good job, Room 3!

And thanks to all of you parents and guardians that help out so much.  You are definitely appreciated!

Have a great afternoon!

Wednesday, December 3

Good Afternoon!

Tonight's Homework:

• Spelling: Unit 14 workbook pages
• Math: Workbook Lesson 10-1 (Students must finish the whole page and show work on another sheet of paper.  If no work is shown, the assignment will be considered late.)

Please don't forget to send back your child's progress report if you haven't done so already.

Tomorrow is the Math portion of the MAP test.  However we will be taking it later, so we won't be so rushed in the morning.  I was pleased with the progress our students are making in reading and look forward to seeing the progress in math.  I will send home the final results with the second quarter report card.  You can compare these results to the goal setting sheet you received at conferences.  If you have any questions about your child's results, I would be more than happy to meet with you.

Thanks for everything and have a great afternoon!

Happy Tuesday!

Hi everyone!

Tonight's Homework

• Math:  Estimating worksheet 55 (students must show the estimating)
• Reading: 20-30 min on Compass Learning

I want to commend all the students for their hard work on the MAP test today.  I was very pleased with most of their progress.  Thursday will be the Math portion.

Also, if you haven't signed the progress report and sent it back to school, please do so as soon as possible.  I just want to make sure that everyone has seen their child's progress so far for the second quarter.  If you lost the sheet or want to keep it, just write a note in their agenda book that you saw the report.  Thanks!

Have a great evening!

Welcome Back!

Hi everyone!  I hope you had a blessed holiday spending time with family and friends.

Tonight's Homework:

• Spelling:  Unit 14 sentences
• Math: Text page 214 (sets A, B, and C only)  Students only have to do the even numbered problems, but if you would like them to do all, that's fine.  :-)

Very Important Information
Tomorrow, we take the winter benchmark test for MAP.  The reading portion begins at 8:00 AM.  Please try to have your child here on time.  Actually, as close to 7:45 would be the best.  Thanks!