Happy Friday!

Hi everyone!

I did not assign any homework for the week end.  :-D  The only students who have homework are those who have to make corrections on their Social Studies or finish their science from yesterday.  (That's only 3 or 4 students.)

Since there is no homework, have your child work on Compass Learning or Study Island this week end.

Thanks!  Have a good week end!

Thursday, October 30

Good afternoon, everyone!

Because of a training I needed to attend, students had a guest teacher today.  However, I was in the building just a few doors down.  That means behavior was a little better than last week.  :-)

Homework tonight should include:

• Math: TP 7-5
• Reading: Ms. Gerson's Homerun
• Study for Spelling and GROW

Tomorrow is our end of the month PBIS celebration.  Students who have earned it will be watching a movie.  I will be providing a small snack for those able to participate.  Please do not send any candy or snacks.  Thanks!

Wednesday, October 29

Tonight's Homework

• Math:  workbook 7-2
• Reading: Character Activity

Also, students can be working on Compass Learning and/or Study Island at home.  I have put in assignments in Study Island that need to be completed.  They have some time at school, but not everyday.

And don't forget about Book-It!  Friday is the end of October.  Students can turn in their October calendars on Monday for their free pizza slip.  I will give them November calendars on Monday.

Tuesday, October 28

Tonight's Homework:

Math:  TP 7-4
Spelling: workbook pages 63-64

Tomorrow is GymJam/Cool Nerd Day.  Students must dress in uniform, but they can "jazz" it up to be the cool nerd.  They'll also have an opportunity to dance and have a gymjam during their PE time.

Monday, October 27

Tonight's Homework:

• Spelling: Unit 10 sentences
• Math: TP 7.3  (Make sure they use sentences to explain the final question.)
• Science: Comprehension "How Do You Grow?"  (This was not supposed to be homework.  Students had over 40 min in class to complete this.)

Tomorrow is red t-shirt/crazy hat day.  Students were given a pass today if they are able to participate. No pass=no participation.

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

Wednesday, October 22

Tonight's Homework:

• Math: TP 7-3
• Reading: Author's Purpose Practice page

Don't Forget

Spirit Wear orders are due on Friday.  

The end of the first quarter is today.  

Finally:  Just to let you know, I will not be in school tomorrow.  I am fighting laryngitis and a sinus infection, so I think it will be better to get some rest.  Then I can be 100% for my kids.  :-)  I am very proud of them today and how much they helped me and made sure I was ok.  Thanks everyone!  

Tuesday, October 21

Tonight's Homework:

• Math:  Multiplication Arrays (They must do the bottom of the paper as well.)
• Reading: wkst 93

Also, don't forget about Book-It!  All students need to do is read 20 min each day.

That's it for now.  Have a good afternoon.

Monday, October20

Hi everyone!

Tonight's Homework:

• Spelling:  Unit 9 sentences (Remember, students only need to do 10 sentences.  Every word must be spelled correctly and the sentence must show the word in context.)
• Math: We will begin multiplication tomorrow, so students have a facts practice page tonight.

 I heard the Lupus walk was a wonderful success!  Thanks to all who participated and helped out!

Don't Forget
Friday papers are coming home today since I wasn't here on Friday.  Please sign the top sheet like normal and send it back to school.

The first quarter ends on Wednesday.  I'll be sending home reminders of your conference times either Friday or Monday.  Also, any missing homework past Wednesday will just be a zero.

Spirit Wear is on sale.  Order forms came home last week.

And finally, don't forget to have your child read for Book-It! and Robin's Readers.  After reading for 20 min, they can color in that day on their calendar.  When a book has been completed, it can be recorded on their Robin's Readers paper that came home a little over a week ago.

Thanks!!!

Lupus Walk is Tomorrow!

Hi everyone!

Because of our field trip, the only homework students have is to study for their spelling test.

We have many announcements now, so here goes:

• Tomorrow is the Lupus Walk.  The school would like every child who can to participate.  Therefore, permission slips were sent home with those who have not yet brought one back.  No donation is needed to be able to walk.  Just sign it and return it.  
• Tomorrow is also a half day.  Students will be dismissed at 11:15.  
• Also, tomorrow, I will be out of the district at a math seminar.  I hate to be gone on such an important day, but it could not be helped.  Please discuss with your child the importance of behaving even when the teacher is not there.  :-)  
• Finally, since I will not be here tomorrow, I sent next week's calendar home today.  Friday papers will come home on Monday.

I think that's it. . . . Oh wait!!   Book orders are due on Monday.  Now, I'm done.  Have a great week end, everyone!

Wednesday, October 15

Hi everyone!

Tonight's Homework:

• Math:  Worksheet 53  (And I do want them to follow ALL of the directions, including the bonus box on the bottom.)
• Spelling:  Unit 8 workbook pages

Don't Forget
Tomorrow is our field trip to see Mulan, JR.  It is very important that your child be on time if at all possible tomorrow.  We will begin loading the buses before 8:30.  A thank you goes out to our wonderful parents who have agreed to chaperone.  :-)

Have a great evening!

Tuesday, October 14

Hi everyone!

Tonight's Homework:

• Math: Pages 88-89 in textbook  (#4-33)  They had 20 min to start in class.  Work must be shown for adding, subtracting, and estimating.
• Spelling:  Unit 8 sentences  (Remember, sentences must show the context of the word chosen.)

Other news:

1. Book-It! has begun.  Make sure your child is coloring in their calendar each day when they finish reading their 20 min.  When they finish a book, they can add it to their book log for the "Robin's Readers".  These were given out last week.  Students must read at least 10 books by January 3, 2015.  
2. The field trip to see Mulan Jr. is on Thursday.  Students must dress in regular school clothes following the District 160 dress code.  They do not need to bring any money or other items.  The busses will be PULLING OUT at 8:30 am, so it is very important that your child be on time to school.
3. The Lupus Walk is Friday.  Students can bring in money and permission slips tomorrow, but they will not receive their t-shirts until Friday instead of Thursday.  
4. Friday is also a half day.  Students will be dismissed at 11:15.  

There's a lot going on this week.  :-)  Thanks for your help!

Fabulous Friday!

Hi everyone!

I have not given any written homework!  :-)

However, Book-It! calendars went home today.  To earn a certificate for a free personal pan pizza, students must read 20 min a day.  So that is what I am asking for this week end.  Let's get these kids used to sitting down for more than 5 min and reading!  :-)  All they have to do is color in the calendar each day they read.

They can also get on Compass Learning this week end.

Don't forget there is no school on Monday.  Have a great holiday week end!

Thursday, October 9

Tonight's Homework:

• Math: Make corrections on subtraction assignment
• Reading: Long O practice page (to practice their spelling skill)
• Study for GROW and Spelling

Also, don't forget that tomorrow is the final day to turn in forms for the Lupus Walk.

Thanks!

Wednesday, October 8

Hi everyone!  Sorry this is a little late getting up today.

Tonight's Homework:
Math: TP 4-3 (Students must show work for each subtraction problem on another sheet of paper.)
Reading: 30 min on Compass Learning (If you have no computer available, please write me a quick little note on the homework slip.  Thanks!)

That's it for tonight.  Have a good evening!

New Experiences!

Good afternoon, everyone!

Today many students had a new experience while practicing our Word of the Day: Symphony.

I played an example of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in class.The students kept asking for more!  They were introduced to Mozart's 39th Symphony, Beethoven's 5th Symphony, and John Williams conducting a symphony of the Star Wars theme.  Many students now want to learn how to play instruments such as the violin, harp, flute, and trombone.  One even wants to learn how to be the conductor!  It was a great discussion and conversation that I hope continues at home.

Math on the other hand was an up and down experience.  First down, then up.  :-)  Now that we are on our addition and subtraction unit, students were told to show their work on their homework.  Only 10 students did that.  :-(  I wanted to see if students knew how to carry.  I am also seeing that students still do not want to use good sentences to answer the extended response.  I am looking for more than one sentence.  Usually that ONE sentence includes the answer but no explanation on how they got the answer.  Please, please, please, help me!  Close to 50% of the PARCC (formally ISAT) math test will involve writing. I really need my students to start following my directions and explain their answers.  There are only a few who even give it a fair try.  Again, their sentences should include not just their answer, but how they got they answer.  However, on the upside, after a short review on subtraction, I told the students that I will be giving them one of two different assignments.  Some will get worksheet 9, while others will get worksheet 93.  I was pleasantly surprised when a good majority of the students asked if they could do both!  I do appreciate that initiative.

So . . . . Tonight's Homework
Spelling: Unit 7 workbook pages 45 and 46
Math: Worksheet 9 or Worksheet 93  (Remember, if they have both, it's because they asked for it. . . . and no extended response tonight.  Yeah!)

Thanks for your patience and understanding!

Marvelous Monday!

Hi everyone!

Tonight's Homework:

• Math: TP 3-4 (This involves adding with regrouping.  Please make sure work is shown on another sheet of paper neatly.)
• Spelling:  Unit 7 sentences

Dress Code Reminder
As days cool off, the classroom might feel cool to some of the students.  Students are not supposed to wear coats or jackets in the classroom.  Please remember that the dress code specifies navy blue or white cardigan or vest sweaters only.  Hoodies are not allowed.  Also, students may wear a shirt under their uniform top, but it is supposed to be white.  Thank you so much for your cooperation.

Have a great afternoon!

Fabulous Friday!!!

Hi everyone!

Well, we made it through another week!

I did not assign any homework for the week end.  I would like students to get on Study Island and complete the pretests if they haven't done so already.  Also, if they have finished that, then they can read for 20 min each day this week end.

There are 3 students who do need to finish Social Studies wkst 27 and a few that need to finish a math worksheet on variables.  This will be written on their homework slips.

As always, if you have any questions, feel free to contact me on the Dojo or through email.  Have a wonderful week end!

Thursday, October 2

Good afternoon, everyone!

Tonight's Homework:

• Math: TP 3-3  (With the last question answered using complete sentences.)
• Study for Spelling and GROW quiz

I think that's it.  :-)  Have a good evening!

Wednesday, October 1

I can't believe it is October already!

Tonight's homework:

• Math: TP 3-2  (We had a long talk about the quality of the homework turned in.  Students are not to write and do scratch work around the edges.  They know that if they have to do any work, it should be on another sheet of paper. . . .They can put it on the same paper they use to answer #8.)
• Spelling: Workbook pages 39-41

That's it for now.  Everything else seems to be running pretty smoothly right now.  Have a great afternoon!