THANKFUL FOR THEM!!

As you may have guessed I only had half my classes with our short week, but I have a message for ALL of my parents. I wanted to let you know how thankful I am for your children. I could not have asked for better students my first year!! Each one has taught me different strategies in teaching, listening and learning. Thank you parents for sharing your amazing children with me!

Happy Thanksgiving and safe travels!!

1^st Grade LA

We Sang the Song!!!: We practiced our Pig Latin song and tried REALLY HARD to sing along with the video. They were awesome! We also worked on more writing and translating English into Pig Latin, then sharing to the class. We used our connection homework from a few weeks ago for this lesson. We wrote our connection in English then translated into Pig Latin. Once everyone had completed the writing, they stood in front of the class individually and shared their connection speaking in Pig Latin. Everyone in the audience needed to figure out what they said. It was a lot of fun!! They also shared what they were thankful for in Pig Latin. First grade was thankful for their: og-day, isiter-say, other-bray, am-Say, amily-fay, and am-hay.

2^nd Grade MA

Eggciting Measurements:  This week we were measuring eggs, plastic ones, the real ones come later……yikes!! We are continuing our lesson on circumference and the appropriate tools to measure it with accuracy. Together we estimated then measured the length and width of a large egg with centimeter cubes, a ruler, a pipe cleaner and a tape measure. We discussed how and why our estimates should be getting better with each trial. We figured out with each trial we used a more accurate way to measure. The students where then assigned a partner and did the same activity with a smaller egg. We will discuss our finding next week!!!

3^rd Grade LA

Definitions and Change: Third grade made definition booklets and wrote in their journals. The definition booklets were hysterical!! The premise, staple 2 large pieces of construction paper together with 5 almost equal flaps, when opened, one can read the definition of the story genre written on the front flap. Directions were given and an example hung on the board…… Let’s just say, some clearly had vacation on the mind because this was a bit of a struggle. After having to make a few alterations, we all had a booklet with the genre written on the outside and definitions with examples written on the inside. We’ll call that a short week success!! Tuesday, we wrote in our journals about the concept of change, our ongoing theme throughout the year. They needed to tell me how our genre definitions reflect change and how the stories we’ve read lately show change. This will be my bedtime reading over the long weekend.

4^th Grade LA

*Shout out to my 4th grade boys who always remind me to take blog photos at the beginning of class, unfortunately I forget until the end. This week a couple of girls were the only ones left. Next week boys, I promise!!*

Bio Project Continued: I have shared with the students through their Google Drive the following files; change maker instructions (these are the guidelines for the project), a due date timeline (tells the  students when each part of the project is due), biography timeline (they’ll use as an outline for the timeline part of the project), biography summery (they’ll use this as the back bone for their monologue, it needs to be FULL of information from ALL their sources), and a work cited sheet (a very basic work sited sheet, just info on the resources they’ve used and where they got their images). They have all made copies of the files I have shared with them. They have also made a “bio HA project” folder and shared it to me. This allows me to check their work as they go along. They are able to do the “paper work” part of this project on their chrome books OR on printed worksheets. The students can type on the copied files and work on them as they read, if they choose to. I have reminded them they need to be reading their 3 (or more) sources at home and I will give class time for the other work. As long as they have their Google login name and password, they are able to access this project form any computer with internet. If your child was here this week, they should have already showed me 2-3 sources on their changer maker, it was due MONDAY. If they missed this week, they MUST show me next Monday.  As always, PLEASE contact me if you have ANY questions!!!! I know if you are unfamiliar with Google Drive some of the “copying, sharing files and folder” terms may sound confusing.

Fall is in the air Friday!

1^st Grade LA

Ig-pay Atin-lay: We are continuing our work on Pig Latin! This is a fun time in class. On Monday we finished a translation worksheet. The students translated Pig Latin words into English and an English sentence into Pig Latin. First grade is number one! Irst-Fay ade-gray is-way umber-nay one-way! On Tuesday, we listened to a song, Lead Belly’s Pig Latin Song. We then translated the English version into Pig Latin as a class. Next Monday, we are going to try to sing it together like the video. IF my tech savviness is around, I will record it and post it on next week’s blog.

1st Grade MA

Math Writers: These kids were AMAZING this week!! I emailed the all their teachers and let them know how outstanding they were. They were all great at participating and in high spirits, absolute ROCK STARS!! They are always a great class, but this week, amazing! On Monday, we reviewed our vocabulary words from the lesson and worked on some Think Beyond cards. The Think Beyond cards are brain teasers that test our knowledge from the lesson. Of course, they did great! Tuesday, we worked on our math writing. Our Think Deeply page is what we do at the end of every lesson. This worksheet helps the kids write in words what they have learned. We talked about the importance of writing in math. When mathematicians write, they need to convince other mathematicians that their solutions to a problem are mathematically valid.  

2^nd Grade LA

EDWARD TULANE:  This week was a little off because of poetry café. I was only able to sit in for a few minutes but Mrs. Roles’ class did amazing!! Great job poets!

We love Edward Tulane! The participation from everyone is outstanding! This helps the class move smoothly and is more enjoyable for everyone. As we continue with the story, Edwards starts to “feel” real emotions. We are filling out a worksheet that helps us track his feelings, and what has caused them. We are also completing a settings worksheet. By following the different settings, we are able to “map” Edward’s journey on paper. Since I will not see second grade LA until AFTER Thanksgiving, we decided to keep the books in class. This way none of the books get lost over the long break. When we return, we will review where we left off, and reread a little in class to jog our memories.

2^nd Grade MA

EGGCITING: Car seats, circumference, and centimeters…… With this unit we will be configuring how to design a car seat for an egg passenger. We looked over a car seat rating report. The report showed us prices, crash protections test scores, ease of car seat rating, and fit to vehicle rating. We then did some computations when comparing car seats.  I also learned a new way to subtract ;) . Tuesday, we went over the definition of circumference. We started measuring the length and width of a plastic egg in class. We are estimating first, then using different centimeter measuring tools to measure. The purpose is to decide what tool is most appropriate for measuring an accurate circumference.

3^rd Grade LA

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE: This week we finished reading two stories. Half the class read “Billy Beg and His Bull” while the other half read “Hans and the Four Big Giants”.  The group needed to tell us about their story and any exaggerations they found in it. We were looking at exaggerations because that is a large component of tall tales. However, while these stories had plenty of exaggerations, they also had traits of myths and legends. The stories did NOT qualify for any of the genres we have studied!! They were only fiction stories…..tricked them!!

3^rd Grade MA

OUR YETI HAS HANDS!!: It took us TWO days but we did it!!! As you can see by the picture, one group had a mitten hand while the other group had the more challenging “high five” hand. The second day, we worked on the “high five” hand as a class. We strategized how to double the size. We ended up drawing a perimeter around the hand and plotted points based our measurements. This helped us because our struggle was drawing angles and trying to use them to calculate the Yeti’s hand. We do not have the instrument to measure angles, therefore the measurement were not working.

4^th Grade LA

BIOGRAPHY PROJECT: As of now, your child should have their “Change Maker” selected and shared with you. All the students but one, who was absent, have given me a name. Their job now, is to collect the biographies and other resources on their chosen individual. These are DUE NOVEMBER 21^st!! The students have access to ALL the due dates associated with this project on their Google Drive account. Over the long weekend I would HIGHLY suggest students read about their individual. I will be giving class time to work on the different steps, but NOT time for reading. I will be sending home the Change Maker Instructions you signed with due date. I would suggest keeping this to help you track the project. PLEASE contact me with any questions!!!!

4^th Grade MA

CARDS, GAMES, AND SOME CRAZY COMPETITIVE 4^TH GRADERS: Last class until after Thanksgiving break, had to make it a fun time. We found the class winner of our Triple Play game, a girls’ team with Bella, Emma, and Becca, GREAT JOB girls!!!  We also played an out of the box thinking game called Set; there was a lot of competition going on. Thursday, we reviewed our vocabulary from this lesson and made a game from our Think Beyond cards. Our Think Beyond cards test our knowledge from the lesson. I had the students in two groups, read them the card and had everyone answer the question. Each correct answer received a point, if there needed to be a clarification, it was an extra point. This was a great review for our Think Deeply we will do after Thanksgiving break. 

 

Happy Veteran’s Day!!

Honoring all those who have served our country

1^st Grade LA

Ecret-Say Anguage-Lay: This week we started to learn Pig Latin. Why would learning a silly language like Pig Latin be taught in High Ability? The language is a fun way to develop and apply our knowledge of vowel sounds and syllables. We will continue this next week too. The students were also given a fun phone puzzle to take home and see who could figure it out. We did this in class, it was NOT homework.

1^st Grade MA

Weight Centers: We completed our weight center activity this week. The purpose of this activity was to have the children predict then weight two different objects with our scales. The vocabulary we needed to use was, heavier than, lighter than, or about the same as. For example, we would hold two bags, one in each hand, and decide if one bag was heavier than, light than, or about the same as, the other bag. We would then use our “hanger” scale and decide if the prediction was correct.

2^nd Grade LA

Edward Tulane: This week we needed to read in class the first day. Make sure we are reading our chapters at home. On Thursday we went over the importance of asking questions while reading. We also went over the importance of interpretive questions, questions that can have more than one correct answer. This has helped while going over Paul’s Reasoning Wheel. This wheel uses a different way to think about the text and formulating questions. The wheel helps to ask questions on the Purpose/Goals, Point of View, Evidence/Data, Concepts/Ideas, Issues/Problem, Assumptions, Inferences, and Implications/Consequences of a story.

~HOME WORK: Read chapter 8-10~

2^nd Grade MA

Centimeters: We are measuring in centimeters now!  We practiced in depth, how to measure using the centimeter side of a ruler. We also touched on millimeters.  We need to know what those “little marks” between the centimeters are in order to round up or down if needed, just like our inches and half inches.  We played with a centimeter cube to help visualize what a centimeter looks like in ‘real life’. By doing this, the students can get better at estimating in centimeters.

3^rd Grade LA

Tall Tales……or was it: This week the 3^rd graders were all given stories to read with a partner. They needed to decide if the story was a tall tale, myth, or a legend. They were also required to give examples from the story to support their choice and share with the class. Of course they did an amazing job!!

3^rd Grade MA

We made a YETI: Well…..almost! We struggled with the hands; we’ll take care of that Wednesday as a class. The Yeti was made by dividing the class into groups, each group in charge of measuring and cutting different Yeti body parts. Once everyone was done, we had to work as a team and piece “him” together. The students had to construct the Yeti with little information given to them in a story. They created this masterpiece with the knowledge of a single foot print size, and went from there!! I took a serious picture, but if you knew this class, the goofy one fit us better!!

4^th Grade LA

BIOGRAPHY TIME: Alright 4^th grade parents………be ready for an email. I will be emailing you with details about our 4^th grade biography project. You should have received a ‘Change Maker Instructions’ sheet to read and sign this week. The sheet is so I know you have seen what this project in tales. Once I receive the signed copy, I will return it. I would keep this sheet to help you keep track of this project’s process. THIS WEEKEND, your child should choose a famous person who has contributed to  change in society. They need to have a name to me by Monday. Your child needs to be able to find multiple sources on this person, please remind them of this as they choose. Next week I will go over last year’s examples, our deadlines, and how they will share info with me using their Chrome books. PLEASE, feel free to email me at any time with questions!!

4^th Grade MA

TRIPLE PLAY: We got it!!! I think we have a great feel for the similarities and differences between our two-dimensional shapes. This game was a great opportunity to help us understand categories and subcategories of polygons. I have my 4^th graders after lunch and recess, so it also helped with our excited energy level we get sometimes.  

Happy Friday

1^st Grade LA

This week we finished our Creaser Cipher wheel fun! We completed a cipher puzzle worksheet. (There was also a worksheet that went home for fun, along with the wheel.) The students then chose a word from the puzzle, found a connection word for it and drew a detailed picture. While a number of students choose sky and clouds, a few, great, out of the box connections were; water and fish by Adelyn, water and glass by Camille and water and sand by Henry!!!

1^st Grade MA                       

Scale Time!!!  We had fun this week working with partners. The class broke into groups of two for measuring centers. Each center contained 1 heavy item, 1 medium item, 1 light item, and 1 item about the same weight as another. The children then needed to predict using their “scale” arms, if an item was lighter than, heavier than, or about the same as another. Once their predictions were made, they needed to measure the items with our hanger scales. We have 5 stations; we will most likely be finishing this next week.

*I want to apologize, I dropped the ball on second grade photos this week!!!*

I am SORRY!!!!!

2^nd Grade LA
Sentence Dissection, say what????? Once we learned what the word “dissection” meant, we were good to go. ;) The students did a great job on reviewing what nouns, pronouns, adjectives, and verbs were. They taught me some cute songs to go with them, if you’ve never heard them.

Our Edward homework this week is very simple, read chapters 5 & 6. The students may read it to an adult or older sibling.  They may also take turns reading the pages with someone. Retelling what they read is always a good idea as well.

2^nd Grade MA

Think Deeply: The ‘Think Deeply’ in math is writing to understand. Think deeply questions will always review what our lesson was about. This is to help the student be able to retell what they learned in word form. This took both days and will be finished on Monday. It will not usually take this long, but I wanted to be sure the children knew what kind of information was important to add.

3^rd Grade LA

Grammar Time: On Monday we worked on grammar, nouns especially. We looked at the many different jobs nouns have in a sentence. We also labeled a sentence’s article adjective, subject noun, verb, preposition, object of the preposition. We also leaned to separate a sentence from the complete subject and the complete predicate. Tuesday we started a new genre of stories, Tall Tales, by reading 2 versions of Johnny Appleseed. This will be continued next week as well.

3^rd Grade MA

Building a Yeti: This week we read a story about a Yeti sighting in the Himalayas. Our story lead us to a Yeti footprint we needed to measure. Upon losing our pack in a crevasse with all of our measuring supplies, we had to measure the foot print with an unsharpened pencil found in our pocket. The footprint was about 2 pencil lengths long. From this information the class will need to construct a life size Yeti……..Picture to come next week!

4^th Grade LA

This was the week of grammar. 4^th grade as well had to analyze sentences and label the article adjective, adjective, noun, verb, conjunction, subject and the predicate. They did a great job!! On Tuesday, we picked biographies to read and started to work on a biography summery. All this will be leading up to our biography project we will be starting in a couple of weeks. I will be sending home information next week on it. In the meantime, make sure to ask your child what kind of man or woman they may want to research. The person needs to be someone who has changed the world; Taylor Swift would not work, sorry!!

4^th Grade MA

Game time: Wednesday we worked on one more worksheet that helped us compare and contrast different polygons. This allowed us to analyze what shapes have same, similar, and different properties. This knowledge was reinforced in our card game we played Thursday. Triple Play is a game using cards with different polygons, front and back. The goal is to get the most points. Points are made by collecting three of a kind in squares and trapezoids earning 10 points, rectangles and rhombi earning 5 points, and parallelograms and regular polygons earning 3 points.  If you noticed, the strategy was to put shapes in the most detailed definition they fit. For example, a square could be named a rectangle, parallelogram, or regular polygon. However, the most points would be earned if it were placed under the square category.