Working on the Migrant Narrative Story
Electromagnet Lab w/ Ms. Karably
Inventor Projects
One of our earlier Term 3 UOI Reflection Questions
Friday, November 30, 2012
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Thursday, November 29th
ELA - We read more of The Gathering Blue and compared it the The Giver, discussed the main character, and made inferences about the catastrophic world event that shaped the futuristic society in both books. Students also continued to work on their inventor projects.
Math - Mrs. Washington and I switched Math groups and we both continued our instruction on adding and subtracting fractions with unlike denominators.
Some students and parents expressed to me that the parent link for Class Dojo doesn't work. Click on the link below; that one should work with your secret parent code:
http://home.classdojo.com/register
Students took the Math MAP today and after all of the data is in I'm going to contact parents of students who had low growth, no growth, or a regression. The purpose of these parent-teacher-student meetings (or phone conversations if an in-person meeting isn't possible) will be to set some individualized learning goals.
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Wednesday, November 28th
Math - Students took a multiplication speed test and worked on Compass Learning (math).
Homework: Students received the parent code for Class Dojo. Parents, please sign up, sign the secret code sheet sheet, and send it with your child to school tomorrow.
This is one of my cats, Tiger.
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Tuesday, November 27th
ELA - We read and discussed The Gathering Blue. We discussed the tone, setting, and characters of the book. Additionally, we compared it to The Giver and noted some interesting similarities and differences.
Social Studies - We watched the Trail of Tears BrainPop video again so students could complete that section of their Native American's packet.
Math - We reviewed adding and subtracting fractions with unlike denominators.
Homework: I sent home a multiplication worksheet today (for select students) and students will start having regular fact-practice homework until I see a significant, class-wide improvement.
Social Studies - We watched the Trail of Tears BrainPop video again so students could complete that section of their Native American's packet.
Math - We reviewed adding and subtracting fractions with unlike denominators.
Homework: I sent home a multiplication worksheet today (for select students) and students will start having regular fact-practice homework until I see a significant, class-wide improvement.
ClassDojo
I introduced a new classroom management tool today and students seem to be really excited about it. I sent home student codes and I can already see that several logged in and created accounts. I'll be sending home parent codes tomorrow so parents can log on and see their child's daily behavior.
Monday, November 26, 2012
Monday, November 26th
ELA - Today students began a new guided reading packet and we began reading The Gathering Blue.
Math - Students discussed the rules for adding and subtracting factions with unlike denominators.
Social Studies - We watched short videos on Westward Expansion and the Trail of Tears and began a packet on the lives of Native Americans during the Turn of the Century.
Math - Students discussed the rules for adding and subtracting factions with unlike denominators.
Social Studies - We watched short videos on Westward Expansion and the Trail of Tears and began a packet on the lives of Native Americans during the Turn of the Century.
Tybee Announcement
(the first of many...)
Send in the paperwork as soon as you can WITH the folder it came in (if you still have it). If you are paying later, or are requesting a scholarship, please indicate that on the applicable form. The important thing now is that everyone gets their paperwork completed correctly and submitted by the Tuesday, December 18th. 
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Friday, November 16, 2012
Friday, November 16th
ELA -- Students wrote a 2-paragraph essay on their final reflection of The Giver. They had to write their opinion of the book and write about how reading the book changed their understanding of the world. Students also continued to do research for their inventor's projects and they completed and turned in their guided reading packets.
Social Studies -- Students worked on their Cattle Drive maps.
Math -- Students took the first part of the math assessment on creating equivalent fractions, modeling fractions, and adding/subtracting fractions with alike denominators.
Science -- Ms. Karably pulled small groups to go over how to create parallel circuits.
Social Studies -- Students worked on their Cattle Drive maps.
Math -- Students took the first part of the math assessment on creating equivalent fractions, modeling fractions, and adding/subtracting fractions with alike denominators.
Science -- Ms. Karably pulled small groups to go over how to create parallel circuits.
Holiday Homework
At the risk of damaging my "cool-teacher-who-doesn't-give-homework" reputation, I'm giving a small math packet to be completed over the break. After looking at the assessment results, I can see that students need a bit more practice with finding common factors and making equivalent fractions. I want to make sure that everyone has those skills down before I move on to multiplying and dividing fractions. Students who did well will be given a front/back challenge sheet. The homework is due on the Monday we return from break.
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Thursday, November 15th
ELA - Students continued to work on their guided reading packets and students who finished continued their research for their inventor projects.
Math - Today we reviewed making equivalent fractions, reducing fractions and comparing the value of fractions. The assessment is tomorrow.
Science - Ms. Karably lead an inquiry lesson about conductors and insulators. Students had to hook up their battery, wires, and bulb and then, once they lit it, one of the wires was taken away and they had to use other materials to see if they were conductors or insulators.
Math - Today we reviewed making equivalent fractions, reducing fractions and comparing the value of fractions. The assessment is tomorrow.
Science - Ms. Karably lead an inquiry lesson about conductors and insulators. Students had to hook up their battery, wires, and bulb and then, once they lit it, one of the wires was taken away and they had to use other materials to see if they were conductors or insulators.
Thanksgiving Luncheon
...coming together to give thanks...
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Wednesday, November 14th
ELA - I worked with two groups during guided reading and students worked on completing their guided reading packets. They also practiced their literary cafe poems.
Math - Students worked on fractions and other individualized math lessons on Compass.
Social Studies - Students continued to work on their Cattle Trails maps and we watched and discussed a short video on the Battle of Little Bighorn.
Our Thanksgiving Lunch (brunch) is tomorrow at 10:45am in the cafeteria. It's $5, cash.
Math - Students worked on fractions and other individualized math lessons on Compass.
Social Studies - Students continued to work on their Cattle Trails maps and we watched and discussed a short video on the Battle of Little Bighorn.
Our Thanksgiving Lunch (brunch) is tomorrow at 10:45am in the cafeteria. It's $5, cash.
Literary Cafe
Literary Cafe was a great success! All of my students prepared original poems and some memorized them. I'm so proud of my young public speakers.
Email Help!
I am about 3 months behind in making my parent email list so I need some help. If you could, please email me at msblack545@gmail.com and type "Add Me" in the subject line. This will help me greatly and save a good bit of time.
Thank You!
Thank You!
Tuesday, November 13th
ELA -- Students worked on their guided reading packets while I attended the schools IB meeting in the morning.
Social Studies -- Students began working on their Cattle Trails & Cowboys maps. We read over the information and discussed the types of migration involved. Also, during lunch, students watched a short video in immigration and shared facts after it was over.
Math -- We worked on reducing fractions and how to convert improper fractions to mixed numbers.
Social Studies -- Students began working on their Cattle Trails & Cowboys maps. We read over the information and discussed the types of migration involved. Also, during lunch, students watched a short video in immigration and shared facts after it was over.
Math -- We worked on reducing fractions and how to convert improper fractions to mixed numbers.
Monday, November 12, 2012
Monday, November 12th
ELA - I worked with several of the guided reading groups today and we did some whole-class research on the Wright Brothers.
Social Studies - We completed an inquiry activity into the motivations behind human migration, specifically at the turn of last century. Students were given pictures of various types of migrants and asked to categorize them into four categories: seasonal, opportunity, forced, and escape. Students finished the lesson by answering the following two reflection questions:
Math - We continued to work with equivalent fractions and students practiced reducing fractions.
Students got to preview the book fair today; they were really excited...
Social Studies - We completed an inquiry activity into the motivations behind human migration, specifically at the turn of last century. Students were given pictures of various types of migrants and asked to categorize them into four categories: seasonal, opportunity, forced, and escape. Students finished the lesson by answering the following two reflection questions:
What motivates people to move to different places?
What is life like for people who have migrated?
Math - We continued to work with equivalent fractions and students practiced reducing fractions.
Students got to preview the book fair today; they were really excited...
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Thursday & Friday
ELA - We had our second Literary Cafe coaching session and we finished The Giver. Students also began work on their Turn of the Century Inventor's project. Some students took their packets home to work on their research. They will have class time over the next few weeks to research and assemble their projects.
Science - Ms. Karably lead a lesson on building circuits. Students had to use their own inquiry skills to use a wire and battery to light a bulb. It was interesting to see how students tried different techniques to build their closed circuits.
Math - We continued to work on making equivalent fractions and we discussed its inverse, reducing fractions. I plan on giving the first portion of the math assessment next Friday. This term I plan on assessing throughout the term so I can avoid having to give an excessively long assessment at the end of the term.
Social Studies - Students began working on their Turn of the Century projects. This term there are several segments to the social studies standards and students are going to meet the majority of them by completing various projects.
We shared library space with Mrs. Sharkey's and Mrs. Semones' classes to watch the live Lois Lowry webcast. She read from her new book, Son, and answered student questions.
Science - Ms. Karably lead a lesson on building circuits. Students had to use their own inquiry skills to use a wire and battery to light a bulb. It was interesting to see how students tried different techniques to build their closed circuits.
Math - We continued to work on making equivalent fractions and we discussed its inverse, reducing fractions. I plan on giving the first portion of the math assessment next Friday. This term I plan on assessing throughout the term so I can avoid having to give an excessively long assessment at the end of the term.
Social Studies - Students began working on their Turn of the Century projects. This term there are several segments to the social studies standards and students are going to meet the majority of them by completing various projects.
Art Work
I noticed this on the word board after school on Friday after Dr. Root's talk with the class. She talked to the class about personal boundaries and the social changes between girls and boys.
We shared library space with Mrs. Sharkey's and Mrs. Semones' classes to watch the live Lois Lowry webcast. She read from her new book, Son, and answered student questions.
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