Wednesday, August 31st

Writing - I gave a mini-lesson on paragraph structure and writing references to assist students with their summative Response to Literature paper. 

Social Studies - Students completed their summative Bill of Rights assessment.  I will give one more summative Social Studies assessment next week.  


Math - Students finished up their circle graph practice and their formative assessments.  Students who did not finish their circle graph practice worksheets will complete them as homework.  They are due on Thursday.


Reading - I read aloud from A Tale Dark & Grimm and students read silently.

Announcements
-Please send in the form and money with your child tomorrow if you want him/her to have a signed copy of A Tale Dark & Grimm


-If your child is going to miss any days before the fall break please let me know.  I will try to give them their assessments early so their absence doesn't affect their grade.


-Please talk with your child about their behavior during Spanish.  As a class their behavior leaves much to be desired and it is perfectly reasonable to expect them to behave even when I'm not in the room.  Lastly, Senora Chicatello has a class roster with parent phone numbers so if you receive a call from her, she will be addressing specific behavior issues with your child.


-Students have P.E. tomorrow; please make sure they wear appropriate shoes.

Tuesday, August 30th

Writing - Students received the guidelines, rubric, and schedule for their writing summative assessment.  It is due next Friday and if you would like a copy of the rubric, please email me and I'll send it to you.


Science -  Today's lesson was titled, Animal & Plant Cells and the learning targets were:
•I can describe the basic organelles and their functions in animal and plant cells.

•I can identify the similarities and differences between an animal cell and a plant cell.
We read and discussed the first section of Enjoy Your Cells, by Fran Balkwill and students viewed a University of Utah website that compared the sizes of various microscopic things.  The links to the book and the site are below.  We concluded science by drawing plant and animal cells and labeling some of the basic organelles.  

Reading - Ms. Bowden read aloud from A Tale Dark & Grimm and after that, students read silently.


Math / Math Mania - Students had some more practice with circle graphs and percents.  Links students had additional time to finish their formative assessment since they were with the Links group on Friday when I originally had students begin working on the assessment.


Announcements
--Students brought home the book order form for A Tale Dark & Grimm.  All of the students are enjoying the book so if your child wants one, please send it in by Thursday.
--The Bill of Rights assessment on Wednesday.  Study.

August 29, 2011

Reading - At the beginning of Reading I read aloud from, A Tale Dark & Grimm, by Adam Gidwitz.  Mr. Gidwitz will be visiting our school this Friday and a form is going home on Tuesday if you would like to purchase a signed copy of the book.  Students read silently for the remainder of the period.


Science - Students created "microscopes" with water and wax paper.  Additionally, we discussed the basics about what microscopes do and how we are supposed to use them.  Students also labeled parts of a microscope.

Writing/Social Studies - We discussed the Second Amendment and students shared their opinions about whether they were pro or anti second amendment.  After our discussion, students completed their weekly reading questions.


Math - I taught a mini-lesson on percents and students continued to work on their formative graph assessments.  This week's homework is similar to the formative assessment because many students need additional practice.


Announcements
--Homework went home today and it is due Thursday (Math and Social Studies only).
--The Bill of Rights quiz is on Wednesday -- study materials went home today.
--Students have PE on Mondays and Thursdays.  Please make sure they wear appropriate footwear.

Friday, August 27th

Social Studies/Writing -- Students continued to work in groups to summarize the Bill of Rights.  I will take each group's summary and make a study sheet which I will send home on Monday.  The quiz on the Bill of Rights will be on Wednesday.

Math -- I gave a formative* assessment on line, bar, and circle graphs.  Based on my initial observations I am going to re-teach about circle graphs on Monday.


Reading -- We had our library visit today.  Students read, checked out books, and several took AR tests.

Science -- Students reviewed and took a genetics quiz (summative).

*Formative assessments are not graded.  They are given to assess student learning so things can be re-taught (if necessary).  Summative assessments are graded and they are typically given at the end of a term after students have completed several formative assessments.

Announcements:  Some students have had some issues with self-control and respect (for each other).  If you get a chance, please talk with your child about personal responsibility.  I have been discussing "solution-based problem solving" in the class and I will continue to do so until the class is working as a cohesive unit.  Lastly, I haven't talked to all parents yet; however, I will start making calls home to address the behavior of some students.

It's been a long week.... have a good weekend...

Thursday, August 25th

Math -- During Math we corrected the homework and students (mostly) finished their calculations on their Outdoor Data Collection worksheets.


Math Mania -- Students continued to work with their multiplication facts.  Students studied in groups of two then played "Around the World" in groups of ten.  At the end of Math Mania we played as a whole class.  I noticed that students are getting faster with their multiplication facts and I am really pleased about that.


Reading -- Ms. Bowden taught a lesson about the four types of sentences.  Students learned the different between each, wrote their own sentences, practiced a chant that aids in remembering the different types, and completed a worksheet.  Students who did not finish in class brought the worksheet home.  It is due Friday.

Announcements --  If you have not already sent back the red communication folder please send it tomorrow.  We are still accepting forms and money for Decatur Arts Live.

Wednesday, August 24th

Math -- Mr. Wither's taught a lesson entitled, "A Balanced Mean," and students worked with a partner to complete a series of tasks.


Social Studies/Writing -- We continued to discuss due process and students began a group activity where they read and discussed their assigned amendment.  After their short discussion students had to rephrase their amendment.  On Friday students will share their amendment interpretation with the class.


Reading -- I continued to administer DRAs while students read silently.

Fall Break Conferences

I am contemplating having informal parent/teacher/student conferences at Starbucks during the fall break (September 12-16).  The purpose of the meeting would be to:

• get some feedback from parents 
• discuss the theme and expectations for term 2
• discuss my observations  (academic & behavioral)
• talk with students to set goals and have a solution-based discussion about behavior (if applicable)

The overall tone of the meetings would be more informal since they will not be in the classroom and I won't have access to student work. 


I understand that some families may be going out of town but I wanted to put the idea out there. If there is a positive response, I can start scheduling meeting days & times.  Please leave a comment on this post if this is something you and your family would like.