Wednesday, November 7th

ELA - Today we started guided reading and it went really well.  During guided reading Mrs. Washington and I will be working with groups of 4-5 students on reading fluently, identifying text components, and comprehending/retaining information.  We are focusing on informational (non-fiction) texts this term and all of the readings will support this term's science and social studies content.

Math - Students had their weekly compass time today and had a mini-lesson on equivalent fractions with Mrs. Washington.

During Social Studies we watched a special, live telecast in the library.  It featured Lois Lowry, the author of The Giver, The Gathering Blue, and The Messenger.  

Happy Election Day!

Monday, November 5th

ELA - We continued to discuss the guidelines for narrative writing and we read/discussed another chapter of The Giver.  Lastly, guided reading will start on Wednesday and we discussed the work and behavior expectations.

Math - This term Mrs. Washington and I have divided the class into two groups based on the Pre-Test performance.  We both discussed fractions basics and my group used clocks to create equivalent fractions.

Social Studies - I read a book about George Washington Carver and students practiced taking notes from a verbal source.  

A Note about Assessments & the Standards

This term I'm going to give smaller and more frequent assessments.  It was overwhelming for students to take, and for me to grade, the long, multi-format assessments.  For example, I'm grading the student's notes that they took on George Washington Carver since that is one of the standards this term (summarizing information in notes).

Parents can download the standards from my document list on the right.  Also I'll send home a copy of the standards we are covering this term tomorrow.  If you have any questions contact me, and if you have any expertise in any of the standards, let me know if you have any activity suggestions.

Update

Thank you for your patience.  The transition between term 2 and 3 is the most difficult since there are so many standards to assess and we have NO break.  But I finished and we got this term off to a great start!  

Last Week
Math -- Fractions Review
ELA -- Poetry, Literary Cafe', Narrative Writing Introduction
Social Studies -- Turn of the Century Notes & Competition w/ Mr. Zimbardo's class
Science -- GA Power visit (electricity)

Next Week
Math -- Adding & Subtracting Fractions with unlike denominators, Equivalent Fractions
ELA -- Literary Cafe' Preparation (writing/editing poems), Narrative Writing, Guided Reading Groups begin
Social Studies -- Turn of the Century - Cattle Trails, Inventors, & Economics
Science -- Electricity & Magnetism

Heritage Festival

Thank you to the parents who helped chaperone.  The field trip was fun and informative.

I was SO surprised!  Thank You!

Literary Cafe' / Poetry

It's Cold Outside....

GA Power Electricity Lesson/Activity

Music

 Fractions Activity

Turn of the Century Fact-Finding SHOWDOWN (we won!)

Mittens was EXHAUSTED after helping me complete grades this week

FYI...

Grades are due and I'm trying to plan term 3.  Once I get those two tasks behind me I'll be able to update the blog again.  I'm guessing that will probably be Thursday....  Thank you for your patient understanding.   

Wednesday & Thursday

Math - We reviewed the math assessment yesterday and today during the first part of math.  Students then retook the assessment.  Students who excelled on the assessment the first time on Tuesday were given the option to do an extension project.  Students who choose to complete it have until Tuesday to turn it in.

ELA - Students completed their Giver opinion assessment essay on Tuesday and today they worked on their Civil War essay.  I'm going to let students know on Friday that if they need additional time, they can turn in their Reconstruction essays on Monday.  

Social Studies - Civil War Assessment

Science - Cell Parts & Heredity Assessment

On Friday students will have the opportunity to finish any assessments they need to complete.  The Microorganism project and the Civil War Vocabulary (if applicable) are both due on Friday.

I currently have 2 parent chaperones for Friday's field trip but we have room for more! If you would like to come, let me know and remember to wear comfortable walking shoes.

Term 2 Math Assessment

I gave the math assessment, graded it, and I'm going to do one last review tomorrow.  Many students made careless mistakes so I think one last review will be helpful.  Tomorrow evening they will bring home the assessment and notes for review and it would be helpful if parents could have a conversation about the questions.  Students who can explain the math verbally AND be held accountable for their work (in my experience) generally do better.  I'll be reassessing the math standards one final time on Thursday.  The test will have the same types of questions in the same format; however, the digits will all be changed.  Please let me know if you have any questions.