Freaky Friday

Mrs. Avalos is out sick today with a bad sinus infection.  Send out good thought so she can come back to us feeling better on Monday!  We were also lucky enough to have three of my former students spend the day with us as helpers because their class was split up in 5th grade.  They already know my routine, so they were able to help out a great deal.

• 1st - Science with Ms. Galan and Mr. Hoffman
• 2nd/3rd - Math Block
• We started class with a 10 minute, one question show what you know quiz.  Afterward, we checked homework for any misunderstandings.  Then we went right into the daily word problem and the kids discussed the answer.  We watched the On Demand Math video and did the interactive mini-lesson with Rebekah Rabbit.
• Students then worked on the Share and Show questions and we worked them on the board after they had time to complete them.  Students came up, did the work, and explained it to the class.  Then they were tasked to do the independent work on their own.  After sufficient work time, we came back together and went over all the questions, stopping on the two questions that were giving them the most trouble.
• 4th - WAGGLE
• Students were given 1/2 the period to work on Waggle Math, and the other period to work on Waggle ELA while Mr. McDougall attended an IEP meeting.  Mr. Hoffman covered me and with the substitute, Mr. Johnny, and Ms. Leicea, the students worked on the computer based learning site to improve their skills.
• 5th - Lunch
• 6th/7th - Literacy Block
• Today the focus was on ReadyGen Lesson 2b.5.  We took our spelling test, did our reading and writing lesson, and ended the day with quiet independent reading.  

Sorry the post went up late.  Due to the IEP meeting, I missed my lunch period which is when I usually post this.

Homework:

• Math:
• Division Practice Sheet #14
• GoMath Lesson 7.8 Homework (412-414)
• Reading:
• Reading Comp Wk9, D4/5 "Princess"
• Language Arts Practice Worksheet
• New Reading Log "Weekend"

Thursday in Room 304

• 1st/2nd - Literacy Block
• We started the day getting ready to check homework then we broke into independent reading.  Several students were buddied up to make sure they were reading and understanding their IR books.  I worked with my pal Nile and I am proud to say that after reading the book together, he scored 100% on the AR Book!  Way to go Nile!  After IR reading and taking AR tests on books, we went over our homework and then did a little mini-lesson on superlative adjectives and quizzed on it.  Finally we finished our warm up by completing our Thursday Word Work "Word Ladder" activity.  
• Then we finished sharing our written responses from yesterday to the question, "Why do you think that communities change over time?"   The students had to restate the question, answer the question, and then give two pieces of evidence to support it.  Then we went over producing writing options for informational writing.  We discussed the important things like grouping information together, only focusing on one topic (or subtopic) and most importantly hooking the reader.  Give them just enough to get interested in the topic, but not too much!   
• 3rd/4th - Math Block
• We started the period doing number talks.  The cool part is the students actually came up with a way to solve a problem that we didn't think of and it made sense.  This is why we do number talks, to get them to THINK about numbers.    Then we did the daily word problem and they right through it.  
• We watched the on demand math video with a sample problem from today's lesson, and then did the interactive lesson for GoMath 7.7.   Today's focus was division by 7.  We did the unlocking the problems together.  I love modeling the process to the entire class to make sure they get it.  Then students came up to the board to work on and explain problems in the share and show section.  FInally, they broke into independent work and worked on the problems for the section.  
• 5th - Lunch
• 6th - PE - Mr Hoffman is out (In class Gym)
• Students watched Planet Earth video on Mountains to try and discover different weather patterns on the mountain and how that weather effects the animals.  
• 7th - Science
• Chapter 2, section 1 review.

Homework:

• Math:  
• GoMath7.7  Homework (407-408)
• Division Practice #13
• ELA
• Spelling - Study for TEST
• Adverbs (READ THE DIRECTIONS!)
• Science:
• Making Inferences on a topic
• Picking a topic out of Chapter 2
• Gather information
• Write a HOOK

Wacky Wednesday

The wacky part is that our little scholars are thinking it is more important to be social right now than be studious...  NOPE!  We are on what I call the sprint to the State Tests in April.  We have to fine tune our skills and abilities to SHOW what we really know.

• 1st/2nd - Math Block
• First we checked our homework from last night.  We went over all the problems to make sure the students had full understanding before moving on.
• Then the students worked on their Chapter 7 Mid-Chapter Review.  We called it a quiz because we need to see "what they know" before we move on to the rest of the chapter.  
• When students finished, they met the computer monitors and got a computer and had 20 minutes to work on Waggle Math, and 20 more minutes to work on Waggle ELA.  The company that runs WAGGLE is the same company who supplies the State Test.  It makes sense for the students to practice the Waggle questions as much as possible.  The link is on the side of the blog.  They can practice at home too!
• Before leaving Math, we went over all the Mid-Chapter questions and looked for any misunderstandings.
• 3rd/4th - Language Block

• Our focus today was ReadyGen Lesson 2B.4.  Before starting, we went over last nights reading comprehension paragraph and answers.  Then we went over the focus for the day.  The focus is using illustrations and pictures to understand the text.  We are also focusing on using key ideas and details to understand the main idea.  =
• We reviewed our vocabulary for today. Then we went over the things to remember as we started our new text.  Students were challenged to think of a reason as to why they named our new test "Communities from A to Z".   We moved to the sharing area and read the first 4 pages.  We stopped along the way to have discussions, check understanding, and make connections.
• 5th - Lunch
• 6th - P.E. - Mr. Hoffman is absent - Indoor Gym
• 7th - Science
• Finish Chapter 2 reading.  Work on Blizzard Non Fiction.

Homework:

• Math 
• Division Practice #12
• ELA
• Reading Comprehension Wk9D3
• Language - Comparative Adjectives
• Spelling - Practice Sheet (ABC Order)
• Science
• Writing prompt - pick ONE

Caption Contest

• 1st / 2nd - Literacy Block
• We started the period by collecting homework and quite a few of our students didn't seem to think that would happen because they didn't have it with them.  We then went over our reading comprehension homework and decided which the best answers were.  We then did our word work practice by doing our word ladder.  
• The reading/writing lesson was on using illustrations and pictures to understand the text.  After going over the mini-lesson, students picked a picture they couldn't see, and from that picture they had to write a caption that explained the picture.  It was a good exercise to understand that pictures tell a story and you have to use that story in your writing.  Each student worked on their own picture/caption and then we met in the sharing area to present them.  The class decided if the caption was on track or needed more work.  Out of 29 students, only 4 needed more work!  That is pretty darn good!
• 3rd/4th - Math Block
• Today's lesson was GoMath lesson 7.6.  The focus was on finding the strategies to divided numbers by 6.  They showed them using arrays, using related multiplication facts, and using factors... instead of dividing by six, divide by 2, take that answer and divide by 3 to get the final answer. 
• We watched the On Demand Math to get an idea of what the lesson would be about, then turned on the interactive lesson to look at unlocking the first two problems.   We then did the first section together, modeling each process, before students broke into independent work to do the on your own section.  After work time was over, students came up to the smartboard and wrote their answers and explained what they did to get that answer.  The class either agreed or disagreed with the answer and process.
• 5th - Lunch
• 6th - Science with Ms. Galan
• 7th - Library / Science
• The students were invited to visit the library to return books and check out new ones.  We worked on our non-fiction reading of blizzards with the time we had left.

Homework:

• Math 
• Division Practice Sheet #10
• GoMath Homework (pgs 399-400)
• Reading
• Tuesday Reading Log 
• (checking reading log tomorrow!)
• Reading Comp WK9D2
• Spelling Practice Sheet

Monday

• 1st / 2nd / 3rd - Math Block
• We did our number talks and problem of the day.  Then we watched the math on demand for GoMath Lesson 7.5.  Afterward, we did the interactive mini-lesson for Lesson 7.5 before breaking into independent work.
• When students were finished, we introduced them to Waggle.  They spent an entire 45 minute block working on Waggle Math.  It went into ELA time today, but for the first time finding the website, logging on (Chrome or Firefox only), and learning to navigate, we were fine with them taking up almost 1/2 of ELA.  Next time, it won't take this long.  Students have their passwords and can use this site at home as well to work on skills for ELA and Math!
• 4th - ELA
• We started the period with our Spelling Pre-Test for #15.  The focus is consonant blends and digraphs.  Then we did ReadyGen Lesson 2B.3.  The focus was the role the text, illustrations, and captions play in helping the reader understand the topic and main idea.
• 5th - Lunch
• 6th - Dance with Mr. Nunez
• 7th - Wrap of ELA / Science
• We finished lesson RG 2B.3 and then moved into Science. Today's focus was to finish up Chapter 2 on Weather.  

Homework:

• Math
• GoMath Lesson 7.5 Homework (393-394)
• Division Fact Practice #9 - Dividing with 8's
• ELA
• Reading Comp - WK9D1 
• Spelling Practice - Double Sided
• Reading Log - Monday Summary and Signature

Reading Logs

Parents:

Your child should be reading NIGHTLY for 30-45 minutes.  They should then write a summary of their reading on their reading log.  They should then DISCUSS it with you and have you sign off that they did, infact read.

Today when I collected the reading logs, HALF of the class didn't have one to turn in.  Please - EACH NIGHT - ask about their reading log.

THE ONLY WAY TO GET BETTER AT READING IS TO READ!!!

It's Friday... Friday... Friday....

Today was the last day of Mock Math Testing.  The students had to work several multi-step problems and show their work.  They seemed very focused today.  I can't wait to see the results.

• 1st - Warm Up / Class Business
• Today we started with the students having time to study their spelling list.  Then we had the spelling test.  After, we had a long talk about how important these tests are and why they have to do their best!
• 2nd - 4th - Mock Math Test
• Performance Section
• 5th - Lunch
• 6th - Gym (Mr Hoffman is out - Inside Gym)
• 7th - Science
• Lesson 6.2 - Types of storms with a focus on Blizzards.

Homework:

• Math 
• Division Practice #8
• Reading
• Reading Comp Quiz "Being Safe on the Beach"
• Reading Log "Weekend"
• Science
• Thunderstorms and Tornadoes 

Math Mock Testing - Day 2

Day 2 of Mock Math Testing is underway!  These tests are very important because they show us what skills the students have mastered and which ones they need before the state test in April.   It also is an indicator of how well the students will do on the state exams.  We might also use these results for grouping and promotion criteria.  It is very important that they are here each day and that they take it very serious and do their best!

• 1st - Writing prompts / homework check
• During the short first period, the students had to respond to two small writing prompts that went with the science we read yesterday.  We read and discussed the reading on hurricanes yesterday, took time to underline important facts.  Today they had to write a paragraph putting them in a hurricane, and another paragraph telling a friend five facts about hurricanes.   After this writing break, we went over last night's division fact practice sheet and the reading comprehension sheet.  
• 2nd - 4th - Math Mock Test - Day 2
• Today the students had to work through 24 multiple choice problems.  
• 5th - Lunch
• 6th - Gym (Mr. Hoffman is out - in class GYM)
• 7th - Science



Brooklyn Blizzard of 1888

• Chapter 6 - Lesson 2
• Non-fiction reading on Blizzards!

Homework:

• Math : 
• Division Practice #7
• Reading : 
• Reading Comprehension Wk7D3
• Reading Log - Thursday (picking up tomorrow for grading)
• Scholastic Order Forms home - Order Date is February 12th
• Spelling:
• Practice Sheet
• Spelling test tomorrow

Day 1 - Math Mock Test

• 1st - Period
• Quiet reading and preparing for the mock test.  Check homework and look for misunderstandings and mistakes.
• 2nd - 4th - Math Mock Test Day 1
• Today was day 1 - 24 multiple choice questions to answer.
• 5th - Lunch
• 6th - Gym 
• Mr. Hoffman was out so we finished watching the movie we started after testing.  It was The Lorax which is a great film talking about what happens when you cut down trees and you don't do anything to help.  Great movie, great message!  
• 7th - Science
• Chapter 6 - Section 2
• Short read on Hurricanes

Homework;

• Math - Division Practice #6
• Reading - 
• Comprehension Wk 8 Day 2
• Reading Log for Wednesday
• Spelling - Practice Page

MOCK Math Testing

PS 8 will be having a series of MOCK Math Tests for the next 3 days.

Wednesday - Day 1

Thursday - Day 2

Friday - Day 3

This will mirror the STATE MATH TEST 

and will allow your children to see what to expect in April.  

Please remind your children how important it is to do your best and take their time.

Check your work!  Don't get stressed out... DO YOUR BEST!

Cold Tuesday in the City!

Brrr.... That is all I can say!

• 1st/2nd - Literacy Block
• We started the morning with quiet independent reading, allowing students time to check out new books, take AR tests, and get ready for the busy day.  We then went on and did our Spelling Pretest for #13 (list is on blog already).
• In preparation for Lesson 2B.2 of ReadyGen, we reread the text "City Homes" together.  Our focus today was looking for when the author used literal or nonliteral meaning of words and phrases.  We also focused on the three different genres of informational text:
• Procedural (step by step directions on doing something)
• Report (information about a topic (newspaper or magazine)
• Explanatory (information on topic that explain a situation or phenomenon) 
• 3rd/4th - Math Block
• Today we started GoMath Lesson 7.4 on division by 3.  We stopped and looked at the many ways we have to solve division problems:
• Draw a picture
• Use counters
• number line counting up
• number line counting back
• division facts
• related multiplication facts
• skip counting (repeated addition)
• skip counting (repeated subtraction)
• The list really does go on and on.  We worked through the interactive lessons and then had students work independently through the practice problems.  Students came to the front to work and explain the problems using the different strategies we have learned.
• 5th - Lunch (No Recess - Snow on Playground)
• 6th - Science with Ms. Galan
• 7th - Library - Open Access
• We were invited to use the Open Access time in the main library today.  This is a special treat for the students so we couldn't pass it up.  We only get to visit the Main Library every 3-4 weeks, so when they have an opening, we take it!

Homework:

• Math
• GoMath Homework 7.4 (387-388)
• Division Facts # 4 (dividing by 2's and 4's)
• Reading
• Comprehension Practice Wk8D1
• Independent Reading Log (30-45 minutes)
• Spelling
• 2x's Each - Cursive Practice

Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day!

Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day!

Schools is closed today...

If you would like to learn more about this great man

visit this website!

He made a very famous speech that is still 

talked about and studied today.

You can listen to that speech here!

Spelling List Week #13 (January 18 - 22)

Spelling Test - Friday, January 22nd

Friday

• 1st - Science with Ms. Galan
• 2nd Period
• The period started with the Derek Jeter team from Columbia Hospital coming in and doing our mindfulness relaxation exercises.  Mrs. Avalos lead the class through the exercises with the prompting of the team.  These are a series of stress relief poses and breathing techniques.
• Next, the students took time to take their AR tests, read, and finish morning activities.
• 3rd/4th - Math Block
• We did our number talks, daily number review, and then moved into GoMath Lesson 7.3.  The focus today was division by 5.  We practiced skip counting and using the number line to subtract to look at multiple ways to solve these related problems.
• We worked on section 7.3, and then students were picked to come to the board and explain the problems.
• 5th - Lunch
• 6th/7th - Literacy
• We started the period with the Spelling Test #12.  Then we moved to an introduction to Unit 2 Module B and then started Lesson 2b.1 in ReadyGen.  The focus was asking and answering questions to show that you understand text.  

Homework:

• Math
• Division Practice #5 (dividing by 5's)
• GoMath pgs 381-382
• Reading
• Reading Comp - Seeing Double 
• Reading Log - 30-45 minutes and summary

• 1st period - Pre Test
• We went over our reading comprehension homework and our math division practice homework.  We had quiet reading time until they started picking up students for different testing classrooms.
• 2nd - 4th - Day 3 - ELA Mock Testing
• Today was reading and writing.  Students had to read 3 texts and write short responses and one long response.  I was walking around and many students didn't do their best jobs today.  They put a few words down and didn't practice the methods we have been using all year.  I was not very pleased to see the lack of effort today.

• 5th - Lunch/Recess
• 6th - P.E. with Mr. Hoffman
• 7th - Science
• Finish section 1 of Chapter 6 on Weather.  Work on non-fiction piece on weather.

Homework:

• Math - Division Fact Practice #3 - dividing by 4's
• Reading - Comprehension Practice Week 7 Day 3
• Reading - Independent Reading 30-45 Minutes ( reading log)
• Spelling - Practice ABC order / Unscramble
• Spelling Test Tomorrow!

Wednesday

Today was our second day of MOCK ELA testing!  The students had to read several texts and answer multiple choice questions, some short response questions, and one extended response question.  Again, this models the ELA STATE TEST which they will take in April.  ONE MORE DAY!

• 1st Period - Quiet Independent Reading and Homework Check.
• 2nd - 4th - Mock ELA Test
• The students had 70 minutes for general testing, 105 minutes for time and half modifications, and some students had 140 minutes for double time modifications.  If you think your child would benefit from extra time and isn't receiving program modifications, contact the school about getting a 504 modification form so your doctor can fill it out before the April Testing!
• 5th - Lunch/Recess
• A couple students didn't get to go outside due to behavior in the lunchroom or not following directions.  If it is cold outside, and you refuse to wear your jacket, you wont go out.  
• 6th - P.E. with Mr. Hoffman
• 7th - Science - Chapter 7, lesson 1 on Weather.

Homework;

• Math - Division Practice #2 (dividing by 3)
• Reading
• Comprehension Practice Week 7 Day 2
• Independent Reading 30-45 minutes
• Spelling - Spelling Practice - Right or Wrong Spelling

Mock Test Tuesday

As you know, we have mock testing this week.  The students had to complete 30 multiple choice test items today after reading 4 texts and poem.  For the most part we did pretty well.  We have to work on bubbling test items correctly, but this is why we practice!

• 1st Period
• Getting room ready for Testing - Silent Independent Reading.
• 2nd - 4th - ELA Mock Test Day 1
• Students were moved to different rooms based on testing modifications.  The students that stayed with me were the students who received time and a half which worked out to 105 minutes.  
• 5th - Lunch / Recess
• 6th - Science with Mrs. Galan
• 7th - Wrap Up
• Check ELA and Math Homework.  Collect Spelling Homework.  Collect missing PBA's.
• Continue on with Chapter 7 in Science - Weather.

Homework:

• Spelling - Practice Sheet
• Math - Division Practice 
• Reading
• Comprehension Practice Week 7 Day 1
• Read Independently for 30-45 minutes
• Science - Weather Sheet

Important Update!!!

Dear Parents:

We will be doing a MOCK ELA State Test this week.

Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday the students in grade 3-5 will take a practice ELA Test.  This serves multiple reasons, but the only one that really matters to me is it allows me to see what areas I need to work on, cover, or reteach before the actual state test in April.

It will allow me to see red flags as well as yellow caution flags in our students ELA education.

So please make sure your little ones get a good nights sleep.  Make sure they have a big breakfast of nutritious food.  Make sure they come to school on time and ready to "Show What They Know!"

Thanks for understanding how important these next few days are.

Spelling List #12

Way Too Chatty Monday!!!

Not quite sure what happened over the weekend, or maybe it was the change in weather... but the little ones had the talking bug today.  It was quite challenging to get them focused and working today.

• 1st / 2nd - Math Block
• Today our focus was to work with dividing by 10.  We started our day going over number talks and our daily number review.  Then we moved into GoMath 7.2.  We looked at the on the spot video preview and then went into the interactive lesson with Rebekah Rabbit before working with the unlock the problems for the section.  
• Students came to the board and worked problems to show mastery.  Students are really starting to make the connection between multiplication and division.  These related facts and inverse operations are slowly "clicking" and it is nice to see.  Keep practicing those multiplication and division facts. Mastery is vital!
• 3rd / 4th - Literacy Block
• We started the day with doing our Spelling Pre-Test.  Our focus this week is consonant blends.  We then moved to the meeting area and one by one students shared their performance based assessment.  We had been working on them since last week and students were supposed to finish them over the weekend.  I was saddened to see that several students didn't do their PBA.  They will lose recess until they are turned in.  
• As listeners, we were looking for key aspects of the story
• situation/problem for the characters to work through
• sequence of events
• dialogue
• descriptions
• a solution that makes sense and adds closure
• After each person shared, we gave them feedback in the form of questions, comments, and concerns.  These were areas we liked, didn't understand, or to work on for next time. 
• 5th - Lunch (No Recess - Too Much Talking Today!)
• 6th - Dance 
• 7th - Science
• We ended our day checking homework from Reading and Math.  Then we moved into our new science unit - Chapter 6 "Weather".   We reviewed the academic vocabulary that we would be working with this week.  We looked at pictures to see if we could figure out what the words meant.  Then I gave them a graphic organizer where they had to write the definitions and draw a picture that helps them understand the word before we start reading the text tomorrow.

Homework:

• Math
• GoMath Practice 7.2 (pgs 375-376)
• Division Facts (A)
• Reading 
• Reading Comprehension Wk4D3
• Independent Reading 30-45 minutes
• Spelling
• 2 x Each
• Cursive practice
• Writing 
• Finish PBA if you have not done so already!

• 1st - Science
• Ms. Galan was not here today, so we had the students for Science.  In place of science, we watched the educational film "March of the Penguins" and then related it to the hardships the characters in "The Year of Miss Agnes" faced.
• 2nd - 
• The Team from Columbia Presbyterian came in and taught the students some new relaxation techniques.  We learned the new techniques and then practiced them all.   Following, the students begged to watch the end of the movie, and since they were so well behaved all morning, and the room is so hot, we decided to let them.  
• 3rd/4th - Literacy Block
• We reviewed our homework paragraph and division practice.  We then went over the planning process for our extension of Miss Agnes and how we took our planning and made our story.  When then talked about our next step of drafting, revising, editing, and moving toward publishing.
• Students worked with buddies to revise and edit while others continued to write.
• 5th - Lunch/Recess
• 6th - Writing Block 
• Students were given the period to finish their first draft and edit.
• 7th - Social Studies
• Finish the Chapter 2 Test on Nigeria and check the answers. 

Homework:

• Math - Division Facts Sheet
• Reading - Pool Party Comprehension Sheet
• Writing - PBA FINAL DRAFT DUE MONDAY!

Thursday Highlights

• 1st/2nd - Literacy Block
• We started the day with quiet independent reading.  The students moved around the room, checked out books, took AR tests, and the teachers read with selected students to monitor progress.  Then we moved into our lesson today which was going over the Project Based Assessment Writing Prompt. 
• We read the prompt and talked about the three key requirements that it expects from the students.  We agreed that we had already covered all of the requirements so this was a fair assessment of what they have been learning.
• Then we went over the rubric which showed how the would be scored.  
• Our next step was to, as a group, fill out a pre-planning graphic organizer to put our basic ideas down on paper in order.
• Finally, we co-wrote an extension, as a class, for The Year of Miss Agnes.  The students saw in action how the planning page is just the skeleton of the idea.  The actual extension is much longer and more detailed with descriptions, dialogue, and sequence linking words.  It has a situation that needs to be solved.  It has an ending that gives closure and solves the situation.   Then the students went to work on their own planning page.  

• 3rd/4th - Math Block
• After going over the reading comprehension and math fact practice pages from homework, students moved to the front floor for Number Talks.  We worked with numbers close to 100 and strategies for adding in their head.  After that we did the daily number review which was a subtraction problem.  
• We started chapter 7 by reviewing the key vocabulary words for the unit. Then we watched Professor Burger give us a preview of the lesson.  Finally, we did the interactive lesson with Rebekah Rabbit.  Today's target was dividing with 2's.  We practiced using the skip counting method of repeated addition to check.  As a whole group we worked through the daily assignment.
• 5th - Lunch / Recess
• 6th - Gym
• 7th - Social Studies
• Today was the social studies test.  We let students work together and use their book to answer the questions from the test.

Homework:

• Math - Chapter 7.1 Practice/Homework - 369/370
• Math - Division Facts Practice
• Reading - Comprehension Check Week 6 Day 2
• Writing - Draft Extension of Miss Agnes using Planning Document

Working Hard Wednesday!

• 1st/2nd/3rd - Math Block
• We had a longer than normal math block today.  Let me explain why.  First we started the day with our 20 minutes of D.E.A.R time.  Students pull out their reading books, find a place to read, and READ for 20 minutes.  Some people check out new books, others take tests... it is their 20 minutes to settle into the day.
• Then we passed out the Chapter 6 performance Task for the day.  As we were passing it out we noticed it was the 5th grade Chapter 6, so we had to quickly collect them and print out the 3rd grade Performance Task.  I love when the students can see that we are human too, we make mistakes, but instead of getting upset, we fix it.  So we quickly printed Chapter 3 and printed it out.
• We then read the performance tasks together.  We looked at each questions, we underlined important information, and then talked about "how" we would go about solving the problem.  We made sure that they understood the problem before they did it.  I told the students they had about 6-8 more weeks of me walking them through the tasks so step by step, but then I have to gradually release them so they do it for themselves of the state test in April.
• After that, we promised they could do their daily math on the computers.  So instead of the text, they did the Chapter 7 Pre-Test using the Think Central page on the computers.  That is why it took so long today.  Many of the computers didn't have the website saved, many students couldn't find their card with their log in information.  It took a long time, but we FINALLy got everyone up and running.
• 4th - Literacy Block
• Today's learning target was being able to find main idea and then look for the central message of the text.  We started by going over our homework.  We talked in depth about the state test, and how 2/3 of their grade comes from reading texts and answering multiple choice questions.  They have to become closer readers who really understand the text they are reading and then be able to pick the BEST answer.  You notice I said BEST instead of Right.  Sometimes there are more than one answer that COULD be the answer but which one is the BEST answer is what we are focusing on.  I also told the students that Monday - Thursday they would have these short 1 paragraph readings with 5 questions to answer that were just for practice.  The one we do Friday will be a longer passage and would be collected Monday for a grade.  So it is important to concentrate and try all week because those same skills we practice will be in the LONGER Friday text and questions.  
• We then went back to comparing and contrasting our texts we worked with.  Today we compared the informational text "The Athabascans" to the legend "The Frog Princess" and we looked for similarities and differences.  We stressed they couldn't just say their alike unless they could show the evidence from the text.   
• 5th - Lunch / Recess
• 6th - P.E. with Mr. Hoffman
• 7th - Social Studies
• Today we finished Chapter 2 and worked on the end of the chapter review sections.  There will be a SHORT test tomorrow for Social Studies - Chapter 2 on Nigeria.

Homework;

• Math - Division Practice 
• Reading - Reading Comprehension Practice Week 6, Day 3
• Writing - Brainstorm Ideas for "What Happened Next" with Miss Agnes
• Social Studies - Study Chapter 2 for Test Tomorrow

Cold Tuesday in the City!

Did I read my thermometer correctly... I think it said 12 degrees this morning. That was NOT FUNNY!  Even less humorous... the heating system at school was OUT this morning.  Luckily the maintenance department had it working before 8:30 and the school slowly started to warm up.  It is noon now and the room is nice and toasty!

• 1st / 2nd - Literacy Block
• Today we started out with our 20 minutes of independent reading.  Parents, after looking at the last STAR Reading Test, it is clear that some of your children are not reading at home.  PLEASE - 20-30 minutes each night.  Make sure they are reading.  Read to them, Read with them. Listen to them read to you.  It is VITAL for their entire future as readers to build their skills NOW.  We then did our Tuesday Word Work using Word Ladders.  Finally we broke into floor time and re-read The Frog Princess together.  We focused on how this text was similar and different from The Year of Miss Agnes.  We stopped repeatedly and said how is this section alike or different from Miss Agnes?  This is an easy method to compare and contrast two texts.   We also looked again and the literal and non-literal meaning of words and phrases. 
• We ended the class with co-writing an extension of The Frog Princess (What COULD happen next).  We made sure that we included characters we already know, start with a problem or situation, have sequence of events leading to a solution that makes sense.  Finally - the characters should have some dialogue to help tell the story.  We wrote one together in 7 minutes and the students really liked it.  Then they had 20 minutes to work on their own extension to the story.  If they didn't finish - HOMEWORK!
  
• 3rd/4th - Math Block
• We started the class by looking at number talks.  The focus today was distributing a smaller number to make larger numbers that are friendly.  For example, if you have 98 + 97 + 5 .... give the 98 two of the five to make 100 and give the 97 three of the five to make 100, then simply say 100 + 100 equals 200.  This is the way they should be looking at numbers.. how can I make this friendly!  How can I do this "in my head" with numbers I know.  
• After a quick review, we put up the testing boards and students worked on their Chapter 6 Math Test.  Tomorrow will be the performance task for Chapter 6 before we start Chapter 7.  PLEASE - it is so important that students are practicing and working with their multiplication and division facts on a daily basis so these processes and facts become part of their daily life... we have practiced enough that now they should be looking at automaticity and KNOWING them.
• 5th - Lunch
• 6th - Science
• 7th - Social Studies - Chapter 2 Wrap Up and End of Chapter Questions

Homework:

1. Math - Division Facts - Practice Sheet
2. Reading - Week 4 Day 1 - reading comprehension 
3. Writing - Extension for The Frog Princess

Monday - Mr. McDougall's Sick at Home

Hey Class:

Sorry I was out today.  I was sick most of the break.  Upon returning to NYC on Friday, my doctor prescribed me some medicine to get better.  Unfortunately, it made my tummy really upset, but my lungs and head are getting better.  I should be back to work tomorrow!  I miss you!

Your teacher,
Mr. McDougall