Wacky Wednesday!

Ms. Avalos was not with us today.  

We hope she gets to feeling better real soon! 

• 1st/2nd - Math Block
• The focus of the day was reviewing the skills that were learned in sections 10.1 through 10.5 of the GoMath unit on measuring time.  As it was explained to the students, 2nd grade was about learning to READ time, 3rd grade is about using time to solve problems.
• We went over the homework, problem by problem.  Then we broke the students into 3 groups and we did review work with them from 10.3, 10.4, and 10,5.  I call this a "clinic" activity.  Each group worked on one skill to review.  Every 10-15 minutes we switched groups so they had remediation on these three skills and hopefully understand it better now.
• After the clinic rotations, I put the music on softly and students worked on the Chapter 10 Mid Chapter Review.  After 15-20 minutes, we checked each problem and discussed anything that was confusing or they didn't understand.  I gave them all a clock face to help them remember their times.
• 3rd/4th - Literacy Block

• After going over the I can statements, we moved to the reading area and reread our text "Storm in the Night".   We stop and pointed out figures of speech, how the illustrations helped the story make more sense, and the sequence of events of the story.  It was a great review of the text.
• Then we answered several comprehension questions before moving to our mini-lesson on cause and effect. After modeling how to use the cause and effect organizer, we did one together, and then they did the last one on their own (I Do, We Do, You Do).  After they finished, we moved to our writing lesson which was using reasons and supporting details to strengthen your opinion.
• 5th - Lunch/Recess
• 6th - Gym
• 7th - Wrap Up - Test Prep - Class Novel "The Chocolate Touch"

Homework:

• Math 
• Worksheet on elapsed time
• Literacy
• Writing Lesson 3A.8 Outline
• Written Response 
• Write a paragraph that uses sequence of events to summarize "Storm in the Night"
• Spelling Handout

One Week To Go!!!

• 1st - 2nd - Literacy Block
• Today we worked on ReadyGen Lesson 3A.7:
• The reading focus today was:  I can explain how key details convey the central message that helps to explain the world.  We also focused on:  I can identify ways authors convey details and meaning in text.
• The writing focus was: I can explore how writers provide reasons to support an opinion. Our language focus was: I can explain functions of adjectives in particular sentences.
• We finished reading our text "Storm in the Night".  Before we finished, we used the illustrations to recount what had happened in the first part of the story.   We then talked about how the author/illustrator made us feel things with the word choices and the illustrations used.
• After finishing the book, we did an activity on literal vs. nonliteral words and phrases, and ended with a writing activity where you stated your opinion and gave details to support that opinion.  We practiced using the RACE format for answering these questions.

• 3rd - 4th - Math Block
• After Test Prep, Ms. Avalos did number talks and the daily number review.  I spent a good portion of the first period going over last night's homework because the majority of students either didn't do it, or didn't understand it.  Not very happy about this!  
• After going over the homework, we watched the On Demand video for GoMath Lesson 10.5.  Using the interactive math lesson, we unlocked the problems before breaking into groups to work on lesson 10.5  The focus today was how can I solve word problems involving time (using time number line).  
• 5th - Lunch/Recess
• 6th - Science with Ms. Galan
• 7th - Math wrap up - Class Novel "Cricket in Times Square"

Homework:

• Math
• GoMath 10.5 Practice pp 589-590
• Literacy
• Writing
• Lesson 3A.7 - RACE on the back of your paper
• Spelling
• Handout
• Reading 45 - Log

Rainy Monday

Welcome Back!!!  Well, Welcome back to most of you....had a lot of people come in late or not show up today... guess they were not quite done with Easter Weekend.  Remember:

• ELA State Testing is Next Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday 4/5, 4/6, 4/7
• Math State TEsting is the following Wednesday, Thursday, Friday! 4/13, 4/14/, 4/15

Every instructional minute counts!  Please be here every day from 8:15 - 2:35!

• 1st / 2nd - Math Block (3.MD.A1)
• The focus today was finding either a starting or stopping time using elapsed minutes.  We showed them two methods for figuring it out.  One method was using the time number line to show intervals of time elapsed (either going forward from the start time, or backward from the ending time) and measuring the elapsed time or counting the elapsed time.  The other method was using the clock face and counting elapsed time either forwards or backwards. 
• We broke into groups and worked on pages 579-582.  We ended with me going over two of the challenge problems on page 581 where you had to solve one part of the problem to be able to solve the other part of the problem. Students need to slow down and use the methods we showed to do these problems.  
• 3rd / 4th - Literacy Block 
• We started with our Spelling Pre-Test for list #20.  We then moved to the floor to work with our text "Storm in the Night".  Our focus was using illustrations to provide more information on the characters, setting, and plot.  We also focused on recounting the first part of the text.  Our writing focus was providing reasons for an opinion.  We went over the three ways to provide reasons 1. Facts, 2. Personal Experience/Connection, and 3. Text Evidence.  We also reviewed the job of an adjective.
• After going over 7 new vocabulary words, we read pages  14-27 from the text.  Students were able to answer reading comprehension questions after reading.  Then we did our mini-lesson how how illustrations help tell the story.  We broke into individual work time as I modeled the first illustration, what I saw, and how it helped describe what was really going on.  We did the second illustration "together" and the third page they did on their own.  This gradual release model is known as "I Do", "We Do", and "You Do!"  After they finished and we shared, we moved into working more on our opinion pieces by adding strong reasons to our opinion from lesson 3A.4 and 3A.5.   We are going step by step on how to craft a good opinion piece in preparation for the PBA after lesson 3A.18.  
• 5th - Lunch
• 6th - Gym with Mr. Nunez
• 7th - Test Prep - Class Novel "The Chocolate Touch"
• The document camera was working earlier, so we had to test prep at the end of the day for ELA and Math.  Then we finished the day by reading from our class novel.

Homework:

• Math
• GoMath Lesson 10.4 Homework pp 583-584
• Watch the Video Links in the blog for help 
• Literacy
• ReadyGen Writing 3A.6 (reasons)
• Spelling 2x Each
• Reading 45-60 Minutes - Log

Happy Easter!!!

Have a Happy and Safe Easter!
See you on Monday!!!

Thursday Recap

• 1st / 2nd - Literacy Block
• After breakfast and Test Prep, a  few students moved to the back of the classroom to retake either the STAR Math or STAR Reading tests.  
• We started a new text today in Literacy, again about a Grandfather and grandson and the sharing of stories.  "Storm in the Night" has great illustrations and the students seemed to enjoy the first few pages we read (4-13).  The focus for ReadyGen Lesson 3A.5 was working with figures of speech (SIMILES) and descriptions.  Our Writing focus continued from our opinion piece in lesson 4, and extended it by showing how to extend an opinion using sentence frames. 
• 3rd/4th -Math Block
• After number talks and the daily number review, we moved into watching the On Demand Video lesson for GoMath 10.3.  After Professor Burger showed them three different ways to figure out elapsed time (number line, using the clock and skip counting, and subtracting the beginning time from the end time), we moved on to Rebekah Rabbit and the Interactive Math Lesson.   
• Before starting our independent practice, we went back and checked the homework from 10.1 and 10.2.  We wanted to make sure that we really understood how to look at a clock before we worried about elapsed time.   
• For online practice in Elapsted Time - Click Here!
• For videos explaining Time - Click Here!
• 5th - Lunch / Recess
• 6th - P.E. with Mr. Hoffman
• 7th - Wrap Up Math - Class Novel "The Chocolate Touch"
• Finished up looking at the lesson 10.3, then we read chapter 8 and 9 of The Chocolate Touch.

Homework

• Math 
• GoMath 10.3 (pp577-578)
• Elapsed Time Take Home Quiz
• Literacy
• ReadyGen 3A.5 Reading ComprehensionChocolate Touch 7-9 Take Home
• Pronoun Practice Sheet

TIME to READ

• 1st - 3rd - Math Block
• Since we spent so much time yesterday working on reading to get our class average up to 85%, today we had a catch up day with Math.  Mrs. Avalos and Ms. Leicea worked with the kids in the front of the room to complete lesson 10.1 and 10.2 on the unit of time chapter.  Mr. Johnny and I worked in the back of the room with 8 students who were behind in reading percentages.  I think we finally have enough students with 85% to have our class when the $1000 prize for being a STAR READER CLASSROOM!  We will see when the results are announced. Fingers Crossed!!!!
• If you want your child to practice telling time - Here is a great website!!!
• If you would like to watch a video - Check this out!
• 4th - STAR MATH
• During 4th period students took their STAR MATH test.  
• 5th - Lunch/Recess
• 6th - P.E
• 7th - Wrap Up / Class Novel "The Chocolate Touch"

Homework:

• Math 
• 10.1 pp 565-566
• 10.2 pp 571-572
• Literacy
• Reading Comp Wk 13, Day 3
• Pronouns Practice
• The Chocolate Touch Chapter 5-6 Quiz
• Reading 45 - 60 minutes / Reading Log

Readathon Tuesday

We have until Wednesday at 2:35 to become a STAR READER classroom.  If we meet all the criteria, our classroom gets $1000 to spend on prizes or books.  We worked REALLY hard today to get there... ALMOST THERE!

• 1st/2nd - Literacy Block
• We started the day with breakfast and watched a couple stories on Storyline Online.  Afterward the students took the quiz as a class and then we moved to Test Prep.  We checked last night's homework and then read the poem for today's text.   We looked at the poem closely and answered our 3 questions.  There are 3 questions to do for homework.
• We finished ReadyGen Lesson 3B.4's writing section.  Our focus was writing an interesting hook and topic sentence for our opinion paper.  We went over the mini-lesson, did some model writing, and then students wrote their own hook/topic intro.  Then they moved to a partner and shared their work and improved if they needed to.  We were lucky enough to have our principal, Mr. Hernandez, stop by and watch and take part in the lesson.  I love when the administration stops by and checks out the learning going on in our classroom.
• 3rd - STAR Reading
• We had our 5th STAR Reading test today.  Most of the class showed improvement, but a few students went down.  This is a clear sign that they are not reading at home parents.  THEY MUST READ EACH NIGHT for 45 - 60 Minutes.  Turn off the TVs.... Turn off the Gaming Systems....  Open up good books and have family reading time.  THE ONLY WAY TO GET BETTER AT READING IS TO READ!!!!
• 4th - STAR READING - READATHON
• Some students took longer than others to finish their STAR test.  Others read books and and took AR tests.  We had to get our class average up to 85%, so it meant a lot of testing.  
• 5th - Lunch / Recess
• 6th - Science
• 7th - More Reading / AR Testing
• I found out after school that not only does the class need to have 85% correct rate, but all students do as well.  That means tomorrow there are 11 students who need to pull their percents up.  That means reading 3-4 books and getting 100% on their quizzes.  TOMORROW is our last shot to do it!  Be ready!!!

Homework:

• Since we moved our Correct Class Percent up from 78% up to 85.1%, we decided to give the students a homework break.... except....
• Independent Reading 45 - 60 Minutes so you can take AR test tomorrow

Monday's Rundown

• 1st / 2nd / 3rd  - Math Block
• During breakfast, we watched a "storyline online" story called "The Day I Followed My Dog".  After breakfast was over, Luis took the test on the smartboad and we all answered the questions together.   Then we passed around the ipads and students took the test on their own.  We are so close to reaching our goal before Wednesday's Deadline.  We are up to 82.8% and we have to have 85% to reach our goal.  We have the points, we just have to increase our percent - that means we have to get 100% on all our AR tests!!!
• After Test Prep, we reviewed the homework for Chapter 9.  The homework was the Chapter 9 Chapter Review Test.  We went over every single question - paused for questions - and then moved on.  No one had any questions.  Afterward we passed out the Chapter 9 Multiple Choice Test.  Students had 45-60 minutes to complete the 20 problems.   
• After the Chapter 9 Multiple Choice Test was completed and picked up, we passed out the Chapter 9 PBA for students to work on.  They had 4 word problems that had multiple steps involving fractions to work on.  They were also given 45-60 minutes to complete this task.  If they finished early, they were allowed to read a book.
• 4th - Literacy Block
• After doing the Literacy Test Prep about "The Sun", we moved into ReadyGen Lesson 3A.4.  The focus was looking for parts of the story you missed before, understanding sequence of events, and looking at characters and character traits. We re-read the text "Knots on a Counting Rope" again as a group and then answered the review questions.  Then I modeled using a graphic organizer to discuss traits.  We looked at "traits", "actions", "motivations", and "feelings" in terms of the grandfather.  The students re-read pages 16-19 to find information to fill in their graphic organizer.   We will finish with the writing section tomorrow.  We will also be taking our next STAR READING test tomorrow.   Students have been told that if they don't show two months progress, they would be invited to "READ" during recess until their reading goes up.  The ONLY way to get better at reading is to read books in your zone and to discuss them and work with them.  If your child isn't improving in reading, they are not reading books in their zone for 45-60 minutes each day.  EACH DAY... Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.   If they don't read, they wont improve.  It is that simple!
• 5th - Lunch (No Recess - Too Much Talking!)
• 6th - Dance - Mr. Nunez
• 7th - Wrap Up
• Spelling Test 
• Copy Down Homework
• StoryLine Online "When Pigasso Met Mootisse"  
• Class Novel "The Chocolate Touch

Homework:

• Math 
• Chapter 10 "Show What You Know" pp. 559-560
• Chapter 10 Vocabulary - Look them over pp. 561-564
• Fractions on a Number Line Quiz (In Mailbox)
• Literacy 
• Missed Spelling Words 10X Each
• ReadyGen Reading Check Lesson 3A.4
• Read 45-60 Minutes - Reading Log
• Spelling
• Short Week - No Spelling

Teacher Down!

Ms. Avalos was not feeling well today so she stayed home to rest and recuperate.

• 1st - Science
• 2nd - Awards Ceremony
• 3rd/4th - Literacy Block
• We started by watching the story "Private I.Guana" on Storyline Online.  Then we did our Test Prep lesson.  Then we finished ReadyGen lesson 3A.3.  With doing all the test prep and finishing PBA's, we were a little behind with the writing sections of ReadyGen, so Friday was a catch8-up day.  Some students finished their PBA, some worked on their writing assignments, some took AR tests, some had quiet reading time.  But in the end, we finished all our PBA's and we caught up on the writing assignments and Test Prep.
• 5th - Lunch/Recess
• 6th/7th - Math Block
• After going over all the Test Prep, we moved into groups and worked on reviewing before the Chapter Review.  We went over homework and then we broke into groups.  At each table, 10 students worked with an adult on the three skills they were having the most trouble with.  They worked on putting fractions in order, comparing fractions with models, and comparing fractions without models.  After 20 minutes, the groups switched so students got to go to each group for practice.

Homework:

• Study Spelling Test (Monday)
• Math - Chapter 9 Review Test pp 551-556 (Test Monday)

Awards Assembly!

Thursday in Room 304

• 1st/2nd - Literacy Block
• During breakfast we put "I Need My Monster" on Storyline online on the smartboard and the students listened to a story as they ate.  Afterward, they tested on the book on AR.  We reviewed our Test Prep from the other day and then read the new article about MARS!   After reading, we noticed that the question was almost exactly what we just did on the compare contrast PBA for 2B.  The students had to come up with 2 ways that Mars was different from Earth.  Talk about easy!  We went over the RACE format and modeled doing it together.  Tonight for homework they have to circle information about the questions scientist have about mars and underline information about technology scientist are using to study mars for the written response tomorrow.  We are breaking it into two days to space it out.  
• ReadyGen Lesson 3A.3 was the focus today.   Our focus was that we could distinguish point of view between characters and even our own if different.  We also looked at literal vs nonliteral phrases in the text, as well as metaphor usage. Students worked on completing a three column chart showing they could identify these nonliteral phrases and understand what the figure of speech really means.  
• 3rd/4th - Math Block
• After going over the Test Prep from the past two days, we did number talks and the problem of the day.  Then we moved to Professor Burger with the On Demand video of the day.  Rebekah Rabbit walked us through the Interactive Lesson of the day.    
• We did GoMath Lesson 9.7 and the focus was Using Models to Understand Equivalent Fractions.  We did the mini-lesson and then broke into four groups.  Three groups worked with teachers and one group worked together as a team.  
• 5th - Lunch/Recess
• 6th - P.E. With Mr. Hoffman
• 7th - Wrap Up - Class Novel "The Chocolate Touch"

Homework

• Math 
• GoMath 9.7 practice homework pp549-550
• Equivalent Fractions Worksheet
• Test Prep 3/17/16
• Literach
• Test Prep (Circle and Underline from article)
• Knot on the Counting Rope (Reading Comprehension)
• Spelling Handout (TEST TOMORROW)

Field Trip - New York City Center

• 1st - Pre-Trip
• We started the day with the normal - we had breakfast in the classroom.   After breakfast, while Ms. Avalos read (finished) our class novel "The Cricket in Times Square", I sent students to the restroom in small groups to get ready for the trip.  After that, we started taking our AR test on the class novel.  We had about 25 minutes before we left, so we let the children watch/listen to Storyworks online to the story "Thank You Mr. Falker".   At around 9:25 we headed to the lunchroom to meet Mr. Nunez for the fieldtrip.
• Three third grade classrooms, one fourth grade classroom, and one fifth grade classroom were invited to go to the New York City Center to watch authentic Flamenco Dancers in action.  We left around 9:45, arrived around 10:45, and the show started around 11AM.  The program included one female Flamenco Dancer, two assistant male dancers, one of which was also a singer, and one male guitar player.  For the next hour, the four of them amazed us with their artistry.  The star of the show was definitely the female dancer.  She was in a word - AMAZING!  A little after noon we headed down from the balcony back to bus 21444.  Since we were down on west 56th street, we asked the bus driver if he could get as close to Times Square as possible since we had just finished "The Cricket in Times Square".  We told him it would mean the world to the kids.   The route he took us was just two blocks short of actual TIMES SQUARE, but close enough for the kids to see the big signs, the colors, the craziness that is Times Square.   They loved it!  We got back to school just before 1PM.  We went upstairs and had our lunch in the room.  Afterward, we went outside for a 20 minute recess which they really needed after being in the bus for an hour getting there, sitting quietly for an hour at the performance, and then another hour in the bus coming back. 
• We ended the day by collecting "The Cricket in Times Square" and passing out our next class novel "The Chocolate Touch".  While we started reading (we got up to page 30), students took tons taking the AR Test for "Thank You Mr. Falker".  
• We ended the day talkin about how they behaved on the trip, what we liked and didn't like, and what they needed to better next time. Then we passed out the homework from Mr. Nunez that went along with the Field Trip.  We then packed up and went to dismissal.

Homework

• Field Trip Qestionairre (both sides)
• Reading Log 
• Read a book you can read in ONE NIGHT
• Get 100% on the test to get our class percent pass rate up before 3/25

Waiting at New York City Center for the Flamenco Dance!

Knots on a Counting Rope

• 1st/2nd - Literacy Block
• After breakfast, we went over the test prep question from last night.  Again, we focused on restating the question to make your topic sentence.  Answering the question.  And then giving two examples FROM the text to support your answer.  And the final sentence should explain how the evidence supports your answer.  We read the new test prep text about the Nightingale and then did the MODEL response using this same method.  Their homework for test prep tonight is recounting the story by filling in missing details.
• After a going over the warm up paragraph and questions, we looked at last night't homework.  Only 1/2 the students did it.  3 weeks until the state tests and only 1/2 of the students are doing homework.  That doesn't sound good to me!    Then we did today's lesson - ReadyGen 3A.2.  The focus was explaining the central message of a text and recounting the story using important events.  We also focused on nonliteral phrases in the text as part of author's craft.  Finally, in writing we talked about "opinions" and key words to show it is an opinion.  
• 3rd/4th - Math Block 
• We started the lesson with going over "area" in test prep.  We looked at the homework, the samples for today, and even pulled out the mock test booklet and went over several they missed from the mock test.  Then we talked about the homework.  
• Ms. Avalos did the number talks with the students and then the daily number review.  Afterwards, we did the interactive lesson for GoMath 9.6.  The focus was making equivalent fractions.  The groups worked with their adult to work through the instructional pages of the day.  My group then took fraction tiles and practiced making equivalent fractions for a variety of situations.  I think the students learn a great deal by constructive play - using the tiles to find the equivalents, and then looking for patterns.  They didn't quite get that its all about multiplying the numerator and denominator by the same number to get an equivalent, but I am sure with a little more play, they will get it.
• 5th - Lunch/Recess
• 6th - Science
• 7th - Wrap Up / Class Novel "The Cricket in Times Square"

Homework

• Math
• Test Prep for 3/15/16
• GoMath 9.6 Practice Homework pp 543-544
• Literacy
• Test Prep # 45
• Spelling Practice Handout
• Knots on a Counting Rope - Reading Comprehension
• Knots on a Counting Rope - Opinion Writing
• Reading Log

Hmmmmm....

Today is one of those days that makes you go "Hmmmmmm...."  Can you blame it on the weather?  Can you blame it on the weekend?  Can you blame it on the loss of an hour of sleep?  I don't know, but for sure the students were not "HERE" for class today.  We had many students not show up at all, and the ones who did were having a very difficult time getting back in the swing of things.  Hopefully tomorrow will be better, especially considering we only have 3 weeks before the state tests are upon us!

• 1st / 2nd - Math Block
• After breakfast, we went over the two homework test prep questions.  Then we did our discovery and model of today's question on area.  We talked about different methods on finding area (using the array model to multiply or adding each square unit).  Then students worked a problem on their own.  They have one question with multiple steps tonight for test prep.  We did a quick round of Number Talks and Problem of the Day before moving on to GoMath lesson 9.5.
• We looked at the On Demand video for GoMath Lesson 9.5 today.  The focus was comparing and ordering fractions.  Example Here!  We went over different ways to solved these problems.  Using a number line was one way, or make a drawing was another.  Many realized that if the denominators were the same, you used the numerator to order the numbers.  If the Numerators were the same, you used the denominator unit size to order them.  We used the interactive lesson to unlock the problems.  Then students came to the board to do the show what you know problems.  Finally the worked independently to do the on your own problems.  We ended by checking the daily work and making sure that everyone was good before assigning homework.
• 3rd/4th - Literacy Block
• We started by collecting the ELA writing response they had all weekend to complete.  Sadly, many students said they "lost" it, which is another way of saying just didn't do it.  The State Test is in 3 weeks!  We are practicing now so the test will seem easy, but if they don't practice, well...  After we finished collecting, we read the next text about growing up in Canada 50 years ago.  We read the text together and then went over how to answer the question.  We have been using the RACE format to answer short responses.  Some students are doing it, others are not.  Again, three weeks until the state test!

• Today we started Unit 3, Module A in ReadyGen.  We started by previewing the entire unit and the expectations for learning by the end of the 18 lessons.  This unit will focus on Opinion Writing and Point of View.  We will be using Folktales and fables for the reading portion.  The focus in using them is to look at how generations pass down stories and WHY.
• We read pages 6-11 of our first text "Knots on a Counting Rope".  Then we focused on key ideas and details of our reading.  Finally they used a T-Chart to be able to explain what the illustrations were, and how they contributed to the understanding of the story.  We also talked about the function of NOUNS (person, place, or thing). And ended by discussing the difference between facts (can be proven) and opinions (point of view).  
• 5th - Lunch
• 6th - Dance
• 7th - Wrap Up - Class Novel "Cricket in Times Square"
• We started by copying our homework and discussing the answers to their take home quiz for chapter 1-8.  We have to make sure we understand this text because the AR test is worth 4 points and we really need to get as many points as possible over the next 2 weeks if we hope to win the $1000 prize from Renaissance Reading for being a Master Class.  We are about 125 points away and we have to get our percent passed up, but I think we can do it!!!  Then we read Chapter 10 of our class novel.

Homework

• Math
• Test Prep (3/14/16)
• GoMath 9.5 Practice Homework pp 537-538
• Literacy
• Test Prep - Question # 43 using RACE
• Knots on a Counting Rope 5 Review Question Handout
• Knots on a Counting Rope Opinion Handout
• Spelling 2X each Handout
• Reading Log

Friday, Friday

• 1st - Science
• 2nd/3rd - Math Block
• After looking at our Test Prep homework and problem of the day, Ms. Avalos went over Number Talks with the class.  Then I went over last night's homework to check for any misunderstandings and review key concepts before students went to independent work
• The focus today was the mid-chapter check up.  Students worked to review lessons 9.1 - 9.4 to check again for understanding and what we need to re-teach before moving on.
• 4th - Literacy Block
• We started by having students take AR tests on books they have been independently reading.  Then we met in the reading area and I read two picture books about New York City Long Ago that I just got at a workshop at The Museum of the City of New York.  I read the books, discussed what New York City was like long ago, and then we took the AR quizzes on the two books.  We are over 100 points short for the Reading Contest and we have to get our percent correct up 7% and have just 2 weeks to do it.   Everyone has to be reading independently and getting 100% on books for the next two weeks.  HELP US WIN!!!
• Students who had not finished typing their PBA worked on that while others read independently!
• 5th - Lunch / Recess 
• 6th/7th - Literacy 
• The period was set up to be flexible learning time.  We went over key terms and phrases that went with the field trip we took on Wednesday.  Students had to write Thank You notes to Women Who Rock to thank them for inviting us, entertaining us, and feeding us!   After they finished that, there was a reading on Dr. Seuss that they had to read and answer the comprehension questions.  If you had not finished your PBA you had to work with an adult to get that finished and on Mr. McDougall's thumb drive so he can look at them and edit them before they are printed and shared.  The end of the day came with Ms. Avalos reading her favorite Dr. Seuss book "Oh The Places You Will Go" to the class and then Mr. McDougall giving the Spelling Test for the week.

Homework:

• Math
• Two sided (comparing fractions with drawings) (EASY)
• Two sided (comparing fraction word problems) (SLOW DOWN!)
• Literacy
• The Cricket in Times Square Chapter 1-8 Take Home Quiz
• Reading Log - Read a book to get 100% on AR quiz on Monday

Thursday's Rundown

• 1st - 3rd - Literacy
• Today was a literacy packed day.  We started with breakfast and going over our Word Work Word Ladder.  Then we went over last night's test prep and covered today's new article and writing prompt.  Students have a lengthy response to write tonight for Test Prep.
• We did a mini-lesson today on how to "edit" spelling on PowerPoint.  We also went over how to download pictures and place them in your project.  The remaining periods were used for students to type and edit their PowerPoints.  About half the students have turned them in and I will edit them tonight.  The rest will have tomorrow to finish while the others present their finished products to the class.
• 4th - Math
• Today we started with Test Prep checking the three problems from last night.  Then we did our model problem and practice problem.  They have two problems to do tonight.  Afterward, we did a quick review of GoMath 9.3 and then moved into 9.4.  The focus was comparing fractions using models.
• We watched our On Demand Math Video that explained the topic.  Then we did the interactive lesson to unlock the two problems.  Afterward, we broke into working groups and worked on the independent practice.  Students were slowly starting to get the concepts as we went over the problems for review.
• 5th - Lunch /Recess
• A few students didn't get recess because they didn't do their work in class today. Hopefully tomorrow they will focus and do better since we have Fun Friday which means an extended recess.
• 6th - P.E with Mr. Hoffman
• 7th - Wrap Up - Class Novel "The Cricket in Times Square"

Homework:

• Math 
• GoMath 9.4 Practice/Homework pp 531-532
• Test Prep - 2 questions
• Literacy
• Study for Spelling Test
• Test Prep - WRITING RESPONSE (GRADED)
• Reading Log

FUN DAY INDEED!

• 1st/2nd - Math Block
• After breakfast and test prep, we checked our math homework from 9.2.  Then we did number talks and our daily number review before starting with our on demand video lesson and our interactive lesson.  As the students did the classwork, they took turns coming to the smartboard to work the problems and explain their process.
• We did all of lesson 9.3 and some students even started their homework.  We are comparing fractions with the same numerator (amount of pieces) that have different denominators (size of fractions).  They soon realized that the smaller the denominator, the bigger the size of the fraction.  1/2 is bigger than 1/3 which is bigger than 1/4.  We did a lot of comparison to pizza and playing with fraction strips to see the relation.  
• 2nd/3rd - Literacy Block
• The focus of the mini-lesson today was finding the "Template" on the blog and how to use PowerPoint to create a multimedia project.  I walked the students on how to download the template, how to open the template, and how to enter text and pictures into the template.  If they had their writing done they started their typing into their template.  I can't wait to see the final products!
• 5th - 7th - FIELD TRIP!
• We had a walking field trip to Columbia Children's Hospital.  We walked to the event around Noon.  They treated us to Pizza, Snacks, Spring Water for lunch.  Then we moved to the stage area to celebrate Women's History Month with a musical concert celebrating the Women Who Rock!   They sang songs, danced, and had a great time celebrating the amazing women who have made music over the decades.  
• We walked back to school around 2 and got back about 2:15 in time to get water, use the bathroom, and pack up to go home!  

Homework:

• Math
• GoMath 9.3 Practice/Homework page
• Test Prep - #3-5
• Literacy
• Finish any writing that needs to be done for PBA
• Will be finishing in class TOMORROW!
• Presentations are Friday! (NO EXCUSES!!!)
• Spelling - Study Spelling Words (Test Friday)

Women Who Rock Concert Pictures