Tuesday, February 26th

• 1st - Music
• 2nd - Library 
• 2nd/3rd - ELA
• Page 2 from the ELA Vacation Packet.   ELA Test Prep Back to School.  Then we did Lesson 15 in Reading - Looking at different aspects to interpret stories.  
• 4th/5th - Math
• Chapter 8 introduction and lesson 8.1 on Multiplying whole numbers by unit fractions.  
• 6th - Lunch
• 7th - Math Game (half the class was at musical) and independent reading.

Homework:

• Math:
• GoMath 8.1 Practice page
• Multiplying whole number by Unit Fraction Worksheet
• ELA: Homework Packet Day 2

Monday, February 25th

• 1st - Dance
• 2nd/3rd
• Math started with going over the Unit 7 Summative Task.  After going over the prompt, students worked independently on the task.  While they worked I went around the room to check who did or didn't do their ELA and Math Vacation Packets.  
• After students were done with the summative task, we went over page 1 of the Math Vacation Packet and then did Test Prep by looking at the MOCK test questions 1, 5, and 15 with a focus on ELIMINATION as a test taking skill.
• We finished by looking at the SHOW WHAT YOU KNOW for Chapter 8.  We went over the preview of the chapter and the vocabulary. Tomorrow we start 8.1.
• 4th/5th
• We went over one of the stories from the ELA vacation packet and answered the 5 multiple choice questions and one short response question that went with it.  Many kids "did" the multiple choice (circled an answer), but didn't answer the short response questions.  This is a clear sign that they either didn't want to write, or just circled answers so when I checked they had something to show. 
• Next students worked on their literary essay with a focus on writing session 14, editing their essays.  They used the editing checklist to check it themselves, then they partnered up to check each other.  Finally, they worked independently to make any revisions then start their publishing.
• 6th - Lunch
• 7th - Writing
• Since 3 students were absent and 6 students went to work on the musical, the remaining 10 students were given time to continue their writing and when done read independently and take AR tests.

Homework

• ELA homework packet Day 1
• Math - Division Practice

NEED TO RESTOCK SUPPLIES!

Hey Parents:

I know you are enjoying your Mid-Winter break... but if you are out shopping the class is running low (or out of) the following items:

• ROLLS of Paper Towels (ALL GONE!)
• Pencils
• Getting Low on KLEENEX
• Composition Notebooks are filling up!

So if you are out and about and can pick up some supplies to help us restock.. It would be much appreciated!

Thanks!
McD!

Friday, February 15th

• WE had a blast yesterday on the 100th Day of School and Valentine's Day Celebration.  The pictures show you just how much fun we had.  
• 1st - 3rd - MATH BLOCK
• We spent the first period going over the Chapter 7 End of Chapter Test.  We went over question by question, asking different students how to solve this problem, what do I do next, what makes you think that... and everyone, and I do mean everyone, seemed very ready for the test.
• Second period we passed out the test and students worked on them.  When they were done and checked their work, they got out the computers and input their answers into the system.  For the most part they did real well.  You can have them log into ThinkCentral and go over their old tests... they are there for you to see.  
• Third period students finished testing, inputting grades and those who were done either worked on Math Facts in a Flash, Cool Math Games, or picked out new books from class library.
• 4th and 5th - ELA Block
• Looking at the MOCK ELA Test, I saw what skills they still need work on.  I left them this great iREady lesson on using illustrations with Non Fiction tests because that was an area that they didn't do well in.  Ms. Montalvo and Ms. Young let me know that 6 of the boys were just horrible and made it difficult to teach.  Ms Young had to remove several of them.  I heard there was even problems in the lunch room. Not very happy that we had such a great day on Thursday and great morning Friday, but as soon as I leave Friday to go to a meeting for District 6, they act up.  NOT GOOD!
• 6th - Lunch
• 7th - Gym

Homework

• Get Progress Report and/or Promotion In Doubt Letters signed and returned
• ELA Vacation Packet (Cover Sheet tell what pages to do in Coach ELA Book)
• Math Vacation Packet
• READ!  March 6th is last day for AR Contest!!!

100th Day of School - Valentine's Day

Recess Fun

Wednesday - February 13th

• 1st and 2nd - Math Block
• Mrs. Baez, the math coach worked with the class on the last section of Chapter 7, using models to show addition and subtraction with mixed numbers.  Tomorrow we will review Chapter 7 and Friday will be the test!
• 3rd - ELA
• We read chapter 22 in The Tiger Rising and then we worked on our discussion strategies by looking at different questions and possible answers.  Students had to discuss why they picked the answers and what parts of the book made them pick that possible answer.  They were all possible answers, so they just had to come up with the WHY for their choice.
• 4th - GYM
• 5th - ELA/Writing
• The focus today of lesson 14 was using pronouns in the writing.  We looked at a powerpoint on using pronouns to make writing more interesting and then we worked on writing the RESTATE and ANSWER portion of RACE questions.  
• 6th - Lunch
• 7th - Social Studies
• Chapter 3 Section 3
• We finished reading chapter 3 which takes us up to the American Revolution and the 13 colonies.  After reading, we watched the first episode of LIBERTY KIDS.

DON'T FORGET FOR TOMORROW!!!

• Valentine's Day Cards / treat for exchange (either everyone or no one..can't pick and choose!)
• 100 Day of school projects if you are doing one....

HOMEWORK

• Math Handout practicing subtraction with regrouping (model 2 on back, write a word problem)
• Chapter 22 Writing Prompt
• 100 day of school word problem creation

Tuesday, February 12th

• 1st - Music with Ms. Young
• 2nd/3rd - Reading
• After visiting the library to return and check out books, we did session 14 in reading.  Looking Beyond Characters: Studying Other Elements of Story focus was so that students could make an interpretation by adding up all the elements of the story.  We grounded our lesson by reading Chapter 21 of The Tiger Rising.
• 3rd/4th - Writing
• The focus of session 13 in this writing cycle was Using Descriptions of an Author's Craft as Evidence - which means that in this session,  students will discover that writers find evidence to support their claims by studying the choices authors make in their texts.  After reading Chapter 21 of The Tiger Rising, they were tasked with using that chapter to create questions they could have evidence to answer.  I gave them the chapter to take home and read again and to write the best short response they can by restating the question and giving an direct answer which they should UNDERLINE so they see it.  Then using the text, copy two details that support that answer.  Finally, explain how the text they picked supports that answer.  The best responses will get a stationary set or a journal that locks.  So best two!
• 5th - Math
• GoMath 7.9
• Today we worked on adding 3 mixed numbers and making sure the answer was in simplest form and done correctly.  We did multiple problems on the board to practice and then used the plicker cards to see who got it and who didn't.
• 6th - Lunch
• 7th - Math Wrap Up - Liberty Kids
• We finished up our math and slowed and expanded to make sure that everyone was doing well.  They understand the concept of adding the mixed numbers, but are still getting confused when converting mixed numbers to improper fractions, and then having to add it back.  REGROUPING.... 
• We ended by starting to watch a great cartoon series called Liberty Kids which shows the American Revolution from the Point of View of the kids.  It is a perfect way to finish Chapter 3 in social studies and move toward chapter 4 (the revolution)..

Homework:

• GoMath 7.9 Practice
• ELA Packet Day 2
• Writing - Session 14 Writing Short Response practicing RACE

Monday

• 1st - 
• Dance with Mr. Nunez
• 2nd/3rd - 
• Math GOMath 7.8 (Adding and Subtracting Mixed Numbers with Regrouping)
• 4th - 
• Reading Session 13:  Grounding Evidence Back in the Text:  I can defend my ideas by using specific passages and quoting specific words or passages from the text itself.   We used Chapter 20 of Tiger Rising as our touchstone text for this activity.
• 5th - 
• Writing Session 12 - Beginnings and Endings:   In this session, students will discover  that essayists think carefully about their introductions and conclusions, giving readers the larger context for their claim in their introduction and leaving their readers with something to think about in their conclusion.
• 6th - Lunch
• 7th - Social Studies
• Chapter 3, section 3 New Netherlands becomes New York.

Homework:

• GoMath 7.8 Practice
• ELA Homework Packet Day 1
• Work on Draft of Essay fixing beginning and ending

Friday, February 8th

• Math Block
• Today we started with breakfast in the classroom and them moved right into CGI.  We read the problem together, and then moved to the meeting area and discussed different ways of approaching division word problems.
• Then we reviewed making mixed numbers and improper fractions.
• Finally, we moved in to lesson 7.7 which was adding and subtracting using mixed numbers.  
• Social Studies
• After reviewing what we learned in lesson 3.1, we read lesson 3.2 together on New Netherlands.  After reading, students were tasked at completing a review sheet to see how much information they gained and retained.
• ELA Block
• Ms. Montalvo and Ms. Young worked with the students reading this week's Time for Kids.  Students worked on on graphic organizer that went along with the article on snowdays.  Students have to read the ENTIRE magazine and work on the take home Time for Kids Magazine Quiz.  This is due on MONDAY!

Homework:

• GoMath 7.7 Practice Page
• TWO SIDED adding and subtracting mixed numbers with visuals *MUST MODEL*
• ELA - READ Time for Kids and complete graphic organizer and TAKE HOME READING QUIZ

Wednesday and Thursday - MOCK MATH TESTING

Since we had Math Mock Testing on Wednesday and Thursday, the class time that we had left over was used for review and catch up! 

Monday, February 4th

• 1st - Music With Mr. Nunez
• Jazz Dance Steps
• 2nd / 3rd - WRITING 
• Today we did Session 11 in our Literary Essay Unit.  Our focus today was on drafting a literary essay.  We went over the important parts of an essay.   The first paragraph is super important because it sets up the essay.  The body paragraphs show your thoughts with evidence and explanation.  The conclusion sums up your thoughts and leaves the reader with something to think about.  We re-read FOX by Margaret Wild and then set up the outline for a quick write Lit Essay. Students then had 25 minutes to STOP THINK AND WRITE. 

• Students were tasked with taking home their drafts and doing a RETAKE.. look it over and see how they can take it from GOOD to GREAT!
• 3rd/4th - Reading
• Today in reading we focused on Interpreting Characters lesson 12 which was preparing for a debate.  We read chapters 18 and 19 of The Tiger Rising and then then we talked about what makes a good debate.  Once we talked about what makes a good debate, we listed some things we could debate (must have two sides to it).  Then we talked about new things we could debate from chapter 18 and 19.  We decided that the things that we could debate were "Should Rob Work for Mr. B?"   "Should Rob tell Sistine he has the keys to the Tiger's Cage?"   "Should Rob and Sistine let the Tiger Go?"   These are all ideas that have two sides.  Your job is to gather evidence for BOTH sides and decide which case you believe in more based on the evidence.  We practiced in class by asking the questions, "Is Rob's dad a caring person?"  We split the class up and they met and came up with ideas and evidence.  Then we had a debate.  The "CARING" side did a much better job preparing and really one the debate with only 6 people to their 10.  
• As you read, think about things that you can debate.  Think about both sides.  Do the work to think critically about your questions as you read.  

• 4th / 5th - Math
• CGI problem with division was the first stop.  We talked about reading the problem carefully to make sure you know what they are asking (just the answer, just the remainder, or add one to the total).  
• Next we reviewed the Mid Chapter review having students come to the smartboard to work the problems. 
• Next, we moved into mixed numbers and improper fractions (lesson 7.6).  We did a lot of practice, but some students still are not sure of the correct way to do the problems.  I gave them them ALL the reteach page which shows the steps.  I also gave them a lot of practice problems.  If you are confused, please watch this video before doing your homework.
• 6th - Lunch
• 7th - Social Studies
• Chapter 3 Lesson 1
• Three words meet... Early Explorers pages 58-63

Homework:

• •GoMath Practice 7.6
• •Reteach 7.6 (Review Rules)
• •Mixed Number / Improper Fraction Worksheet
• •ELA Homework Packet #18 Pages 1 and 2

Skill Review Friday - World Read Aloud Day

• 1st/2nd - Math Skill Review Friday
• We went back and looked at comparing fractions, and adding and subtracting fractions.  We then had a FRIDAY QUIZ on adding and subtracting fractions.  Finally, we did Lesson 7.5 and ended the lesson using the plicker cards to check for understanding.  
• 3rd - Science
• We read a physical science article (2.7) on light.  After reading and discussing the article, students answered comprehension questions on the text.
• 4th/5th - ELA Block
• Scholastic News!!!   Ms. Montalvo and her support teachers read this weeks edition of the scholastic news and worked on three very important skills - CLOSE READING through written responses, chronological order and reading charts, and reading comprehension and opinion writing.  Students read and discussed the articles and then have 3 different graphic organizers and handouts (double sided) to complete.  Two were supposed to be done in class, one taken home to do for homework.   The class had a hard time concentrating and behaving while I was gone.  So some completed the two pages in class and only have the last one to do, others have all three.
• 6th - Lunch
• 7th - Gym with Mr. Hoffman

Homework

• GoMath Chapter 7 Midpoint Review
• Adding and subtracting fractions handout
• Scholastic News - Finish any of the three handouts from class not finished