Friday at the American Museum of Natural History!

Valentine's FRIENDSHIP Celebration!

Too Talkative Thursday!

I can tell that the students are excited about a lot of things right now.. not sure if it is Valentine's Day... or going to The American Museum of Natural History,,,, or maybe even the fact that Mid Winter Break is almost here...   They are full of energy and super talkative... I wish the playground was dry so we could go to recess and run off some energy...

• 1st / 2nd - Literacy Block
• We started the day as usual with our 15 minute breakfast in the classroom.  We have a nice routine where the students pick up their breakfast at the door, sit down and eat.. on literacy days they have a "WORD LADDER" to work on while they eat, on math days they have a 1 word problem math "entrance" ticket to complete.  After breakfast we complete, we went over our word work word ladder.  The students are getting much better at coming up with the words for the clues!  That's a good thing!
• Today we did ReadyGen Lesson 2B.10 and 11.  Our focus was being able to ask and answer questions to show understanding, and to use illustrations to better understand the text.  We read pages 28 - 32 and looked at text features and asked questions to check for understanding.  Then students worked on the questions in their RWJ for the reading sections covered today.
• During this time, about 12 students (3 at a time) went to the back of the room to re-take their STAR Reading test.  Monday when we took it, the main office did our schoolwide stress relief exercises, and the kids scores dropped.  Fingers crossed that retaking it today, in the back, with headphones, their reading levels will come back up!
• 3rd/4th - Math Block
• Today the students worked on their STAR Math test.  We reviewed the concept of subtraction with regrouping, place value, and the steps you take to solve a multi-step problem.  After about 15 minutes of reviewing, we passed out laptops, students pulled out paper and pencil to do the problems, and off they went.  I will say I was quite happy with the length of time it took many of them to test.  The longer the test takes, the more difficult the problems are becoming.  The program re-calibrates after each successful question to a higher level until it calculates the exact level of the student.  
• After students were done with the STAR Math Test, they were told to quietly sign on to WAGGLE to practice ELA or Math until the other students finished.  This was a way to keep everyone quiet while they tested.
• After everyone was done, we collected computers and then went over the homework from GoMath 8.2.   It seems that students are doing pretty well understand the basic concept of what is a fraction and making equal parts. 
• 5th - Lunch
• 6th - P.E
• 7th - Valentine's "FRIENDSHIP" Card exchange and refreshments.  
• The students exchanged cards and enjoyed cookies and juice while they watched A Charlie Brown Valentine.  

Homework:

• Math 
• Division Practice #22
• Math Mid Winter Vacation Packet
• Play with Fraction Kit
• Literacy
• Reading Comp Wk 11 Day 3
• ELA Mid Winter Vacation Packet
• Field Trip - AMNH
• Bring healthy bag lunch (no glass bottles or soda)
• Leaving promptly at 8:45
• Returning by end of school day

Wednesday Wrap Up

The talking today was much better.  It was focused around instruction!  It was about figuring out problems in math and answering questions in ELA.  This is the type of talking that makes teachers happy!

• 1st and 2nd - Math Block
• Today we had breakfast from 8:15 - 8:30.  After breakfast, students copied down their I can statements and we did our number talk activity for the day.  After number talks, we moved to the problem of the day.  We then had a Shelter In drill.  Students handled it really well and we continued with our lesson.
• Today's focus was breaking objects into equal groups based on need.  For example, if you had 4 people and two pies, how would you divide the pies equally.  The problems were a little harder than that, but we looked at ways to think about this by looking at multiples.  When it gets tricky, look at how many you start with, and how many you have to divide by... do the multiples, and it will tell you how many pieces you need to end with.  For example, you have 6 people trying to share 8 pans of brownies...  the multiples of 6 are 6, 12, 18, 24... the multiples of 8 are 8, 16, 24... since both have 24, you know that you need to divide those 8 pans until you have 24 pieces... so that way you can evenly divide by 6 to get (4 each).  We have been telling the students that fractions really is about multiplication and division (making groups).We worked through the On the Spot video and the interactive lesson before breaking into individual groups.
• 3rd and 4th - Literacy Block
• Today's focus in literacy was using illustrations to understand the text and asking and answering questions to understand the text.  In writing, the focus was using linking words to show comparing and contrasting.
• We wrote down our I can statements and then moved to the sharing floor.  We looked at the vocabulary words for the day and practiced them.  Then we looked at the focus questions for reading before reading pages 20-23.  Then we worked together to go back into the text to answer our reading questions.
• Finally, we talked about comparing (things are similar) and contrasting (things are different).  We focused on two basic types of communities - Urban and Suburban.  We talked about how they were alike (had homes, had places to eat and go for entertainments), and then how they were different (population, congestion, space, crime, etc).  The students then were tasked to write a paragraph comparing and contrasting the two using the compare and contrast linking words we discussed.
• 5th - Lunch
• 6th - P.E
• 7th - Science
• We went into Chapter 15 by looking at the vocabulary and discussing the photos.  This way they could connect again the concept of illustrations helping to explain the text and build understanding. We started reading lesson 1 of Chapter 15 - Patterns in the Sky.

Homework:

• Math
• Go Math Lesson 8.2 Homework (pp 453-454)
• Division Practice #21
• Literacy
• Finish Writing Paragraph (Compare and Contrast)
• Reading Comp Practice Wk11 Day 2
• Reading Log - Wednesday

Making Our Fraction Kits

Talkative Tuesday

Please talk to your children when returning to school after a long weekend.  They came back today with only part of their homework completed, not ready for instruction, and quite talkative.  Was not the best day for them.  I am sure tomorrow will be better.

• 1st/2nd - Literacy Block
• The morning started with our 15 minute in class breakfast.  Then we went over our word work for the day by completing our Word Ladder.  After the word ladder was completed, students took out their independent reading books.  Computers were passed out and students were tasked at completing their STAR Reading Test.  When done, they could take an AR test or close their computer and read quietly.  There was to be no talking because this test measures reading growth.  Ms. Avalos and myself had to go to an IEP meeting so our literacy coach Ms. Mendoza and our ELL teacher Ms. Almarante circulated and helped students until we returned.
• 3rd/4th - Math Block
• Today was our intro to fractions.  Ms. Avalos did number talks with the students focusing on doubles and near doubles for mental math.  After doing a round of number talks, we did the daily number review.  Instead of going right into the lesson for GoMath 8.1, we decided to do a hands on activity where students physically made 1/2's, 1/4's, 1/8's, and 1/16's.  We did folding and tearing and made a fraction kit to work with for the next several weeks of our fraction unit.  Students can now see what a whole looks like, what 1/2 looks like, etc.  We even started playing around looking to see how many 1/2's it takes to make a whole... how many 1/16ths it takes to make a 1/2.  They get to physically manipulate the fractions to see the part to whole and equivalents.  
• 5th - Lunch
• 6th - Science (With Ms. Galan)
• 7th - Math Wrap Up - Space Intro
• We finished working with our fraction kits and then looked at GoMath 8.1.   After we finished our lesson, we looked at Chapter 15 - patterns in the sky where we previewed our vocabulary for the chapter.

Homework:

• Math 
• GoMath Homework 8.1 (447-448)
• Division Practice #20
• Play with Fraction Kit
• Literacy
• Reading Log - Tuesday 
• Reading Comp - Wk 11 D 1

Saturday School - Just Chillaxing!

Upcoming Events

• Monday 
• No School - Chinese Lunar New Year Observed
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• Tuesday 
• Permission Slips due for American Museum of Natural History.  The $7 for admission to the planetarium exhibit/movie due.
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• Thursday
• FRIENDSHIP CELEBRATION!  Valentine's Day Cards exchanged, juice and cookies shared, and Charlie Brown's Valentine's Day watched (All 7th Period!)
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• Friday - 
• Field Trip to American Museum of Natural History!  We need parent chaperon's!   The cost is $7 dollars for students and adults!
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• Mid-Winter Break (February 15-19)

Freaky Friday

Wasn't it high 50's and partly sunny yesterday.  Didn't we have to call and ask them to turn off the heater because our room was super hot.  Today we woke up to snow.  In fact, it is noon and it just stopped a few minutes ago.  GO figure!  I am so glad we just did our unit on Weather in science so the students have more understanding of this amazing topic.

• 1st -  Science with Ms. Galan
• 2nd/3rd - Math
• We went over homework and checked on permission slips.  Then we cleared off desk and passed out the Chapter 7 Performance Task.  I went over the tasks questions by question with the students.  We talked about what they are asking for, how we could solve it, and then the students had to solve it.  When students were finished, they were allowed to get on WAGGLE and practice.
• 4th - Literacy / Science
• We started the period doing the Spelling Test #16.  It took a little longer than expected, so instead of starting reading our next section of Communities, we opted to start our Science Weather Test.  It is easier to stop and start a test then pick up reading.  Students worked on using the text to find the answers to the questions after I read them aloud.
• 5th - Lunch
• 6th/7th - Science/Literacy
• We finished the science test and then moved into Literacy.  Today's lesson was ReadyGen 2B.8.  The focus was using information gained from illustrations and using linking words to compare and contrast.  We read pages 20-23 and used graphic organizers to compare and contrast aspects of communities. 

Homework:

• Math
• Chapter 8 - Show What You Know
• Division Practice #19
• Literacy
• Reading Comprehension - "Julius Caesar" 
• Writing Prompt - "Julius Caesar"
• Reading Log - Weekend and Monday!
• Permission Slips
• American Museum of Natural History Permission Slip and $7 due on Tuesday!

Chapter 7 Test

• 1st/2nd - Literacy
• Today we focused on ReadyGen Lesson 2B.7.  The focus was to be able to ask and answer questions to understand the text and to be able to organize information by topic and subtopic.  Our text uses the alphabet to organize the topics alphabetically.  We read the section K - M (Kinds of Communities, Learning, and Maps).  
• After answering questions to test for understanding, students use the book to find different subtopics and then reread to find 3 important details that support that subtopic.
• 3rd/4th - Math
• Today was the Unit Test.  First we went over the homework and allowed students to address any misunderstandings they might have.  Then we went over problem questions from the End of the Chapter review.  After making sure all questions were answered, students worked on the Chapter 7 Test.  Upon finishing, they were allowed to work on Waggle.
• 5th - Lunch
• 6th - Gym 
• After lunch we went right to the gym to take pictures.  After pictures we went to the playground for 15 minutes of recess.  We finally returned to the room and watched a small clip of the"Fly Away Home".
• 7th - Science
• Did a review of Section 2 of the chapter to make sure they reviewed key parts of the chapter. They were instructed to take their review sheets and the book home to study for tomorrow's Science Test!

Homework

• Math:
• Division #18
• Chapter 8 Vocabulary
• Literacy
• What is Weather? Reading Comp
• Spelling Practice 2/4/16 (two sides)
• Spelling Test TOMORROW!
• Study for Science Test!

Math Day!

It wasn't planned this way..... but in education, you learn to go with the flow and follow the kids! Today turned out to be a MATH day!

• 1st - Math
• Our breakfast was from 8:15 - 8:35 today.  We had a little longer time because we had fresh oranges and we had to clean the desks after (STICKY SITUATION!).  Then we went over last nights homework (WORD PROBLEMS) problem by problem looking for any misunderstandings. Finally, we went into Number Talks.
• 2nd - Math
• Next we had the problem of the day and the kids worked in pairs to figure it out and discuss it.  Next we watched Professor Burgers Math On Demand video that shows the students an example of the problem we will be working with.  The concept is ORDER OF OPERATIONS and it can be tricky, so we did a lot of stop the video, discuss, model...  Finally, we moved into the the interactive mini-lessons that show the students how to unlock problems we will be dealing with.
• 3rd - Math
• Mrs. Avalos and I worked through the unlock the problems with the students for lesson 7.11 in GoMath.  After working the problems, the students worked independently to do the Show What You Know and On Your Own problems.  Then we went over all the problems to again make sure that all misunderstandings were cleared up.
• 4th - Math
• Students went online to ThinkCentral to work on the Chapter 7 Post Test.  20 questions that will be quite similar to the end of the chapter test they will face tomorrow.  The post test gives them immediate feedback and shows them how to do the problems they missed.  Great learning tool and helps students see where they need to study!  After they were done they were allowed to take any AR tests they needed to take or work on skills on Waggle.
• 5th - Lunch
• 6th - P.E. with Mr. Hoffman
• 7th - Library 
• Ms. Sestak called us and asked if we would like to come return and check out books during 7th period.  She fits our class in when she has a free period because her schedule is packed.  We are so thankful she thinks of our class because if not, we would only get to use that nice new library once a month.  

Homework:

• Math 
• GoMath - Lesson 7.11 Homework (431-432)
• GoMath - Chapter 7 Review  (extra practice before the test tomorrow)
• Division Practice #17
• Literacy
• Reading Comp Week 10 Day 3
• Spelling Practice 2/3/16

Field Trips and Other Events...

• Thursday, February 11th we are doing a Valentine's Day Card Exchange and watching "A Charlie Brown Valentine's".  We will also have some light refreshments (Juice and Cookies) to celebrate FRIENDSHIP!  The class list is below.  You don't have to participate in the card exchange, but if you do, you have to include everyone.  Everyone will participate in the movie and refreshments.

• Friday, February 12th we are going to the American Museum of Natural History.  We will be taking the school bus to the museum.  We will be looking at the NEW dinosaur display, watching the Wonders of the Solar System at the planetarium.  We are having lunch, and if time permits visiting the North American Indian exhibit.  Regular admission price is normally $16 dollars for admission and the show.  We are able to go at the reduced price of just $7 dollars because we are a Title III school.  This is a great deal and an amazing event that all children should get the opportunity to experience.  There are two different slips that went home.  One slip is informing you of the cost and asking for parental volunteers.  The other is the official permission slip that MUST be filled out in order to attend. For more information about the American Museum of Natural History, click this link!

• Finally, on March 16th we will be going with Mr. Nunez to experience authentic Flamenco dancing in action.  All the students who have Dance in their program have been invited.  Please make sure and fill out and return that permission slip as soon as possible.

Talkative Tuesday

Our second day of breakfast in the classroom was a success.  Parents, the breakfast in the classroom is for eating the school provided breakfast.  It is not to bring in breakfast and eat in the classroom.  If your child wants to participate in the program, they have to eat the breakfast provided.  Thank you!

• 1st / 2nd - Literacy
• The first 15/20 minutes was breakfast in the classroom.  During that time I read a read aloud to the class.  As the book finished so did breakfast.  Students were tasked at independently reading while we quizzed on the test for the book we read aloud.  That way they got AR points and quiet AR time.  
• Next we did ReadyGen Lesson 2B.6.  The focus was using illustrations to understand the text, and asking and answering questions to understand the text.  After reading and discussing today's reading selections, students worked on adding illustrations and captions to their non-fiction paragraph they are working on that matches up with our science unit.
• 3rd/4th - Math
• Math was rough today.  It was like our students had magically been replaced by zombies. Not sure what happened, but we worked our way through the lesson.  We checked last night's homework and addressed  any misunderstandings that were brought forward.  Then Mrs. Avalos did number talks with the students as I collected and organized homework.  After the problem of the day, we moved to the GoMath Lesson 7.10.
• Mr. Burger walked them through reading, analyzing, and working a multi-step problem where they actually had to work backwards.  Rebekah Rabbit gave them help unlocking two problems that would be similar to the problems in their book.  Then I went over the two unlock the problems with the whole class before assigning them their practice for the day.
• 5th - Lunch
• 6th - Science (Mrs. Galan is absent)
• 7th - Science
• Finish reviewing by doing section 2 review from the text.  Discuss what might be on the test tomorrow. Finish by doing Ground Hogs Day coloring activity.

Homework:

• Math
• Division practice #17
• GoMath Lesson 7.10 homework (pgs 425-426)
• Literacy
• Spelling Practice 2/2/16
• Reading Comp Week10 Day 2

First Day of February

• 1st/2nd - Math
• We started the day with going over the GoMath 7.8 from the weekend.  I was shocked that 11 people out of 30 didn't do their GoMath homework.  Then Mrs. Avalos did number talks with the group.  We did the daily number review together.  
• Next we watched professor Burger give us a preview of today's GoMath lesson - 7.9 on division with 9's.  After the short instructional video, we did the interactive lesson for lesson 7.9 on the whiteboard.  
• Finally we worked through the unlocking the problems and share and show problems before they worked independently to complete the assignment for the day.  
• 3rd/4th - Literacy
• We started the class with the dental screening people coming in and taking students 1 by 1 to check out their smiles.  Parents - there is a bag in their backpacks with information and dental supplies.  Students quietly read until they finished.  
• Next we had our weekly spelling pretest. Then we reviewed out vocabulary words from readygen 2b.5.  We went to our RWJ and completed page 127 from Friday that we didn't finish. We reread pages 8-11 so we could use text evidence to answer the questions.  
• Finally, we did the writing lesson on using information about a topic to write an introduction and use facts to support that topic.  After 20 minutes of writing, we took times to share our hooks, topic sentence, supporting facts, and final concluding statement.  Students offered feedback to each other as well. 
• 5th - Lunch
• 6th - Dance (Mr Nunez was absent)
• 7th - Science 
• Review of section 1 

Homework:

• Math 
•  GoMath 7.9 (419-420)
•  Division Practice #15 (2-5's)
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• Literacy
•  Reading Comp Wk10D1
•  Spelling Practice 2/1