Women Who Rock Concert Pictures

Link to PowerPoint Template

Planet Project Link

All About Tuesday

• 1st / 2nd - Literacy Block
• After breakfast, the students did their word work WORD LADDER.  After working out our vocabulary and word manipulation skills, we made it to the top of the ladder and climbed over to Test Prep Review.  We checked our homework and then did our two "together problems" as a class.  For homework they have problems 36 and 37 in their ELA Test Prep.  We then read an article together entitled, "The Right Dog". After reading, I read the questions and students answered them independently.
• Our writing focus was to review how to write an interesting introductory paragraph with a hook, a topic, and a focus of writing.  We then also modeled writing a conclusion that did the same job as the introduction but also left the reading with what you wanted them to remember from your work.  After modeling, students went to independently writing and working on filling out their 5 paragraph graphic organizer for their compare / contrast PowerPoint.  Tomorrow is the only day they will have to work on the computers so all their writing MUST be done today and TONIGHT for homework.
• 3rd/4th - Math Block
• We started class by going over last night's test prep questions.  Many of the students didn't do their 3 test prep problems.  They will be sitting out of recess thinking about them!  Then we did today's Test Prep focus question together.. and then they tried one on their own.  They have 2 practice problems tonight for homework.  
• Our math today was GoMath 9.2 which was comparing fractions with the same denominator.  If the denominator is the same, you simply analyze the numerator to see which fraction is greater or smaller. We worked in groups to complete the independent work.  Then we came back as a whole to check their understanding.  

• 5th - Lunch
• 6th - Science
• 7th - Wrap Up - Class Novel
• Copied down homework and then read chapter 8 in the Cricket in Times Square.

Homework:

• Math - 
• GoMath 9.2 Homework (517-518)
• Test Prep 3/8/16
• Literacy
• 5 Paragraph Essay Template MUST be complete
• Reading Log
• Spelling Practice
• Field Trip Tomorrow
• Must Wear Uniform
• Must Have Permission Slip!!!

Monday Morning Blues

It seems that when we come back after a weekend, it is like starting from scratch with many of the students.  I am very upset that about half of the students didn't do their writing homework.  If they do not have their paper ready by Wednesday, I will be calling parents to come in and conference.

• 1st/2nd - Math Block
• After breakfast was complete, we moved into Test Prep review.  We went over the three questions from homework and then did today's problem of the day.  After that, students worked on the problem that was similar to the problem of the day. After completing that, Ms. Avalos went over Number Talks and the Daily Number Review.  After doing the Interactive Lesson on the smartboard, students broke into table groups to complete their assignment.
• Today's focus was understanding how to use the strategy act it out to solve comparison problems.  We modeled using fraction tiles and number lines to act it out. After working in pairs, we came back together and checked each problem before finishing the lesson and discussing homework.

• 3rd/4th - Literacy Block
• We started class by going over the homework test prep problems.  We had to go back and re-read the text, so it took a bit longer than normal.  Then we read today's text together since it was a play.  We assigned parts and then read.  After reading, we went over the two questions to check for understanding and then assigned the one test prep problem.  
• Today's focus in literacy was on comparing and contrasting.  We used an "alike and different" graphic organizer and I went over how to fill it out to compare and contrast.  I used "Mars" as my model to compare and contrast with Earth.   We went line by line from the research and then students said if the fact went in the alike or different stack.  Then we picked 2 facts from alike and 2 from different and then we co-wrote a compare and contrast paragraph.   Their classwork was to do what we modeled in class and find facts that were alike and different between their planets.  A good number of students were not able to do this because they didn't do their own planet like they were supposed to.  We had over 2 periods on Friday to write notes on their planet and all weekend to take those notes and make a paragraph.  Lots of excuses as to why it wasn't done, but honestly, with over 100 minutes of class-time to take notes.. .and two days to write a paragraph, I don't think there was any valid excuse.

• 5th - Lunch
• 6th - Dance
• 7th - Wrap Up / Class Novel.

Homework:

• Math
• GoMath 9.1 Homework (pp 511-512)
• Test Prep - 3 questions in Packet
• Literacy
• Compare / Contrast Paragraph
• Should have  the following by tomorrow
• Earth Paragraph
• Your Planet Paragraph
• Compare Contrast Paragraph
• Test Prep - One Question in Packet

Day After Conferences

For those parents who could make it to their scheduled appointments, it was a pleasure discussing your child's progress and future goals.  For those who couldn't make it, please let us know which Tuesday from 2:35- 3:15 we can meet.  Four lucky students won the "CLEAN DESK" award today and were invited to visit the Goody Box and the Pencil Box for treats!  Congrats to Marlena, Melody, Leudy, and Christopher.

• 1st - Science
• 2nd/3rd - Math Block
• We worked on the Chapter 8 Performance Tasks today.  We read the questions to the students, but as the state exams approach, we didn't break the questions apart.  We wanted to the students to productively struggle to come up with the correct answers and processes.  When students finished, they either started their research on their own planet, or worked on their Chapter 8 Test they missed yesterday.
• 4th - Literacy
• Students worked either independently or with a buddy to read websites on a planet of their choice and take notes about their planet.  They not only did a good job reading and taking notes, but they were very excited to find out new facts and details about the planets in the solar system.  If they want to do more research, the pages they should use are listed in a post a couple days ago.
• 5th - Lunch
• 6th - Literacy
• We had our spelling test to start the period.  Then we took our notes from Earth and the paragraphs they were "supposed" to have written 2 days ago to do some editing.  It turns out that about half of them had either "lost" it or didn't do it.  So we PRACTICED again how to write a paragraph using the notes we took so they make sense and flow.  Then students paired up to edit the work they had done, while others started writing their Earth paragraph.  Again, all the notes were done in class and given to them two days ago.  They just had to write the paragraph.   Tonight, they have to do the same process using their research from today on their own planet.  This is part of their PBA so they HAVE TO do this! 
• 7th - Wrap Up - Class Novel
• We finished up the things we were working on and then read from our class novel, "The Cricket in Times Square."

Homework:

• Math
• 1/2 sheet "TAKE HOME QUIZ" on Fractions
• Test Prep Questions
• Literacy
• Writing Page "Paragraph About Your Planet"
• Test Prep Questions "Dear Daily News"
• Science
• Using a Temperature Table 

Where is Everyone?

Hey Parents!

I just wanted to remind you that just because there is a half day, it doesn't mean your children should stay home.  We had a review for Chapter 8 Math Test test, and then we took the Math Test today.  We had about 1/3 of our class not show up today.  This means they will have to take the math test without having  a review.  Please make sure your children are at school each day.  That is the only way they will progress and get better.

The ONLY homework they have today is:

1. Come to Parent/Teacher Conferences with your Parent to discuss their progress
2. Read a book to take an AR Quiz tomorrow.

• 1st/2nd - Math Block
• Today we had our breakfast as usual.  Then we did our Test Prep.  We went over last night's homework and over today's problems (which actually went along with our unit).  After discussing and modeling, students did one problem on their own.  They have 2 problems in their math packet for homework.
• Then we went over the Chapter 8 Review.  The questions are almost exactly the same on the math review as on the Chapter Unit Test.  We went over it question by question, explaining how to solve, and asking if anyone had any questions.
• Then students started working on their Chapter 8 Unit Test.
• 3rd/4th - Lunch/Test/Independent Reading
• Some students finished before others.  They quietly got a book and read while others finished, We had a shortened 30 minute lunch from 10:30 - 11:00.   We returned and the last people finished their test while the rest read books and took AR quizzes.  

Homework:

• Test Prep (Math)
• Read and Finish AR Book for testing
• Come to Parent Teacher Conference with Parent
• Study for Spelling Test
• Complete Earth Paragraph

Planet Research Websites

As you partner up to do research on your planet, here are some websites to make your research gathering much more time effective.  Remember, you must go to two different websites to do research.  Have Fun!!!


planetsforkids.org/

nineplanets.org/

sciencekids.co.nz/

www.kidzone.ws/planets/

OurUniverse

planets

solarsystem.nasa.gov/kids/

kidsastronomy.com/solar_system.htm

Fraction Fun

• 1st / 2nd - Math Block
• After breakfast, we went over our test prep homework and daily problems before discussing their 2 problems for homework.  Then we moved right into math and did our final lesson for the unit.  After watching the On Demand video for GoMath lesson 8.9, we did the interactive unlocking the problems. 
• Students were then asked to come to the board and work out the word problems and explain them to the class.  We did the "homework" page for extra practice and again did all of them on the smartboard with students explaining the WHY to their answers.  The focus today was using a diagram to figure out the word problem.  

• 3rd / 4th - Literacy Block
• After going over the test prep homework, we reread the poem that we covered yesterday to make sure it was fresh in their minds before doing today's review questions.  After much discussion, we finished the problems and looked at their homework question.
• In our ReadyGen 2B.17 lesson, our focus was key ideas and details and making comparisons.  Our task today was to compare "City Homes" to "Around the Way on Neighbor's Day".  We quick read both texts and discussed how they were alike and different both in content and structure. 
• The second half of the literacy block was used to practice taking notes as part of our upcoming PBA.  Since we have to do a mutli-media compare and contrast, we started today with taking notes on the biggest community we have - PLANET EARTH.  We read two articles and practiced taking notes.  The students had to help me decide if each sentence / fact was worth writing down.  Tonight for homework they have to take those notes, the topic sentence, and the concluding sentence, and make a solid informative paragraph about the Earth.  The good news is, this is one of the five paragraphs they will have to write for their PBA.   Tomorrow and Friday they will do research on another planet, take notes, and write their second paragraph.  The final part will be writing an interesting introductory parargraph, a compare and contrast paragraph, and a concluding paragraph to complete their PBA.  Then, we are making a PowerPoint to share them. 

• 5th - Lunch
• 6th - P.E with Mr. Hoffman
• 7th - Science / Class Novel
• We read another section in the chapter in our science about patterns in the sky.  Then we continued with our class novel "The Cricket in Times Square".

Homework:

• Math
• Chapter Review (499-504)
• Take your Time - Come with Questions before test!
• Fraction Practice Worksheet
• Literacy
• Writing - Earth Paragraph Using Notes
• Reading Log
• Bring Back "Community A to Z" and "Around the Way" for collection!
• Test Prep Practice

Tuesday's Summary

• 1st/2nd - Literacy Block
• After breakfast, we did our word work for the day.  Our word ladders seem to be getting easier, or the students are enjoying the process more.  Either way, we are manipulating words and learning new vocabulary.  Then we did the test prep for the day.  We looked at last night's homework question and then read a poem for today.  After looking at the poem, talking about what it meant, we looked at two questions.  For homework they have 1 question to work with.
• ReadyGen Lesson 2b.16 was again about comparing and contrasting, this time using the texts "Communities from A to Z" and "Around the Way on Neighbor's Day".  We choral read "Around the Way" and then we thumbed through "Communities" to see if the topic was similar or different to Around the Way.  We found a lot of similarities and differences.  Then we moved back to our writing from yesterday and did more modeling and then broke off and worked independently.  By tomorrow, they should have 3 topics compared between the topics in Communities A to Z and their own neighborhoods.  See model below:

• As you can see, we worked on topic sentences for each topic (in red), including information from the text, and them comparing it to your own neighborhood.  We practiced ending the paragraph with a sum it up sentence that is a lot like your topic sentence, but not exactly the same (in red). 
• 3rd/4th - Math
• After looking at our Test Prep, we moved right into number talks.  After number talks, the students watched the on demand video of Mr. Burger to see a preview and visual strategy for doing lesson GoMath 8.8.   Finally, the interactive lesson showed the students more deeply how to unlock the problems and work on today's focus skill.  The focus skill today was being able to find a fraction of a number.
• After all the mini-lessons, we moved into independent work.  Mr, Johnny worked with a small group, I worked with another small group, and Ms. Avalos floated between the other two groups.  After work time was complete, students came to the front to work the problems and explain their answers.  

• 5th - Lunch
• 6th - Science
• 7th - Class Novel - Wrap Up
• Students wrote down homework and then we introduced the new class novel "The Cricket in Times Square".  We were able to read the first chapter.

Homework

• Math
• GoMath 8.8 Homework (491-492)
• Fraction Practice Sheet
• Literacy
• Writing - Finish three paragraphs
• Reading Log
• Bring Back "Community A to Z" and "Around the Way on Neighbor's Day" for collection
• Test Prep
• Math
• Literacy