Thursday

Today was a HECTIC day to say the least!

• Period 1 we read our class novel "FRINDLE" chapter 6 and 7.   We had really deep and meaningful discussions about the plot and how the characters are interacting!
• Period 2 - We passed out and went over the templates for writing our PBA for Unit 3 in ReadyGen.  The students had to work on the template for classwork and then homework. Students then went to work on their Chapter 10 test for GoMath and inputting the test into the online ThinkCentral website.  I hope that students are not thinking that things after the state test don't matter, because I have seen a drop in math scores and it will be shocking on progress reports!
• Period 3 - STAR Reading testing and then they were allowed to go on Waggle to work on Math.
• Period 4 - STAR Math testing and then they were allowed to go on Waggle to work on ELA. The Library is closed for a bit for reconstruction and betterment, so that was our last day for some time to have WAGGLE time.  
• Period 5 - GYM with Mr. Hoffman.  I picked them up and it was the first day in a LONG time where no one was reported for acting up.  This RECESS thing is going to work!
• Period 6 - Lunch and Recess!
• Period 7 - We stayed a little later at recess than normal because Ms. Cruz brought her kids back, but then we came back upstairs and did our science non-fiction reading on The phases of the moon.   I learned stuff today!  I love it when I learn new stuff about things I thought I knew.  Cool Beans!

Homework:

• Use your text to fill in the template on either Volcano or Erosion for your informative news report PBA that you will be writing.  This is all the "RESEARCH" you will need to write your news report.  Doing the pre-writing makes the writing super easy!   

Daily Recess is ON!

I had a sit down with Mr. Hernandez today to discuss the options of Recess on a daily basis for the students now that testing (ELA and Math) is over.  After some debate, we agreed that the students would be the first ones in the lunch line, I they would eat from 12:50 - 1:15, at which time I would pick them up and take them upstairs from 1:20 - 1:40 for recess.

The kids still get the mandated minimum 20 minutes of lunch (25 minutes to eat)... and I have to give up 25 minutes of my lunch to get them this reward.   But it is only a reward for the students who earn it.

So that no one can say they didn't know.... Students will lose 5 minutes of recess for each time they do the following:

1. No Homework
2. No Uniform
3. Late
4. Talk in Class
5. Talk in Hallway
6. Talk in Stairs
7. Out of Seat
8. Talking Back
9. Chewing Gum
10. Don't do assignments
11. Tell another student to "SHUT UP"
12. Not following along during reading
13. Have to be told more than once to do anything!

They will lose all of recess if they do the following:

1. Yell in class
2. Hit another student
3. Kick another student
4. Use bad language
5. Get in trouble at PE/Gym, Dance, or Science 
6. Get in trouble at Lunch 
7. Not having or reading 1 independent reading book each week
8. Parent Request due to behavior at home

I am excited that the students will have the opportunity to earn 20 minutes each day to be kids and run around and play.  They need it!   The students doing their jobs will get it, the ones not doing their job, or those who disrupt instruction... well, they now have daily and immediate consequences!

Testing is DONE!

Today was the last day of the MATH State Test.  It was the hardest day because the students had to complete 10 problems that covered things we have studied since September.  The problem was they didn't SLOW DOWN... They didn't READ the entire problem.  They didn't underline what they had to do.....  They just read and went....  and in many cases did the first step of a three step problem.   SO, they will get credit for SOME work, but not all of it.   The really frustrating part is the test was extremely fair.   So if they had slowed down, did the work, checked their work, and READ all the problems, they could have done it.


I want to personally think Dilenny's mom and dad for treating the entire class to Pizza to celebrate the end of testing.  I will be posting pictures soon.  I have to have time to download them.  I have been busy teaching teachers how to grade the State ELA Test.  I have been working 12 hour days for the past week....But I digress, this is about the kindness of the parents!   Thank you so much.  I know how much 8 large pizzas cost so thank you.   The rest of the class brought in goodies as well.  We had water, juice, chips, cookies, cupcakes.. it turned into a real celebration of learning and hard work.  As we ate our pizza we watched Big Hero 6.  Afterward, we went to FUN FRIDAY outdoor time.  It was a nice END to state testing!

Pictures and Video coming soon!

MATH STATE TESTING - THIS WEEK!

• Wednesday - Book 1 - Multiple Choice
• Thursday - Book 2 - Multiple Choice
• Friday - Book 3 - Short Response and Extended Response
• Monday - Make Up Day

Monday in the Rainy City

I will go ahead and BLAME IT ON THE RAIN... IT WAS FALLING FALLING....

The kids were NOT SO GOOD today!

They were not "BAD"... but they could literally not care less about learning.  They just wanted to talk!  Not a good way to get ready for the Math State Test on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.


1st - ReadyGen Lesson 3b.12 - The focus was to look at recalling important details and to be able to show how VIVID DESCRIPTIONS can help aid in understanding.  

2nd - Dance - They started learning square dancing and of course, the boys were acting out when they have to "TURN YOUR PARTNER"... by flinging their partners as hard and fast as they could.  NO BUENO!

3rd - 5th - Finish ReadyGen lesson and move into GoMath.  We reviewed what we have learned so far in Chapter 10 (points, segments, lines, rays, angles, triangles...)   and then we did the mid-chapter check up for Chapter 10.  Then I passed out protractors and rulers and we practiced measuring angles for almost 45 minutes.   Some got it, others need a bit more practice.   Then we reviewed Chapter 9 so far (decimals and fractions, tenths, hundredths) and the students worked on the mid-chapter check up for Chapter 9.  After checking it, we went to our math review sheets and looked at the 3 from the weekend and did the "we do" for the next three in the packet!   Almost done with the packet which means the review for the MATH TEST is almost done.   EEK!  (homework - work on the three pages we started in class)

6th - Lunch

7th - Science Non Fiction Reading on Glaciers (to go with our Erosion text in ReadyGen).  We read the text by doing classroom popup reading and gave out dojo points for students who particupated.  After reading and discussing the article, the students had the back comprehension questions to work on for homework.

Homework:

• Math - 3 Practice Pages in the Review Packets
• Science - Answers to 4.1 about Glacier article.

There was several boys who would just not stop talking.  I will be calling and arranging conferences for these parents.  I will not allow them to disrupt the classroom!  

Woops...

Hey Parents and Students....

Sorry I have dropped the ball in posting over the past few days....

With the ELA State Testing last week....

And with me training scorers and teachers Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.... (we score ELA and Math all the way until May 10th.... so expect delays in posting!... I am working from 7:30 - 8:30 during the week and 8:30 - 4:30 on weekends...) I have just gotten behind...

But, I will try and do better!

ELA Testing - Day 1 (Reading and Multiple Choice)

Today was a pretty exciting day!  It was so nice to look out and see an entire room of YELLOW shirts!  Everyone was here today!  Mrs. Landin even made it by to make sure that her students were ready for the test!  All in all, I really can't complain about much.

• I picked the kids up from the gym after we did the announcements.   We came upstairs where I had Katy Perry's playing "FIREWORK" and Taylor Swift playing "SHAKE IT OFF" to get the kids to shine like fireworks and to shake off the fears.... We got the room ready by putting all the contents of our desks away and donning our yellow shirts!  We were ready!
• 2nd - 4th was all about testing!  Our classroom had 18 students, all general education with no changes to their testing.  They had 70 minutes to complete book 1, which was 5 readings and 30 questions.  The state said that most students would finish in 50 minutes, but our first didn't happen till 55 minutes, and only a handful at 60.  Our students went right up to the 70 minutes.  I can say that the 18 students who were testing with me, that all of them finished which is a good thing.   The problem with finishing in 70 minutes with other classrooms have 105 minutes and 140 minutes, is that we have to stay in our room and we cannot talk or make noise because others are testing.  I will say, that for the most part, the kids were good about staying seated, reading, drawing, or playing quiet games with each other until the rest of our students returned and the school was finished with testing.
• 5th period - This was supposed to be my break period, but when the teacher came in, I told her it was ok.  I knew that after testing, if I had left, the kids would have gotten too rowdy and started acting out.   I decided to forgo my break and stay with the kids.  I gave the kids options and they choose to read the class novel.  We read 2 chapters in our novel THE BFG.   We read THE PALACE and THE QUEEN.  WE are just about at the climax of our class novel, so the kids are really trying to figure out how this book ends.  I told them about this program I saw on TV about the Queen's Garden (since the book was taking place in the Queen's Garden at the Palace...) and we looked on PBS and it was still on.  I told them if they could do really good at lunch, we could watch the show online when we got back upstairs instead of doing Math.
• 6th - LUNCH
• 7th - I picked them up at 1:30 instead of 1:40 and we came upstairs.   We watched "The Queen's Garden" on PBS and they children got to see the real garden that they are reading about.  They seemed really interested (well, there were 4-5 boys who wanted to talk instead of watching, but that is a different story!).  

Because of testing - I gave the students a RARE treat!   NO HOMEWORK!

• Day 2 is a mix day for the ELA Test.  They will have to read several articles and answer another round of multiple choice questions (about 10)>  Then they will have to read a few more texts and answer several short response questions and one extended response question.  We have practiced soooo many times how to answer short response questions... R.A.C.E....  RESTATE the questions, ANSWER the questions, CITE your evidence (at least 2 supports), and EXPLAIN how these support your answer.   If they do this, they will get full credit on their response.   I keep telling the students _ I train the teachers how to score the state test... I am telling you how to get full credit... LISTEN TO ME!!! I KNOW!!!   I can't wait to see the results of our hard work.  Those who have worked hard, have tried... I know they will see growth!   

Monday Memories

Today was a pretty great day!!!

3rd, 4th, and 5th Graders getting EXCITED about State Testing!

Learning the Box Step in Dance Class!!

Pep Rally Cheers!

Testing Tips

• Go to bed 30-45 minutes earlier than normal.  The only way to get more rest is to go to bed earlier than your normal.  The body nature cycles knows when you are used to getting up and your body starts waking up at that time even if you don't want to.  So to be well rested, go to bed earlier.  On testing days.. IT MATTERS!  Be well rested and alert!

• Have a big hearty breakfast.  No junk food please!  Whole Grains.. Protein... stick to your ribs kinda foods!  They take longer to process and break down and you wont have hungry students who can't concentrate.   Cereal, Fruit, Toast, Bagels, Eggs, Bacon, Peanut Butter and Jelly, Breakfast Pizza, Breakfast Burrito.... all good ideas to help you fill up before you take the test.

• DRINK ORANGE JUICE!   Have a big glass of OJ before you come to school.  The Folic Acid in the Orange Juice is known to help stimulate and improve brain function.   It isn't me who says so, it's science! 

• And probably the most important thing is to believe that you can do it.  You can be a superstar.  You can take everything you have practiced and now show the world that you are, in fact, a McSmartie.  Negativity does nobody any good.  If you have a negative attitude, chances are you will have a negative result.   Believe in the possibilities.  YOU CAN DO IT!!!
  

Monday FUNday

Welcome back to 26 out of 28 of my 4th graders.   I hope that the two who didn't make it today are ok!!!!   As you know - ELA State Tests start TOMORROW!  With that in mind, we have decided to take our foot of the gas pedal a little bit... and slow down while we venture through TESTING SEASON!

• 1st Period - We talked about the State Test and how you can't "study" for the ELA test.  The ELA test is practicing all the strategies and tricks you have learned in the year.   Can you read the text correctly?  Can you read and answer the questions correctly?  Can you express yourself in written formats using the text?   At this point, you have had enough practice that you either have it, or you don't.   I told the kids today... "Don't complain about the destination of your life when you are the one driving the bus!"   The decisions you make on a daily basis effect your life in the future.  You might want to play and joke around - but those are decisions that have consequences.     The rest of the period we went over the three articles in the ELA Vacation Packet and answered and explained all the Multiple Choice Questions.
• 2nd - Dance
• 3rd - We came back upstairs and we looked at the 3 short response questions from the ELA Vacation Packet.   Then we read the next chapter in The BFG, "Journey to London".   
• 4th - Math Block 1 - We passed out a 16 page packet of MATH REVIEW.  These are the skills and standards that we know were on last years MATH TEST.  These sheets are FUN ways to review the standards before next weeks Math Testing.   We will do 2-3 each day so we know we have reviewed as best as possible.   We worked on the first section of three different sections today in class (Place Value, Multiplication, and Division).  The children have to finish these three papers for homework.  We then reviewed sections 9.1 - 9.3 in GoMath on decimals.
• 5th - Math Block 2 - We did 3 sections in GoMath today.  Section 9.4 was about using money to figure out total amount of money,how to write it, how to write that as a fraction, and then how to write it as a decimal.   For example... ninety two cents is written $0.92, and as 92/100, and as 0.92.    We practiced writing money these three formats and then did the 9.4 practice page and checked it.   9.5 was doing the same things, but using only word problems so we blasted through that as well too.   We ended the day practicing 10.3 (Intersecting, Parallel, and Perpendicular lines.)    We did the I Do (model), WE do (Shared practice), and You Do (Independent Practice) to the point that I was sure they understood these three types of lines.   We then packed up and got ready to go home.
• 6th - Lunch
• 7th - I  picked them up at 1:25 (15 minutes early) and we went upstairs to have some fun outside in the nice weather.  The kids had almost 30 minutes to play before the rest of the 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade joined us for a rooftop PEP RALLY to get us excited and energized about tomorrow's State Test!

Homework:   

• Three pages in math packet to complete
• Go to bed 30-45 minutes earlier than normal.  The only way to get more rest is to go to bed earlier than your normal.  The body nature cycles knows when you are used to getting up and your body starts waking up at that time even if you don't want to.  So to be well rested, go to bed earlier.  On testing days.. IT MATTERS!  Be well rested and alert!
• Have a big hearty breakfast.  No junk food please!  Whole Grains.. Protein... stick to your ribs kinda foods!  They take longer to process and break down and you wont have hungry students who can't concentrate.   Cereal, Fruit, Toast, Bagels, Eggs, Bacon, Peanut Butter and Jelly, Breakfast Pizza, Breakfast Burrito.... all good ideas to help you fill up before you take the test.
• DRINK ORANGE JUICE!   Have a big glass of OJ before you come to school.  The Folic Acid in the Orange Juice is known to help stimulate and improve brain function.   It isn't me who says so, it's science! 

Spring Break Boot Camp

• Who:  10 Students who turned in their Permission Slips
• What:  3 Day Test Prep for ELA and Math Tests
• When: April 7th, April 8th, and April 9th  (9AM - 1PM)
• Where:  PS 08 @ Room 401
• How:  Show up just before 9AM - I will bring the donuts - Bring a bag lunch - Be ready to WORK!
• Why:  Make Sure You Are Ready for the Rigors of State Testing!

I will see you on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday!  

Thursday Before Spring Break

I am not sure who is more excited about Spring Break... the kids or me!  I have had this sinus cold on and off for over 5 weeks now... gets better, then gets bad again... I think I had 2-3 days all month where I felt 100%.  I can't wait to sit back and relax.. and hopefully get over this crud!

• 1st - Test Prep ELA and Math - We finished out our ELA Test Prep and played catch up with Math.  Math was 100% about measuring angles.  We used the protractor on the smartboard to measure all sorts of angles.  We covered the four main types of angles... Acute (Less than 90), Right (exactly 90), obtuse (greater than 90), and Straight (exactly 180).  We went over how to hold a protractor, how to line it up to measure, and most importantly - if the rays of the angle are not long enough... EXTEND THEM so you can get an accurate measurement.
• 2nd - The BFG "Mixing the Dream".  We read the next chapter which was all about mixing little parts of dreams that would complete their plan to get the Queen to help them get rid of the giants.  After reading the chapter - the students were given a section reading comprehension and writing task. 
• 3rd/4th - ReadyGen lesson 3b.10 - We finished reading "Escape from Pompeii".  Our learning focus was understanding the different characters point of views.  We looked at how the story was told in 3rd person point of view and how the narrator was able to report all the characters thoughts and actions.  Our writing focused on linking words.  We added the following words to our list:

Homework:

• Writing:  Use the questions you wrote last night and the linking order words learned today to write about your TRIP to ancient Pompeii.  The trip will end with you escaping as the volcano starts to erupt.  
• ELA - Vacation Packet (Checked In Class on Monday)
• Math - Vacation Packet (Collected and GRADED)

Pompeii Wednesday

• 1st - Science with Ms. Galan - A few students had issues in Science, but as a whole, the students got a compliment for working hard.  
• 2nd - ELA Test Prep - We read a new poem and then really looked at the poem.  We talked about what things we noticed and what questions they might ask us.  Then we talked about how to answer the question they gave us using the R.A.C.E format.  Tonight for homework, they have ONE MORE to do and then test prep is a wrap - The State Test is April 14-16!!  We then started reading "The Plan" from The BFG.  The kids had lots of guesses about what was coming up, but none of them got it right!  The book is picking up speed - and I am sure that when they realize we have just tomorrow, then break.. they will be wanting to read even more... but it looks like we will have to wait until after break to finish!
• 3rd - ReadyGen lesson 3b.9 - We started reading a new text today about Pompeii.  Our focus today was looking to see if the illustrations matched and aided in the understanding of the text.  The text goes along with our study of volcanoes.  The kids made very concrete and real connections and for the most part were able to answer the questions from all major strands as they were asked.  We have started using the classdojo randomizer and the kids who answer right get points - those who are caught not following or paying attention, lose points.  So check ClassDojo to see how your little one is doing (participating).   Their writing assignment tonight is to imagine you lived back in the times of Ancient Pompeii - and you were going to visit this resort city - come up with 10 questions that you would ask your travel agent about visiting... 5 questions should be practical questions about food/etc... and 5 can be less practical and more about fun stuff.  
• 4th - GoMath Lesson 9.3 (making equivalent decimals and fractions).  Today was all about using the ideas they learned about fractions to make equivalent decimals (x10, or \10) to go from tenths to hundredths or hundredths to tenths.  We are still showing the fraction for each decimal so they can keep seeing the connection between the two.
• 5th - We tried to go Waggle after 2 weeks of book fair and not being able to get into the library.  Go figure, we finally get in and logged on and the website was having issues.  So we headed back to class and got started with GoMath Lesson 10.2 wrapping up our lesson from yesterday and checking of homework from that section.
• 6th - Lunch
• 7th - GoMath 10.2 - Different types of Triangles.    We looked at the different triangles and how to name them.  We looked at the different angles and how you can tell them by looking at their characteristics.  We ended the day playing math races - which almost ended up in a fight due to the boys taking the game to seriously.  HELLO - it's a GAME!  It is supposed to be fun!

Homework:

• ELA Test Prep - The Last Question!
• Writing - 10 Questions that you just have to ask your travel agent before visiting Ancient Pompeii
• Math - Practice Book 9.3
• Math - Practice Book 10.2