It's Only Wednesday???

Sorry for not posting as of late...

I am sick...

Head is pounding, runny nose, and horrible congestion in chest with a nasty cough...

But, I haven't missed a day yet...

• 1st - Science
• 2nd/3rd - ReadyGen Lesson 4A.8   Lunch Money Chapters 20-22
• 4th/5th - Go Math! Lesson 12.5
• 6th - Lunch/Recess
• 7th - Social Studies (Chapter 5 Review) and Liberty Kids "Shot Heard Round the World"

Homework:

1. Writing:  Write a narrative involving two characters who are competing at selling the same item.  Be sure to include sequence words and sensory language.
2. Math:  Chapter 12 Mid-Point Check
3. Social Studies:  Finish Chapter 5 Review - Study for Test

Wednesday -- Open School Night

• 1st - Science with Ms. Galan.  They got a good report with the exception of one boy in the classroom.  
• 2nd and 3rd- We started by playing a bit of catch-up by looking at who had missed what quizzes on AR.  Then we did a quick 10 minute reading comprehension check on an article called "Volcano!".  This was actually about 20 minutes, but who is counting.  Then we worked on ReadyGen Lesson 4A.3.   First we READ Chapters 7–8, pp. 57–85 Lunch Money.  Our READING FOCUS was readers understand the elements of narrative texts and how to use them to determine the theme of the story.  Our WRITING FOCUS was to write dialogue between two or more characters who work together to come up with creative solutions to a problem.  We went a little over because we had to do 3 days of vocabulary instead of one day.
• 4th - MOSL Prep!   We did practice short response questions that mimic the MOSL questions using our book LUNCH MONEY as the source.   The students had to write a short response using the RACE method on the positive aspects of Greg's love of money, and then another with the negative aspects of Greg's love of money.  We then went over how to RESTATE the question, ANSWER the questions, CITE two text details, and then EXPLAIN how these details support your Answer (claim).  We ended by talking about the extended response that they would have to do for homework.
• 5th - GoMath Chapter 11 Performance Task 
• 6th - Lunch/Recess
• 7th - Collected Social Studies Homework and then watched the second half of Liberty Kids "The Intolerable Acts" and discussed exactly what were the Intolerable Acts.




• The Intolerable Acts was the American Patriots' name for a series of punitive laws passed by the British Parliament in 1774 after the Boston Tea party. They were meant to punish the Massachusetts colonists for their defiance in throwing a large tea shipment into Boston harbor.  The Quartering Act is a name given to a minimum of two Acts of British Parliament in the local governments of the American colonies to provide the British soldiers with any needed accommodations or housing.

• Then we started watching the next episode called "United We Stand" where people are getting fed up with the way they are being treated and are started to act like a united group of colonies instead of 13 independent colonies.  

Homework:

Reading:  Lunch Money Chapter 1-6 Comprehension Check and Quick Write

Reading: Independent Reading Book 30-45 minutes

Writing:  Practice writing dialogue between two characters in  your journal

Writing:  MOSL Extended Response / Essay writing

 

Hot In the City...

So I think it only got up to 86 today, but that's ok... Our room must be a cool 72!  I say this because when the AC is on, the room can be a bit cool, so if your child is one who gets cold easily, please make sure they keep a light sweater in the class closet.  I know you will agree, it is better to be cold than hot when you are trying to concentrate and learn.

Just a reminder - Tomorrow night is Open School Night at PS8.   From 4:45 - 6:15 parents of students in Pre-K to 2nd grade will meet in the auditorium for a general meeting about the school year, preparing for the end of this school year, and what to expect for next year.  From 6:30 - 7:45, parents of students from 3rd to 5th grades will meet in the auditorium for an upper grade specific general meeting.  This is not a classroom event, nor is it parent/teacher conferences.  If you would like a conference, please contact me and I can set one up for you.

• 1st - Dance - I got a good report from Mr. Nunez.  Seems they do better on Tuesdays.
• 2nd / 3rd - ReadyGen Lesson 4A.2.   In lesson 2 we READ Lunch Money -  Chapters 4–6, pp. 25–54.  Our READING FOCUS was that writers understand that they can draw evidence from literary texts to analyze, research, and reflect.  Our WRITING FOCUS was to introduce a narrator and at least one other character.
• 4th - We were lucky enough to be invited to hear the Jazz trio play again today.  They visited us earlier in the year, and they came back today to treat us to another lesson in Jazz.  It was very cute to watch the students get up and do the Cha-Cha to the Jazz music.  
• 5th - Due to the length of the chapters and stopping so often to discuss craft and structure, we had a rather extended ReadyGen lesson.  The good news is, the students had great conversations about character traits, illustrations, visualization words, and the parts of a narrative.   We are moving slower due to constant interruptions from a few students who are looking for attention and talking out.  The positive side is that we have read six chapters in two days so the book is moving at a fast pace.   
• 6th - Lunch/Recess  - We had 5 people sit out for not doing homework.  We had quite a few sit out due to changing their strips for "talking", "out of seat", "out of uniform", "talking back", etc...  Each time you change your strip you lose 5 minutes.  
• 7th - We passed out homework and papers for parents.  We went over what I expected for homework quality and then we watched the second episode of Liberty Kids which dealt with The Intolerable Acts which helped lead to the American Revolution.  We didn't quite finish the episode, but I love how the cartoon puts the Revolution in the Point of View of the young of the time.  It allows our students to experience it as a youth would in the day.

Homework

Reading:  

• Redo last nights T-Chart now that we have gone over it and explained expectations better. (only 3 people did it right)
• Web A with "How to Make a MiniComic" in the middle.  The outside rungs should show how the illustrations were helpful (the purpose), and what was the outcome of having the illustrations (effects).
• Read your independent reading book for 30-45 minutes.

Social Studies:

• Use section 1 of Chapter 5 to fill in the answers to the 9 questions of the comprehension document.  

Upcoming Events

• Tuesday, May 12th -  Students get to see a performance of The Lion King 

• Wednesday, May 13th - Open School Night (letters coming home tomorrow) 
• Lower Grades will be from 4:45 - 6:15 and Upper Grades from 6:30 - 7:45.  
• This is not a CONFERENCE night.  It is an Open School Night for parents. 

• Thursday, May 14th - MOSL - 2 Texts and 2 Short Responses (periods 3 and 4)  
• Questions should be answered using the R.A.C.E format to make sure they get as many points as possible and have two facts from the text to support their claim.

• Friday, May 15th - MOSL - Same 2 Texts - 1 Opinion Piece Essay (periods 3 and 4)  
• This should have an introduction that includes a hook, the titles of the texts, and what they will be proving or writing about.  A body paragraph that supports their opinion using 2 details from the first text, and two details from the second text.  Each detail should be explained and show how it supports their opinion.  Finally, it should end with a conclusion paragraph that sums up what they have written about and their opinion and any personal connection they can make to the prompt.

Muggy May Monday

Hey Parents:

A few notes to remember as we approach the final months of school....

1)  School is not over!  This is the time of year where we have to reflect on what we have accomplished and are we actually ready to move from 4th to 5th grade.  Attitude, Attendance, Aptitude are all still very important.   If you are not at school, you can't learn.  If you have a bad attitude, you can't learn.  If you don't come ready to learn, you will not only hurt yourself, but others who are trying.

2)  Talk to your students about coming to school each and every day ready to learn.  NOT TO SOCIALIZE!  Students are trying to talk rather than work and it is resulting in loss of privileges in the classroom.  Also, I just want you to know that if I call you, text you, send you a note... it isn't because I have nothing better to do.  It is because it has reached a point that your students has worked through the normal steps of discipline in the classroom.

3) Students need to have an independent reading book to read at all times.  They are expected to read at least ONE chapter book ON or ABOVE their level each week.  If they don't read, they don't improve.  Please make sure that your child is reading 30-45 minutes a day!

4) The specials teachers (Mr. Hoffman/Gym, Mr. Nunez/Dance, and Ms. Galan/Science) are complaining that our students are not listening, are talking over instruction, and making it difficult for students wishing to participate to do so.  I have been encouraging them to call you and let you know.

• 1st Period - We passed out our new class novel, this time it is through ReadyGen!  We are reading the novel "LUNCH MONEY" written by Andrew Clements who also wrote the book we just finished "Frindle".   Lunch Money is an AR book.   It has a 5.2 book level and is worth 6 points.  

Twelve-year-old Greg, who has always been good at moneymaking projects, is surprised to find himself teaming up with his lifelong rival, Maura, to create a series of comic books to sell at school.

• After passing out the books, we read chapter 1 focusing on the parts of a fiction novel (character, setting, and plot!).  At the end of the first chapter, they students wrote a short summary in their journals.  I will be picking them up for a writing grade later in the week to grade as we go through the novel.
• 2nd Period - Dance - We had four students our today, so we had a total of 24 students who went to dance today.  Out of those 24, ELEVEN (11) were marked down for misbehavior during dance.  11!   Again, they talked over him while he was trying to talk, ignored him completely, talked back, and refused to follow directions.  11 out of 24.  NO BUENO!  Four of our young ladies, and seven of our young men.  So very disappointing!
• 3rd  Period - ReadyGen 4A.1 continued.  We ready chapters 2 and 3 with the same focus and then wrote summaries upon finishing.   We focused on the main character of Greg and how the author gives us examples of his character by what he does.  We talked about three character traits today:  Hard Working,  Smart, and Loves Money!  Their homework tonight is to use the book (chapters 1 - 3) and find examples in the book that Andrew Clements uses to show Greg's character.  They are to copy the text (WORD FOR WORD) on side 1 of the T chart, and on side 2 explain the character trait it shows.  We discussed how the book so far has done a great job at showing the main character, some of the setting, and of course the "PROBLEM or SITUATION" that makes up the plot.  For writing homework, they have to start thinking about a story they want to tell.  Who are the characters, what is the setting, and finally what is the problem/situation they have to solve. They should "START" their story by making an outline and introduce the characters, setting, and problem.
• 4th -  Chapter 11 Test in GoMath.  Students took the GOMath test for Chapter 11.  I was QUITE disappointed with the results of the test.  Talk to your children about studying for tests, about taking them serious, and how if they don't pass the 4th learning period, there is a good chance they will be going to summer school!   
• 5th - Finish Chapter 11 test - put the test into the computer using ThinkCentral (so they could see right away what they got right and wrong).  And then do the SHOW WHAT YOU KNOW (or pretest) for Chapter 12.   
• 6th - Lunch/Recess    - The first 10 minutes of recess I only had a handful of students enjoying the beautiful May afternoon.  By the last 5 minutes of recess I only had two students who lost all of recess today.  Talking back will result in no recess.  
• 7th Period - We returned to the room and watched an episode of Liberty Kids that showed the build up and the Boston Tea Party using a cartoon as the medium.   After the episode was complete, we ready the first section of Chapter 5 in our Social Studies Book together.   We ran out of time, but tomorrow they will watch another episode of Liberty Kids and work on the comprehension questions for the first section of Chapter 5.  

Homework:

Reading: Use the book (chapters 1 - 3) and find examples in the book that Andrew Clements uses to show Greg's character.  They are to copy the text (WORD FOR WORD) on side 1 of the T chart, and on side 2 explain the character trait it shows.

Writing:  Think about a story they want to tell.  Who are the characters, what is the setting, and finally what is the problem/situation they have to solve. Start your story by making an outline and introduce the characters, setting, and problem.

Independent Reading:  Read for 30-45 minutes out of their independent reading book.  The only way to improve reading is to READ. 

Friday in Room 401

So today was a wrap up day.  It was also the last day of NYSESLAT testing.  Our schedule has been a bit wacky for the past month - but it should settle down a bit now.  

I am actually excited about next week.  We are starting Unit 4 in ReadyGen, we are starting Chapter 12 in GoMath, and we are starting Chapter 5 in Social Studies.  

1st and 2nd period we continued our fluid block of working on your projects that need to be finished.  Some students worked on their ReadyGen PBA Writing assignment; others worked on their 13 colonies buddy project learning posters; others worked on their independent reading; and others decided to pitch in and help classmates finish their projects. It was nice to see the class actively engaged, working hard, getting along, and helping each other. 

3rd period they had Mr. Hoffman and sadly many of the boys decided to talk and not follow directions for him.  

4th period we hung up our learning posters outside in the hallway and the students did a learning walk.  They paired up and visited each poster and gave the group positive feedback and room to grow feedback. Sometimes students listen better about feedback when it comes from their peers. I think they had a good time and learned from each other. Heck, the literacy coach was so impressed she came out and participated with us. 

5th period we reviewed Chapter 11 in Math by looking at form B of the test. We decided as a class to take the test on Monday instead of rushing to get it done. 

6th period we had lunch. 

7th we had Recess/Fun Friday.  The kids really enjoy the release of running around and just being kids.  

Homework:

Reading: The Story of Coca Cola 

Math: Study for Chapter 11 test

Reading: have your IR book completed by Monday.  

First HOT Day in Room 401

What it feels like in Room 401

Wow... It didn't take long to go from COLD to HOT in Room 401.  Without the benefit of the AC on...we had to rely on the the open windows for air.  Once it hits about 11 AM, the sun hits us head on from 11 - dismissal, so our room, with all it's windows, gets a lot of sunlight and heat.

I made it very clear to the students on Friday that anyone who didn't finish reading their independent reading book they picked out on Monday by THIS MONDAY... take their AR Test and PASS IT.. would be sitting out of recess until they did.  Several of them have gotten lazy and don't want to read.  Well... RECESS DEPENDS ON IT!

• 1st - Students took their AR Test and then checked out new books.  15 students said they didn't finish (so 15 students sat out of recess!).  Well 14, one had an extra day because they were absent on Monday.  
• 2nd - Dance
• 3rd - Chapter 10 - Freedom of the Press in Frindle.   After collecting their Frindle homework (half of them didn't do it), we read Chapter 10 and discussed it.  We made predictions about the upcoming chapters and how it would be solved.
• 4th - Mini-Lesson on expectations of the PBA.  We read the PBA, talked about the rubric, and looked at how the template they completed would make the PBA super easy.  I then did a mini lesson showing how to start a "news" report and hook the reader.  I showed them that when you prepare, writing a paragraph with support and artistry can take as little as three minutes.   I then gave them an entire 45 minutes to work on their draft after modeling how it should look:  Intro like they were a news reporter, title of book used, and what they would be discussing on the topic.   Each topic would have a heading before they started the paragraph.  Each paragraph must (MUST) have two details from the text to support it.  Each paragraph should end with a concluding statement or linking statement.  After the introduction and five body paragraphs, they should have a concluding paragraph that sums it up and shows that it was a news report.
• 5th - First we watched a Discovery Education video on the Middle Colonies.   Students working on those colonies took notes while the others watched.   At the end of the video we did the 10 true or false question quiz.   Then we moved into Chapter 11 GoMath - Show What You Know and then 11.1 lesson.  We are looking at circles in terms of fractions... each 12th is 30 degrees, so a half a circle (6/12th) is 180 degrees, 3/12th is 90... and so on.    They have to complete the practice book 11.1 for homework.
• 6th - Lunch and Recess (It was sad to see only 7-10 students playing at a time due to missed minutes for missing assignments, uniforms, behavior in dance, or not doing their independent reading.  Oh well, they will learn the hard way!
• 7th - Science Lesson 4.7 - The Hubble Telescope Nonfiction Article and questions.   After reading the article together the students answered questions about the text.   We then cleaned up the room, talked about expectations and homework, and ended the day with a fun game of Heads Up 7 Up.  

Homework:

1. Students who didn't read or finish their Independent Reading Book - Finish tonight.  Everyone else start reading new one for testing next Monday.  RECESS DEPENDS ON READING AND PASSING YOUR IR BOOK!
2. Drafting Unit 3B PBA - you had 45 minutes in class, tonight continue to finish it.   Intro, 5 body paragraphs, conclusion.  Each body paragraph needs two details from the text to support it.  Looking for linking sentences and words.  If not done tomorrow - NO RECESS!
3. Math - Practice 11.1