This week can best be summed up using superlatives:
Most Heroic: Mr. Danny and Mr. Johnson- our amazing custodians who dug through eight bags of garbage in the dumpster to recover a retainer
Cutest Spontaneous Moment: Elyse, Alex, Miller and Maya- for erupting into "Jingle Bells" upon lighting their series circuit of bulbs in science
Best Homecomings: All the kids who were out that returned! Welcome back from vacation, illness, injury and other!
Most Creative: the WHOLE class- their latest stories are wildly ambitious but we think you'll be pleased with the outcomes
Funniest Quote: Student: "Ms. Casey, I can tell you what you survive on... granola Bars, Diet Coke, oranges and apples..." Ms. Casey: "That's... funny.... I don't eat apples or oranges."
Best Accidental Insult: "Mrs. Roskos, you CAN'T cut your hair, then it'll really look ugly!"
Second Best Insult: "Mrs. Roskos, sometimes your curly hair looks like you put your finger in a socket."
Most Heroic: Mr. Danny and Mr. Johnson- our amazing custodians who dug through eight bags of garbage in the dumpster to recover a retainer
Cutest Spontaneous Moment: Elyse, Alex, Miller and Maya- for erupting into "Jingle Bells" upon lighting their series circuit of bulbs in science
Best Homecomings: All the kids who were out that returned! Welcome back from vacation, illness, injury and other!
Most Creative: the WHOLE class- their latest stories are wildly ambitious but we think you'll be pleased with the outcomes
Funniest Quote: Student: "Ms. Casey, I can tell you what you survive on... granola Bars, Diet Coke, oranges and apples..." Ms. Casey: "That's... funny.... I don't eat apples or oranges."
Best Accidental Insult: "Mrs. Roskos, you CAN'T cut your hair, then it'll really look ugly!"
Second Best Insult: "Mrs. Roskos, sometimes your curly hair looks like you put your finger in a socket."
Reading: We enjoyed learning about Maya Lin, an architect of public spaces, memorials and monuments (for example, she designed the Vietnam Memorial). Our focus skill this week was summarizing. We worked hard to identify the main idea through evidence in the text and determined that all of the details should "add up" to the main idea. Upon finishing our stories, we took a few extra minutes today during our computer time to learn how to Google search 'images.' We searched for some of Maya Lin's work, and learned how to navigate the search engine a little bit while we were at it!
4th Grade Math: We are about 3/4 of the way through Unit 4: "Decimals and their Uses." Since my last post, we've learned to add/ subtract decimals, identify place value for money and solve word problems about distance. Today we began looking at metric units of measurement: millimeters, centimeters and meters. I've taken the opportunity to continuously review the concepts from each lesson, as there are quite a few in this unit. I am planning for our Unit 4 test on Friday, December 9th. Next week we'll wrap up the unit and review for the test. As I mentioned in my last post, your child will definitely benefit from a little extra support with his/ her homework throughout this unit!
5th Grade Math: Check out Ms. Wennerberg's website and newsletter for updates: http://www.op97.org/swennerberg/
4th Grade Math: We are about 3/4 of the way through Unit 4: "Decimals and their Uses." Since my last post, we've learned to add/ subtract decimals, identify place value for money and solve word problems about distance. Today we began looking at metric units of measurement: millimeters, centimeters and meters. I've taken the opportunity to continuously review the concepts from each lesson, as there are quite a few in this unit. I am planning for our Unit 4 test on Friday, December 9th. Next week we'll wrap up the unit and review for the test. As I mentioned in my last post, your child will definitely benefit from a little extra support with his/ her homework throughout this unit!
5th Grade Math: Check out Ms. Wennerberg's website and newsletter for updates: http://www.op97.org/swennerberg/
Science: Science continues to be a highlight during our weeks. The kids learned about the differences between a series and parallel circuit by investigating the outcomes of various set-ups. We've experimented with using more power (extra batteries), rearranging the components of a circuit, and changing the size of the electricity receiver (in most cases, the light bulb). The kids got to play with snap circuits and use a computer program to learn about electromagnets, too. Next week we'll solve the "string-of-lights" challenge (think: Christmas Lights). We'll also begin reviewing all of the unit's concepts in preparation for the unit test, which will most likely be on Friday, December 16th.
One more exciting piece of news: once again we welcome Dr. Cortez (who also happens to be a Whittier parent!) for our Science Alliance/ Global Village partnership this year. Dr. Cortez's first visit with our class will be on December 12th, and we look forward to partnering with him to learn about his career in a field of science.
*** An important note: we begin our ecosystems unit upon our return from winter break in January. Each child needs 3 clear, 2-liter bottles in order to create an ecosystem (and I need time to cut them all to the right size!). With that in mind, please send in any bottles you collect over the holidays as soon as possible. We need a total of 135, and we currently have 3!! They need to be clear (not tinted or green), rinsed out, and label-free please.
One more exciting piece of news: once again we welcome Dr. Cortez (who also happens to be a Whittier parent!) for our Science Alliance/ Global Village partnership this year. Dr. Cortez's first visit with our class will be on December 12th, and we look forward to partnering with him to learn about his career in a field of science.
*** An important note: we begin our ecosystems unit upon our return from winter break in January. Each child needs 3 clear, 2-liter bottles in order to create an ecosystem (and I need time to cut them all to the right size!). With that in mind, please send in any bottles you collect over the holidays as soon as possible. We need a total of 135, and we currently have 3!! They need to be clear (not tinted or green), rinsed out, and label-free please.
Writing: Today we started a new project for which the students will write in teams. We brainstormed ideas as a class and I provided the teams with an organizational outline to follow. I will teach to two traits during this cycle: the ideas trait (again), this time specifically addressing the importance of focusing the topic and supporting it with detail. The other trait we will spend time with is 'word choice.' We hope to develop this piece with rich vocabulary, powerful verbs and descriptive adjectives/ adverbs.
Social Studies: Check out Ms. Wennerberg's website and newsletter for updates: http://www.op97.org/swennerberg/
Social Studies: Check out Ms. Wennerberg's website and newsletter for updates: http://www.op97.org/swennerberg/
Miscellaneous:
- Bottles, bottles, bottles! Please send in your 2-liter bottles. We will use them as terrariums and aquariums for our next science unit, starting in December. They need to be clear (not tinted or green), rinsed out, and label-free please. Thank you!!
- GIRL SCOUT 11th ANNUAL TOY DRIVE will take place Monday, November 28 to Friday, December 23, 2011. Drop Box Locations are: Whittier Lobby and Dole Library.
Encourage your friends and neighbors to donate gifts for children ages 0-13. (Don’t forget the older children!) Who Benefits from these toys? Our Austin Neighbors! The children will receive these gift-wrapped toys distributed by the Fraternite Notre Dame (FND).
