Wonderful Weekend

On Saturday, I spent the day at the Dublin Literacy Conference.  I had a fabulous time learning new literacy activities to implement into my classroom.  I think my favorite part of the day was meeting four fabulous authors, Kate Messner, Louise Borden, Ralph Fletcher, and Jarrett Krosoczka.  I can't wait to share my new book purchases with the kids tomorrow.  I am sure they will fight over who gets to read the new Lunch Lady books first.

This week in the classroom:

MATH - We are beginning our Geometry unit.  The students have a Geometry Folder that will hold all of their notes.  I will have them bring them home for you to see later in the week. 

SCIENCE - The Weather unit continues.  This week we will focus on warm and cold fronts.  We will discuss what types of weather and air they bring to the area.  

SOCIAL STUDIES - We are learning about the historic Indians that lived in Ohio during the 1600's.  Each tribe has it's own unique culture and life style.  There will be a test over both the Prehistoric and Historic tribes on Thursday.  The students will be able to use their notes for this test.  

READING -- Students are finishing up their Civil Rights ABC books.  We are also beginning to research their Ohio Heroes.  We will write the reports and speeches at school.   Don't forget your child needs a costume for the wax museum.  I will send out more information about the wax museum as time gets closer.  

Thanks for all you do to help your child be successful.  

Meetings, Meetings, and more Meetings

I'm sure the kids told you I was at a district meeting today.  The district is asking teachers for input regarding technology in the schools.  We certainly have lots to consider and are carefully looking at all of the available options. Also, I will be out next Monday and Tuesday for the Ohio Technology Conference in Columbus.

At my meeting today,  I was asked to pilot a new program called Class Dojo.  This is a classroom behavior management tool.  I will introduce it to the kids on Tuesday.  You will receive a parent letter  explaining how you can view your child's classroom behavior.  We will give it a try.

Other tech news, I introduced your children to Biblionasium.   This is a reading network for kids under 13 (imagine GoodReads for kids).  Here the students can keep track of the books they are reading and review books they have finished.  They can even recommend books to other students in our class and to me !!  Check it out.

On to classroom news. . .

Math - We have been adding and subtracting fractions with like denominators.  Next, we will use unlike denominators.  Then, we will move onto decimals.

Science - The plant unit is finally over and we have moved onto weather.  This is one of my favorite units.   I think the students enjoy this unit as well.

Social Studies - We are still learning about the Prehistoric Indians that lived in Ohio.  The students are taking notes and then creating a visualization for each of the tribes.  It is important they be able to read their notes about these tribes.  When they take a test over this material, they will be able to use their binders.

Reading -  Hopefully, your children have been talking to you the about the Civil Rights Movement.  I know they are constantly asking me questions and wondering about this topic.  I love the fact that they can't imagine why anyone would be treated differently because of their skin color.   Cool huh!?  This week we will look at Jackie Robinson's integration into Major League Baseball.

On to building news . . .

KME Extravaganza - February 23rd - Our basket theme is Ladies Knight.  Please send in any items that  would make a ladies night fantastic.