The Hour of Code - WORLDWIDE

Visit Code.org to learn more about a world wide event we will be participating in.  This gives students a chance to learn something new that is in very high demand in the world we live in.  I am hosting the "event" and we may even be joining some other students as they take part in the Hour of Code too.  Problem solving and following directions are only two of the many skills they will use to complete the Hour of Code.  When they finish at school, they are welcome to continue at home or during "their time" in school.

Check it out!!

I know I say it all the time, but I am constantly amazed at how fast time flies.  We have been busy working hard in room 223.  Our Exciting Explorations have taken on a life of their own.  I think we have a new class theme song, that comes from one about Hawaii, and we have learned so much about different things as kids present.  They are really fun to watch.  I had a request to tape on so I tried that out you should be able to view the video at http://youtu.be/XvNOAxEduFw  I can post more as we go along.  These projects go along with out informational writing we are doing in school.
In Reader's Workshop we have been talking about types of questions, theme, and making inferences.  We enjoyed connecting with a class in CA for our Global Read Aloud and really enjoyed the book The Fourteenth Goldfish.   Our  book talks have been great.   The sharing of great books is always exciting to see.  One book was so popular I had to jump on amazon.com to get another copy, that makes me excited.

Great talking to so many of you...

It was so great to meet with so many parents.  It is always a pleasure to discuss your children.  It was another busy week but, aren’t they all and they fly by.  This week we finished up topic 3 in Math.  The students seem to have a good grasp on place value and we will continue to spiral back to review it throughout the year.  Especially recognizing if a questions is asking for the place or the value of a digit, and the idea of a place being 10 times the place before it.   

We introduced “Exciting Explorations” which is a spin off from Current Events.  As always there are not a lot of requirements from me:  present a topic is some way, talk in front of the class for 3-5 min, and do it on time, (the date that you picked to do it on.)   I do have some idea for students if they need more guidance in a slide presentation, that can be reached by clicking this link, http://bit.ly/1ucylNw  and they can always talk with me. I look forward to seeing the creative ideas that they come up with!

Book Talks are going great!  Katherine gave one this week that so many children wanted to read, that I had to jump on Amazon.com and order another copy.  Thanks to their great delivery, I’ll be bringing the book to school Monday.  Not the first time I’ve had to do this, thank you for all your orders on Scholastic.com I’ve been able to order a lot of books they have requested for free through Scholastic. 

This week we have a lot going on.  Tuesday,  there is a Professional Day for teachers, so no school for kids.  Friday we have a field trip to Patriot Place, so we will not be having a Daily Geography Test this week,

And finally, our new principal will be arriving on Monday.  Mr Stark will be here permenantly starting Monday.

Time is flying by....

     What a great class we have!  The weeks fly by, it seems we are non stop all day long.  In math we continue to review math facts and are learning about patterns, and place value as we continue to stretch ourselves in the area of word problems and the use of Khan Academy.
      In ELA, we are working on types of questions and trying to get to the point of asking higher level questions to deepen our understanding of a text.  We are enjoying our read aloud books.  The Fourteenth Goldfish has been a great book and we have used KidBlog to respond to the text, and Skype to discuss the book with our connection in California.
      We have enjoyed using out Geography skills, mystery Skype-ing and mystery Tweeting.  By giving and getting clues, we have been able to identify classes in CA, CO and Winnipeg, Canada.
     It's Sunday night and I look forward to another packed week in Studio 223.  

 Please try to complete my survey for conferences  http://goo.gl/forms/QE3rfUhQbx

Mystery Skype Went Great!

Great 2nd mystery Skype today in preparation for our connections in the Global Read Aloud project.  The students figured out the locations of the other classes by asking geography and location questions, that the other classes.  They figured out  that we will be discussing the book with a class from Colorado and a class from California.  The students did great preparing questions, then reacting to the answers they got and either adjusting their prepared questions or coming up with new ones.  It was a fun way to apply their geography skills.

"Count on Reading" by Joanie Welch

What can you count on your whole life long?

A key that opens a door so strong.

Behind that door is a store of knowledge.

We've got it now, needn't wait for college.

What is the answer, what is the key?

It's R-E-A-D-I-N-G!

When we were tiny, big books we would hold.


We couldn't read them, but they were gold.


Our parents read to us, and that gave us pleasure.


Those words on the page were such a treasure.


They taught us some words, they gave the first key.


To R-E-A-D-I-N-G!

Then off to school we went with expectation.


We learned that reading is the key to education.


We read for fun, and we read to explore.


Our teachers urged us to read even more.


They taught us to research and write what we see


From R-E-A-D-I-N-G!

When we're older, we'll still read every day.


For people who matter have shown us the way.


Our parents, our teachers all love to read.


They've encouraged us and planted a seed.


That seed will grow and will form a tree


Of R-E-A-D-I-N-G!

So, if you're a teacher, pass along the joy


Of unlocking reading for a young girl or boy.


When those letters form words that a child can read,


That spells success, and it fills a need.


It opens doors that you may never see


To R-E-A-D-I-N-G!

What can we count on, once we have the key?


An open door where the mind soars free.


Books to read are a child's greatest treasure.


They're a gift of love beyond all measure.


So pass along the gift and all children will be


R-E-A-D-I-N-G!

I want my parents to know....

Today we continues our quest to get to know each other a little better and form our learning community.  We read the book Tacky the Penguin  by Helen Lester.  This book explores the idea that it's ok to be different, and that difference makes you special and can benefit the group.    The students also  shared their thoughts about Reading and Math.  Click the links below to hear what they had to say.

Reading is...

Math is...

Word (or more) to describe what they think 4th grade will be....

What a great first day. It was fun getting to know our class and although it's always uneasy at first, everyone seemed to settle in quickly. We did some get to know you activities, and started our journey of building a community. We read the book Mrs. Mingo, First Day of School and talked about how we are all different, and what makes us special! Looking forward to another great day!

Today we are going to try a vocabulary challenge. Using one of the vocabulary words from this weeks lesson, or a prior lesson, write a sentence and post it on our Vocabulary Wall. To get there click on our Vocabulary Wall I can't wait to read your sentences.

ELA MCAS is over for all but a few who need to make up a session, due to being out sick. We have had a lot of stomach bug issues going around here. The students worked hard on the test. We are all happy they are over for now. We are ready to get back to our regular schedule, except we do need to still be extra quiet and deal with a few schedule changes as 5th grade takes their ELA MCAS in rooms all around us, for the next few days. We have started our author study of Andrew Clements. He is always a popular author with the students and I look forward to their reactions to the books. In math we will be working on our fractions and decimals.