Week ending Oct. 16

I feel like every week flies by, but when a student says "It's time to go home already" I feel they are as engaged in the day as I am.   This week we continued with our Global Read Aloud book Fish in a Tree. Although we had some technical difficulties, when talking to our Iowa buddies, (they couldn't hear us) they were very impressed with our classe's solution to the problem, when our kids started  writing their answers on paper & holding it up to the camera. I was also proud of my independent thinkers who took initiative.

In Math we started timed multiplication quizzes this week.  I know it is hard for some students to be timed, but we talked about getting more automatic with there facts by studying and I am looking for them to improve over their own score.  This topic continues to review basic math facts and their patterns.

We have one week left in our first round of book talks.  Everyone did great, and students heard about different books that they might want to read.  We also investigated some new technology using a green screen to showcase the books we read.  Our first attempt is below, I'm excited at the idea of expanding this technology into other areas of the curriculum.

Wow! We have been so busy in Studio 223, all the students have been working great with each other as our community is growing together. 

We started our week very into technology, Some students where working on their writing, other students were tweeting our a Global Math Task Twitter Challenge of the day, and still others where working on their Graphic Novel entry.  We have also spent time working with our 2nd grade buddies on chrome books. You can see these in the pictures below. Lots going on!

In writing we are working on personal narratives, trying to realize stories are all around us in our real lives, while we also look for the small moment to really tell the story in detail.    In reading we are studying characters and their traits.  We used google classroom this week to post our responses during reader's workshop.  The students had to pick a character trait from the book they where reading and find support for it from the book.  It was a great way to practice our writing and critique our own and others in a positive way. 

We participated in a Mystery Skype with the a school from Iowa.  The students used map skill and questioning to figure out where the other class was.  We then talked with them about our Global Read Aloud book A Fish in a Tree that we are both reading.  We are also using this book to connect with a class on Edmodo.com. 

In Math we have finished topic 3 & 4 and have started topic 1. In topic one we will start Multiplication fact tests. More on that when it happens.

Remember conferences are Wednesday November 4th   and Thursday November 5th   Click on the date to see the schedule.  If anyone has to change for any reason.  Please just email me.  I'm hear most morning before school and can easily reschedule. 

Welcome to Curriculum Night!

Thank you so much for coming!  This blog is used to communicate with parents and students.  I use it often as a "jumping off" point for student assignments.  This and google classroom are used to get assignments and links to the class easily.  A link I'd like to share with you tonight is the conference sign up.  Wednesday November 4th  and Thursday November 5th.  Try it out!  Sign out for a time that works for you.  You will see others on the document at the same time.  It's one of the ways your children collaborate at school.  Enjoy!

Friday September 11, 2015

Week 2 is done! We are continuing to get to know each other and build relationships as we start to dive into the curriculum. We have done some carousal brainstorming to remember parts of speech,  Ask your child how they did the activity.  We reviewed nouns, verbs, adverbs,  adjectives, and pronouns.  Although they all read, write and use pronouns, this proved to be the hardest for them  to figure out.  In Math we are starting our topic on place value.

Next week is Open House!   Wednesday Sept. 17th.  Please watch for notices for Mr. Stark about the format of the night.  I look forward to meeting each of you.  Students also need to remember to bring leaves for Art class on Tuesday Sept. 15th.  With no school on Monday this is their last reminder.

Have a great long weekend!

First Few Days....

It has been a great three days getting to know and starting to build a community with a terrific group of 4th graders!  We are spending time on getting to know you activities as we start to learn the routines of the classroom.  People are meeting new people and making friends with people who have never been in their class before.  Students are hanging out with people they haven't before.
Looking forward to a great year ahead!

PARCC

Well PARCC is finally coming our way.  This week we will start our state testing with PARCC.  The test start Thursday 3/26 and we go everyday till 4/1.  We start with 2 days of Math, then 3 days of ELA.   The students will be using the Chrome Books to take  all the tests.    The students are allowed to bring their own headphones to use.  Some students find the school headphones tight and uncomfortable, feel free to send some in from home. Students are ready and there does not seem to be much anxiety,  all we can ask is that they try to do their best.  My message to them is not to stress, but take it seriously.  Please make sure your child has breakfast.  If that is not in their normal routine, and you can't get them to eat, feel free to send an extra snack with them that they can eat when they get to school, please try to keep it to a simple snack.  They can have their water bottles on the floor.  All will be well!

Today's Exciting Exploration

Author Visit! Jana Dillon

Happy New Year!

The new year is off to a great start.  Each student has picked a date for their next book talk and Exciting Explorations.  We now have a google calendar that lists all the dates.  Have your child sign into google docs to share it with you, the date they chose.   In Math we are continuing to practice our single digit by double digit multiplication as we are learning double digit, by double digit.  We are learning array model, partial product, and traditional.  Students can use which ever method they feel comfortable with, but they will at times be asked to "show what they know" using the array model.  We are continuing our informational writing with our Social Studies unit on Washington D.C.  We are researching monuments and landmarks that we will write about.  Another Great Day!!!