Late posting

My apologies for the late posting.

Math: We wrapped up our independent practice work for arrays.  The target of the lesson -- multiplication is repeated addition -- is key to student understanding of multiplication.  Practice fact families for 10minutes tonight.

Science: We watched a Brain Pop video about hurricanes and discussed Hurricane Irene and where she hit the US.

Literacy block: Read to Self practice (we are up to 17 minutes of stamina!).  Mrs. Plato modeled what to do when you are writing and you cannot think of the spelling of a word (spell it as you think it should be spelled, underline it and move on) so that writing can be an independent action.  Handwriting for week 1, Wednesday is due tomorrow.

PLANNERS NEED TO BE SIGNED TONIGHT.  They should NOT be empty.

Terrific Tuesday!

We had an outstanding day today.

Math: We discussed modeling multiplication using arrays and pictures.  For homework, students should complete #6-11 on p. 7.  They started it in class.  They should also practice their fact family triangles for at least 10 minutes.

Science: We watched Brain Pop videos on the scientific method and making observations.  We learned how to highlight key words in multiple choice questions.

Literacy Block: We completed Six-Minute Solution for our first day today.  Six-Minute Solution is a time when students listen to and read for each other to practice their oral reading fluency.  We also practiced building our stamina with Read to Self. 

PARENT NIGHT is approaching!  Hope to see you Thursday night at 6:30!

Who can believe it?

We are starting the second full week of school...amazing!

Math: We completed a Core Content Review and worked with problem solving using arrays.  Students received a new chart for fact family triangle practice for this week.  Please make sure to practice at least 10 minutes each night and get your chart initialed or signed by a parent.

Science: We finished discussing our book walks and collected data about our love languages (what people can do to make us feel as if we are loved).  So much good data for a successful year!

Literacy Block: We discussed handwriting and completed our first day's assignment.  In the future, handwriting will be homework.  We also took a Reading Diagnostic Test to determine student abilities in phonics, vocabulary, and comprehension.

PARENT NIGHT is THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2011, at 6:30 PM!  Hope to see you there!

Weekend Happenings

Hope you have enjoyed the weekend's beautiful weather.  I know I did!  I caught a football game Friday night (CCHS vs. Metamora...my son is a Freshman at CCHS and plays in the band) and the Hot Air Balloon Festival in Lincoln on Saturday night.  All in all, a fabulous weekend.

Here are some reminders about what is due Monday:

-Mark chart summary slips should be signed and returned.
-"Diagnose Yourself" packet for math facts should be returned, with parent initials indicating days last week that fact family triangles were practiced.
-Boomerang folder should be EMPTY of anything except what should be in the "For Teacher" pocket.

Please remember that Book Orders are due by September 2, if you are interested in ordering.  We have online ordering as well as the good ol' hard copy ordering.

I will be adding photos under the photo tab this evening (barring any technical glitches).  Stay tuned!

The view from Thursday

Math: We finished our book walk and started thinking about an opening problem.  Please be sure to practice your basic facts each night for at least 10 minutes.

Science: We worked on a book walk through the science text.  Students had a great deal of class time to work on this.  It needs to be finished for homework.  If students have a great amount to do, a home conversation about how they spent their class time might be useful.

Literacy Block: We reviewed yesterday's focus lesson (read to self) and practiced our stamina with this skill a few times today.  We discussed the third way to read a book: retell a story you know.  Students also got to browse through the class library and check out books.

Students with missing homework tomorrow (including those who still don't have their planners signed) will not have Friday Fun Time tomorrow.  

Wondrous Wednesday

A whole week of school?  No way!

I LOVE this class.  What a great bunch!  Here's what we accomplished today:

Math: Students have their timed tests with them tonight, along with a letter about practicing their facts.  Some students need more practice than others.  Please make the decision that best suits your little learner. We also started a book walk through the new math book.  Very exciting!

Science: We took an assessment on the laptops that determined each student's strength in the area of learning.  Want to know yours?  See the Internet Links tab and click on the link for Multiple Intelligences.  Students discovered their strong areas today.  Ask them to share!

Literacy: We started the "Hearty Reader Cafe" today.  We practiced the skill of independently reading to self, and discussed why it was important: it's a great way to become a better reader.  We also discussed two ways to read a book, and we read a book about September 11.  The students are super excited about reading!

Wednesday nights are when I ask students to get their planners signed.  Their planners should state what we did in class as well as what was for homework.  Please sign only if the planner is complete.  THERE SHOULD BE NO BLANKS!

So, what's the worst that can happen during a thunder storm?

Yes, during the pouring rain, thunder rolling, lightning flashing, our fire alarm went off.  The kids handled the evacuation quite well.  Talk about the unexpected!  Our maintenance crew was working on something and the alarm tripped.  Thank goodness there was no "real" fire!

I took that time to discuss with the students what they should do in the event that it is inclement weather at dismissal.  We discussed watching the weather forecasts, dressing appropriately, and carrying an umbrella.

Here's what today looked like in the classroom:

Math: We took timed tests for addition, subtraction, and multiplication.  Students came home with another set of fact family triangles.  I hope you find the video to the left to be helpful.

Literacy and Science: We continued classifying our classroom library by genre.  The students are very excited that, tomorrow, they will be able to borrow books from the class library.  We also watched a Brain Pop Jr. movie about the library and how books are classified in it.

Just a reminder, Boomerang Folders and Planners should be coming home each night and returning the next day.

Have a great evening!

First Monday

Welcome to the first Monday of the school year!  Today was a really productive day.

First, all students should have brought home their planners tonight.  I encourage them to do so nightly.  In them, every space should be filled, even if it says "did not have."  CW means the activity was done in class.  HW means it is for homework.  Here's what was on today's docket, just in case it did not make it home:

Literacy and science: We started a unit on classification.  We classified Skittles (yum!) by color, discussed classifying books by genre, and started organizing the classroom library.  It's quite a job, so we will continue with it tomorrow.

Math: We took a placement test to see what we know and what we need to work on from this year's curriculum.  Students brought home fact family triangles for addition and subtraction.  They need to cut them out, put their names or initials on the backs of each (in case a triangle strays from its owner), and place them in the envelope provided.  I am working on a quick video to show how to use them to practice facts.  Tomorrow night, multiplication and division triangles will come home.

Tomorrow, I will take some baseline data for addition, subtraction, and multiplication facts.  We will have timed tests in these three areas.

We also discussed behavior expectations today.  We did some role playing and discussed how they can expect me to handle issues as they arise in the classroom.

An outstanding day

Our first full day of school is behind us.  A HUGE thanks to all the parents who wrote to me through last night's homework assignment.  My weekend homework for myself is to read all of your great responses.  Students have until Monday to return the sheet, as well as the parent letter that went home.

Several informational things went home in the Boomerang Folders this weekend.  Please take a moment to clean it out with your child.

A great start!

What a wonderful start to our school year!  This group is REALLY on the ball.  Thanks, parents, for making sure the students have the supplies they need.

Students received a parent letter outlining snacks, giving Open House time and date, and discussing the existence of this website.  They need to have this signed.  They also have a reflection sheet that they are writing to me to let me know about them.  On the back of the sheet is a chance for parents to write to me, too.  Both of these items are due on Monday.

I will be uploading pictures to the picture tab tonight.  Don't forget to play, "Where in the World is Mrs. Plato?" on the pictures tab.

See you tomorrow!

It's almost time!

As you go out for your final round of school supply shopping, please remember that fourth graders at Irving are asked to have two expandable files. They seem to be fairly inexpensive at the Dollar Store.  Here are examples of what they look like:

Where in the world is Mrs. Plato?

Check out the "Pictures" tab to see some clues about where Mrs. Plato might be.  Come to school with your best guesses!

Can't wait to meet you!!

Welcome Back!

Welcome to a brand new school year at Irving Elementary!  Please visit this website for daily updates of our classroom, pictures, videos, and all-around helpful information.  I am so excited to meet all of you!