Math: FASTT Math; rounding

Science: Ch. 4, Lesson 1

Literacy block: This week, we have discussed prefixes and suffixes as part of the Handwriting focus.  Handwriting, Wednesday, Week 13 is due tomorrow.  Pen pal letter conferences and rotations occurred today. Students also worked in groups on Noun-Verb-Noun sentence patterns.

Get planner signed tonight.

Math: FASTT Math; number line activities

Science: Vocabulary Preview; Cause-Effect activity

Literacy block: Conferences with students about pen pal letters; discussed noun-verb-noun sentence pattern; rotations; Handwriting, Week 13, Tuesday is tonight's homework

Back in the Swing!

What a dreary day to return from Thanksgiving break!  We made the best of it, however, and lots of learning was accomplished.

Math: We completed FASTT Math and a Core Content Review.  We briefly discussed ordering larger numbers.

Social Studies: Ch. 2 test went home today for a parent signature.  Students may correct the tests to earn points back.  This was the last test of the quarter, as we switched to science studies today.

Science: We discussed the targets for Chapter 4, Changes in Ecosystems.  We started a Directed Inquiry to see what will happen if we try to grow radishes in a small amount of space.

Literacy block: Handwriting, Week 13, discusses prefixes and suffixes.  We are discussing the meanings of the word parts to help student word attack skills.  Monday's assignment, using prefixes such as "re-,", "un-," and "tri-," is due tomorrow.  Today, we launched our last rotation opportunity, Listen to Reading.  We discussed reasons why we listen to reading, and what that should look like when we are doing it.  Then, conferences about our pen pal letters began.  Each student is writing back to a student from Mrs. Grupp's 4th Grade class at Washington.  We are using this as an opportunity to create friendly letters as well as learn about students from our district.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Students only have a mark chart to get signed for Monday, unless they did not hand in their signed math packet sheet and subtraction sheet on Friday.

I hope each of you has a fantastic Thanksgiving.  I am particularly grateful for the students I teach!

Math: Students completed FASTT Math.  As a class, we went over the math packet coming home.  Please read the letter carefully.  On Wednesday, students need to return the signed letter and the subtraction practice.  All else is for you to keep.  Any student who completes extra practice from the packet can also hand that in, and I would be happy to look it over.

Social studies: We played a review game for tomorrow's test.  Study tonight!  Students should have brought home their study guides, their notes, and their book.

Literacy block: We discussed the targets for a friendly letter.  We had rotations and conferences.  NO HANDWRITING THIS WEEK! :)

Math: FASTT Math; Quick Check; Core Content Review; Started section 3-2

Social Studies: Study for Ch. 2 test this weekend

Literacy Block: We got to read letters from pen pals from Washington.  We also completed some rotations.  Handwriting, Friday, Week 12 is due Monday.

Friday fun: We got to make beaded pens!  Too much fun!

Get mark chart signed this weekend.

Finally fully back!

I am so glad to say I was able to be with the class all day today.  This week was pretty jumbled.  On Monday, I was able to experience Paula Kluth, a national speaker about differentiated instruction, particularly in the area of autism.  You may or may not know that both of my sons are diagnosed on the autism spectrum.  I have also been blessed with students with this diagnosis during my career. Paula spoke not just about students with autism, but students with all kinds of learning needs and ways to help reach the needs.  On Tuesday afternoon, I was honored to speak at ISU's T21 Conference to and audience pre-service teachers about data-driven instruction.  Yesterday afternoon, our Problem-Solving Team met, and we discussed some interventions we could put in place for some of our struggling students.  I appreciate each of these opportunities, but nothing beats being in the classroom with the kids.  It felt good to be back!

Math: FASTT Math; place value games

Social Studies: Finished Geography Challenge.  Went over study guide for test on Tuesday.

Literacy block: Mrs. Schwerman's sixth graders at Parkside Junior High have been presenting their self-authored tall tales to our class this week.  We used Brigit conferencing software and were able to see the stories as the sixth graders read them.  It has been awesome!  Handwriting, Week 12, Thursday is tonight's homework.  We also discussed Microsoft Outlook today.  Tomorrow, students will open district e-mail to read letters from their Washington School pen pals from Mrs. Grupp's fourth grade class.  We discussed how to use the software and the acceptable use of intra-district e-mail (no e-mail from outside of the district comes through the server).

Tomorrow's Friday Fun: Beaded Pens!

Happy Veterans Day!

Our Veterans Day Bulletin Board--Thanks to all families who contributed!

Math: FASTT Math and place value

Social studies: We read The Wall by Eve Bunting and made acrostics for veterans.

Shakespeare performance

Literacy block: We had a few rotations and conferences, then we were entertained by a Shakespeare performance.  Students do not have to complete handwriting for Friday.

Get mark charts signed this weekend

Math: FASTT Math and Topic 4 readiness test discussion

Social Studies: Went over the geography challenge.  Discussed finding the main idea.  Read the remainder of Ch. 2, finding the main ideas in each section.

Literacy block: We explored tall tales.  We had conferences and rotations.  Handwriting, Thursday, Week 11 is due tomorrow.

Math: Today we did FASTT Math, Topic 4 Readiness Test, and Core Content Review.  A grade sheet went home that needs to be signed.

Social studies: Students finished map work from the Geography Challenge.  They then read a TFK with our guest teacher.  A grade sheet went home that needs to be signed.

Literacy block: Students completed rotations.  Handwriting, Week 11, Wednesday is due tomorrow.  A grade sheet went home that needs to be signed.

Planners should be signed tonight.

Math: We did FASTT Math and discussed the Topic 3 Readiness Test Results.

Social Studies: Mrs. Kincy came in for Second Step.  Student completed the geography challenge in Chapter 2.

Literacy block: Students completed rotations. Handwriting for Tuesday, week 11 due tomorrow.

Sorry there was no post on Friday.  I thought I posted, but apparently I did not.

Math: FASTT Math and review of Common Core Reviews.  Some students need to get their tests signed tonight, as they were not signed over the weekend.

Social studies: Geography challenge.  Ch.1 tests need to be signed.  Students also got their grades back for their artifact bags.

Literacy block: We discussed main idea today.  We also worked on editing Noun-Verb sentences.  Students completed rotations. Handwriting, Week 11, Monday is due tomorrow.

Math: In class, we did FASTT Math and took a pre-test on Place Value.

Social Studies: We took notes on sections 2.3-2.6.

Literacy block: We worked on Noun-Verb sentence patterns and had rotations.  Handwriting, Thursday, Week 10 is for homework.

Math: Students took the Topic 1 test online today.  The class as a whole did pretty well.  On to place value!

Social studies: We looked at student main ideas from Chapter 2.  We took notes on our foldable for Sections 2.1 and 2.2.

Literacy block: We discussed targets for a sentence.  We practiced Noun-Verb sentence patterns in groups.  Handwriting, Wednesday, Week 10 is due tomorrow.

Get planners signed tonight.


Students brought home a letter regarding our Veterans Day bulletin board in the hallway.  Please return your information as soon as possible (if applicable).

Math: Topic 1 test tomorrow!  Study!

Social studies: We started reading Ch. 2 today.

Literacy block: Today we discussed the report card targets for communication and students would need in order to meet them.  Handwriting, Tuesday, Week 10 is due tomorrow.