Winter Break Question #5

Let's dip into a bit of reading: main idea and supporting detail.

Winter Break Question #4

The next installment of our Winter Break series discusses subtraction across zeros.  Good times!

Winter Break Question #3

Subtraction :insert evil laugh: is today's video of the day.  Enjoy!  AND PRACTICE!!

Winter Break Question #2

Yikes!  Talk about time flying.  Sorry about the delay.  Here is the question I intended for December 27!

Winter Break Question of the Day, Day 1

Welcome to the first installment of Winter Break Question of the Day!

Baby, It's Cold Outside!

Winter Break Packet went home today!  If it did not make it to your home, here's a link to it.  The packet is not required, but it's a nice way to keep skills fresh!

Tomorrow is our read in.  Students can wear PJs, and bring pillows and/or stuffed animals.  They should have the most important thing: something to read!

The All School Sing Along is tomorrow at 2:15.

Math: FASTT Math; meanings of division; math terms retakes

Social Studies: Economist discussion

Literacy Block: Rotations; My Mouth is a Volcano; discussion of metaphor; no Handwriting this week; treat for reaching 1,000,000 words read in Reading Counts! as a class

Party tomorrow!  Also persuasive letter rewards day!

Math: Prime and composite activity

Literacy block: finished letters; Handwriting, Week 14, Friday is due on Monday

Mark chart slips will go home Monday, along with a schedule of things that will be happening this week

Math: FASTT Math; meanings of division; fact families; Reteaching sheet for homework; study fact family triangles

Social studies: Geographer; landforms

Literacy block: Persuasive writing; rotations; Handwriting, Week 14, Tuesday

Mrs. Plato...Where have you been?!

Hello everyone!

For the last two days, I have been in Springfield writing fourth math items that align to the Common Core Curriculum Standards.  In the next few years, you will see a huge change in what is taught at which levels in mathematics (not to mention English Language Arts).  Some of what I taught at the middle level is now in the fourth grade curriculum.  The good news is that the curriculum is supposed to allow for teachers to go more in depth with the content instead of teaching and moving on so material can be "covered" before the beginning of March.

District 87 teachers have been working on the transition to the Common Core Curriculum Standards for a few years.  Our students are still assessed on the 1997 Illinois Learning Standards as part of ISAT in March.  Discussions are happening at the state and national levels, as the Core Content Standards are being adopted by many states, with alterations here and there depending on the state.  In your student's experiences in public school, and in most private schools in the state as well, from now until high school graduation, major changes will be witnessed.  The testing is slated to be expanded throughout the year instead of happening in just one week.  Details are being hammered out as to how that will work, as the testing being suggested might happen on computers.  The times are a-changin' for sure!

I wish I could tell you education is an exact science.  It isn't.  We deal with tiny humans with minds of their own.  Education is a science that changes (just think of how you were taught concepts and how your student is taught the same concepts...some things change, some stay the same).  I can tell you that the main target of student achievement never changes.

I have been out of the classroom working on several initiatives this year.  We are revamping D87 elementary curriculum in order to align with the Common Core.  We will be changing report cards to reflect these changes.

The teacher appraisal process is also changing, and huge changes started taking place this year.  I have been invested in these changes for four years now.  I firmly believe that the process is a better one that allows for teacher reflection and for evaluation to consider all that a teacher does, rather than just look at one lesson on one day out of 180 days in a school year.

Yep, there's one more thing!  I have been spending this year as an administrative intern.  In May, I will be graduating with my second Master's degree.  My first, from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, focused on Curriculum, Technology, and Education Reform.  My second, from Concordia University Chicago, is in Educational Leadership.  That means some days I might be substituting for Mrs. Lammers or running a school event.  I get to work very closely with the PBIS committee at Irving in my role as intern.

Through all of these activities, when I am gone from the classroom, two very positive things are true.  One, 99% of the time I have the same guest teacher, Mrs. Carole Kalmes.  Mrs. Kalmes is a retired Irving teacher who knows fourth grade curriculum quite well, and she gives students a perspective of their learning that sometimes does not occur to me.  Second, Mrs. Svob and I co-teach literacy block.  When I am gone, she usually remains, and instruction can continue uninterrupted.  This has been a great thing.  We are seeing good achievement scores from our students in the co-taught class, and the students seem to enjoy the range of choices they are given.

Thanks for reading this far!  I felt that my class deserved an explanation for the amount of times I must be gone this year.  I tell them each time that I would rather be with them, and I mean that 100%!  They are the reason we all do what we do.  They are having an outstanding year, and each day I am gone, I miss them tremendously!

Mrs. Plato

Math: FASTT Math; students were given a print out of their focus facts, ask about it!; multiplication strategies; practice fact family triangles

Social studies: talked about social scientists and geographers

Literacy block: completed class compare/contrast essay; rotations; strategy groups; no Handwriting this week

Math: Discussed November goals and how to prove we met, or did not meet, them; discussed multiplication strategy booklets

Social studies: Worked on Me and the Map project

Literacy block: Worked on comparing paragraph for compare contrast class essay; Handwriting, Friday, Week 13 is homework AND an assessment; rotation

Get mark chart summary signed

Math: FASTT Math; checked homework; practiced arrays; completed Quick Check; talked about patterns; practice subtraction facts and fact family triangles for homework

Watch this video to see how to use Fact Family Triangles!

Social Studies: Brain Pop videos about the themes of geography and maps

Literacy: Handwriting, Week 13, Wednesday and Thursday should be ready for tomorrow; wrote an introductory paragraph for a compare/contrast essay; rotations; strategy groups 

Math: FASTT Math (multiplication begins!); Terrific Triangles; discussion of fact family triangles; study flashcards

Social Studies: Continents review

Literacy: Handwriting, Week 13, Monday due tomorrow; Hazard House presentation by BFD

If your student has not shown you a math test with addition and subtraction facts, please ask about it.  It was due with a parent signature before break.

S/he should have also shown you a science test for a signature on the cover letter.  The cover letter explains how corrections can be made.  The signature was due before break. S/he has until Monday to do corrections for a grade increase.

Mark charts were sent home on Tuesday.  Students should return them with a parent signature on Monday.

Have a terrific extended break!  Hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful!

Math: FASTT Math; Scoot Pad; work on subtraction flashcards

Science: Test on Chapter 1

Literacy: Finished How to Cook a Turkey; Word of the Week; Handwriting, Week 12, Friday due Monday

Mark Chart Slips will go home Tuesday

Math: FASTT math; get test signed; practice subtraction facts; worked on rounding

Science: test on Ch. 1 tomorrow; yellow booklet due tomorrow

Literacy: Types of sentences; spelling sentences for spelling group; How to Roast a Turkey; Handwriting, Thursday, Week 12 due tomorrow

Math: FASTT Math; addition/subtraction assessment (which they ROCKED!); CCR review; cut out fact family triangles (might have been finished at school; needs to be finished for homework)

Science: crossword puzzle (complete for homework if not completed in class); study for test; review game tomorrow

Literacy block: How To Cook a Turkey activity; rotations; strategy groups; Handwriting, Week 12, Wednesday for homework

Get planners signed tonight

Math: FASTT Math; adding/subtracting strategy groups; CCR 4-5; assessment tomorrow on adding and subtracting multi-digit numbers.

Science: Chapter Review; study for test on Friday (19 points; 14 multiple choice; 1 word web; 1 Venn diagram); completed yellow booklet due Friday

Literacy: How To Babysit a Grandpa; How To Blow a Bubble; rotations; strategy groups; Handwriting, Week 12, Tuesday due tomorrow

Math: FASTT Math; CCR Review; Addition/Subtraction work

Science: Symmetry in Nature; discussion of Friday's test; study

Literacy: Handwriting, Week 12, Monday due tomorrow; rotations; strategy groups; conferences

Data Packet sent home; signed sheet due Friday

Math: FASTT Math; strategy groups; CCR; study facts

Science: Classification; study for test

Literacy: Handwriting, Week 11, Friday due Monday; Discovery Assessment; read to self

Get mark chart signed

If you ordered pictures, they went home on Friday

If you did not make it to the Barnes & Noble book fair, but would still like to help, follow these instructions:

Visit http://BN.COM/bookfairs to support us

online from 11/10/12 to 11/15/12 by entering

Bookfair ID 10841799 at checkout.

Math: FASTT Math; strategy group for multi-digit addition; decimal modeling

Science: Lesson 5

Literacy Block: Summarizing; Handwriting, Week 11, Wednesday due tomorrow; rotations; conferences

Get planner signed tonight

Barnes and Noble book fair Saturday!

Math: FASTT Math; study subtraction cards; rounding practice

Science: Lesson 5; review for next week's test

Literacy Block: Summarizing; Handwriting, Week 11, Tuesday due tomorrow; rotations

Math: FASTT Math; rounding; practice subtraction flash cards for homework; multi-digit addition/subtraction pre-test tomorrow

Science: Wrap up of lesson 4; start looking over yellow packet for test next week

Literacy block: Handwriting, Week 11, Monday due tomorrow; rotations; conferences; worked on summarizing

Math: FASTT Math; subtraction practice

Science: Halloween packet

Literacy: monster book marks; rotations; Handwriting, Week 10, Wednesday is due tomorrow

Get planner signed tonight

Thanks to all parents who donated snacks for the fall party!

Math: FASTT Math; mental math; keep practicing flash cards

Science: Lesson 4

Literacy block: rotations; watched remainder of Cinderella; added to story comparison table; Handwriting, Week 10, Tuesday, due tomorrow

Fall Party tomorrow!

No costume-like appearances during the school day!

Math: FASTT Math; breaking apart; partial sums; practice flashcards

Science: Lesson 4

Literacy: Handwriting, Week 9, Thursday and Friday due Monday; watched Cinderella

Get mark chart signed

NO SCHOOL ON FRIDAY!  Have a great weekend.

Math: FASTT Math; mental math (break apart); review of CCR

Science: Lesson 3

Literacy: Cinderella unit; rotations; noun-verb-noun editing; Flying Horse; Handwriting, Wednesday, Week 9 is homework

Get planner signed

Wear red tomorrow!

Math: FASTT Math; mental math; practice subtraction flashcards

Science: Lesson 3

Literacy block: Main idea/supporting details; Flying Horse; Handwriting, Week 9, Tuesday due tomorrow

Thanks, parents for attending conferences!  We will be wrapping up tomorrow morning!

We focused on putting a "cap" on drugs today!

Math: FASTT Math; CCR discussion; mental math; keep practicing subtraction facts

Science: Lesson 3

Literacy block: rotations; main idea and supporting details; Handwriting, week 9, Monday is for homework

Get mark chart signed

Wear a hat tomorrow for Red Ribbon Week!

Math: FASTT Math; went over assessment; get assessment signed

Science: Lesson 3

Literacy block: rotations; conferences; Flying Horse

Field trip tomorrow!

Math: FASTT Math; compatible numbers; introduction to adding and subtracting large numbers

Science: Lesson 2 wrap-up; prepare for Weldon Springs

Literacy block: Rotations; noun-verb-noun sentence pattern; conferences; no handwriting this week

Math: FASTT Math; went over homework; Topic 3 assessment; study subtraction flash cards for homework

Science: Lesson 2; prepare for Weldon Springs

Literacy: Rotations; Noun-Verb-Noun sentences; NO HANDWRITING this week; Flying Horse

Math: FASTT Math; worked on creating organized lists to solve problems; look over p. 84-85 for discussion tomorrow

Science: Lesson 2, Chapter 1

Literacy block: Rotations; Handwriting, Week 8, Thursday is due tomorrow; Noun-Verb-Noun sentences

Math: FASTT Math; organized lists; coordinate grid "graphiti"; study subtraction flash cards

Science: wrap up of Lesson 1; Lesson 2 - Classification of Living Things

Literacy - Rotations; strategy groups; fluency group; Noun-Verb-Noun sentence pattern in groups; Handwriting, Wednesday, Week 8 due

Please get planner signed

Math: FASTT Math; rounding assessment

Science: Word Webs for cell vocabulary

Literacy block: Strategy groups; Word of the Week completed; rotations; Handwriting, Week 7 Monday is due Tuesday

Get mark chart signed

Students brought home parent conference notes attached to their mark charts

Math: FASTT Math; rounding

Science: Lesson 1 word webs

Literacy block: Handwriting, Week 7, Thursday is for homework; rotations; discussed Listen to Reading

Math: FASTT Math; rounding

Science: Think, Read, Learn, Section 1, Chapter 1

Literacy block: Handwriting, Wednesday, Week 7 is due tomorrow; launched Listen to Reading; rotations

Get planner signed tonight

Math: FASTT Math; rounding

Science: BINGO board drawing; Weldon Springs field trip forms need to be signed and returned

Literacy block: Handwriting, Week 7, Monday due tomorrow; first day of rotations!

Picture proofs sent home today.

PTO fundraiser information sent home today.

Math: FASTT Math; practice flashcards; Section 3-4 Practice Sheet #1-8 due

Science: Section 1

Literacy block: Word Work; Handwriting, Week 6, Thursday is for homework

Book orders due tomorrow

Math: Place value; practice flash cards for homework

Science: cells

Literacy block: Word of the Week partner practice, Handwriting, Week 6, Wednesday, for homework

Get planner signed

Book orders due Friday

Math: DIBELS CBM for math; FASTT Math; Quick Check Review

Science: Cells; SMART goals

Literacy: Built stamina; sentence pattern strategy group; Word of the Week; Handwriting, Week 6, Tuesday is due tomorrow

Book orders due Friday

Math: cut out addition flash cards; value comparison practice

Science: adaptation packet

Literacy: Word Work, Work on Writing, Read to Self; Handwriting, Week 4, Friday and Week 6 Monday due tomorrow

Signed mark chart slip due tomorrow

Math: FASTT Math; place value meanings in section 3-2

Science: onion lab

Literacy: Handwriting, Week 5, Thursday should be completed tonight; built stamina; launched word work; worked on noun-verb sentence patterns

School Spirit Wear orders due tomorrow

Math: FASTT Math; CCR Review; p. 68, #7-14 (try #6 if you wish) for homework

Science: compare/contrast with reading; observation of onion

Literacy: Read to Someone: How to Pick a Partner; Read to Self --> 35 minutes of stamina!; Noun-Verb Sentence patterns; Handwriting, Week 5, Wednesday for homework (student handwriting has been looking FANTASTIC!)

Get planner signed tonight!

Spirit Wear orders deadline extended to Friday

Math: FASTT Math; CCR 3-6; 3-1 Assessment

Science: Venn Diagram compare/contrast

Literacy block: Handwriting, Tuesday, Week 5 due tomorrow; Read to Someone; 35 minutes of stamina; Verb Village

Spirit Wear orders due by Friday

Today in music, these girls composed their own drum piece.  Awesome!

Math: FASTT Math; CCR data; expanded form; assessment tomorrow on 3-1

Science: word web

Literacy block: Built stamina (31 minutes of Read to Self!); Read to Someone strategies; Work on Writing; Handwriting, Monday, Week 5 is due tomorrow

Math: CCR; guest teacher report

Science: Vocabulary preview, Ch. 1

Literacy Block: Read to Self; Handwriting, Friday, Week 4 SHOULD be finished (time was given in class, but it should be finished for homework if student did not complete); Out of the Blue movie!  It's been a great start to the year!

Get mark chart slip signed

Math: place value activities; Reteach/Practice sheet 3-1

Science: Vocabulary preview and preview of targets for Ch. 1

Literacy Block: We learned the strategy "I Heard You Read" for Read to Someone.  We hit 30 minutes of Read to Self stamina today!  What a great accomplishment!!  Handwriting, Wednesday, Week 4 is tonight's homework.  Be careful to place periods at the end of sentences and write the days twice.

Get planner signed tonight.

Carnival Thursday from 5-7!  All students should be accompanied by a responsible adult (18 or older).

Math: FASTT Math; Place Value; CCR review

Social Studies: 9/11 Video (watch here)

Literacy Block: Read to Someone--> check for understanding; Handwriting pointers (we did tonight's homework in class...yippee!!); nouns work

Math: FASTT Math; CCR 3-3 review; place value foldable

Science: scroll

Literacy block: Built stamina; Handwriting, Week 4, Monday is due tomorrow; discussed Read to Someone

Math: FASTT Math; CCR analysis; CCR 3-4

Literacy block: Built stamina; Discovery Assessment for Math; Handwriting, Week 3, Friday is for homework

Get mark chart slip signed

PICTURE DAY on MONDAY!!

Open House Tonight!

Parent Open House tonight begins at 6:30.  I hope to see many of you here!

Math: Core Content Review; FASTT Math; data analysis

Science: Scroll

Literacy block: Handwriting for Thursday, Week 3 is homework.  We took Discovery Assessment today and built stamina with Read to Self.

Math: We went over how to complete a Daily Core Content Review sheet together.  We also completed FASTT Math and got out books.

Science: We previewed Chapter 1 by working with a "scroll."  Ask your students about it!

Literacy block: We worked up to 23 minutes of Read to Self Stamina and 9 minutes of Work on Writing.  We worked in groups to come up with specific nouns.  We were given class time to work on Monday's Handwriting.  Tuesday's Handwriting is due tomorrow.

OPEN HOUSE is THURSDAY at 6:30!  Can't wait to see you there!

Math/Science: FASTT Math; discussed results from data and probability pre-test

Literacy Block: Practiced check for understanding and back it up and reread; built 21 minutes of stamina for Read to Self and 8 minutes for Work on Writing; Handwriting, Friday, Week 2 for homework

Please get mark chart slip signed this weekend

Math/Science: We discussed data from our operations pretest.  We took a few more pretests to know where we stand with some fourth grade concepts.

Literacy Block: We made it!  20 minutes of reading to self!  The students did a great job.  We also discussed Work on Writing as a rotation today.  We started building stamina for that as well.  They have such great things to write about!   Handwriting for Wednesday, Week 2 is for homework.  

Please get completed planners signed tonight.

Math and Science: Discussed the data and conclusions about the place value pretest.  Took a pretest for basic operations in the context of problems.

Literacy block: Learned vocabulary that would help us identify how we feel if we feel sick.  Built stamina to 19 minutes!  Brainstormed noun places and worked on making places for our bulletin boards.  If students did not complete the places, they need to finish for homework.  Also for homework: Handwriting, Week 2, Tuesday.

A sheet went home today with information about the Carnival on September 13.

Math: We completed a Guest Teacher Report and completed our first session of FASTT Math on the computer.  We also completed a diagnostic test for place value.

Science: We organized our expandable files.

Literacy block: Handwriting, Week 2, Monday is due tomorrow.  We learned the cross checking strategy today.  We built our stamina to 18 minutes of reading to self.  Library check out tomorrow!

Mark chart summaries went home tonight for parent signatures.  A letter should be attached that explains the slips.

We determined our "intelligence" today by taking a multiple intelligences assessment.   We also played Dino Disco (see math tab for a link!).

In literacy block, we discussed how to find a "good fit" book.  We took inventory of our book boxes and chose some materials that would "fit" us better.  We read Goldisocks and the Three Libearians to introduce good fit books.

For tomorrow's Friday fun, students are permitted to bring electronics, with parent approval.

Today, students learned proper stretches for the stability balls.  We practiced a sample of a Behavior Reflection sheet together.  We then determined each of our love languages.

In reading, we worked more on building stamina.  We reviewed read to self strategies, checking comprehension, and we reviewed the skill of backing up and rereading.

Students are asked to get their planners signed tonight.

First Full Day of School!

Wow!  We did a LOT in our first day.

We discussed behavior expectations, marks, rules for the classroom, and what is and what is not tattling.  Today in reading, we began building stamina and muscle memory by practicing our "Read to Self" behaviors.  We also learned a few strategies, like check for understanding and tune in to interesting words.

Happy birthday to Kaitlyn!  We celebrated her birthday today!

Look at these awesome kiddos!

It's coming!

If you are reading this, chances are good that you are getting ready for next Monday, when we will begin our journey in to fourth grade together.  Teachers' meetings start tomorrow, and for the next three days, our heads will be filled with lots of important information.  The whole time, I will be doing what I normally do: thinking about how to start the year off with a bang!

So, for now, surf the site, rest up, and hang on!  We have a great year ahead!

Happy summer!

What a nice, long, hot summer!  We have been having some fun at the local pools, as well as pools all over the country!  I made a trip to Pennsylvania to celebrate my mom's 80th birthday during the first week of July.

I have also been working on getting ready for next school year.  I will miss my fabulous fourth graders who grew into fantastic fifth graders.  I am really excited to meet a new group, though!

Enjoy July!!

Home stretch!

Hello!

Can you believe we are in the home stretch of fourth grade?  It feels like we just started.  I have said it before, and I will say it again: This class will be missed.  I cannot wait to see what is in store for them as fifth graders.  They will definitely be a great fifth grade class!  We have a GORGEOUS day at Miller Park on Friday.  We could not have asked for better weather.

We wrapped up Social Studies Power Points this past week.  They are all posted on the Social Studies tab.  Students are encouraged to revise them if they did not have everything ready the day of their presentations.  My sample is also posted so that you can see what was expected (I completed the sample in class in front of the students and we discussed it at length.).  Be sure to refer to the rubric to make sure you get the points needed.  Also, students have an "ABCs of the USA" packet that will be used to determine how well they listened to other presentations.  This will be collected on Monday.  Students will have time to look over the posted Power Points in case they are missing any information.  They are NOT expected to have filled up each page.  They should have a decent amount of information for each state, however, provided the presenter gave them enough information.  I will take that into consideration in my grading.

Students are permitted to bring in games on Monday and Tuesday.  We will have bits of time here and there where they might be able to play them.

Report cards are sent home after school lets out.  We do not give them out at school as we do for previous quarters.  If yours does not arrive within a week after school lets out, please contact Mrs. Crouch in our office.

Wednesday, May 23, is our last day of school.  It is very short!  Teachers will be on the playground to say their goodbyes, but we do not enter the school or have a formal class in the classroom.  The last full day is May 22.  Expect students to be bringing home items in backpacks over the next two days.  Students who did not use their 2nd expandable file this year will get it back.  Some very wise students said to me (unsolicited!), "I'm going to save mine to use next year."  Yes!!!  Save money and Mother Earth!

Math: FASTT Math; 2 x 2 practice

Social Studies: US Geography Test; state reports began (continue all this week)

Literacy Block: Rules; rotations; Communication Booklet day; Handwriting, Week 29, Monday is tonight's homework

Math: FASTT Math; 2 x 2 assessment; band presentation

Social studies: Mrs. Plato presented her Illinois Power Point; presentations begin Monday; 50 State Assessment Monday; you could use this site to study, as well as the others on the Social Studies tab

Literacy block: Rotations; craft; Handwriting, Friday, Week 28 is for homework; students have done a BEAUTIFUL job writing in cursive this week; Communication Books are needed for Monday's class--> we will be incapable of using verbal language so we can empathize with a character in the book we are reading

Mark charts will need a parent signature this weekend

Math: FASTT Math; 2 x 2 multiplication assessment tomorrow

Social Studies: Created Power Point presentation rubric; entire US geography test Monday

Literacy block: discussed answers to questions in Rules; rotations; Handwriting, Thursday, Week 28 tomorrow

Math: FASTT Math; CCR; 2 x 2 multiplication; complete practice sheet for homework; get grade sheet signed

Social studies: Took Southwest/West Geography assessment; discussed Power Point expectations/created rubric; get grade sheet signed

Literacy block: Answered questions about Rules; rotations; get grade sheet signed; complete Handwriting, week 28, Wednesday

Get planner signed

Cursive Week Begins!


Math: FASTT Math; CCR; 2 x 2 multiplication assessment of expanded algorithm tomorrow

Social Studies: Power Point presentations begin next Monday; finished the geo. challenge for the Midwest; started studying the Southwest and West; assessment Wednesday

Literacy block: Rules; rotations; Handwriting, Week 28, Monday is tonight's homework


Mark charts need to be signed tonight

Math: FASTT Math; 2 x 2 multiplication; Practice sheet 8-2, #7-11 on looseleaf is homework

Social studies: Midwest region geography test tomorrow; watched movie on Midwest

Literacy block: Rules; Rotations; no handwriting this week

Get planner signed tonight


No grade sheets this week

Math:  FASTT Math; CCR; Summer Library Program presentation

Social studies: Finished the Southeast; moving on to the Midwest; keep working on Power Points for your state

Literacy block: Rules; rotations; got yearbooks; no handwriting this week

Math: FASTT Math; CCR; modeling 2 x 2 multiplication

Social studies: Southeast tour; Everglades discussion

Literacy block: Rules; Rotations; Handwriting, Week 27, Thursday is tonight's homework


School colors spirit day tomorrow

Math: FASTT Math; discussed homework; get grade sheet signed

Social studies: worked on Power Point; discussed appropriate searches and being cautious with search results; get grade sheet signed

Literacy block: Appositive sentences; rotations; Handwriting, Week 27, Wednesday is tonight's homework; get grade sheets signed


Get planner signed tonight

Math: FASTT Math; took Reading Discovery Assessment; went over multiplying with compatible numbers; p. 174, #7-18 is for homework

Social studies: Discussed Power Point; got to start on some of it

Literacy block: discussed appositives that groups came up with; edited sentences; rotations; Handwriting, Week 27, Tuesday is tonight's homework

Math: FASTT Math; ROCKED the last Discovery Assessment!!!; watched the visual animation regarding multiplying by compatible numbers; CCR

Social studies: Found out the dates for presentations and began discussing the Power Point; made cards

Literacy block: Appositive sentence patterns; Handwriting, Week 27, Monday is tonight's homework

Flower bulbs: students brought home a pink flier letting you know when pick up will be (tomorrow!)

Math: FASTT Math; Discovery Assessment

Social Studies: Southeast Geo Challenge

Literacy block: Discovery Assessment; rotations; Handwriting, Week 26, Friday is for homework

Get mark chart signed

Math: FASTT Math; CCR; group work; got assessments back

Social Studies: Southeast region assessment; Southeast Geo Challenge

Literacy block: Rules; rotation; extra recess because almost all of the class had their work done; Handwriting, Week 26, Thursday, due tomorrow

Spring picture proofs went home today


Math: FASTT Math; CCR; checked homework; quick check for estimations using multiplication; get grade sheet signed

Social studies: Southeast states quiz tomorrow; discussed reliability (and unreliability) of Internet resources; get grade sheet signed

Literacy block: Rules; rotations; complete Handwriting, Week 26, Wednesday for homework; get grade sheets signed

Please get planners signed tonight

Math: FASTT Math; CCR; # of the day; corrected homework; finish Practice Sheet 7-3 tonight

Social studies: Finished Northeast Region Geo Challenge; started studying Southeast states for quiz on Thursday

Literacy block: Finished Rules questions for Ch. 5; Handwriting, Week 26, Tuesday, is for tonight's homework

Math: FASTT Math; CCR; p. 172, #7-12 is tonight's homework


Social Studies: Geography Challenge for the Northeast


Literacy Block: Rules Ch. 5; rotations; Handwriting, Monday, Week 26 is homework

What a Friday the 13th it was!  Our bad luck started with a paperwork glitch with the buses, so we missed our band performance at BHS.  While we were quite bummed (well, OK, Mrs. Plato was probably the most bummed of all), the students were incredibly flexible, and I am proud of how they just rolled with the punches.  Sometimes, things do not go as planned!  Lesson of the day.  Friday Fun made up for it a bit.  Here's a video of the student-led train to Zumba music in our room.  Too funny!

Social Studies: Empire State Building simulation: students got to see just how far up the Empire State Building they would get in 5 minutes.  We also calculated how long it would take us to climb all 102 stories using the stairs: about 20 minutes on average!

Literacy block: We finished coming up with answers to Chapter 3 together and discussed our class project for Rules.  More to come!  We also had rotations today.  Students should complete Week 25 Handwriting for homework.

Mark charts went home for a signature, attached to a brief survey from our PTO.  Thanks in advance for answering the few questions.  We really value your input!

Trip to BHS tomorrow for 5/6 Band performance!

Math: FASTT Math; Core Content Review; Number of the Day

Social Studies: Read Sky Boys and took a Reading Counts! test on it

Literacy block: Rules; rotations; Handwriting, Week 25, Thursday due tomorrow

Math: Core Content Review, FASTT Math, Number of the Day, mental math for multiplying 2-digit numbers; homework is p. 170, #11-34 odds for girls, evens for boys


Social Studies: Northeast region geography assessment tomorrow; took a look at the Northeast from Google Earth


Literacy block: Rotations; Handwriting, Week 25, Tuesday is tonight's homework

Math: Core Content Review; number of the day

Social studies: geography practice; discussed and practiced how to study for the Northeast region; quiz on Northeast region on Wednesday

Literacy block: figurative language retakes; rotations; Handwriting, Monday, Week 25 is tonight's homework


Mark charts need to be signed tonight

Math: FASTT Math; Number of the Day; Ch. 7 introduction; get grade sheet signed

Science: get grade sheet signed


Social Studies: coloring contest; started researching states

Literacy block: Review of figurative language (metaphor, simile, personification, alliteration); discussed part of Chapter 2 in Rules.  Finish Week 24's Handwriting by Monday. Get grade sheets (reading and communication) signed.


I will be gone on Thursday.  Just a reminder: No school Friday.  Mark charts will come home Monday.

Math: FASTT Math; Core Content Review; Number of the Day

Social Studies: Got pre-test back; worked with some of the websites to help learn the states; assigned a state for the state report

Literacy Block: Handwriting, Week 24, Tuesday is for homework; figurative language assessment; rotations

Welcome back!  So good to see all of your smiling faces!  We even have one more smiling face starting tomorrow.

Math: FASTT Math; Core Content Reviews; please get assessment signed tonight

Science: please get test signed tonight; complete corrections for grade improvement

Social Studies: United States geography pre-test

Literacy Block: Handwriting, Monday, Week 24 is homework; look over definitions and examples of alliteration, metaphor, simile, and personification from week 23 for tomorrow's assessment; rotations

Get mark charts signed


Spring Pictures tomorrow!

Enjoy your break!  See you April 2!

Math: FASTT Math; common core review; assessment tomorrow on multi-digit multiplication (2 x 1, 3 x 1, and 4 x 1)


Science: test


Literacy Block: Rules, Ch. 2; rotations; spring stories due tomorrow; Handwriting for Thursday AND Friday due tomorrow

12:05 dismissal tomorrow to start Spring Break!

Math: FASTT Math; checked p.  151; group work on multiplication

Science: Math in Science (Fujita scale); Chapter Summary, p. 230 #1-6, 8-11 and 231 #14-19 were started in class and should be finished tonight

Literacy Block: began Rules; rotations; spring story; Handwriting, Week 23, Tuesday is for homework


Check out the pictures link for some new photos!

Pi Day is tomorrow!

I have finally returned!  Yeah!  Glad to see so many of the students have also returned.  We were a sick bunch!

Math: We measured the circumference and diameter of circles. We placed our information in a table and saw the pattern that developed when we divided the circumference by the diameter in each circle.  Ask the students about it!  Here are some photos.

Pi Day is tomorrow! Students may bring pies for our celebration tomorrow.  Happy birthday, Albert Einstein!!

Science: Read Lesson 1 of Ch. 7.  Got a lot of papers back from Ch. 6.

Literacy block: Started end of quarter conferences. Rotations.  Handwriting, Week 22, Tuesday is for homework.

SICK!

Our room has always been about sharing...and for the past week, we have been sharing viruses!  I was home on Friday and again today, and I know several students have been home as well.  We will be stressing hand washing, hygiene, ways to stay healthy, and what to do when we're sick when I return.  It's not just us...my teacher friends across town are having the same things happen.  Stay healthy if you can!

ISAT Week, Day 3

One more day!  The students have been troopers.  It has been quite a week!  Today students completed Reading Session 2 and Math Session 2.  Tomorrow, we finish with Math Session 3 (two extended response questions) and Reading Session 3 (with an extended response).

Students were asked to get their planners signed tonight.

If you wish to donate to our BBQ basket for the basket raffle, we are still taking donations.  Anything that would work for a BBQ is A-OK with us.  The raffle will be at next Thursday's Chili Supper/Book Fair.  Hope to see you there!

ISAT Week, Day 2

Today, students completed ISAT Session 1 in Math and Session 1 in Reading.

We had a Fast Facts Face Off in multiplication and division.  We also had an extra recess because the students showed great behaviors this morning on the playground.

We discussed what Reading Extended Response would look like on ISAT and how to write a balanced response.

ISAT Week, Day 1

Today, students took the science sections of the Illinois Standards Achievement Test.  I am light on homework this week because I want them to focus on resting up and giving their best during the day.

Tomorrow: One section of math (all multiple choice) and one section of reading (all multiple choice)

Mark charts from last week went home for a signature.  I was at a conference Thursday and Friday of last week.

We had an addition/subtraction Fast Facts Face-Off today.  Tomorrow: Multiplication/Division!

Math: FASTT Math or Order of Operations; multiplication assessment; ISAT Prep; get assessment signed tonight

Science: Complete Ch. 6 review and Line Graphs sheet tonight if not completed in class

Literacy block: Rotations; Tsunami questions about map, story, and video; Handwriting, Week 21, Tuesday is due tomorrow

Math: FASTT Math; ISAT prep; 2 x 1 multiplication; assessment tomorrow

Science: Chapter 6, Lesson 4; Math in Science; read p. 206-208 for homework

Literacy block: Rotations; "Honest Abe;" vocabulary discussion; Handwriting, Week 21, Monday is homework

Math: FASTT Math or addition sheet; ISAT prep; multi-digit multiplication

Science: Chapter 6, Lesson 4

Literacy block: Jackie's Nine - Determination; rotations; Handwriting, Friday, Week 20 for homework


Please get mark chart signed


Check out our Pictures page for photos from Thursday's field trip

SPRINGFIELD TRIP TOMORROW!

Math: FASTT Math or Place Value/Addition; Thinking Blocks; ISAT prep

Science: Chapter 6, Lesson 3 wrap up; began lesson 4

Literacy block: rotations; Honest Abe activity; Handwriting for Week 20, Wednesday and Thursday is due on Friday


Get planner signed


Remember your lunch for the field trip tomorrow!

Math: FASTT Math or Comparing Expressions; Thinking Blocks; ISAT Prep

Science: Chapter 6, Lesson 3

Literacy block: Discussed Education City; read about tsunamis and survivors; watched tsunami video; rotations; Handwriting homework, Monday AND Tuesday, Week 20


A yellow PTO note went home today.  Please ask your student for it.  THANKS!

Sorry for my late post!  The weekend got away from me.

Please get mark charts signed

IMPORTANT! Please return field trip permission form on Tuesday!

Math: FASTT Math or Exponents; bar models for word problems

Science: Chapter 6, lesson 2; weather data; check out our last meteorologist, Meteorologist Lerma:

Literacy Block: Rotations; made cards for Mrs. Jacobs using Publisher; learned to create folders on the H: drive and organize our work; complete Friday, Week 19 in Handwriting for homework

Math: FASTT Math or Exponents; extended response; bar diagrams and equations; get FASTT Math sheet signed tonight

Science: Ch. 6, Lessons 1-2; meteorology data; check out Meteorologist Devine's weather report:

Literacy block: rotations; editing of prepositional phrase sentence patterns; Jackie's Nine--Courage; Handwriting, Week 19, Thursday is tonight's homework

Math: FASTT Math; discussed extended response and bar diagram

Science: meteorologist data, Chapter 6, lesson 1; check out Meteorologist Terven's weather report

 

Literacy block: Rotations; Jackie's Nine, Handwriting Week 19, Wednesday is tonight's homework

Get planner signed tonight

Math: FASTT Math; extended response practice; get subtraction assessment signed

Science: meteorology data; Incredible Journey (water cycle activity); check out Meteorologist Kinzie's weather report below:

Literacy block: Rotations; finished and printed VFW essays; Valentine party; Handwriting, Tuesday, Week 19 is tonight's homework

Math: FASTT Math; subtraction assessment; made Valentine bags

Science: Salt Water Experiment wrap up; weather data; please see Meteorologist Russell's weather report below:

Literacy Block: Rotations; printed pen pal letters; worked on VFW contest essays; Handwriting, Week 19, Monday is tonight's homework

Math: FASTT Math; discussed extended response; corrected homework and CCR 4-6; choose three items from Practice 4-4, odds #1-11 and Practice 4-5, odds #1-11 that you will use as your quiz on Monday

Science: Brain Pop (water cycle); demo of Incredible Journey; weather data; our weather, from Weatherman Manns:

Literacy block: finished up conferences; rotations; POA essay due Tuesday

Get mark chart signed

Math: FASTT Math; went over homework; corrected assessments; get 4-3 assessment signed (should be corrected); Practice 4-4 and 4-5, #2, 4, 6, 8, 12 on each for homework

Science: Weather reporting; Brain Pop videos on clouds, weather, and water cycle; please click below to hear the weather from Meteorologist Saylor

Literacy block: Rotations; conferenecs; POA essay

Get planner signed

Math: FASTT Math; discussed ISAT Extended Response; complete Reteach 4-4 and 4-5 if not finished at school

Science: Learned of different cloud types; began salt water experiment; took data on the weather; Second Step

Today's meteorologist: Mrs. Plato!  Click below for the current weather:

Literacy Block: Conferences; rotations; work on "What the Pledge of Allegiance Means to Me" essay

Math: FASTT Math; corrected homework; assessment on Monday will have questions from Practice 4.3


Science: ISAT Practice Test discussion


Literacy Block: Prepared for February conferences; wrote individual prepositional phrase sentence patterns after  editing group-created sentences; Handwriting, Week 18, Friday is for homework


Please get mark charts signed this weekend.

Math: FASTT Math; ISAT Prep/Mental Math Warm Up; discussed CCR 4-4; completed CCR 4-5; fix mistakes from last night's homework for tonight

Science: ISAT practice test

Literacy Block: Students prepared for their conferences for February; prepositional phrase sentence patterns; Handwriting, Week 18, Thursday is for homework

Don't forget to read and record your reading for Read to Succeed.

Math: FASTT Math; ISAT/Mental Math Warm Ups; Core Content Review 4-3; complete page R 4.3 in packet for homework

Science: ISAT prep packet; please finish if it is incomplete

Literacy block: Handwriting, Wedenesday, Week 18 due tomorrow; Prepositional Phrases; Goal-Setting and Reflection

Get planner signed tonight

Hundred Day Wall of Fame

We participated in some timed activities during our 100th day of school.  The following people are the class record holders.

100 Steps: Clayton--> 1 minute
Count to 100: Korynne--> 33 seconds
List 100 words: Trevor--> 4 minutes
Touch toes 100 times: Evanna--> 1 minute, 29 seconds
Jump 100 times: Taylor--> 40 seconds
Bounce a ball 100 times: Kiel--> 24 seconds
Write the numbers 1-100: Damien--> 1 minute, 33 seconds
Draw 100 tally marks: Charion--> 31 seconds

Math: FASTT Math; checked p. 94; ISAT/Mental Math Prep.

Science: 100 Day Data Collection

Literacy Block: Rotations; Preposition Song assessments finished; Handwriting, Tuesday, Week 18 is tonight's homework

Parent-Teacher Conference forms are due tomorrow

100th Day of School!

Happy 100th Day of School!

This year can slow down any time now.  I can't believe we are looking at the last of January!

Math: FASTT Math; 100 centimeters measurement activity; rounding to the nearest 100 activity

Science: Activities involving timing and 100

Literacy Block: Preposition Song; main idea work; summarizing work; 100 words in IRVING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL; rotations; Handwriting, Week 18, Monday is tonight's homework

Parent Teacher Conference flier went home tonight for a  parent signature. Please return by Wednesday.

Math: FASTT Math; area activities, ISAT Prep; Mental Math warm-up

Literacy Block: Rotations; small group work; Handwriting, Friday, Week 17 is for homework

Please get mark chart slips signed

Math: FASTT Math; ISAT Prep.; Mental Math warm up; checked homework; p. 94 # 9-12 and 17-20 for homework


Social Studies: Get test signed tonight; correct tests for grade improvement if needed; watched America Rock


Literacy Block: Rotations; small group work with main idea and making inferences; Handwriting, Thursday, Week 17 is tonight's homework

Math: FASTT Math; estimation; get grade sheets signed; complete p. 94 # 3, 4, and 6 for homework


Social Studies: Took Chapter 3 test


Literacy Block: Preposition Song; rotations; small group work on main ideas and inferences; Handwriting, Week 17, Wednesday is tonight's homework


Parent signature needed in planners tonight

Math: FASTT Math; ISAT Review; mental math review; problem solving for a reasonable answer

Social Studies: study for Chapter 3 test tomorrow

Literacy block: rotations; main idea small group; Preposition Song; Handwriting, Tuesday, Week 17 for homework

Math: wrapped up mental math assessments; FASTT Math; checked p. 93 and Core Content Review 4-3

Social Studies: read about contributions of Asian Americans; started on study guide for test; finish study guide for homework; test Wednesday


Literacy block: rotations; worked with paragraph group; Handwriting, Week 17, Monday due tomorrow

Hello!

Thanks for your patience during this very strange short week.  I had some surgery done on Wednesday, so I was at school only two short days.

Math: We are working on practicing mental math with addition and subtraction.  I am working with students one-on-one to assess their abilities and give them tips and tricks.  Any time this can be reinforced at home would be fantastic.  The smallest skill building moments, especially with money and time, is a tremendous help.  Examples of items students are assessed on: 423 + 99 (students are encourages to think of 423 + 100, then subtract one because they added one too many).

Social Studies: We studied the settlement experiences and contributions of African Americans in the history of our country.  We are looking at having a test on Chapter 3 sometime next week.  Stay tuned!

Literacy block: Students have their own SMART Goals that they are working to achieve this week.  Ask them how they are doing with their goals.  There is no Handwriting assignment this week, but we will begin Week 17 next week.  We completed rotations on Friday and worked on hitting the sentence pattern targets for sentences beginning with adverbs.

No mark charts this weekend.

A four-day weekend after a hardworking week!  I was proud of the kids this week.  They really came in ready to learn.

Math: FASTT Math; Core Content Review 4-3; went over Core Content Review 4-2; handed in homework

Social Studies: Read and took notes on the settlement experiences and the contributions of Latinos in America.

Literacy block: Finished up conferences; rotations; Handwriting, Week 16, Friday is homework.

Get mark charts signed this weekend.  Enjoy the nice break!

Math: FASTT Math; mental math assessment; discussion of algebraic equations; p. 93, #1-12 for homework

Social Studies: We began reading Chapter 3 by discussing and taking notes on the settlement experiences and contributions of Native Americans.

Literacy block: Goal-setting conferences; rotations; Handwriting, Thursday, Week 16 is homework

Math: FASTT Math; went over CCR 4-1; completed Core Content Review 4-2; checked homework

Social Studies: discussed sequencing events in a story; completed comprehension assessment for "Ponytails and Protests;" started foldable for Chapter 3 notes

Literacy block: Goal-setting conferences; rotations; Handwriting, Week 16, Wednesday for homework

Get planner signed tonight.

Return parent signature card from report card, if not already completed.

Math: FASTT Math and Core Content Review 4-1; tonight, complete Practice 4-1, #1-9.  Students will be given one of these tomorrow to solve mentally for Mrs. Plato as an assessment.


Social Studies: Pigtails and Protests; sequencing activity; Second Step


Literacy block: Student goal-setting conferences begun; rotations; Handwriting, week 16, Tuesday is tonight's homework


Report cards went home for 4P tonight.  Please return the signature card and the envelope.  The contents of the envelope can stay at home.

Math: We finished working with compatible numbers.We started looking at adding and subtracting using mental math.  Students were asked to read the top of the reteaching sheet for section 4-1 and try the first four items in their heads (no work on paper except the answer itself).  We will discuss these tomorrow.


Social Studies: We read the Reader's Theater "Pigtails and Protests."  We discussed the vocabulary involved.


Literacy block: We talked about making SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-Bound) for reading and writing.  We will have conferences this week during which the students and I will make January goals together.  Students should be ready for their conferences with their sheets completed.  We also worked on interrogative sentence patterns.  We created some as a class, then students created 5 as individual assessments. Handwriting for Monday, Week 16, is due tomorrow.


Last week, yearbook order forms went home.  They are due January 23, if students wish to order a yearbook.

Happy weekend!

That was the fastest week on record, for sure.  Here's what we did on Friday.

Math: Discussed and worked with compatible numbers and adding groups of numbers mentally in preparation for our next Topic.  Students also completed an assessment where they interpreted the snow glyphs created yesterday.

Social Studies: We kicked off our chapter on the cultures that made up America with some Zumba Fitness.  Zumba (a personal favorite of Mrs. Plato) is a dance fitness option that uses international music, particularly Latin-based.  We had a blast!

Literacy block: We continued discussing the article from yesterday.  Students then answered some comprehension questions related to the story as an assessment of their understanding.  Read to self or work on writing were part of rotations.

No homework this weekend.

A note about report cards: Teachers must have report card information inputted by 4 PM Monday.  Typically, the reports are printed out in the few days following.  I am thinking we will be sending them home on Wednesday.  Stay tuned to the website to hear for sure.

Welcome back!

I am obviously out of practice...forgive my late posting!

Math: We completed a Snow Glyph. Tomorrow, students will be assessed on their interpretation of a fellow classmate's glyph.  We also made snowflakes and discussed symmetry.

Literacy block: We had a short period of Read to Self.  We then started discussing author's purpose with this story about a concussion and subsequent brain injury of a 13-year-old football player.

It's true...I did not assign any homework for tonight.  We are getting back in sync with being at school again.

One more lovely day!

Hello everyone!

Just a reminder that District 87 has another day of Winter Break tomorrow, January 4.  Unit 5 schools and some of the private schools in town return tomorrow because they got out a day earlier for their break.  We have one more day of rest and relaxation before the fun begins again!  I can't wait to see everyone!