December 19, 2013

There is math sheet 52 tonight for homework.  Tomorrow is our last day of gaming.  Thank you to Mrs. Johnson for organizing this and bringing the students down to the public library for gaming Fridays.  The students will be able to send in a nice donation to the Children's Miracle Hospital at Fletcher Allen.  Only a few students still owe work.  Please ask your child if she or he owes any assignments.  These assignments are reading log from last week, narrative writing, and CNN questions.    Please have a wonderful vacation with your family.  Be safe with any travels you may have.  Warmest Wishes, Stacey

PS-When I looked  back at yesterday's blog, I couldn't see the video of CHAD I posted.  Please google, Katy Perry Roar CHAD and you will be brought to it.  Sorry for any confusion.

December 18, 2013

Homework:
Math-sheet 51
CNN due tomorrow
Narrative 1st draft due Friday
Reading Log

Today was spent finishing different assignments and practicing for tonight's concert.  The concert starts at 6:30 pm.

Tomorrow we will spend some time planning out an imovie that we will make after vacation.  It is going to be to Katy Perry's song "Roar".  We are modeling it after a video that Children's Hospital at Dartmouth did.  Our video will have the theme of kindness, compassion, and how "not" to be mean to others.  Here is the video that we are using as our model.

December 17, 2013

Well, first day back in the classroom and I forgot to do the blog!  It hit me last night as I was doing homework for today!  I am very happy to be back in the room full time!  I missed the kids so much.  Thank you all for being supportive of Mrs. Wilkins while she spent her time with us.  She loves Fairfield and really loves the kids.  It is not easy to have a student teacher, but it is rewarding. Mrs. Wilkins was my 5th student teacher.  Hosting a student teacher makes me reflect on my teaching practices and ask myself if I am using best and current practices.

Homework and Classwork:
Math-sheet 50
Reading-Log and any comprehension packets
Social Studies-CNN, due Thursday (the students did not get back last week's CNN)
Writing-Narrative, 1st draft is due on Friday by the end of Language Arts.

• All homework and classwork is to be done by Friday at 12:30.  From 12:30 to 2:30 the middle school is having a reward afternoon.  We do this once a month for students who consistently get their work done on time.  My room will be the work room.  Any student who owes work will work on it during this time.  If a student is sent out of the room to Ms. Rolla's on Friday then he or she may not participate.

Students share their work with the rest of the class.  

Reminders:

• This Friday is the last gaming morning.  If your child has not brought in the $2.00 please send it in this week.  Also, there were some students who did not bring back the permission slip. There is still time to send it in for Friday morning.
• k-5 concert is tonight and Middle School is tomorrow night.  Jazz band, band, and chorus will participate.

December 12, 2013

Sorry!  I forgot to post a blog yesterday.  (Don't you love a teacher who doesn't do HER homework?)

Homework:
Math - Sheet 48
Language Arts - Reading log due next Tuesday
Social Studies - None
Science - None

Today's Highlights:
We were making more connections between our classes today. We learned why the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn (which we've located during social studies) are at 23.5 degrees north and 23.5 degrees south (related to our discoveries in science).  We also calculated the distance around the Earth as a math exercise recently.















Other News:
- Please send report card envelopes back so we can reuse them each trimester.

December 10, 2013

Homework:
Math - Sheet 46
Language Arts - None
Social Studies - Latitude/longitude practice sheet due tomorrow (most students finished already); CNN question set due Thursday, 12/12 
Science - Quiz on the seasons tomorrow

Today's Highlights:
We were checking on the worms today, and we found out they LOVE melon.  There was a large pile of worms feasting on one piece of melon while completely ignoring the apple cores and carrot pieces they get every day.

Other News:
- "Take Home Tuesday" packets went home today.  Please sign and return them.
- Report cards for the first trimester go home on Wednesday.
- Mrs. Wilkins will be done her solo teaching on Friday.  Then she's off to a long-term sub job on Monday.  This is a much quicker transition than we all expected.  Let's have a great week together!

December 9, 2013

Homework:
Math - Sheet 45
Language Arts - Reading log due tomorrow
Social Studies - None
Science - Quiz on the seasons on Wednesday

Today's Highlights:
The students have become very skilled at finding absolute locations on the globe by latitude and longitude.  We're making great connections between our social studies and science work.  Ask your student to tell you why the Southern Hemisphere's seasons are opposite ours.

Other News:
- Report cards for the first trimester go home on Wednesday.
- Mrs. Wilkins will be done her solo teaching on Friday.  Then she's off to a long-term sub job on Monday.  This is a much quicker transition than we all expected.  Let's have a great week together!

December 5, 2013

Homework:
Math - Sheet 44
Language Arts - Reading log due Dec. 10
Social Studies - None
Science - "Seasons" lab packet due at the end of science class tomorrow
                    (Most students have turned it in already.)

Today's Highlights:
Today was GREAT!  We explored the globe on Google Earth, we started some more difficult math problems, and we continued working on narratives in small groups.  Above all, we learned several new things while having fun and keeping our behaviors positive.  This guy captures our mood today.

December 4, 2013

Homework:
Math - Sheet 43
Language Arts - Reading log due Dec. 10
Social Studies - CNN question set; revisions of last CNN also due (if necessary)
Science - None

Today's Highlights:
For the past week or so, students have been learning to divide fractions. Here was one of our early lessons.

The problems have been getting more complex, and the kids are doing VERY WELL! Here's a picture of the work some students did on the board today. I'm so proud of them.

December 3, 2013

Homework:
Math - Sheets 41 and 42
Language Arts - Story map (*most kids handed this in already); new reading log due Dec. 10
Social Studies - CNN question set due Dec. 5
Science - None

Today's Highlights:
-  Today we starting talking about latitude and longitude.  Ask your kids what local connection we have to the establishment of the prime meridian!

Other Information:
Today was another "Take-Home Tuesday." Parents, please look for the blue paper/packet, and sign it to confirm you've seen your student's work. These packets need to be RETURNED to school.  (If you still have the first one at home, please send it back.  I'm missing several of them.)  Thank you!

December 2, 2013

Homework:
Math - Sheet #40 (This is from before break; DON'T WORRY if you don't have it.)
Language Arts - Extra credit reading log due tomorrow; new reading log due Dec. 10
Social Studies - None
Science - None

Today's Highlights:
-  Today was mostly review or "memory refreshers" of what we covered before break.  Tomorrow we'll dig in with new learning.  We also learned that we'll have a new student joining our class tomorrow!

Other Information:
Tomorrow will be another "Take-Home Tuesday," and we have a LOT of papers to send home.  Parents, please look for the blue paper/packet, and sign it to confirm you've seen your student's work. These packets need to be RETURNED to school.  (If you still have the first one at home, please send it back.  I'm missing several of them.)  Thank you!

November 25, 2013

Homework:
Math - None
Language Arts - None... but I'll give extra credit to students who read and record their minutes!
Social Studies - None
Science - None

Today's Highlights:
-  In social studies today, several students became "world coaches," helping others learn their continents and oceans.

Enjoy your break, everyone!  We'll see you December 2.

November 21, 2013

Homework:
Math - Sheet #40
Language Arts - Reading log
Social Studies - Final composting/recycling presentations tomorrow (if you haven't presented already)
Science - None

Today's Highlights:
-  We've seen AMAZING social studies presentations from students in the past two days.  They've included live or recorded news broadcasts, informational brochures, models of vermi-composting bins, and illustrated children's stories.  I'm constantly impressed by the creativity and effort these kids put into their work.

-  The school held its annual "food pass-along" today to provide meals to those in need for the Thanksgiving holiday.  Watch the Channel 5 News at 6:00 PM tonight to see some of our student government representatives talk about this event!


Reminder:
Students have school Monday, Nov. 25, but they have no school the rest of that week.  We'll see them back here on Monday, Dec. 2.

November 20, 2013

Homework:
Math - Sheet #39
Language Arts - Reading log
Social Studies - CNN question response due tomorrow
           - Final composting/recycling projects due (ready to present) tomorrow
Science - None

Today's Highlights:
We had a demonstration of the Earth's rotation and its revolution around the sun today.  The students will repeat the demo on their own in the next few days to learn more about how these movements affect our change of seasons.

Reminder:
Students have school Monday, Nov. 25, but they have no school the rest of that week.  We'll see them back here on Monday, Dec. 2!

November 19, 2013

Homework:
Math - Sheet #38
Language Arts - Reading log
Social Studies - CNN question response due Thursday, Nov. 21
           - Final composting/recycling projects due (ready to present) Thursday, Nov. 21
Science - None

Today's Highlights:
Students learned a new literary device, alliteration.  It's one of my personal favorites. Successful students can see a sample in this sentence!


Reminder:
Students have school Monday, Nov. 25, but they have no school the rest of that week.  We'll see them back here on Monday, Dec. 2!

November 18, 2013

Homework:
Math - Sheet #37
Language Arts - Reading log
Social Studies - Revise or get parent signature on the CNN from Nov. 12 (if you haven't already)
           - Final composting/recycling projects due (ready to present) Thursday, Nov. 21
Science - None

Today's Highlights:
The kids and I did well together on my first solo day.  They had required assessments for most of the morning, then we did a review activity in science (shown here).


Other Notes:
Mrs. Jettie's back!  We're glad she's feeling better and has returned to help in our classroom.  Thanks to 
Mrs. Kaye for filling in while Mrs. Jettie was gone.

Reminder:
Students have school Monday, Nov. 25, but they have no school the rest of that week.  We'll see them back here on Monday, Dec. 2!

November 15, 2013

OOPS!  I overlooked the blog yesterday.  Sorry!

Mrs. Wilkins will be leading the class for the next three weeks.  You will be learning more by e-mail soon.

Homework:
Math - None
Language Arts - Reading log
Social Studies - Revise or get parent signature on the CNN from Nov. 12 (if you haven't already)
           - Final composting/recycling projects due (ready to present) Thursday, Nov. 21
Science - None

Today's Highlights:
Today was busy, so reward time at 2:00PM was a great end to the day.

Other Notes:
We were sad to learn that Miss Bailey will be leaving Fairfield soon. Miss Bailey has been Ms. Sargent's long-term sub for guidance this year, and she worked with our class as a paraeducator last year.  We'll miss her!


Reminder:
Students have school Monday, Nov. 25, but they have no school the rest of that week.  We'll see them back here on Monday, Dec. 2!

November 13, 2013

Homework:
Math - Sheet 35
Language Arts - Reading log; RTT due this Friday, Nov. 15
Social Studies - CNN question due tomorrow; revise last week's if needed
           - Final projects due (ready to present) Thursday, Nov. 21
Science - Get parent signature on moon calendar (if you haven't already)

Today's Highlights:
Today was mostly a "catch up on work" day. We had a lot of time to work on homework and projects. In science class, we continued learning about how the moon reflects the sun's light at different times during each month.  One student shared a snake skin that had been molted by his uncle's boa constrictor!

Other Notes:
- On Friday afternoon, there will be reward/game time for everyone caught up on all their assignments.
- The 6th graders have been invited to the middle school dance on Friday, Nov. 15.  Admission is $4.00, but it's only $3.00 for students who wear a "space-themed" shirt.  No outside food or drinks are allowed, but students can buy them here. (Snacks are generally $0.50, and drinks are around $1.00.) The dance begins at 7:00PM, and no one is allowed in the building before then. It ends promptly at 9:00PM, so parents should be here for pick-up then.

Reminder:
Students have school Monday, Nov. 25, but they have no school the rest of that week.  We'll see them back here on Monday, Dec. 2!

November 12, 2013

Homework:
Math - Sheet 34
Language Arts - Reading log; RTT due this Friday, Nov. 15
Social Studies - Final projects due (ready to present) Thursday, Nov. 21
Science - Get parent signature on moon calendar (if you haven't already)

Today's Highlights:
Composting and recycling projects are coming along well.  I can't wait to see the final projects our creative students produce!  During flex time today, several students used sumdog.com to challenge each other in math. 

Other Notes:
- On Friday afternoon, there will be reward/game time for everyone caught up on all their assignments.
- The 6th graders have been invited to the middle school dance on Friday, Nov. 15.  Admission is $4.00, but it's only $3.00 for students who wear a "space-themed" shirt.  No outside food or drinks are allowed, but students can buy them here. (Snacks are generally $0.50, and drinks are around $1.00.) The dance begins at 7:00PM, and no one is allowed in the building before then. It ends promptly at 9:00PM, so parents should be here for pick-up then.

Reminder:
Students have school Monday, Nov. 25, but they have no school the rest of that week.  We'll see them back here on Monday, Dec. 2!

November 11, 2013

Homework:
Math - Sheet 33
Language Arts - Reading log; RTT due this Friday, Nov. 15
Social Studies - Final projects due (ready to present) Thursday, Nov. 21
Science - Get parent signature on moon calendar (if you haven't already)

Today's Highlights:
Students continued to work on final projects for the composting/recycling unit in social studies. During language arts time, many of them finished the response to text.  Our students are getting better and better about using THINK before they speak or do something!

Other Notes:
- On Friday afternoon, there will be reward/game time for everyone caught up on all their assignments.
- The 6th graders have been invited to the middle school dance on Friday, Nov. 15.  Admission is $4.00, but it's only $3.00 for students who wear a "space-themed" shirt.  No outside food or drinks are allowed, but students can buy them here. (Snacks are generally $0.50, and drinks are around $1.00.) The dance begins at 7:00PM, and no one is allowed in the building before then. It ends promptly at 9:00PM, so parents should be here for pick-up then.

Reminder:
Students have school Monday, Nov. 25, but they have no school the rest of that week.  We'll see them back here on Monday, Dec. 2!

November 7, 2013

Homework:
Math - Sheet 32
Language Arts - Reading log; RTT due end of next week
Social Studies - Final projects due Nov. 22
Science - Get parent signature on moon calendar

Today's Highlights:
Students were introduced to final projects for the composting/recycling unit. They will have all of social studies class to work on these for the rest of the month.

November 6, 2013

Homework:
Math-sheet 31
Reading-Log
Social Studies-CNN questions, parent signature on 10/29 question
Today's Highlights:

Worms, Worms, Worms!  Bob Engstrom visited our room and built a Vermi Composter.  Your child will be able to tell you all about it.

Reminders:
There is school on November 25th.  The students are off the rest of that week 11/26-11/29.
Permission slips for gaming hours.

November 5, 2013

Homework:
Math-sheet #30
Reading-Log and work on RTT if you have internet access
CNN question for 11/5.  Have your 10/29 CNN signed and revise it if you want to raise your grade.
Today's Highlights:
The kids are doing great on their Response To Texts.  We learned how to get on PowerSchool today to check our grades.  2 handouts went home today about a fundraiser we would like to take part in to help The Children's Miracle Hospital at Fletcher Allen.
Reminders:
Bob Engstrom comes to school tomorrow to give us worms!!!!
Students do have school on the Monday of Thanksgiving break, but not for the rest of the week.

November 4, 2013

Homework:
Math: sheet #29
Reading: Log due tomorrow.  I will be checking yellow genre sheets and self selected reading books tomorrow.
Writing: If there is internet access at home then you could always work on your Response to Text.
Today's Highlights:
Not today, but on Friday, Tom Reynolds sought out Mrs. Wood when he was here picking up the composting.  He wanted her to know how well behaved our students were on the field trip.  The students wrote thank you notes to NWSWD and Hudak Farm today.  On Wednesday, Bob Engstrom will be here to show us our worm composting bin.
Reminders:
Picture retakes are on Wednesday. Thanksgiving Week-students have school on Monday, but not on Tuesday - Friday.  Tuesday is an in-service day for staff.

October 31, 2013

Homework:
Math-sheet 28
Science-Phases of the moon calendar is due tomorrow for final grading
Social Studies-Some students still need to complete the 10/29 assignment and/or get a signature on the 10/22 assignment
Reading-Log, next book project is due November 15th.
Today's Highlights:
Ask your child what the app "bump" does.  I showed them this today (it's how I got the picture below from my iphone to the computer) and they thought it was pretty cool.
The students are in the process of writing their first Response to Text.  Here is a picture of some students preparing their pre-writing (finding evidence to support the thesis).











Reminders:  The weather is getting colder and the students need proper clothing for outside recess and walks on the path.

October 30, 2013

Homework:
Math: sheet 27
Reading: Log
Science: Phases of Moon Calendar-----these are going to be collected on Friday for a final grade!
Social Studies: CNN questions due tomorrow.  Use the one from last week as your guide and get that one signed (10/22 questions).
**Parents~I will always give the previous week's CNN assignment back to them to use for the new question.  If they are unhappy with the grade the students can revise--this assignment always needs a signature to show me that you saw the grade or revision.
Today's Highlights!!
Northwest Solid Waste District and Hudak Farm
We had a great day and learned a lot.  Have your child give you summary of what they saw and learned.  Pictures were sent home today.

October 29, 2013

Homework:
Math-sheet 26
Reading-Log
Social Studies-Permission Slip, remember to bring a lunch for the field trip if you are doing so.  Dress warmly and wear appropriate shoes.
Science-Phases of Moon calendar.
Pictures from Hay Day

Reminders:
Field Trip tomorrow.

October 28, 2013

Homework:
Math-Sheet 25
Reading- Crash group: finish the book
Reading Log due tomorrow
Science-Phases of the moon calendar
Social Studies-FIELD TRIP PERMISSION SLIP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Today's Highlights:
I want to tell you about Friday's Hay Day!  The kids were awesome.  It was the best Hay Day yet and the addition of the Talent Show was fabulous!  Many of our kids participated.  I will get pictures of some projects on the blog tomorrow.  Thank you for all the snacks~we ate most of them!  The high school students who spent the day with us had a great time.
Reminders:
Field Trip to NWSWD and Hudak Farm is on Wednesday. Permission slips went home today.

October 24, 2013

Homework
Math-sheet 24
Reading-log and read kindness unit book if you need to
Science-look at the moon, I have the calendars to do a check of them
Today's Highlights
Meadowbrook Farm purchases went home today. The kids played a game about natural resources. Our field trip to NWSWD and Hudaks is scheduled for next Wednesday. Permission slips will go home tomorrow.  Ask your kids about Apple TV!
Reminders
Hay Day is tomorrow.
Recess weather is changing so make sure your child has warm clothes to play outside!  I know, I know, I gave up the outerwear fight by middle school~but my husband still chooses it as one of his fights!
Field Trip next Wednesday~~Look for the permission slip tomorrow!
Shout Out!
Conference time always makes me nervous.  I feel like the student who hopes the other kids will like her.  The conferences the students led are the first ones I can honestly say I had FUN at!  The students were absolutely awesome!  I am very proud of your children!

October 23, 2013

Homework:
Math - Sheet #23
Language Arts - Continue adding to reading log
Social Studies - New CNN question set due Friday
      * You can revise last week's to improve your grade OR
         get a parent signature if you're happy with your grade.
Science - Draw on moon phase calendar

Today's highlights:
We talked about renewable and nonrenewable natural resources this morning. We also started learning how to organize a Response to Text paper that will be due in November. The school newspaper, the Trotter Times, was distributed around the school. Below is a link to a PDF version of the paper for you.  We're very proud of our students who put this together.

Trotter Times - October 2013 Issue

October 22, 2013

Homework:
Math-Sheet #22
Reading-Log
Social Studies-CNN question, due on Thursday
Science-Moon phase calendar~will be collected tomorrow and graded for work done as of tonight.
Today's Highlights:
The first edition of the Trotter News was distributed!  I will try to get an electronic version of it on the blog tomorrow!  We will go to the NWSWD next week to learn about composting and recycling.  On our way home we will stop by Hudaks to see what they use the compost for!  Hopefully we will get some compost to analyze the next day!
Reminders:
I don't think there are any tonight!
Oh! The field trip is next Wednesday! Oh! Hay Day on Friday!

October 16, 2013

Homework:
Math-sheet #19
Reading Log and Moon Phase Calendar
Social Studies-Some of you need to have your CNN questions signed.
Today's Highlights:
Playing Frisbee at Gym!  I went outside and had PE with the kids today!  I can't throw a frisbee.......
Reminders:
No school on Friday.  Tomorrow I will be out for 2 hours attending parent conferences at BFA.  Ms. Dion will cover the class and continue to work on the composting and recycling presentations.

October 15, 2013

Homework:
Math-sheet #18
Reading-The students created and acted out skits today, so we did not meet with reading groups.  Crash does have one page in the journal to do.
Reading Log
Science-Moon phase calendar.
Today's Highlights:
Mrs. Wilkins was observed by her teacher today and the kids were wonderful! They created skits based on the words in THINK.  Did your child remember what each letter meant?  Before you speak you should think.  Ask yourself..........it is True? Helpful? Inspiring? Necessary? and Kind?  If you answer no to any of these then you should keep your thoughts to yourself.

The students collaborated on an activity that has them teaching information from an article to the rest of the class.  Ask your child how it worked.  Here is a picture of one of our students working on the computer in his group.
Reminders:
Student led conferences are tonight, tomorrow night, and Thursday.  No school on Friday.

October 14, 2013

Homework
Math-Sheet 17
Reading- Everyone has homework from the class novel they are reading.
Logs are due tomorrow.
Science-Moon phase calendar.
Today' Highlights
Ask you child what it means to THINK before you speak.
Reminders
Conferences this week and no school on Friday.

October 10, 2013

Homework
Math-sheet 16
Reading- log

• Stargirl: read to page 138 and look for descriptive words
• Firegirl: read chapters 14 and 15
• Crash: read a couple of chapters or 10 pages
• Maniac Magee: 20 minutes of work on reading or the questions in the log

Science- moon phase calendar

Today's Highlights

We had a normal schedule! No more testing!!!!!! We learned how to write a complete answer to our CNN questions that the students will have every Tuesday.  These will always be due on Thursday.  This week we did it in class together.  There is a link, on the homepage of the blog, that shows what a complete question should look like.

Reminders

Conferences next week and no school on Friday, 10/18.

October 9, 2013

Homework
Math-Sheet #15
Reading-Log
Science-Moon Phase Calendar
Today's Highlights
We are done with NECAPS!!! Here is a beautiful picture of our view when we are outside!  Mrs. Dunn and I were twins today!

Reminders

Student led conferences next week and no school next Friday~10/18.

CNN model question

October 8, 2013

Homework
Math-sheet #14
Reading-log, and finish last night's if you didn't do it. We didn't have reading today due to NECAP testing.
Science-Moon phase calendar
Today's Highlights
We were mentioned on CNN Student News!  Each day they have a roll call where 3 schools are mentioned.  I entered our name a couple of weeks ago and we were on today's show!!!!!
http://www.cnn.com/studentnews/

What Fairfield kids do when they are done with NECAP testing.

Reminders

Student led conferences next week. No school on October 18th.

October 7, 2013

Homework
Math-sheet #13
Reading-Everyone has homework for the book they are reading for our tolerance, kindness, and acceptance unit.  This should be in their assignment books.
Science-Moon phase calendar.
Today's Highlights and Class Information
Today was a pretty normal day. We used our problem solving skills to try to figure out how to get a lunchbox from behind the lockers.  Ask your child to share the rap song on the phases of the moon.
Back to NECAP for the next 2 mornings!!!!!!!  We are planning a field trip to the Northwest Solid Waste District.  I will let you know more when we get the details. October is Bullying Prevention Awareness Month .
This fits right in to our unit on kindness.  We will be using the site http://www.stopbullying.gov/kids/index.html to help us learn more about the topic.
Reminders
Next Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday afternoons and evenings are student led conferences.  The students will be focusing on their goals for the year.  No school on October 18th.

October 3, 2013

Homework
Reading-log
Science-Moon Phase Calendar
Today's Highlights
NECAP!!!!
Reminders
Fairfield Celebration this Saturday!
Student led conferences on October 15, 16, and 17. No school on October 18th.

October 2, 2013

Homework:
Reading-Log
Science-Moon Calendar, if the moon is not visible then the students can go to this website:
http://stardate.org/nightsky/moon
Today's Highlights:
NECAP testing~We finished the reading sections today and tomorrow we start math.
Reminders:
Student led conferences on October 15, 16, and 17. No school on the 18th.
Fairfield's 250 year celebration this Saturday!!!!!!!  At the Fairfield Library ~ BNML ~

October 1, 2013

Homework:
Reading~Read 20 minutes or so.
Science~Go outside and see if you can see the moon.  Draw it on your calendar.  If you can't see it and you have internet then go to http://stardate.org/nightsky/moon and draw what the moon looks like tonight.
Today's Highlights:
We started NECAP testing today. Tomorrow we will take 2 tests and Thursday will be one.  Next Tuesday and Wednesday mornings are also testing times.
Reminders:
This Saturday is the 250 year Celebration of Fairfield!  The school band will be playing.  Student led conferences are on October 15, 16, and 17.  No school on the 18th.

September 26, 2013

Homework:
Math - sheet #12
Reading  -  Log
Today's Highlights:
Icky foods!!!!! They looked at food labels and learned what Citric Acid, Cellulose, Red Dye 40, etc. are! We started our solar system unit. They will start looking at the moon each night and drawing what it looks like (only if it is clear) I gave them the option of doing it for tonight since we ran out of time and didn't really get through the instructions!
Reminders:
No school on Monday.
NECAP testing next week and the following week.
Student led conferences October 15, 16, and 17. No school on the 18th.

September 25, 2013

Homework
Math-sheet #11
Reading-Everyone has homework for their novels.  This should be in the assignment books!!!!!!!!!
Reading Log is due every Tuesday.
Today's Highlights

Today we made apple crisp and enjoyed it with some vanilla ice cream.  We also had Apple TV installed so we can share the ipads on the projector!  Exciting Day!!!!!!!!!!
Reminders
No school on Monday due to teacher in-service.  Conferences are October 15, 16, and 17.  October 5th is the community celebration for Fairfield turns 250!  The band will be playing and our kids will be helping with composting. I plan on being there!

September 24, 2013

Homework
Math: Sheet #10
Reading Log
Kindness unit novels if you were assigned homework.

Today's Highlights:
We talked about exponents in math.  They showed up on homework last night and morning math!  Ask your child about my remote mouse!
Tomorrow we will make apple crisp again!

Reminders:
In-service next Monday, no school for students!  NECAP testing starts next week.

September 23, 2013

Homework:
Math-sheet #9
Reading Log due tomorrow.
-We started our kindness novels today.  Different groups have different homework.  They were to write it down in their assignment books.
-Some students need to turn in permission slips that went home last week.
Today's Highlights:

We did a blind taste test today.  They had a dorito first and then a vegie chip.  We then talked about the taste and which chip was closer to the soil.  We were impressed with how many kids wanted more vegie chips (and of course doritos!).  We also added a really cool google app to Chrome.  Read and Write allows the computer to read to you what you have written in a google doc. This will be helpful when they want to hear how their writing sounds.
Reminders:
No school on September 30th due to teacher in-service. Conferences on October 15, 16, and 17 ~ all after school until 7:00.  NECAP testing is the first 2 weeks of October.

September 20, 2013

No Homework on the weekends unless reading needs to be done for reading logs!
Today's Highlights:
Ms. Bailey, our school counselor, (while Mrs. Sargent is on maternity leave) visited us today. She will be in for guidance lessons every Friday.  She is working with the students on how to manage stress.  We officially started our Tolerance, Kindness, and Acceptance unit today.  We have 4 groups reading the 4 books in the picture.  All books share a theme of our unit title. We will work in book groups and discussion groups to compare examples of kindness, tolerance, and acceptance.  Today was our first middle school reward day.  Every month we will take the end of one Friday and have activities for the students whom are caught up on their work and consistently do their homework.
Reminders: No school on September 30th due to teacher in-service.  Student led conferences on October 15th, 16th, and 17th.  These are after school and evening.  NECAP testing is the first 2 weeks of October.  We test on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.
Thank You!!!! For such a great turn out last night for open house.  It was great to meet all the families and eat the apple crisp the students made.  Due to running out of apple crisp, we will be making another pan of it next week so all of us can enjoy some!

September 19, 2013

Homework
Math-sheet 8
Reading-log

Today's Highlights

APPLE CRISP!!!!!! We made a pan of apple crisp for tonight's open house. The students did really well with the knives, apple peelers, and apple corers.  The next picture shows a great reading strategy of following along with your pencil while someone is reading aloud.  We were reading an article about chemicals that are put in food to make the food taste better.

Reminders

Open House tonight.  Student led conference sign ups will be available.  No school on 9/30/13 due to teacher in-service.

September 18,2013

Homework
Math-sheet #7
Reading-Log
Handouts from office and Young Writers' Project permission slip
Today's Highlights
Today was picture day!!  We discussed packaging of food today.  Our theme for social studies this year is, "How to be a steward to our land"  We will learn this through learning about natural resources.  We will do a lot of reading and a lot of doing.  So far we have learned about composting and will be learning more about recycling.
Reminders
Open House is tomorrow night. Please stop by anytime from 6-7 to have some apple crisp and visit our classroom.  Students will need to help with composting.

September 17, 2013

Homework
Math-sheet #6
Reading-Log
Social Studies-Please bring in packaging from a food item.
Today's Highlights
Yesterday Mrs. Wilkins did a Pledge of Allegiance activity with the students to kick off Constitution Day, which is today.  They continued to learn more about the constitution during social studies class.

Mrs. Wood and Mrs. Hill visited us today to explain our foreign language program.  This is an online, self-paced computer program.  The students get to choose what language they want to learn.  French, Spanish, Chinese, Latin, and German are the options.
Reminders
Pictures are tomorrow.  Open house is Thursday  night at 6:00 pm.  September 30th is an in-service for teachers, so no school for the kids. Student led conferences are October 15th, 16th, and 17th.  NECAP testing is the first 2 weeks of October. (We test on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays)