10-30

Compound word homework tonight.   Remember.....half day tomorrow.  ( sorry, not my idea). We will not be having a Halloween party.

Using Compatible Numbers and Our Writing Prompt

In math we talked about Compatible Numbers and using them to estimate.  We decided Compatible Numbers are numbers that are easy to to work with.  

Check this out!

http://www.modernchalkboard.com/social-studies.html

I think we may do this in class tomorrow.  Want a head start?

MARCO.......POLO!

NOTE************  Just weekly reading homework tonight- nothing extra.

Today we started reading about Explorers.  Why do humans explore?  What does explore mean to you?  We began to read about three reasons that Europeans began exploring in the 1400s.  
1. To get more land
2. To spread Christianity
3. To find a route to the Indies

We also read this book about Marco Polo

PAWS! Celebration

We have gathered another 100 paws for great behavior!  So, we have to have another celebration.  Kids put ideas in a basket and I pulled out.......

On Monday, kids are allowed to wear PJs to class, they are also allowed to bring in a stuffed animal.  I will provide ice cream pops or sandwiches, and we can have an extra indoor recess.  

Great Work Class!

No homework! 10-24

I had a half day meeting today, so no homework tonight!  You may want to play this review game!

http://www.superteachertools.com/jeopardy/usergames/May201019/game1273666578.php

Here's another one!


http://www.superteachertools.com/jeopardy/usergames/Apr201117/game1304194380.php

Moby Max

Do you want extra homework/practice time for your student?  I have signed up for a website called Moby Max.  It is a tailor made practice program for math and language arts.  I am sending a letter home to teach you how to sign in.  Kids have taken placement tests and are working on topics at their level.  They can earn badges and time for game playing as a motivation.  So, have some fun with Moby Max!

10-23 Homework

For tonight's homework, try this!  An every day edit.  Can you find ten errors in spelling, capitalization and punctuation?

10-22 Homework

Math

Oops! There is math homework tonight.

Don't forget, there is a math homework sheet on money; due tomorrow.

Chemical Reactions

Is science we were learning about what a chemical reaction is.  Don't be surprised if your student plays with vinegar and baking soda.  It's not a mess......it's science!~

Thanks!

A big shout out to Tristen who saved me when Mr. C. asked a question in science!
Why does a boat float if it's made out of materials that are denser than water?

The NED Show - and Science!

There was an assembly today!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0A7UxpSjVoc


And...today in Science we explored properties of matter.  We focused on density.  We watched a great video made in Hyde Park, Vermont to introduce the concept!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfgm2k-dHiI

Homework

Writing Bug for homework.

NECAPS out!

We are through with the NECAPS for the fall.  Science will take place in May.  Kids worked hard.  Homework will resume.  

As far as Jupiter grades goes, I was asked to hold off until next week when the whole school will send home midterms and letters.  

It looks as though I will be able to post homework assignments on Jupiter grades which will hopefully help with communication.

Mrs. Kimball has been helping me spruce up our room with some bulletin board displays.  Thanks to both her and Pinterest~!

Jupiter Grades!

We've done it!  We finally have a way for you to access your student's grades ONLINE!  WoW!  How hi-tech are we?  

I will be sending home a login letter with information that will allow you to access Jupiter Grades for your student.  I am also sending home a print out of current grades.

Please note that this is my first time generating report cards in this fashion.  It is in no way a final copy.  I would love questions or comments from families so that I can design a report that gives you the information that is helpful to you!  

One thing I noticed while entering grades was the damage missing work does.  I am always willing to take work, even if it's late.  I may or may not be able to recreate older assignments, however, if you want me to try, and you are willing to commit to finishing missing assignments, I will do my best.

Thanks!

Tracy Pearson

Scientific Method

We are learning about states of matter and scientific method.  We did an experiment about ice and how fast it melts.  We used a cup of just plain ice, a cup of salt and ice and a cup of sand ice.  We put the ice in at the same time and started our times to see how fast each one melts.  It took a really long time, and we had to watch the ice.  

Scientific Method

Today we discussed Scientific Method.  Kids are thinking about this question.  How should we treat icy roads in January?  Should we leave them alone?  Treat them with salt?  Treat them with sand?  Now they are designing an experiment to test their hypotheses.  

Science.  It's just good stuff!

Oh, and also...they are collaborating!

NECAP update

The students worked well on NECAPS yesterday.  I sent home a copy of the schedule.  We won't have homework this week.  Thanks to Sarah for bringing in apples and grapes for students to snack on during the test!

                    Over my weekend
I went apple picking at alonholm farm on Friday and I picked this really pretty apple and it came of the tree the way it was and it was so shiny! After we went apple picking alonholm farm has this playground that has animals and we went to that because my brother was with us. And over by the animals we petted the horse and fed the bunny! Then I went to my grandma and grandpa's and saw there new kitchen it got it redone. There kitchen looked really nice! And then we went to the mall and got my mom some shoes. I also got my sister to buy me a soft pretzel with  cinnamon on it! Then we went to zacaries and played on the plaything and then ate!

NECAPS are here!

Dear Families, Next week students will be taking the NECAPS.  This is our testing schedule.  In class, we have been working on a few of the practice pieces to help kids feel more comfortable in taking the test.  These kids are ready to hit it out of the park.   Please try to have kids get plenty of sleep and eat well during this time.  For my part, I will not send homework during these weeks so that kids will not have that added stress.   NECAP Testing Sessions and Time: Grades 3 and 4
Date	Test Session	Scheduled time
10/7/13 (Mon)	Reading Session 1	8:15-9:45
10/8/13 (Tue)	Reading Session 2	12:45–2:15
10/9/13(Wed)	Reading Session 3	8:15-9:45
10/10/13(Thur.)	Math Session 1	8:15-9:45
10/14/13(Mon)	Math Session 2	8:15-9:45
10/15/13(Tue)	Math Session 3	12:45-2:15

Evidence

Citing evidence and using it to construct an argument is a big idea of the Common Core (so I've been told:).  In class we created an area to display arguments and evidence.  Right now we are reading Chomp, by Carl Hiassen.  He writes of a TV survivalist gone bad in a Florida Everglade.  As I read we began to wonder if the character, Derek Badger, was a thinly veiled characterization of Bear Grylls, who stars on Man versus Wild.  So, we have been collecting evidence!  
So far we've noticed that they both like to swoop in on helicopters, they both have camera people when they act like they are all alone, and they both exaggerate the danger. 

What do you think?  What's your evidence?  

I hope kids go home and play in the sink tonight!

Today we investigated air using some old tried and true tricks.  See if your kids can keep a paper towel dry if they submerge it in water.  Can they pour air underwater?

Here is a lovely tribute to our atmosphere!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6jIMkPwahQ&feature=c4-overview&list=UUWxJwdNjOFOUvKAhsYo41lg

The Metric System!

In math we learned about the history of the metric system.  We started to measure things in centimeters!  Hats off to Kristian, who made the connection to last month's calendar.  He reminded us that the base 10 pieces we use are 10 centimeters, but they are also 1 decimeter!  

Finally, we watched this video on measurement.  Feel free to review it at home!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQPQ_q59xyw

Busy Day Today

We have been looking at NECAP examples.  Boy, can these kids write!  Yesterday and today we looked at comparing two poems.  In math kids took their Unit 1 test.  So far we have at least ten one hundreds!

Mrs. Pearson is getting old......

I just made myself swing sick on the swings today. I don't know how those kids can do it!