Classroom Visitor

Since Lotus is our Star of the Week this week, her dad came to visit our classroom to tell us all about his job at John Deere.  The students loved passing around the models of the machines he builds.  Ask your child why the toys were yellow instead of the typical "John Deere Green."

Fluency Practice

In language arts today, our students practiced self-assessing their fluency.  They had to practice and read a page from their leveled readers while recording themselves using Photo Booth.  After recording themselves, they had to fill out a self-assessment checklist to monitor for good reading practices.  I watch the videos, and complete my own assessment when they are finished.

Lessons & Assignments Wednesday, September 30th

Language Arts - None - We completed our DOL and grammar page in class today.  Students also practiced analogies using their spelling words today.  (Example:  hot is to cold as wet is to dry).  We read our weekly story, called My Very Own Room.  For the next two weeks, we will practice making predictions as we read.  In small groups today, Mrs. Pratt's groups read a story about airplanes.  My groups practiced doing fluency self-assessments using Photo Booth on the laptops.

Math - None - We completed lesson 2.5 today on making bar graphs.  The students did a great job on today's lesson!

Science - None - We read about vertebrates today and took notes in our journals.  We learned that there are 5 main categories of vertebrates:  mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and birds.

Social Studies - None - We took the unit 1 open book test today.

Reminder:  reading logs due tomorrow

Lima Bean Lab

Today was our last day to observe the lima beans we have been germinating.  At the end of our experiment, we have concluded that we need water and sunlight to get a seed to begin growing.  Take a look at our end result below!  If you look closely, you can see a tiny leaf starting to break out at the bottom!

Lessons & Assignments Tuesday, September 29th

Language Arts - w.s. 48 & vocab packet - We completed our DOL and grammar page in class today.  For the next two weeks, we will be focusing on compound sentences.  We will be combining sentences using the conjunctions and, but, & or.  We read our weekly vocabulary story, and reviewed our new vocabulary words.  In small groups today, we practiced reading short passages and making predictions.

Math - None - We completed lesson 2.4 today on bar graphs.  In our small groups today, some groups used old Scholastic News articles to find bar graphs and describe the information in writing.  Other groups worked on reading bar graphs.

Science - None - We finished up our lima bean germination lab today.  We also read about the needs of animals.  We talked about how they need food, water, shelter, and air to survive.

Social Studies - None - We continued working on our communities projects.

Reminders:  Early dismissal tomorrow, book orders due tomorrow

Science News

We started chapter 3 today on types of animals.  To introduce the chapter, I made a mess!  The kids all know I hate messes, so they were shocked when I threw paper on the floor!  Each student had to pick up 12 pieces of paper, then pretend they were an animal.  Ask your child what each color of paper meant, and whether or not their animal was healthy.

Red Carpet Readers

Congratulations to Ysabell, Josiah, Aidan, and Kaitlyn for meeting their first quarter AR goals!

  Keep up the good work!

Star of the Week

Lotus is our Star of the Week this week!

Lessons & Assignments Monday, September 28th

Language Arts - spelling p. 27 - We completed our DOL and grammar page in class.  Mrs. Pratt introduced our 6 new vocabulary words for the week.  Students also received their new spelling lists.  They will be tested over these words on 10/9.  In small groups today, Mrs. Pratt's groups worked on long i words.  My groups read their leveled readers and practiced making predictions.

Math - None - We took our mid chapter quiz today.  Some friends have corrections to make on their quizzes tonight.

Science - None - We started chapter 3 today on types of animals.  Ask your child why I made a mess on the floor today!

Social Studies - None - We completed the chapter 2 review sheet in class today.  Those students that were not able to get finished in class need to finish it for homework tonight.

Lessons & Assignments Friday, September 25th

Language Arts - None - We took our spelling and vocabulary tests today.  We also completed our wolf research posters and presented them to the class.  I'm hoping to get the videos of our speeches posted soon!

Math - None - We practiced making picture graphs today.  In small groups, students were challenged to come up with various graph keys to see how the information would change.

Science - None - We took our chapter 2 test today.

Social Studies - None - We used our social studies time today to finish our science tests and celebrate a class birthday.

Ag in the Classroom

Mrs. Clodfelter visited our classroom today for our first Ag in the Classroom lesson.  Ag in the Classroom is a program sponsored by the Whiteside County Farm Bureau, and volunteers provide one lesson each month on agriculture.  Today we learned about what agriculture is, and how many products we use every day that include some type of agriculture.  We connected agriculture to football today too!  Ask your child what each item in his/her bag represents!

Classroom Visitor

Aaliyah's step-dad visited our classroom today to tell us all about his job at Xylem LTD in Cordova.  He is a loader operator there.  We heard all about the different types of landscaping materials they provide, and even got to pass around some samples of various types of mulch!  It was really cool to hear about the big machinery that he operates, and learn how mulch is made and colored.

Lessons & Assignments Thursday, September 24th

Language Arts - study spelling & vocab - We took our reading skills test today in class.  We completed a cut and paste subject/predicate activity, and continued to edit student writing samples.  Our spelling and vocab tests over long o words will be tomorrow.

Math - None - We completed lesson 2.2 today on using picture graphs.  In small groups we practiced solving riddles with picture graphs, and writing our own problems using pictures.  We also practiced solving what 1/2 of a symbol or picture would mean.

Science - None - We had Ag in the Classroom today.

Social Studies - rural/urban/suburban worksheet - Our social studies time was cut short today since the kids were running the mile in PE.  Please complete the 5 question worksheet for homework tonight, and return it tomorrow.

Lessons & Assignments Wednesday, September 23rd

Language Arts - spelling corrections - We continued to edit our writing samples together in class today.  We also completed a subject/predicate review sheet in class.  We broke into small groups today.  Mrs. Pratt's groups worked on creating a poster with their information from their wolf research.  My groups worked on correcting the spelling of their verbs worksheet from yesterday.  We did some word building activities, and discussed phonics patterns as we made corrections.  These corrections need to be finished at home tonight.

Math - None - We finished lesson 2.1 today on tally tables and frequency tables.  We are giving small groups a try again too!  In small groups today we practiced making tallies with popsicle sticks, then transferring that information to a frequency table.  Other groups rolled dice, and tallied the sum each time.  Then they recorded that information in a frequency table.  When students were working independently, they were working on our problem of the day, and doing subtraction practice tests on the iPads.

Science - Tree worksheet - We read about how plants make food today.  We watched a Scholastic Study Jams video on photosynthesis, and even sang a karaoke song about it!   Students need to complete the reading passage and comprehension questions on photosynthesis for homework tonight.

Social Studies - None - We wrapped up our chapter on communities today by naming the three types, and the three purposes of communities.  We put this information into a foldable project that we will finish on Friday.

Lessons & Assignments Tuesday, September 22nd

Language Arts - Verb worksheet - We continued to edit our writing samples today.  We also worked on a phonics packet.  In small groups, we read a persuasive essay about why wolves should be protected.

Math - None - We had our body safety talk during our math time today.

Science - None - We continued observing our seeds today, and read about flowering and non-flowering plants.

Social Studies - None - We finished our community dioramas today.

Math News

We created a bar graph of our favorite sports today, then practiced solving problems using the information from our graph.  We also discussed the importance of having a title for a graph so we can understand the information.

Star of the Week

Aaliyah is our Star of the Week this week!

Lessons & Assignments Monday, September 21st

Language Arts - None - We worked on correcting some of our student writing samples today.  We also continued our wolf research on the iPads.  Our class also played a subject/predicate game.  Remember to keep studying your spelling and vocab words.  Our test will be on Friday.

Math - corrections - We previewed chapter 2 today on graphs.  Our class created a bar graph on our favorite sports, and completed the vocabulary preview sheet for this chapter.  We also did some review work with subtraction word problems.  Those students that missed problems on the review page need to make corrections tonight for homework.  There will be a note in your child's planner from me if corrections were needed.

Science - None - We continued observing our seeds today.  We also read about how scientists classify plants.  We made Venn diagrams in our science journals to compare and contrast two different types of leaves.

Social Studies - None - We read about urban communities today.  The students were really excited that our book discussed Chicago, since many of them had visited the places our book mentioned.  We also started our urban dioramas.

Wolf Research

Our language arts class has been reading all about wolves this week.  We read a fantasy story about a wolf that wanted to learn to read, we read a fiction story about a boy writing a report about wolves, and we read The Boy Who Cried Wolf.  Next week we will be reading a nonfiction article on wolves.  The students started a research report on wolves today.  They used the Encyclopedia Britannica subscription that we have at school to research wolves on the iPads.  Mrs. Pratt and I were so proud of the hard work, and wonderful responses we saw today!  Next week we will finish our research, create a poster with our information, and share it with our classmates.

Lessons & Assignments Friday, September 18th

Language Arts - None - We completed our DOL in class today, and analyzed some of our writing samples together in class.  We also finished a page together on identifying the predicate of the sentence.  We will continue to work on this skill next week.  Today the students used the Encyclopedia Britannica subscription we have at school to research wolves.  The class gathered facts about red wolves, and gray wolves, and recorded the information on their sheets.  We will continue this research next week.  Students will eventually use this information to create a poster, and report to the class.

Math - None - Mr. Maas from our technology department visited our classroom during our math block today to help us with some issues we've been having with the iPads.  We have been trying all week to access Go Math on the iPads without much success.  After spending some time with us today, we are hopeful he can fix our problems!

Science - None - We observed our lima beans and recorded our data today.

Social Studies - None - We didn't plan on having social studies today due to the Homecoming parade.  With the cancellation of the parade, and the huge disappointment of the students, we decided to watch a Discovery Education video on plants during this time instead.

Lima Bean Update

We were so excited that our wet lima beans seemed to grow overnight!  One group even had a crack in theirs.  We recorded our observations on our data charts today.  In the picture below, you can see the wet bean on the top, and the dry bean on the bottom.

Lessons & Assignments Thursday, September 17th

Language Arts - Study spelling & vocab - We completed our DOL in class today.  We also worked on correcting samples of our own writing in class today.  We listened to our weekly story on our iPads, and continued working on our comprehension questions.

Math - None - We took the chapter 1 test today.

Science - None - We collected and recorded our observations about our lima beans today.  We were excited to see that the wet seeds seemed to "grow" overnight!

Social Studies - None - Mrs. Reed was in our classroom today for our JA lesson.  We learned about sales tax and different ways to pay for wants and needs.

Lima Bean Lab

Today in science, we started a lab activity with lima beans.  We are going to investigate to find out what seeds need to grow.  In one bag, we have a lima bean in a dry paper towel.  In the other bag, the lima bean is in a damp paper towel.  We will make and record observations over the next 10 days to determine what seeds need to grow.

Main Idea Bags

Last week in Language Arts, our students learned about identifying the main idea and details in a story.  In order to practice this skill, our class looked through a mystery bag of items.  They were challenged to find the "main idea" of each bag based on the "details" that were included.

Junior Achievement

Mrs. Sara Reed from Country Financial is our Junior Achievement (JA) representative this year.  Over 5 weeks, she will present lessons and activities to our class on business and economics during our social studies time.  Last week was her first visit, and the students were such great listeners! We are looking forward to Mrs. Reed's next visit tomorrow!

Lessons & Assignments Wednesday, September 16th

Language Arts - Study spelling & vocab - We completed our DOL and grammar page in class.  Today we worked on separating run-on sentences into two separate sentences.  The students listened to our weekly story Wolf on their iPads while following along in their books today.  We also worked on answering comprehension questions in writing about our story.  When students answer the comprehension questions, they are practicing restating a question, using correct sentence structure, and using details from the story.  Students also worked on writing a story about Erie Elementary by using main ideas and details.  Mrs. Pratt and I told the students today that we will be slowing down the pace of our instruction in order to gain a deeper understanding of the material.  Therefore, we will not have our weekly assessments on Friday.

Math - None - We tried to access Think Central (Go Math) on the iPads today, without much success.  Our tech department is working on the fix, and hopefully we will get that soon!  We also reviewed for tomorrow's test over chapter 1.  We talked about test format and expectations for the test.  Tomorrow's test will cover rounding, addition, and subtraction.

Science - None - We previewed lesson 2 on different types of plants.  We started a lab today on what plants need to grow.  Each group placed a lima bean in a wet paper towel, and one in a dry paper towel in baggies.  They are taped to our classroom windows, where we will make and record observations for the next 10 days.

Social Studies - None - We continued working on our rural and suburban dioramas today.

Lessons & Assignments Tuesday, September 15th*

Language Arts - Study spelling & vocab - We completed our DOL and grammar page in class today.  We also read our weekly selection story, Wolf.  This week we will practice comparing and contrasting items in our story.  Independent groups practiced their spelling words and cursive handwriting today, and my groups practiced comparing and contrasting the wolf in our fantasy story to a real life wolf.

Math - None - We reviewed chapter 1 today in class.

Science - None - Students read a Scholastic News article today in science.

Social Studies - None - We read about suburban communities today, and started a suburban community diorama in class.

*Please note:  These plans are tentative.  I am out of the classroom today for several appointments.

Lessons & Assignments Monday, September 14th

Language Arts - Vocab packet, study spelling & vocab - We completed our DOL and grammar page in class today.  This week our grammar focus is identifying the predicate of a sentence.  Today we practiced finding the verb to help us identify the predicate.  We also introduced our 6 new vocabulary words for the week.  In independent groups, students worked on completing their vocabulary packets.  Those students that didn't finish in class need to get it done for homework tonight.  Mrs. Pratt's groups worked on a long o words sort using the iPads today.  My groups read our leveled readers and focused on vocabulary.

Math - None - We covered lesson 1.12 today on drawing diagrams to solve word problems with addition and subtraction today.  This was our last lesson in chapter 1.  We will have the chapter 1 test on Thursday.

Science - None - We completed a plant parts diagram in our journals today.

Social Studies - None - We read about rural communities today, and started a rural community diorama in class.

Lessons & Assignments Friday, September 11th

Language Arts - None - We took our weekly assessments today.

Math - None - We made corrections to lesson 1.11 today, and caught up on missing assignments.

Science - None - We started chapter 2 today.  We read about what plants need to survive.

Social Studies - None - We previewed chapter 2 today.  We started a vocabulary foldable that we will put into our journals on Monday.

Lessons & Assignments Thursday, September 10th

Language Arts - comprehension questions & study - We completed our DOL and grammar page in class today.  We also reread our weekly story.  Mrs. Pratt's groups worked on finding the main idea and details in a story, my groups worked on writing a story with a main idea and supporting details, and independent groups worked on answering comprehension questions about our weekly story.  Those students that were not able to finish the comprehension questions in class need to finish them for homework tonight.  Remember to study for your spelling, vocab, and reading tests tomorrow!

Math - None - I was without my laptop today while it was being repaired, which would have made teaching math very difficult.  So we used our math time today to do some updates on our iPads.  These updates will enable us to complete the Go Math activities online, hooray!

Science - None - We took our chapter 1 tests today.

Social Studies - None - Sara Reed from Country Financial visited our classroom today.  She is our Junior Achievement teacher this fall, and will be teaching the students about communities, businesses, and goods & services.

Lessons & Assignments Wednesday, September 9th

Language Arts - Study spelling & vocal - We completed our DOL and grammar page in class today.  We also read our weekly story, Earth Smart.  This week we are reading an expository story, and working on finding the main idea and supporting details.  Mrs. Pratt's groups worked on identifying the main idea and details, my groups used main idea bags to determine the main idea of a group of objects, and independent groups did a long a word sort with our spelling words.

Math - 1.11 front only - We practiced combining place value to subtract today.  This is a pretty tricky concept for some kids.  Please remember that I am working on teaching several different methods to use for subtraction.  What works for me or you might not work for all kids.  The goal is to eventually find the strategy that each child is most comfortable with.  In the meantime, we might be doing one that isn't comfortable!  :)

Science - None - We reviewed today in class.  We will take our chapter 1 open book test tomorrow.

Social Studies - None - We used our social studies time to catch up on missing homework, make corrections, and take AR quizzes.  We were falling behind since I was gone yesterday, and needed a chance to catch up!

Reminder:  Picture day tomorrow

Lessons & Assignments Tuesday, September 8th*

Language Arts - study spelling & vocab - We completed our DOL and grammar page in class today.  This week our grammar focus is on identifying the subject of the sentence.  Students were also introduced to our new vocabulary words for the week, and completed their vocab packets in their independent groups today.  Mrs. Pratt's groups worked on phonics practice, and my groups reviewed vocabulary using our leveled readers.

Math - 1.10 front only - Today we learned about subtracting using place value.  This is good 'ole mom and dad math!

Science - None - We read a Scholastic News article today.

Social Studies - Chapter 1 review sheet - We worked on the chapter 1 review sheet in class today.  Anything not finished in class needs to be completed for homework tonight.

**Please note these plans are tentative.  I was gone today for jury duty.

Lessons & Assignments Friday, September 4th

Language Arts - None - We took our weekly assessments today.

Math - None - We discussed mental math strategies for subtraction today.  We practiced counting up and counting back using a number line, and also used the break apart strategy to subtract.  We finished our assignment in class today.

Science - None - We made booklets on the life cycle of a butterfly for our science journals today.

Social Studies - None - We used our social studies time to catch up on corrections, make-up work, and late work today.

Reminder:  No school on Monday

Lessons & Assignments Thursday, September 3rd

Language Arts - spelling sentences, spelling unscramble, and study - We completed our DOL and grammar page in class today.  We also reread our weekly story.  Mrs. Pratt's groups continued reviewing reading skills such as cause & effect, and determining the character, setting, and plot.  They also practiced making text-to-self connections.  My groups read The Storytelling Stone, and practiced comparing across two texts.  Independent groups worked on using their spelling words in a sentence, and unscrambling our spelling words.  Those students that were unable to complete these assignments in class need to finish them tonight.  Remember we have our spelling, vocab, and reading tests tomorrow!

Math - 1.8 front & back - We finished lesson 1.8 today on estimating differences.  We used rounding to subtract today.  This lesson was very similar to our first lesson of the chapter, only we are using subtraction instead of addition.  We also took the mid-chapter quiz today in class.  Since this was our first math quiz, we completed it together.

Science - None - We read about how plants and animals grow and change today.  We discussed basic life cycles, and complete vs. incomplete metamorphosis.

Social Studies - None - We read about communities around the world today.  We studied Timbuktu, and compared and contrasted Erie with Timbuktu using a Venn Diagram.

Lessons & Assignments Wednesday, September 2nd

Language Arts - Study spelling & vocab - We completed our DOL and grammar page in class today.  We reread our weekly story, Amazing Grace.  Our small group work was focused on cause and effect today.

Math - None - We completed lesson 1.7 today on adding using place value to add.  This is what I refer to as "mom and dad" math, as this was probably the way that you learned to add as a kid!

Science - None - We finished our cell diagrams in our journals, and read about how to observe living things using a microscope and hand lens.

Social Studies - None - Due to the early dismissal, we did not have social studies today.

Lessons & Assignments Tuesday, September 1st

Language Arts - phonics packet - We completed our DOL and grammar page in class today.  We also read our vocabulary story for the week, and reviewed our new vocabulary words.  Mrs. Pratt's groups worked on phonics review, and my groups read our weekly story, Amazing Grace.  This week our reading focus is finding cause and effect.  Independent groups worked on cursive spelling, and phonics packets.  If the packets weren't completed in class today, they need to be finished at home tonight.

Math - None - We finished lesson 1.6 today on using the break apart strategy to add.

Science - None - We read about plant and animal cells today.  We colored and labeled cell diagrams for our journals.

Social Studies - None - We read about communities across the United States today.  We practiced note taking in our journals as we read.

Reminder:  SIP Early Dismissal Tomorrow