Today was pioneer day in fourth grade, so we had a mixed-up morning. We went to specials and had health in the morning. We did writing this afternoon. It's always odd to have a day that isn't "quite right" according to our normal schedule. I'm sure those with 4th grade siblings would say that Pioneer Day was worth the mix-up!
Speaking of, Aussie Day is coming up next week. We are dreadfully short of volunteers so if you can spare some time in the morning or afternoon, please let me know ASAP.
Today students continued working on ranking their facts via importance. We'll share them on Tuesday. We ran right out of time for our spelling test, so be ready for your words on Tuesday (we also didn't get very many homework packets back...) I continued to do reading assessments and hope to get that wrapped up by Wednesday, as well. It's so hard to believe that it's time for us to be thinking about the end of the year.
In math we talked about ranges of data and did some mystery data. Students did a very nice job determining which graphs went with specific sets of data. We also did some work reviewing ways of looking at data. Next week we will plan our very own survey/data collection project, and I am very excited to have the chance for the kiddos to design their own project from start to finish!
Our health work continued on the skin. Did you know that, if removed, the skin of an average adult would weigh between 7 and 9 pounds. I was fascinated by that. We talked today about keeping your skin healthy: Wearing Sunscreen is the #1 thing you should be doing to keep your skin healthy.
Be safe this weekend. Safe travels, safe playing. Wear your helmets.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Scratch Paper
The first order of business: do any of our families need scratch paper? We have a lot of paper that has been used on a single side and if someone can use it, I'd much rather pass it on than just recycle it. I use it at home in my printer all the time (I only use new paper if it is something that is "official.") Please send me an email if you can use some scratch paper.
On to happenings of today. The jog-a-thon was great fun! Students ran their little hearts out. I think if we had had twice as much time, they would have just kept running. I enjoyed walking against the traffic so I could high-five and cheer on. What great fun. The kids were wiped out after. Everything was amazing. Thanks to the BSPTO for such a well-planned event.
This morning students chose a NF text to read in their table groups and are working on selecting multiple facts and ranking them in order of importance. We are continuing to work on our ability to synthesize what we read and deepen our understanding of an author's intention.
We continued working on spelling concepts, practicing with words that end in -ch and -tch.
We've started the revision process on our all-about books. Revising is much different from editing in that revising involves looking at the ideas and the information presented rather than just grammatical correctness. It's a hard notion for 7 year olds, but we're struggling through.
In math we compiled the data from our data collection yesterday. Each group made a representation of their collected data and then compiled it with other data from the same grade level. We then looked at how the trend of "lost teeth" looked as we progressed through the grades. It was interesting to see the shift from first to fourth grade.
Ask your child about the "happy bucket." Whining, tattling, bickering, blaming, complaining have started to take up more and more of my time, so we've created a place for these thoughts to go. At the end of the day, the bucket gets dumped and all the badness goes away!
Have a wonderful evening. Read a book with your child. Throw the Frisbee or walk the dog together.
On to happenings of today. The jog-a-thon was great fun! Students ran their little hearts out. I think if we had had twice as much time, they would have just kept running. I enjoyed walking against the traffic so I could high-five and cheer on. What great fun. The kids were wiped out after. Everything was amazing. Thanks to the BSPTO for such a well-planned event.
This morning students chose a NF text to read in their table groups and are working on selecting multiple facts and ranking them in order of importance. We are continuing to work on our ability to synthesize what we read and deepen our understanding of an author's intention.
We continued working on spelling concepts, practicing with words that end in -ch and -tch.
We've started the revision process on our all-about books. Revising is much different from editing in that revising involves looking at the ideas and the information presented rather than just grammatical correctness. It's a hard notion for 7 year olds, but we're struggling through.
In math we compiled the data from our data collection yesterday. Each group made a representation of their collected data and then compiled it with other data from the same grade level. We then looked at how the trend of "lost teeth" looked as we progressed through the grades. It was interesting to see the shift from first to fourth grade.
Ask your child about the "happy bucket." Whining, tattling, bickering, blaming, complaining have started to take up more and more of my time, so we've created a place for these thoughts to go. At the end of the day, the bucket gets dumped and all the badness goes away!
Have a wonderful evening. Read a book with your child. Throw the Frisbee or walk the dog together.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Art Literacy
Today we had our final installment of Art Literacy for the year and tomorrow is the first ever Jog-a-thon! Two big things in just two days. The students enjoyed art lit (at least so they say; I wasn't there).
Today kiddos tried to put facts in order of importance from a NF text. I'm finding that it's difficult for us to figure out what the MOST important piece of information is. It's also challenging to determine an author's theme from a fiction text.
We're working on cementing our spelling knowledge and have been focused on suffixes. Help your child out by practicing words where letters must change before -ed and -es endings are added (such as baby or cry).
Students did an excellent job collecting data from other classrooms today. I peeked in on those around and was impressed by what I saw. We also went to the computer lab to begin researching our Coral Reef fish. We found some good places to get fish information. Look for links on the right side if you want to help your child at home.
I'm looking forward to the jog-a-thon tomorrow. It really is a great way to support the school community and have a little exercise.
Today kiddos tried to put facts in order of importance from a NF text. I'm finding that it's difficult for us to figure out what the MOST important piece of information is. It's also challenging to determine an author's theme from a fiction text.
We're working on cementing our spelling knowledge and have been focused on suffixes. Help your child out by practicing words where letters must change before -ed and -es endings are added (such as baby or cry).
Students did an excellent job collecting data from other classrooms today. I peeked in on those around and was impressed by what I saw. We also went to the computer lab to begin researching our Coral Reef fish. We found some good places to get fish information. Look for links on the right side if you want to help your child at home.
I'm looking forward to the jog-a-thon tomorrow. It really is a great way to support the school community and have a little exercise.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
It's Open House Night
Hello All,
Once again this week I am behind in posting. This week has been super busy: I had a training until late on Tuesday, was here at school late on Wednesday and am finally sitting down to blog tonight.
I am looking forward to seeing you all here tonight.
So, the past few days: We've had Junior Achievement three days this week. Today the students voted for a mayor of their Community. It was interesting to watch them struggle with the idea of voting in secret. Overall, the students chose the mayor who had pledged to build an animal shelter, much to the dismay of several vocal boys. It was a good lesson about the realities of being a voter: what you vote for doesn't always win.
We all shared our biography posters (though the Audio wasn't recorded when I recorded them directly into iMovie :-() with the class and with our Big Buddies. Watching the Big Buddies sit and listen to our children was endearing. We've also been practicing reading non-fiction text pieces and identifying the most important fact we've learned.
Work continues on our All About books; revision will take place next week and then we'll begin the production process. I am hopeful that the students who have been working on the book about Bethany will have an impressive product.
We started collecting classroom data regarding the number of teeth lost. Please, please, please, make sure that your child brings back his information from family and friends. We need it for math tomorrow. We will continue to work on data collection, representations and synthesis into next week.
Students will begin investigating a coral reef animal tomorrow for our last research project of the year. I can't wait to see which animals the students choose.
Have a wonderful evening.
Once again this week I am behind in posting. This week has been super busy: I had a training until late on Tuesday, was here at school late on Wednesday and am finally sitting down to blog tonight.
I am looking forward to seeing you all here tonight.
So, the past few days: We've had Junior Achievement three days this week. Today the students voted for a mayor of their Community. It was interesting to watch them struggle with the idea of voting in secret. Overall, the students chose the mayor who had pledged to build an animal shelter, much to the dismay of several vocal boys. It was a good lesson about the realities of being a voter: what you vote for doesn't always win.
We all shared our biography posters (though the Audio wasn't recorded when I recorded them directly into iMovie :-() with the class and with our Big Buddies. Watching the Big Buddies sit and listen to our children was endearing. We've also been practicing reading non-fiction text pieces and identifying the most important fact we've learned.
Work continues on our All About books; revision will take place next week and then we'll begin the production process. I am hopeful that the students who have been working on the book about Bethany will have an impressive product.
We started collecting classroom data regarding the number of teeth lost. Please, please, please, make sure that your child brings back his information from family and friends. We need it for math tomorrow. We will continue to work on data collection, representations and synthesis into next week.
Students will begin investigating a coral reef animal tomorrow for our last research project of the year. I can't wait to see which animals the students choose.
Have a wonderful evening.
Monday, May 14, 2007
Monday
Apologies for missing Friday's post. We had a staff get together after school and after all the hoopla, I never got around to it.
You'll note that tonight your child's spelling homework looks different! We are trying something different in our class and we'll see how it goes. The students and I went over it this morning, so hopefully they will be helpful. I am hoping to find words that our students misspell in their writing to help them become more efficient writers. Kiddos seemed excited about it.
T-shirt alert! Please send your child to school with a plain white t-shirt ASAP. We need them very soon so that we may dye them in preparation for Aussie Day.
Ok, so Monday. No library today as we are headed to the bookfair tomorrow. Students are VERY excited. (Shameless plug: I'm pretty excited too!). We practiced biography presentations today and tomorrow we will start with the first 8-10 biography presenters. We've talked about the importance of looking at the audience and not just reading from the poster. Students are expected to maintain eye contact and engage their audience.
We wrote to our Trucker Buddy this morning. Everyone wants her to come and visit before the end of the year. We'll see what we can do. She is finally back to work after two horrible family emergencies, so I don't know when her next load will have her out our direction.
Students took surveys today in math and made their representations. They are clever thinkers. I could not believe how quickly they got these tasks done! Tomorrow we will talk through one or more sets of data and be on to the next task.
We studied the life cycle of coral today and I am looking forward to your child sharing it with you at Open House. Be on the look out for the LARGE "scuba" mask that hides a gigantic wheel of Coral Life.
Tomorrow our Junior Achievement volunteer will be in for some additional work on communities. The kids love JA.
I hope you're enjoying the sun. I sat on the lawn reading student writing and correcting math papers. It was wonderful!
You'll note that tonight your child's spelling homework looks different! We are trying something different in our class and we'll see how it goes. The students and I went over it this morning, so hopefully they will be helpful. I am hoping to find words that our students misspell in their writing to help them become more efficient writers. Kiddos seemed excited about it.
T-shirt alert! Please send your child to school with a plain white t-shirt ASAP. We need them very soon so that we may dye them in preparation for Aussie Day.
Ok, so Monday. No library today as we are headed to the bookfair tomorrow. Students are VERY excited. (Shameless plug: I'm pretty excited too!). We practiced biography presentations today and tomorrow we will start with the first 8-10 biography presenters. We've talked about the importance of looking at the audience and not just reading from the poster. Students are expected to maintain eye contact and engage their audience.
We wrote to our Trucker Buddy this morning. Everyone wants her to come and visit before the end of the year. We'll see what we can do. She is finally back to work after two horrible family emergencies, so I don't know when her next load will have her out our direction.
Students took surveys today in math and made their representations. They are clever thinkers. I could not believe how quickly they got these tasks done! Tomorrow we will talk through one or more sets of data and be on to the next task.
We studied the life cycle of coral today and I am looking forward to your child sharing it with you at Open House. Be on the look out for the LARGE "scuba" mask that hides a gigantic wheel of Coral Life.
Tomorrow our Junior Achievement volunteer will be in for some additional work on communities. The kids love JA.
I hope you're enjoying the sun. I sat on the lawn reading student writing and correcting math papers. It was wonderful!
Thursday, May 10, 2007
We have WORMS!
The good news is that our eight pounds of worms arrived in the mail today! The students went absolutely gonzo over the worms. We put the worms into each of the worm bins, so the worms should be eating our food waste away in the next few days. I'll add more food tomorrow, and hopefully by Monday we'll be able to see some worm action.
It is a little odd to get worms in the mail, though!
We had a busy day with our field trip today. Before we left we shared facts we learned about Coral Reefs and talked about symbiosis. Symbiosis is the interdependence of animals and other animals or plants. In coral reefs, coral and algae have a symbiotic relationship. The coral depends on the algae for food. No algae means hungry coral, hungry coral then dies.
The bus driver complimented our class and the students were amazing as we picnicked inside at lunchtime. We wrote about our adventure and drew pictures of our interpretations of a coral reef.
We then did our worm bin activities and suddenly it was time for specials. Time flies!
Have a wonderful afternoon.
It is a little odd to get worms in the mail, though!
We had a busy day with our field trip today. Before we left we shared facts we learned about Coral Reefs and talked about symbiosis. Symbiosis is the interdependence of animals and other animals or plants. In coral reefs, coral and algae have a symbiotic relationship. The coral depends on the algae for food. No algae means hungry coral, hungry coral then dies.
The bus driver complimented our class and the students were amazing as we picnicked inside at lunchtime. We wrote about our adventure and drew pictures of our interpretations of a coral reef.
We then did our worm bin activities and suddenly it was time for specials. Time flies!
Have a wonderful afternoon.
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
No worms today
and we are sad. I'm sad, Ms. Clifford is sad. The whole class is sad. I'm hoping they come tomorrow. If not, I'll have to call the worm people and find out where our worms are. The bins were on their second day with food waste and do not smell. Covering the food scraps with newspapers really seems to be working. Be sure to come experience the worms during open house next week!
Beyond watching for the worm delivery, we did more work with antonyms today and read a story about Wilma Rudolph. Students were asked whether the pictures were important to the story? If the pictures are (or aren't), why is that? Especially with nonfiction texts, the pictures really help tell the story If you don't know much about Wilma Rudolph, your child! Have him or her tell you about her.
Lori Clifford came today and did a lesson on the damaging power of words. It's really important to understand how much words can hurt someone, even if it's not on purpose. We have worked hard at becoming empathetic peers.
In math we collected pocket data, calculated the total number of pockets worn by our class and made our own representations of the data. It was a big deal to take 22 data points and turn it into a reasonable graphical representation.
Students worked with partners becoming experts on one section of information about Coral Reefs. Tomorrow we will share our info in the morning before the leave and will talk about symbiosis.
Between the worms and the field trip, the kiddos can't WAIT for tomorrow. Be sure to send a sack lunch.
It really is my pleasure to share this energy with your child. I am blessed.
Beyond watching for the worm delivery, we did more work with antonyms today and read a story about Wilma Rudolph. Students were asked whether the pictures were important to the story? If the pictures are (or aren't), why is that? Especially with nonfiction texts, the pictures really help tell the story If you don't know much about Wilma Rudolph, your child! Have him or her tell you about her.
Lori Clifford came today and did a lesson on the damaging power of words. It's really important to understand how much words can hurt someone, even if it's not on purpose. We have worked hard at becoming empathetic peers.
In math we collected pocket data, calculated the total number of pockets worn by our class and made our own representations of the data. It was a big deal to take 22 data points and turn it into a reasonable graphical representation.
Students worked with partners becoming experts on one section of information about Coral Reefs. Tomorrow we will share our info in the morning before the leave and will talk about symbiosis.
Between the worms and the field trip, the kiddos can't WAIT for tomorrow. Be sure to send a sack lunch.
It really is my pleasure to share this energy with your child. I am blessed.
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
We are ready for worms
Tomorrow we should begin our vermicomposting adventure. The worm bins are seeded with food waste, damp newspaper and shredded coconut husks. The students are amped and the worms were supposed to have been mailed yesterday by Priority Mail. I'm sure you'll get all the info you need from your student!
This is the last week for most students that spelling will come home on the pink sheets. After this, students will be working on individual vexing words and students will test each other on Fridays. For some students, spelling will continue as it has.
Today was a busy day (they are all, aren't they?). We added food to one of the worm bins, finished our people posters (all but three or four students are DONE!), returned to working on our All About Books (we read with partners trying to make sure we had facts not feelings in our books) and we participated in a survey in math. I showed three different ways to display the information gathered in a survey and tomorrow the students will have their own chance.
As we are headed to OMSI on Thursday and studying Australia, we have begun talking about the Great Barrier Reef. Today the students had a chance to hold some coral ad we talked about coral reefs being a live object. This was something I didn't fully understand until a few years ago. We talked about the things that we can do keep coral reefs healthy, as well.
Ask your student about the zones of the ocean. Today we talked about the fish that live in each zone. The fish in the abyssal zone had little bodies and BIG mouths!
Have a great Wednesday!
This is the last week for most students that spelling will come home on the pink sheets. After this, students will be working on individual vexing words and students will test each other on Fridays. For some students, spelling will continue as it has.
Today was a busy day (they are all, aren't they?). We added food to one of the worm bins, finished our people posters (all but three or four students are DONE!), returned to working on our All About Books (we read with partners trying to make sure we had facts not feelings in our books) and we participated in a survey in math. I showed three different ways to display the information gathered in a survey and tomorrow the students will have their own chance.
As we are headed to OMSI on Thursday and studying Australia, we have begun talking about the Great Barrier Reef. Today the students had a chance to hold some coral ad we talked about coral reefs being a live object. This was something I didn't fully understand until a few years ago. We talked about the things that we can do keep coral reefs healthy, as well.
Ask your student about the zones of the ocean. Today we talked about the fish that live in each zone. The fish in the abyssal zone had little bodies and BIG mouths!
Have a great Wednesday!
Monday, May 7, 2007
Worms, Worms and more Worms
Monday was a great day. The sun is shining, everyone is in a wonderful mood and folks are motivated to do nice work!
We began talking about antonyms today. Talk with your child about antonyms. It is SO much fun to find sets of words that are opposite. I could not believe how many the kids came up with! They covered nearly two pages of easel paper with unique pairs of antonyms.
Work continued on the people posters. We have about half the class with complete posters and we will start presenting them on Wednesday. Students will be assessed on the accuracy of their work, whether they figured out the BIG reason their person was important and the quality of their presentation. It's a big year end project for us.
After library we did Weekend News, and it's fun to catch up with what your families did over the time off. We started a new unit in math, but it continues the data collection theme. Look for the unit letter on Tuesday. We also began talking about the Great Barrier Reef today. Ask your child about the zones of the ocean.
Worm News: I wrote a grant to begin a vermicomposting program at Bethany. We have received four worm bins and our worms will arrive this week. Vermicomposting uses red worms to break down organic materials into materials that can be used for compost. It's a great way for us to reduce the amount of waste we put into the trash cycle and to study the life cycle of a critter. The students are so EXCITED. We put together one of the bins today to prepare it for the worms. The money came from METRO, and our bins and worms are coming from Happy D Ranch. For more info on vermicomposting (it doesn't smell and can even be done in a house, condo or garage) you can look here or here.
We began talking about antonyms today. Talk with your child about antonyms. It is SO much fun to find sets of words that are opposite. I could not believe how many the kids came up with! They covered nearly two pages of easel paper with unique pairs of antonyms.
Work continued on the people posters. We have about half the class with complete posters and we will start presenting them on Wednesday. Students will be assessed on the accuracy of their work, whether they figured out the BIG reason their person was important and the quality of their presentation. It's a big year end project for us.
After library we did Weekend News, and it's fun to catch up with what your families did over the time off. We started a new unit in math, but it continues the data collection theme. Look for the unit letter on Tuesday. We also began talking about the Great Barrier Reef today. Ask your child about the zones of the ocean.
Worm News: I wrote a grant to begin a vermicomposting program at Bethany. We have received four worm bins and our worms will arrive this week. Vermicomposting uses red worms to break down organic materials into materials that can be used for compost. It's a great way for us to reduce the amount of waste we put into the trash cycle and to study the life cycle of a critter. The students are so EXCITED. We put together one of the bins today to prepare it for the worms. The money came from METRO, and our bins and worms are coming from Happy D Ranch. For more info on vermicomposting (it doesn't smell and can even be done in a house, condo or garage) you can look here or here.
Friday, May 4, 2007
Wait, it's Friday?
Well, apparently, I completely missed Thursday! We have had two very busy days!
The students are working hard on their biography posters! Yesterday our room had an eery silence while students were working away. Several kiddos have finished their posters. Mr. Stewart walked through yesterday and gave us a hefty compliment on the quality of our work.
Two Hall of Fame spellers this week: Asher and Natasha. The words because and friends were very difficult.
We've been doubling up on the work on our posters and that has consumed most of our writing time the past two days. I can't wait for the posters to be finished.
We took a math assessment today on data collection and sorting. The students have done a great job figuring out ways to sort information. We're still working on different ways to categorize different types of information, but we'll have more time to figure that out in the next unit.
Our Junior Achievement volunteer came today. He's from Symantec and the children were excited to see him. He has an easygoing manner and I'm confident that JA will be a success.
Enjoy your weekend. I think more yard work is calling my name.
The students are working hard on their biography posters! Yesterday our room had an eery silence while students were working away. Several kiddos have finished their posters. Mr. Stewart walked through yesterday and gave us a hefty compliment on the quality of our work.
Two Hall of Fame spellers this week: Asher and Natasha. The words because and friends were very difficult.
We've been doubling up on the work on our posters and that has consumed most of our writing time the past two days. I can't wait for the posters to be finished.
We took a math assessment today on data collection and sorting. The students have done a great job figuring out ways to sort information. We're still working on different ways to categorize different types of information, but we'll have more time to figure that out in the next unit.
Our Junior Achievement volunteer came today. He's from Symantec and the children were excited to see him. He has an easygoing manner and I'm confident that JA will be a success.
Enjoy your weekend. I think more yard work is calling my name.
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
and just like that, Wednesday was gone
I was out on Tuesday, so no blog entry. The sub reported the students were wonderful and said she'd come back any time. It's always nice to hear a glowing report of your students (it's not always that way, i will admit....)
Today was a refreshing day. The students are confident in their abilities and were taking on tasks without batting an eye. We played another round of Synonym Concentration today, and students had to tell me a pair of syllables for their ticket to lunch. My favorite was "Clicker and Remote." Sure enough, that's a set of syllables.
Tomorrow people posters begin. I will talk with the few students who didn't want to do a poster tomorrow to work out what they'd like to do. Most students sketched a rough draft today, and we are excited. I'd like to invite our 5th grade buddies to hear our fact presentations.
Kiddos had another chance today to finish up their partner stories. I really am amazed by what they're turning out. Cooperative talk is wonderful to hear. Tomorrow will be back at our "All About" books.
We learned about Venn diagrams in math and applied our knowledge to more sorting based on Yektti attributes. Tomorrow the students will select two attributes and collect data from our class for their own Venn diagram. We worked on a health assessment this afternoon that involved proper hand washing technique.
We've had lots of kids with colds in our class. If your child has a fever, she must stay home for a full day after the fever has broken. Remember to wash your hands often. It's always sad when students are missing.
Today was a refreshing day. The students are confident in their abilities and were taking on tasks without batting an eye. We played another round of Synonym Concentration today, and students had to tell me a pair of syllables for their ticket to lunch. My favorite was "Clicker and Remote." Sure enough, that's a set of syllables.
Tomorrow people posters begin. I will talk with the few students who didn't want to do a poster tomorrow to work out what they'd like to do. Most students sketched a rough draft today, and we are excited. I'd like to invite our 5th grade buddies to hear our fact presentations.
Kiddos had another chance today to finish up their partner stories. I really am amazed by what they're turning out. Cooperative talk is wonderful to hear. Tomorrow will be back at our "All About" books.
We learned about Venn diagrams in math and applied our knowledge to more sorting based on Yektti attributes. Tomorrow the students will select two attributes and collect data from our class for their own Venn diagram. We worked on a health assessment this afternoon that involved proper hand washing technique.
We've had lots of kids with colds in our class. If your child has a fever, she must stay home for a full day after the fever has broken. Remember to wash your hands often. It's always sad when students are missing.
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
A day late and....
Yesterday was a busy day! The day zoomed by and before I knew it the bell was ringing to send your children home to you.
We began putting our biography facts into sentences yesterday so we can organize them for our people posters. I am impressed by what the students were able to glean from their research. We have a group of children who can think deeply about topics.
Synonyms are this week's focus for our spelling lessons. Synonyms are pairs of words that mean the same thing: they are interchangeable in writing and speaking. You can easily play a synonym game with your child: "If I say x, I could also say y." Synonyms are fun and a great way to show your cleverness. (And kids think it's great!)
We worked on a super secret project for the volunteer luncheon yesterday. If you've done any volunteer work for Bethany (classroom, carnival, etc.) come join us for lunch at 11:05 on Thursday.
Students were introduced to Yektti's yesterday. They are fictional characters with multiple attributes used by our math program to help students understand concepts of data sorting. They are fun and it's great to hear the students identifying them by their attributes, such as "ringed eyes" or "rhombus body."
Our study of germs continued, and we talked briefly about how quickly germs can grow and spread in your body. Our goal is to keep those pesky germs OUT. You'll find a homework page this week that asks you and your child to brainstorm ways to keep germs under control. It's truly fascinating to me that thousands of individual virus cells can fit on the head of a pin. Wow.
We began putting our biography facts into sentences yesterday so we can organize them for our people posters. I am impressed by what the students were able to glean from their research. We have a group of children who can think deeply about topics.
Synonyms are this week's focus for our spelling lessons. Synonyms are pairs of words that mean the same thing: they are interchangeable in writing and speaking. You can easily play a synonym game with your child: "If I say x, I could also say y." Synonyms are fun and a great way to show your cleverness. (And kids think it's great!)
We worked on a super secret project for the volunteer luncheon yesterday. If you've done any volunteer work for Bethany (classroom, carnival, etc.) come join us for lunch at 11:05 on Thursday.
Students were introduced to Yektti's yesterday. They are fictional characters with multiple attributes used by our math program to help students understand concepts of data sorting. They are fun and it's great to hear the students identifying them by their attributes, such as "ringed eyes" or "rhombus body."
Our study of germs continued, and we talked briefly about how quickly germs can grow and spread in your body. Our goal is to keep those pesky germs OUT. You'll find a homework page this week that asks you and your child to brainstorm ways to keep germs under control. It's truly fascinating to me that thousands of individual virus cells can fit on the head of a pin. Wow.
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