Thursday April 30, 2015

Happy Draft Day!  Today is one of my favorite days in sports, the NFL Draft.  Something about the draft has always captured my attention and its always fun to see how players turn out.  SKOL VIKINGS!

This morning, we wrapped up our author's purpose study with the story Lunch Money by submitting analysis through Google Forms.  Always trying something new out on these Chromebooks!

Next, we continued to work on our nutrition PowToons.  Things really came along today as organizers and facts really came together.  Tomorrow we will really dig into the creation side of this internet tool.

Later in the morning, we looked at finding fractions of fractions and multiplying fractions.

https://www.khanacademy.org/math/arithmetic/fractions/multiplying_fractions/e/multiplying_fractions_by_integers

In the afternoon we began blogging about the ending of MBSiD, organized for our Tilikum opinion essays to SeaWorld, and finding author's purpose in literacy circles.

** A little FYI about the Seaworld signed release coming home.  We will be Skyping with SeaWorld trainers on Monday and they asked us if we could be used as a promotional Skype talk to raise awareness to other schools about the Skype chats.  Please sign these and return these so your child can take part in the interview Monday.  If you have questions please email or call.  If you choose not to sign, we will not have your child in the view of the Skype camera and if we do not receive a ton of these back, we will drop the entire taping procedure all together.  Here is a direct email quote from the SeaWorld trainer about what those releases are:

"I noted earlier, we are all set for Monday! I know this is a bit late in the game, but our marketing team will be filming some of the ‘action’ on our end and we would like to include some footage or stills of the class as they take part in the session for a potential blog post. In order for us to do that, we would need each participant to fill out one of these releases. Do you think this is a possibility?

We are hoping to raise awareness for teachers out there that we have these sessions available to interact with our whales and trainers and allow their students to ask any questions."

Homework

Math Garger- Multiplying fractions

Math Wilson- Assessment review

RELA- On My Honor Ch. 9-10 and questions

Spelling- due Tuesday

Vocab- "struct" sentences due tomorrow
Other- planner signed; field trip and Popsicle forms signed; SEAWORLD PAPER SIGNED

Wednesday April 29, 2015

Jason kicked us off with a Wii morning meeting.

Then we were taped by high schoolers for a video project on Chromebooks in the classroom.  During this time we continued to plan our PowToon on Google Docs.

Math Learning Target Assessment today!

In the afternoon, we wrapped up My Brother Sam is Dead.  Tomorrow we will hopefully do our final blog post on this subject.

After, Tilikum researchers took a stance as either "free the whale" (66%) or "keep him in captivity" (33%).  Research was organized by color coding our research into more manageable chunks of information.  Tomorrow we will begin planning our letters to SeaWorld.

At the end of the day, we read an exert from the novel Lunch Money.  We focused on Andrew Clement's purpose for writing and decided it came down to 3 major components- inform, entertain and teach a lesson.  We will be submitting our evidence through Google Forms tomorrow during morning work.

Homework
RELA- On My Honor Ch. 7-8 and questions
Spelling- Due Tuesday
Vocabulary- "struct" sentences Friday
Other- planner signed; FOOD journal

Tuesday April 28, 2015

Lack of an update today due to after school meetings and Math 24 competition that will hold me over until at least 9PM.

Homework
Math Garger- add subtract integers show your work practice
Math Wilson- Follow Up 6.5
RELA- On My Honor Ch. 5-6 and questions
Spelling- Due 5/5
Vocab- sentences due Friday for "struct"
Other- planner signed; food journal

Monday April 27, 2015

This morning we received our new Latin/Greek root of the week- "struct" meaning to build.
Quizlet

In science we broke into our macro- and micro-nutrient groups, gathered some knowledge on our assigned topic and then were introduce to PowToons.  Tomorrow we will plan and hopefully begin researching.  (See Friday's post for the PowToons tutorial)

In math we looked at subtracting negative integers!  Tough stuff, but if you remember your rules, you will be golden!

In the afternoon, we wrapped up our final reading for our killer whales unit.  Today we will look at what happens to a whale who is released back into the wild from captivity!

Finally, we finished the day by researching and analyzing Lunch Money  vocabulary.

Homework

Math Garger- SL 7.9

Math Wilson- Follow ups 6.3

RELA- On My Honor chapter 1-4 and questions due tomorrow

Spelling- Due Friday

Vobulary- matching due tomorrow

Other- planner signed; food journal

Friday April 24, 2015

Today began with Zoie's morning meeting.

We then transitioned into a discussion about healthy and balanced eating.  The newest food pyramids and MyPlate were examined and then we learned about our upcoming PowToons project.

In math we looked at adding negative numbers.

In the afternoon we wrapped up Chapter 13 of My Brother Sam is Dead.  Last chapter upcoming!

The rest of the afternoon focused on more Tilikum and SeaWorld research.  Should Tilikum be freed or stay in captivity?  We will decide, write, and debate next week!

A big thank you to all the parents who donated snacks during PSSA.  Also, if you plan on going on the field trip, please send in the 3 different clearances found here: http://www.qcsd.org/Page/11156  The FBI signed sheet needs to be completed even if you have the other two from previous years.

Homework

Math Garger- SL 7.8

RELA- Read 30 min; On My Honor Ch. 1-4 and questions due Tuesday; 3PM band group- Tilikum reading 3

Other- planner signed

Thursday April 23, 2015

Ahhhhhh, how nice it is to be back on track!

This morning began with the final steps of our blog posts being completed and Tilikum reading notes from homework being added to our note sheet.

We then began our next science unit- Food Chemistry/Nutrition.  We analyzed and reflected upon our own eating habits today, and starting tomorrow we will begin tracking what we eat.

In math, we began to look at negative numbers and what that means in the integer world.

In the afternoon we watched Free Willy so we have some background knowledge for the Keiko story.  This will be part of our research next week.

Homework
Math Garger- SL 7.7
Math Wilson- 6.4
RELA- On My Honor Ch. 1-4 and questions due Tuesday; Read 30 minutes per night
Other- planner signed

Wednesday April 22, 2015

PSSA IS OVER!!!!!!!

YES! YES! YES! YES! YES!

Blogging commenced, Tilikum research continued.

Homework
RELA- "Even a big aquarium is still too small..." article read and annotated
Other- planner signed

Tuesday April 21, 2015

Two days of Math PSSA down.  One more to go!!!!

Lets finish strong crew.

In our afternoon we wrote our second My Brother Sam is Dead blog post.  After, we continued to research the killer whales of SeaWorld to see if their stay in captivity is justified or not.

No homework again, but tomorrow that changes!!!!  Back to routine Thursday!

Friday April 17, 2015

Today began with a healthy dose of My Brother Sam is Dead.  We saw Sam come back to Redding, the war worsen over time, and some new problems emerge.  We will be finishing chapter 12 Monday and then blogging.

In math, we wrapped up PSSA preparations with practice explaining how we achieved our answers.  We then paired up with Mrs. Bigenho's crew for an Around the World vocabulary activity.

PSSA MATH MONDAY!!!!  Get a great night's sleep and quality breakfast in on Monday.

In the afternoon, we began our new writing project by partaking in a back channel discussion.  A back channel discussion is a chat room designed to engage students in the topic they are learning about.  I could not be more thrilled with the maturity and thoughtfulness of this class.  WOW!  I was beyond impressed with their comments and questions.

See our back channel here.  Please do not add any further comments.
https://todaysmeet.com/KillerWhalesC6

Our newest topic is about killer whales in captivity at SeaWorld.  Most specifically the whale Tilikum.  Should he be held captive or should he be released free into the ocean?  Over the next few weeks we will research various documents and documentaries on this topic to come to our own personal opinions on the subject.  We will also be doing a great deal of sharing via Google Docs with our note taking and drafting.

As I have said before, I am beyond thrilled to get a set of Chromebooks for our classroom.  This is a resource I never dreamed would come true and I am going to utilize them while they are here!

Thursday April 16, 2015

Reading PSSA is in the books!  Our students worked so hard and used so many strategies.  I am beyond proud of them and their hard work during these tough and trying days.

Tomorrow will be a normal day of school, so please be prepared to get some quality class time in.

Next Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday will be Math PSSA.

WEAR BLUE for AUTISM AWARENESS tomorrow!

Tuesday April 14, 2015

Day two of PSSA was as fabulous as the first (as fabulous as PSSA can be!)

Over the past two days I have seen students working their hardest and using every strategy that we have learned this year.  Writing on Monday was a long and arduous process, but students persevered!  Today, students answered many multiple choice question and proved their answers with annotations and text evidence.  Hard work pays off!



Tomorrow we have more reading and a TDA included in this section.

Friday April 10, 2015

Great Friday!

Monday is the first day of PSSA!  We are ready.  We are going to do our best!

Get a great night sleep on Sunday; have a healthy breakfast Monday and get ready to write!

Thursday April 9, 2015

Today began with a PSSA expectations breakdown!  Woooo hooooo!!!!  Great questions and overview- I think we are ready for PSSA.  The room is covered :( and we are going to obliterate PSSA.

Math- multiplying mixed numbers

Homework

Math- Mixed Number Multipcation

Math Plus- Problem 15

RELA- Cold Read (graded)

Vocab- "tract" sentences tomorrow

Other- planner signed; PSSA snack donations; field trip chaperone sign up; WEAR BLUE- DONATE CANNED GOODS AND COINS!

Wednesday April 8, 2015

To begin the day, students were all over the place- tutoring, band, reflex math, ect.

Next, we continued our novel My Brother Sam is Dead in chapter 9.  Things are really heating up now that father has... disappeared.  Ask your child what has happened!

In math, we reviewed multiplying fractions by whole numbers and fractions by fractions.

In the afternoon, we reviewed all the different types of writing we have completed so far this year.  In the process, we created an amazingly cool organizer on Google docs through full class collaboration.  Check it out here: https://www.lucidchart.com/invitations/accept/2a1f4a4b-4ef8-40a4-8068-cfdc8c7e2614

Finally, we wrapped up the day by reviewing our close reading of Anita Roddick.

HomeworkMath- Add and subtract mixed numbers
Math Plus- 6.1 and 6.2
RELA- Cold read, annotated- number proofed- RACER for the open response; (Frankweiler from Jason and Alyssa)
Vocab- "tract" sentences due Friday
Other- planner signed; Math 24 practice Thursday and Friday during recess; PSSA snacks; field trip chaperone slips in; Spirit day Friday- donate canned/coins; April 10th- yearbook covers due

Tuesday April 7, 2015

Today began with a great morning meeting lead by AJ.  He discussed the large quantities of cheesecake he devoured on Easter.

To begin, we made our first blog post on KidBlogs about chapter 8 of My Brother Sam is Dead.  Tomorrow we will discuss what makes for good blog replys and give feedback based on what happened in chapter 9.

In math, we added and subtracted fractions with various review materials.

In writing, we wrapped up publishing and giving feedback to each other.  A few people will need to put the finishing touches on their writing pieces tomorrow.

To end the day, we continued to analyze Anita Roddick and how she was such a great success.

Homework
Math- Add and subtract mixed numbers
Math Plus- 6.1 and 6.2
RELA- Cold read, annotated- number proofed- RACER for the open response; (Frankweiler from Jason and Alyssa)
Vocab- "tract" sentences due Friday
Other- planner signed; Math 24 practice Thursday and Friday during recess; PSSA snacks; field trip chaperone slips in

Monday April 6, 2014

Today began with monthly ticket drawing for the month of March.

Next we continued into My Brother Sam is Dead chapter 8.  We will blog about this tomorrow!

In math, we reviewed adding and subtracting fractions.

In the afternoon publishing continued on our Chromebooks and we began a new story about a woman named Anita Roddick.

Homework
Math- add and subtract fractions
Math Plus- lesson review packet
RELA- Cold read, annotated- number proofed- RACER for the open response; (Frankweiler from Jason and Alyssa)
Vocab- "tract" matching
Other- planner signed; Reading Olympics shirts tomorrow for class picture

Thursday April 2, 2015

Well I have officially been awful with updating our blog this week.  Last night was an accident, I was a bit nervous and distracted my my evening's events.

She said yes!  But no excuses, blog posts must be made!!

In social studies, we took a break and began our introduction to Chromebooks.  We are a very lucky classroom seeing as we now have a Chromebook for each and every student in here.  This is my dream come true as a teacher and I look forward to integrating them into much of our day.  We began by looking at KidsBlog.  This will now be utilized often!

In math we reviewed adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing skills when associated with whole numbers and decimals.

In the afternoon, we returned to our Chromebooks to publish our opinion pieces.  These will be graded and feedback will be given online.  More to come on that.

To end the day, we graded some example TDAs (Text Dependent Analysis) and then our own TDA using the rubric provided on PSSA.  We are getting really good at these!  Even better than the examples provided by the state!

Homework

Math and Math Plus- none

RELA- Jason, Alyssa, Devon, AJ- Frankweiler due!

Other- planner signed

Have a lovely spring break.  See you on Monday!