Saturday, June 21, 2008

Imagine This...

Hi guys...I didn't forget about you...but get this...my computer BROKE! Don't worry, I got it fixed but can you imagine ME without a computer for 4 WHOLE days???? It almost killed me!!! But...I am back!

It wasn't the best of weeks anyway. Jason had an ear infection and then got a virus that put blisters on his tongue...so he was quite the grump! He hasn't really eaten since Wednesday but he is finally drinking his juice again!

We still hit the pool a bunch of times but it wasn't nearly as fun...

Other then going to the doctor and going to the pool, I haven't done too much. I did do a bit of shopping this morning but nothing great.

What are you guys doing?????

Miss you guys!

Monday, June 16, 2008

Happy Monday!

Well, it looks like my friend Lisa might be my only reader...and I have her fooled, don't I??? Well, one or two of you might have learned something this year, right????

Today was my first full weekday off with my children. We went to the gym, got lunch at Wendy's and then I went to a doctor's appopintment. After that, it was raining. So I took Michael and his friend Nicholas to a fitness class at my gym. They had fun. Right now they are playing in the basement...so I actually have a free minute!

Tomorrow I am hoping to go to the pool! Here's a picture of Jason at the pool on Father's Day.

Friday, June 13, 2008

First Day Off

Hi guys! Is anyone reading?

Today was your first day off...I had to work but just for a little bit...after work I got a pedicure, then picked my boys up (Michael had school today) and then we all went to the pool. We had lots of fun!

When we got home we ordered pizza, wings and a salad (for me)!

After dinner, I will read for a little bit and then go to bed...I am TIRED!!!!!!

What did you do today?

I miss you guys!

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Last FULL day...

Tomorrow is the last day of school but since it is an early dismissal day, today is the last FULL day of school!

We began the day by playing Math Jeopardy in homeroom. Then we met the new instrumental music teacher, Mr. Mitchell. Before going to PE, we worked on our comics.

After lunch and recess the children had some yearbook signing time with Mr. Vogel's class. We also worked on the comics and Father's Day activities. We will end the day by cleaning out our desks and cleaning the tops of the desks with saving cream.

Homework: Clean out backpacks...tomorrow the children should NOT bring their binders but should bring empty backpacks to bring the last of their supplies home!

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Just Keep Swimming...

Today was SGA Movie Day. In the morning, the primary grades were treated to a movie. The afternoon was for the upper grades. So this afternoon we watched Finding Nemo...I love that movie! It cracks me up...

This morning my math class reviewed what we learned this year by playing Jeopardy. During reading the children continued working on their comics. I am hoping that the majority finish tomorrow, so we can share them before we part for summer!

Monday, June 9, 2008

The Final Assessment

My math class took their final assessment for this school year today. The assessment can not be sent home per MCPS regulations but I have copied the front cover that is marked with the student's grade. Overall, the children did well!

During reading, the children continued working on their comics. They are coming along well. I can't wait for you to see them!!

Following art and lunch, the children remained in side for recess. I distributed yearbooks, to those who purchased one, during recess. Wednesday afternoon we will get together with Mr. Vogel's class for yearbook signing. We ask that yearbooks remain at home tomorrow. Children are welcome to bring them on Wednesday and Thursday!

After recess we visited the media center to hear about the Damascus Library's Summer Reading Program. Amy Allipati, the children's librarian, told us all about the program and gave out information. Look for it in home folders tonight.

Finally, the day ended with the children working on a page for a class memory book. I will keep the originals and bind them into a book for the classroom library. However, each child will get a xeroxed copy of the entire book...look for these Wednesday or Thursday...I guess tomorrow is a possibility...but doubtful! :-)

Homework tonight...anything your child cleans out of his/her desk (such as math journals, reading logs, etc.) need to be taken out of their backpack and KEPT AT HOME. I try to send a little bit home each night to avoid the over-loaded backpack coming home and sitting in the corner of the bedroom till late August!! (come on, we ALL do it!)

Friday, June 6, 2008

Feedback!

This is the first year I have "blogged" my class. I have truly enjoyed the experience for many reasons. Two reasons that come to mind are the motivation it provided to give 110% each and every day (otherwise, what would I blog about?) and the outlet to share my thinking, views and ideas.

I fully plan to keep blogging! I would appreciate it if some of you...all of you...any of you (?) would share with me your thoughts and feelings...

What was helpful?
What did you enjoy?
What did you wish I would add/provide that I didn't?
How could I better involve students?
How could I make it more interactive? Should I?

One more thing...I do plan to continue blogging this summer...we'll see how it goes. My hope is that by continuing this blog your children will read it and get authentic practice reading! Also, perhaps you could help them add comments or e-mail me directly...this would give them authentic practice with writing.

Winding down...

Today it really started to feel like the end of the year is near...my homeroom had music for the last time this school year AND it is muggy in the building. Two definite signs that summer is right around the corner.

BUT...we still have one assessment left...and it is on Monday. So, in math today, we went over the review packet for unit 6. It will come home tonight. Then we will take the unit 6 math assessment on Monday morning.

After math, we continued working on writing our own comics. The work I have seen so far looks GREAT! Today I introduced a Peer Review sheet. Next week we will complete these comics and work on a couple of end of the year activities.

Following music, lunch and recess, the entire third grade will get together to watch Charlotte's Web. Many of the third graders have read this book, this year, in reading groups!

Math Update!!

The Unit 6 assessment will NOT be given today. Due to the emergency day off yesterday, we will postpone the assessment until MONDAY. I hate to give a test on a MONDAY but I think it is better than giving it today without a review.

So, today we will complete a review packet for unit 6. The review packet will come home today. Then, the children will take the assessment on Monday!

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Terrific Tuesday

Pretty great day today!

In math we reviewed capacity and the Metric system prefixes. Then the students practiced using coordinate graphing to create a picture while I met with a small group to work on elapsed time. For homework, everyone needs to finish the coordinate graphing picture.

I have to admit I was concerned about reading...it's getting towards the end of the year and with no assessments left, I was worried that focus would be an issue...no need to worry, though! The children worked well during our reading block today and both groups that I met with had WONDERFUL discussions. I was really pleased.

JGB and W&M: Both read a short story called The Green Man and completed a literature web. This work was done with a partner or independently...their choice!

W&M: I did meet with this group and we reread the last section of Onion Tears and discussed the changes in the characters. We had a wonderful discussion and I told the children that I felt good about this last nine weeks. I feel like this group has thoroughly enjoyed the books they read and maybe, just maybe, I have helped them enjoy reading even more than before.

Charlotte's Web: Read chapters 19 and 20 independently or with a partner. Then reread these chapters with Mrs. Isaacs. In their reading response logs they wrote their reactions to what they read.

Shoeshine Girl: Read The Medal with me and then reread independently or with a partner. In their reading response journal they wrote about a time they won a medal or an award.

After lunch and recess, the entire class made "Gallon Man". They used four sheets of construction paper to create Gallon Man and learn about conversions between cups, pints, quarts and a gallon.

Finally, we reviewed wants/needs and goods/services in regards to economics. We will use these ideas to understand taxes and the services provided by our government using tax money.

On a side note...
I may not get to blog until Friday...I have had back and teeth issues that need to be taken care of...so I will be leaving at lunch tomorrow. Additionally, I will be out all day Thursday for my step son's graduation from Urbana High School. Mrs. Klahre will be here in my place and I am leaving good plans! :-)

Monday, June 2, 2008

Magnificent Monday

OK...so, where was THIS weather on Saturday? What a gorgeous day!

During math we went over the measurement of capacity. Included in the discussion/note taking was an overview of American and Metric units. We discussed that the Metric system is a based ten system. We will touch on this subject, again, every day this week. It is A LOT to understand.

After the instruction, the children practiced coordinate graphing while creating a picture of a duck.

There is an elapsed time worksheet for homework.

In reading we used Comics in the Classroom to learn the difference between interjections (words that display an emotion, such as STOP! NO!) and onomatopoeia (sound words, such as thud, swish, etc.).

Then we went to art, lunch and recess. After recess we read another chapter of Champ and shared morning work journal entries. Then we watched the BMX Bike Show that the children earned from the magazine sale drive earlier this year.

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