A Big Bite

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It has been cold here in the Northeast, but not nearly as cold as in the Midwest.  These are pictures of Chicago this past week.  Don't you feel cold just looking at them?  Fortunately for us, we have been nice and warm inside, no outdoor recess this past week!

We continued to work on fraction in math and are getting ready for a test next Wednesday.  Everyone is working hard and participating even though some of these concepts are tricky.  We finished our study of weather maps and will be moving on to the water cycle, humidity and precipitation next.  We are almost done learning about Canada, and the test will be next Friday (after the chorus concert).  Then we will move on to The United States.  It is going to be so much fun to learn about our great nation.  Our focus in reader's workshop was on non fiction text structures and non fiction text features. These are very different  concepts and it has been exciting to examine non fiction books and identify different elements that we find in each.  Next week we will be starting a unit in writer's workshop on essay writing.  This will be our fourth writing genre for the year! In technology, Mrs. Merten introduced the Google accounts and how they will be used by students.  There were a few "sign in," issues, but after talking to the individuals at Google, everything should be all straightened out.  It was a very exciting lesson. Students, please click here to answer a few survey questions. Let's see how it goes!

Have a great weekend.:)  I hope to see all of you at the chorus concert next Friday at 9:00!

Mrs. Williams

Spotlight on...

Ryan!!! Ryan earned his purple belt in Karate.  Parents are important contributors to the development of young martial artists and are often asked to assist students in putting on their new belt at the belt ceremony.  It is a big deal to have your parent come into the dojo to help with the new belt.  Way to go, Ryan!

Juicy Nibble

Here is Lindsey's poster. Great job, Lindsey!

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Here is Isabella's fraction poster.  Great job, Is!

Juicy Nibble

What do you do on a snowy first day back?  You jump right in with math centers about fractions!  We played fraction games, made posters and did some review work on adding and subtracting decimals to take our minds off the snow outside.  Tonight's math homework is to create a fraction poster just like we did in centers today.

We learned about air pressure and the instrument used to measure air pressure, barometers.  More team work ensued when we built our own barometers with glass jars and balloons.

We are learning about the climate and natural resources of Canada and completed a climate map while watching a Power Point Presentation about Canada.  At the end of the lesson, Mrs. Merten and Mrs. Williams sang the Canadian National Anthem by heart and said that any student who can sing it by heart on the day of the test will get 10 extra bonus points!  That is exciting!  Here it is if you want to give it a shot. :)

Reading logs will be due tomorrow.  In the event of a snow day, I will collect them on Monday.  New logs were sent home today.

Have a great night and I will see you tomorrow!

Mrs. W

Bookworm Buzz

Twelve Kinds of Ice by Ellen Bryan Obed
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed the way Ellen Bryan Obed introduced each different kind of ice and how she was able to weave a story throughout an entire year.  There were many great messages about friendship, patience and using your imagination. A quick read that will lead to many great discussions.


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Stink and the Freaky Frog Freakout by Megan McDonald

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Stink fans will love this latest installment in the Stink series.  Frog lovers will really enjoy it as well.  I can see many readers looking for non fiction books on frogs as a follow up to this book.  I enjoyed the way McDonald and Reynolds  included short comics into the story.  Young writers may find some inspiration here!

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Juicy Nibble

Hi, gang!  Here is a picture of my Christmas tree and my Nutcracker display that I told you about.  We have over 50 nutcrackers.  The Elvis Nutcracker is the latest addition to our collection.  Can you find him?