Thursday, August 29

Today was a very exciting let down!  It was very exciting because we learned to use the library of congress information on the back of a title page to help us identify a book as fiction or nonfiction.  It was a let down because we used the information to find out that The Mysteries of Harris Burdick is fiction. There really is not a Harris Burdick that went missing. It was just a story made up by Chris Van Allsburg.  But, now we have all decided that instead of taking a field trip to go find Harris Burdick, we want to take a field trip to the Library of Congress.  What a neat place!!

Here is a link to a virtual tour of the Library of Congress.  Have fun exploring!

Wednesday, August 28

Today we met four new friends and reviewed 5 reading comprehension strategies with them.  The Fab Four Video  reminded us of the 4 important strategies: Clarify, Predict, Question, Summarize. We added a 5th very important strategy of making connections. Many students are now pumped about the homework choice of making a video that includes all 5 strategies.  I can't wait to see how they turn out.  Students may also choose to make small books for their homework.  The Demonstration for Creating the Small Book is now linked on the homework page.

The Flat Rock Packet was sent home today.  Please review the information.  There will be a parent meeting on September 4th from 6-7.  Please plan on attending, especially if you plan on chaperoning.

Tuesday, August 27

Today we learned new information about Harris Burdick. A new illustration was located! Ask your student to explain where it was found and how they think it might have gotten there?  Then ask them for their ideas of the missing story that goes with the illustration.  Harris Burdick truly is a mystery!

Monday, August 26

Today was all about data and feedback.  We put together our Feedback and Data  Binders, reviewed the data from our Week 3 assessment, reviewed the feedback in our Literacy Notebooks, and even gave each other feedback on our quality comments.  We are now bringing home our  Feedback and Data  Binders to show them to you.  There is a small reflection page that parents and students should work together to complete after reviewing the contents of the binder.  We will continue this process every week so please ask if you are uncertain about anything.

Don't forget to review this week's homework posted on the Homework page.

Friday, August 23

If you haven't checked out our homework yet, you should! You will learn and laugh as TeamShoultz and Team33 entertain you with their rendition of the Language Arts Jingles.  Some students are also working on their quality comments and posting their How-To research projects this weekend.  I can't wait to read through them!  As soon as I do, I will approve any posts that are ready. So please be sure to check back to Kidblog over the weekend. You can link to both the TeamShoultz and Team33 Kidblog pages by visiting our website. See everyone on Monday.

Team33 Students working with compasses in Math.

Thursday, August 22

We have achieved a lot this week! Tomorrow will be our first chance to show our educational growth on an assessment.  The assessment will cover information from all of this weeks Literacy Learning Objectives:

• Apply the 5 rules for writing a complete sentence.
• Identify and name 5 parts of speech: Noun, Verb, Article Adjective, Adverb, and Adjective.
• Compare and contrast fiction and nonfiction books.
• Model Quality Commenting
• Identify vowel sounds as: short, long, or combinations
• Identify and discuss the characteristics of facts and opinions.

Also,  the Literacy Home Connections Homework.  All three choices are due tomorrow.

One last update:  Miss Shoultz now also has a TeamShoultz website with important information and updates including Math Homework.  Be sure to visit her site at http://goo.gl/YMIFLZ and even sign up for email updates from her to make sure you are always aware of what is going on during the Math/Social/Science Block.

Tuesday, August 20

I am amazed at how excited the students are about their Literacy Home Connections Homework. Many have already brought in completed projects and many more were asking permission to work on them during recess.  Be sure to ask your student what three choices they have made.  Remember all three choices are do Friday.

Monday, August 19

It was wonderful to be back in the classroom today.  My how the time flies!  Today during Literacy Block we introduced Literacy Centers.  It was like the students had been doing it for years!  They transitioned quickly and quietly from center to center.  They focused and used their educational time wisely.  They even cleaned up after themselves very well! Tomorrow we will try it again!  If you would like to know more about what goes on in Literacy Block, please check out the Literacy Link located on the website.  Don't forget to check out the Homework page for the week while you are there.

Tweaking the System

Dear parents,

           I want to give you a heads up that I am tweaking our communication system just a little. Our old system did not allow for pictures and links to be sent directly to your email or for proper formatting of the text.  It required you to view the message in your browser in order to access these important resources.  I have been working on the system to simplify it  for you by allowing pictures, links, and formatting to show directly in your email. If you chose to only receive text updates, you will continue receiving only text; otherwise, you should start noticing a more interactive email.  Please know that this is only an attempt to make things easier for you.  If you experience any difficulty with the new system, please let me know right away.

           As always, updates will continue to come to your email automatically. They will also be posted on our Twitter and Facebook pages along with being archived on our website: http://goo.gl/FX5ak.

Hope this helps,
Mrs. Melisa McCain