Monday, September 30

Tonight is Feedback and Data Binder night.  I think you will be impressed with the data.  If you have any questions, please ASK YOUR CHILD!  They need to own the data.  If you ask them and they can't answer you, then please ask me.  I will answer your questions and help clarify for your student also.

Tomorrow is PICTURE DAY!  Order forms were sent home last week, but if you are unable to locate yours you can print the linked form and send it in in an envelope.

Be sure to check out the homework page for updates.  This is week 2 of  vocab and spelling, so we will be concentrating on spelling.

We would love for all students to walk with us in the Franklin Fall Festival Parade this Saturday from 12:30-1:30. This is a GREAT way to show off our Bulldog Pride.  If you would like more information please see the Parade Flyer.

Friday, September 27

Wow...Needham Bullldog's Got Talent!!  Look at all the wonderful How-To Research projects that were turned in.  The students have done such a great job with synthesizing (creating something to show what they have learned). We now have students that can do everything from show you the technical steps of a back flip to sewing a quilt or an apron and even crocheting.  They can weave baskets or start a fire with two sticks.  One student even learned how to make a paper mache dragon.  The list of talents goes on!! If you have a chance to stop by and check out our display, you will be amazed!

Speaking of amazed...I can wait for Feedback and Data Binders to go home on Monday.  This week the students took on the task of studying and it payed off!  They all deserve an extra hug this weekend!

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!!

Wednesday, September 25

I mustache you how you have such good behavior!

What day is it? HUUMP DAAAY YEAH!  And another great day at Needham Elementary!  Today we had a great time reading dialogue fluently.  I tried to model using pacing, punctuation, and purpose; but, the kids thought they were much better at it than me.  Let them show you tonight as they read Snow and More Snow to you. They should also practice their Vocabulary list.  Please note: we realized two important word parts were left off the list.  Students will need to know the meaning of corn (horn) and uni (one) for the test on Friday.  We talked about them extensively in class today and they were included in the packet.  I do apologize that they were left off the original list. I did make sure to include them on the online practice though.  Students are able to access the online practice at home through the ThatQuiz link on our Team Website.  They have also been using the practice in class.  I have high hopes for the Week 8 assessment on Friday.  I really feel like the students are taking on the difficult task of studying this week.  Hard work does show!

Congratulations to our new Behavior Log Hall of Fame Members!!

Tuesday, September 24

  Another great day in 4th grade with 3 more Behavior Log Hall of Fame Members!  Today we also visited Indiana University...well virtually anyway.  We used Skype to visit with three IU students.  They told us what it was like to go to college and why they chose IU.  This Thursday we will also Skype with a student from Purdue.  We can't wait! College is so much fun!     Speaking of fun...This Thursday is our Dinner Date at Incredible Pizza place.  Not only will we have lots of fun, we will be helping to raise money for Needham.  I - Mrs. McCain - Will be there from 6-7.  Hope to see you there.   Tonight all students have Math and Literacy Homework. So be sure to check the Homework Page.

Monday, September 23

Wow!  Flatrock was an educational BLAST!  If you haven't seen all the pictures yet, be sure to check them out on our Facebook or Twitter pages.  

Today we got right back to work in the classroom.  We started by reviewing our data from the Week 6 assessment.  Some students were very excited about their scores and some were not.  After some discussion we decided that the difference was the amount of time a student spent studying.  We then brainstormed great places/times for studying.  We decided that riding in a vehicle is a great time to study. During commercials is a great time to study.  Studying outside could be a great place to study. But, we all agree that studying at the kitchen table while parents are cooking dinner, might just be the best time and place to study.  Regardless, all students now have their next packet for Lesson 2: Vocab and Spelling.  This is a vocabulary week so concentrate on the meaning of the word parts. 

If you want more information about what is going on in the classroom, be sure to check out the Week 8 Literacy Link Newsletter. 

One last reminder:  This week for research we are working on the last step in the process - to synthesize.  To synthesize students need to create something new that shows what they have learned from their How-to research.  This could be a poster, a sample, a video, a report...  Whatever they choose, but it needs to be turned in on Friday.  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask.

Wednesday, September 18

Today was a great day to be in 4th grade.  In math students made videos to teach the meaning of skills like finding mode, and using ballpark estimates. In Literacy we reenacted the Underground Railroad and the students were the escaping slaves.  Ask your student if they were captured or set free.  In Mrs. King's class they voted to capture one of the slaves.

Tomorrow is the big day.  Please know that students will not be allowed on the bus with their bags.  They will need to be dropped off in the morning and picked up Friday afternoon around 1:45.   If you are not able to bring them in the morning, the front doors of the school will be unlocked tonight.  You may bring their bags to school and leave them in the glassed entry way tonight.  A janitor will be monitoring the entry way and bringing items in throughout the night.  Remember to mark all bags with the student's names.

Can't wait to get this adventure started.  See everyone tomorrow!

Tuesday, September 17

Congratulations to our member to the Behavior Clip Hall of Fame. It's not an easy accomplishment, and says a lot about the good character of the student.  I am excited that there are several other students who are about to become members.  Ask your student how many gems they have earned on their clips.  It takes five to be in the Behavior Clip Hall of Fame.

Today students took the Week 6 assessment.  Some are not quite finished, but the majority seem to be doing well.  We will bring home the results of the assessment on Monday.

How are you doing on your packing?  Please remember that camping bags will not be allowed on the bus.  Arrangements should be made to be drop students with their belongings off on Thursday morning and then picked up Friday afternoon (around 2:00). If you are unable to pick up and drop off your child, please contact me to make arrangements.

Only one more day away from our big adventure!!

Monday, September 16

Welcome to a new week! What an exciting week this will be! Our Week 6 assessment will be tomorrow.

We will be assessing our ability to:

• Identify, analyze, and reflect on biographies. 
• Identify Main Idea and Supporting Ideas in text.
• Make Text-to-Text (T-T) Connections.
• Recognize and apply knowledge of Comparative and Superlative Adjectives.
• Increase SPELLING skills through the study of prefixes, suffixes, and root words.

Students brought home a study guide for spelling, but you can also find the word list on the Homework page. 

Speaking of lists...how are you doing with the packing list? I can hardly believe we are just two more days away from our exciting adventure!  Let me know if you have trouble with anything on the list.

Tonight we will be presenting Liam's family with a check of $600.00 and I huge supply of lollipops all for himself.  We will be at the Texas Roadhouse. I plan to arrive around 6:30.  I would love to see all of you there! Thank you so much for all you have done for Liam.  I know it will be greatly appreciated.  

If you would like more information on tonight's event, please follow this link: http://texasr.fbmta.com/members/ViewMailing.aspx?MailingID=23622382135&StoreCode=191&_X=dQs0yj46AP8a0

Friday, September 13, 2013

For a Friday the 13th, this was a really good day!  We focused on word work today.  We did a Vocabulary Word Ladder and studied the meaning and spelling of our prefixes, root words, and suffixes.  Monday we will review our reading of Colonial Times and the 5 Reading Strategies. Tuesday will be an assessment day, and Wednesday we will be learning background information for our Flat Rock field trip.  It will be a loaded week, but at least it will be loaded with fun!!

Be sure to check our Facebook and Twitter pages as we post the total funds raised by Lollipops for Liam.  We are still counting the money but we should have totals soon.....

See everyone Monday!

Thursday, September 12

I want to start with an apology for this post being so late.  It seems like my own children have had something every evening this week.  Tonight was an awards banquet where both of my children were recognized.  Yep, I'm a proud mamma.

You also have every reason to be proud.  Students have pulled together their resources and raised over $300 JUST TODAY to help Liam.  Obviously the Lollipops for Liam campaign has been a big success and your 4th grade students have been leading the charge.  They have also inspired other students to join them.  One student donated $100 and another emptied her ENTIRE piggy bank and didn't even want a sucker. They just want to buy Liam a new heart.  There is so much to be thankful for when it comes to Needham students!!

Today I also sent home a Packing List for the Flat Rock field trip so everyone can get a head start on packing this weekend.

One more request for over the weekend:  Many of the students prefer to take from the classroom snack instead of bringing their own.  THAT IS GREAT! But we are running short on snacks, so if you grocery shop this weekend and would not mind picking up an extra box of crackers, dry cereal, pretzels or other snack - it would be greatly appreciated.

Tuesday, September 10

Today students raised $60 to help Liam!  Way to go! Students will continue selling 25 cent Lollipops for Liam the rest of the week.  Any additional donations are greatly appreciated.

We have run into a few glitches this week.  We have been working very hard, but we are all still learning the new reading series and we just haven't gotten as far as we would like this week.  I know that several students have voiced concern with accessing the book online from home.  If at all possible, I would like parents to sit with the students and see if you can help them access the materials.  I would also like you to reply to this message with any complications or success stories.  If we can work together to figure this out, I believe it will be a beneficial and engaging program for students.  Here is a link to a quick tutorial for accessing the material: http://youtu.be/tYIg_orLYvA

With the difficulty in accessing the materials this week, the homework has been extended.  We will work together to complete the mini book in class, and students can continue reading the assignment at home.  Remember, for anyone unable to access the online version, students are able to check out printed books from the classroom.  Keeping this in mind, the week 6 assessment will be postponed until Tuesday.  This will give us more time to go a little deeper with our learning objectives in the classroom too.  I think it is a win, win decision :)  Students should be studying their SPELLING though. The Homework page has been updated to reflect the new expectation.

Monday, August 9

What an amazing Monday. At the beginning of the day, I wasn't sure how we would get through everything we needed to do today.  By the end of the day, I was amazed at the way the students just make it happen.  They work hard!

Few Important Reminders:

• Data Binders come home today - please review them with your student and complete the reflection sheet together.  Reflection sheets are due tomorrow.
• Flat Rock Field Trip Permission Slips are due Wednesday. Please contact me if you have any questions.  We are also looking for additional adult chaperons, so if you are up for two days of pure fun, let me know and I will get you the form.
• September Dinner Date is at Incredible Pizza Place on Thursday, September 26.  It is part of a Needham fundraiser that runs from 4-8.  I plan on being there from 6-7:30.  I hope to see you and your family there.
• Lollipops for Liam - students can bring in 25 cents starting tomorrow to purchase lollipops during lunch.  All the money will go to help bring 3 year old Liam Sprague home.  We learned about Liam through one of our students. Kayden had heard about Liam's trouble and it touched his heart.  He has decided to take action and is asking us for help.  If you would like to help bring Liam home, please support the cause by purchasing Lollipops for Liam all this week. If you would like to know more about Liam you can read Liam's Story or read an article and watch a news cast. 

Friday, September 6

 4th grade students are awesome!

          I am overwhelmed by the incredible homework projects that were turned in today.  I know that these projects took a lot of home support, and I want you to know it is appreciated.

           This morning we gave our created books to the kindergarten students who were so excited and amazed at the 4th grader's talents. (See pictures posted on Facebook)  Later this weekend I will also post the AMAZING videos that were created to encourage students to use the five reading comprehension strategies and as AWESOME book reviews.

After visiting with the kindergartners, we took the Week 5 assessment on ExamView.  I am so impressed with all the students showing their educational growth!

I LOVE MY JOB!  And it is really all because of your children.  Thank you for the opportunity to work with such wonderful students!

Thursday, September 5

This week is flying by.  I can not believe that tomorrow is already Friday.  We will take the week 5 assessment tomorrow.  The test will include the following learning objectives:

• Identify Main Idea and Supporting Ideas in text.
• Apply all Reading Comprehension Strategies: Predict, Question, Clarify, Summarize, and Connect.  
• Identify and classify compound words (hyphenated and not) as nouns, adjectives or adverbs.
• Increase vocabulary skills through the study of prefixes, suffixes, and root words.

If you would like to review with your child at home, here are some questions you could ask:

If the main idea of a story is, Snow days are fun, what supporting ideas could prove it?

     Example answers: building snowmen, sledding, drinking hot cocoa.

Name five reading comprehension strategies that good readers use?

     Answer: Predict, Question, Clarify, Summarize, and Connect. 

What is a compound word? 

     Answer: Two small words set together.

Name two types of compound words. 

     Answer: Hyphenated (fifty-fifty)and regular (baseball)

Then have them sing their Language Arts Jingles

REMINDER: The 3 Home Connection Choices are due tomorrow.  I am so impressed with the projects I have seen so far, I can't wait to see the rest!

Wednesday, September 4

PARENT MEETING TONIGHT!

Come get all your questions about FlatRock answered tonight from 6-7 in the Needham media center.  We will also be discussing chaperones - so if you are interested in chaperoning, please come to the meeting.

Tuesday, September 3

Welcome to September!  I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday.  I want to give a quick remionder about our Flat Rock parent meeting tomorrow from 6-7 at Needham.  Please come with all your questions.

Today students have been working on gathering resources for our How-To Research project.  Be sure to check out the kidblog pages to see how we are progressing: Team33Kidblog and TeamShoultzKidblog.

We also worked on adding information to our Feedback and Data Binders.  This week we are graphing our midterm grades for Reading and Language. (Yep, we are already half way through our 1st 9 weeks.)  Please be sure to review all materials in the Feedback and Data Binder fill out a reflection page with your student.  They should be returned on Wednesday.

Did you know that you can check grades from home?  You can log in as a parent, or just have your student log in with their id.  We even have an easily accessible Grade Check link on the navbar of our website: http://goo.gl/FX5ak

This week's Literacy Link and Homework are also now available on the website. Please take note that we will begin Lesson 1 of Vocabulary and Spelling this week. Each week we will work with a list of word-parts: prefixes, suffixes, and root words. Each list will have a two week rotation. The first week we will focus on VOCABULARY. We will study the meaning of each word part and how the parts can be combined to make new words. The second week we will focus on SPELLING. The students will have some time to practice spelling with the word-parts in class but will be expected to practice the words at home.

A lesson packet will be provided to students at the beginning of the each two week rotation. During the first week, students will use the packet to collaborate in class. At the end of the first week the packet will be sent home. It should be used to practice spelling skills and review word meanings. At the beginning of each rotation, a copy of the lesson packet will also be available on the Homework page of the website. Please do not hesitate to ask if you have question along the way.