Monday, September 22

Today was a crazy busy day, but we made it!  We reviewed the new learning objectives; learned and applied 3 new jingles: Article Adjective, Adjective, and Adverb; began our study on biographies, and even got a good start on our Flashcard Foldable for Lesson 2 spelling test.

One thing we didn't do was pass out the Week 8 Literacy Link.  You can view it online now, but I will also send home a copy tomorrow.

Tonight there are a lot of little things that need to be done.  We listed them off before going home, but I wanted to go through the list again:

1. Math Homework

2. Feedback and Databinder review and  Reflection Page - There is new Math Data

3. Sing the Jingles -dont forget to get a signature on the Signature Page.

4. Finish Flashcard Foldable for  Lesson 2 Word Work

If you get a chance be sure to check out some of our incredible Week 7 pictures including Flat Rock!  Check back soon though, because more pictures are still being uploaded.

Wednesday, September 17

Tomorrow is the day!  Are you packed? Homework tonight is to double check that you have everything packed and get plenty of sleep.

Remember, students should be car riders tomorrow morning. They will not be able to take all their bags on the bus.  Students may arrive as early as 7:00, but should not be any later than 7:40. If you are unable to drop your student off in the morning, please drop their bags off at the school tonight.  I will be here until 5:30 for you to bring bags to the room.  If you are later than 5:30, you may leave the bags in the glassed in foyer and the custodian will bring them in periodically through the night.

Students will also need to be picked up on Friday afternoon around 1:45. Students can be picked up outside the Gym doors. Please do not park in the bus circle. Your child will be exhausted - I know it is a hardship for some, but if at all possible, please find someone to pick up your child at this time.  If they are not picked up by 2:20, they will ride home on the busses, without their belongings.  You will need to make arrangements to pick up their belongings the following Monday.

Reminder of Packing Tips:

• Put sleeping bag/blankets and pillows in a trash bag, marked with your name

• Put clothing and personal care items in a duffle bag or backpack, marked with your name

• Don’t forget a towel-maybe 2!

• Bring a set of clothes for Friday, and 2 extra sets just in case!

• Wear tennis shoes/hiking boots, but NO flip flops (except for shower use); bring an extra pair of shoes and several extra socks just in case!

• Bring plastic bags for wet clothes (Wal-Mart bags work just fine!)

• Bring rain gear... all activities are rain or shine

• If you’re bringing a camera, make sure your name is on it!! - and all other belongings.

• Don’t forget a coat or heavy sweatshirt for the night hike, it can get quite chilly

• Leave at home: knives, weapons, flammables, personal electronic items (BYOD is OFF for this trip)


Chaperones:
Please be at Needham by 7:40 am. We will need a few parents to help load the box truck. We will also be having a chaperone “meeting” in the 4th grade hallway at 8:00 am. We will be leaving Needham at at 8:15 am. We will need you to ride the buses. Be ready for two days of Flat Rock fun with our fourth graders! And SMILE - everyone feels better when you do ;)

Tuesday, September 16

Today we continued following Walter, a run-away slave in 1860.  He made it all the way to Ohio! Boy, we sure are proud that slavery is part of our past.  How these people were treated was just frightful!

Tomorrow we are going to reinact our own underground railroad.  Be sure to check in on Facebook and Twitter to see how is successfully freed and who becomes a captured slave.

Tonight's homework is to read Harriet Tubman: Follow the North Star at the back of their book is a writing activity for them to imagine three stops in the underground railroad - and then FREEDOM AT LAST! 

IMPORTANT: Please remember, students cannot bring their Flat Rock supplies on the bus.  You should plan on dropping them off Thursday morning.  You may drop students off anytime after 7:00am.  If you are unable to drop your student off in the morning, you may drop their supplies off at Needham on Wednesday evening and let them ride the bus in the morning.  You can put the supplies in the glass entry.  I will be here until 5:30 and will bring them in before I leave.  The custodians will watch for any late arrivals and bring those in also.  

Monday, September 15

Today was a great day!  We used the Scholastic Underground Railroad site to introduce our study of the underground railroad.  Today we met two slaves, Walter and Fannie.  They were from two different plantations, but they both shared similar stories.  If you would like to engage your child in a conversation about their school days, ask them some of the following questions:

What was it like to be a slave?
What were some of the rights slaves did not have?
What was one of the biggest fears of the slaves?

All of these questions can be answered on the Scholastic Underground Railroad site.

Feedback and Databinders are coming home today.  Please take time to go through the data with your student and fill out the reflection page together.

Sunday, September 14

Wow! I can't believe it is already FLAT ROCK week!  How exciting!!  The packing list has already been sent home, but I will post a new one in tomorrow's update.

One of the first adventures we will have at Flat Rock is a Living History reinactment of The Underground Railroad. To prepare for this incredible experience we will be studying the underground railroad.  All literacy block activiies this week will be based on the times and trials of the Underground Railroad.  We will be using Scholastic Undergrounds Railroad: Escape to Freedom as a guide for our learning.  Please feel free to preview the content and I encourage you to have nightly discussions about this serious issue in history as your student gains a deeper understanding of our past.
 

Thursday, September 11

Today we really studied and focused on our Learning Objectives to preper for our test tomorrow

Learning Objectives that will be assessed: 

• Identify Main Idea (P1) and Supporting Ideas(P2) 

• Focus on reading strategies: Questioning

• Identify nouns and verbs in complete sentences using question answer flow.

• Use word parts to become better readers.

• Identify and create personal narratives.

If you would like to help your child study at home tonight, focus on the Lesson 2 Word Work packet.  They will be tested over the meaning this week, and make up sentences to use the Question Answer Flow to identify the subject noun and verb.

I am confident that the kids are ready, so be sure to give them a big high five as they leave in the morning!

Wednesday, September 10

Today we shared another AMAZING book called Seven Blind Mice by Ed Young. The P1 Main Idea of the book is that the mice find something and don't know what it is. So they try to decide, "What is it?" The P2 Supporting Ideas of the book tell us that it is as sturdy as a pillar, as supple as a snake, as sharp as a spear, as wide as a cliff, as breezy as a fan, and as stringy as a rope.  The P1 Main Idea is then restated in the closer answering the question.

If you would like to have a conversation with your child about their school day, ask them to tell you the answer to Ed Young's riddle. For Homework they are supposed to make their own riddle. Look for our riddles soon on our KidBlog page.


Dear Parents,

This is a desperate plea for snacks.  More students are using the classroom snacks than are bringing them in.  We are quickly running out of snack, and the studnets work so hard that they get REALLY hungry.  Whatever you can send is is greatly appreciated, but here are some suggestions: Dry Cereal, grahm crackers, pretzels, raisins, animal crackers, fruit snacks.
Thank you for any donations you can make.

Sincerely,
Mrs. McCain and 27 hungry students.