VA History, Colonization, and an Online Quiz!

Today the students had a pop quiz. We finished up our unit on the Colonization of Virginia and decided to have a pop quiz. The students were not upset by this, because they got to take the quiz online and find out their score immediately! It was a great experience for the kids and great practice...since we will be taking the SOL assessment online in the spring.

Pen Pals

As you may have heard we have we asked to become pen pals with a 3rd grade class this year. A former student's mother is now teaching 3rd grade school at the American International School of Kingston in Jamaica. This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to make a connection/friendship with another person in another part of the world.

Being a teacher, you are always looking for that spark to help you students, especially those resistant to writing. And to be honest you never know what assignment, if any, is going to do that for you. This assignment has been a big hit with many of our resistant writers. Each and everyday someone asks me if they can work on something for their pen pal. We will be sending out the letters early next week.

iPods and the Powhatan

Today some of the students began watching a podcast and completing a graphic organizer on Jamestown and the Powhatan Indians. They were looking for six key features in the information about their food, clothing, tools/technology, recreation/arts, religion, and society.

Even though we are done studying this part of VA history, what a great way to keep them engaged in learning this information.

Smell the Flowers?

Today we did! Besides smelling them, we also dissected some tiger lilies. Since yesterday we began studying about flowers and the parts of a flower today we decided that there is no better way to be able to identify the parts then to get inside one. And that's just what we did. The students were able to identify and remove the petals, sepals, stamen and pistil. After the removed and observed these parts we then added them, literally to our data sheets, and had to describe their function.

The class did an awesome job!

Wordle and Story Summaries?

Today in Literature the class completed summaries of their survival themed books. Rather than simply write a "typical" summary, we used a free web-based program called Wordle to create our "So Far Summary" for our book. The kids had a blast and demonstrated comprehension of the book they were reading.

Spookly the Square Pumpkin

Today we read a book called Spookly the Square Pumpkin. The kids enjoyed listening to the story and hearing about how it's not always a bad thing to be different. There is a great message in this book! And according to the website...they have made the book into a movie. Cool!

Game Classroom

I just added a link to the links section of this blog called Game Classroom. It's a really great website that you could use with any of your children, not just your 4th grader. There are games there for all grade levels. The links are broken down into two different categories, homework help and games.

Check it out. I would love to hear what you think of it.

Watershed Education

This week, for 3 days, we were fortunate to have Jeanette Stewart from Lands and Waters come in and speak with the students. She spoke about erosion, habitats, run-off, as well as various other topics that were covered during our Sharing the Planet unit. Ms. Stewart will be joining us in early November to work on planting and making our school a more eco-friendly place to live, work, and visit.

Here is a link to here presentation she did with the kids about habitats and the book she used with her discussion. It was a fun and amazing way to learn about issues going on here right in our own backyard, literally! The book she read from was Happenings in our Habitat.

Parent/Teacher Conferences

Be on the lookout for the parent teacher conference sheet I will be sending home today. You will need to fill out the bottom portion, sign, and return. If the time on the form does not work for you please fill out some alternative times and I will find a time that can work for the both of us.

Jamestown

Just a reminder that we will be heading to Jamestown in the coming weeks. Please return your permission slips and money ($36) as soon as possible. If there is a financial need please do not hesitate to contact me so we can work something out.

Math and Wegmans a Fun Combination

Today in my math class we used the weekly advertisement from Wegmans grocery store (if you have never been the best way to describe it is like Disney World, but for groceries) to work on our estimation and addition skills. The kids were given a budget ($20, $50, and $100) and had to use estimation to determine if they were able to buy all they wanted. After they checked their estimation they then had to come up with an actual number using the prices.

It was a fun and interesting way for the kids to have a real world experience while working on some math!

A New October Reading Log

Be on the look out for a new and improved, as well as more in depth, October reading log. Your son of daughter should be bringing it home today with them and it will require your initials nightly, or at the end of the week if you're too busy. :)

There are directions to read that go along with the new reading log. See you all tonight!

Back to School Night

Just a friendly reminder that Back to School Night is tomorrow night, 10/1 at 8 PM. We will need you all to sign up for different events we have during the school year. If you could plan to arrive around 7:45 to take care of that business that would be greatly appreciated.

Book Wink

Here is a link to a website that has some really great reading lists for students in grades 3-8, it is called BOOKWINK. There are video book chats hosted by former librarian Sonja Cole. Each book talk is a 3-minute video for kids in grades 3-8. The Web site also includes lists of read-alikes for the books she talks about.

Check it out, I highly recommend taking a look.

Book Seer

Check out this link to The Book Seer. Students can go to this site and type in the information of a book they have read, as well as the author. The "Book Seer" will then suggest some books for them to read. It's pretty cool. I have added it to our Angel page, so the class will have easy access to the link.

Online Flashcard Maker

Here is a little link I found today to make flashcards online and print them at home. It is from Flashcard Exchange and could be a great tool for your kids to help them study, now and in the future. Enjoy!

Stanford Testing

Next week we will begin our Stanford testing all week. Today we took a practice test, which was very similar to the test the students will take part in next week. Please make sure your child is well rested and eats a good breakfast before they come to school next week. If eating before school is not really possible feel free to send in some sort of breakfast for them to eat before they begin the test (poptart, muffin, bagel, etc...).

The schedule for the test is below. Have a great weekend!


Monday: Word Study and Vocabulary (Morning session)
Listening (afternoon session)
Tuesday: Reading Comprehension and Spelling
Wednesday: Language
Thursday: Math Problem Solving
Friday: Math Procedures

PTA Grant Approved

This summer I wrote a grant for the TJ PTA attempting to get an iPod Touch for our classroom. The PTA has informed me that the grant has been approved and the iTouch should be arriving sometime next week. A HUGE THANK YOU to the PTA for having such great vision and a willingness to support these new ideas in our classrooms.

I will talk more during Back to School Night in October about how we will be using this new addition to our class.

TD Bank Summer Reading Program

Here is a link to the earlier email I sent about TD Bank's Summer Reading program. $10 for 10 books is a pretty sweet deal.

Be sure to read the small print on the bottom, they will need to open a savings account for your child.

VA Day

Virginia Day is quickly approaching our town of Evansburg. Virginia Day will be held this Friday, June 5, and parent visiting times are from 9-10. The class has been very busy researching their trade/craft and will begin their posters for their presentations today.

Look for posters to be coming home for some finishing touches if they are not completed here in school. Many great links can be found in our VA Day folder in Angel.

Market Day Update

Hi all! I have met with all of our Evansburg business owners and all have been approved to move forward with their Markey Day plans. We will be disucussing and working a bit more on this assignment in class, but for the most part it will be completed outside of school.

Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Program

Someone sent me a link to this Barnes & Noble Summer Reading program. Seems pretty cool. You read 8 books and complete their Summer Reading Journal, then you get a coupon for a free book. The information is found as you scroll down the screen. They all love to read, so you might as well get a free book out of the deal!

SOL Review...That Time of Year Again!

Long time no information on here. Things have been super busy at TJ and pile grad school and a 14 month old on top of that...WOW!!! Anyway, we have started to review for the SOL tests coming up in a couple of weeks, see the schedule below, and Mr. Knight provided this great resource for the kids called Study Island. Each student has his/her own log in information (first initial, last name, then @TJ all with no spaces) and the password is their lunch number. It's really cool and they can practice at home!

SOL Dates:
5/5 - Reading SOL
5/12 - Math SOL
5/14 - VA History SOL

Visual Dictionary Online

Here is a link to the Merriam-Webster Visual Dictionary Online that I stumbled upon today. The cool thing about this link is that you type in the word you are looking for and get not only a definition, but also a detailed (and labeled) picture to go along with the written definition. Very cool!

What's Smaller Than a Pygmy Shrew?

If you want to know the answer to this questions ask your child when they get home today. In continuing with our discussion about facts and opinions, as well as the differences between the two, we read a book called What's Smaller Than a Pygmy Shrew? The students located facts within the story about exactly what IS smaller than a pygmy shrew.

Important Dates Before Spring Break

3/30 - Class Pictures
3/31 - TJ Musical practice at GM (9AM - 11:30AM)
4/1 - TJ Musical; Students need to arrive no later than 7 PM
4/2 - Read In; see Friday Folder for information regarding wearing PJs to school for the Read In

Reading logs due MONDAY (3/30)

Freedom on the Menu

Today in Literature we read the book Freedom on the Menu and continued our discussion about justice and injustice. The book Freedom on the Menu focused on the sit-ins of the early 1960s Civil Rights Movement and the changes that came about as the result of these powerful movements and courageous people who fought so hard for justice!

Lady Mustangs = STATE CHAMPIONS!!!

After a great season, only losing to 1 Single A team, the GMHS Lady Mustangs wrapped up their incredible season with a victory of single A powerhouse Floyd County in the VHSL State Championship. It has been an absolute joy, to see all the hard work these ladies have put in, reach their ultimate goal.

Check out this hyper link to view some pictures from the Washington Post.

Justice

Today we began to discuss justice/injustice. We used a book entitled Netties Trip South to introduce the topic and discuss slavery. We will be continuing this unit over the next month or so.

Kid Rex...Thanks Mr. Knight

Thanks to Mr. Knight for sharing this with me the other day. Here you will find a link to Kid Rex, which is Google for kids. Kid Rex uses Google as it's search engine, but uses the filter so it's safe for kids to use.

Science Test

The Science test, scheduled for Friday, but rescheduled for today...has been rescheduled again for tomorrow.

Snack Reminder

Just a reminder about snack and proper snack. I spoke with the class today about what snacks are and are not allowed. We are really aiming for healthy snacks (fruit, yogurt, etc...), but I am pretty lenient about what they bring in for snack. Please do not send in cookies, chocolate chips, candy, or anything loaded with sugar. Most of the students are pretty good about all of this, but some seem to have forgotten the rules. Thanks!

Important Dates This Week

2/24 Region B Playoffs - George Mason vs Appomattox County 7 PM @ MEH
2/25 Assembly - 10 AM
2/27 Science Test - Living Systems
2/27 Word Study Test

February Madness!

If you are looking for a fun night out this evening you should come on up t0 MEH at 7 PM. The GM Lady Mustangs are facing off with their division rival, the Strasburg Lady Rams, for the Bull Run District Tournament Championship. Admission is $5 and you should see a great game. So come on out and cheer on the Mustangs!

Adaptations

Recently, the class finished studying all about structural and behavioral adaptations of many types of organisms. After we finished all the hard work studying and researching animals, creating powerpoints, and various other activities I allowed the students to have a little fun and give a paper butterfly and adaptation. They were to camouflage a butterfly and place it somewhere in the room. Here is one example. Next time you are in see if you can find them.

Read Kiddo Read!

Here is an excellent link to some really great information about books for kids of all ages. The site is from author James Patterson and it called Read Kiddo Read! This may be just what some of you are looking for!

PTA Grant and an iPod

Yesterday our class was very fortunate to have received a grant from the PTA. Before Winter Break I wrote a grant attempting to purchase an iPod to use in class with my students. Yesterday I found out we would be receiving an iPod, as well as a $50 iTunes gift card to begin working our library up. Now I assure you we will not be using this iPod to listen to music or even watch movies, but we will be putting the $50 toward audio books. My main motivation behind writing this grant was to try and encourage my "less than willing" readers to want to read. And who wouldn't want to use an iPod? I hope this works...it could be a big breakthrough for my students! Stay tuned.

No More Kings

We have been starting a revolution in Social Studies recently, not like the Beatles, but the American Revolution. Discussing taxation without representation, the different taxes the King put on the colonists, and so on. Today we began Social Studies by watching a little clip from Schoolhouse Rock, so I thought I would post it here for you all to enjoy as well. I am sure many of you watched this show growing up. What song do you remember?

Geography Bee

Today we participated in the Geography Bee. The students were very excited, and a little nervous, about the questions that would be asked. The kids all did a great job and cheered each other...really clapping for each other. We had a blast and will wait to see if any of our classmates are in the Top 10 for TJ. If so there will be a 2nd part of the competition later this week.

Seeds From Space....Part 3

Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a great break...I can't believe it's already over. Anyway, I am not sure if you had a chance to check out the Falls Church News Press this week, but our class received a little publicity. Check out this online edition and go to page 37. You will find the article about our seeds there and a picture taken by our very own Kenya B.