Thursday, December 31, 2009
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Responses
Aisling - sure - go ahead and cut the top of the bottle off if your plant is overgrowing! You'll have to remember to water it though once the top is gone. And sure, you can make your own January reading log on the bottom of the December one for the 1st through the 4th - if you like.
Congrats to Aisling on finishing Tale of Despereaux and to Caroline and Thomas for being almost done :)
Dean, I'm glad to hear you're enjoying The Fantastic Mr. Fox. You'll have to tell me if it's very different from the movie.
Thomas - and anyone else who is wondering - you don't have to read during the rest of the vacation, but any vacation reading you do should be recorded on the December sheet for extra credit (even if it's January reading). You'll get the new reading logs on Monday.
Alex, that's so cool about your plants growing so much. Take a picture if you can.
Michael - Congrats on finishing your book. My daughters have always been fascinated by Titanic stuff. Just yesterday they went to an exhibit in NYC with artifacts from the ship. I'll give you the link to show your parents in case you're interested. Titanic: The Artifacts Exhibition
Hi Stephanie! Congrats on finishing Inkheart. You beat me to it. I'm only half way through - well a little more than halfway. Did you love it? Let me know if you get a chance to read Inkspell. If not, I'll bring in a copy for you after the break if you want.
Isabelle, it's great to hear from you! I posted your comment and an answer to it in the comments section.
Anyone who wants to can answer you here.
Congrats to Aisling on finishing Tale of Despereaux and to Caroline and Thomas for being almost done :)
Dean, I'm glad to hear you're enjoying The Fantastic Mr. Fox. You'll have to tell me if it's very different from the movie.
Thomas - and anyone else who is wondering - you don't have to read during the rest of the vacation, but any vacation reading you do should be recorded on the December sheet for extra credit (even if it's January reading). You'll get the new reading logs on Monday.
Alex, that's so cool about your plants growing so much. Take a picture if you can.
Michael - Congrats on finishing your book. My daughters have always been fascinated by Titanic stuff. Just yesterday they went to an exhibit in NYC with artifacts from the ship. I'll give you the link to show your parents in case you're interested. Titanic: The Artifacts Exhibition
Hi Stephanie! Congrats on finishing Inkheart. You beat me to it. I'm only half way through - well a little more than halfway. Did you love it? Let me know if you get a chance to read Inkspell. If not, I'll bring in a copy for you after the break if you want.
Isabelle, it's great to hear from you! I posted your comment and an answer to it in the comments section.
Anyone who wants to can answer you here.
Blue Moon
Alex, I posted your answer in the comments section.
Do you know what a blue moon is?
Scientists are predicting we'll have a blue moon on New Year's Eve.
Look it up and send me your answers. I'll post them here.
Hint - there is one current meaning but the phrase blue moon has had a number of meanings over the years. How many of them can you find?
Do you know what a blue moon is?
Scientists are predicting we'll have a blue moon on New Year's Eve.
Look it up and send me your answers. I'll post them here.
Hint - there is one current meaning but the phrase blue moon has had a number of meanings over the years. How many of them can you find?
Monday, December 28, 2009
Enjoying the break
I'm happy to hear from so many of you who are doing some great reading over the break. Good for you!
Michael - sounds like you're having a great vacation!
To Mike and anyone else wondering about watering your plants - you shouldn't have to if you keep the bottle sealed. The water recycles - a water cycle. However, if the dirt seems dry (because sometimes the bottles aren't sealed completely tight) or if you've had to open them to let the plants continue to grow, then sure, you can give them some water. Just don't flood them. :) If you still have the bottle taped together, just unscrew the cap and put water in that way.
I hope everyone's having a great vacation and enjoying the time off from school!
Thomas, SO glad you got your cookies!
Teressa, way cool about your garden growing so much. Can you take a picture of it?
Waves to everyone else who stops by. I miss seeing you every day so say hello if you drop by.
Michael - sounds like you're having a great vacation!
To Mike and anyone else wondering about watering your plants - you shouldn't have to if you keep the bottle sealed. The water recycles - a water cycle. However, if the dirt seems dry (because sometimes the bottles aren't sealed completely tight) or if you've had to open them to let the plants continue to grow, then sure, you can give them some water. Just don't flood them. :) If you still have the bottle taped together, just unscrew the cap and put water in that way.
I hope everyone's having a great vacation and enjoying the time off from school!
Thomas, SO glad you got your cookies!
Teressa, way cool about your garden growing so much. Can you take a picture of it?
Waves to everyone else who stops by. I miss seeing you every day so say hello if you drop by.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas to all of the 4-208 families. I hope you have a blessed and fun-filled holiday!
Monday, December 21, 2009
Week of December 21st to 23rd
My cat is Bartholomew. "Bart" for short, Mike.
There is no charge for tomorrow's dress down - it's a Christmas present from Mrs. Bartone.
Yes, Alex. You can write your own melody.
Tuesday homework -
Read the story about the song The Twelve Days of Christmas and write your own Christmas song.
Practice reading your Readers Theater script of The Grinch Who Stole Christmas.
The packets for test prep over the break went home today with a cover letter of explanation.
Just a note about the gardens - some of them haven't started to visibly grow yet because we planted them on different days. The ones you see below were some of the first we planted. Some of the others are just beginning to sprout. The one below is Mike B's and you can really see the new seedling growing from the bean. Also, look at all the roots! If you look carefully, you can also see the corn growing in the middle against the bottle wall.
Our Three Sisters Gardens are growing -
This one is Dean's.
This one is Stephanie's.
This one shows germination.
Some More Pictures -
I took these two photos in the park this afternoon so you could use them for your observation. Click on them to see them full size.
SPANISH Homework -
Color ten pictures on the sheet. Cut them out and paste them in the boxes. There is a rumor of a test on the sheet so know the ten things you did. You need to know them to play BINGO.
According to Thomas, he has it written in his notebook that there is a test on the words. Thanks, Thomas for letting me know.
Monday Homework -
Read for 20 minutes and record in log.
Writing - Read the winter poems and write your own winter poem. (Yes you can type it ;) ) Decorate the paper to suit your poem.
Math - worksheet and DHP book page 102.
Science - Do December Park observation in Science Notebook based on the view we observed from the art room today.
Religion - Take Advent Journal home and make sure you have completed everything up until today.
Science Fair packets go home today.
Mrs. DiDilectis has assigned the following essay:
What Saint Ephrem means to me. The essay, which must be written neatly or typed, is due January 6, 2010.
There is no charge for tomorrow's dress down - it's a Christmas present from Mrs. Bartone.
Yes, Alex. You can write your own melody.
Tuesday homework -
Read the story about the song The Twelve Days of Christmas and write your own Christmas song.
Practice reading your Readers Theater script of The Grinch Who Stole Christmas.
The packets for test prep over the break went home today with a cover letter of explanation.
Just a note about the gardens - some of them haven't started to visibly grow yet because we planted them on different days. The ones you see below were some of the first we planted. Some of the others are just beginning to sprout. The one below is Mike B's and you can really see the new seedling growing from the bean. Also, look at all the roots! If you look carefully, you can also see the corn growing in the middle against the bottle wall.
Our Three Sisters Gardens are growing -
This one is Dean's.
This one is Stephanie's.
This one shows germination.
Some More Pictures -
I took these two photos in the park this afternoon so you could use them for your observation. Click on them to see them full size.
and another
SPANISH Homework -
Color ten pictures on the sheet. Cut them out and paste them in the boxes. There is a rumor of a test on the sheet so know the ten things you did. You need to know them to play BINGO.
According to Thomas, he has it written in his notebook that there is a test on the words. Thanks, Thomas for letting me know.
Monday Homework -
Read for 20 minutes and record in log.
Writing - Read the winter poems and write your own winter poem. (Yes you can type it ;) ) Decorate the paper to suit your poem.
Math - worksheet and DHP book page 102.
Science - Do December Park observation in Science Notebook based on the view we observed from the art room today.
Religion - Take Advent Journal home and make sure you have completed everything up until today.
Science Fair packets go home today.
Mrs. DiDilectis has assigned the following essay:
What Saint Ephrem means to me. The essay, which must be written neatly or typed, is due January 6, 2010.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Snowman Cookies
I'm sure we'll have school tomorrow, Amanda. The roads by my house are very clear. Is it bad by you?
Hope you're all enjoying the snow this morning! Fenway thinks it's fun!
*waves* to Isabelle in Vermont. I'm glad you got there safely. Sorry about your frozen Three Sisters Garden. It's snowing so hard here that the other gardens may well be frozen too! Let me know when you get settled in your house and we'll send you more of our seeds to replant your garden!
For anyone who feels like making cookies on a snowy day, here's a picture of the recipe you had for homework the other night. These are the cookies I made for Isabelle's party.
YUM!
Hope you're all enjoying the snow this morning! Fenway thinks it's fun!
*waves* to Isabelle in Vermont. I'm glad you got there safely. Sorry about your frozen Three Sisters Garden. It's snowing so hard here that the other gardens may well be frozen too! Let me know when you get settled in your house and we'll send you more of our seeds to replant your garden!
For anyone who feels like making cookies on a snowy day, here's a picture of the recipe you had for homework the other night. These are the cookies I made for Isabelle's party.
YUM!
If you click on the picture, you'll get the full size picture.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Week of December 14th - 18th
Mrs. B. - Yes I did. I'll take care of it.
So glad to hear you're feeling better, Thomas. Good luck with the game tomorrow!
Thanks so much to everyone who sent in something for Isabelle's going away party.
A note regarding the grab bag presents -
We held a vote to determine whether to do Kris Kringle or Grab Bag. The majority voted for Grab Bag. To be honest, I have had problems in the past with both methods and unhappy students :( so I almost didn't do it at all. We decided to go with the Grab Bag and allow only those who want to participate to do so. Please note - you don't have to be a part of it. Anyone who brings in a present will get to choose a present. To make it simple, girls should bring a present for another girl and boys should bring a present for another boy. we will exchange presents at the party on Wednesday.
Yes - another party! We sure have had a lot of them this month. This one will be pretty early in the morning since it's an early dismissal day. Children can bring in something to share, but they can also bring breakfast if they'd like.
Stephanie - yes you can type it. See what I added below.
Ms. Jones, I'll send home a note with Brandon tomorrow.
Re the grab bag - It would be great if the children could bring it in by Monday (or Tuesday) so no one forgets it at the last minute, but they can bring it earlier if they wish. As far as a price limit - it's been so long since I had to buy for this age - Does $10 sound about right or should it be $10 - $15? I'd love some feedback on what you think.
Thursday Homework -
Reading 20 minutes (in Tale of Despereaux if you haven't finished)
Writing - Write a newspaper report of the Mouse Council meeting that we read aloud in class today. Be sure to really think like a reporter would and make sure to answer the W questions - Who? What? When? Where? Why? Try to include a lot of details and make the scene come alive! You can do it however you like - just a report on looseleaf, typed to look like a real newspaper story, etc. Be creative!
Math - p. 45
Spelling - We're going back to read The Train to Somewhere so I'm assigning those spelling words this week. Do pages 6 and 7.
Aisling - Yes he can. Tell him to give it to me in the morning.
Not sure who sent me the question about the Despereaux letter, but if you forgot the scroll, do it on looseleaf tonight and you can copy it onto the scroll tomorrow.
Wednesday Homework -
Reading 20 minutes (in Tale of Despereaux if you haven't finished) You should at least be done with Book 1 ( page 81)
SS - workbook pages 16 and 17. Use textbook if you need it.
Writing - using the scroll I gave you, write a letter from Despereaux to Princess Pea telling her all about being trapped in the dungeon. Really try to think like Despereaux and write the way he would, pouring his heart out to his beloved princess.
Math - if you didn't finish the multiplication/division practice - 1 - 30 on page 172 - finish for homework.
Remember your party stuff. :)
Parents - the majority decided on a Christmas grab bag so that only those who wished to participate could. Girls should buy girl presents and boys should buy boy presents.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hi Mike. Congrats on finishing Tale of Despereaux! Teressa will have him tomorrow night and Victoria will have him Thursday so you can have him for the weekend.
Isabelle - don't worry about it. I'll explain better tomorrow.
Tuesday Homework
Reading 20 minutes (in Tale of Despereaux if you haven't finished)
Reading sheet (Snowman Cookies)
Math Cooking/Measurement sheet. If you have trouble with this, just try your best and bring in what you were able to do.
Science - in your Science notebook, write and draw what you expect will happen in your Three Sisters Garden. Base your predictions on what you know about plant growth and on what you have observed in the bottles done so far.
Got your message. Thanks, Mrs. Maguire!
Aisling - you should still be able to order tonight. Let me know if there's a problem.
Alex - As many as you can find. Themore the better!
Teressa! Woo Hoooooo. Soon you can take Despereaux home with you! (And it's not even snowing! ;) )
Today was Ms.Michelle's last day with us so it was a bittersweet day. We will miss her A LOT!
Homework -
Reading 20 minutes (in Tale of Despereaux if you haven't finished)
In RRJ - list examples of language Kate DiCamillo uses to show the themes of light and darkness in Tale of Despereaux
Math - sheet (both sides) You don't have to actually measure it if you can figure it out.
SS - sheets comparing your house with Native American houses
So glad to hear you're feeling better, Thomas. Good luck with the game tomorrow!
Thanks so much to everyone who sent in something for Isabelle's going away party.
A note regarding the grab bag presents -
We held a vote to determine whether to do Kris Kringle or Grab Bag. The majority voted for Grab Bag. To be honest, I have had problems in the past with both methods and unhappy students :( so I almost didn't do it at all. We decided to go with the Grab Bag and allow only those who want to participate to do so. Please note - you don't have to be a part of it. Anyone who brings in a present will get to choose a present. To make it simple, girls should bring a present for another girl and boys should bring a present for another boy. we will exchange presents at the party on Wednesday.
Yes - another party! We sure have had a lot of them this month. This one will be pretty early in the morning since it's an early dismissal day. Children can bring in something to share, but they can also bring breakfast if they'd like.
Stephanie - yes you can type it. See what I added below.
Ms. Jones, I'll send home a note with Brandon tomorrow.
Re the grab bag - It would be great if the children could bring it in by Monday (or Tuesday) so no one forgets it at the last minute, but they can bring it earlier if they wish. As far as a price limit - it's been so long since I had to buy for this age - Does $10 sound about right or should it be $10 - $15? I'd love some feedback on what you think.
Thursday Homework -
Reading 20 minutes (in Tale of Despereaux if you haven't finished)
Writing - Write a newspaper report of the Mouse Council meeting that we read aloud in class today. Be sure to really think like a reporter would and make sure to answer the W questions - Who? What? When? Where? Why? Try to include a lot of details and make the scene come alive! You can do it however you like - just a report on looseleaf, typed to look like a real newspaper story, etc. Be creative!
Math - p. 45
Spelling - We're going back to read The Train to Somewhere so I'm assigning those spelling words this week. Do pages 6 and 7.
Aisling - Yes he can. Tell him to give it to me in the morning.
Not sure who sent me the question about the Despereaux letter, but if you forgot the scroll, do it on looseleaf tonight and you can copy it onto the scroll tomorrow.
Wednesday Homework -
Reading 20 minutes (in Tale of Despereaux if you haven't finished) You should at least be done with Book 1 ( page 81)
SS - workbook pages 16 and 17. Use textbook if you need it.
Writing - using the scroll I gave you, write a letter from Despereaux to Princess Pea telling her all about being trapped in the dungeon. Really try to think like Despereaux and write the way he would, pouring his heart out to his beloved princess.
Math - if you didn't finish the multiplication/division practice - 1 - 30 on page 172 - finish for homework.
Remember your party stuff. :)
Parents - the majority decided on a Christmas grab bag so that only those who wished to participate could. Girls should buy girl presents and boys should buy boy presents.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hi Mike. Congrats on finishing Tale of Despereaux! Teressa will have him tomorrow night and Victoria will have him Thursday so you can have him for the weekend.
Isabelle - don't worry about it. I'll explain better tomorrow.
Tuesday Homework
Reading 20 minutes (in Tale of Despereaux if you haven't finished)
Reading sheet (Snowman Cookies)
Math Cooking/Measurement sheet. If you have trouble with this, just try your best and bring in what you were able to do.
Science - in your Science notebook, write and draw what you expect will happen in your Three Sisters Garden. Base your predictions on what you know about plant growth and on what you have observed in the bottles done so far.
Got your message. Thanks, Mrs. Maguire!
Aisling - you should still be able to order tonight. Let me know if there's a problem.
Alex - As many as you can find. Themore the better!
Teressa! Woo Hoooooo. Soon you can take Despereaux home with you! (And it's not even snowing! ;) )
Today was Ms.Michelle's last day with us so it was a bittersweet day. We will miss her A LOT!
Homework -
Reading 20 minutes (in Tale of Despereaux if you haven't finished)
In RRJ - list examples of language Kate DiCamillo uses to show the themes of light and darkness in Tale of Despereaux
Math - sheet (both sides) You don't have to actually measure it if you can figure it out.
SS - sheets comparing your house with Native American houses
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Word Study
Amanda, today's Tale of Despereaux sheet is totally different. This is the double entry journal sheet.
Yes, Nicolas - noun and verb
Amanda - no, don't glue it. The final page will be bigger.
Alex - you cna read as far as you want as long as you're willing to go back and reread certain parts with me when we get to them.
Aisling - they don't have to be any big deal - just language that you like, or a scene you particularly like and why you chose it. We'll continue to add to it as we read.
Thursday homework -
WORD STUDY test is tomorrow. You should know both noun and verb meanings for the words that have both.
Reading - read on in Tale of Despereaux and do Double Entry Journal
Science - Read pages A 70 - 73 and do questions 1 - 15 on sheet.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Isabelle - sorry I just got your comment. No, if you did the 3 digit, you didn't have to do 2 digit.
Math test - for those who were absent and the others asking, I'll repost what's below about the Math test -
It's the multiplication part of Chapter 4. The information is on pages 138, 140, 142, 146, 148,156. There are sample problems on other pages. It should all be in your notebook too. In addition to those pages, the test will include double digit multiplication which you can do the standard way or with lattice.
Ryan and anyone else who is wondering - on the Math, if the apples are too dark, write the answer beneath or next to it.
Aisling - and anyone else - yes, Alex's question was if you can type the SS letter. Yes, you can but of course you don't have to.
I've gotten a few questions about reading ahead in Tale of Despereaux. I was rereading it on the subway this afternoon and wondering how many of you hated having to stop rather than read on. Please don't read on any more tonight but we can talk about it tomorrow and see if we can find a way to work it out. I know it's HARD to want to read on and not be able to.
Mrs. B - yes, Level 6 would be grade 6
Amanda, yes you can predict before you read chapter 3. Or if you've already read it, you can predict about chapter 4 or beyond.
Alex, yes you can type the letter. For the math you have to do the 2 - digit but try the 3 - digit as a challenge.
The word study program that we are working with has a website with review work and vocabulary games that can help you to learn the words and their meanings.
Go to WordlyWise3000 Grade 4 and click on Lesson 1 under Word List or Games.
Homework - Wednesday
Read for 20 minutes (including Chapter 3 of Tale of Despereaux).
Complete sheet for Tale of Despereaux (you can use any information from the first 3 chapters)
Math - sheet and study for test
SS - Read pages 78 - 83. Do questions on page 83 (1 - 5) in notebook. Do the writing link as a letter instead of a short story and do that on looseleaf.
Yes, Nicolas - noun and verb
Amanda - no, don't glue it. The final page will be bigger.
Alex - you cna read as far as you want as long as you're willing to go back and reread certain parts with me when we get to them.
Aisling - they don't have to be any big deal - just language that you like, or a scene you particularly like and why you chose it. We'll continue to add to it as we read.
Thursday homework -
WORD STUDY test is tomorrow. You should know both noun and verb meanings for the words that have both.
Reading - read on in Tale of Despereaux and do Double Entry Journal
Science - Read pages A 70 - 73 and do questions 1 - 15 on sheet.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Isabelle - sorry I just got your comment. No, if you did the 3 digit, you didn't have to do 2 digit.
Math test - for those who were absent and the others asking, I'll repost what's below about the Math test -
It's the multiplication part of Chapter 4. The information is on pages 138, 140, 142, 146, 148,156. There are sample problems on other pages. It should all be in your notebook too. In addition to those pages, the test will include double digit multiplication which you can do the standard way or with lattice.
Ryan and anyone else who is wondering - on the Math, if the apples are too dark, write the answer beneath or next to it.
Aisling - and anyone else - yes, Alex's question was if you can type the SS letter. Yes, you can but of course you don't have to.
I've gotten a few questions about reading ahead in Tale of Despereaux. I was rereading it on the subway this afternoon and wondering how many of you hated having to stop rather than read on. Please don't read on any more tonight but we can talk about it tomorrow and see if we can find a way to work it out. I know it's HARD to want to read on and not be able to.
Mrs. B - yes, Level 6 would be grade 6
Amanda, yes you can predict before you read chapter 3. Or if you've already read it, you can predict about chapter 4 or beyond.
Alex, yes you can type the letter. For the math you have to do the 2 - digit but try the 3 - digit as a challenge.
The word study program that we are working with has a website with review work and vocabulary games that can help you to learn the words and their meanings.
Go to WordlyWise3000 Grade 4 and click on Lesson 1 under Word List or Games.
Homework - Wednesday
Read for 20 minutes (including Chapter 3 of Tale of Despereaux).
Complete sheet for Tale of Despereaux (you can use any information from the first 3 chapters)
Math - sheet and study for test
SS - Read pages 78 - 83. Do questions on page 83 (1 - 5) in notebook. Do the writing link as a letter instead of a short story and do that on looseleaf.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Week of December 7th - 11th
Answers to questions - December 8th
Anthony - It's the multiplication part of Chapter 4. The information is on pages 138, 140, 142, 146, 148,156. There are sample problems on other pages. It should all be in your notebook too. In addition to those pages, the test will include double digit multiplication which you can do the standard way or with lattice.
We will spend time tomorrow reviewing multiples and word problems.
Thomas, that's fine.
Amanda - not really but we can look at the answer tomorrow
Alex - yes, you need to know all the math terms for multiplication. The word study will be a combination of different types of questions where you will have to be able to identify which vocabulary word goes with which meaning.
Mrs. B - your message worked :)
December 7th
Homework is light tonight because so many of you will be coming out to meet teachers and because we have three tests to study for.
Tests -
Science (Wed) - food chains (text pages A 48 - 50)
Math(Thurs) - multiplication - properties and double digit multiplication
Word Study (Friday) - words and definitions from Word List 1
Read for 20 minutes and record on December Log
RRJ - write about the play The Bakers Dozen. Summarize the story. What is the morale of the tale? What connections can you make to today's Advent story or anything else?
Religion - you have 2 choices. Either write a paragraph about why we are off tomorrow (What is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception?) or write a prayer to Mary.
Anthony - It's the multiplication part of Chapter 4. The information is on pages 138, 140, 142, 146, 148,156. There are sample problems on other pages. It should all be in your notebook too. In addition to those pages, the test will include double digit multiplication which you can do the standard way or with lattice.
We will spend time tomorrow reviewing multiples and word problems.
Thomas, that's fine.
Amanda - not really but we can look at the answer tomorrow
Alex - yes, you need to know all the math terms for multiplication. The word study will be a combination of different types of questions where you will have to be able to identify which vocabulary word goes with which meaning.
Mrs. B - your message worked :)
December 7th
Homework is light tonight because so many of you will be coming out to meet teachers and because we have three tests to study for.
Tests -
Science (Wed) - food chains (text pages A 48 - 50)
Math(Thurs) - multiplication - properties and double digit multiplication
Word Study (Friday) - words and definitions from Word List 1
Read for 20 minutes and record on December Log
RRJ - write about the play The Bakers Dozen. Summarize the story. What is the morale of the tale? What connections can you make to today's Advent story or anything else?
Religion - you have 2 choices. Either write a paragraph about why we are off tomorrow (What is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception?) or write a prayer to Mary.
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