Tricks & Treats...

SMILE ...as we wait patiently for the new bus...

Punching into work

Mr. Paul (Our Museum Teacher & "Overseer")

Getting background on the mill workers

Watching a video at the museum

A view of Lowell from the past

Working time!

Speed it up!

Teamwork & communication are important.

Punch in to get paid!

Hi Everyone!

I apologize for the delay in posting. It has been a busy couple of weeks. As many of you already know, my family is moving. I am surrounded by boxes and my husband has packed our computer up at home, limiting my access to technology! Luckily, it will be over by this weekend.

Life at Zeh has been great! The children are making wonderful progress and are a joy to teach! Please note that I have added websites to the left of the blog for the children to use (with a responsible adult) to help them practice their facts. It is expected that they will practice at home, as we will be moving into multiplication and division shortly. Additionally, there is a poll for you to respond to at the bottom of the page. Scroll all the way down. Just another feature to try on my blogging journey.

Here is the update from Room 5:

Mathematics: We are working on a money mini-unit. Some children are working on solidifying their skills (counting bills & coins, making change using the fewest bills & coins, word problems, and column addition with money) and another group is working on "The Million Dollar Project". Both groups are using hands-on materials and creating interesting projects that will demonstrate their understanding of money and related concepts.

Science: We have begun our unit on Planet Earth. We did a KWL Chart (and they know a great deal!) and a diagram of the layers of the Earth. We will also sort minerals and perform "tests" like geologists. Next week, we will make a clay model of these layers that the children will be able to bring home. We are working closely with Mrs. Villaflor's student teacher, Mrs. Thompson, who has developed some great projects on this unit.

Social Studies: Our plane will be departing from Mexico very soon! The children will be making an Native American art project using yarn with Mrs. Brush. We will have a very short Mexico quiz on Monday, and then we will be off to Canada. Brrrrr!

Reading: Realistic fiction is moving along. Our three groups are all working on finding the evidence (support) in the text to answer open response questions in a well-developed paragraph. We are also practicing our discussion skills and developing our vocabulary.

Writing: Welcome to 5 Paragraph Land! We have begun our first five paragraph essay of the year. We will be practicing using our graphic organizers and following all the steps of the writing process. The children will be writing about their three least favorite foods. This topic is great for promoting the use of strong verbs and vivid adjectives. The children are pretty expressive about what they do not like and why.

Field Trip: The trip to the Lowell Mills was amazing! The children were active learners and really enjoyed the whole experience...until the bus broke down on the ride home. They handled this transition so well and we were safely loaded onto a new bus in just a few minutes. Thank you to the chaperones who helped to make the trip safe and enjoyable. Thank you to all of the parents for coming to pick up your child at the end of the day.

Our next trip will be on Friday, December 14th, 2007. We will be heading to the Harvard Museum of Natural History in Cambridge, MA. More info will be coming soon. Click on the link below if you are curious...

http://www.hmnh.harvard.edu/

Read Aloud: We finished up with The Doll People and located Auntie Sarah in the attic. The class voted to continue reading the sequel, The Meanest Doll in the World. Ask your child how they think Annabelle and Tiffany should help Callie's Dolls to defeat Mean Mimi. (She is quite the bully!) You can also ask them who their favorite character is in the story.

Halloween: On October 31st, we will have our annual Halloween Parade. Participation is completely optional. Please remember that this is a school-wide (K-5) activity and we should dress appropriately. If your costume has a mask that is too scary and may frighten the younger children, please leave it at home. Also, please leave all toy weapons at home as well. They have no place at school. Please contact Mrs. Ransden, our room mother, if you wish to assist with costume changes or with our craft activity. This is a food-free event. Please do not purchase candy, cupcakes, or drinks to share with the class. I thank you in advance for your understanding with this new change in school policy.

Parent Conferences will be held on Tuesday, November13th and Thursday, November 15th. Each day there will be slots from 1:00-3:00 PM and from 6:00-8:00 PM. Please return your conference request forms by October 26th and remember to include any specialists/support staff that you may wish to make an appointment with.

Reminders

1. Mexico Quiz on Monday, October 29th, 2007
2. Halloween Parade 1:30 PM on Wednesday, October 31st, 2007
3. Book Fair is at 9:10 on Tuesday, November 6th.
4. Read Aloud Night will be on Thursday, November 8th, in our Room. Mrs. Zia and I will be reading at 6:30 PM. Wear your jammies and listen to some great stories!
5. No School on Veterans' Day- Monday, 11/12.
6. Half days (11:30 Dismissal) on Tuesday 11/13 , Thursday 11/15, and Wednesday 11/21.
7. Thanksgiving Break: 11/22-11/26 (Monday is Professional Development Day for Staff)

Thank you and have a great week!

-JoAnne