The Vocabulary Parade

Hi Everyone!

I just wanted to post pictures from the Vocabulary Parade. It was so nice to see so many parents able to attend. I know the kids had a wonderful time and walked with pride from classroom to classroom. The costumes were fantastic representations of words. This year was also the first time that Mrs. Zia, Mrs. Villaflor, and I also joined in the fun! We look forward to having it again next year. Thank you for helping to make it such a success.

Check out our great words...

Pearl

Electronic

Correspondent

Bewilder

Facet

Terrapin

Conifer

Effervescent


Spiritual

Quandry

Altitude

Patriotic

Salmonella

Icthyology

Caution

Gondola

Destroyer

Sashimi

Flamboyant

Bastion

Collective

Compassionate

Social Studies & Read Aloud: We read a great book to support our study of the Northeast. Did you know that there was a molasses explosion in Boston? Ask your child to tell you the tale of:

We also welcome a new student to our classroom from Lincoln Street School. Welcome Caitlynne! We are thrilled to have you in our class.

Reminders:

• 12/3- School House Rocks will visit us with perfomances by students from Algonquin



• 12/5- Wednesday: Multiplication Test



• 12/14-Friday: Field Trip to the Harvard Museum of Natural History

Thanks and have a great week!

-JoAnne

On My Mind...

Hi Everyone!

I hope this post finds everyone well rested and ready for last few weeks of 2007! I had a wonderful Thanksgiving in my new house and even got the plumber to come to hook up the new stove...just in time to cook the turkey! I am looking foward to a great December with the kids. It will be busy, but we will do our best to keep it interesting with creative projects and fun science activities. We will also begin to prepare to say goodbye to Mrs. Brush, who will finish student teaching with us at the end of the month.

Here is a quick update from Room 5:

Winter Weather...

Well, it was quite a surprise last Tuesday to see snowflakes falling from the sky! It was very exciting for us as it was our first chance to go out and play in the snow this year. Please encourage your child to dress appropriately for winter in Massachusetts. We do go outside most days for 30 minutes, even in winter. Once the snow pack arrives to stay, you child must have on both boots and snowpants to play in the snow. Hats, mittens/gloves, and scarves are also greatly appreciated by the children (when they are shivering on the field or playground.) not that they would ever admit that they were cold! Also, consider labeling your child's gear so that it does not wind up in the Lost and Found. Thank you for your help with this.

Fun with Friends

Warm and Cozy

Toasty Hands or...

Chilly Fingers!

Study Hall
We have begun to have Study Hall at the end of the day. After the children pack up for dismissal, they are allowed to work on projects, get a jump on homework, or read. This gives Mrs. Brush and I the opportunity to help kids with homework or "field" any questions about projects. The children have been really receptive to the idea so far and we plan to continue. Remind them to ask for help if they need it!


Math: Tabulate-A-Turkey
Just before the break, the students were given a "pretend" $1.50 to create a turkey. They could purchase paper strips, google eyes, confetti, feathers, and pompoms. We provided the glue and paperplates "free" of charge. The students had a great time planning their supply purchase and creating their turkeys.

Gobble, Gobble!

Proud of her work!

Crafts & Math...what a great day!

Math: Mad Minutes
Will this be the week that someone hits 60 facts in 2 minutes? I finally got my 60 last week!
I am proud to say that many students have gotten to at least 30 facts in 2 minutes, so we are half way there. Please keep practicing!

Social Studies
We have finished with Canada and have moved into the Northeast Region. We made maps of the region and foldables to help us organize our new vocabulary words. Some students have opted to take part in an enrichment project. They will be making an ABC Book of the Northeast Region. They will select various points of interest, geographic and historical features, and will write a paragraph about each for every letter A-Z. (Example: A is for Appalachian Mountains, B is for Boston Tea Party) They will also create an illustration for each page. Some work will be completed in class, but your child must do work at home as well in order to meet the December 20th due date. Please have your child ask me for help if they need guidance!

Science:
We will be wrapping up Earth Science this week and Mrs. Brush will be starting her unit on Matter. We have cooked up some great activities for this unit and we know the children are really going to enjoy it!


Vocabulary Parade:
Costumes are due on Thursday and the Parade is at 1:45 PM on Friday. Don't forget your camera and feel free to dress up as a word too!


On a closing note, I took a really great field trip with my family on Saturday night. We went to see Zoolights at the Stone Zoo in Stoneham, MA. The whole zoo is covered in holiday lights and you can walk around and see the animals. Emma loved it as did the rest of my family. You should check it out, if you are looking for a fun family activity. Be sure to dress warmly as it is all outdoors. Here is the link for more information:

http://www.stonezoo.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=Page.viewPage&pageId=875


Have a great week!
-JoAnne

SUCCESS!

Hi Everyone!

I just want to say thank you for taking the time to come in and meet with Mrs. Brush and me. The class is truly a delightful group of students to work with. We enjoyed sharing stories and making plans to help your child to do his/her best. I am also pleased to report that this is the first time in my 10 years of teaching that I have had 100% attendence at parent conferences.

I also want to send out a special thank you to the Zeh P.T.O. for approving a recent grant to benefit our classroom. They generously funded new educational board games for our class to use as the weather turns colder. We look forward to playing Scrabble, Boggle Jr., Apples to Apples, and a few more that I can't remember right now. Thank you, P.T.O.!

Here is a quick update from Room 5:

Social Studies: Mrs. Brush led a lesson where the child were inspired to make Native American masks that represent their individual families. This connects with our study of Canada and the Inuit people. See the creative student work below.

Our Native Family Masks

Writing: We are working on our Northeast Sensory Poems as well as our Disgusting Foods essays. Our bulletin boards have been updated and we are very proud of our beautiful work. Please stop by to see our "sparkling" Super Monkey bulletin board outside of Room 5. Here are just a few pictures from our boards...

Our Fall V & V pictures

Our Favorite Hero- Super Monkey

Mathematics: Well the challenge is out there for "Mad Minutes Master of the Day". Interestingly, we have had a new "master" each day. I am pleased to say that I have made it (finally) to 60/60 correct in 2 minutes. We continue to emphasize "personal best" and growth over time. We will keep on it!

Reading: Some students in Mrs. Brush's group completed independent projects to supplement their study of The War with Grandpa. They started presentations today and should be commended for excellent work. I am so proud of their effort!

Two War with Grandpa Games

A Map of Peter's House

Vocabulary Parade: Please encourage your child to keep on top of this project. They should use their project calendar to stay on track and they should be working on their costume. Remember, the costume is due on 11/29 (Thursday) and the Parade is on 11/30 (Friday) at 1:45 PM. Parents and cameras are WELCOME!

Field Trip: Thank you for the many offers we've received to chaperone our trip to the Harvard Museum of Natural History. Our four chaperones are: Mrs. Alessi, Mrs. Kelley, Mrs. English, and Mrs. Thompson. I will be sending home the "extra" checks on Monday or Tuesday. If you were not selected, don't despair...we hope to go on a spring field trip as well!

Reminders:

• 11/20 (Tuesday) Quiz on Canada
• 11/21 (Wednesday) 11:30 Dismissal for Thanksgiving Break
• 11/22 Happy Thanksgiving
• 11/26 Professional Development for Teachers

I hope eveyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving. Rest and enjoy time with your families if you can!

-JoAnne

Busy Week...

Hi Everyone!

My home office is slowly coming together and Mr. Gorham set up the card reader for the digital camera today. I have been snapping pictures of all the fun activities we have been working on in room 5. Thank you also to everyone who was able to make it to Read-Aloud Night last Thursday. We had a great turnout and it was nice to hear Mrs. Zia share some of her writing with us.

Here is the update:

Mathematics: We are now into multiplication. We have begun "Mad Minutes" are working toward completing 60 facts in 2 minutes. We will do this daily to build not only accuracy, but automaticity. I am not expecting everyone to complete 60/60, but I am looking for improvement over time. We are graphing our progess as well. (I am still trying to beat my personal best of 59/60...I keep leaving one blank!) Please use the websites or standard flash cards to practice. It will make division that much easier for your child if they know their facts.

Welcome to Canada! The zebra has switched from his sombrero to a "Mountie" Hat!

A rousing game of Jeopardy!

Wow! That was easy, right?!?

Social Studies: We have been learning all about Canada and are working on province reports with partners. Mrs. Brush created an exciting Jeopardy game for us to review with. She has also been teaching us French.

Science with Mrs. Guitard

Science: Mrs. Guitard (our field study student from FSC) has shared a lesson on hot air balloons with us. We have also continued to test our minerals. So far, we have tested for luster, streak, cleavage, fracture, and specific gravity (density). We will also test for hardness this week. Thanks again to Mrs. Thompson (Mrs. Villaflor's student teacher) for helping us!

Testing Minerals

It must be fun if everyone is smiling!

This group is dedicated to their scientific work!

Writing: We are busily writing our five paragraph essays on disgusting foods. Revising and editing using "interesting" vocabulary continues to be a primary focus. We will also begin a sensory poetry project to help kick off our study of the Northeast Region in social studies. Thank you for sending in pictures with your child!

Reading: We are continuing with realistic fiction. The War with Grandpa group made authentic looking "War Declarations" using a tea stain process. The Because of Winn Dixie Group has been working on charater development and finding evidence in the story to support answers to comprehension questions.

Read-Aloud: We have begun to read "More Tales from the Classroom at the End of the Hall," the sequel to the first book we read in room 5. Ask your child what their favorite chapter has been so far.

Vocabulary Parade: Please keep track of your project using the calendar that was provided. Four creative words are due on Tuesday. We will select one word together and then you are free to begin costume construction. Parents are welcome to "parade" with us around Zeh on Friday, November 30th at 1:45 PM. Bring your camera. This is a fantastic fourth grade activity and we will all have the opportunity to increase our vocabulary. I can't wait to see everyone in costume!

We have a busy week coming up. Here are just a few reminders:

• 11/12 Monday- No School Veteran's Day
• 11/13 Tuesday- 11:30 Dismissal for Parent Conferences/Vocab Parade Words are due at School
• 11/15 Thursday- 11:30 Dismissal for Parent Conferences
• 11/16 Friday- Field trip $$ due to school for our trip to the Harvard Museum of Natural History
• 11/17 Saturday- Pancake Breakfast and Shop 'til You Drop

(And For My Planners...) A Look Ahead:

• 11/21 Wednesday- 11:30 Dismissal
• 11/22 Thursday- Happy Thanksgiving (No School)
• 11/23 Friday- No School
• 11/26 Monday- Professional Development for Teachers (No School)
• 11/30 Friday- Vocabulary Parade begins at 1:45 PM

I look forward to seeing you all at Parent Conferences. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

-JoAnne

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

Looking Ahead to the Long Weekend...

Our ABC Books for The Cod's Tale

Letter Writing to Our Canadian Provinces

Hi Everyone!

It's hard to believe another week has passed! We are already at Columbus Day Weekend and it will be Turkey-time before we know it!

Here's the quick update:

Reading: We are working on our final copies of our ABC books for The Cod's Tale. See pictures above. Each student has their own individual copy that they will take home in a few days. The ABC books are looking fantastic! Starting Monday, we will begin our unit on realistic fiction.

Social Studies: We've finished our economics unit and will have a BIG test next Friday, October 12th. Please use the study guide that your child received on Tuesday to help prepare for this assessment. It is a lot of vocabulary to master, but I am confident that the many activities and projects we have done in class should help to reinforce the concepts. We've also written letters to Canadian provinces this week for our upcoming unit on Canada & Mexico. See pictures above. Hopefully, the provinces will send us back information such as brochures & maps to help us with some research. We will be heading to Mexico first and learning some Spanish from Mrs. Brush!


Mathematics: We will be having a math test on Wednesday, October 10th. Your child received a study guide on Tuesday to help them prepare for this test. I changed the original date from this Friday to this Wednesday to allow us some extra time to explore algebra and number expressions.They may take home textbooks, but must remember to return them to school each day as we use them for class lessons. Our next mini-unit will be on money!

Science: Coming soon! We will begin our unit on Planet Earth!

Field Trip Chaperones: Thank you for volunteering to help us with our trip! We appreciate your time and ENERGY!

Reminders:

1. Please encourage your child to practice multiplication/division facts.


2. Please limit the number of toys that your child brings to school. I am taking many "things" away during instructional time on a daily basis.


3. Math test: October 10th, 2007
4. Book Order Due: October 10th, 2007


5. Economics test: October 12th, 2007


6. Field Trip to Boott Cotton Mills: Wednesday, October 17th, 2007