Buddy Reading

We were able to partner up with pre-schoolers from Nadeu's Playschool (Where Keenan's mom, Judy works). This has been an anual event that Judy has set up for us. Fourth graders read with younger students and we were treated to cinnamon rolls and new Mad Libs books. It was fun!

Eagles!

http://www.ustream.tv/decoraheagles

What an addition to our bird research! Here is a live web-cam on a mating pair of bald eagles who have hatched one of their three eggs. They have the camera trained on the nest even at night. Check out the link!

Hachiko Waits

We are planning a Hachiko party after finishing the book Hachiko Waits. We were moved by this story of a dog's devotion to his master. Friday April 8th, which is the anniversary of the master's death, we are planning to watch the movie, create a class book of literary responses, mold small statues of the loyal dog, and grill yakatori, the Japanese treat that was Hachiko's favorite. Check out this Hachiko link:

http://www.pamelasturner.com/hachiko__the_true_story_of_a_loyal_dog_67470.htm

Athena the Owl Comes to Visit

It was a joy to see this majestic bird that has been in captivity for 18 years due to an injury. We were particularly excited to see an owl because we just started class research on North Eastern birds. We have a busy week with two concerts, Four Winds, a half-day and Jump-Rope-For-Heart!

Here is a video from the fall when the kids and I made "Pinwheels for Peace" on national peace day. It was great. Looking at the green trees and grass makes me long for spring. At least we have made it to March. We are starting our new Book 2 of EveryDay math which deals with fractions. Also, we will be having AWOD (A World of Difference) classes 2 times a week for this month. The classes deal with diversity education and will be taught by Shari Carr.

February!

We are almost finished with the book Hatchet. Students are wanting to read Brian's Winter and The River, which are both sequels. Students are really starting to understand strategies of long division. I offer extra help each morning if kids are struggling with these concepts. Mrs. Parks observed us engaged in a writing lesson involving Similies, Metaphors and Personification. The students did fantastic!

Winter Wonders

We have had a lot of cold and snow this winter. I am so glad we are in our warm classroom with all our new learning going on. We have begun to work on strategies of long division. It's important for kids to explore several different algorithms before selecting one that makes the most sense, is the most efficient and accurate for them. We are in a whole class literature group involving the book Hatchet, by Gary Paulsen. It is about a 13 year old boy who has to survive alone in the Wilderness. We are all really enjoying reading about how he is forced to change as a character. We are going to have a small, simple Valentine's Day party on Feb. 14th. in the afternoon. Your child can make or buy cards to give out to all the students in the class. I will send a class list soon to help them make all their cards. Stay warm!