5/29/12  PROJECTS DUE TOMORROW!!!! For those of you emailing Animoto projects, there is usually a delay in you sending them and me receiveing them; often they are placed in my email "quarantine" and then I get them later. No worries. I will confirm receipt once I have the project in hand. For those who are doing the Living Biography, no costumes must be turned in tomorrow; they simply need to turn in the script tomorrow. Please email with any last-minute questions.

Today students completed their last set of two-column notes (the angels were singing, I'm sure!), and they were assigned Civics packet #3. We have a few more civics packets to complete to get ready for the test on Friday.
Reminder, the test will be open-book, open-notes. Therefore it will be critical that students bring their books and work to class on Friday.

Infinite Campus grades have been updated.

UPDATE: Infinite Campus is not cooperating today, so I am unable to update the Gradebook. I apologize for any inconvenience. I will update them first thing on Tuesday morning.

5/25/12 Folders are coming home today, and they contain two weekly reading reports, graded literature circles Lotus projects, graded vocabulary quizzes, FAIR reports, and graded extra credit (if applicable).  Please return folders on Tuesday.

Today students were assigned pp. 404-407 in the textbook and were given a packet called "Floridians Take Part." Many finished one or both in class. Others will be finishing for homework; this can be used to meet the nightly reading requirement. Students need to record reading for the weekend AND Monday.

Students did not receive new words. Today's vocabulary quiz was the last of the year (POS, too!).

Next week: Projects due on Wednesday, Benchmark test on Thursday, Florida Studies test on Friday (open note/open book).

See the Presentation Schedule under PROJECTS. Please note that the first class (4B) on Tuesday may begin presentations a bit later than what is listed on the schedule due to some homeroom activities taking place early in the day.

Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend!

5/24/12 I have posted the presentation schedule for the final projects. Family members are welcome to come for presentations, but it is not a requirement. I know these are hectic times.

Today students completed two-column notes on pp. 398-402 in their textbooks, completed a packet on Florida State Government, and read Florida Studies Weekly #3. Almost all of them finished in class.

Tomorrow we will take the last vocabulary/POS quiz of the year. YIPPEE!! I hope that students will continue to revisit their collection of vocabulary words over the summer. These are useful words that will enhance their writing and speaking skills throughout the remainder of their academic and professional careers. I highly recommend freerice.com as a fun and charitable way to continue to develop vocabulary skills over the summer. Wide reading of diverse text is another fantastic way to develop reading/writing/speaking vocabulary.

Projects are due on Wednesday.

We will take our last Florida Studies Test on Friday, June 1st. This will be an open-book, open-note test, since the students will not have a big study window in which to prepare. It is imperative, therefore, that they keep up with the note-taking and reading assignments over the next several days so that they are familiar with the material and can easily locate information that they have read prior to the test. The test will cover the last chapter of the textbook, Florida Stuides Weekly #2 & #3, and the civics packets that we are completing in class.

5/23/12 Today we continued learning about Florida's governement. Students were assigned pp. 391-395 in the textbook with a two-column notes frame and Florida Studies Weekly #2. Most of them were able to finish these assignments in class. A few will be bringing home the notes and/or newspaper to finish for homework.

VOCABULARY AND PARTS OF SPEECH QUIZ ON FRIDAY! Projects due Wednesday.

5/22/12 Today we learned about the similarities between Florida's state governmental structure and the U.S. government's. Ask your child to teach you about the three branches of state government and some of the functions/duties of each branch.

Tomorrow we will return to the textbook to begin the last chapter. We have one more Florida Studies test to take, covering this last chapter and related material. The plan is to take the test on Friday, June 1st. More information about the test will be forthcoming.

Vocabulary and POS Quiz on Friday.

Projects due Wednesday.

5/21/12 Several students have had questions about the way the test points were figured. There were 40 possible points on the test (including 2 points for the so-called "extra credit" question). At the bottom of each page, the number of points scored on that page was totaled. If you add up all the points on all the pages and divide by 40, the percentage should equal the test score. The extra credit points were not added on after the percentage, but were included in the total 40 points.

This week we will be learning the civics portion of our curriculum -- how the Florida government is organized, duties of the branches, roles of citizens, etc. This is our last mini-unit of the year, and relates to other big ideas we have studied throughout. The ultimate goal of education, according to Thomas Jefferson, is to create educated, informed, and responsible citizens who can contribute to a healthy democracy. That has been the underlying goal of my curriculum this year. I want these children to be "wide-awake" and make a positive difference in their communities as they continue along the path of life-long learning.

Vocabulary AND POS Quiz on Friday.

Projects due on 5/30.


5/18/12 Students received new reading logs yesterday, so they need to record reading for the weekend as well as last night. Please return folders on Monday. Hope everyone had a safe and enjoyable day at Sea World!

5/17/12 Folders are coming home today, and they contain graded Florida Studies tests, graded extra credit (if applicable), and new vocabulary words. Please return folders on Monday.

With three weeks of school left, it is time to start excavating any books borrowed from the classroom library. Please have your child search his/her bedroom, car, grandparents' houses, etc. so that all the books can be returned to the classroom library.

Here is a breakdown of today's Florida Studies test scores:
100+ : 2 students
90-99: 21 students
80-89: 12 students
70-79: 11 students
60-69: 2 students
Below 60: 1 student

I will be updating Infinite Campus grades today before I leave.

5/16/12 FLORIDA STUDIES TEST TOMORROW! We reviewed in class today, and the students had the opportunity to take notes.  See the post from 5/11 for review items. Since students will be on a field trip on Friday, I will be sending home folders tomorrow. I hope to have tests graded in time to send them home as well.

Scat readers should be finishing up their books today or tomorrow.  We will complete the lotus projects in class tomrorow, and students will be turning in their literature circles packets (summary, prediction, reflection, question sheets).

5/15/12 Hoot and FlushMovie Day tomorrow after school; if your child is staying he/she should bring a water bottle.
 
Projects due on 5/30. I hope to post the presentation schedule on Friday. readers should be finishing up their books today. Students who are reading Scat have another couple of days, since the book is longer.  We have been working on a lotus response organizer. This covers abstract concepts, analogies, characterization, plot, and other skills and concepts we have covered this year.

Tomorrow we will review for Thursday's test. Encourage your child to take notes, as that option will be available.



5/14/12 Overview of the week: We will be finishing up our Hiaasen books and Literature Circles. The students have done a very good job independently practicing strategies we have been learning all year. I am pleased with their ability to talk intelligently about books.

MOVIE DAY WEDNESDAY AFTER SCHOOL

Thursday we will have our next Florida Studies Test. See Friday's post for a list of study items. We will review for the test on Wednesday. On Thursday the students will receive the next list of vocabulary words and their folders, since we will have no class on Friday due to the Sea World trip.

PROJECTS DUE ON 5/30

5/11/12 Folders are coming home today, and they contrain graded vocabulary quizzes, graded projects, weekly reading reports, and Animoto instructions for those who chose the Animoto project. Students are also bringing home their Florida textbooks and bags to begin preparing for the the Florida Studies test that will be given on Thursday of next week. Some of them need to finish their last set of notes. Books and bags do not need to be returned until Thursday. 

These are the topics/materials that need to be studied before the test:
* Textbook chapter 9
* Florida Studies Weekly # 21, 24, 26, 28, 29, 31
* Population Density worksheets
11) How population growth has impacted the environment
12) Diverse populations in Florida and their cultural contributions (e.g. Greeks -- sponge diving)
13) Tourism -- busiest months, jobs, key "players" in promoting tourism
14) Provide examples of Florida professional sports team, famous writer, famous singer/musician, tourist attraction, & festival
15) Eatonville
16) Efficacy

Several students borrowed Hiaasen books. These will need to be returned before class on Monday.

No new vocabulary words this week!

Things to think about:
1) How were the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the Tallahassee Bus Boycott alike and different?
2) Civil Rights ACto of 1964
3) Examples of protests and demonstrations during the Civil Rights Movement
4) How did the Civil Rights movement pave the way for other equal rights movements?
5) Causes of Florida's population growth & areas of Florida that are most heavily populated
6) How are public schools funded?
7) Florida's leading industries, jobs they provide
8) How improved technology has impacted agriculture in Florida
9) Interdependence
10) Florida's international trading partners

5/9/12 Students are doing an excellent job discussing their Carl Hiaasen books. They seem to be enjoying his unique writing style and unusual characters. Some students borrowed books and will need to return them in the morning.
 
Most students have some leftover classwork for homework tonight. This can be used in place of nightly reading. Most of them are using their in-class time wisely and getting the majority of the work done in class. See HOMEWORK for a list of today's (and tomorrow's) assignments.

Mrs. Diana will be subbing for me tomorrow, and therefore the website will not be updated tomorrow afternoon. I will be back on Friday.INTERIM REPORTS ARE COMING HOME TODAY (sent by homeroom teachers). These do NOT include the Scavenger Hunt project grades or any extra credit except for reading all 15 Sunshine State Books and reading the second A Land Remembered book. These two items HAVE been included, but all other EC will get added to the lowest assessment grade at the end of the nine weeks.

REMINDERS: Vocab quiz on Friday. Project choice slips due on Friday.
 
5/8/12 For those students who are planning to do the Animoto project, I will send home specific instructions about how to set up a free account in folders on Friday after students have turned in their project choice slips. For those students who have already decided to do the Animoto and would like to get started, I suggest that they begin to take and/or gather pictures/photographs and save them on the computer in a file. When they begin to put the Animoto together, they will insert the pictures from their saved files. They can also think about a song that fits the theme/big idea. Choice slips are due on Friday.

I will be out on Thursday, and Mrs. Diana will be subbing for me. I am going to do my best to have the Scavenger Hunt projects graded in time for the Friday folders. 

Several students borrowed Hiaasen books today; these need to be returned before class tomorrow, except for 4B students, who come to me first tomorrow.  Some students have literature circles writing assignments, Florida Studies Weekly reading and/or two-column notes to finish up tonight. 

MOVIE DAY TOMORROW! Please send a water bottle with your child. Teachers have been informed about dismissal procedures. 

SPECIAL THANKS to the Nolen Familywho were gracious enough to clean and repair the tombstone of Theo Columbus. I am so grateful for their help in this important matter.

5/7/12 Information about the end-of-the-year project was sent home today, and it has also been posted under PROJECTS. Students have three projects from which to choose ONE. They need to read over the requirements for all three projects and discuss the options with you. Project choice slips are due on or before May 11th. Projects are due on May 30th. PLEASE NOTE: I have a free teacher account to Animoto; students will not have to pay to use this service.

Today we will begin Literature Circles. This reading will take place in the classroom and will be followed by written responses and small group discussions. If your child has a hard time keeping up with the in-class reading, we will need to arrange for him/her to borrow a book either from me or a library. BOOKS BORROWED FROM ME MUST BE RETURNED BEFORE SCHOOL ON THE FOLLOWING DAY, as I will need them with my first class. PLEASE NOTE: There are curse words sprinkled throughout these books, but as I mentioned at Open House, I have painstakenly tried to white them all out.  

We also began chapter 9 of the textbook today. This chapter deals with current issues in Florida, such as competing interests (development v. environmentalism) and growth in diversity. Reading the daily newspaper and making connections to what we are studying in class is a wonderful way to extend the learning. Newspaper reading can be used to meet the nightly reading requirement.

Most students have at least some leftover classwork to do for homework tonight. This can be used to replace nightly reading.

Movie Day after school on Wednesday! Vocabulary Quiz on Friday.

Mistake in yesterday's post: The next Florida Studies test is tentatively scheduled for May 17th!

5/4/12 Folders are coming home today, and they contain graded Florida Studies tests, graded vocabulary quizzes, graded cumulative vocabulary quizzes, weekly reading reports, new vocabulary words and information about a summer opportunity.

You will notice that there was another Parts of Speech quiz on today's vocabulary quiz. This was an opportunity for those students who did poorly last week to redeem themselves. I will be keeping the highest of the two grades in the gradebook. I explained that a low score should provide impetus for increased/improved study time/preparation.For some of the students who scored low on last week's POS test, the low score was a "kick in the pants." MANY of them improved on this week's test, letting me know that they have been working to improve in their knowledge of POS.

LOOKING AHEAD:
On Monday, students will receive information about the final project of the year. This project will be due on May 30th, with presentations on June 4th & 5th.

We will continue our Florida Studies work next week. We have two more chapters to cover. We will take our next Florida Studies Test (covering chapter 9) on May 17th (tentatively). I have not scheduled the last Florida Studies test (covering chapter 10) at this point.  We have four vocabulary quizzes left, Unit 22 being the final list.  There will be no enrichment reading classes on the last day of school, June 6th.  

PROJECTS DUE MONDAY! Late projects will have points deducted.

On Monday we will begin a round of Literaure Circles, akin to adult book clubs. Students will be reading one of Carl Hiaasen's children's books and "talking intelligently" about them. Today we discussed the process and the expectations. I am looking forward to watching the students independently practice skills that we have been developing all year.
 


5/3/12 Florida Studies Test grades will be posted in the parent portal before I leave today. Here is a breakdown of the grades for all the students:
100+ : 8 students
90-99: 16 students
80-89: 15 students
70-79: 6 studnets
60-69: 2 students
below: 1 student
Absent: 1 student

I am proud of the students' hard work in preparation for this quiz. This chapter covers a LOT of information, and they rose to the task.

Today they received two Florida Studies Weekly  newspapers. Some of them qill be finishing up the reading tonight. They can use this to meet their nightly reading requirement. Newspapers should be returned tomorrow to be placed in Florida bags. Some students need to return Florida books and bags as well.

Vocabulary quiz tomorrow.
Projects due on Monday.

5/2/12 Despite some crazy scheduling due to a concert, we were able to have a complete review for tomorrow's test in all three classes. Most students took advantage of the opportunity to take notes.

Students should return Florida bags and textbooks tomorrow. We will be cleaning out the bags and preparing for the next unit.

In 4B, we will hopefully have time to finish "No More Baths"; 4C students have a few minutes of the movie left as well.

Vocabulary quiz on Friday.

Projects due on Monday.

5/1/12 The Cumulative Exam scores were excellent overall!

Today we watched part of  "No More Baths"; ask your child to tell you about the movie and how it relates to our study of efficacy and peaceful demonstrations.

Florida Studies Test on Thursday; review tomorrow.

Scavenger Hunt Projects due on Monday.

The May Geiger Gazette will be posted before the end of the day. Please take a moment to read it. Thanks!

4/27/12 Folders are coming home today, and they contain weekly reading reports, graded vocab/parts of speech quizzes, a new list of vocabulary words, and a movie note. Please return folders on Monday.

Next week will be a bit hectic: cumulative vocabulary quiz on Tuesday, Florida studies test on Thursday, weekly vocab quiz on Friday, and projects due the following Monday.  We will be reviewing for the Florida Studies test on Wednesday. See yesterday's post for a list of study items. Students do not need to return textbooks and Florida bags until the day of the Florida Studies test.

Speaking of textbooks, some students' textbooks have apparently been borrowed by other students. Textbook #5, specifically, is "lost." Please have your child check his/her bedroom and homeroom desk to bring back any extra textbooks he/she may have inadvertently picked up. Thanks!

Have a great weekend!

4/26/12 Students will be bringing home their Florida Studies books and bags today to begin preparing for the next Florida Studies test, which will be given one week from today. Below is a list of items to study in preparation for the test:

Study these pages in the text: pp. 298-335 (should have 5 sets of two-column notes)
Florida Studies Weekly #s 22, 23, 27
Worksheets: The Great Depression, How to Use a Road Map & Mileage Table, Hurricane! World War I Biplanes

Review these topics:
* The Lusitania and The Maine
* How was WWI different from past wars fought by USA?
* Impact of WWI on Florida's economy
* Florida during WWII -- flight schools, agricultural impact
* WWII and changes for women
* Axis Powers & Allies -- who was whom?
* The basics about Pearl Harbor
* Examples of ways Floridians at home supported the war effort
* The Manhattan Project, the Geneva Convention
* How did Florida's economy change after WWII?
* Causes and effects of Florida's population explosions; how were the population booms of the 1920s & 1950s different?
*Inventions during WWI that are still being used today
* Great Migration of African Americans
* Women's suffrage movement -- May Mann Jennings, 19th Amendment
* How did new consumer good and inventions produced in the 1920s make life easier and more enjoyable for Floridians (give examples).
* Carl Fisher, John Gorrie, Marjory Stoneman Douglas -- contributions
* Causes for Florida's economic "bust"
* Define a "depression" in your own words
* President Roosevelt's solution for the Depression
* The CCC and examples of their contributions/projects
* Fidel Castro & 1956 Cuban Revolution -- positivies and negatives for refugees coming to US

I plan to review for the test (using the EXACT test questions) on Wednesday; students will be allowed to take notes. Please encourage them to do so.

IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES:
TOMORROW, Vocabulary Quiz AND Parts of Speech Quiz
Tuesday, May 1 Cumulative Vocabulary Quiz
Thursday, May 3 Florida Studies Test
Monday, May 7 Scavenger Hunt Project Due
Wednesday, May 9 Afterschool Movie Day (information will come home Friday)
Wednesday, May 16 Afterschool Movie Day (information will come home Friday)

4/25/12 Today we learned about the Negro National League and Jackie Robinson. Ask your students to share character traits that made Robinson such a memorable historical figure.

WE WILL HAVE A PARTS OF SPEECH QUIZ ON FRIDAY along with the vocabulary quiz on Friday. Hopefully students have been doing their nightly practice.

4/24/12 Today we read an article about Gandhi and the philosophy of Satyagraha. Ask your child to explain this idea and how it relates to the Civil Rights Movement.

Vocabulary Quiz on Friday. Cumulative vocab quiz on May 1st.

4/23/12 Students received information about their next project, due May 7th. I encouraged them to join up with other classmates to make the experience even more enriching. I will post a copy of the assigment under PROJECTS as well.

4/20/12 Folders are coming home today, and they contain new vocabulary words and the weekly reading report.
Next week we will begin a mini unit on the Civil Rights Movement. We have one more set of notes to take from the textbook, which will also relate to the Civil Rights Movement. The next Florida studies test will likely take place during the second week of May.

Please note that the next cumulative has been scheduled for May 1st. Also, I will be sending home (and posting) project information on Monday. This project will be due on or before May 7th.

4/19/12 FCAT is over! Whoo hoo! Happy to return to the regular schedule tomorrow!

Today we worked on using maps and mileage tables to find routes and distances betweeen Florida cities. Ask your child to explain how to do this.

Students have notes for pp. 320-327 and a worksheet on using Mileage Tables, etc. due tomorrow. Most of them finished one or both in class. This will be our last set of notes for a while.

We also began a new read aloud, Crossing Jordan, in class today. It is apropos for the topics we have been discussing, and will continue to discuss, in class.


4/18/12 Due to testing and early dismissal, I did not see 4B (Cochran & Scammacca) today. Those students received today's assignments yesterday (see planner). Today we read about World War II in both the textbook and a Florida Studies Weekly. Any additional conversation/background knowledge you can provide about this watershed event would be beneficial. In this section of our text, we move very quickly through several major events. I wish I had more time to devote to each of them, but I know that the students will revisit these important happenings in future courses.

4/17/12 Great job by the students getting their Florida Studies work done! BIG Kudos to 4B, who had it tougher than the other classes. Today, many students finished their work in class; some have a bit to do for homework. Again, it can be used as nightly reading.

4/16/12 Well, we survived the first day of FCAT! And we are managing to continue our Florida Studies curriculum. Unfortuately, due to scheduling, 4B only had about 15 minutes of classtime with me, leaving them with quite a bit of homework. Most of them should be able to finish in a reasonable amount of time, and they are to use this to meet the nightly reading requirement (just need a signature on the log). I will be a bit flexible with them, but it would be in their best interest to get it done today if possible. Otherwise, the next assignments will create a compounding effect. HOWEVER, the most important thing is that they are well-rested for testing. So, if they are unable to get the work done within a reasonable period of time which allows them to get into bed at an acceptable time, it is best that they postpone the assignments until later. Ultimately, they will need to have the assignments completed in preparation for the next Florida Studies test. See HOMEWORK for a list of the assignments.

4/13/12 Folders will be sent home today, and they will contain weekly reading reports, Book-It slips for those who scored 100% on the weekly reading report each week during the month of March, Benchmark Test reports,  a test-taking procedures foldable, and project grades. Most students will be bringing projects home today as well. If your child has a project that is too cumbersome for her/him to carry, please make arrangements to drop by the media center before or after school to pick up the project.

FCAT TESTING NEXT WEEK: We will have a modified schedule on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.  It will look like this:
M, T, TH: Testing in the AM
                 Scammacca/Cochran will come to reading when the testing period ends and stay until 11.
                 Moreschi -- 11-12:15
                 Karas/Gonzalez -- 12:15-1:35
Wednesday I will not see Scammacca & Cochran students due to early release. THESE STUDENTS WILL BE GIVEN THEIR WEDNESDAY ASSIGNMENT ON TUESDAY.

We will still be learning during FCAT, and students will be working on Florida Studies. They will begin reading/note-taking assignments in class; anything not finished in class can be used for nightly reading. I will do my best to make sure their load is manageable and doesn't impede on the need to be rested and well during FCAT Testing.

Today we will review smart test-taking procedures; I'm sure the students can quote these ad nauseum by now! Please take a moment to have them "teach" these procedures to you one more time over the weekend, to reinforce them. The worry with gifted kids is that they are over-confident sometimes and make rash decisions about answers without checking the text closely and verifying the information before making choices. Please remind them to take it slowly and "be 101% sure" of their answer choices. I know they are AMAZINGLY STRONG readers; just want them to prove it to everyone else next week!

For those students who did not finish the practice test, here are the correct answers so they can check themselves:
1. A
2. I
3. B16. F
17. A
18. G
19. C
20. B
21. B
22. C
4. G
5. C
6. F
7. A
8. F
9. C
10. I
11. B
12. G
13. D
14. G
15. D



4/12/12 SPECIAL HOMEWORK TONIGHT:  In lieu of nightly reading, I have asked students to spend at least 15-20 minutes on the Finding Resources Bitesize game (see LINKS) to reinforce today's FCAT review lesson on using various resources (almanac, dictionary, atlas, etc.). Please sign your child's reading log to verify that your child did the review game. They do not need to write a summary.

4/11/12 More FCAT review today. The students are doing  very well on the practice exercises. I feel they are ready to show how smart they are. Keeping them well and rested is the challenge. They will have a little special homework from me tomorrow night, but it can be used in lieu of nightly reading. More information to come -- will need internet access, though. Today's practice was sent home in planners.

4/10/12 Students have the opportunity to read Volume 2 of A Land Remembered. I have copies that will be kept in the classroom until 4/30, when I will return them to Ft. Clarke. This is an extra credit opportunity. Students will take the AR test on the book after reading it. If they score a 90 or 100 on the test, this score will be added to their assessment grades. Students who score below a 90 on the AR test will receive 10 EC points to be added to their lowest assessment grade of the last nine weeks.

Students completed a practce FCAT passage today. These are coming home in planners so you can see how they are doing on these practice exercises.

4/9/12 Welcome back! I hope everyone had a wonderful spring break!

Tonight we get back into the nightly reading routine. Students received new logs today.

This week we will wrap up our FCAT review getting ready for next week.

3/29/12 Student projects will be on display in the media center through the week after Spring Break.

Students are NOT required to read over Spring Break; they DO need to record reading for TONIGHT to finish up this week's log. I will collect these logs, and students will get new logs, on the Monday we return from Spring Break.

I chose NOT to send home folders today because I do not want students to have to keep track of them over the holidays.

I hope everyone has a WIDE AWAKE Spring Break!

3/28/12 The first day of presentations went very well! I look forward to hearing from the remainder of the students tomorrow!

3/27/12 Today we finished A Land Remembered and took the AR test on it. Most students did very well. I have copies of Volume 2 on loan from Ft. Clarke for in-class reading for those students who would like more of Zech's story.
PRESENTATIONS BEGIN TOMORROW! Today we discussed some tips for giving presentations and I discussed the components of each type of presentations (e.g. cookbooks, shelters, etc.). All students should begin by introducing themselves and telling the audience which project they chose to do. From there, the presentations differ in the information shared, but we went over this today. All presentations should end with an opportunity for the audience to ask questions.

Family members are welcome to attend the presentations, and you do not have to stay the entire class period. Please come and go BETWEEN presentations, however. Feedback slips will be provided outside the classroom door.

We took our third Benchmark Test of the year today. Results will be sent home in folders after Spring Break.

I am in the process of grading projects -- the non-presentation pieces -- and will send home these grade reports in folders after Spring Break as well.  Grades will be entered into the Parent Portal before I leave on Thursday, however.



3/26/12 I am looking forward to grading all the interesting projects that came in today!

We will read the last chapter of A Land Remembered in class tomorrow. Today we read chapters 21 & 22.

3/24/12 THE TEACHER NEEDS A SPRING BREAK OBVIOUSLY!!! Thanks to Mrs. Quirk for noticing that I still had the presentation schedule posted incorrectly. I hope it is correct now! THANKS for your patience!

3/23/12 IMPORTANT: The times one the presentation schedule were incorrect for 4B!!! I apologize for any inconvenience. They should be accurate now! 

PROJECTS ARE DUE ON MONDAY! Presentations will take place on Wednesday and Thursday. For those doing Strawberries Galore, please remember the cookbooks are turned in on Monday, but the food is not brought in until THURSDAY. I could still use some volunteers to help with the "strawberry buffet."  Family members are welcome to attend. The times listed on the presentation schedule should be close approximations. Please enter the classroom BETWEEN presentations so as not to distract the speakers.

Folders will be coming home today, and these contain graded Florida Studies tests, graded vocabulary quizzes, and weekly reading reports. Please return folders on Monday.

Today we finished chapter 20 of A Land Remembered.

There are NO NEW vocabulary WORDS this week. Students' vocabulary cards were checked today. Whew! 

3/22/12 Today we read chapter 19 and half of chapter 20 of A Land Remembered. We should finish the book on Tuesday of next week. VOCAB CARD CHECK AND QUIZ TOMORROW!!!
PROJECTS DUE ON MONDAY!

We continued our preparation for FCAT -- a review, really, of things we have been talking about all year -- making inferences, drawing conclusions, compare/contrast. Students have a practice sheet that should come home for you to see how they are doing on these practice exercises. Some of them simply need to SLOW DOWN! I keep preaching that it's not a race to see who finishes first. Accuracy is much more important than speed on reading tests. Please help reinforce this idea at home, if possible.



3/21/12 Today we read chapter 18 of A Land Remembered and did some FCAT practice strategies. Ask your child to share one of the "tips" with you that we covered before reading a short piece about Lance Armstrong. They answered some questions on the text and are bringing those home in their planners for you to see how they did on the practice.Projects due Monday.

Vocab quiz and Card Check on Friday.


3/20/12 I will be grading the Florida Studies Tests as quickly as possible and will post the results either later today or tomorrow. For those of you who have access to the Parent Portal, grades should be posted there later today or tomorrow.

UPDATE: Here is a break-down of the grades on Florida Studies Test #7:
100+: 3 students
90-99: 15 students
80-89: 15 students
70-79: 9 students
60-69: 1 student
Below 60: 5 students
Absences: 2 students
 
Today we read chapter 17 of A Land Remembered.

A tentative presentation schedule is available under the PROJECTS tab. Because so many students chose to do Strawberries Galore, I am going to have them do their presentations a little differently. We will set up a buffet of all the strawberry recipes in the classroom office. Students will then be able to choose which food items they would like to try, and we will be able to use only one set of paper goods per student. I will provide plates, napkins, forks, & spoons. If your child's recipe of choice requires something different, please let me know. In the past, each presenter has provided paper goods; I think this will be a more efficient and eco-friendly approach. If a couple of "strawberry galore parents" would be willing to help oversee the buffet, that would be greatly appreciated; please let me know if you would be willing to help with this. Please provide a serving utensil for your child's recipe, and if possible, label it with your name; label dishes, too, please! A "table tent" (e.g. folded index card) for your child's dish with the name of the recipe and the chef's name would be helpful as well. Please let me know if you have questions. Remember, they turn in cookbooks on 3/26, but do not bring their recipes for sharing until 3/29.

Vocab quiz & card check on Friday!

3/19/12 Today we read chapter 16 of A Land Remembered. MANY students borrowed books; please have them drop the books off before the 8:00 class starts so that we have enough books for the first class.Vocabulary Quiz and CARD CHECK on Friday.

Projects are due in one week! I will have the presentation schedule posted by the end of this week.

TOMORROW is the Florida Studies test. It is LONG -- three pages front and back. We covered all the questions in today's review. Some students seem to have already put in a lot of study time. Others did not seem quite so confident. For this latter group, I'd recommend a second reading of the chapters and Florida Studies Weekly newspapers.



3/16/12 Folders are coming home today, and these contain graded vocabulary quizzes, graded values essays, weekly reading reports, new vocabulary words, and graded Solomon Tic Tac Know assignments (except for three students who did not turn this in...). Please return folders on Monday.

We read chapter 15 of A Land Remembered today.

We began reviewing for the Florida Studies Test today. Students had the opportunity to take notes. We will finish the review on Monday. The test will be given on Tuesday -- see yesterday's post for a list of items to study. Florida Studies textbooks and bags should be returned on Tuesday as well.

NEXT FRIDAY WE WILL HAVE A VOCABULARY CARD CHECK! Students need to make word cards for this week's words. There is a list of ALL the vocabulary words under the VOCABULARY link. Including the words they received today, students should have 160 cards.

3/15/12 Students will be bringing Florida Studies books and bags home today to begin preparing for the next Florida Studies test, which will be given on Tuesday, 3/20. The test will cover the following:

Textbook pp. 268-297 (four sets of notes), Florida Studies Weekly #s 19 & 20,  & the George Morikami worksheet.
Students need to review these items:
*Spanish-American War - what?, when?, where?, who?, why?
*How Florida's economy & population changed during the late 1800s & what caused these changes
*Railroads in Florida - who were the "players," what the impact of the RRs was, etc.
*Time zones -- how many there are, which one we are in, etc.
*The Plant System
*Changes in the citrus industry in the late 1800s, Lou Gim Gong
*Key West, cigar-making, Ybor
*Cuban leaders of in the struggle for independence -- be able to name them
*Natural resources & products for markets (e.g. cedar trees were used to make pencils)
*Reasons why immigrants came to Florida & their contributions as well as their struggles once here
*Reason why African American population decreased during this time despite overall increase in population
*Mary McLeod Bethune
*Change generalizations & how they relate to changes in Florida during the late 1800s

VOCAB QUIZ ON FRIDAY!!!

We have read through chapter 14 of A Land Remembered as of today...

3/12/12 Today we read chapters 6-8 in A Land Remembered. The students seem to be enjoying the book. There's a fantastic adult version of the book that I highly recommend to ALL Floridians! Great gift book for Floridian friends, too!

For the next two days, I will be in a workshop. Mrs. Diana will be subbing for me. I do not expect to update the website, so I will list potential homework for each of the days under "HOMEWORK". However some, or all, of it may be completed in class. Students will be reading chapters 9-11 of A Land Remembered in class tomorrow and chapter 12 on Wednesday. It is imperative that students keep up with the reading. IMPORTANT: I reluctantly loaned out 9 copies of the book yesterday. I need these returned BEFORE SCHOOL tomorrow. Mrs. Diana will be short several copies unless they are returned before her first class. Thanks! 

Students have textbook reading and notes on the Spanish-American War to complete. A few finished them in class. We also read a Florida Studies Weekly (#19) on the topic. We now move into the section of our book that seems to be delineated by different wars. For better or worse, these events define our history.

A few students still owe me project slips and folders.

3/9/12 Folders are coming home today, and they contain graded vocabulary quizzes, weekly reading reports, graded extra credit, and new vocabulary words. Please return folders on Monday.

Today we read chapters 4 & 5 in A Land Remembered.
PROJECT SLIPS DUE MONDAY!!! Points will be deducted for those who turn these in late.

HOMEWORK: Students need to read pages 276-283 in their textbooks and complete two-column notes. These notes are due on Monday.


3/8/12 We read chapters 1-3 of A Land Remembered in class today. We are reading the STUDENT edition of the book. Unfortunately, I am unable to send these books home, since they are on loan from Ft. Clarke. If you foresee an absence, please let me know so that I can try to make arrangements for your child to get a book. Vocabulary quiz on Unit 14 words tomorrow.
 
Bring a banana for Mrs. Diana tomorrow if you want!

Students also read Florida Studies Weekly  #20 about the changes in transportation in Florida. They were assigned pp. 268-273 in the textbook with two-column notes; some will be finishing this assignment for homework. All textbooks, notes, etc. should be returned to school tomorrow.



3/7/12 Students began taking the AR test on Solomon after we completed a Twenty Questions Review game today. Hopefully, we will finish up the testing tomorrow. Project information was sent home today. It will also be posted under PROJECTS before I leave today. Students need to decide on their project choices by Monday and must return project commitment slips by then. Points will be deducted if these slips are turned in late. Projects are due on 3/26. Students asked about completing a second project for extra credit, and I agreed as long as the quality of the primary project does not suffer from them spreading themselves too thin. Extra credit projects (limit one) are due on or before 3/26 as well.

SPECIAL HOMEWORK TONIGHT FOR SOME STUDENTS: Students wrote about their values today; some students may have these paragraphs to finish for homework. Others have Tic Tac Know activities to complete tonight. Both are due tomorrow. Many students already turned in both assignments.

Ask your child about the Hetty Green article we read today and about the day's essential questions:
       What are "values"? How does a person's actions demonstrate his/her values?



3/6/12 Today we read the last chapter of Solomon. Ask your child what he/she would include in a sequel! Tomorrow we will do a review game before taking the AR test on the book.

Some students are planning to bring bananas on Friday to Mrs. Diana for her birthday. They have my permission to do so.

Project Information will be sent home tomorrow. These projects will be due on 3/26.

Vocabulary quiz Friday!

3/5/12 Tomorrow we will read the last chapter of Solomon. Students began working on "Tic Tac Know" response activities today.

Tomorrow is Mrs. Diana's birthday. Students who wish to make a birthday card for her can give it to her on Friday when she volunteers.

The information on the next project will be sent home on Wednesday.

Vocabulary Quiz on Friday.

Thanks for the prompt return of folders!

Many students have already earned extra credit points by completing the second installment of Mission U.S.  A simple email letting me know your child completed the second mission is all that is required to earn the points.

3/1/12 Today we read chapter 20 of Solomon. We will finish up the book next week and take the AR test. The next project will be assigned next week as well. Several students borrowed copies of the book to catch up on reading tonight. Please have them return the books tomorrow.  

I will be out tomorrow, and Mrs. Diana will be subbing for me. Please look for folders coming home. These will contain graded vocabulary quizzes, weekly reading reports, Book-It slips for those who earned them in February, and new vocabulary words. Students will need to make vocabulary cards for their new words over the weekend. Folders should be returned on Monday. 

Tomorrow's schedule will be altered due to the Literature Connections activity. Students will get new reading logs, have the vocabulary quiz, go over new vocabulary words, and get their folders as usual, however. 

The March Geiger Gazette will be posted before I leave today. Please take a moment to read it.

GREAT NEWS! Mission US  has added another installment and it is WAY cool! If you would like to do it for Extra Credit, complete Mission 2 and have your parent email that you finished the entire Mission successfully. Enjoy!
Here's the website: http://www.mission-us.org/

I will not be updating the website again until Monday. Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

2/29/12 Happy Leap Day!

Ask your child about Langston Hughes's poetry. They are becoming quite the experts!

Today we read chapters 18 & 19 in Solomon. We will finish up the book early next week.

Vocabulary Quiz on Friday!

2/28/12 I'm sure the students are happy to put the Florida Writes test behind them! Tomorrow we will resume classes as usual. However, Friday will be an abbreviated class due to the Literature Connections activity for Dragon's Egg. Tomorrow I will check reading logs for Monday and Tuesday PM reading.
Vocabulary Quiz on Friday!

Interim reports should be sent home today. Now that the parent portal is open on Infinite Campus, I do not send home print-outs of the students' grade reports. Please remember that NO extra credit points have been added at this point. The lowest grades in the Nightly Reading and Vocabulary/Classwork/Homework categories have been dropped. At the end of the nine weeks, I add any accumulated extra credit points to the lowest grade in the Assessments/Projects category. Please let me know if you have any questions.


2/27/12 This is time-sensitive information from the Florida Association of the Gifted:

House Bill 7059 and Senate Bill 1368
 
Please contact your state legislators by this Tuesday, February 28.
 

Visit this link to learn more:http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=3523339871c54747d6c987913&id=9768e909ea
 
Find your Elected Officials here:http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Representatives/myrepresentative.aspx

Tomorrow is the Florida Writes exam, so our regular schedule of classes will be altered.

Vocabulary quiz on Friday...

2/24/12 Folders are coming home today, and these contain graded cumulative vocabulary quizzes, graded Unit 11 quizzes, weekly reading reports, and new vocabulary words. Please return folders on Monday.

Next week will be a little unusual. Mr. Burklew will be observing in 4B on Monday. I am looking forward the students showing how smart they are! The Florida Writes! test will take place on Tuesday, so the regular schedule will be a bit disrupted. The Literature Connections event is on Friday, so our class time will be abbreviated.

Have a great weekend!

2/23/12 Today we read chapters 15 & 16 in Solomon. We also learned a new strategy -- Opinion/Proof. It is important for students to be able to justify their answers based on the text. The real-life application is that we should be able to support our opinions with reasoning. We will practice using this strategy again.

Vocabulary quiz tomorrow!

Here is a link to the presentation that I will present to Florida Farm Bureau, since they provided grant money which paid for bus transportation on our field trip. I'm sharing for two reasons: First, these are words that your children came up with related to the trip, and second, because they will be creating one of these projects later in the year. I have a teacher account, meaning that it will be cost-free. Just a little glimpse of something to come!
http://animoto.com/play/HJQDqOWrWJC0GcZEhPcMWw

2/22/12 The students did some great thinking today! We read two more poems -- "Dream Deferred" and "Monument in Black." They then made connections between these poems and the ones we read yesterday, as well as making connections to Solomon and creating generalizations linking all of the above! They were amazing! It is so gratifying to watch their thinking expand and evolve. Today we read chapters 13 & 14 of Solomon.

Vocabulary quiz on Friday!



2/21/12 Students did a great job on the cumulative today. I hope to have scores posted to the Parent Portal before I leave. Regular vocabulary quiz on Friday. Otherwise, it seems like it will be a quiet week.

Today we read through chapter 11 in Solomon. Except for 4C, we also discussed Walt Whitman's "I Hear America Singing" and Langston Hughes "I, Too." 4C will catch up on this tomorrow. 4A & 4B parents, have your child explain their ideas about today's essential questions: How does an author's paradigms influence his/her writing? Why did Walt Whitman and Langston Hughes view America differently, and how did their view show through in their poetry?

2/17/12 Folders are coming home today, and they contain graded webquest projects, graded Florida Studies tests, two weekly reading reports, graded extra credit papers, and new vocabulary words. Please look through your child's folder, and return folders to class on Tuesday.

CUMULATIVE VOCABULARY QUIZ ON TUESDAY!!! This test will cover units 1-10. Students completed a review of some of the words today. I wonder why Dr. Geiger chose to review these particular words. Hmmm...

The Book Fair is going on through next week. Students are allowed to visit the Book Fair during quiet reading time each day if they would like to purchase books.

Have a great long weekend! When the students say, "I'm bored," have them check out the Civil War simulation under LINKS!

2/16/12 Today we had a wonderful conversation about paradigms. Andrew wowed us with the comment, "Every place we go and everything we experience tweaks our paradigms a little bit more." That's the best argument I've heard for living a wide-awake life! I love that the students are connecting learning from earlier in the year to current texts.

UPDATE: Please note change to calendar. The Dragon's Egg Literature Connections Activity date has been moved to 3/2. Homeroom teachers have more information about extending the deadline for reading the book and passing the test.
For those students who want more Civil War information, I am posting a simulation under LINKS.

CHECK OUT THE NEW PICTURES IN GALLERY (scroll down; they are at the end...)

2/15/12 Today we read through chapter 8 of Solomon. We also did a character-symbol activity. Wow! There thinking has come such a long way. I see it so clearly when I repeat an activity that we have done earlier in the year.

Please note that the next cumulative has been scheduled for 2/21. Hopefully students have been continually revisiting their words. The next new list will come home on Friday, but these will not be included in the cumulative; it will cover units 1-11.


2/14/12 Happy Valentine's Day!

The Florida Studies Test went very well! Here is a break-down of the scores:

100- none
90-99:  28 students
80-89: 17 students
70-79: 1 student
60-69: 2 students
below 60: none
absentees: 1 student

I hope to have the Parent Portal updated before I leave today.

Anyone who forgot to bring back a textbook or Florida Bag should do so tomorrow.

2/13/12 THANK YOU for helping make the field trip a wonderful success! I'm sure the children came home exhausted; I certainly was! But the experiences we shared added so much to their understanding of the learning we have been doing in the classroom. I appreciate your willingness to rearrange schedules, etc. to make it possible for your children to attend. Today we wrote thank you notes to the docents, cowboy, author, and bus driver!

FLORIDA STUDIES TEST TOMORROW: We reviewed the EXACT questions that will be on the test with the exception of two items: Students will be given a list of 10 states that they will label as either Union or Confederate. Also, they will be asked to match Amendments 13, 14, & 15 to a descriptor of what each guaranteed.

Students should return Florida Bags & Textbooks tomorrow.

2/9/12 Students received new reading logs today, since we will not have time to take care of this tomorrow. They will log tonight's reading on the "old" log and weekend reading on the "new" log. I will collect this week's log on Monday.

FIELD TRIP TOMORROW:
List of things to bring in your backpack:
                                 JACKET
                                 lunch & snack; those getting cafeteria lunches should bring a snack for the afternoon
                                 book to read on bus
                                 water bottle
                                 two $1 bills
OPTIONAL: camera, spending money for the store at Dudley Farm, $15 to purchase a book from the author (some of you have turned in pre-orders).

DO NOT bring electronic games, I-pods, I-pads, etc.

I will not send home weekly folders tomorrow due to the field trip.

FAMILY MATH NIGHT TONIGHT! Let me know if you attend so I can give you extra credit!

2/8/12 Today we wrapped up our study of Reconstruction. Students should bring home two items to place in their Florida bags to help them as they prepare for the next Florida Studies test: a Florida Studies Weekly newspaper and two-column notes on an article about Reconstruction that we read in class.

We began reading Solomon today. We will get as much in as possible before we meet the author on Friday.

2/7/12 Florida Bags and Textbooks were sent home today so that students may begin to prepare for our next Florida Studies Test on 2/14 (Happy Valentine's Day, right?). The test will cover the following material:
      * Textbook pp. 228-253
      * Florida Studies Weekly # 17 & 18 (your child will receive this one tomorrow)
      * Class lectures, activities, and reading about the Civil War & Reconstruction, including video & response to the Gettysburg Address, Union/Confederate States mapping activity, and other in-class readings and tasks.
      * Worksheets: Africans in the Civil War, Reconstuction, & Primary/Secondary Sources
 
These are some items to review:
1. Causes of the Civil War & why it's called a "civil" war
2. The two "sides" of the War, including the names of the armies, the major Generals (one for each side), and the primary section of the U.S. (north or south)
3. Why was Florida called the "Breadbasket of the Confederacy?"
4. The Emancipation Proclamation
5. Carpetbaggers & scalawags -- what did they have in common?
6. The definition of "martial law"
7. Why was it difficult to blockade all of Florida?
8. Students will be given a list of states to label as Union or Confederate; most of these should be pretty obvious, but beware the "border states"
9. Differences in the northern and southern economies at the time of the Civil War
10. The South's reaction to Lincoln's election
11. The president of the Confederacy
12. Event that was the "official" start to the War
13. Where the Confederates surrendered
14. What major event happened five days after the South's surrender?
15. Reconstruction
16. Sharecopping
17. Lincoln's successor & why I call him a "jerk" :)
18. 13th, 14th, & 15th Amendments to the Constitution
19. Gettysburg Address -- they have a copy of it -- What was the author's purpose?
20. In what year was Florida readmitted to the Union?
21. Identifying primary/secondary sources
22. Black Codes
23. Laws may change quickly, but paradigms take a long time to change...

We will have a review on Monday, 2/13, but I do not want students to "put all their eggs" in that "basket." They need to review their notes, review the chapter, look over the Florida Studies Weekly newspapers, and THINK about what they have been learning in class. If they can speak to the items above in an intelligent manner, they will likely be miles ahead of the large majority of adult Floridians! Study time may be used to meet the nightly reading requiremnt; they still need to complete reading logs.

They do not need to return textbooks or Florida bags until the day of the test. Tomorrow we will finish up an article on Reconstruction, and they will get Florida Studies Weekly #18, also on the topic of Reconstruction.

FIELD TRIP FRIDAY: I have been told by the docent that it is about 10 degrees cooler in the Homestead. Therefore, please make sure your child brings a sweater or jacket. There will be no need for planners, textbooks, or any other normal school paraphenalia on Friday. Students can bring their backpacks to hold a jacket, lunch, water bottle, book to read on the bus, camera (if they choose), snack for the end of the day, and two $1 bills -- one for each site, if possible. They are welcome to bring spending money for the store at Dudley Farm or to purchase a book from our visiting author ($15). They may NOT bring electronic games, I-pods, I-pads, etc. Nothing ruins a day more quickly than the loss or damage of something precious. I'd like to avoid that possibility.
 
2/6/12 Today we practiced recognizing the difference between primary and secondary sources as well as using line graphs. Students are to read pp. 246-250 in their textbooks and complete two-column notes. A few actually finished up in class. In addition, they have a worksheet called "Reconstruction" to complete. Notes and worksheets are due tomorrow.

We are finishing up Two Miserable Presidents. Some students will bring books home today if they chose to do so. PLEASE RETURN BOOKS BEFORE SCHOOL TOMORROW! Others have already finished and begun taking the AR test on the book. Scores range from 10% (EEK!) to 100% so far. While I do not panic over one test score, I do hope that students who score low on this test will take a pause to think about why they may have scored so low.

It's early in the grading period, and there is plenty of time to bring up grades, for those who are somewhat grade-conscious. All this to say -- No worries, but time for reflection.

Congrats to students who got their projects turned in on time! I will grade these as quickly as I can. Because we will not have regular class Friday (field trip), folders will not be sent home this week. I will post the grades on the Parent Portal after I have completed them, however.

Students will bring books and Florida bags home tomorrow to begin studying for the next Florida Studies test, which will be given on 2/14.

This is a difficult book, but appropriate for an advanced class. This is a non-fiction book, making it even more difficult for students who tend to have a steady reading diet of fiction. For many students, I noticed rushing through the reading, when actually, this type of reading should take longer. While reading anything -- but especially nonfiction -- it is important to take pauses and ask, "Am I getting this?" "Do I need to re-read that part?" Etc. We have done this together in class with non-fiction; this book provided an opportunity to apply these practices while flying solo. Unfortunately, some are having a pretty difficult "landing." I do not think it's necessary to over-emphasize this one test. I DO want students to use it as a "stepping stone" to figure out how to improve for the next time, though.

2/3/12 Folders are coming home today, and these contain weekly reading reports, graded vocabulary test, a Two Miserable Presidents quiz,  and Book-It slips for those who scored 100% on each weekly reading report in January. Please return folders on Monday. There are no new vocabulary words this week, due to next Friday's field trip.. These must be returned BEFORE 8 AM on Monday, as I need them for my first class.
 
Today we learned about the "Gettysburg Address." Ask your child to tell you what he/she knows about it.

PROJECTS ARE DUE ON MONDAY!!!!

Several students borrowed books to catch up on Two Miserable Presidents

2/2/12 The second movie day was a success!  There is an essay question available that participating students may answer for extra credit if they so choose. Papers are available in class.

Tomorrow, students have a vocabulary quiz on Unit 11 words.

Today we read more about the Civil War in Two Miserable Presidents, and we read about Lincoln's decision to write the Emancipation Proclamation.

Here's a great opportunity: Doodle 4 Google invites K-12 students to express the theme--”If I could travel in time, I’d visit...”--as creatively as possible using Google’s logo as their canvas. This year’s winner, along with having his or her doodle featured on our homepage for a day, will take home a $30,000 college scholarship and a $50,000 technology grant for their school. And as an added bonus, the winning Doodle will be featured on a special edition of Crayola’s 64 box! We hope you’ll get everyone in on the fun (but please -- just one doodle per child!). All submissions must be postmarked by March 20th and received by March 23rd so there’s not a moment to wait! Check out www.google.com/doodle4googlefor more details.

2/1 Today is report card day! Normally I send home a detailed print-out of your child's scores. However, now that the Infinite Campus Parent Portal is open, this is no longer necessary. Once you have registered for access on the Parent Portal, you have access to your child's grades on a daily basis!

By the way, Mrs. Diana's husband, Don, broke both feet in a fall last week. Kind thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery would be appreciated! Students who would like to make a get-well card are encouraged to do so!

To register, stop in at the front office and speak to Sue Sullivan, our data base manager. You will need a picture ID. After you register, you will be given a log-in and password. The Parent Portal is accessible from Talbot's Website Homepage. After you are logged in, click on SCHEDULE on the left menu bar. Look for my name in your child's schedule. There should be an notepad & pencil icon. Click on that, and you should see a screen that looks exactly like the print-out I sent home in the past. It will provide a break-down of your child's scores in each of the areas -- Nightly Reading, Vocab/Classwork/Homework, and Assessments. If all of this is way too techie for you and you need me to print out a report of your child's scores the old-fashioned way, just jet me an email, and I will send one home. and about Pink & Say, a book we read in class.

Vocab Quiz on Friday!

REMINDER: All extra credit points are combined and added to your child's lowest assessment grade of the nine weeks. For this reason, some students may have a ridiculously high assessment grade (e.g. 127%).

TODAY IS MOVIE DAY! Students who are participating will be walked to the front of the school around 2:30.

There is no homework today other than the regular nightly reading, studying vocab & parts of speech, and working on the project.

Ask your child to tell you about his/her team "quiz" over chapters 2 & 3 of Two Miserable Presidents

1/31/12 Students were given class time to complete several assignments today. Because of the variance in their pacing, they are at different spots in finishing up their work. First, they read through chapter 3 of Two Miserable Presidents. Some had part of chapter 2 to finish from yesterday. After they read, they were given the opportunity to work on tonight's homework: Florida Studies Textbook pp. 238-243 with two-column notes and an "Africans in the Civil War" worksheet. Many students finished everything, while others only got the reading done in class; a few still have reading to finish tomorrow. All of this to say, your child may or may not have special homework tonight! Those students who finished their work in class were told to file the papers in their Florida Bags and leave their textbooks at school.
Friday -- vocabulary test on Unit 11 Words.
Projects are due on 2/6.

Tomorrow is the Movie Day after school. Teachers have been given a list of students who should be dismissed to me for the movie. EDEP students need to check in at EDEP first, and then report to my classroom. I will walk the students out to the front car pick up circle at 2:30. If you need to pick your child up before that, please come to the classroom.
Please remind your child to bring a water bottle. I will provide some type of snack -- haven't decided what just yet. If you have a picky eater, he/she can bring his/her own snack to make sure he/she doesn't starve!


1/30/12 Students have textbook homework tonight. They should read pp. 229-235 and complete EITHER two-column notes or post-it notes for each section of the text. This is due tomorrow.

PLEASE return any permission slips for the Movie Day and field trip TOMORROW.  Because I had to let the cafeteria know how many students needed sack lunches today, I will assume that those students who have not yet turned in permission slips will be bringing a lunch from home. I have to let the fourth grade teachers, front office, GASP, and EDEP know who is being dismissed to my classroom for Wednesday's movie by TOMORROW. Students who do not turn in permission slips to see the movie by tomorrow will not be allowed to attend.
 
Today we read a brief article about Civil War Reenactments, did a map activity related to Union and Confederate states, heard a CD with oral interpretations of primary documents from the Civil War years, and read a second chapter in Two Miserable Presidents. Some students did not have time to finish; they will do so during quiet reading tomorrow. We also took a quiz on Chapter 1 of Two Miserable Presidents. Students were allowed to refer back to the book; most students did well on the quiz.

Students have a vocabulary quiz on Friday.

1/27/12 Folders are coming home today and they are overflowing! Please take time to read through your child's folder. You should find the following:
 - Movie Day Permission Slip
 - Field Trip Permission Slip
 - Field Trip Information Sheet
 - Two weekly reading reports
 - Graded Vocab/POS Quizzes
 - Graded Florida Studies Test
 - FAIR Assessment Report

Please return items in the RETURN pocket along with the folder on Monday. Students should also be bringing home their vocabulary cards; these were checked today.

A word about the FAIR report... I will briefly (or not-so-briefly it turned out...) try to explain and simplify some complex information:

When the students take the initial FAIR test in the fall, they are given reading passages based on their performance on the third grade FCAT. The passages are either "simple," "medium," or "difficult." Therefore, if a child performed in the high range on last year's FCAT, he would be given more difficult passages on the first FAIR assessment in 4th grade.
As a student takes the first FAIR, the passages are adjusted based on the student's performance. For instance, if a child receives a "simple" text first and does very well, she may be given a medium text next. If she does well on this second passage, she may be given a harder "medium" passage or a "difficult" one.  The idea, I guess, is to find the child's "ceiling."

When the students take the second FAIR test, they are given passages based on their performance on the first FAIR. If they did really well on the first one and have a high "ceiling," and then miss a question or two, it will appear that they dropped considerably in their scores.

Another important thing to rememer is that the most important score is the reading comprehension score, and this score is a percentile ranking, not a percentage. For instance, a student who scores a 50 is right at the mid-range; this student did not score a 50% (a score we would tend to think of as failing). If a student scores a 76%, for example, this means that only 24% of the students in the state of Florida did better than she did. 

So, when I look at the scores, I first realize that this is ONE indicator, and is only a snapshot of how each student did during one hour of one day. We all have good days, bad days, days when we're not feeling well, days when we really don't feel "invested" in a particular activity, etc. So, for me, this is just one piece of data that I include with what I see related to classroom performanceand and other measures. After I have grounded myself in this foundational belief, I look at ranges of scores. If a student is in the 80-100 range, I consider that the high range. Those scoring between 30-79 would be in the mid-range. And those scoring below 30 would be in the low range. For those in the low range, if I am also seeing struggles on classroom assessments, then I have cause for concern; if I see satisfactory classroom performance, then I figure this may be a fluke or simply not an accurate indicator of this child's ability.

Whew! I realize this is a long post, but I wanted to try to clarify how the FAIR data is interpreted and used. Please let me know if you have concerns or questions.  

There are lots of great things going on in Gainesville this weekend! I hope everyone has the opportunity to "live a wide-awake life!"

1/26/12 Today we began learning about the causes of the Civil War. Students have a Florida Studies Weekly to finish up at home. They are using highlighters to highlight the most important information. Newspapers should be returned tomorrow to place in Florida bags.
Looks like the gremlins attacked my website again last night. Sorry for the convoluted Newsflash update. Ugh!

If anyone is planning to attend the Medieval Faire, Ms. Bruck sent a link on which you can get a really great deal on tickets. I can't forward the email through the website, but if you are interested, email me, and I will pass the link on to you.

One last thing... Word on the street is that there is soon to be a big crackdown on those who are driving through Ashton from Millhopper Road to avoid the intersection at 53rd & 43rd. Last year the tickets were in the $200 range. Please help spread the word.

VOCABULARY, PARTS-OF-SPEECH Quizzes AND vocabulary CARD CHECK TOMORROW!

Tonight at 6:30, award-winning comic artist and graphic novelist, Gene Luen Yang will speak at the downtown library. This is a great opportunity for budding cartoonists!

SAVE THE DATE: It All Adds Up: Family Math Night, February 9th, Talbot Cafeteria 6:30-8 PM. There will be a parent session, student session, and combined sessions! Those (my students) who attend will earn extra credit! Spread the word!


1/25/12  Unless we have a special arrangement, PLEASE RETURN ALL STRAWBERRY GIRL books tomorrow!!! I need to return them to school from which they are borrowed.

Students have a special homework assignment tonight. They are writing a response to a Brain Pop video we watched about Frederick Douglass. I suggested that they do some online reading if they need to refresh their memories about his life. Here are some websites that may be useful: http://gardenofpraise.com/ibdfdoug.htm and http://www.notablebiographies.com/De-Du/Douglass-Frederick.html (beware the ads in this one). 

1/24/12 Tomorrow is the deadline to finish Strawberry Girl and take the AR test. Students who did not have time to finish the book in class today should be bringing home a copy to finish tonight. Books MUST be returned tomorrow, as they are on loan from another school.
Reminder: Vocabulary Card Check on Friday; also -- vocabulary quiz and parts-of-speech quiz on Friday. 

Project information is posted under PROJECTS. Students received a packet of related documents to use in completing the project; these should be clipped in planners and should arrive home today. The documents are NOT available on the website, so they need to keep track of them. They will refer to the website for instructions and use the packet to complete the tasks.  The completed packet is due on or before February 6th. Work on Activities 1-4 may be used to meet the nightly reading requirement. Activity 5 involves writing a letter to me; this portion may NOT be used in lieu of nightly reading, and the students have been told they may handwrite or type this portion of the assignment. I have not provided paper for the letter.  They can use paper of their choice. There is a project-related extra credit option that I will post under Extra Credit today as well.


1/23/12 Today many students finished Strawberry Girl. The remainder will finish in class tomorrow. We revisited our change generalizations, applying them to the song "Turn, Turn, Turn." We also learned about QARs, Question-Answer Relationships. Ask your child to tell you about the four types of questions we discussed.

New Project Information will be sent home (and posted on the website) tomorrow. This is an on-line Webquest which will be due on 2/6. I suggest doing small sections at a time. This CAN be used to fulfill the nightly reading requirement as long as the log is completed as usual.

There are a couple of interesting opportunities this week. See EXTRA CREDIT for details.

VOCABULARY CARD CHECK on FRIDAY along with a vocabulary quiz and Parts-of-Speech quiz.

1/20/12  Hope the students are enjoying a day off! Here are the results from yesterday's test:

100:  5 Students
90-99:  16 Students
80-89:  20 Students
70-79:  4 Students
60-69:  3 Students
Below 60:  2 Students

Once the absentees have completed the test, I will be able to go into more specifics. Graded tests will be sent home in Friday folders next week. 

Please remember to return any Florida textbooks or bags that were not returned yesterady. Students should have recorded reading for last night AND should record "weekend" reading on the new reading logs they received yesterday. They also have a new set of vocabulary words for which they need to create cards. VOCABULARY CARD CHECK NEXT FRIDAY -- should have 100 words including this week's!

Looks like we will go ahead with the movie day on 2/1 (SECME does NOT meet that day). Permission slips will be sent home in Friday folders.

UPDATE: Was just reminded that a Wednesday movie day may conflict with SECME. I will try to work something out so that students do not have to choose. Will keep you updated!

1/18/12 OOPS! Olivia found an error in my test review items. Good eye, Olivia & family! The first review item should be  related to what caused conflicts between the AMERICAN colonists and the Seminoles. I reviewed this with the students in class as part of today's test review and hopefully cleared up any confusion! Sorry!

Mrs. Diana will be subbing for me again tomorrow. I will be spending the day at Buchholz High School. I will not update the website tomorrow, but there should not be much news. Students will get new reading logs tomorrow so that they can log their weekend reading; they will log their Thursday PM reading on the current log and turn that log in on Monday. Because I will not be here, I will not have results of the test until Friday. I will post an update during the Teacher Workday.

The next vocabulary list will be sent home tomorrow (Unit 10). Students should make cards over the weekend and begin studying the meanings for next Friday's test.

Next week we will finish up Strawberry Girl and begin reading Solomon in preparation for our field trip on 2/10. If you are interested in chaperoning on the trip, please let me know by next Friday. We will leave the school at 8:30 and return at 4:00.

SAVE THE DATE: Next Wednesday, February 1, I will host the second movie day after school. We will be viewing "Nightjohn," a made-for-TV Disney movie related to slavery and the power of literacy. I will send home permission slips next week for those students who wish to attend. This is a much shorter movie!

It's hard to believe that tomorrow, is the end of the first semester! I am pleased with the students' growth in thinking,  study skills, responsibility, group interaction, and critical literacy. We have come a long way, and still have a long way to go! I am excited about the learning that lies ahead!
 
1/17/12 Today we learned about three types of questions -- skinny, plump, & fat. Ask your child to explain these types to you. We also finished The Treasure of Amelia Island and began taking the AR test on the book. We read chapters 9 & 10 in Strawberry Girl and read an article called "Florida's Steamboating Days." Needless to say, we had a busy day!

FLORIDA STUDIES TEST ON THURSDAY! Books and Florida bags do not need to be returned until the day of the test. No vocabulary test this week...

1/12/12 VOCAB QUIZ TOMORROW!!!

Tonight students will complete the last set of two-column notes for awhile. Whew! I know they have worked very hard this week, and I am proud of their diligence and productivity. Tonight they will complete notes for pages 218-223. They should bring the notes to class tomorrow for a homework check, but they do NOT need to bring their textbooks to class. These can be kept at home until next Thursday, the day of Florida Studies Test #5. Students will bring home their Florida Bags tomorrow, and will keep them at home until Thursday as well.

For the last couple of days we have been working with five generalizations that relate to the abstract concept of change. These are:
1. Change can be positive or negative.
2. Change is linked to time.
3. Change can be natural or man-made.
4. Change is everywhere.
5. Change can be orderly or random.

Ask your child to give you some examples that relate to these generalizations. We will be applying these to texts and events throughout the remainder of the school year, so it is important that they solidify their understanding of these ideas.

I will be out tomorrow, and Mrs. Diana will be subbing for me. Folders will be sent home, and they will contain graded Florida Studies Tests, Benchmark Assessment reports, graded vocabulary quizzes, weekly reading reports, and graded Mission U.S. quizzes. Some of the Mission U.S. quiz grades were changed after I realized that different "paths" led to different levels of difficulty in finding certain items for Mrs. Eades. For those who have scores in two colors of marker, I added points to the grade. Let me know if you have questions.

In class tomorrow, the students will be taking the vocabulary quiz, reading two chapters of Strawberry Girl, completing a Cause and Effect sheet, and reading Florida Studies Weekly #16. Those who do not finish the Cause and Effect sheet and/or the FSW may need to finish these for homework. (I am writing this now as I will not be able to update the website tomorrow.) NOTE: 4B is a little behind the other classes, so they will be completing a couple of "catch up" assignments from today; therefore they will more likely have items to complete for homework.

PREPARATION FOR THE NEXT FLORIDA STUDIES TEST:
The upcoming test will cover the following:
* Textbook pages 198-204, 205-209, 210-215, 218-223 (students should have notes for each of these sections)
* Florida Studies Weekly #15 & 16 (wouldn't hurt to review #14 as well)

Things to study:
- reasons for conflicts between AMERICAN colonists (good eye, Olivia!) & Seminoles
- Seminole leaders (should know one prominent leader for each of the three Seminole Wars)
- When did Florida become a state, and who were the influential people that helped win statehood for Florida?
-Treaty of Moultrie Creek
-First governor (territory and state), capital, flag, etc.
-What does it mean to be "self-sufficient?"
-How did transportation change in the early 1800s in Florida? How did the change in transportation affect Florida's economy?
-What was the process of Florida becoming a state? Why did it take so long? What made it official?
-The Seminole Wars -- what started them, who were the key "players", etc.
-Indian Removal Act, Andrew Jackson, etc.

HAVE A GREAT LONG WEEKEND! The website will be updated again on Tuesday, 1/17.

1/11/12 Students assure me that they are getting better and better at taking two-column notes. This is a skill that will become particularly important in middle school, as they "juggle" several textbooks of content-heavy material. A good set of notes not only helps a student transfer the information into his/her own words, but also becomes a great study tool and a "visual imprint" for the visual learners. Often, they will "see" their notes with their minds-eye when taking a test. Many of the students are including visuals/illustrations/diagrams. This is a powerful strategy as well. For the more verbal/auditory students, retelling the "story" that they read about in their history books is a wonderful way for them to solidify their understanding. I am impressed with the growing independence the students are demonstrating!

Tonight they have another set of notes to complete as well as a quick worksheet. Some already finished the worksheet in class ("Key West Wreckers"). They will have a final set of notes to do tomorrow night, and then will begin preparing for our next Florida Studies test, which will take place next Thursday on 1/19. Therefore, students DO need to bring textbooks tomorrow, but they do NOT need to bring them to school on Friday. Florida bags will be sent home on Friday as well; both should be returned on 1/19. Tomorrow I will post a list of study items on the website.

For those who still do not have enough to keep them busy, I have added another link on the website. This is a simulation that we did not have time to do during our brief study of early American History. Like Mission U.S., it also relates to the Boston Massacre.

Vocabulary Quiz on Friday.

1/10/12 Today we took our second Benchmark Test. I will send the results of these in Friday folders along with the graded Florida Studies tests.

Students did a good job with their two-column notes last night! Tonight they will practice some more with pages 205-209 in the textbook. They also have a worksheet called "The Soldiers March On" to complete. Some students have post-it note summaries for Florida Studies Weekly #15 to do as well. They should return these items along with their textbooks to class tomorrow. This homework CAN be used for their nightly reading requirement; they still need to complete reading logs, however. 

Vocabulary Quiz on Friday... 

We took a break from Strawberry Girl today so that folks could catch up. So far we have read through chapter 5. Several students borrowed books to finish their last few pages of chapter 5. These books MUST be returned tomorrow so that we can use them in class. If students are able to drop them by the classroom before school, that would be ideal!

1/9/12  We are off to a busy week!

Overall the Florida Studies Test results look good. Here is a breakdown of the scores:
100-103    9 Students
90-99      13 Students
80-89      16 Students
70-79       7 Students
60-69       3 Students
Below 60 1 Student
Absent     2 Students

Some students still need to return Florida bags and folders.

SPECIAL HOMEWORK TONIGHT: As you may have noticed, students are being asked to do more and more of the textbook reading and note-taking independently. This trend will continue this week. Tonight they need to read pages 198-204, taking two-column notes. This CAN be used for their nightly reading assignment as long as the log is filled in correctly. Notes are due tomorrow; some students had time to begin them in class. Students should also bring textbooks to class tomorrow.

We read chapter 5 in Strawberry Girl today, and students composed another journal entry. Some of them ran out of time and will finish these in class tomorrow.

Tomorrow we will take our second Benchmark Test in reading.

Vocabulary Quiz on Friday.

1/6/12 Folders are coming home today, and these contain two weekly reading reports, new vocabulary words, graded extra credit, Book-It slips (for those with all 100s on weekly reading in December) and Heifer "keepsakes" for those who participated in the fundraiser. Students need to make vocabulary cards for their words; we will have another "card check" before too long. Please return folders on Monday.

FLORIDA STUDIES TEST on MONDAY! Please see the posting below (1/3) for a list of study items. We did a review of the EXACT questions in class today, and students were encouraged to take notes; some chose not to do so. Students should return Florida Bags and textbooks on Monday.
 
Today we read chapter 4 in Strawberry Girl. 

The students did a super job with their recitations! I have not yet graded the Mission US quizzes. I will get them back to the students ASAP.

1/5/12 Today we read chapter 3 of STRAWBERRY GIRL and compared the Boyer and 

Slater Families' values and paradigms. We also did another character-symbol activity 

and completed another learning log entry about the book. TOMORROW is the deadline to

 recite the Introduction to the Declaration of Independence and to have Mission U.S.

 completed. Many students have already completed one or both of the assignments.

1/4/12 Today we read chapter 2 in Strawberry Girl and discussed the symbolism of "fences." This is an idea we will revisit later in the year. We created character maps for one of the main characters, including physical, psychological, and social traits. Ask your child to teach you this process by describing a family friend, relative, or celebrity. NOTE: 4C students have a learning log Entry to complete for homework; the other classes finished during class time.

We also took some time to review the American History we have learned so far this year by reading some of The Cartoon History of the United States.

Reminder: Mission U.S. and the recitation of "We hold these truths..." are due no later than Friday.

1/3/12 Happy New Year! I trust that your family enjoyed a relaxing and pleasurable Winter Break.

Today we began reading Strawberry Girl and learned about "Florida Cracker" culture. As with any in-class reading of a novel, it is important that students stay abreast of the reading. If there is an absence, please make arrangements to procure a copy of the book. Today we read the Prologue and Chapter 1. Some of the reading will be done by me, the the students following along; other parts will be read independently.

Students received new reading logs today. They should have the WEEKEND and MONDAY spaces marked "free."
Recitations ("We hold these truths...") and Mission U.S. are due by Friday.

Students are bringing home Florida bags and textbooks today to begin preparation for the next Florida Studies Test, which will be given on Monday, 1/9. This test will cover the following:

                  *Text pages 160-164; 165-169; 171-175; and 176-181
                  *Florida Studies Weekly #s 11, 12, 13, & 14
                  *"Florida and the American Revolution" worksheet
                  *General information about the 13 Colonies, Causes of the American Revolution, and the American Revolution (several handouts related to these topics in the Florida Bags)

These are some items they will want to review:
1. The relationship between Great Britain and Florida -- why Britain wanted Florida, what they changed once they had Florida, how they recruited settlers to Florida, the settlers' feelings about the Revolutionary War
2. The causes and outcome of the Revolutionary War, the Treaty of Paris (I and II), when Florida became a U.S. Territory, capitals of East and West Florida, the last American Revolutionary battle fought in Florida, the Adams-Onis Treaty
3. The difference between slavery and indentured servitude (TheMolly Bannakyartifacts in the Florida Bag may help with this.)
4. Who were the Black Seminoles?
5. The Louisiana Purchase -- what's significant about it?
6. Know the meanings of these words: boycott, negotiate, Patriot, Loyalist, plantation, treaty, raid, revolution
7. Be able to put these events in order: Florida becomes part of U.S.; The Declaration of Independence is signed; The Treaty of Paris gives Florida back to Spain.

12/15/11 Folders are coming home today, and these contain graded cumulative quizzes, graded 13 colonies quizzes, a graded FCAT-practice page, and a two-sided reading log.While I would LOVE to require that the students continue to read and record over the holidays in order to maintain our momentum and keep those fluency rates soaring, I know it’s not a practical expectation. Besides that, they (and you!) need a break! However, any reading that is done and recorded over the holidays will be considered extra credit. Therefore, recording sheets are being sent home in the folder. When students return to school on January 3rd, logs can be turned in along with the folders. Logs do not have to be completely full for the students to earn extra credit; any reading is better than no reading! Students DO need to record reading for tonight, and they have a Florida Studies Weekly to read and take post-it notes to fulfill this obligation. This log and the newspaper with notes will be turned in when they return.

 

Today we discussed the Bill of Rights and which of the ten amendments is most important to them personally. This would make for a great dinner conversation starter! We also read the last section of our Florida Studies chapter and completed two-column notes in class. When we return from the break we will begin preparing for the next Florida Studies test.

The next vocabulary list will be sent home on 1/6 & tested on 1/13.

Final HEIFER INTERNATIONAL total: $489.29. Way to go Tigers!

There will be no class tomorrow, due to homeroom activities. I will be on campus except for a brief visit to my son's preschool. If I do not see you, however, I hope your family has a wonderful, restful, and enriching winter break. I can't wait to hear about the adventures when we reconvene in 2012!


12/14/11 CUMULATIVE VOCAB TEST TOMORROW (We forgot to write this in planners today!)

Today we discussed some famous works of art, learned about the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution, and did a little FCAT practice passage about Benjamin Franklin.

Students have a homework assignment to complete tonight -- a six-question online Scavenger Hunt about the U.S. Constitution. The link can be found under LINKs. They can use this for their nightly reading.

I am so proud of the students for their efforts to give! The students raised $479.29 for Heifer International (not counting a few who plan to bring their fundraising proceeds in tomorrow.) They engaged in industrious tasks from dog walking, housecleaning, lemonade stands, dog treat baking, and bake sales. What a generous, hard-working group of kids! Today they decided what they would like to purchase. It looks like we will be the proud givers of sheep, pigs, chicks, goats, bees, and ducks!

12/13/11 Mission US  seems to be a big hit! Many of the students have already jumped into the game; some have even finished! This is a great means of bringing history to life, and it is apparent that the students are grasping the main events as well as the competing paradigms of this period of history in our country. As students finish, I will provide them with a little five-question quiz to complete in class.

MOVIE DAY after school. Anyone planning to attend the movie should have turned in the slip already. Children should be picked up from the classroom door at 3:30 PM (or earlier if necessary). Thanks for allowing me to have this extra time with them. 

CUMULATIVE VOCAB QUIZ ON THURSDAY!!!

SPECIAL HOMEWORK TONIGHT: Students are probably calling me the Grinch about now! We just cannot seem to get everything done in class. Therefore, they have a reading assignment (pages 171-175) in the textbook with an accompanying two-column notes frame to complete; they also have a worksheet called "Florida and the American Revolution" to finish and a Florida Studies Weekly newspaper with post-it notes. Completed assignments and books should be returned tomorrow. This work can be used to fulfill the nightly reading requirement as long as the log is completed as usual.

TOMORROW is the deadline to turn in fundraising for Heifer International.

12/12/11 IMPORTANT: Cumulative vocab quiz has been postponed to THURSDAY rather than tomorrow!!!

I gave brief directions for Mission US today. It is a very user-friendly program, and it will save the student's spot if he/she does not want to complete the entire simulation in one setting. This is not due until after the Holiday Break, but some can certainly work on it this week. I am in the middle of grading the 13 Colonies quizzes, and they look good so far.Wednesday -- Deadline for Heifer International Fundraiser; Movie Day After School
Thursday -- Cumulative Vocabulary Quiz
Friday -- No Reading Class; Homeroom Activities

Several students still need to return folders & movie notes. Please have them bring these tomorrow.

Reminders for the Week:


PLEASE NOTE: Students have been told NOT to work on Mission US (see Colonial America Assignments sheet in folder) until AFTER MONDAY! I will provide some in-class instructions, etc. to make the experience more valuable and applicable to what we are studying in class. Thanks!

12/9/11 Our schedule was a bit unusual today due to the Literature Connections activity. Therefore we basically got new reading logs, took the vocabulary quiz and wished each other a happy weekend.

Folders are coming home today, and these contain graded Florida Studies tests, notes about the showing of 1776, a list of upcoming assignments (one due before the break; two due after the break), and a memorization strip to use for one of the assignments. Please return folders with movie slips on Monday.

QUIZ MONDAY: Students will be asked to list the 13 Original Colonies, spelling them correctly. They have been given several tools to help them study for this little quiz, and many of them already have this bit of trivia under their belts.

As promised, here are some exemplary answers from Florida Studies Test #3:

 

Question 7: What is ironic about the way that the Spanish went about trying to convert Native Floridians to Christianity?

The missionaries taught Christianity and what God would do. On the other hand they (natives) had to convert or conquistadors would beat them. I don’t think God would like that.

 

Christianity is supposed to be about love, and the Spanish went [about] beating people if they didn’t convert

 

Converting natives to Christianity by forcing them to convert or face death was ironic because the Christian religion is based on love and friendship.

 

Question 13: In your own words, what is IMPERIALISM?

Imperialism is the rule of extending the authority of a place to capture other smaller places.

 

Imperialism is taking territory by force and claiming the land.

 

Imperialism is when a powerful force or group takes over land, most often for more power. For example, when the Spanish came to Florida they were mainly doing it to get more land and power for Spain.

 

Question 14: Describe how each of the following groups was important to the early history of Florida: NOTE: To get full credit, students had to give more than one contributions; they were told this during the review.

 

Conquistadors

Found La Florida; protected Florida

 

Conquistadors are important because they named St. Augustine, and St. Augustine is the older city. They also caused the Indian population to die out.

 

Discovered and conquered land; killed all the Indians (disease & fighting)

 

Runaway Slaves

Hurt English colonies; helped defend La Florida; founded Fort Mose; supplied food

 

Built Fort Mose, helped Spain defend their forts, and became a military unit for Spain

 

Helped Spanish keep control of Florida; made a home for other runaways

 

Missionaries

Taught Christianity, Spanish ways, reading, writing, how to grow oranges, how to use a metal plow

 

Converted natives to Christianity, built missions, in Florida, and taught Native Americans Spanish customs

 

The missionaries brought Christianity and taught Natives Spanish ways and how to read and write in their own native language.

 

EXTRA CREDIT QUESTION

 

In both books, the Indians had to change. Billy had to go to school. The Native Floridians had to become Christian. Both had to change their ways of living.

 

In To Walk the Sky Path and our studies of Florida, the native Floridians used natural resources to build their homes. Both of them talk about how Natives lived and some of their traditions, and in both of them someone teaches someone at least one thing.

 

I feel that To Walk the Sky Path and Florida studies relate because in Florida studies some Natives learned Spanish, but also spoke their native language, and in To Walk the Sky Path Billy shared two cultures. Billy was both American and Miccosukee because he went to school and hung out at the ice cream store, but also kept many Miccosukee traditions like chickees and Suhoki’s stew. I think these two books or units show that you can share two different cultures and live a fine life.

 

Abraham is like the Calusas and never gave up the Indian ways. Mush Jim, Tiger, and the boys changed their ways like the Appalachees and Timucuans. Both are about Indians in a changed world.

SOMETHING COOL: NPR has a nationwide Backseat Book Club and the book for December is Breadcrumbs. I plan to pick up the book this week and start reading it. I would like to invite my students to do so as well. I am putting the link here for more information. I think it will be interesting to discuss a book with others from all over the U.S.! Check it out: http://www.npr.org/2011/11/29/142862998/december-kids-book-club-pick-breadcrumbs 

12/8/11 These were the best of times. These were the worst of times. - Charles Dickens

The holiday season is upon us, and that means the "teacher-hold-your-hand-over-the-volcano" season is here as well. Any help you can provide in keeping students on track with procedures, getting homework done, etc. would be SO helpful. We cannot afford to lose the next week of learning time. I appreciate your help in making sure we keep things as "normal" as possible until the winter break.

Several students still need to return signed Interim Reports. Several did not complete last night's Two-Column Notes assignment, which means that things are going to avalanche soon; once a student is behind, catching up can seem overwhelming.  

Today we learned a new note-taking strategy -- Post-It Summaries. The students seemed to like this one! Maybe they are just weary of two-column notes.  At any rate, we will practice this strategy a bit more. Eventually they will be able to choose to use Two-Column Notes or Post-It Summaries for their textbook reading. BTW: Post-it's make great stocking stuffers!

SPECIAL HOMEWORK TONIGHT: Students have three small sections of the Florida Studies Weekly #11 to finish reading and for which to create Post-It summaries. In addition, they need to read and complete Two-Column notes (NOT post-it summaries, please) for pages 165-169 in the textbook. This can be used to meet the night's reading log requirement, as long as the log is completed as usual. At this point, reading informational text and figuring out the most important ideas in a small section/subheading should be getting easier. 

THE QUEST FOR DEEPER THINKING: Yesterday we did a character-symbol activity in which the students had to choose a symbol to represent Molly Bannaky and give reasons why the symbol represented her well. Some background: Molly Walsh was an indentured servant from England who ended up in the Maryland colony (a punishment for a "crime"). After fulfilling her seven years of contracted labor, she ventured off to stake her own land claim (unheard of for single women). To help take care of her land, she bought a slave, Bannaky, that she planned to set free as soon as her field was cleared. Instead, she ended up falling in love and marrying him (unlawful in her time). The Bannaky family went on to run a very successful family farm of over one hundred acreas. Molly was literate (also unusual for one with her background) and taught all of her children and grandchildren to read. One of Molly's grandsons was Benjamin Banneker (named morphed into this over time), who helped design Washington, D.C., was a well-regarded scientist, etc. 

The students were asked to choose a symbol to represent Molly from a collection of symbols they were provided. (I am explaining all of this to show the different levels of thinking that were represented on the students' worksheets.) Many students chose a heart to represent Molly and explained that this was an appropriate symbol because she was kind, caring, took care of her family, etc. This is a fine answer, but I term this type of answer "shallow" for lack of a better term and to contrast it with the "deep" thinking that I desire for them to demonstrate. I would venture to say that there were thousands of caring, loving, nurturing colonial women. Better answers were those that chose symbols such as the four-leaf clover and explained that Molly was lucky to have survived the English court system (had she not been able to read the Bible, she would have been executed for spilling her lord's milk). BEST answers were things like this: One student chose the balance scale as his symbol and explained that it was a fitting symbol

because Molly believed in equal rights. "She cares about who a person is on the inside. She doesn't judge a person by their [sic] skin." I bet THAT certainly could NOT have been said about too many of the colonists. This answer points to something unusual about Molly that would make her memorable.

 Another student chose the dove as her symbol and compared the dove's hatching from its egg to Molly "hatching" from indentured servitude into freedom. THIS is the kind of thinking I am trying to move all the students toward. I have been asked to try to encapsulate the kinds of discussions we have in class and the kinds of Big Ideas that I am trying to facilitate. I hope this little snapshot provides some insight. I want the students to see the bigger picture, beyond the literal details. I often use the word "significant." What was significant about Molly Bannaky? She was an unconventional woman who had a unique set of values and who had the courage to stand up for her beliefs. These are the kinds of people who make history!

12/7/11 Please look for INTERIM REPORTS coming home today. Sign and return these tomorrow, please. The averages were as of last Friday.Yesterday's Florida Studies Test is not included in this average.

SPECIAL HOMEWORK TONIGHT: Students need to read and take two-column notes on pp. 160-164. They also have a "Thirteen Colonies Take-Home Quiz" to complete tonight. Have them tell you the story about the Jersey cow that they are using to help remember the names of the original 13 colonies. On Monday they will be asked to list these (in no certain order) correctly spelled as a quiz. 4B students also have a  3-2-1 page to complete. These assignments can be used to fulfill the nightly reading requirement as long as the log is completed as usual. Everything is due back tomorrow; please remind students to bring textbooks back to class as well.

RESULTS OF TEST: There is still one student who has yet to take the test, but these are the results thus far -- not the most stellar performance, but the scores did fall out along a fairly typical Bell curve. Most points were lost on questions that required deeper thinking or a longer response. After the last test is taken, I will provide some exemplary answers that earned top points. Tests will be sent home in the Friday take-home folder.

Here's a breakdown of the scores:
 100-105: 3 students
 90-99: 15 students
 80-89: 9 students
 70-79: 16 students
 60-69: 3 students
 below 60: 4 students 

12/6/11 The students seemed pretty confident going into the Florida Studies test. I will have the tests graded and returned in Friday folders this week.

Today we read about the restoration of Mission San Luis. This is a wonderful site in Tallahassee -- would make a great road trip over the holiday break.   I have put a link to the site under LINKS.

There are wonderful things going on for our "Spirit of Giving" Heifer International fundraiser! I am proud of the initiative and generosity of the students. I hope their concern for others will continue to grow throughout their lifetimes.

12/5/11 FLORIDA STUDIES TEST TOMORROW! Today we played the Big Wheel review game, and I asked the students the exact questions that will be on tomorrow's test. They were allowed (and even encouraged!) to take notes; some did, some chose not to do so. I feel that they have achieved the unit goals we set out to meet. I look forward to seeing the proof of their learning on tomorrow's exam. AR test for literature connections activity, vocabulary quiz on Friday.

SAVE THE DATE:  On Wednesday, December 14th, I will be holding a showing of the film 1776 to complement our brief study of U.S. History over the next two weeks. Students who wish to do so may report to my classroom at dismissal for the movie (homeroom teachers will need to be notified).  The movie is rather long (166 mins!), and students can choose to stay for only a portion of it if they want. I will begin the DVD at 12:45 and, and it should end around 3:30. Students will need to be picked up from my classroom door, as the office will be closed at that time. The movie is rated PG, so I will have permission slips for those students who indicate that they are interested in coming for this afterschool movie event. Popcorn will be served!

Please see IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT about signing up for the Air Potato Round-Up. Also, if you did not see the "SAVE THE DATE" notice below, please take a moment to read it.

This week: deadline to take Magic Half 

12/2/11 Folders are coming home today, and these contain two weekly reading reports, graded resume projects, Book-It slips for those who earned them, any graded extra credit, Wordle projects, an inferencing practice activity and a new set of vocabulary words (the last new set until after the holiday break). Please return folders on Monday. Some students have notes and/or 3-2-1 sheets that need to be added to their Florida bags. Textbooks and bags do not need to be returned until Tuesday.

The December Geiger Gazette is now posted. PLEASE take a moment to read it.
12/9 Vocabulary Quiz Unit 8; Literature Connections activity for Magic Half
12/13 Cumulative Vocabulary Quiz (Units 1-8)
12/14 Deadline for Heifer International Fundraising to be turned in
12/16 No Enrichment Reading Class

The next cumulative vocabulary test will be on December 13th.

Important Dates:
12/6 Florida Studies Test #3 (See list of study topics below) -- Return textbooks and Florida Bags
12/7 Deadline to read & take AR test on Magic Half to participate in the Literature Connections activity

12/1/11 Students are bringing home Florida Studies textbooks and Florida bags today so that they can begin to prepare for Tuesday's test. Any reading/study time can be used for nightly reading as long as the log is completed as usual. These are the items to think about in preparation for the test:

• Look at the Unit Goal sheet in the Florida Bag -- make sure you feel confident of the information listed there; the only thing we have not covered is the five change generalizations -- ignore that part.
• Review Florida Studies Weekly editions #7, #8, #9, #10
• Review your notes about Imperialism, and make sure you can explain the concept of imperialism in your own words.
• Textbook pages 128-135, 138-142, 143-148, 149-155 (You should have notes to study for each of these sections)
• Think about the explorers' motivations
• Make sure you are familiar with the Spanish missions -- what they were like, how they were run, where they were most successful, their purpose, their approach to converting Native Floridians
• Know about Fort Caroline, Fort Mose & Castillo de San Marcos
• Know about Francisco Menendez
• Review the highlighted vocabulary
• Think about how conquistadors, runaway slaves, and missionaries impacted early Florida history
  

Today I will deliver a TRUCK LOAD (literally!) of goodies for the Troops! This has been a heartwarming outpouring of affection for those serving our country. I hope the students feel a sense of pride in their thoughtfulness and generosity.

11/30/11 Today we had an interesting conversation about the Spanish missions that were set up all over Florida to serve the dual purposes of maintaining Spanish control of its colony while also converting Native Floridians to Catholicism. We discussed the irony of using often forceful/cruel methods to convince someone to become a Christian. The students had some thoughtful insights on this recurring theme in history.

SPECIAL HOMEWORK TONIGHT:  Students need to finish up their two-column notes for pages 143-148 in the textbook. They also have a Venn Diagram worksheet to finish up. They should return notes, the homework page, and textbooks tomorrow, as we will be grading the work and using the textbooks in class.

BAGS FOR TROOPS DUE TOMORROW!

11/29/11 Today we revisited a strategy for fully describing a character, including physical, psychological, and social traits. Ask your child to explain this process to you. Also have him/her teach you about Francisco Menendez (not to be confused with Pedro!).

I am tentatively planning the next Florida Studies test for Tuesday of next week. We have two more short sections of the textbook to cover, and I hope to do these tomorrow and Thursday. Students will then bring Florida textbooks and Florida bags home to begin their preparation for the test. By Thursday I will have a list of review items posted here.

The next set of vocabulary words (and the only set for December!) will be sent home on Friday (12/2) and tested on 12/9. Because of homeroom activities, I will not meet with classes on 12/16.

"Fill a Bag for the Troops" bags have already been coming in! The students seem excited about the opportunity to spread holiday cheer. Thanks for your support of our efforts! Bags must be turned in by Thursday. Heifer fundraising proceeds are not due until 12/14.

11/28/11 Several students took home "Fill a Bag for the Troops" shopping bags today! In order to expedite holiday receipt of the care packages, students need to bring in the items by Thursday. I realize this is a quick turnaround. A hard copy of the service learning opportunities posted on the website last week was sent home today. Participation is optional.

Today we continued to learn about the Spanish occupation of Florida, the settling of St. Augustine, and the Missions.

11/22/11 Today we learned about the REAL first Thanksgiving celebration. Ask your child to share the story with you.

I am looking forward to grading the attractive projects that were turned in today. I hope to have them graded by the next Friday Folder day, 12/2.

SERVICE LEARNING: Under the PROJECTS tab, I am going to post a letter that I will be sending home on Monday, 11/28. It explains two service-learning opportunities that I will be conducting before the winter holidays. I am posting it now, because one project has a fast-approaching deadline due to the fact that mail time is involved. PLEASE read the letter if possible and discuss it with your child to see if he/she would like to participate. Participation in these projects is OPTIONAL, but students who do participate will receive extra credit. We have had amazing, even transforming experiences related to these projects in the past. I believe teaching our children to be grateful and "give back" is one of the best and most important lessons they can learn as citizens.

Speaking of gratitude, when I count my blessings this Thanksgiving, your children and families will be near the top of my list. I feel blessed to have the opportunity to work with such wonderful children and supportive parents. I wish all of you a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. 

11/21/11 PROJECTS ARE DUE TOMORROW!!!! Looking forward to seeing some wonderful work!

Today we discussed "values," a difficult concept to understand. Any dinnertime conversation to help clarify would be greatly appreciated! We compared the grandfather character's values in To Walk the Sky Path to those of the conquistadors by way of an analogy.

11/18/11 Folders are coming home today, and these contain weekly reading reports, graded vocabulary quizzes, graded extra credit (if applicable), and a Florida Studies Weekly newspaper to read over the weekend. This can be used for the weekend reading log as long as the log is filled in as usual. Please have students return folders and FSWs on Monday.

NO NEW VOCABULARY WORDS.

Projects are due Tuesday.

11/17/11 We had a wonderful visit from Carlos Rainwater today. Be sure to ask your child what he/she learned. Tomorrow we will write Thank You letters, so talking about the presentation will help them formulate their ideas about what they most enjoyed, etc.

Vocabulary quiz tomorrow... Projects due on Tuesday...

11/16/11 Today students had a "gallery walk" to see how their classmates personified the idea of imperialism. We began reading and taking notes on pp. 138-142 in the textbook. This time, I prepared a two-column notes frame for the students. They simply need to read the sections of text, filling in the blanks. We will sometimes use this format to speed things up a bit. They will need to finish up the reading/notes tonight for homework, as well as complete a couple of questions about Fort Caroline (separate worksheet) and read the Florida Studies Weekly #8. They should return textbooks, notes, Fort Caroline sheets, and newspapers to class tomorrow.
Vocabulary Quiz on Friday; projects due next Tuesday.

Tomorrow, Carlos Rainwater, a Seminole Indian will visit our classroom. The students have been looking forward to his visit for a long time. 4A and 4C will visit with him from 8:30-9:30, and 4B will hear his presentation from 9:30-10:30.


11/15/11 Students completed a three-way Venn Diagram today, comparing/contrasting three conquistadors. They seem to have a good grasp of the reading from the textbook, and their supplementary research has enriched the conversation as well. REMINDER: Resume Projects due in ONE WEEK!

11/14/11 Today I introduced students to Two-Coumn Notetaking, a stategy that we will use for the remainder of the year, and one that they will undoubtedly come to value, especially as they move into middle school with its "textbook-for-every-class" approach. The beauty of two-column notes is that you can take a great set of notes and then use them to study rather than having to return to the bulky text. The idea is to read the text, section by section, figuring out what the most important information is (this is the hardest part), rewording the information in your own words in as few words as possible and writing that in your notes in a way that is going to make sense later on. Today, I did most of pages 129-135 with them in class. They have two sections to finish up for homeworkPROJECTS ARE DUE next Tuesday.

Please return folders tomorrow.. Tomorrow, we will check their notes together to see if we have consensus about what was most important in the sections. We will be continuing with this same approach -- me modeling and coaching, and then them trying a little bit alone. Eventually, the goal is for them to be able to take any textbook and create a useful set of notes, condensing the information down to the most important facts and ideas.

Folders are coming home today. There's not much in them, however. You should receive a weekly reading log report (except for our two new students) and a Benchmark report (except for our two new students and those who were absent last week when we took the test -- I will send these home ASAP). I treat the Benchmark as a formative assessment -- a chance to think about areas of strength and non-strength and set goals for how to improve. This is not a gradebook grade, by any means. I have challenged students to look for areas in which they need some work and spend time on FCAT Explorer or other practice sites to help them strengthen these areas.  We will also continue to work on these skills in class. We will take three more Benchmarks throughout the year.

VOCABULARY QUIZ FRIDAY...


11/10/11  Today we began a conversation on imperialism. We also discussed the "personification" of ideas like freedom as represented by the statue of Columbia on top of the Capital Building in Washington. Ask your child how he/she would create a representation of imperialism. What artifacts/objects would the statue hold, etc.? We will be working on this some more next week as we continue our study of the explorers.

Students brought home Unit 7 vocabulary words today. They should make their index cards and begin studying the words. There will be a test on Friday, 11/18, and they are a bit out of the vocabulary routine.

Final amount of Trick or Treat for UNICEF collection: $ 747.24. What a fantastic effort by these giving and caring students! Just some fun facts: $25 provides 100 kids safe water for a da. $100 pays for protein biscuits for 100 starving children. $480 supplies 20 emergency first aid kits. I hope the students feel proud of the good they are spreading around the globe! I am certainly proud of them.

11/9/11 New project information was sent home today in planners (bright goldenrod sheet). It is also posted under PROJECTS, along with a template that the students will use and a link to information about correctly citing sources of information. Projects are due on 11/22. Please email me if you have any questions.

UNICEF UPDATE: $726.09 (and more money turned in today!)

Some students have an assignment to finish up for homework -- completing a Venn that compares/contrasts Christopher Columbus and Zheng He. This is due tomorrow.

11/8/11 Report cards will be sent home by the homeroom teachers today. There should be a report from me included with the regular report card. Please let me know if you do not receive one.

Today we spent our entire class taking our first Benchmark Test. Ugh! Therefore the planner is incorrect. The items listed on the planner will be postponed until tomorrow.

The Benchmark Tests are used to show the students and me how they would perform if the FCAT was administered today. We reviewed my "no fail way to get a 5 on the FCAT" before taking today's practice test. The steps are:
1) Activate Background Knowledge -- This is done by asking yourself, "What do I already know about this topic?", skimming the text, and also thinking about the type of text (e.g., nonfiction, story, poem, etc.).
2) Read the Questions -- This provides you with a shopping list of details to look for while "shopping" the text.
3) Read the Text at least 2X -- The first time, your brain is focused on decoding the words; the second time you can actually comprehend the meaning. The less familiar you are with the information and/or the type of text, the more times you should re-read it.
4) LOOK BACK -- All of the answers are embedded somewhere in the text. Make sure there is support in the text for your answer choice.

I will be sending home a brief report which indicates how your child did on each subsection of the test. While this is not a "gradebook grade," it does help us set some goals, figure out areas of strength/non-strength, and provides useful information for planning future instruction.

TOMORROW IS THE LAST DAY (really, I mean it, no kidding...) to turn in UNICEF. The total after yesterday's boxes is $695.18. Unbelievable!!! And, yes, there are more boxes to add to the pile this afternoon! Way to go!

11/7/11 Folders are coming home today, and these contain graded webquest projects, graded Florida Studies tests, weekly reading reports for last week, graded extra credit (if applicable), Book It slips for those who earned them by getting all 100%s on the weekly reading reports for October, and coupons for the Museum of Natural History. Please return folders tomorrow.

WOW! As of Friday, the students had raised $640.17 for UNICEF, and I received more boxes today! They exceeded their goal by a long shot. I am proud of their hard work and generous spirits!

Students have an assignment to finish tonight. They are writing a diary entry from a Taino child's perspective in juxtaposition to Columbus's diary entry of October 12, 1492. The assignment is due tomorrow. We are practicing the art of looking at events from multiple perspectives. Have them discuss with you the things we studied in class today.

11/3 The Florida Studies Test went well! Here is a break-down of the scores:
                      90-100+   26 students (52%)
                      80-89       10 students
                      70-79       5 students
                      below 70  6 students
                      absentees  3 students

Students received new reading logs today. They need to read twice before Monday -- logging in the Thursday space on this week's log and the Weekend space on the new log. Any Florida books and bags that did not make it back today should be returned on Monday.

As of last night, our UNICEF total is $360.73, and I have LOTS of boxes to add to the pile tonight! I will let you know our updated total on Monday. A couple of students indicated that they forgot to bring boxes today, so I am extending the deadline to Monday. THANKS to everyone for your participation in this worthy cause!

See you at the Carnival! Have a great weekend!

11/2 Florida Studies Test Tomorrow! See yesterday's post for a list of study items. Students can study for the test in lieu of nightly reading as long as the reading log is completed as usual. In the summary, they can simply mention the things they studied.

Please return UNICEF boxes tomorrow. Yesterday's total was $83.72.

Today we had an introduction to the Age of Exploration.

PLEASE RETURN FLORIDA BAGS AND TEXTBOOKS TOMORROW.

11/1 Students should bring home Florida Studies textbooks and Florida bags today so that they can prepare for Thursday's Florida Studies Test #2. This test will cover the following:
                                            Textbook pages 88-110
                                            Information from Mrs. Behringer's visit & the Museum Trip
                                            Cause and Effect (see p. 105)
                                            Florida Studies Weekly #6
                                            Non-Native/Invasive Project information
                                            Worksheets in Florida Bags
Students should be able to answer questions about the following:
 -the first Indians who reached Florida during the Ice Age
   - the two largest native Floridian groups (one in the north and one in the south) 
   - the tribe in the panhandle that are known for growing "the three sisters"
   - the progression from hunting/gathering to agriculture and why this happened
   - the bartering system
   - how food sources changed for Native Floridians over time
   - how the natural resources of an area impact people's lives
   - what archaeologists use to form conclusions
   - at least one invasive species and its effect in Florida

Books and bags can be kept at home until Thursday, the day of the test. They should be returned at this time. Students may use study time for their nightly reading requirement as long as they complete the log as usual.

The November Geiger Gazette will be posted before I leave today. 

UNICEF boxes are due by Thursday. Thanks to all the kids who participated!
   
 
10/31/11 Happy Halloween!

Please look for folders coming home today. These contain last week's reading report and graded POS quizzes. Webquest projects have not all been graded. Sorry! I will get them home ASAP.

Instead of grading, I have been uploading pictures to the website (much more fun than grading, I assure you!). Check out the GALLERY.

Today we discussed some real MONSTERS -- invasive pythons in South Florida. For lots of photos and articles about these and other invasives, check out the new LINKS. Students MAY use on-line reading for their nightly reading assignment as long as the log is completed as usual. We also talked about making inferences. Ask your child to explain what this formula means: BGK + Text Clues = INFERENCE.

Thanks to everyone for making the museum trip such a great success!

There will be a Florida Studies test on Thursday of this week. Florida books and bags will be sent home tomorrow, and I will post a list of review items on the website tomorrow as well.

Students set the lofty goal to raise $550 for UNICEF through Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF. This will beat last year's $530 record. This averages out to about $11 per student. I am proud of them for setting such ambitious goals (even if it is motivated by competition!). All UNICEF donations should be turned in by Thursday. PLEASE make sure your child's name is on his/her box. If possible, I would GREATLY appreciate your turning the change into either bills or a check made payable to "UNICEF."

10/27/11 We will be leaving from Talbot at 1 PM today and will be at the Museum by 1:30. Please pick your child up from the museum between 3:30 and 4:00. I will be standing out front in the pick-up circle. You may drive up and sign your child out on the clipboard.

Students will NOT be bringing folders home today. They have new reading logs to get them through the weekend, however. On Monday, I will collect old reading logs (which include tonight's reading), and will plan to send home folders with graded POS quizzes and webquest projects on Monday or Tuesday. Our regular routine will be disrupted a bit with all these Fridays off. Students DO need to log reading for both Thursday AND the weekend.

If any student has older or younger siblings who would like to participate in our Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF drive, I have some extra boxes. Let me know, and I will send the boxes home on Monday in time for Halloween.

There is a lovely recipe box with a light blue lid and full of vocabulary cards that has been hanging out in the classroom all week. Let me know if it belongs to your child.

10/26/11 Today we continued our study of the "first Americans" in Florida. Some students have some work to finish up at home: pages 94-98 in their textbooks and "How Pottery Was Made." Books and completed worksheets should be returned tomorrow.

PART OF SPEECH QUIZ TOMORROW: Students will be given a sentence, and they will label each word with the correct POS.

TOMORROW is the FIELD TRIP -- We will depart from Talbot at 1 PM and meet chaperones at the Museum, hopefully by 1:30. Please send a water bottle and snack with your child. We will NOT be returning to the school. They have been instructed to bring everything with them when they meet me in the amphitheatre at 12:55. STUDENTS SHOULD BE PICKED UP FROM THE MUSEUM BETWEEN 3:30 and 4:00 PM; parents may simply drive through the front circle. I will be there with a sign-out sheet, and will connect with the chaperones to make sure students are sent to the front entrance for dismissal.

10/25/11 What an awesome time we had with Mrs. Behringer, our guest speaker from the Florida Museum of Natural History. Her presentation, which included hands-on interaction with real artifacts, provided perfect preparation for Thursday's trip and served to reinforce the readings done last night. Ask your child to share what he/she learned!

WEBQUEST ASSIGNMENT IS DUE TOMORROW -- see IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT link for help with the "What is a non-native?" question.

Today ends the first nine weeks. It's hard to believe that one-fourth of the year is already over. I am impressed with the progress the children have already made.

10/24/11  Today we began our study of Florida's Native Peoples. Students have homework related to this that they should finish tonight: Read pp. 88-93 (4A began this in class), making sure they are able answer the Review Questions; read the Florida Studies Weekly #6; read "Underwater Archaeology" and answer the questions. This work CAN be used for their nightly reading, as long as the log is completed as usual. Textbooks, newspapers, and "Underwater Archaeology" sheets should be returned tomorrow.
WEBQUEST Projects are due on Wednesday. Parts of Speech Quiz sometime this week...

Reminder: Please return the release form if you give permission for museum staff to photograph your child
during our visit on Thursday. Also, please plan to send a snack and water bottle with your child on Thursday.

Tomorrow we will have a guest speaker, Mrs. Behringer, from the Florida Museum of Natural History, who will provide some hands-on activities related to our new unit and help prepare us for Thursday's Museum visit.

We began a new read aloud today, To Walk the Sky Path. When students are absent, they will need to make arrangements to catch up on the sections they missed. They are welcome to borrow my copy of the book during quiet reading; if we have multiple absentees, this may become a problem, however. 


10/21/11 Folders are coming home today, and they contain LOTS of "stuff," including the following:
1. FAIR Test results -- this is a computer test taken three times per year in the computer lab; some of the percentages were a bit surprising, and I am wondering if the students simply did not take the test seriously. At any rate, this is a way that we monitor their progress. I expect to see improvement next time. The letters are computer generated, but they may have some useful ideas.
2. Graded Florida Studies Tests -- great job!
3. Graded Wordle Projects -- If students lost points on the rubric, please have them look back at the project directions under the PROJECTS link.The second copies of the Wordles are on display outside the classroom, and they look terrific!
4. Graded vocabulary quizzes -- super! Almost 100% of the students made 100%! Way to go!
5. Weekly reading reports
6. Two papers related to our study of manatees. These grades were not entered into the gradebook, because they were merely practice at answering multiple-choice FCAT-like questions and completing extended responses (essay questions); still I wanted parents and students to see the work so we can set goals for improving.
7. Graded extra credit (if applicable)
8. Photo release forms for our museum visit. There is an attached note with an explanation.
9. Information about our first service project of the year -- Trick or Treat for UNICEF.
10. Chaperone packets for those adults joining us on the Museum trip on Thursday.
WHEW!

Speaking of the Museum trip, please plan on sending a snack and water bottle with your child for Thursday. They will probably be getting a little ravenous by 3:30!

MOST students are bringing home textbooks, a worksheet on Florida's Natural Resources, and a green notetaking organizer so that they can finish reading pp. 77-81, taking notes about the most important information in that section of the text and completing the worksheet. They should bring back completed work and textbooks on Monday. This CAN be used for their weekend reading as long as the log is filled in as usual.

Students should also be returning home with their vocabulary cards; I checked them today. There is NO NEW SET OF WORDS TODAY, and we will have several weeks like this due to all the upcoming Friday holidays. I'm sure the kids (and you!) won't mind the break!

There will most likely be a parts of speech quiz next week; remind students to brush up on their parts of speech.

There are MANY great opportunities for enrichment this weekend! Take a look at the EXTRA CREDIT tab for some ideas.

UPDATE: This is the breakdown of the scores for Florida Studies Test #1:
                                 100-105 -- 10 Students
                                    90-99  -- 22 Students
                                    80-89  -- 11 Students
                                    70-79  --  3 Students
                                    60-69  --  2 Students
Note: Two absentees 

10/20/11 The students did a great job on the first Florida Studies test. I will post the results a bit later today after I have graded the tests from 4C.

I will check vocabulary cards tomorrow. Students need to bring them to class. There should be 60 at this point. We will also take the Unit 6 Vocabulary exam.

Today we read about Florida's weather and climate and practice reading tables and charts of information to answer questions. Some students will be finishing this up for homework. All books and Florida bags should be returned tomorrow. We will be using both in class.

Wordle projects have been graded. Grades will be sent home in folders tomorrow. Projects will be on display in the hallway by tomorrow afternoon.

Students received information about another small project today. A copy of the project can be found under PROJECTS. The students are to do some on-line reading about non-native and invasive species. They have two questions to answer (in essay form) and a chart on which to list non-native and invasive species in Florida. Any on-line reading they do can count for nightly reading as long as they complete the reading log as ususal. These projects are due next Wednesday.

10/19/11 Today we reviewed for tomorrow's exam -- we actually went over the EXACT test questions -- so the students should be prepared if they have reviewed the assigned pages & Florida Studies Weekly newspapers (see post for 10/14). The only thing we did NOT review, was finding locations using latitude/longitude lines. There are pages in the textbook that may serve as a reminder for how to go about this process -- pp. 52 & 53.

Vocabulary quiz on Friday AND I will ask the students to bring their cards on Friday for an accountability check. They should have 60 cards at this point.

After a gallery walk tomorrow, students' Wordle projects will be on display in the hallway. Today they sorted their words by parts of speech. I hope to have these and the tests graded in time for Friday folders. Whew!

We have been working hard on writing extended responses. A couple of examples of what we have been doing will be sent home in Friday folders as well.

10/18/11 Sorry about yesterday's update. I typed it and thought I saved it, but it somehow disappeared. This is the second time I am typing today's update; the first one disappeared as well. Seems that we are having technical difficulties.

WORDLE PROJECTS DUE TOMORROW!

FLORIDA STUDIES TEST IN THURSDAY -- We will be reviewing in class tomorrow. Books and Florida Bags can remain at home until the day of the test.

UNIT 6 VOCABULARY QUIZ ON FRIDAY.

Today we worked on writing "extended responses" (formerly called "essay questions"). This is a difficult skill, because students are required to read text, find pertinent information, paraphrase it, and restate it in their own words. There first attempts were pretty good! Some of them will be finishing these up at home tonight.

Yesterday we worked on summarizing and distinguishing between facts and opinions while reading about crocodiles, airboats, and the Everglades.

10/14/11 Folders were sent home today, and these contain graded Pop Quizzes (overall VERY good!), weekly reading reports,  graded extra credit (if applicable), and new vocabulary words. Collage projects were sent home as well. Please return folders on Monday. 

Students should also be bringing home their Florida Bags and textbooks to begin preparing for their first Florida Studies test, which will be given on Thursday of next week. These are the things they should review:
                                                                                                 Florida Studies Weekly #s 1, 4, & 5
                                                                                                Text pp. 46-61, 64-69
                                                                                                Review questions 1-3, 6-10, 16-19 on p. 87

The test will cover Florida "symbols" (e.g., flower, tree, song, etc.), basic geology, why Florida ecosystems are endangered, basic Florida geography (e.g,. bordering states, major rivers, major lakes, Everglades), applying latitude/longitude skills, and BIG IDEAS. (At this point, they should be able to generate a big idea rooted in what we have studied so far about Florida; this would not, however, be a statement that only applies to Florida. Big Ideas are broad generalizations that are nonspecific to one place, time, person, etc.). Books and Florida Bags should be returned on Thursday, the day of the test. While they have their bags at home, have them share the items in the bag and explain to you what they have been learning in class.

Wordle Projects are due on Wednesday, 10/19. I will most likely ask students to bring vocabulary cards for an accountability check on next Friday, so please remind them that they should have 60 cards, after making cards for this week's list.

Have a wonderful weekend!

10/13/11 Today we read about Florida's flora and fauna in our

Wordles are due in 6 days...Florida Studies Weekly. We also read an interesting article about the comeback of ospreys on the Panhandle Coast. Students are getting better and better at finding the essentials ideas and turning them into a summary statement.

There may be a pop quiz tomorrow. I'd suggest reviewing abstract concepts (what they are and examples), generalizations (what they are, examples/nonexamples), and paradigms (defining them in your own words). .

10/12/11 Today we discussed how to fully describe a character, including physical, psychological, and social traits. We applied this descriptive approach to Marjory Stoneman Douglas. Ask your child to share with you what they learned about these types of descriptors as well as what they now know about this amazing woman.

A site that may be interesting to parents (and students, too!) is myfloridahistory.org. If you click on "Teachers" you can find the archives of the weekly radio broadcasts from Sunday AM on WUFT Radio. From my experience, close listening is a skill that is on the decline. Listening to interesting radio programming is a great way to practice this skill while also learning fascinating facts about Florida! The broadcasts can be downloaded as MP3s.  Enjoy!

Everglades Wordle Projects are due in one week!

10/11/11 Today we discussed complex issues/problems using the Everglades Restoration Program as an example. Our essential questions included, "What makes an issue 'complex'?", "How do people's paradigms add complexity to environmental issues?" and "What does it mean to compromise?" Any further dinnertime discussion you can add to the in-class discussion would be helpful. I shared a wonderful website with the students that I promised to put here in case they want to explore it on their own. Here is the URL: http://www.theevergladesstory.org/index.php I will also add it to the LINKS.

Our first Florida Studies test is planned for Thursday, October 20th. It will cover pp. 46-61 & 64-69 in the textbook as well as Florida Studies Weekly #s 1, 4, & 5. Students will bring textbooks and Florida bags home with FSWs on Friday for use as they prepare for the test. I will provide a more detailed list of study items as the test draws nearer, and we will have a big review the day before the test. Any reading of the textbook or FSWs in preparation for the test may be used to fulfill the nightly reading requirement; the log should be filled in as usual.

The site usage data tells me that only 26 people have read the October Geiger Gazette this month. PLEASE take a moment to do so. Thanks!

10/10/11 SEVERAL students already turned in projects! Way to work ahead!

Thanks for returning permission slips in a timely  manner. Please let me know if your child will NOT attend as well. This will help in my planning process.

10/7/11 Folders are coming home today, and these contain LOTS of important information including two graded vocabulary quizzes (cumulative and unit 5), weekly reading reports, PROJECT INFORMATION (due 10/19), and field trip PERMISSION SLIPS. Please look through folders and return them on Monday.

NO NEW VOCABULARY WORDS THIS WEEK! Have a great weekend!

10/6/11 Today we worked on a creative writing/art project related to our study of Florida's water bodies. The students have come up with amazing pieces! They created original songs, diamond poems, prepositional phrase poems, methaphor poems, free verse poetry, couplets, and haiku poems. They are wonderful!

Nice job on the "What's Your Address?" recitations! Since language arts consists of reading, writing, listening and speaking, we will have several of these types of assignments over the course of the year.

UNIT 5 VOCABULARY QUIZ TOMORROW -- they have flap books, puzzles, and (hopefully) cards to help them prepare. I am expecting superb grades on this quiz.

I will send information home tomorrow about the next project that is due. It is a small one -- should take 30 minutes or less to complete. It will be due on October 19th.

Tomorrow is the day of the literature connections activity for Alvin Ho. I will still see all of the classes, but the schedule will be rearranged a bit. There will be no new list of vocabulary words sent home tomorrow. Folders will be sent home as usual.

I now have five chaperones signed up for the trip. I would love to have two more if possible. Let me know if you are interested.

10/5/11 REMINDER: Students who have not yet recited "What's Your Address" will be expected to do so tomorrow.
 
I live at ______________________________________
In the city of Gainesville,
In the county of Alachua,
In the state of Florida,
In the southeast region of
The country of the United States of America,
On the continent of North America,
In the northern and western hemispheres of
The planet Earth!

•  

  Today we learned about Florida's Bodies of Water. We covered pp. 64-69 in the textbook.
  
  Unit 5 Vocabulary Quiz on Friday.
  
  Just to clarify... On the day of the field trip, we will take a BUS from Talbot at 1 PM, but will not have a return bus to the school. Parents will collect their children from the Museum between 3:30 and 4:00 PM. If your child will be picked up by someone other than you, please indicate this on the permission slip. I plan to send home permission slips on Friday. Please return them as soon as possible. There will be no charge for this trip; I have leftover grant funding that will cover the expense. I am granted 5 free chaperones. Additional chaperones will need to pay a fee. So far, I have 2 folks who are on the chaperone list. Let me know if you want to be added.
  
  UPDATE: CUMULATIVE VOCABULARY QUIZ RESULTS: (47 of 50 students have taken quiz)
  100 % -- 15 students
  90-99 % -- 9 students
  80-89 % -- 11 students                              74% of the students made an A or B!!!
  70-79% -- 8 students
  60-69% -- 3 students
  below 60% -- 1 student 
  
  10/4/11 Students read about Florida's land (e.g., lowlands, highlands, wetlands, etc.) in their textbooks today and completed a vocabulary puzzle. Some of them may be bringing books and/or puzzles home to finish up. Any reading from the textbook can be counted as nightly reading as long as they read for at least 30 minutes. They know to stop at the REVIEW questions to make sure they understand the section that was just read. Textbooks need to be returned tomorrow.
  
  I will let you know about the cumulative vocabulary quiz scores as soon as I finish grading them.
  
  For those who like to plan ahead... I am working on a field trip to the Museum of Natural History on Thursday, October 27. We will leave the school at 1 PM. The Museum tour will last from 1:30-3:30. Students will then need to be picked up from the Museum no later than 4 PM. There will not be a bus returning to Talbot. If you might be interested in chaperoning, please see HELP WANTED.
  
  10/3/11 Today we took some "catch up" time to finish up our video on Florida's ecosystems, practice latitude and longitude calculations, and work on our metaphor poetry. Some students are bringing poems home to finish tonight. The first cumulative vocabulary quiz is tomorrow (covers units 1-4). Any student who wishes to participate in the Health Street Art Contest needs to turn his/her artwork in tomorrow. Several students recited "What's Your Address" today. I will allow those who wish to do it tomorrow to do so as well. The final day to recite is on Thursday. 
  
  9/30/11 Folders are coming home today, and these contain graded vocabulary quizzes (MUCH better this week!!!), weekly reading reports, graded extra credit, if applicable, and new vocabulary words (puzzle, flap books, AND sentences -- hopefully they have a good understanding of the words already!). In addition, there is a letter about Geography Club. Please review folder contents and return folders on Monday.
  
  We have PLENTY of brown paper bags! Thanks to those who sent in extras! Students do still need to bring in maps if they have not yet. I have a few extras, but not enough to cover all the students who have not yet brought in maps. AAA is the best place to get them -- for free -- and they will often give you more than one.
  
  Lots of students have been getting out into the community and taking advantage of the extra credit opportunities. I was thinking it would be AWESOME to have a bulletin board of the students at various events. If you are able to send in/email pictures of your ventures out and about, that would be super!
  
  Next week: Students have a cumulative vocabulary quiz covering Units 1-4 on Tuesday. On Thursday they will be asked to recite "What's Your Address" (I will actually allow students who are ready to begin doing this on Monday if they so choose). On Friday we will take the vocabulary quiz on Unit 5 words.
  
  Check out the EXTRA CREDIT tab for new opportunities. Art Posters for the Health Street Art Contest need to be turned in by Tuesday.
   
  Have a wonderful weekend!
  
  9/29/11 Today students received their first edition of the Florida Studies Weekly newspaper that we will be using throughout our study of all things Floridian! We also began watching a film clip about some unique ecosystems throughout the State. We did a little more practice finding locations on the globe using latitude and longitude lines.
  
  Vocabulary Quiz tomorrow!
  
  9/28/11 It appears there was some type of computer glitch resulting in different grades for the reading portion of the progress report sent home by homeroom teachers and the ones that I sent home. I am trying to uncover the cause of the problem. However, the report that I sent home shows the accurate grade for your child as of 9/21. Sorry for any confusion!
  
  SPECIAL HOMEWORK TONIGHT: Students have a page that requires them to use latitude and longitude coordinates to find locations. This sheet is due tomorrow. Students should also be working on the "What's Your Address?" recitation due on Thursday, October 6 (next week). They will need to memorize the entire "chant" and recite it to me, one-on-one, for a grade.
  
  Vocabulary quiz on Friday. No parts of speech quiz this week. Whew!
  
  9/27/11 Progress reports were sent home today. Please sign and return the bottom portion; you may keep the grade portion. Please note that no extra credit points have been added into the grades at this point
  
  Today we began our first chapter in the Florida Studies textbook. Our first unit is about the geography of Florida. Students were assigned a "What's Your Address?" recitation that they should begin practicing tonight. They will be asked to recite this from memory, on Thursday, October 6th. For the students who had me in second grade, this should be familiar. Students were also assigned a copy of the textbook. These will be sent home from time to time. If books are taken home, they must be returned the following day, as we will be using them regularly in class.
  
  I am going to post a vocabulary strategy that Mrs. Lamb found under the PROJECTS tab. (This is one of the few places I can post a document.) This may be useful for vocabulary word practice if your child is struggling to learn the words.  
  
  9/26/11 Hmmm.... The teacher is bewildered. I was disappointed upon returning and seeing the vocabulary quiz scores from Friday's test. The exact same test was given last year: Forty-three of 49 students scored above 70%. On Friday, only 26 of the 50 students scored 70% or better.  EEEEK!These words are taken from 240 Vocabulary Words 5th Grade Kids Need to Know, and should not be "out of reach" for gifted fourth grade students. After mulling this over, I think perhaps students may have invested most of their study time into parts of speech; these scores were much improved. The other thing is that they do not seem to paying attention to the subtle differences and uses of the words. For instance, we usually do not describe people as "dormant." We reserve this word for plants and animals. "Daunting" usually describes a task of some type -- a project, a speech, a big job. The definitions of the words that I am using to create the test are the ones that are used as clues on the weekly crossword puzzle. We go over these words extensively on the Friday that they are introduced, and I provide several examples of the way the words are used as well as some of the subtleties, like those mentioned above. The students need to be able to explain the words' meanings, not just parrot off a definition from their cards. Have them explain each word to you, putting it in a sentence, or providing an example of how the word may be used in literature. I had volunteers who had scored well share their approaches to studying. Beyond this, I am stumped. Usually after the first test, the students have figured out the process and have formulated a plan of attack that leads to success. If you and your child have found the "magic elixir" and are willing to share your ideas, please email me, and I will put a list of study tips on the vocabulary page.Today we began our introduction into Florida Studies. Please send in maps and paper bags as soon as possible, as these will be used very early in our unit. We will continue to explore paradigms, make connections, generate big ideas/generalizations, etc. as we move into the heart of our content for the year. 
  
  Next week on Tuesday we are due to take our first cumulative vocabulary quiz. This word may contain any of the forty words covered in units 1-4 of vocabulary. 
  
  
  
  9/21/11 Today we discussed one of the most important concepts of the year -- paradigms. Have your child explain the concept in his/her own words. We are using the metaphor of a pair of glasses to think about paradigms -- a set of beliefs/ideas/perceptions that you "wear" all the time and that "color" the way you see the world. We discussed "paradigm shifts" and how our experiences shape our paradigms. Ask them about Seven Blind Mice and the moral of the story. I explained that intelligent people try to see things from multiple perspectives before coming to a conclusion. Continuing this conversation at dinner tonight will help them clarify their thinking. We will continually return to paradigms this year.
  
  Have a wonderful weekend! I will be back on-line on Monday.
  
  Students are getting much better are generating big ideas (generalizations) and making connections! Ask them about "An Alley Cat with One Life Left."
  
  Just a reminder that I will be out the next two days. Mrs. Diana will be here, and things should run as smoothly as ever. She has been volunteering in my classroom for 13 years and can run the classroom like a well-oiled machine (simile!). I will NOT be updating the website again until Monday. REMINDERS: Vocabulary & parts of speech quizzes on Friday. Folders containing weekly reading reports, graded vocabulary quizzes, extra credit work (if applicable) and new vocbaulary words will be sent home Friday. Students will need to make their next set of vocabulary cards over the weekend and do weekend reading and recording as usual.
  
  9/20/11  Today we reviewed different types of figurative language, and students worked on metaphor poems. I have challenged them to be on the lookout for metaphors and generalizations (a/k/a Big Ideas) in their own reading and in the world around them.
  
  Quizzes on Friday -- parts of speech and vocabulary!
  
  9/19/11 Special homework tonight -- Students are writing Diamond Poems based on the two abstract concepts they used in their collage projects. These were started (barely) in class. They have a "recipe" which should make this a cinch!
  
  We are continuing to clarify thinking about generalizations. Some students have a fantastic grasp of this, while others are still quite muddled. Any conversation at home to help solidify understanding would be greatly appreciated. Today we looked at a list of statements and differentiated between those that were generalizations and those that were not. I reminded them that generalizations are complete statements (sentences) that are broad & non-specific to one certain time, place, or person. We then read two articles that had similar content and tried to generate a generalization (a/k/a Big Idea) that connected the two articles. We will continue to work on this...
  
  On Friday students will take their second parts-of-speech quiz and the weekly vocabulary quiz. Hopefully they made a set of vocabulary study cards this weekend.
  
  I will be leaving school right after the students do on Wednesday and will have a sub on Thursday and Friday. Mrs. Diana is actually coming home from the beach for two days to sub for me! I know the students will be in good hands. Just be aware that I will most likely not have email access, and the website will not be updated on those two days. I have already created lesson plans for Mrs. Diana. Students will be working on parts of speech as a review for Friday's quiz on Thursday. Friday will be typical -- new logs, quizzes, new words, etc. Look for folders coming home as usual on Friday. Please let me know if you have any questions.
  
  9/16/11 Folders are coming home today, and these contain nightly reading grade reports, graded project rubrics, graded vocabulary quizzes, new vocabulary words, graded extra credit papers (if applicable), and checked homework. Please take a look at your child's folder, remove "Keep" side items, and return folders on Monday.
  
  MUCH improved vocabulary scores this week! Great job on the vocabulary cards, also! A few students need to revisit the directions for completing the cards. These can be found under the lists of vocabulary words under the VOCABULARY link. They should make cards for their new words this weekend; some 4A students had extra time and got a jump on this in class!
  
  Collage projects are on display in the hallway outside the classroom (thanks, Mrs. Bruck & Mrs. Cricchio!), and bio-poems are on display inside the classroom door. Feel free to stop by and check them out!
  
  We have a couple more weeks of foundation-building before we dive into Florida studies. As we get closer to that time, students will need to bring in two items: a brown paper grocery bag and a folded paper map of Florida. For any of you who are AAA members, you can get these from AAA at no cost, and they are often willing to give you multiple copies. Please send in any extras you are able to procure. These maps will be highlighted, drawn on, etc., so please do not send in a "precious" one. They will be kept at school for the remainder of the school year.
  
  Have a super weekend!
  
  9/15/11 Today we spent a good deal of time on prepositions, indicating that they will likely show up on the next parts-of-speech quiz.  Students wrote some wonderful poems to reinforce their understanding of prepositions. Have them share these with you!
  
  VOCABULARY QUIZ tomorrow. ALSO, STUDENTS NEED TO BRING THEIR VOCABULARY CARD COLLECTIONS FOR AN ACCOUNTABILITY CHECK. This will count for a homework grade. They should have 20 cards in their collections at this point. See the VOCABULARY link for a list of the words and directions on how to complete the cards.
  
  The projects are all graded (whew!), and I will be putting them up for display in the hallway over the next few days. There are also wonderful bio-poems going up on the classroom walls. Please feel free to drop by and check out the students' wonderful work!
  
  9/14/11 Today we discussed generalizations, using "Desperate times call for desperate measures" as an example. We will call these "big ideas" among other things this year, and we will constantly be on the look-out for them. Have your child explain what a generalization is in his/her own words. Some will catch on to this idea quickly, while others will need more practice. Any reinforcement from home is helpful!
  
  We also learned a new strategy called "Free Form Mapping" after reading about the Boston Molasses Flood. Have your child tell you about both the event and the strategy. We continued to work on summarizing as well.
  
  Reminder: Vocabulary quiz on Friday. We will NOT have a parts-of-speech quiz this week.
  
  9/13/11 We worked on making connections (text-to-text, text-to-self, and text-to-world) and summarizing
  a news articles today. Ask your child about Ruud Kleinpaste and how his quest compares to that of Keith Wilson, the odonatologist that we read about earlier. We discussed the link between making connections and background knowledge, the gist being that the more background knowledge you have, the more connections you are able to make. Yet one more reason to live a wide-awake life! Speaking of living a wide-awake life, there are LOTS of new opportunities under the Extra Credit link.The projects look great! I will grade them as quickly as I can, and then they will be on display. We will soon do a related writing activity for which they will use the collages. Congratulations on the successful completion of the first project!
  
  9/12/11 Today we discussed the abstract concepts of terrorism (briefly) and heroism (extensively) in light of the anniversary of the 9-11 tragedy. I used several items from the following website, which I am putting here for those of you who may be interested:  http://americaninstituteforhistory.org/911/We discussed lessons learned from the 9-11 attack -- things like making ourselves more secure (e.g., airport security) and also things like not stereotyping whole groups of people based on the actions of a small minority. We will hearken back to these ideas throughout our study of Florida  & U.S. history. I focused mainly on the more positive aspects -- solidarity, selflessness, and charity -- demonstrated during the aftermath of the tragedy. One of our essential questions for the day, and one that we will continue to ponder throughout the remainder of the year (and probably throughout the remainder of our lives!) is: "How can disagreements be solved without violence?" Any continued conversation at home would be beneficial.
  
  PROJECTS DUE TOMORROW!!!  Lots of students have already turned these in. Way to go! Also, great job getting the Dictionary Homework turned in and folders returned! I think we are getting our procedures down pat
  
  See EXTRA CREDIT for a new opportunity. To receive extra credit, students need to show me their essays before submitting them to the contest.
  
  9/9/11 Folders are coming home today, and these contain graded vocabulary quizzes, graded parts of speech quizzes, weekly reading reports, graded extra credit papers (for those who have turned them in), new vocabulary words (crossword puzzle), a homework assignment, and a letter about my perspective on AR. Some papers have "Parents: Please sign and return" stamped on them. Please return these along with folders on Monday.NO
  PANIC REQUIRED!!!Despite the fact that I have been saying it since the first day of classes, some students learned the hard way today: they will HAVE to study for my class. The vocabulary quiz scores and parts of speech quiz scores were disappointing for many students. For most of them, having to study is a new experience; most of them have been able to float through reading with little effort in the past. Things will be different this year, and while today probably shocked and stung a little bit, I think it is likely the "kick in the pants" that will help them realize they will need to put forth a greater effort than has been required in the past.
  SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT: Make vocabulary index cards (as assigned) and study the words for 5-10 minutes per night. Waiting until the night before is just not effective. Remember to review old cards as well as work on new ones. Cumulative vocabulary quizzes will be given every four weeks or so, and ANY WORD that has been previously tested may show up on those tests. Having students continue to review the words prevents simply learning them for the weekly test and them promptly forgetting them. So, the words on this week's test will continue to surface throughout the year. This is why having the sets of cards is useful. I suggest starring the cards of words that were missed on today's test so that they can be reviewed more often. For the parts of speech quizzes, I would suggest frequent short practices. There are LOTS of on-line practice games under LINKS on this website. Grammar Gorillas and Grammar Ninjas are some of my former students' favorites. Simply calling out words and having them tell you the parts of speech works, too. This can be done in the car on the way to practices, etc.
  
  Please review the GRADES section of the handbook sent home with the August Geiger Gazette. Each grading period, I drop the lowest weekly reading grade and the lowest grade in the vocabulary/homework/classwork categories. While I do not drop a grade in the Assessments/Projects category, any extra credit points earned during the nine weeks are added to the lowest score in that category. So, if your child is concerned about grades, please reassure him/her that one bad grade is not detrimental. It should, instead, be the impetus behind creating a better study plan for the future.
  
  There were several students who aced both tests (20% of the students). I asked what they did to make 100% on the tests, and they all said the same thing: "I studied."
  
  NOTE: I gave a different set of directions for the dictionary page that is coming home. Rather than "guessing" at the definitions as directed in the instructions, students should look up the words in their dictionaries, write the first and last definitions given (realizing that the dictionary lists them from most common usage to least common usage), and then use their thesauri to find two or three synonyms for each word. This is meant to be practice using their tools.
  
  On Monday we will be discussing the anniversary of the 9/11 event. If this is something completely new to your child, please take a few minutes to discuss it over the weekend. I will be handling this delicate subject matter with extreme care, but hearing about it first from you would be most helpful. Thanks!
  
  9/8/11 In class today we continued to work on note-taking. We also reviewed how to write summaries using the 5Ws as a framework. We worked on selecting the BEST main idea of a passage. Tomorrow, students will take their first vocabulary and parts of speech quizzes. See yesterday's post about the format. They will receive their second set of words tomorrow as well. Projects are due next Tuesday...
  
  9/7/11 Today we learned about reading non-fiction texts, non-fiction text features (subheadings, photos/captions, diagrams, charts/graphs/tables, bold & italicized words, etc. We also practiced reading small sections of an article, selecting the most important information, and taking notes i
  
  n our own words using as few words as possible. This is an extremely important skill that we will work on diligently for the remainder of the school year. Being able to condense a large amount of text into notes with the most pertinent information is the only way to manage large amounts of information. The text we used was "The Dragon Hunter." Ask your child to tell you about the article to see what he/she remembers. VOCABULARY QUIZ FORMAT -- Many of you have asked about the format of Friday's quiz. I will give the students a list of 10 sentences, and each will have a blank into which they will place the correct vocabulary word. A word bank will be provided. They will use context clues from the sentence to decide which word best fits into each space. While it is not a "spelling" test, since the words are provided on the test sheet, any misspelling of the vocabulary words will result in lost points.  Sometimes the test includes an extra credit question which may take the form of an analogy or a review of a skill or concept we have been discussing in class. Please let me know if you need further clarification. The first test will be on Friday.
  
  9/6/11 Congratulations to the students for meeting their first project deadline! Almost everyone told me the two abstract concepts he/she will use on the collage project. Some of them seem a bit confused about the fact that abstract concepts MUST be nouns, not adjectives. For instance, "pretty/ugly" is unacceptable, whereas "beauty/ugliness" works just fine. Any reinforcement of this important concept (no pun intended!) would be helpful. I suggest playing a game of trying to turn adjectives into abstract concepts (e.g., "lazy" becomes "laziness").
  
  Today we learned about fables, proverbs, and "the moral of the story." We are continually building the foundation toward finding themes, generalizations, and "big ideas" in works of literature, art, and other texts. Ask them about the "Proverbs Around the World" presentation. While they may be unable to repeat any of the proverbs verbatim, they will likely remember the gist of one or two. My personal favorite is, "Everyone is kneaded out of the same dough, but not baked in the same oven." -- Yiddish Proverb. We related this to our conversations about background knowledge and how it is formed. Later we will look at this proverb in light of "paradigms."
  
  You may have heard that we have a piano in the classroom. Students are invited to sign up to serenade us during Quiet Reading Time. If you, or anyone you know, has special skill as a piano tuner and would be willing to donate a tuning to the class, we would be most appreciative! The hot, humid summer with erractic AC has taken its toll.
  
  REMINDER: Students should have made a set of vocabulary cards for their first list of words. Many of them proudly brought their collections today. At some point, I will ASSIGN the bringing of the cards for a homework grade. It is important that they not get behind in making the cards. A new set of words will come home each Friday, and the number of cards they should have will add up quickly. The first vocabulary test will be on Friday.
  
  Students will also be tested on parts of speech on Friday. Hopefully, they have been reviewing "Grammar in a Nutshell" to help them prepare. There are some fun practice sites listed under "LINKS" at which they can practice identifying parts of speech. The quiz Friday will consist of a sentence; they will label each word of the sentence with its correct part of speech. Here is an example:
                                   art.   n.   v.    adj.        n.
                                   The girl ate purple cupcakes.
  
  Thanks for promptly returning folders.
  
  9/2/11 Folders were sent home today, and these contain graded Noun quizzes, graded "Are You Literate" quizzes, weekly reading reports, the first set of vocabulary words, and instructions for completing vocabulary index cards at home. Completing vocabulary cars is a homework assignment. From time to time, I will ask students to bring their boxes/baggies of cards in for an accountability check. Brief, nightly practice of the words is the best approach for storing them in long-term memory. We will have our first vocabulary quiz and parts-of-speech quiz next Friday.
  Please return folders on Tuesday.
  
  Students received new reading logs and SHOULD read for the weekend and for Monday PM; after all it is "Labor" Day. :) STUDENTS NEED TO DECIDE ON THEIR TWO ABSTRACT CONCEPTS FOR THE COLLAGE PROJECT OVER THE LONG WEEKEND SO THAT THEY CAN TELL ME THEIR CHOICES ON TUESDAY.
  
  It was good to see some of you at Open House last night. Thanks for attending! Let me know if you have questions that popped into your hear after the gathering.
  
  If you have not yet had time to read the September Geiger Gazette, please take a few minutes to do so.
  
  Have a wonderful long weekend!
  
  P.S. Normally, Mrs. Diana or I will write an explanation if your child scored less than 100% on the weekly reading report. Because I had to leave for a funeral today, my sub did the slips and was unaware of this procedure. Please let me know if you have a question about the derivation of your child's score.
  
  9/1/11 Today we continued our discussion of parts of speech, focusing on collective and abstract nouns (hereafter called "abstract concepts"). This foundation-building is necessary as themes in literature, etc. are usually rooted in abstract ideas. The students will have a quiz on nouns tomorrow. They have clipped a study guide into their planners. (See yesterday's post for specifics about what the quiz will cover.)Project
  information was also sent home today. Look for a yellow sheet in the planner. The first deadline is on Tuesday, 9/6 -- students will need to tell me their two opposing abstract concepts on that day. The project itself is due on 9/13. I also provided paper for them to use in completing the project. I would like to keep the size standard for display purposes. In the take-home folder tomorrow, I will place a little pink slip for parents to sign acknowledging that they have seen the project information. Please return these in folders on Tuesday. (A copy of the project assignment is also posted on the website under PROJECTS.)
  Open House tonight -- 6 PM in the classroom. Hope to see you there!
  
  8/31/11 Today I introduced the nine parts of speech, and then we focused a great deal on the various types of nouns. Students have a poem called "Grammar in a Nutshell" clipped in their planners. They will want to begin learning the various parts of speech. Once we begin weekly vocabulary quizzes (next Friday), they will also have a weekly sentence-labeling quiz. I will give them a sentence, and they will label the words (see example below). These will become more and more complex as the year progresses.                                   
                                        art.   n.    v.    adv.
                                       The dog ran quickly.
  On Friday, students will be tested on their knowledge of nouns -- what a noun names, being able to pick an example or non-example of a noun from a list of words, proper nouns/common nouns, abstract nouns/concrete nouns,  & plural nouns/singluar nouns. I will send home study sheets tomorrow, but most of this should already be well-known after today's class. The more the students practice explaining these terms and giving examples, the more automatized the information will become, so I encourage you to "quiz" them at home.
  
  We took the "Are You Literate" quiz today. These will be graded and sent home in Friday folders.
  
  OPEN HOUSE TOMORROW NIGHT in my class room from 6-7 (during the primary grades time slot). Mr. Gabb will be stopping by to answer any questions about fourth grade enrichment math, too. If possible, please do not bring children, as we will be quite "tight" spacewise. Bored? See "HELP WANTED" for a few opportunities... :)
  
  8/30/11 Today we discussed the importance of "living a wide-awake life" and read William Wordsworth's "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud" as an example. See if your child can tell you the gist of the poem. Over a hundred years after the poet wrote the poem, folks are still reading his immortal words! We discussed the power that we humans have to leave our "mark" on the earth through our writing. We set up our Writing to Tell journals and worked on Bio-Poems. Tomorrow is the first quiz of the year -- a quiz over the information covered on the "Are You Literate" note-taking guide. The quiz will be multiple choice and should be easy if the students have studied their notes.
  
  8/29/11 Welcome to the second week of school! Thanks to everyone who remembered to return folders! Congratulations to the students who took advantage of some great community activities over the weekend and already
  I am still looking for folks to help with juice pouch recycling. We hope to have the schedule in place by September 1st. Please see the HELP WANTED link for more details.turned in Extra Credit responses. I'm impressed!
  
  If you have yet to turn in your Student Information Sheet, please do so as soon as possible.
  
  
  Today we began our discussion of "literacy," -- what it means to be literate/illiterate/ "aliterate" and the varying degrees of literacy. Students have a note-taking guide that they completed during a Power Point presentation. This should be clipped into planners with their reading logs. There will be a quiz on this information on Wednesday, so they can use this page as a study guide. Please help them remember to bring the paper back to class on Wednesday to place in their binders.
  
  We also did quite a bit of work on analogies today. Have them create a couple of analogies for you! Finally, we worked on comparing/contrasting two different texts. Whew! Busy day!
  
  8/26/11 Folders are coming home today, and these contain the first weekly reading report. Most students already seem to have the nightly reading procedures down pat. For those who scored less than 100%, Mrs. Diana indicated the reason they lost points on the slip. I always drop the lowest weekly reading grade of the nine weeks, so no worries if this week wasn't stellar. Please return folders on Monday.
  
  Thanks for your help in launching the school year smoothly. Have a great weekend!
  
  P.S. For those of you who like to plan ahead: The first project will be assigned next week (Thursday), and will be due on 9/13. There will be two mini-quizzes next week -- one on Wednesday, and one on Friday.
  
  8/25/11 Today I introduced the students to the Comprehension Problem Solving Model. It is an approach that involves certain procedures BEFORE, DURING & AFTER reading a text. We have already been working on the BEFORE strategies (setting a purpose, activating background knowledge). The CPS Process is something we will continue to work on throughout the year. We also set up our binders and continued to go over class procedures. Great job remembering to bring a book to class! We had a video brain-break, and the students begged me to post the video. It can be found under the LINKS.
  
  8/24/11 Don't be surprised if students come home talking about the murder of Mrs. Butterworth. :) We learned that understanding what we read is a lot like solving a mystery. We will continue this conversation tomorrow. In addition, we continued to learn classroom procedures. 4A & 4C did an activity to demonstrate that being organized makes us more efficient; 4B will do this tomorrow. STUDENTS NEED TO REMEMBER TO BRING "CURRENT READING MATERIAL" TO CLASS TOMORROW! See the procedures packet for further details on this daily requirement. The OPEN HOUSE time for my class will be during the primary time block (6-7 PM) on September 1st. Because of the large number, it is best if parents come sans children. However, everyone is welcome if arrangements for childcare cannot be arranged. 8/23/11
  
  Today we discussed what it means to be "gifted" and why there is a "gifted reading class." The students decided that the reason they need a different class for reading is because they "learn faster" and need an "extra challenge." Music to my ears! That's exactly what this year will be all about. We also discussed the fact that in the past they have not had to put forth much effort to do well in reading; this year will be different. Ask them about the 212 Degree Effort film clip. The students set individual goals for themselves and we went over my goals for the class (see the Procedures Packet). Finally, we learned about the importance of background knowledge (BGK), how it is activated, and how the saying, "Two heads are better than one" relates to BGK. It would be great if you would ask them to teach you about BGK tonight!
  
  Most people remembered to do their reading logs last night. Just to reiterate, the reading log stays clipped into the planners all week using the bulldog clip. We will take the old log out and get a new one each Friday. ALL parts of the log have to be completed satisfactorily in order to get credit. Please email if you have questions.
  
  8/22/11 The first day of school went off without a hitch! Thanks to everyone who brought in supplies. Today we worked on procedures such as using the planner, completing reading logs, and take-home folders. Folders have some homework for parents; please return folders tomorrow. Tonight students will begin nightly reading. Please see the procedures packet under "Nightly Reading" for a full explanation of how this process works. I am posting the August Geiger Gazette along with the procedures packet under the "Geiger Gazette" link. I will be checking reading logs beginning tomorrow. Please email with any questions.
  
  8/21/11 It was great to see so many of you at Meet the Teacher! I am looking forward to our first day tomorrow. Hope you had a great last weekend of fun-in-the-sun and are ready to get to work. There are GREAT things ahead for us this year! See you soon!