Visualizing History

Joe proudly displays his visual representation of  The Great Plains after reading a Lewis and Clark journal entry

Another rendition

Reading first hand accounts really brings life to history!  Today we read and discussed  Lewis and Clark journal entries.  Students noticed how the crew members spelled so poorly, and we brainstormed reasons why that may be the case (conditions, education, it's a 'journal').  Students visualized The Great Plains after reading these passages as evidenced by their impressive paintings and sketches.  Looking at present day pictures of Lewis and Clark's journey from this site also helped.  You can see a few more pictures from today's sketching here.

On another note, students (as a whole class community) are really progressing in all areas of the curriculum.  Their fluency--both orally and in math and writing--is obvious.  I hope you're seeing the same thing at home.

Homework for tonight is to:
1.  Read for 30 minutes and complete Lewis and Clark Troublesome Portage reading (if not completed in class).
2.  Fourth math
     Fifth math
3.  Spelling

Have a good night!

Quote of the day:
"Because life is a gift, all of us are gifted."

Circle of Viewpoints

I hope everyone had a restful, relaxing Thanksgiving Break!  This morning we shared a 'moment in time' from the weekend, and students shared lots.  A memorable moment for me occurred on Saturday when I sloshed through the rain and mud to complete my twelfth Quadruple Dipsea.  I love running on muddy trails, and this last one was the wettest and muddiest of them all!

Today we spent time learning roles for reading group jobs.  I'll distribute their reading group books in the middle of the week (probably on Wednesday), but I just want to be sure students understand the different roles.  For example, what are successful questions that a Discussion Director asks?  To practice being Discussion Directors students read the first chapter in Bridge to Terabithia and invented questions.  We discussed which ones would spur discussion.  Other roles to go over tomorrow are Connector, Summarizer and Illustrator.

This afternoon I showed a clip from PBS documentary about Lewis and Clark, and we played a Circle of Viewpoints game.  The class split into different roles such as Native Americans, Lewis or Clark, or prarie animals.  Each group discussed how they felt and what it would be like to see white explorers coming down the river.  This activity is an effective tool to teach what it would be like to be living during that time, and the students really embraced their roles!

Homework for tonight is to:
1.  Read Preparing for the Lewis and Clark Expedition, write three examples of Marginalia and complete the back page.  Students will need a dictionary (online dictionary.com would work, too).
2.  Fourth grade math
     Fifth grade math
3.  Spelling


Have a good night!

Reading Groups

Students pose with future reading group books

Today students chose their first reading group books.  I displayed each book cover on the Elmo, read the summary on the back and then the first page of each book.  The choices were: Bridge to Terebithia, Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh, Esperanza Rising and Tuck Everlasting and Dear America My Heart is on the Ground.


I'm posting the groups below just in case you'd like to preview the book or even listen to it on tape if possible.  Next week we will go over each of the book club jobs (I'll post copies as well).  There will be a teacher facilitator for each group.

Bridge to Terebithia 
Group 1
Jesse
Riley
Ze'ev
Sam
Margaux    
----------
Group 2
Anjanette
Tyrell
Jonas
Seli
Max C.
--------

Esperanza Rising
Pasquale
Uma    

Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh 
Neema
Charlotte
Max M.    

Tuck Everlasting
Lily
Anika
Joe

Students persevered and finished their state brochures!  Each also has a second, published writing piece.  Yay!

I hope everyone has a fantastic Thanksgiving Break!  (If there's down time, perhaps you could do some quick multiplication fact practice, too).  Each of us has lots to be thankful for!

Jed

Finishing Up Loose Ends

One of the reasons for not too exciting blog entries the last couple entries is that we've been working hard to complete projects.  The satisfaction from publishing a piece of writing, completing a state brochure or finally learning all fifty states is so tangible--but it takes persistence and focus on both the student's and teacher's part.  Sometimes when we're 'in progress', there's not too much to report.

The goal by tomorrow (Tuesday) before we leave for Thanksgiving Break is for each student to publish their second piece of writing and finish their state report.  When we return, we're excited to learn about Lewis and Clark, create a seed/plant book and begin our first reading groups (which will be based on a choice of four books that I'll post on the blog tomorrow).

As we complete these projects and begin new ones, we should pause and be thankful (it's Thanksgiving after all) for all the wonderful learning and growth that's been happening!

Homework for tonight is to:
1.  Read for thirty minutes (no reading log)
2.  Fourth grade math
(No spelling since it's a short week...)

Have a good night!

"How Many Cubes Do You Have?"

Strawberry students reading  Giving Thanks to their buddies this morning

This morning during the CerritoBerry meeting we discussed what I like to call the "Cube Concept".  This is how it works: each child arrives to school with a certain number of cubes, and this amount changes daily.  If students feel "normal", they begin the day with five imaginary cubes.  Waking up too early, fighting with siblings, or forgetting homework would be reason to lose a cube or two.

Over time, some students arrive to school with a plethora of cubes--these types of students have enough so that minor incidences and annoyances do not bother them.  Others who continually lose cubes (or arrive with few) tend to act extra sensitive, easily irritated and show overall low self esteem.

Using the cube analogy is a way to teach empathy, perspective taking and understanding.  

Ask your child, "How many cubes do you have?" to gauge how they are feeling.  They'll tell you--and tell you why they have the amount they do.

Also, I posted fourth grade unit 3 math parent letter on the right.

Today's photos.

Quotes of the week:

"If you want to be happy, be."

"Be yourself.  Everyone else is taken."

"The fool who asks questions is better than the wise man or woman who listens."

Have a nice weekend!

Homework for tonight is to:
1.  Read for thirty minutes and complete the Character Sketch Reading Log
2.  Spelling

Another busy day working on state brochures and publishing writing pieces.

I can already feel a heightened "holiday" energy (which is normal just around the time of Thanksgiving). In class we try to keep the schedule and daily routines the same as they've been. At home, please be sure your child gets lots of sleep and keep nightly routines as consistent as you can.

A short note to fourth grade math parents: This week we're beginning another unit about multiplying larger numbers. While some students quickly grasp new concepts, others may feel overwhelmed or frustrated. As the year progresses, student fluency and confidence greatly improves over time. Today there was a bit of frustration, but it was only the first day covering new material.

In math class we are learning various ways to multiply larger numbers. For example, 23 x 9 could be solved by the "break apart" method by breaking 23 into a 10, 10 and 3 then multiplying each "part" by 9 (10x9)+(10x9)+(3x9). Thinking of it this way builds number sense and mental fluency. However, some students will quickly line up the numbers on top of each other and solve it using the algorithm approach. Ultimately, they both work, but for homework I'd like to focus on the "break apart" method.

Homework for tonight is to:

1. Read for 30 minutes and complete the Character Sketch Reading Log

2. Fourth grade homework is to complete class work (if necessary)

Fifth grade homework

3. Spelling

Have a good night!

This will be short as things have been busy lately--expect a more detailed update later this week.  Because Cerrito was on a field trip, we paired a fifth grader with a fourth and played math games.  We also began research for state brochures.

Homework for tonight is to:
1.  Read for thirty minutes
2.  Do Show Not Tell Writing homework
3.  Spelling

Have a good night!

Homework for tonight is to:
1.  Read for 30 minutes
2.  Complete a writing worksheet on active versus passive voice
3.  Fourth grade math
4.  Spelling

Have a good night!

Jed

Dance Video Clogs the Server?

Friday's buddy day--Anika builds Jenga block structures with her buddy

I am not sure if it was the dance video, perspective pieces, but this blog received a record number of views yesterday--forty one.  Moving from an average of around four hits in September to around twenty or so now shows that parents are starting to use the blog as a tool to see what students have been doing in class (and to get homework copies).  It's nice to know there's an audience and more impetus to spend time posting and participating in this type of communication.  I'll try to continue to post student work examples and things like this.  However, because of the number of visits, Dropbox, the online server used to store files, has been temporarily disabled.  I'm trying to find a way around this problem, but I wanted to let you know why the links are inactive.  (If you have any suggestions around this, please e-mail me).  We'll try to figure out a solution soon.  

Now for a quick Friday update:
Of all the days of the week, students tend to love Fridays.  The day begins with a CerritoBerry meeting.  As guests at Cerrito this morning, classes updated each other about what was learned during the week, sang a Bob Marley song "Three Little Birds" and ended with everyone's favorite song "Fifty Nifty United States."  Students love rattling off those states!  Next, we played with buddies, stuffed Friday Folders, created art with Julianne, took a spelling test, and finished the day with choices and Talent Friday.

Click here to see photos from the day.

Your child will bring their Friday Folder home today.  Please find some time this weekend to look it over with your child.  I gave some of you student work during conferences, too.  After you meet, keep the work and send the folder back to school with your child.

Next week we're looking forward to beginning Botany and creating U.S. state brochures.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Jed

Quotes from the week:

"Many a small step was made from standing still."--Fortune Cookie


"It's kind of fun to do the impossible."--Walt Disney


"The only place where dreams are impossible is in your own mind."--Emalie

Seeing, Thinking and Wondering

We made time for cultural studies today and did a 'See, Think, Wonder' thinking routine after looking at John Gast's painting, American Progress.  I showed the same painting to you during Back to School Night.  No offense, but the students were more observant.  We discussed the "white woman in the toga thing" (as one child described it) and what she may represent.  Many students thought she was an angel or goddess bringing progress (telephone or electricity) with her.  Taming the "darker" west was also discussed and the contrast between the two.  Students demonstrated quite an understanding of symbolization!

John Gast's, American Progress

....and a 'see, think and wonder' to go along with it

As promised, here are some perspective pieces:

Perspective piece 1
Piece 2
Piece 3
Piece 4
Homework for tonight is to:
1.  Read for 30 minutes and complete the Summary Reading Log
2.  Fourth grade math
3.  Fifth grade math
4.  Spelling

"Going With" Learning

Sam happily takes comments after reading his Holes perspective piece

Having lots of uninterrupted time allows us to be flexible.  Even though I was prepared to kick off Westward Movement today with a 'see, think wonder' activity, after lunch recess students chose to expand on their Holes perspective pieces.  They wrote and wrote and some produced upwards of ten pages.  When the character and voice are already established, words flow.  Students didn't stop, then wanted to share; I went with it, and what a treat it was to hear more great writing!  I’m not going to post the pieces yet (like I promised yesterday) for two reasons: 1. Some are now 10 pages and would take about an hour total to scan and 2. Some are not yet complete.

Last night I spent lots of time at the public library and chose six books to present for a next read aloud: Across a Wide and Lonesome Prairie by Gregory (a Dear America Book about Westward Movement), Crispin the Cross of Lead  by Avi, and Small Steps by Louis Sachar.  Students chose Small Steps, the sequel to Holes.   The other books are great, too, and we hope to read them this year.  Everyone is so excited about the read alouds!

Students were grounded, rested and excited to learn today.

Here are some pictures from the day.

On Mondays and Tuesdays from 10:15-10:30 Amy has been choreographing a dance routine.  Click here to see it!

Homework for tonight is to:

1.  Read for thirty minutes and fill out the Summary Reading Log

2.  Fourth grade math

3.  Fifth grade math

4.  Spelling

Have a good night!

Words Coming to Life Through Reading Aloud

Each day ends with read aloud.  Students relax in the library while listening to stories filled with colorful description, dialogue and characterization.  When I stop reading, a chorus of “aaawwwws” ring the room.

Last Wednesday marked the end of our last read aloud, Holes.  It was the second Newberry Award winning book we read so far (Walk Two Moons being the first), and students just loved it.  Today we watched the movie and tonight students are comparing the two. 

To prepare for the movie, today students wrote incredible perspective pieces in the voice of a character in the book.  I will take pictures of the writing tomorrow and post on the blog.  Their ability to mimic voice and style is obvious.  Also, writing in another's perspective allows students to 'test out' themes such as love and death.  

Homework for tonight is to:

1.  Read for thirty minutes

2.  Write at least three similarities and differences comparing the movie and book version of Holes.

3.  Fourth grade math page

     Fifth grade math page

4.  Spelling

A Few Thoughts About Conferences

After three solid months of school, it’s exciting for me to connect with parents.  So much happens in the course of just one school day, and I often surprise myself with the amount of anecdotal stories I have about each child.  A conference could continue for hours, and it’s always difficult to end them after just thirty minutes.

Because of the time, I try to choose the most important information.  As a parent/teacher team, we look at your child’s self assessments, academic work and discuss learning and emotional goals for the year.  It’s also important for me to hear about homework and how things are generally going at home.

I’m not trying to brag at all, but one of my strengths (and one thing I love about teaching) is the ability to understand and connect with each child.  I think I’m good at it because I’m able to recall so much about a child (even when I often forget ‘little’ every day things).  Throughout the days, I can quickly pick up nuances and feelings/struggles that children are having.  And I’m not saying that I don’t miss subtleties or that I totally understand each child, but at the same time I’ve never ‘not liked’ a child; I’m able to see and appreciate the good in each one.  This is what I love so much about teaching, too.  Every child is perfectly different--in their myriad of learning styles and  dispositions—and each has their own wondrous idiosyncrasies.  This variation brings color, spice, meaning and life to the classroom community.

When it comes to learning, often things are not clear-cut.  Why does a child struggle with spelling or remembering math facts?  Why is it that one subject comes so easily and another does not?  This is where discussion about what has worked in the past and what hasn't comes into play.  And team problem solving is key.

Whether you know it or not, you too are an extension to our classroom community of learners and a link to the past.  The more aware you are of what is going on in your child’s life, the more connected and ultimately supportive you become.

Let’s embrace this round of conferences with rich discussion, goal setting and teammwork.  I hope they’re as valuable to you as they are to me!

See you at conferences!

Jed

Most students watched the Giants win the World Series last night, yet arrived rested and ready to learn.  Thanks for all you do to keep your child healthy and ready for school.  We’ve had limited absences due to illness this year (knock on wood).

Keeping with the ‘learning-through-art’ theme, this afternoon students illustrated each organ of the digestive system and explained its role.  The diagrams are both informative and creative!

Homework tonight is to:

Read for 30 minutes

Fourth grade math page

Fifth grade math page

Have a good night!

Halloween Aftermath

We managed to cover some academic material in the aftermath of Halloween and a slew of Giants World Series games.  However, due to a shortened week and the fact that everyone seemed to have a busy weekend, I am assigning lighter homework for the next couple of days.   Also, please be sure your child gets lots of sleep.

 Homework for tonight is to:

1.  Read for thirty minutes--no reading log this week

2.  Fourth grade math

     Fifth grade math

No spelling

 ***note to fourth grade parents:  Save Halloween candy wrappers and send them to school with your child to make a Candy Wrapper Graph.  Thanks!

Have a good night and Go Giants!