The Maglev Train

We learned about the Maglev train today as a connection to our science unit!  Visit the following link to learn about this fascinating train:  http://science.howstuffworks.com/transport/engines-equipment/maglev-train.htm

The thankful project continues...

Why I'm thankful for pets:

1.  She can be handfed by my dad! (Leah)
2.  Sometimes they are fuzzy and warm. (Kyle)
3.  He is a cat full of curiosity. (Ashlyn)
4.  I am thankful for animals because some animals have saved people's lives. (Zoe)
5.  Pets can keep you company. (Genevieve)
6.  I am not alone when I seem like it. (Ava)

It's been a challenging year for the Upper Montessori in that we had to change our Specials' teachers.  However, more and more often I'm hearing lots of positives about the new specialists.  Here are just a few reasons:

1.  I'm thankful for Mr. Jackson because he wants us to use our imagination. (Austin)
2.  Mrs. O'Brien almost never (hehe..) gets frustrated.
3.  Mr. Wearing helps me understand other languages. (Mia)
4.  They make my day. (Cameron)
5.  Senor Wearing is really funny when he only talks in Spanish and we don't know what he means. (Jack)
6. They let me use my imagination (Jackson)
7.  They encourage me. (Brayden)
8.  Mr. Jackson is very precise--Mr. Jackson's style:  Use your imagination; M.C. Esher style; mark it, leave it, mark it, leave it.; measure, measure, make it perfect; Mr. Jackson style. (Cate)
9.  I like specials teachers because they are fun! (Dorien)
10.  All my specials teachers SHOW me what to do. (Parker)
11.  Mrs. Shea teaches us good songs, and Mrs. Scholten invents creative games. (Abby)
12.  I am thankful for gym because it helps me use my energy out and Mrs. Scholten has exercises that are fun and help us exercise. (Tucker)
13.  They make sure we do our best. (Kenny)

Today I'm thankful for...

5 Reasons I'm thankful for my family:

• So I can have fun with them! (Kyle)
• They keep me safe. (Roni)
• They help me do homework. (Leah)
• You can have family game night. (Lilly)
• They know how to stop fights. (Parker)
• I am thankful for them because they gave me a brother to wrestle with. (Dorien)

5 Reasons I'm thankful for fall:

• My mom's birthday. (Ava)
• We can jump in the leaves. (Brayden)
• Halloween! (Laine K.)
• Poison ivy dies!  Nobody likes it-it's gone! (Maddy)
• Football/hockey season.(Danny)
• You can rake leaves for money! (George)
• I'm thankful for fall because it's Thanksgiving and you can see your family. (Lainee R)
• I'm thankful for fall because I love to see the change in life and this gives me time to see the changes and it helps me with changes.  (Zoe)

5 Reasons I'm thankful for weekends:

• You don't have to ride the bus as much. (Parker)
• I'm thankful for weekends because you can eat as much as you want. (Dorien)
• On the weekends I plan out things. (Ava)
• I can watch the Lions play and I like the Lions. (Tucker)
• I'm thankful because you have a lot more time to sleep. (Kenny)
• I get to go on bike rides with my dad. (Jackson)
• You can play on your wii if you have one. (Jack)
• Dad makes breakfast. (Cate)
• I don't have to shower. (Brayden)

What's your position on cursive handwriting?

I came across this article today.  Very interesting!  I do believe in teaching students both print and cursive skills, although I do believe students are ultimately in the lead regarding whether to use it as adults or not.  I have noticed that most adults have a hybrid style of writing, that involves both print and cursive. 

From the article:  "A growing body of research from the past decade also points to a link between handwriting and brain development, showing that sequential hand movements used in handwriting activate the regions of the brain associated with thinking, short-term memory and language." (The Wichita Eagle)  

To lose this method entirely isn't likely in the best interest of the learner, but to teach handwriting as a part of a balanced approach to literacy is more important.  

Have a wonderful evening!

Mrs. Perrien

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2012/11/11/3911774/state-board-of-education-will.html#storylink=cpy

Why I'm Thankful for Veterans

Today we started out the day by listing at least 5 reasons why we are thankful for our veterans.  The following is just a sampling of the student's responses:

Thanks for being the one to stand up for our country. (Cam)
They're my parents! (Mia)
They never give up. (Kyle)
He [my Uncle] comes to my scout meetings. (Jackson)
They are brave because they risk their lives for our country. (Tucker)
They make sacrifices so we can live freely. (Kenny)
They are brave to go into war. (Zoe)
They can teach us a lot from what they have learned. (Genevieve)
Veterans are awesome role models. (Jack)

Many thanks to all our veterans!

Visualizing from Music

Today we used "The Marvelous Toy," from Tom Paxton, Peter Yarrow and Noel Paul Stookey.  Enjoy!  This was a lot of fun.

--Mrs. Perrien

Spelling & Fiction

Good afternoon parents!

I'm sending home with the kids a packet of spelling practice ideas.  These are for your at-home use only and are not "due" assignments.  Several people asked for practice ideas at last week's conferences.

IF the children would like to turn these in I have offered to pay a bonus of $20 for each practice, up to two practice assignments.

Second, our fiction drafts are due tomorrow for publication.  We are going to create a bound anthology of fiction stories or story excerpts.

Several were bitten TODAY by the typing bug.  If they type tonight stories may be emailed to me, or if shared on a Google Document we can print them tomorrow.  Typing is not required!  The publication deadline was posted at the beginning of LAST week so they've had plenty of time to get bitten by the bug; I don't really know why everyone decided to type today.

Since typing is not required students may also handwrite their stories and have already been working on editing and revision since last week.

Do not let the kids tell you they MUST type everything tonight if it's too long!  They can type their next unit and we'll discuss (again) the concept of procrastination in class. 

Have a wonderful evening!

--Mrs. Perrien

This week at Waukazoo...

November 6 School Picture Make-up/Retake Day 

November 7 Late Start 10:35 a.m.

Report Cards

Report cards will be coming home soon, either this Friday or the beginning of next week.  The office prints all 500+ reports so please be patient if you don't get your reports until next week.

Grades are determined using the following scale.  

• A–Masters/Exceeds Standards
• B-Meets Standards
• C–Working Toward Standards
• D–Below Standards

In writing, grades are based on daily class work as much as a final draft.  For reading, the student's reading journal is used to determine a grade in "comprehension of narrative text."  Finally, in math for this reporting period, grades are based primarily on a student's daily classroom work.  

Please review the report card with your child and be sure to let me know if you have any questions.

--Mrs. Perrien

I'm Thankful for my parents because...

Our Morning Message for Friday was to "List 5 reasons why you are thankful for your parents and tell why."  

This is just a sampling of the reasons:

• I am thankful for my parents because they let us see family a lot.
• They let me eat lots of candy.
• Their buckets are fun to fill.  There are so many ways to do it.
• They give me care and love and affection.
• They love unconditionally.
• They are always nice to me when I am sad.
• They make sure I do the right think and punish me if I don't.
• They give me kisses and hugs...
• They take me on vacations
• They gave me a name.
• My dad spoils me.
• They tell Santa what we want.
• They pick me up when I'm down.
• They aren't Spartans!
• Mom proofreads my writing to make sure it's great.
• They are just plain awesome!

Thanks for being awesome parents!

Sooper Yooper

See the attached pdf document if you're interested in ordering an autographed copy of the Sooper Yooper book.  The assembly today was pretty neat!  Send in your order along with payment by Monday, please.

For more information about Sooper Yooper, visit the following link:  http://www.sooperyooper.com/

ZAGG Contest

Parents...please help if you're able.  I've been entering my school every day for the past 5 weeks!

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Dear Educators, Administrators, Parents, and Students,

ZAGG Inc is excited to announce a giveaway for a $25,000 tech endowment to go to one public U.S. k-12 school. The giveaway begins September 10, 2012 and ends November 12th, 2012. ZAGG will announce the winners on November 14th.

To participate in the giveaway, just visit ZAGG.com/schools and enter the information for your public k-12 school. You can submit an entry each day. In addition, you will be entering your own name for a chance to win an Apple iMac computer. Please vote every day so you can improve the chances of winning for both you and your school.

Please visit ZAGG.com/schools for giveaway rules and details.

On behalf of ZAGG, we would like to thank you for your hard work and efforts to improve the lives and futures of young people around the country.

Thank you, and good luck!

All the best,

The ZAGG Team