Welcome to dads and donuts!

Hi this is Mrs. Perrien’s class,

We were wondering if you,

The Dads.

Would like to come to our class for a visit to see how our classroom works.

You will be able to see our Michigan projects which we are sure you will enjoy.

We will have varied topics about our state’s past.

We hope you can come!

(There’s more information below on the time and place)

Time=   8:50- 10:00

Day=   Friday December the 9th  

Place=   Mrs. Perrien’s class #132

(P.S NO moms allowed)  By; Natalie

Classroom Updates

• Tomorrow is the last day we will write for our thankful project, it's been a lot of fun working on these each day.
• Happy Birthday, Mrs. Flynn!
• Shoeboxes are needed for the students to work on their dioramas next week.
• It's likely that this week's work plan will extend into next week as we are also managing our project work.  Don't be surprised if work plans don't come home for a signature on Monday night!
• This Thursday night is the classroom art fair at Waukazoo.  Enjoy your child's beautiful work!
• We've had several new hermit crabs added to our classroom environment.
• We will be discussing our holiday project this week.  Each year our classroom chooses a service project/organization as our holiday "gift."  Last year we collected over $300 in children's books for the DeVos Children's Hospital in Grand Rapids.  I would appreciate that this project be in place of any gifts to Mrs. Perrien (Thank you, though!) or the class.  My gift is to work with some truly amazing children each day!  :)

IMPORTANT!  It's official.  Mrs. Perrien is losing her memory.  This week I have managed to mess up three different schedule changes that were emailed or delivered by note.  What to do...If you are changing a normal daily schedule and your child doesn't know, please call the office and tell Mrs. Coney or Mrs. Zeinstra.  Not only are you lessening the risk of Mrs. Perrien forgetting, but at least once the problem occurred because Mrs. Perrien didn't get a chance to access her email until it was too late!  If your child already knows about the scheduling change it's less of a problem if you don't call the office.  

To put it into perspective Mrs. Perrien receives between 3 and 5 emails or voice mails per day changing a child's end-of-day routine.  This can be a challenge if the children don't know about the change.  If you call or email before lunchtime (12:15 p.m.), Mrs. Perrien is usually able to get the message to the children since she is able to read her emails during lunch.  Mrs. Perrien is sorry that her memory is going but hopes you'll understand.

**Thanks for your help with this!  

Project Work

What is the biggest challenge when handling project work?  Teaching kids to pay attention to a deadline when the project is spread over several weeks!

When we started our study of the mystery genre it was November 2 and November 30 seemed like a long time away.  "Sure......Mrs. Perrien is telling us to read the book by the 18th and begin our mobile as soon as we're finished....but we have so much time."

Not any more.

This project has been a challenge for some who aren't experienced managing a longer-paced assignment, but everyone is doing okay.  We took the whole day today to do project work, first the mobile and second our Michigan History project!  As mobiles are being completed they are going on display in the classroom.  Please feel free to stop by any time to see everyone's hard work.  It's pretty neat to see 25 mobiles hanging in the classroom!

When this work is completed we will reflect on what was challenging about the assignment and what Mrs. Perrien and students can change to improve the assignment.

Why I'm Thankful for My Dad

Dads-

Today we spent a bit of time talking about why we are thankful for our dads!  We are 21 days into our thankful project and this was a wonderful day of sharing and talking...about our dads.

Here are just a few.  I'm thankful for my dad because...

• He prays with me
• He lets me do my homework whenever I want
• He cleans the house
• That he has a family that loves him
• He buys me clothes so I'm not naked
• I have someone to jam with!
• He makes lasagna for my family sometimes (the best in the world, mine you)
• He makes me clean my room
• He helped give birth to me
• He loves me unconditionally
• He loves me and takes care of me
• He loves me and would risk anything for me
• He protects me
• He cooks for me = no starvation
• He take me on some of his field trips
• He spoils me and without that NO ONE (kinda) would be able to.
• He likes to trick me
• If he didn't have me he wouldn't have much fun
• He always loves me and will never give me away
• He is funny
• He mows the lawn so the grass is short!
• He will let me drive the golf cart
• He tells me right from wrong
• He wrestles with me and has nerf wars with me
• He does things that "I" want to do

**Thank Goodness for our dads!

Report Card Rubric

As you read your child's report card the following rubric is likely to be helpful:

Report Card Rubric

A:  Masters/Exceeds Standards
B:  Meets Standards
C:  Working Toward Standards
D:  Below Standards

Science and History

I'm so excited that we are starting a new unit in SOCIAL STUDIES--we are studying Michigan history!  Students are getting the chance to explore a topic of interest as it relates to the history of our state.  Only a few students have had to change their topic due to its applicability, and even then it was more like a shift in focus versus a complete topic change.

Students will be asked to reply to this blog posting and share their new research topic!  That will give us a bird's eye view of everyone's work, enjoy!

This week in class we've been discussed how to find information that is valid and research-based, as well as learning the different between primary sources and secondary sources.  We've also been learning how to keep track of our sources, we practiced with a CIA-for-kids web site.

Next week we will be digging into our research and planning our projects.  Finally, we'll be sharing our finished projects at Dads and Doughnuts on December 9.  I'm already looking forward to our presentations!

In SCIENCE, students brought home their Energy Transfer tests for a parent signature.  They are a little messy on the front, sorry!  After looking over all the tests I decided to do an item analysis and I discovered two questions that were missed by almost everyone.  I decided to eliminate these from the test and needed to adjust scores as a result.  We reviewed the test, item by item, and discussed the types of test questions and how this test can teach us to be better test takers in the future.

Remember...moms and Muffins is Friday morning!

Reading Workshop--what's been going on in class

Finally!  I've updated my reader's workshop blog!

http://perriensworkshop.blogspot.com/2011/11/visualizing.html

Thankful Homework

Students-

Please respond with at least five reasons why you are thankful for your parents.  Yes, your PARENTS!


In addition, tell why you are thankful for EACH reason...and remember to sign with your first name.

Remember, this is due by Wednesday.  Have fun!

--Mrs Perrien

What are you thankful for this month?

We have been writing "thankful lists" this month.  Enjoy these reasons (just a sampling) for being thankful at home, created today as our morning message!

• Family to help me and take care of me.
• Heater and air conditioner
• Television for staring and amusement
• Shoes for not getting splinters
• Bagels
• Shelter, so I can be protected from dangerous storms
• Legos, to be creative
• Moms
• Fish-fun to watch
• Family-because without a family I wouldn't be born
• Heating-because we'd freeze to death
• Football for fun
• I am thankful for school because if we didn't have school today we wouldn't be doing this
• Family-so I'll have someone to fight with and annoy
• Shelter-so I won't die from living on the side of the read in a cardboard box
• Family-somebody to annoy
• iPod-it gives me music when I am down
• Mom's cooking because it tastes so good

New Vocabulary--Math Terms

You will find the new vocabulary lists Here:

4th Grade


5th Grade

Students will take a quiz on their vocabulary terms on November 18.

Field Trip Pictures

Enjoy these photos from our Power Plant Field Trip!

November Genre Study

Parents-

During the month of November we will be reading mystery and creating a mystery mobile!  All students must have a mystery in their hands (or already in the classroom) when they walk in the door on Monday morning.  I do believe many already have their books in their school cubbies or lockers.

I have already completed my lesson with the 5th graders about their mystery responsibilities and given them their assignment.  I will be meeting with 4th graders next week.  I am attaching the mystery mobile rubric for both grade levels (they are on the same document) because the 5th graders were anxious for their assignment! (I love this!)  Please note that both grade level rubrics are on the same page.  This project will be a part of the school workplan time and should not be completed at home, although they may complete their reading at home.

In order for students to complete their assignment on time I recommend the following timeline:

• Read your book and take notes--complete this by November 18
• Begin working on the rubric! --Begin November 21
• Rubric is due November 30

Let's get reading!

Mrs. Perrien