30 April 2013
28 April 2013
For 5th Grade Parents
We are now done with the Smarter Balanced Assessments. This test was a HUGE eye-opener for me! For one, the test is not at all like what we are used to regarding national assessments. Getting through the technology challenges was a bit of a headache from a planning perspective. I'm a little scared how we'll manage multiple classrooms at Waukazoo with 1.5 computer labs.
I noticed that the test reminded me of some of the Moby math lessons Abby has recently completed. It's definitely not the same, but there are elements that are similar, including the adaptive nature of the both programs. Plus, there are times Abby has completed lessons that have required her to do old-fashioned calculations on paper and then enter her answer (both numbers or short answer) into the program. This was pretty much the standard during last week's assessments. In many ways, I believe that Moby Math is helping to prepare our students for assessments of the future, while at the same time helping to strengthen what students already know.
Please be sure to initial your student's homework folder for their time on Moby Math. We are finding that Moby isn't accurately tracking time, especially on lessons that have been reassigned.
Thanks so much for your help! Be sure to let me know if you have any questions.
--Mrs. Perrien
I noticed that the test reminded me of some of the Moby math lessons Abby has recently completed. It's definitely not the same, but there are elements that are similar, including the adaptive nature of the both programs. Plus, there are times Abby has completed lessons that have required her to do old-fashioned calculations on paper and then enter her answer (both numbers or short answer) into the program. This was pretty much the standard during last week's assessments. In many ways, I believe that Moby Math is helping to prepare our students for assessments of the future, while at the same time helping to strengthen what students already know.
Please be sure to initial your student's homework folder for their time on Moby Math. We are finding that Moby isn't accurately tracking time, especially on lessons that have been reassigned.
Thanks so much for your help! Be sure to let me know if you have any questions.
--Mrs. Perrien
Thanks...
Parents-
It's
been a busy school year. I sometimes feel as if days are flying by faster
than I can keep up with them!
Having
said that, I don't want to forget to say the following...
Thank
you classroom volunteers! You're awesome and both Mrs. McCormack and I
can't begin to express how much we appreciate all that you do. Thanks so
much!
--Mrs.
Perrien
Jim Dreyer speaks at Waukazoo!
These are not the best photos, they are from across the multi-purpose room with an iPhone camera. However, this was a really neat presentation!
24 April 2013
Classroom Updates and More...
Parents-
I'm sure you noticed the change to the back of the workplan this week! This was not an easy decision as I really like, in theory, the Friday letter. Unfortunately, many kids weren't really using the Friday letter to its fullest so I decided to find something different. I considered going back to the stoplight descriptions from the fall but ultimately decided that it would be okay for the students to grade their work and social habits using the same descriptors from the report card.
After a series of dental appointments this morning I stopped for an oil change. As I write this I'm sitting in the dealership waiting room watching a CNN special on teens and social media. Oddly enough, this topic has been on my mind a great deal lately after one of my Facebook friends posted the following article on teens and today's social media minefield:
http://taylorandsarahbrooks.blogspot.com/2013/04/parents-word-about-instagram.html
I encourage you to read this posting and consider how social media is currently being used by your child...especially Instagram, and how you can carefully monitor your child's use and exposure. This was quite an eye-opener for me! I freely admit that my two girls are Instagram users. I do think my husband and I do a pretty decent job of monitoring their actions on Instagram. Among other things, we require that a device must be surrendered at a moment's notice at any time and we don't allow them (devices) in their bedrooms after bedtime. We also require that all friend requests must pass the mom test. My oldest tried to convince me she needed her iPhone for the alarm but I called her bluff and bought her a Meijer sale alarm clock! Many thanks to a couple classroom parents for pointing out the dangers of iPods, iPads, and other gadgets in the bedroom overnight!
The following is a great set of rules for children/teens who have iPhones:
http://abcnews.go.com/US/massachusetts-mom-son-sign-18-point-agreement-iphone/story?id=18094401#.UXh__ZW05zo
For what it's worth, Abby has told me that Instagram is very popular with the boys at her school. It's not just the girls!
I realized pretty quickly that my kids must learn HOW to use these sites while they still value my opinion; I came to this conclusion from watching a few teens I know and love navigate the stormy conditions surrounding social media. I am sincerely trying to teach my children to coexist with technology, not be ruled by it! **The one area in which I differ from the 18-point agreement mom is that my kids must have devices (phone) with them at school...but should stay in lockers. With both my husband and I 30 minutes away from our kid's schools we feel they should have them in case meetings get changed, the dance driver fails to show up, someone stays after school for a test, etc.
One app I absolutely will not allow my kids to use is Snapchat. I think this is a very dangerous social media app! I have a friend teaching in an area high school and she has told some pretty scary stories... Read up on it, you'll see why!
If you have ideas for ways to keep on top of all this technology I'd love to hear from you! We have many moms and dads in our classroom with children in middle or high school. Parents, do you have any advice?
I'm sure you noticed the change to the back of the workplan this week! This was not an easy decision as I really like, in theory, the Friday letter. Unfortunately, many kids weren't really using the Friday letter to its fullest so I decided to find something different. I considered going back to the stoplight descriptions from the fall but ultimately decided that it would be okay for the students to grade their work and social habits using the same descriptors from the report card.
After a series of dental appointments this morning I stopped for an oil change. As I write this I'm sitting in the dealership waiting room watching a CNN special on teens and social media. Oddly enough, this topic has been on my mind a great deal lately after one of my Facebook friends posted the following article on teens and today's social media minefield:
http://taylorandsarahbrooks.blogspot.com/2013/04/parents-word-about-instagram.html
I encourage you to read this posting and consider how social media is currently being used by your child...especially Instagram, and how you can carefully monitor your child's use and exposure. This was quite an eye-opener for me! I freely admit that my two girls are Instagram users. I do think my husband and I do a pretty decent job of monitoring their actions on Instagram. Among other things, we require that a device must be surrendered at a moment's notice at any time and we don't allow them (devices) in their bedrooms after bedtime. We also require that all friend requests must pass the mom test. My oldest tried to convince me she needed her iPhone for the alarm but I called her bluff and bought her a Meijer sale alarm clock! Many thanks to a couple classroom parents for pointing out the dangers of iPods, iPads, and other gadgets in the bedroom overnight!
The following is a great set of rules for children/teens who have iPhones:
http://abcnews.go.com/US/massachusetts-mom-son-sign-18-point-agreement-iphone/story?id=18094401#.UXh__ZW05zo
For what it's worth, Abby has told me that Instagram is very popular with the boys at her school. It's not just the girls!
I realized pretty quickly that my kids must learn HOW to use these sites while they still value my opinion; I came to this conclusion from watching a few teens I know and love navigate the stormy conditions surrounding social media. I am sincerely trying to teach my children to coexist with technology, not be ruled by it! **The one area in which I differ from the 18-point agreement mom is that my kids must have devices (phone) with them at school...but should stay in lockers. With both my husband and I 30 minutes away from our kid's schools we feel they should have them in case meetings get changed, the dance driver fails to show up, someone stays after school for a test, etc.
One app I absolutely will not allow my kids to use is Snapchat. I think this is a very dangerous social media app! I have a friend teaching in an area high school and she has told some pretty scary stories... Read up on it, you'll see why!
If you have ideas for ways to keep on top of all this technology I'd love to hear from you! We have many moms and dads in our classroom with children in middle or high school. Parents, do you have any advice?
20 April 2013
16 April 2013
Calling all Dads!
Dads! Where has the time gone?
Friday, April 19 is Dads and Doughnuts. We will have some delicious, homemade doughnuts from Jenison Donuts, plus Biggby Coffee.
You're all invited!
Students voted today and we'd like to invite you to our Poetry Coffeehouse on Friday morning. Students will be reading poetry and other writing, but you are also invited to read your own work...if you're interested!
We are looking forward to having you join us Friday!
11 April 2013
Poetry Project Directions
April Poetry Project
Students will keep a journal of poems.
Each week you will need to find a previously published
poem and copy it into your journal. (Either by hand or print it and paste
it into your journal). You must then write a poem of your own using the
same structure and subject matter.
At the end of the month you'll need to turn
in four found poems and four original poems. The project due date is May
3.
·
Total number of poems: 4 found and 4 of your own = 8 poems
·
Each poem must be a different type. (For example, one free verse, one haiku, one
limerick, etc.)
·
Minimum number of lines per poem: 8 lines per poem (unless you find a Haiku
and/or a Limerick)
Choose one of YOUR POEMS to publish in a
class anthology. This poem needs to be
submitted by May 2.
20 points
|
Student submitted four (4) found poems
|
|
|
Student wrote four (4) original poems. These poems follow the structure and theme
of the found poems.
|
|
|
Student submitted a poem for the class
poetry anthology. This is due by May
2.
|
|
|
Student used effort to find interesting
poems. Poems reflect that the student
was careful and considerate in his or her choice of poems.
|
|
|
All work is either typed, or in best
penmanship.
|
|
06 April 2013
Cate's Recipe: Glass Bread or pan i tomat
Courtesy of Cate and her family! This recipe makes a great appetizer.
Ingredients:
Ingredients:
good quality baguette
2 or 3 cloves garlic
2 very ripe tomatoes, quartered and seeded
olive oil
salt
Steps:
- cut bread into slices
- lightly toast slices on one side using a broiler
- peel garlic and cut the tip off of each clove
- rub garlic on bread to get just a little flavor onto each slice
- rub tomato on bread; the goal is to get a little of the meat of the tomato onto the bread, but it needs to be done gently so that the bread doesn't get soggy.
- lightly pour or brush a little olive oil on each slice
- lightly salt
- serve immediately while the bread still looks 'glassy' from the olive oil
05 April 2013
Celebration of Learning Photos
If anyone has any pictures of videos they're willing to share please forward them to them (or perhaps send in a flash drive next week). I would love to add more to the album!
03 April 2013
April Literacy Project
Boys and Girls-
If you take the time to read this and comment for me, you'll be able to help me decide which project will be our April literacy homework focus. Please read over both choices below and leave your comment as to which you'd prefer. Make sure to sign your name so I know you contributed. The project with the most votes will be our literacy focus.
1. You will keep a weekly journal of poems. Each week you will need to find a previously published poem and copy it into your journal. (Either by hand or print it and paste it into your journal). You must then write a poem of your own using the same structure and subject matter. At the end of the month you'll need to turn in four found poems and four original poems. This projects due date will be April 30.
2. Students will research a published poet and create a poster presentation of the poet. The poster will need to include facts about the poets life, how he or she came up with ideas, a picture of the poet as well as three poems copied onto the poster. These will be due April 18th and presented at Dads and Doughnuts on the 19th.
**Please vote by Sunday, April 7. Your comments will stay private (You won't be able to see your comment but I will.) until Sunday night. Don't worry if you post a comment and it doesn't show up, that's because I'm keeping them private. You just need to make sure that Blogger tells you the comment was submitted.
**FYI: the project NOT voted on as a homework project MIGHT be an in class project.
If you take the time to read this and comment for me, you'll be able to help me decide which project will be our April literacy homework focus. Please read over both choices below and leave your comment as to which you'd prefer. Make sure to sign your name so I know you contributed. The project with the most votes will be our literacy focus.
1. You will keep a weekly journal of poems. Each week you will need to find a previously published poem and copy it into your journal. (Either by hand or print it and paste it into your journal). You must then write a poem of your own using the same structure and subject matter. At the end of the month you'll need to turn in four found poems and four original poems. This projects due date will be April 30.
2. Students will research a published poet and create a poster presentation of the poet. The poster will need to include facts about the poets life, how he or she came up with ideas, a picture of the poet as well as three poems copied onto the poster. These will be due April 18th and presented at Dads and Doughnuts on the 19th.
**Please vote by Sunday, April 7. Your comments will stay private (You won't be able to see your comment but I will.) until Sunday night. Don't worry if you post a comment and it doesn't show up, that's because I'm keeping them private. You just need to make sure that Blogger tells you the comment was submitted.
**FYI: the project NOT voted on as a homework project MIGHT be an in class project.
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