Skype with North Carolina.

Yesterday, we had the privilege of using a new "oovoo" type Web 2.0 tool called Skype with our Pen Pals in North Carolina. They are currently studying weather and had fun asking us about our snow and snow activities. We, on the other hand are currently studying the SE states so, we asked them questions about life in North Carolina. Fun and awesome learning for both sides!! Wow!

Valentiene's Day Party 2010!

Alabama Study-Segregation Protests.

NE Region Reports

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Who is this??

Ask your child who and what this photo is about. If they can tell you, write the word Florida in your child's planner for a $50 bonus tomorrow at check in. Yay!! The SE states and capitals test will be next Friday. It will be the same format as last time so students need to know the state, its capital, and where it is located. We have been doing the fun song daily. OMG!!! They are getting good. So good, that they are ready to perform it for Mr. Senitte tomorrow without the word sheet! Practice, practice, practice!! Have a great evening. Tomorrow is Friday all ready!

Midterms!

Good day! Glad to be back in the swing of things! Midterms came home today. The only grade that is not up to date is the Writing journals as I am still grading some of them. As you know, I try to send home grade reports every Friday. So, this Friday will be totally up to date. Students have half of the quarter left to raise those grades. It is never too late to make a change! Science will have more grades to average in soon. We will be starting a new unit on animals next Monday, so lots of opportunities to bring up that grade. If your child's math grade has gone down, I would be willing to bet that it has to do with basic multiplication facts. We have now moved onto long division and will be entering into geometry and fractions soon. All of these skills will build on the basic facts. So, students have a choice. They can memorize them like I have been begging them to, or they can continue to struggle for the rest of the year. I will not be spending any more time on these basic facts in class. Please make this a home-school connection! Thanks.

Have a great night!

Fun Times!!

Oh my! Today was a fun day! I taught the kids how to jitterbug today. Let me just tell you there are some good dancers in here! Naturals!! I can't wait to see it tomorrow. Some kids were saying they are too embarrassed to dance with a boy or dance in front of others. Boy, do we remember those days from high school or what?? And then, we all look back as say, "man I should have just done that!" So, share those stories tonight and how we are all friends in here. We laugh together not at! It's fun and different and it is ok to take risks!

Our party will be from 12:30-1:30. All the committees have worked hard at planning to make it the best party yet! I applaud them for their cooperation skills and for learning to let things go!

Kids need to remember their Valentine bag or box to collect all their goodies in. They also need to remember their cards to pass out and their committee supplies. I have already told them that there will be NO calling home for forgotten items. It is a RESPONSIBILITY thing!

Lastly, we won the Golden Garbage Award this week! We were the cleanest classroom on our wing! Yay! Be proud!

Cya tomorrow...Calm, cool, and collected!