Holy Moly Monday!

Wow we packed a lot into our day today. We started off the day with Rusty and the focus word cooperation. We discussed that cooperating means working as a team and doing our part on that team. Then we read the picture book, The Scarecrow's Dance. It had the character trait/lesson of we are special and unique individuals and that often there are people that are thinking of us when we don't even know it. That lead to a discussion that I think about each of these kids all the time after hours and how much I enjoy being their teacher. Great book! Later in the day, Ms. Damon, a student teacher at Miles Ave. that wanted to come observe my awesome class, told us about her reservation life. The kids were amazed at her stories and knowledge. It was so neat to hear her tell us that her tribe is still a very peaceful, loving, sharing, non competitive culture. Amazing! Finally, we ended our day with a new social studies unit. We will be looking into the five regions of the United States. To start we will look at maps and learn how to read them (latitude and longitude here we come!) Then get ready for state reports. Students will need to do a report on a chosen state. Be thinking....for after Christmas.

One last reminder that Writing notebooks are due tomorrow. All writing needs to be in the writing notebook. I only grade what I see. December calendars went home today. Please mark yours accordingly and then return theirs to their take home folder. By the way, does your child have a take home folder????

Multiplication is coming along slowly. We will be testing out of our current graphing chapter early next week and then we will be hitting some harder multiplication. If your child does not know their basic facts 0-11 they WILL struggle through the next chapter and quite frankly the next few chapters. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE practice these at home. Kids MUST memorize these basic facts! Thanks.

Lastly, we will have a sub tomorrow, but I will be here. I want to guide her through the day. Then she will be here Wed thru Friday. I will have my computer with me. If you have any issues please email me rather than come into the sub. Or you are always welcome to visit with Mr. Senitte as he knows my classroom well.

Have a super night!

A new week...

Welcome back. I hope everyone's Thanksgiving was restful and full of family fun. It was nice to just relax and hang with the kids! This week we will be going full force in all subject areas. Just a reminder that I will be out this Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. I will be here on Tuesday with the sub so I can guide her through our day. This will ensure a very smooth transition into the following three days. No worries there. Be on the lookout for live chats from me from time to time. I will be checking in at least once a day via flip video. :0)

Upcoming events include:

Dec. 7th...Midterms Home

Dec. 21st...Holiday Programs

Dec. 23-Jan. 3rd...Winter Break

*Student Calendars coming home tomorrow in Take Home folder.

I am still working on the egg drop video. I used a different camera and am trying to get it on my computer for you to view.

I will be collecting kids writing journals to read on the plane. Therefore, there will not be writing prompts from me Tues-Friday. However, why break the routine. You make the prompt and have them write for you. Respond back and encourage them to continue this on their own. Learn to learn. :0) I am again going to encourage that students have their complete notebook ready for me to grade on Tuesday. This means ALL entries need to be in their writing notebook. If students chose to write on looseleaf THEY KNOW that it MUST be stapled into their notebook. As Kaleb would say, that is the millionth and one time Ms. Erickson has told us this.

Finally, I would like to close with an above and beyond report written by Lailyn about her egg drop project and Newton's three laws. She wrote...(exactly as seen above)

For this project I tested two different boxes to proove my theary correct. First, a egg carton itself was dropped leaving my egg shattered. Secondly, a box filled with shreaded paper was used and prooved to be successful. Therefore! I concluded that the second egg survived because the force exerted on the egg by the fall was evenly distributed on the entire surface area of the egg which lessened the impact on the egg itself and saved it from cracking.

Said like a true future scientist!

Have a super night!

Montana History Projects!

Wow! I am once again so impressed with the talented, creative,

and effort of these kids!

Food Bank Not Happening.

It seems we are a no go at the Food Bank. I hope you are able to help someone special over the break on your own. I am so thankful for each and everyone of you for the unique children you trust me with every day. Happy Thanksgiving!

Food Bank!

No new information for the Food Bank tomorrow yet. If I don't have any by three it will not happen. Thanks!

MT History Finale Tomorrow!

Hi there! Let me just start by saying Operation Egg Drop...huge success! Oh my word it was hilarious fun! I got it on tape and will be posting it soon. You have some VERY creative kids! It was also excellent that all of them did not work because we got to examine why and learn even more! Newton would be proud of all these kids!

Montana History Projects are due tomorrow morning at 8:25. Again, no exceptions will be made. I can only imagine what kind of creativity we will see tomorrow. I will again catch footage. Students will be presenting their projects in the morning starting at 9. Feel free to join us. Kids will need to return their MT History books tomorrow.

Hopefully your kids shared with you that we will be having a volunteer opportunity this Wednesday at the Billings Food Bank. I have a call in to find out the exact time but it will be between the hours of 9 and 3. I will know the exact time tomorrow. If you can carpool please let me know or have your kids arrange it. Again, this is totally voluntary and parents are encouraged to come as well. See you there! Oh, and we will be putting together turkey dinner boxes. Perfect!

Lastly, remember tomorrow is a half day, and kids are dismissed at noon. There is no school Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday. The following week I will be here on Monday, but then I will be gone for the rest of the week as my family is heading to Disneyland. Students will have the same sub every day, and she has been a teacher before. Expectations will be the same and learning will continue as normal. I will be blogging live from CA each day, so please continue to check in daily.

Have a great night!

Short Week and 2 Big Projects Due!

Hi! I hope you all had a great weekend! Remember that this is a short week. We are out for the Thanksgiving break on Tuesday at noon.

Please don't forget your Egg Drop experiments tomorrow. No exceptions will be made. I am looking forward to seeing all the creative Newton ideas!

And...how about them Griz?? YES!! Sorry Mrs. Hankin's class! It looks like we will be getting some treats tomorrow! :0)