Hold onto your hat...it's third quarter already!

Well, it is day one, quarter 3. That means I need to make 5th graders out of these 4th graders. I will be cracking down on 4th grade quality work. We have been discussing what this looks like, and now it is time to apply it. Journals will no longer be accepted incomplete or messy. If I can't read it, it is an F. If it does not meet the 1/2 page requirement, it is an F. If students continue to make the same mistakes that I have been taking the time to journal to them about, their grade will lower to at least a C. So, parents please be checking these nightly. They are to be writing them WITH you to build the home/school connection. Students are still not putting capitals and correct punctuation in their writing. Not acceptable in the 4th grade! I am cracking down!

The science show was a huge hit today! Kids were laughing and learning at the same time. Trivia questions this week will reflect what they saw/learned in the show. Thanks Mrs. Jensen for traveling with us!

I will be out tomorrow as I am presenting the morning meeting and character content that I am teaching to your children to a group of people.

Yesterday, our staff participated in a workshop called Rachel's Challenge. It dealt with Rachel Scott, who was shot and killed in the Columbine High School Shooting ten years ago. Can I encourage you to watch the youtube on this (just google rachels challenge youtube). This child was remarkable. It is not so much about her death, but in fact the message she left behind. Wow!! Talk about character. Our staff will be implementing some of the strategies we learned from Rachel, especially when it comes to kindness and the power of writing down your goals.

Book orders are due tomorrow. Remember you can order and pay online at www.scholastic.com/bookclubs. The user name is tammieerikson and the password is believe. We earn a free book for our classroom for every order. SWEET! Read on!

Have a wonderful night!

See if you can get this out of your head! Yes!!

Happy Martin Luther King, Jr. Day!!

In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday, enjoy this poem.

Me and My M&Ms

I have always liked M&Ms.

The most diverse multi-cultural integrated candy in the world.

You have your red ones, your yellow ones, your orange ones, your brown ones

your green ones, and your blue ones.

All in one package.

All co-existing together.

One color doesn't think that it is superior to the other.

One color doesn't discriminate against the other.

All colors are the same size, shape, and weight.

All colors look different on the outside but have the same ingredients on the inside.

M&Ms all have the same flavor and they all taste G-o-o-o-o-o-o-d!

Not all M&Ms are perfect though.

Some have nuts!!!

In the real world we call them racists and bigots.

Wouldn't it be nice if like M&Ms our prejudices melted into

the abyss like chocolate melts in our mouths

and all people were judged by what was inside rather than the color

you see on the outside????

If candy can be prejudice free why can't we???????????

By Marily Kern-Foxworth

Reminders!

The quarter will be closing out tomorrow. All missing work is due, including journals. After tomorrow, missing work will not be accepted and grading will start over for quarter three.

Please help your kiddos remember their tennis shoes for tomorrow's gym class. They lose points and have to sit out if they do not bring safe shoes. No snow boots!

Don't forget you can oder books online until Jan. 20th. Each book is worth 100 fake dollars. You can also send in book orders with checks.

Have a great night!

Time to STUDY! Responsibility!

Man, is it all ready Wednesday?? My goodness, where is the week going?

Last night's tech night was very fun! Thanks to the families that joined in on that. We plan on doing another one before the year ends. I shared all of the slide shows I received with the class today! Keep on SLIDING!!! I can't post them to the blog due to the fact that I will have a million songs blaring at you at one time! Yikes!

Today kids recorded all eleven of the states that make up the NE region of the US along with their capitals in their social studies notebook. They need to start studying these for a test. I am going to link some game sites under my favorites that are for locating all of the states. In time kids will need to know all 50, but for the first test it is just this region. They will not need to spell the states/capitals on the test because they will have a word list, but why not challenge them by learning this skill at home! Study!! I have also listed the states and capitals on the side of this blog for your easy study guide.

Field Trip permission slips came home tonight in the take home folder. Five students have yet to earn the 500 dollar buy in to go. If your child is one of them, I marked it on their sheet. They can still earn until we go next Tuesday, so you need to mark whether they can go or not. Remember, we have no school on Monday. Choices=Consequences! Many students are loosing big money for incomplete homework and not having their planner signed every day! Permission slips are due tomorrow for a 100 dollar reward.

Have a great night and play outside!

Recorders!

Hello. Busy day!!

The following students need to bring back their permission slips in order to bring home their recorders for music. Paige, Robert, Matt, Seth, Philip, Natalie, Preston, Jacob, Lailyn, Hanna, Garret, Jon, Abby, and Dalton. They will have a recorder concert and should be bringing home their recorders and books to practice. Recorders and books are to be brought to school EVERY Monday and Wednesday. They even have homework in these books. Ask, ask, ask!

I will be out tomorrow as you know. I have technology class. I will see some of you tomorrow night at the Lincoln Center at 6:30. Just come through the main doors and follow the signs to the room. Fun!!

Below you will see a video of what we call Multiplication Round Up. Kids go through a series of 12 stations that all deal with multiplication and one division. They stay at each station for 1.5 minutes. The stations are designed to hit all types of learners. You will see physical movement, partner communication, technology, individual study, games with cards and dice, and more. I told you a few days ago that I am doing all I can here to help your kids memorize their basic facts. I wanted to share with you what I meant by that. Please continue to do flashcards or computer games or whatever at home too! The kids are getting better every day, but I CAN"T do it without you. This skill will literally haunt them for the next 4-5-life years. Thanks!

Night!

Picture Reminder!

Those of you attending the Tech Night tomorrow, PLEASE bring your pictures to class tomorrow. I will need to scan them into the computer in advance. Thanks!

Cya tomorrow!