Here is the link to RAKem Up Randy's blog. We posted our first post today.

http://rakemuprandy.blogspot.com/

Week 4- Was it really a 4 day week?

It was a short week this week because we were out for Labor Day. However, it didn't seem like a short week at all!

At the beginning of the week Mr. S. brought kelp for everyone to try. It came in flat sheets and everyone who wanted to try it had the chance. As you can see I don't think there was anyone that liked it. I must admit I didn't try it, it just didn't look like something I wanted to eat.

We also continued our study of kinetic and potential energy with our popper experiment and the "slow" helicopter race.

 

Ask your child to explain how the popper showed kinetic and potential energy.

This week we also talked about 9/11/01. Many of the students were very young when this happened and they don't remember it. I shared my story about where I was when it happened. I was doing my student teaching in a 2nd grade classroom. The link to the video we watched is in the previous post here if you want to watch it. Students have heard many different stories and this video did a great job of explaining the facts and answering students' questions.

Friday our entire school participated in a small ceremony to remember those who lost their lives on that day. We tied ribbons on the fence and released balloons to honor and remember.

Friday was also Grandparent's Day at MES. We had some parents and grandparents come to have lunch with students.

We also learned about RAKs (Random Acts of Kindness). Many people did RAKs on September 11, 2001. People were willing to helps others even in their time of need. Many firemen and police officers lost their lives because they were helping others when the buildings collapsed.

We also talked about how our community did the same thing in April when the tornados came through our area. There were many strangers who went out and helped those who had lost everything. A RAK can be something small or something big. It can be as simple as helping a classmate that dropped his/her books.

Students: What RAK have you done this week? Make sure to practice your RAKs this weekend because RAK Randy will be coming to visit our classroom next week.

September 11th Video

Here is a link to the video we watched in class today.

Week 3

This week we had a lot of fun in science! First, we did a helicopter experiment using the scientific method. The kids cut out their helicopters and tried to figure out a way to make it spin faster. Of course they had to stand in the chair to make sure it had plenty of room to drop to the floor. It was so funny to see their faces when I told them to stand in the chair! Guess that has never happened before.

Next week we will be having helicopter races so we will see who came up with the best plan of action for speeding up the paper helicopter.

We also started our energy unit. We learned about potential and kinetic energy. Make sure to ask your child the difference between the two. Friday we had another experiment to complete.

The kids used bouncy balls and measured the bounce height of the ball dropped from different heights.

Students, here is your question to answer this week: Did the height of the drop effect the bounce? And how did this relate to energy?

Megan M. snapped a few pictures today and I've added a few of them on the blog. Looks like I'm not the only one always taking pictures.

Finally, I had to share this silly story. Someone was super excited Tuesday when Emma had her lunch brought down in a giant paper sack. He obviously talked her into giving it to him. At recess I see this child walking around with a paper bag on his head. Of course, I had to take a picture when we returned to the room. Do you know who this is? He has a big smile on his face!

We are having a great time in class!. Students have been doing a lot of writing and I have seen some great things. Some students are even working together to create their own comic books. The students have earned 4 brownie points for their good behavior. Keep up the good work guys!

Week 2

This week we continued reading about how to keep a writer's notebook. Ask your child about writing small. We aren't talking about the size of the print! We also starting working on "Show, Don't Tell."

Our class also learned how to do a squiggle, which we will do during Work on Writing for Daily 5. You roll a letter die to choose your letter. Then you must draw a picture with that letter in it and write a story about it. We had several great squiggles this week. I even drew a squiggle, Carrot Man, and wrote a story.

The week ended by saving Fred. Fred is a worm that loves to go out on his boat. However, Fred can't swim and he hates wearing his life preserver. Fred's boat capsized and the life jacket was under the boat. Fred was stuck on top of the boat. The students had to use the steps of the scientific method to figure out a way to save Fred by putting on his life jacket using only 4 paper clips (no hands). Fred couldn't fall in the water (desk top). Every group was successful, however, some had to rethink the steps they were using to rescue Fred. Here are a few pictures of the Fred rescue.

Students: This week post what you wrote about this week during writing time. You can share your writing from the squiggle, writing small, or show don't tell. You don't need to type exactly what you wrote (but can if you want to). Just share enough for us to get an idea of what you wrote about.

We made it through the first week!

We all had a great first week of school. Next week we will begin our regular routine. We have started adding things in our science and social studies interactive notebook.

This is the read aloud we started this week. Middle School The Worst Years of My Life was written by James Patterson. It is written in the same style as the Wimpy Kid books the kids have been reading. It is a humorous story about a boy and his goal to break every rule at school.

Ask your child about his/her writer's notebook. We also read from Ralph Fletcher's Writer's Notebook. We started lists like: things that inspire and fascinate me, fears, and things I wonder about. As we read, we will add more things in our notebooks.

I have encouraged the kids to decorate their writer's notebook. This is a place for them to keep lists and ideas to help them with the writing process. It is important to have something to write about and it is much easier to write about something you know about. This will be a great resource for the kids once they begin writing during writer's workshop. I will also be asking students to share their original pieces on our class blog.

Students: What was your favorite part of the first week? If you post a comment you will get a ticket for the good job jar.

Have a great weekend! See you all Monday.

Tomorrow is the first day!

The room is ready and so I am! I can't believe the summer went by so fast. So my question for you is what is your least favorite part of starting back to school? Just click on comment to submit your answer. Make sure to sign the entry with your first name and last initial.

You probably want to know my answer too right? My least favorite part about starting back to school is getting up so early. I would be happy if school started around 10. That would give me time to sleep in and still get to school on time. Tomorrow morning my alarm will go off and 5:15 am! That is way too early.

See you tomorrow!