Week 28

This was another full week! We started off with a flipbook about the Cartesian plane. We put graph paper on the inside to help the students remember how to graph ordered pairs.





Mrs. Arredondo, our reading coach, came in and did a lesson with us about author's purpose. We knew all about PIE (persuade, inform, and entertain) but she helped us add a few more, XN. So now we have PIEXN to help us remember the author's purpose.





In math groups this week we practiced finding surface area. The kids used Unifix cubes to build shapes and then counted the faces to calculate surface area. They found that it was difficult to keep count so they used an expo to make a mark on each face as they counted.





After our author's purpose lesson we decided to write with a purpose in mind. Each student got a doughnut (thanks to TJ)! We were in groups and each student had to pick a different purpose and write a paragraph about their doughnut. We ended up with some great papers about them.




We also finished our writing about how to blow a bubble. The kids wrote paragraphs explaining how to blow a bubble with bubble gum. Caleb read his paper to us and we all had a piece of bubble gum. We tried to blow a bubble using his directions. Some of us were successful. Thanks to Caleb for not forgetting to tell the reader to remove the wrapper from the gum.



This is our hallway display of the how to blow a bubble papers. I think they turned out really cute!





Friday we did another chemistry experiment. The kids have been using the same 6 powders and doing tests to learn about each. Today we used iodine to test for starch. If starch is present the mixture turns black. Next week we will be using the information we have gathered to test a mystery mixture of two powders. We'll see how well we have done if everyone is able to identify the mixture they are given.





I won a set of SmartPals for the classroom in Facebook from EAI Education. They came in Friday afternoon and I'm looking forward to using these with the class.

STUDENTS: We had lots of different activities going on this week. We focused on author's purpose this week. Your job this week is to write a paragraph (at least 5 sentences) about something that happened in our classroom. We will read these next week and try to guess the author's purpose. Remember, we have 2 new ones so try not to use the same purpose as someone that has already posted. What was the author's purpose for this blog post?

Week 27

Several weeks ago we started doing open ended math word problems. We work the problems together in small groups and then use the Mobi to show our work.



You can see where each group is able to work out their problem on the board. We all share how we worked the problem. The kids are doing a great job with this and they're also learning how hard it really is to write with a Mobi.




We did an experiment this week in chemistry. The kids mixed a solid and a liquid to form a gas. They did this and then used the gas to put out the flame of a candle. We had a 50/50 success rate so the groups that accidentally pour liquid on the candle will get to try again at a later date.





One of our math groups used Versatiles and Unifix cubes this week to calculate surface area. We built the shapes and then counted up the exposed sides. This was a little challenging for most of the students in this group.



Thursday we took a class field trip to see High School Musical performed by Sparkman High School. The actors did a wonderful job. I was really impressed. It was obvious that they had been working very hard to make this a successful show.







The students who purchased a "swag bag" were able to go on stage with the actors to dance at the end. If you look real close you might be able to see some of our students in this picture.

It was a lot of fun for me too because there were several of my former students in the play. It was great to see them!



After the play we went to Ci Ci's pizza for lunch.


When we returned one of our class pets looked different. She had her egg sack out so it looks like we'll be having cockroach babies soon!


The week ended with a Friday morning spent in the hallway under multiple tornado warnings. The students weren't happy to be in the hallway but I kept reminding them that was the safest place to be. Several tornados came close but the school wasn't in the direct path of the storm. We were able to get everyone home safely.

STUDENTS: We had a very busy week! What was your favorite part of the week? Why was it your favorite?

Week 26

The kids were amazed when I mixed two clear liquids together to make this bouncy ball. The most amazing part? After we left it for a day it flattened out and took the shape of the bag it was in. So it had the properties of a solid and a liquid. Everyone wanted to take this one home.



We also spent a lot of time exploring the properties of different white powders. We are using six different powders: salt, sugar, powdered sugar, corn starch, plaster, and baking soda. We'll be using these same powders to do different experiments. The important things we did this week was describing each of them in a way to tell them apart from all the others. We also mixed a little water and vinegar in each to see what happened. Make sure to check back to see what else we do with our six white powders.



When I was showing the kids how to use a hand lens they laughed because I looked like I had a huge eye when I was using it the wrong way. So Timothy wanted to give it a try and use them as glasses.



We have also been working on writing a how to paper. Our topic, How to Blow a Bubble. I can't wait to show you the end product for this project. The kids have been writing and sharing with each other. We should be able to wrap this up next week for you to see.


STUDENTS: I wasn't at school Thursday when you mixed each powder with water and vinegar. I would like for you to tell me about what you did and what reaction you remember the most. Make sure to write at least 3 sentences for this response.

Week 25

We had fun at the recording studio Sunday! If you want a copy of the math CD just send in a blank CD and I'll burn you a copy. We ended up with about 21 math songs. Even the teachers did a math song!





This week in math we were learning about area and perimeter. The kids used Cheez Its to form shapes and then determine the area/perimeter. They really seemed to enjoy this.







We also used our candy hearts to do a lesson on ratios, fractions, decimals, and percents. In my bag, you can see I had a greater probability of pulling out a green heart. So, we took our heart and drew out different hearts to see if the probability would be close to the percentage in the bag. As you can see, it was close!



The students all made math Valentine boxes. They shared them with each other Monday before we used them to collect Valentine cards Tuesday.





Thanks to everyone that sent in goodies for our Valentine celebration. The kids were sugared up by the end of the day (sorry parents). However, it was fun to take a little break from all of our work to have some fun with snacks and cards.





Sebastian and his mom brought in dirt cups for everyone. They were yummy! And it even reminded me of the Saving Fred activity we did in science back at the beginning of the school year.



We wrapped up the week by making perimeter & area robots. This is the robot that I made. Can you tell it is a ballerina?

STUDENTS: We have started our chemistry unit and I know we are all excited to start our experiments. Before we do that I'd like to see what you have learned. So tell me 3 things about chemistry that you have learned so far.

Week 24

This week we had an assembly to celebrate our school recycling program. We are the first school in Madison County to start recycling at school. It has been a big success and we wanted to celebrate. The kids brought in change to raise money to pay for our recycling bins. They were able to put their change in jugs to "vote" for the teacher who would kiss the pig. Thankfully I didn't "win." But it was a lot of fun to watch those who did win. They had to kiss a pig!



These are the girls from our class on the Green Team. They are responsible for emptying the recycle bins daily.





Wilbur was so cute! This is the pig they all kissed.



Even TJ kissed the pig. Her mom, Mrs. Webster, had to do it and she didn't want her mom to have to do it alone.



We finished our unit on the events leading to the Revolutionary War. Here is a snap shot of one of the pages from our interactive notebook where we kept track of each event.



Friday we finished our unit on light and the eye. The kids loved dissecting cow eyes! It is so much fun watching them because these eyes are juicy. Many were grossed out but they all had a great time.







STUDENTS: We are about to start our big chemistry unit. We will be doing lots of experiments and this is my favorite subject in science. So, tell me what you already know about chemistry.

Week 23

We are learning more "brain dumps" for math. These are the last two we have learned.




If you are following us on Twitter you know we learned that "King Henry likes Diamonds BUT Diamonds Cost Money." That is how we remember how to convert measurement. We're still working on that one but the kids can tell you about the king.



Our reading story this week was a play. The kids love any excuse to be able to pull out the puppets. So I let them use the puppets and read the play aloud to the class.



Friday we went bowling. The kids have been learning to bowl during PE time and this week we got to see what they have learned. I must say we had some naturals in the group. Most of them cracked me up because they would roll the ball and then just walk back (without even watching the pins fall).



Look at the concentration on Caleb's face. He was serious.





I even bowled a game with this group. I was very rusty and Aviana was a natural!

STUDENTS: Do you think brain dumps are helping you remember math? Why or why not?