Spring break is behind us, and we are in the home stretch now. But first, we will be spending next week MAP testing. As a class we have been preparing for testing. Mid quarter grades will come out the following week, after MAP.
In Communication Arts we are continuing to work on grade level reading, we are still enjoying the book "HOLES", practicing our paragraph skills, and of course, we continue to work on our weekly spelling words.
In math we are reviewing for MAP testing.
After our last snow make up day, it looks like our next break will be Summer vacation. It will be here before we know it!

Our classroom is "Going Bananas" for the next month. We have started reviewing our multiplication facts. Each time a math fact is passed the student will earn something for our banana split party on March 19. Everyone earned a spoon today for conquering their x1's. Tomorrow we'll be working on our x2's to receive a bowl. As each student completes a math fact, they will earn another ingredient for their banana split.

Each student will work at their own pace. We'll be taking one timed multiplication test a day. When that math fact number is passed your student will move on the the next math fact number. Please help your student review his multiplication facts at home so they can earn their complete banana split!

x1 = spoon, x2 =bowl, x3 = napkins, x4 = ice cream, x5 = banana, x6 = choice of syrup, x7 = choice of 2 syrups, x8 = whipped cream, x9 = sprinkles, x10 = cherry!

Mid term third quarter grades have just been posted. Even though the snow is blowing outside, we are marching on to SPRING!
In communication arts, in order to try and complete the "castle" building process, the class held elections for "castle" foreman. Each student wrote a candidate speech. I procured a podium from the classroom next door, and the candidates each gave a speech. It was a great experience for all the students. We recorded each speech of the flip video camera, and reviewed each speech in class. The "castle" is still under construction. However, the class has moved on and is now learning about the Olympics. We are also reading abook about heroes.
In math, we continue to study our multiplication tables, and are working on three digit subtraction.
The year just keeps rolling along, and there are some mornings when the birds seem to be singing the songs of the change of the seasons.

At the start of the second semester, taking into consideration the snow days of the first week back, the class is beginning the get into a working routine. In Communication Arts, we have started reading "The Battle for the Castle", the sequel to "The Castle in the Attic". The class is still working on constructing a cardboard "castle" that, when finished, we plan to use as a reading area. As the construction has seemed to come to a turning point, the class has decided to elect a foreman to oversee the completion of the construction. Each student is creating a candidate speech in order to be able to run for the election of the foreman position. Each student will present their speech for the class before a vote is taken. The potential for a spirited election process is a distinct possibility.
In the weeks to come we will begin a daily lesson relating to the upcoming Winter Olympics.
All in all, we are off to a great start in 2010!

The end of the 2nd quarter has arrived. The class is very excited on the progress that has been made planning, reading about, and building their castle. It will be interesting to see what the final project looks like. When we get back, we will start a narrative from the point of view of the castle.
See you next year!

In Communication Arts, we are still reading "The Castle in the Attic". The class has started basic ideas on how to follow their building plans in order to start construction of their "castle". They have some great ideas on how to begin this project. The dynamics of the building process promises to be quite a learning experience on working together as a group.

As second quarter progress reports go out we are beginning some new projects in class. We began individual reading projects, and are spending ten to fifteen minutes per day reading silently. We will be checking our comprehension levels with a quiz. We have also begun "The Castle in the Attic", by Elizabeth Winthrop. The class is at work making building plans to build our own "castle" in class. If you have any cardboard, Pringles cans, paper towel cores, etc. that our class could use as building material, please drop them by, or send them with your student. The class is very excited about this project.
In math we are looking at place values and estimating. We are planning to use measurement and scale to construct our "castle".
Spelling words are becoming more challenging and are keeping in relation to the season, and in relation to what book we are reading at the time. Bonus words, as usual, are the suggestion of the class.
May all have a Happy and Safe Thanksgiving!