Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Sturgeon Finally! + Northeast Region








It has been a long wait, but finally our little fish arrived on Friday!  Seeing the kids so excited was worth the wait.  We want to thank Sturgeon For Tomorrow, MSU, parent / community donors to our project, and volunteers for making this a reality.  I will get a video up soon so those of you that haven’t had a chance to see our fish can catch a glimpse.  Please feel free to stop by anytime and take a look.  We will be doing weekly water testing to ensure the tank is a healthy environment for our little sturgeon. 
In the past few weeks the kids have been learning about the Northeast Region.  One of their favorite stops on the tour is Hershey’s Chocolate Factory in Hershey Pennsylvanian! 

SWIMMING ONE MORE WEEK!
This is the last week of swimming so please make sure the kids come with suit and towel each morning.
Concepts to reinforce with your student
I can….
· Describe why the Northeast is called the birthplace of our nation.
· Divide whole numbers with remainders using at least one of the following methods  (Digit by Digit / Short-cut, Expanded Notation, Place Value)
Units of Study:


Language Arts:
We will continue to work on Persuasive writing.  Our writing time has been cut short due to swimming lessons.  We will continue reading about the Northeast Region.

Math:
Unit  3 Division with Whole Numbers.
Science:
A View From Earth

Social Studies:
Northeast Region 



Upcoming Important Events:



SWIMMING LESSONS DEC. 2—13th
Christmas Tree Ship Learning (Dec. 16-20th)
Christmas Party Dec. 20th
(hats and gloves donation for His Harvest Stand)

NO SCHOOL Christmas Vacation Dec.  23rd – Jan. 6th










Friday, November 22, 2013

Sturgeon Learning + Swimming Lessons





Our kindergarten reading buddies came for a little bit to see what we were learning about!
I was hopeful that our fish would arrive before Thanksgiving, but it looks like it will be the week we come back.  The kids had a great time learning all about the fish, it’s history, and hope for the future.  We sure will be excited when that lucky little fish arrives to spend the rest of the year with us.
 We have been writing persuasively about the creation of a lake sturgeon license plate that could be added to the Michigan license plate options, and funds could be raised to help with the continued habitat restoration process and awareness.  The kids took a look at some actual sampling data from the Black Lake's sturgeon population to design and create their own life sized lake sturgeon, labeling all the fish anatomy, life cycle, human impacts, threatened fish, and habitat restoration for each model.  Needless to say when that fish arrives I’ll be holding them back!
SWIMMING LESSONS
DEC. 2—6
The kids will need to bring their towels and swimsuits each day.  There will be a note coming from the aquatic staff explaining the details.

Concepts to re-enforce with your students
I CAN Explain…
Multiplication Methods of their choice.
Creating effective introductions for persuasive writing.


Units of Study



Language Arts:
We have been reading and writing all about lake sturgeon.  Students are continuing to work on retelling and persuasive writing.

Math:
Unit 3 Division with whole numbers
Science:
Sturgeon Learning—Our fish is almost ready!
A View From Earth (next)

Social Studies:
Midwest Region (Focus on Farming)


Upcoming Important Events:



Purple and Green Quincy Spirit Day Nov. 26th

NO SCHOOL Thanksgiving Break Nov. 27-29


SWIMMING LESSONS
DEC. 2—6

NO SCHOOL Christmas Vacation Dec.  23rd – Jan. 6th


Friday, November 8, 2013

Conferences + Midwest Region




Conferences are this Monday and Tuesday from 2-8pm.  I am looking forward to meeting with all of you and discussing the progress of your student!  We had a great Friday learning about the famous sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald.
This past week we learned about the Midwest Region in our Social Studies Alive text.  The kids enjoyed learning about the stops on our Midwest Tour.  There is an extra credit project that I will attach in an email, and I have told the kids where to find it on Edmodo.  It’s called the Midwest Region Profiler Project and it’s similar to the invasive project we did.  Again, it’s optional, but the kids can get extra credit for completing it.  They will also receive a bonus badge on their Edmodo profile.
Concepts to re-enforce with your students
I CAN Explain…
Area Model and Short-cut Model for 4 digit by 1 digit multiplication
What are some strategies for effective Persuasive Writing?
Why do we call the Midwest “America’s Breadbasket?”


Units of Study



Language Arts:
We will continue to read about the Midwest Region this week.  We are continuing to work on our persuasive writing skills.

Math:
Unit  2 Multiplication with Whole Numbers ( 4 digit by 1 digit)
Science:
Sturgeon Learning—Our fish is almost ready!
A View From Earth (next)

Social Studies:
Midwest Region


Upcoming Important Events:



Parent Teacher Conferences Nov. 11-12   2-8pm

Purple and Green Quincy Spirit Day Nov. 26th

NO SCHOOL Nov. 27-29