Due to some internal internet problems, it's been a few days since our last post...

What we've been up to:
- Origami with dollar bills and tissue paper- walking-reading, sequencing activity

http://members.cox.net/crandall11/money/

- Research on types of rocks. Our class is broken up into groups where we are becoming "mini-experts" on our type of rock. We are putting together materials to present our findings to our classmates. (jigsawing)
http://www.learner.org/interactives/rockcycle/types.html
Rock Song: http://www.chariho.k12.ri.us/curriculum/MISmart/ocean/rocksong.htm
Rock Candy:http://www.rogersgroupinc.com/ourcommunities/rockology/food/rockcandy.htm

- Social Studies
We are finishing up Chapter 4. The test is on Friday.
Extra Credit assignment: Create a time line of important events from your life. (This may be done by hand or with the help of the computer.)
http://teach-nology.com/web_tools/materials/timelines/

Highlights from today
- We broke into "Rock" groups and are preparing to become mini-experts on our rock type
- Review of rounding large numbers to various places and using the large numbers for comparisons
- Listened to Wayside School is Falling Down
- Wrote rough drafts of our penpal letters
- Made holiday cards for the soldiers at the request of Governor Quinn
http://www.standingupforillinois.org/homefront/holidaycards.php
(there is also a link to the letter from Gov. Quinn on this site)
- NE abbreviations

Homework:
Spelling Unit 14 due
Math Journal 132-133
Bring in a crisp dollar bill if possible

For a ticket (post or assignment book)

Name a rock that floats...
Hint:
http://www.childrensmuseum.org/geomysteries/floatingrock/a1.html

Highlights from today:- Discussed the origin of the 13 colonies and viewed video clips that explained the events leading up to the Revolutionary War.
- Read about the Washington Monument and Great Wall of China. Also looked at tests geologists use to identify rocks/minerals.
- In math, we explored millions and billions. We also practiced writing powers of 10 using scientific notation.
- Visited the school library.
- Began listening to Wayside School is Falling Down (book on tape)
- Reviewed context clues and main idea.

Homework:
- Reading workbook 93 and 97
- Spelling unit 14 due Thurs.
- Math Journal 131

Some walking reading groups need to bring in a dollar bill to use in class on Thursday. The bills will be returned the same day.

For a ticket: (post or assignment notebook)
What are the high and low temperatures being forecasted for the rest of the school week?

Happy Monday!
Highlights from today:
-We spent a lot of time today talking about the history of the Northeast region (Native Americans and colonies).
-We read articles on famous buildings and monuments. We discussed their purposes and what they were made of (connection to our Earth's material science unit)
-Big numbers and scientific notation in math...
Can you read this number? 6,600,000,000,000,000,000,000
- In spelling we are in Unit 14 - words with more letters than sounds (vowel diagraphs)
- Santas are almost finished

Homework:
Study Link 109
Spelling Unit 14 due Friday
Weekly Geography Sheet 14 due Friday
NE Capitals and Abbreviations on Friday

Question for a ticket... (You may either post your answer as a comment or you may write the answer in your assignment notebook and show it to me in the morning.)
What is the name of Illinois' state mineral? Why was that mineral chosen?

http://www.illinois.gov/facts/symbolsdesc.cfm#mineral 

Busy...busy...busy...

Today was quite busy. The children handled it beautifully and received a WONDERFUL compliment from a substitute in the building!

Highlights:
Finished Science Investigation 4
Completed the Geography/Resources of the Northeast
Read a story about Komodo Dragons
Worked on Reading/Writing Big numbers
Santa Craft
Spelling, Capitals, and DOL quizzes

Homework:
Math Journal - 126, 128, and 129
Spelling pretest 14

Several notes are coming home today in your child's Friday Folder.

Now, for the Compliment... The children had a sub in PE today. At the end of the day, the substitute came to me with a STACK of Character Counts recognition slips - one for every student in our class. She told me that in all her years, she has never had an upper elementary class act so fairly in a game:) She was extremely pleased with them, as am I.

The award slips will go home with the children on Monday.

Have a wonderful weekend - Stay warm!

Highlights of the day:
- Learned "Lattice" Multiplication
- In Art class we are making stained glass projects
- Received penpal letters
- Had fun in free gym playing "Elimination"
- Graded Spelling books
- Had fun making ornaments
- Took a tech survey

Homework:
 - Math Journal 125 and Study Links 107
 - Spelling Test
 - DOL Quiz
 - NE Capital Quiz
 - Weekly Geography Sheet due

Today we began an investigation in Science to determine which minerals were in the rock, granite.

In Math, we are continuing to work with partial products. If you are unsure of how to help your child with this concept, please view the clip on partial products:
http://media.everydaymathonline.com/em/student/algorithms_handbook/online_resources/Multiplication/Page_45_Partial-Products_Multiplication/EM3_2009_B04_03.swf

The children also created snowman ornaments (from recycled laundry caps) for our school tree.

Homework:
Math Journal - 121
Spelling Unit 13 due tomorrow

The Holidays have arrived

Today was quite busy and so much fun!

Highlights of the day:

• watching video clips of the Northeast region
• a new "walking reading" topic and teacher
• Santa's Secret Shop preview
• PE
• Library
• Decorating our candy houses - enjoy the pictures!
  

Homework:
Math Journal pages 117 & 118, study link page 103
Spelling unit 13 due Thursday
Weekly Sheet due Friday
Capital Quiz on Friday - Northeast States

Tinley Park is the best... but we already knew that!

Tinley Park has been rated #1 in the nation...
http://realestate.yahoo.com/promo/americas-best-place-to-raise-your-kids.html

Homework for today:
English: DOL Quiz
Spelling: Chapter 12 test
Social Studies: DOG (weekly sheet) due; Capital Quiz

I'm baaack... :)

Hello!

Today was my first day back in class with the children, and we are having a great time getting acquainted.

A special thanks to Ms. Young for doing such a great job.

Feel free to post comments or ask questions here. I will do my best to check this on a daily basis.

***Please make sure you read my post from August 31st about the websites. (Your children received Social Studies passwords today.)
Mrs. Maurer

Welcome back after the long Labor Day weekend.

Did your family do anything special over the weekend...?

Today, President Obama spoke to schoolchildren all over the United States. While our school district did not view the broadcast, with your parents' permission, here is a link to the message:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/MediaResources/PreparedSchoolRemarks/

Any comments?

Text Book Links

Here are some links you should investigate.

Let me know which link/part you find most useful.

Spelling City
FOSS Science
Everyday Mathematics Problem Solving Help
Social Studies

The New Year Has Begun

Welcome back everyone!

I am trying something new this year - blogging.
My blog will allow me to communicate with you about a variety of things.
You will be able to find class related links, notes and reminders, and other important/interesting information.

Make sure to check back often!

(Wish me luck...)