A Whole Lot of Work Goin' On

Wow, have we been busy lately! We had a fantastic math period today where we looked at mental math and what strategies we use to add numbers without a calculator. It was fantastic. Did I say that yet? I have a neat conversation that one of our groups recorded on our Smart Pen and they have given me permission to post it on the blog. Once I figure out how to do that, it will be up! I also have journal entries from a few weeks ago that didn't copy properly (I am still working on it) and those will be up soon too.

We set our goals this week on our iPhones. After reading the story So Few of Me we looked at the 6 Learning Skills and created success criteria for each of them. Students presented their ideas and then chose an area that they felt they needed to make improvements in. From there, they decided on 3 criteria that they would work at in order to meet their goal. Before filing in agendas, students reflect on their day, deciding whether or not they met their goal, and then place a sticker on the back of their phones. Students who can truly self-regulate are able to make good choices because it is the right thing to do...not because an adult is watching. I am looking forward to seeing the growth and maturity that goal setting will foster in our students.

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I have been missing some parent signatures for various permission slips/upcoming assignments as well as work from a few kids. Here is a recap on what's happening in our room:

- students were given a Halloween Data Management assignment that was due on Monday
- our In The News presentations started this week. Check your child's calendar to see when his/her date  is
- homework books are due for the first time on Friday. The calendar tells your child what to do each night. The purpose of the book is to teach time management, organization, and also to make a home school connection so that parents can see how their child does with spelling, basic math facts, writing, and problem solving. Please sign each box on the calendar when your child completes the task
- students have a science test next Tuesday. They need to study for it (excretory, musculoskeletal, and nervous systems and the scientific write-up process)
- weekly reports are due every Monday. I won't be writing on this week since interviews are tomorrow night. I think I will work on adding them to the class website so that if students lose them, parents will still have access to the information and the ability to print them off from home for a signature
- we are reading for our biographies and non-fiction book reports (info coming on Friday or Monday), please have your child bring their book back to school so they don't miss out on important reading/research time

Thanks as always for your support. It makes my job a lot easier.

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I felt that Hailey made our class a better place today. She is working very hard to set goals and make improvements with her learning skills and I saw a mature leader today during Math. I appreciate that you work hard to help others and yourself.

I would also like to compliment Owen on his kindness and acceptance yesterday in Math. Thank you for being mature when others weren't willing to step up.