Sticks?

A stick is fun? Really?? Well, ok....maybe one that walks can be! I decide to take one out of the tank for a few minutes today. Oh my goodness! The class came to life! It turns out there isn't a lot that is much more exciting than holding a stick that walks!!

I had to chuckle to myself when I watched them with this stick and wondered how much money they have in video games and toys at home and they were LOVING this little walking stick! Kids are funny!

Diving Into Dictionaries.....

Dictionaries have so much information in them but they are hard work to learn how to use them! Today's vocabulary activity required using a dictionary. Even though it was hard work, the students seem to love it! They do love a challenge! This activity took a little over an hour in total but they gave it their all.....

Look at this concentration!!

Sometimes I just stand and watch them. Fourth graders are amazing people! They love to learn and love to work hard!

Woohoo! Science Has Started!!

Kids LOVE science!! We share our science time with our Room 504 friends. We have started our Physics of Sound kits and will be working on "Inquiry Concepts". Our science kits are very hands on and the kids are totally engaged in learning! It's very exciting to watch! Our first lesson started with "Sound Discrimination". Who would have thought that dropping rolled up tinfoil, plastic spoons and pieces of cardboard could be so much fun?? How could we really be learning something?

NWEA Testing

We will be starting our NWEA testing this week. Our first test will be Tuesday morning. The testing block lasts for three weeks. We will test every Tuesday and maybe one other day during the week, if needed. We will test in Reading, Math and Science. This is not a new test. Your students have taken this test at least twice a year every year they have attended the Medical Lake School District. It's important that they are able to do their best so please encourage a good night's sleep the night before and a good breakfast on the morning of the test. Thanks so much for your help and support!

I'm Not The Only Teacher...

Look who's teaching today!! Ssshhh! Don't tell.....Ms. Spilker took a little break and the students taught math today! We have a lot of math experts in the room so I drew some "name sticks" and let them explain how to subtract with regrouping. Great job kids!! Thanks for the break!

Handwriting Without Tears....

We have started our cursive handwriting program, Handwriting Without Tears. We are taking it VERY seriously. Look at this great posture and the seriousness in their concentration. I'm not kidding, you could hear a pin drop during this time! They will be experts in no time!
I don't require anything to be done in cursive yet. We are still practicing and taking our time. After Christmas break, we will try to do spelling in cursive but I will let you know when that will start.

Popcorn Party!

We have a jar in our room that gets filled with a scoop of popcorn when we earn a compliment for good behavior or great manners. Sometimes I will add a scoop if the whole class is working really well. When the jar is full, the class has earned a POPCORN PARTY!

Imagine how exciting it was when we earned our very first party during the second week of school!! That has to be a record for filling the jar!

I decided to pop in a Winnie the Pooh movie about Making Friends to go with the popcorn...after all, popcorn and a movie just go together, right! You might be surprised but 4th graders still love Winnie the Pooh! Just look at these faces! (I thought they might try to do a math page at the same time....silly me!)

I am sure this is the first of many popcorn parties to come!

Open House/Ice Cream Social

Remember that Monday, September 13 is Hallett's Open House/Ice Cream Social. Open House begins at 6:30. I am looking forward to explaining some important information for the classroom. Now that we have been in school for a few days, you may have some questions for me and I would be happy to try and answer them for you Monday night.

Also, Book Orders are due Monday, September 13th. I sent home information so you can order online or you can still send your order into the classroom and I will place your order.

One Week Already!

I can't believe we have already finished one week of school! Well, four days of school but one week on the calendar. We are all still adjusting to being in school all day. I still answer the questions "How much longer until lunch?" and "How much longer until we go home?" several times a day but I'm sure that will change soon. I'm having a blast getting to know your kids.

We've started our homework routines, planner routines, morning routines and have been reviewing reading strategies and math concepts of multi-digit addition and subtraction. Everyone seems very excited to learn and to show me what they know! I see some great work habits all ready! You should all be very proud parents!!

We have been enjoying some silent reading time, as well. Here are a few pics from our SSR time. Your students can tell you what this means.

Don't forget: we have the Open House/Ice Cream Social on Monday, September 13 at 6:30 pm. I hope to see everyone there!!

Open House Was Great!

We had a GREAT turn out at Open House today! It was fun to meet so many of you. If you couldn't make it today, no worries! We will meet tomorrow.

I just wanted to explain the Snack policy for our room. As a general rule, I don't provide a snack. The students are more than welcome to bring a healthy snack for themselves for the afternoon. It should be something easy to manage and not too disruptive. The kids are allowed to get their snack out when they are hungry any time after lunch. There is no "set snack time". It is meant to be a "brain boost" for the afternoon.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you choose to send snacks or treats in for the classroom, please read the label for any peanut products or peanut warnings. We do have peanut allergies in our classroom.

I'm looking forward to the year! Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns!