Jaine Visits our Classroom!

Today was Jaine's birthday and we were all surprised and excited to see her return to our classroom to celebrate! (Jaine moved earlier in the month) The kids were all excited to see her. They were asking me when she was coming before school even started today! Jaine....we really miss you! Please stay in touch! Happy Birthday!

Enjoy your day off from school and think of me as I'm driving to the east side of Elgin for a morning meeting. I think it will be slow going! Enjoy the snow and see you all Monday!

Nicholas read the book, Franklin Goes To The Hospital to the class today. He chose this book because he likes Franklin books. It reminded Gabrielle of when she went to the doctor and was worried. She told the class that it helped her understand why Franklin was scared to go to the doctor.



Ryan also read to us today. He read Grandpa Comes to Stay. He read chapter 2 because another student had read chapter 1 to the class. He likes this book because it reminds him of things he gets to do with his grandfather.

We had a busy day with music and art. In reading, we finished How Many Days to America. We learned that we can make inferences by using our schema, looking closely at the pictures and words, and having discussions with others. While we were discussing the book, I almost got up to get my video camera because it was great to hear students piggybacking on each others comments. (listening and adding on). Maybe next time!

In writing, they began stories yesterday about the mysterious Harris Burdick. (From Chris Van Allsburg: The Mystery of Harris Burdick) They look at a picture and using the caption under it as a lead, write a story. I can't wait to read them.

It was DATA DAY in math today for both juniors and seniors. We made a bar graph from our tally chart of our favorite food groups.

Have a GREAT 3-Day weekend!

January Mystery Readers

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

I've posted a video of the January Mystery Readers on the website, but here is a sneak peak! If you want to watch all the videos, click on the Hot Link-our classroom website and take a look! If you want to be a mystery reader, just let me know!

What an Exciting Day!

Sofia was our Child of the Day and she read The Substitute Teacher from the Black Lagoon to the class. She chose this book because during Readers' Workshop, she didn't have time to finish it, and since it was so funny, she wanted to finish it and share with the class!



We also had a Mystery Reader: Mrs. Taylor, Natalie's mom! Natalie was so excited to see her mom! She read a favorite book of Natalies that she used to read to her over and over when she was little: Emily's Moo! The kids loved it and we could tell the book was well loved! Remember, if you want to be a Mystery Reader, let me know!

We are still working on inferring in reading; ideas in writing, and in math, Juniors worked on greater than and less than and seniors worked on ballpark estimates and addition and subtraction number stories.

I won't be here tomorrow, so there won't be another post till Friday!

Child of the Day!

Anjalie read Jessica in the Dark. She chose this book because this was her favorite book. It reminds me, she said, of when I get scared and when I used to be afraid of the dark.

Reflection by the class of today:
Best Activity: Math Menu followed by reading

Worst Activity: Word Work

Classroom Website

I've updated the classroom website. I have begun videotaping the child of the day when they read to the class. So far, you can listen to Gabrielle and Aayush read to the class. Just click on the link to the right and it will take you right there. You may have to click refresh once you get to the site. Once there, click on Child of the Day.

If you wish to make a comment on the blog, just click where it says comments. It's easy to do. I hope you are enjoying the blog.

Mrs. Stringham

Friday Fun!

Aayush was Child of the Day for today. He read the book, Come On Tim, to the class. It reminded him that if you are scared, you can get an adult to help you. They will help you feel safe till you can go down the pole. (Tim had to slide down a pole to get from the top of a fort to the ground.) It reminded him of the time he went to the Bartlett Park and he was scared to slide down the slide. His mom helped him to feel safe, he tried, and now he is no longer scared. I made a Text to Self connection!

He was also excited because his mother was the Mystery Reader today! She was waiting for the class when they returned from gym.

The other big news was that to reward the students for showing that Caring is Cool we had ice cream. They really enjoyed that!

I hope you are enjoying our Blog.

I read Arthur's Bad News Day. I liked the book and it's funny. I had to deal with it too when my baby sister was born. I made a Text to Self Connection! I was really excited to read the book to my friends.

The First Blog Entry

Well....here goes! This is my FIRST Blog. I'm hoping that this can be used to communicate with parents on a daily basis with important information or BIG events of the day...maybe week! We'll have to see how it goes.