School News

Week of Jan. 16, 2012

2012-01-28T19:16:00.000-06:00

Of course, we had another busy week. So what else is new!!!

We continued our work inferring by looking at vocabulary and determining meaning in context of the text. We then moved at inferring character traits. We always remember to support our thinking with evidence from the text.

In writing we are learning about writing letters. We have learned the five parts of a letter and we are writing friendly letters to each other. This will lead into our unit on persuasive writing.

We finished our unit on geometry and we are working more and more on adding and subtracting with 2 and 3 digit numbers. We are also learning more and more about trading and borrowing.

We also had a mystery reader this week: Colin's parents came in and read Bats at the Library. Thank you!!!

Enjoy the pictures:

Photo album personalized with Smilebox

2012-01-19T20:04:00.000-06:00

Alyssa, Owen and Jacob did a great job reading to the class this week. Thanks! We love to hear GREAT readers!!!!

Tomorrow is our trip to the planetarium. This is a FREE field trip and is part of the U-46 Curriculum. Dr. Hernandez does a FANTASTIC job as the director. If you have a chance to visit the planetarium...go! Check out the U-46 website for more details and opportunities to visit.

I will not be at school tomorrow, unfortunately. My daughter is returning to college and I want to spend time with her before she leaves. I am MOM tomorrow...my favorite role!!!! I know the substitute will do a great job...everything is already laid out. The class will be going to the planetarium with Mrs. Tornero's class. I also spoke to Dr. Hernandez this afternoon who will have a message from me to the class. I can't wait to hear about all they learn!!

It's been a busy week with Tuesday being a switch day and the kids haven't stopped learning for a minute! They are doing a wonderful job! We began learning about inferring at the word level. This strategy will help understand difficult words through context clues. We also are finishing up our math unit on geometry.

Have a GREAT weekend...keep the boots handy!

2012-01-14T19:22:00.000-06:00

Newsletter design made with Smilebox

We also had or Vision and Hearing screening on Friday. This week will be just as fun! Tuesday is a switch day and we will go to P.E., music, and art. Thursday is Library. And.....Friday..we will go to the U-46 planetarium!!!! It's going to be a GREAT week!

2012-01-07T19:38:00.001-06:00

Welcome back and welcome to 2012!!!!

This newsletter design generated with Smilebox

2011-12-18T18:40:00.000-06:00

Our last two day's of school were spent learning about Croatia and Denmark. Miss Diana, who is from Croatia, shared holiday traditions from her country. Mrs. Karsbaek, who's husband is from Denmark, shared holiday traditions with our class, too. Friday morning we read The Polar Express and watched the movie. Then we compared and contrasted the book and the movie. We also cleaned our chair pockets, threw out our old crayons, wiped down our tables, and prepared for our return in the new year. Then....it was time to party!!!Happy Holidays everyone and don't forget to READ....READ.....READ!!!!

Customize your own picture slideshow

2011-12-14T19:53:00.000-06:00

Today we traveled around the world to Poland, China, India, Israel, and Japan. We learned about Diwali, Hanukkah, Chinese New Year, and more.So far we have learned about Eid, Antarctica , Germany, and other holiday customs and cultures. Tomorrow we will learn about Las Posadas and more. We have also worked on map skills as we receive our holiday cards from across the country.

Personalize your own photo slideshow

2011-12-13T18:48:00.000-06:00

Mr. Jangles was listening in on all our travels around the world. Today we traveled to Antarctica, Australia, and Germany. Sumehra was our child of the day and did a wonderful job reading. Thanks!We took our math MAP test today. Results will be coming home in January. Tomorrow we will really "travel" as we move to other classrooms to hear about different holiday traditions. Thank you to the parents who are able to come in tomorrow and share.As we wind down for the holiday break keep in mind the BEST gift you can give your child if the love of reading. If there is ONE gift that is a MUST on everyone's list....it should be a book!

2011-12-12T17:33:00.000-06:00

Apparently our friend the elf, Mr. Jangles, likes math as much as he does reading! Today he was making polygons on geoboards!Jasmine was our child of the day and read Little Bulldozer. Thanks, Jasmine!Our passports were stamped for our 1st stop on our trip around the world to learn about holiday traditions. We read books about American traditions and created a "keepsake" for our suitcase of collectibles from our trip. Tomorrow we take off across the ocean.We also read three cards from schools across the country and labeled our map of North America as to where they came from: Texas, Pennsylvania, and Alabama. As we complete the online project of exchanging holiday greetings and as we complete our Holidays Around the World, we are also learning map skills.Homework that is due on Friday: Gingerbread Science experiment and math problem solving worksheets. Reading Log and Math Fact Log will be reviewed on Friday but are due complete with holiday vacation reading/math fact practice in January when we return from break.Tomorrow students take their math MAP test. Be sure and get a good nights sleep and eat a healthy breakfast.

2011-12-09T19:19:00.000-06:00

Amal was our child of the day and read a very funny book: My Sloppy Tiger. Thanks, Amal! Mr. Jangles enjoyed it as well. He loves to read!We took our reading MAP test today and then worked on our "suitcases" for next week's Around the World trip. We will be "visiting" countries all over the world to learn about holiday traditions. We will find the countries on the map and learn map skills as well. Our passports are ready and we are ready to go!Have a great weekend and read a good book!

2011-12-08T19:29:00.001-06:00

Mr. Jangles, our Elf on a Shelf, loves to read. He made a mess of our counter to get to the books! That's ok...anything for a good read! Emily did a wonderful job as the child of the day. We really enjoyed the story she read to us!We read two more Gingerbread stories (The Gingerbread Man and The Gingerbread Cowboy) and started making comparisons of our books. We also continued writing our Gingerbread stories. During math workshop, we worked on coordinate graphing by making a gingerbread house!Tomorrow we have library after all! We also have our reading MAP test in the morning. Get a good night sleep and eat a healthy breakfast and you will be all set....ready to show how smart you are!

2011-12-07T19:24:00.001-06:00

Mr. Jangles is keeping an eye on everyone and reporting to Santa each night. I wonder where we will find him tomorrow? Ali was our child of the day and read The Three Little Pigs. Thanks, Ali!We read The Gingerbread Girl Goes Animal Crackers, focusing on the literary elements. We also read Gingerbread Pirates. Tomorrow we will start comparing and contrasting the Gingerbread books we have read so far. We also began writing our own gingerbread stories.Tomorrow we do have library after all. Be sure and return your books so you can have two new books for the holiday break.

2011-12-06T19:11:00.001-06:00

Thank you, Angelina, you were a GREAT child of the day. I really liked how you read the book, The Magic Fish....you really got into the characters and it helped us all understand what was happening. Keep reading!!!!We read The Gingerbread Girl and identified the words that created the most vivid mental image; then we drew our mental image. We will read another Gingerbread story tomorrow and then compare and contrast the two books. We are also keeping track of the story elements we are reading in each of the Gingerbread books so we can identify the common elements. We will also be writing our own Gingerbread stories.We also worked on fluency, but remember....this is a season of "Secrets!"We also finished our unit 4 checking progress in math.Library will be on Friday of this week, so don't forget your books!

2011-12-05T18:56:00.001-06:00

Michael was our child of the day and read One Smart Chick. He's really working on reading with fluency! Great job, Michael!

When we came into the classroom today we discovered we had an ELF!!!! He's here visiting everyday and reports back to Santa each night about all the wonderful things the boys and girls are doing. The class decided to name him Mr. Jangles and will be writing about him each day in the ELF ON A SHELF Journal.

We learned about point of view in our integration time as we read The True Story of the Three Little Pigs. During math time, we learned about the partial sum algorithm. We finished unit 4 today as well.Friday students will be taking the winter Reading MAP test. Next week we will take the math portion. All students need to do to prepare is get a good nights sleep (like always) and eat a healthy breakfast...like always!

End of the week fun!

2011-12-02T16:43:00.003-06:00

Colin and Giovanna rounded out the week as our child of the day readers...thanks!!!

We finished up our study of visualizing as a reading strategy today...of course, we never really stop...we are always visualizing! We also learned two more ways to organize our writing in addition to writing a traditional beginning, middle, and end and ABC order: writers can organize their writing by using the days of the week and by a series of cause and effect.

This week in math we worked on adding two digit numbers by rounding and estimating, then solving for the actual sum. Monday we will learn about partial sums addition. We also worked quite a bit on problem solving.

Only two more weeks till holiday break. Next week we will be comparing and contrasting Gingerbread Stories and beginning our study of maps. We have made 29 holiday cards to send to school across the country and we will be receiving 29 holiday cards from schools across the country as well. When we receive our cards we will look at where the school is on the map and work on understanding maps.

We will also begin our study of holiday traditions around the world.

Have a GREAT weekend!

Wednesday Wonders!

2011-11-30T19:47:00.004-06:00

Samantha, Jacob and Frank read to the class so far this week. It was wonderful to hear such fluent reading!!!!

We are finishing up our study of visualizing this week. We have learned that we use our senses to create a movie in our mind. We have also learned that by visualizing we can remember the details of the story.

We are working on organization in writing. We are learning different ways to make our stories clear. We have used graphic organizers to write a clear beginning, middle, and end. We have also learned that we can organize our stories using the ABC's!

In math we are working on problem solving, addition algorithms, estimating, and rounding. Ask your student what a roller coaster has to do with rounding. Ask them to draw you a picture to see if they can explain.

We will finish up visualizing this week and then will use the holidays to study traditions around the world, mapping, and more! It will be a busy last two weeks before break.

Hallway 3 sent home a note this week about parents coming in to share about different cultural traditions that families celebrate. Please consider visiting our classroom on Dec. 14 to share your families traditions and help us learn about different cultures.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T11:33:00.002-06:00

Make your own picture collage

The Week Before Thanksgiving...

2011-11-19T17:03:00.004-06:00

...and all through the school it was NOT quiet! The students worked very hard on learning about visualization, working on a readers' theater (The ABC's of Thanksgiving) to practice fluency, learning about organization, using patterns to solve problems, learning more about addition and subtraction strategies...just to name a few things we did. And don't forget...we even went to a play: A Christmas Carol at South Elgin High School. Phew....I bet they want a break!

I hope everyone finds time during the vacation week to read a book. READ everyday! I just finished one book today and I have a stack waiting for me to begin....not to mention my Kindle! So many books...so little time! I can't wait to hear what everyone read when we return.

Create your own free digital greeting

Monday and Tuesday

2011-11-15T18:36:00.006-06:00

Ali was our child of the day on Monday and Branden on Tuesday. We are taking a break from videotaping as we work on fluency. In fact, students each have a part in the ABC's of Thanksgiving Readers' Theater as we work on reading with intonation.

Yesterday after specials, we worked on spelling strategies and then began our math workshop where we worked on problem solving.

Today we read about the 1st part of the Pilgrim's voyage and drew pictures to visualize what was happening. Then we worked on our readers' theater parts. After readers' workshop, we watched a video of the trip to build schema about the 1st Thanksgiving.

Our writing lesson today was "writers write with a clear beginning, middle, and end." We are earning about the writing trait of organization.

During math workshop we worked on problem solving again.

We also had a mystery reader: Ali's mother! Here are a few pictures!

A Week in Review!

2011-11-10T19:29:00.003-06:00

Enjoy!

Make a free newsletter

Monday Musings!

2011-11-07T20:42:00.006-06:00

I'm trying to stay caught up as best I can, so here is today's real reader: Jake T.

This free digital greeting card personalized with Smilebox

One of the reading strategies we continuously work on is reading with fluency.

From Reading Rockets:

Fluency is defined as the ability to read with speed, accuracy, and proper expression. In order to understand what they read, children must be able to read fluently whether they are reading aloud or silently. When reading aloud, fluent readers read in phrases and add intonation appropriately. Their reading is smooth and has expression.

Children who do not read with fluency sound choppy and awkward. Those students may have difficulty with decoding skills or they may just need more practice with speed and smoothness in reading. Fluency is also important for motivation; children who find reading laborious tend not to want to read! As readers head into upper elementary grades, fluency becomes increasingly important. The volume of reading required in the upper elementary years escalates dramatically. Students whose reading is slow or labored will have trouble meeting the reading demands of their grade level.

What kids can do to help themselves:
Track the words with your finger as a parent or teacher reads a passage aloud. Then you read it. Have a parent or teacher read aloud to you. Then, match your voice to theirs. Read your favorite books and poems over and over again. Practice getting smoother and reading with expression.

What parents can do to help at home
Support and encourage your child. Realize that he or she is likely frustrated by reading. Check with your child's teachers to find out their assessment of your child's word decoding skills. If your child can decode words well, help him or her build speed and accuracy by: Reading aloud and having your child match his voice to yours. Having your child practice reading the same list of words, phrase, or short passages several times; Remind your child to pause between sentences and phrases;
Read aloud to your child to provide an example of how fluent reading sounds.
Give your child books with predictable vocabulary and clear rhythmic patterns so the child can "hear" the sound of fluent reading as he or she reads the book aloud.
Use books on tapes; have the child follow along in the print copy.

Click on the link to the right (Reading Rockets.org) for more ideas to help your child learn to read.

Today during our integration time with Mrs. Maha's class we learned about how the pictures in a book can help with comprehension. We also added to our vocabulary words: humble, radiate, overlook, prevail, confident, as we read The Strong One. IN math we took a pretest for unit 4. This will help me differentiate my instruction for the next unit.

Real Readers

2011-11-07T19:42:00.005-06:00

I'm behind on my posts!!! Here are the readers from last week:

Another free slideshow design by Smilebox

We had a visit from the fire department last week to review fire safety. Here are a few pictures:

We continued to work on visualizing in reading and adding details to create a movie in the mind of the reader. We finished unit 3 in math and will be starting Unit 4 (addition and subtraction) this week.

Tuesday we will have an assembly about the Wright Brothers. We will also preview the book fair and on Wednesday we will be able to make purchases. A note went home today in the WOW binder.

Haunted Happenings at Liberty!

2011-11-02T19:57:00.003-05:00

We participated in another online project: Pumpkin Math. We estimated, counted, and measured pumpkins. The largest amount was 505 seeds...most had over 400! On Tuesday, we analyzed the data.

Of course...in the afternoon we had our Fall Party. Enjoy a few pictures:

This slideshow design made with Smilebox

Real Readers!

2011-10-30T19:49:00.004-05:00

We continued through the week working on visualization as a reading strategy. We drew pictures as we listened to Eric Carle's Mixed Up Chameleon as we listened to the story. We learned that visualizing helps us to remember the story.

We also began working on creating a lead to our stories that "hook" the reader....draws them in so the reader wants to continue. We learned one way was to begin was with an exclamation. We then tried it on our own.

In math we worked more on place value, making change, and working with money.

Here are a few REAL READERS you might enjoy listening to:

Free slideshow design generated with Smilebox

Rockin' Readers!

2011-10-27T19:53:00.003-05:00

Rockin' Readers LOVE to READ!!!! What do YOU Rock 'n Read to?????

Slideshow created with Smilebox

Be sure and stop in to check out our Hallway 3 Rockin' Reader bulletin board! Hallway 3 ROCKS along the TRACKS to SUCCESS!!! (Stop in....and you'll see what we mean!)

Real Readers!

2011-10-27T18:15:00.004-05:00

Enjoy listening to Emily and Amal as they read to the class this week:

Personalize your own picture slideshow

We began working on visualization as a reading comprehension strategy this week. We have learned that our mental images are all different because our schema is different. We've also learned that our mental images change as we read.

In writing, we are learning that writers add details to their story by answering who, what, where, etc. questions as they write. We've also learned that writers write in different genre's and writers use "juicy" words to help the reader visualize the story as they read.

Our math focus this week has been on place value and number sense.

I hope every one is using their TenMarks log in information and exploring this wonderful math site to enhance math learning! And...don't forget to go to Xtramath.org to practice their math facts.

October 17-21

2011-10-22T19:02:00.003-05:00

Another busy busy week. Are they ever anything else?

We continued to learn more about schema and how it helps us as readers. We also learned how we can take our learning and connect to existing schema and extend our learning. To help us, we first wrote what the book said, then, what it meant in our own words. Then we wrote what meant. The book says....I say....And so that means....

The students did a great job as they begin to dig deeper into text. We will continue with this as we move into visualization as a reading strategy.

In writing, we continued with our personal narratives, but we learned that writers anticipate questions their readers might have with their stories, and answered those questions as they wrote. Ali H. reminded us to SHOW, DON'T TELL!!!

In math we worked on problem solving and then Unit 3 where we began working on place value.

And...in the middle of all of this...we learned more about insects and went on a field trip to Naper Settlement as we began a unit of looking back into our past. I hope everyone enjoyed the slide show. Here are a few more pictures and videos from this week:

Make a photo album

Naper Settlement Field Trip

2011-10-22T14:03:00.002-05:00

A trip back in time....

Customize a free photo slideshow

All the news....

2011-10-15T11:32:00.002-05:00

Just 4 days...and so much happened!

We continued to learn about schema and how it helps us understand our reading. We read Patches Lost and Found and wrote our connections to the story. Then we picked one connection and wrote what it helped us to understand in the book.

We also continued to write our personal narratives. We learned about seed stories. Ask your child if they remember what a seed story was. They each received "seed planners" to use in their writing this week. I'm looking forward to reading their stories over the weekend.

We finished up Chapter 2 in math. Next week we begin learning more about place value.

And...we learned more about insects. We continued our meal worm observations. Our caterpillars are now all in the next stage: chrysalis. We also got to observe a praying mantis that Mrs. Negele brought in to share.

I will be out of the building on Monday, but, I am excited about our substitute teacher: Mrs. Haseman. She is a retired teacher from Spring Trail Elementary, where both of my daughters went to school. In fact, she had both of my daughters when they were in 3rd grade! She is a FANTASTIC teacher. So much so, that when I was in school from my masters' degree about 15 years ago (that long!!!!) I did observations in her classroom. I learned a lot! When I was a substitute teacher, I also subbed for Mrs. Haseman. Tables are turned now! So I assure you....your children are in good hands and there will be no interruption in learning!!!

Enjoy listening to Samantha, Joseph, Jacob E., and Frank read:

This picture collage created with Smilebox

Thursday's Child of the Day Real Reader!

2011-10-08T14:21:00.001-05:00

Enjoy Owen's reading of The Three Little Pigs!

Picture collage generated with Smilebox

Jumpstart Read for the Record!

2011-10-08T13:54:00.002-05:00

Thank you American Eagle for donating Llama Llama, Red Pajama to our classroom! And thank you Ashley Stringham (my daughter!) and store manager of the AE store in Charlestowne Mall for reading the book to the students!

Another picture collage by Smilebox

Nature Dan and the World of Insects!

2011-10-08T13:52:00.000-05:00

Enjoy!

Free photo slideshow made with Smilebox

Wonderful Wednesday!

2011-10-05T18:24:00.005-05:00

Another whirlwind day! We made get well cards for Mr. Ortiz who is in the hospital. Then, Nature Dan from the Bartlett Nature center brought in his insects....wow...did we learn a lot!

Alyssa was our child of the day. Enjoy a video of her reading to the class:

Free photo slideshow personalized with Smilebox

I will post pictures of Nature Dan this weekend. Ask your student about the Madagascar Hissing Roach!!!!

Tailspin Tuesday!

2011-10-04T20:12:00.006-05:00

What a BUSY, BUSY, day!!!!

2 Mystery Readers
2 students reading to the class
1 trip to the library
mealworm observations
butterfly observations
reading workshop
math workshop
writers workshop

Enjoy!!!!

This free slideshow personalized with Smilebox

Dr. Torres Visits our Classroom!

2011-10-03T19:24:00.003-05:00

Dr. Torres promised on Friday that he would return with a surprise...and he did! He took time out of his busy schedule to read April and Esme Tooth Fairies by Bob Graham! It was a fantastic (and funny!) book. I wonder who in our class will be the first to read it tomorrow?!?!?

Enjoy! We did!!!

Free digital slideshow made with Smilebox

Thank you, Dr. Torres! Please come back....anytime!

Busy Week

2011-09-30T19:20:00.003-05:00

Today we were honored by a visit from Dr. Torres!!! What a surprise! He took a moment to speak to the kids and even took a look at our meal worms. He promised to return with a "little surprise" for us. We can't wait!

We did get our meal worms in this week and the students are busy doing their scientific observations. We are learning about insects.

Today we learned how important schema is to reading...to writing...to math...and more. The more you know, the more you will understand. We talked about how to build schema: reading, going places (museums, etc.), conversations with others--- all our experiences help us build schema.

We continued to work on our personal narratives..another place we use schema. We also learned more about expanded form in math.

Have a GREAT weekend!

Oreo Cookie Count!

2011-09-27T19:16:00.002-05:00

Monday we did our 1st online project with Projects by Jen: Oreo Cookie Count.

We first estimated how high we could stack our Oreo cookies. Then we made 2 attempts, counting our best stack to calculate our averages. Our classroom average was 14 cookies high.

We did our cookie stacking with our friends from Mrs. Maha's class during our weekly integration time. We also completed graphs and analyzed the data.

Today students began using a reading response journal to leave "tracks of their thinking" as they read. Writing a response to their reading helps them to go deeper in their thinking about a book.

We also began writing our personal narratives using the pictures they brought in. Tomorrow they will learn more about "show, don't tell" as they write.

In the afternoon, students took their math MAP test. Results of the reading and math MAP tests will go home Oct. 6 with progress reports.

A scrapbooking design by Smilebox

A Week in Review!

2011-09-24T15:32:00.002-05:00

Another busy week...so busy I apologize for not posting earlier. We had a bus evacuation drill on Wednesday. Our math MAP testing was postponed until this Tuesday afternoon.

We are learning to be voracious readers. Voracious readers build their vocabulary...they read fluently...and comprehend what they read. All students now have a book baggie that holds books that are at their independent reading level. They also have a reading log where they keep track of their daily reading so they read in every genre. This week they will get their reading response log to keep track of their thinking. Voracious Reading!

We went to the library this week. Students should keep their library book in their backpack so they can read at any free moment: before school...on the bus...voracious reading!!!!

We are learning to write Personal Narratives. We learned that a personal narrative is a story about an event in the writers life that adds personal comments and observations.

In math we finished unit 1 and a review of progress went home. The upcoming progress report (which will come home on Oct. 6) will also indicate if there are any concerns.

Here are a few pictures from our week...but my favorite is the video of the students listening to Dr. Layne read his book: Love the Baby. We listened two times and they wanted to hear it again!

Make a digital scrapbook

Our Week at School!

2011-09-17T16:47:00.005-05:00

As usual, another busy week! We had two visitors: Mayor Kelly of Bartlett and Mrs. Siegler, our 1st mystery reader. We learned a lot from both!!!!!

In readers workshop we learned about 3 reading strategies to add to our CAFE menu: Check for Understanding, Go back and reread, and tune into interesting words. CAFE stands for Comprehension, Accuracy, Fluency, and Expanded Vocabulary. These are the goals of real readers and underneath we have the strategies to meet the goal. We will be adding more and students will have individual goals they work on in each area.

In Writers workshop we learned that IDEAS are the heart of all writing. Writers write what they know and they use expanded vocabulary to help paint a picture for the writer. We also have a CAFE menu for writing: Comprehension (my writing can be understood,) Accuracy (spelling, conventions), Fluency (word choice,) and Expanded Vocabulary. Just as in reading, each child has a goal/strategy they work on.

We finished unit 1 in Everyday Math on Friday. This was a review unit and we will take an assessment on Monday. This will help guide my teaching for small group work. We also worked on math stations. We also have a CAFE menu: Comprehension (I understand the problem and know what I am solving for,) Accuracy (I can solve problems correctly, I can add/subtract accurately), Fluency, (math facts), Expanded Vocabulary (I understand math words (difference, sum, equivalent, etc.) and use them in my writing.)

Under each goal we are adding math activities and students will have a choice of what to work on during independent math time. These choices, however, will be based on the specific math needs of the students.

We took our fall MAP reading test on Wednesday. On Tuesday afternoon of this week, we will take the math portion.

On Monday, students will have a substitute teacher as I attend a district literacy meeting. Mrs. Graves is a certified teacher who has taught for many years and has completed many long term sub positions at various schools, including Liberty. We are very fortunate to have her and there will be no interruption in learning.

I hope everyone is enjoying the beautiful fall weather today! I'm stuck inside with a nasty cold! Yuck! I hope this is the ONLY one of the year!

This photo album created with Smilebox

Tuesday Thrills

2011-09-13T19:58:00.010-05:00

Mayor Kelly of Bartlett paid our classrooms a visit today. We are learning about government and how laws are made. Mayor Kelly shared with us how laws are made in Bartlett.

We also had our first mystery reader: Mrs. Siegler! The students were soooo excited to see her...and so was I! She read The Old Woman Who Named Things by Cynthia Rylant. The boys and girls were enthralled as she read. Come back and read EVERYDAY Mrs. Siegler!!!!

Our focus in reading this week is metacognition-thinking about your thinking. Our first strategy will be checking for understanding as you read.

Here are a few pictures from our math workshop. We were playing addition top it to practice our math facts. We also wrote number sentences to match our cards and recording who had more by using greater than and less than signs.

A Week at School

2011-09-10T14:21:00.006-05:00

Even though it was a short week...it was a busy one!

We learned more about picking just right books. We learned a new strategy called I PICK:
I=I choose a book.
Pick: what is my purpose?
Intrest: what are my interests in reading a book?
Comprehend: I understand what I am reading. I can retell what I read...I can remember what I read.
Know: I know most of the words--the 5 finger rule.

We learned more about different genre's as we continued to build stamina. In writers workshop we focused on where writers get ideas.

During math workshop we practiced math facts as we learned about different activities we will be able to do when our REAL math workshop begins.

Thursday was a Switch Day and we went to our specials. During our integration time with the ELL classrooms we learned more about laws and rules.

I hope everyone was able to get onto XtraMath.org. Let me know if you have problems. It was GREAT seeing so many faces at Open House this week. I'm looking forward to a GREAT....GREAT....GREAT Year!

Make your own free slideshow

Open House

2011-09-05T16:29:00.003-05:00

Just a quick correction...Open House is Wednesday at 6:30. I hope to see everyone there!

Classroom News!

2011-09-04T20:34:00.005-05:00

I hope everyone is having a great holiday weekend!

Free newsletter generated with Smilebox

Here are a few more photos from our week:

2011-08-27T15:22:00.002-05:00

I will send home a paper copy as well until I know who is able to access our newsletter via computer. Hopefully, in the future, we can save trees and money by posting news online.

Create a free newsletter

Back to School!

2011-08-27T14:06:00.004-05:00

Welcome Back to Liberty School!

I'm soooo excited to back at Liberty! I've talked with many of my former students and my....how you have all grown in one year! Amazing!!! And I'm so excited to meet and get to know my new students. We had a wonderful three days together and I saw many of you at the ice cream social Friday night. I'm looking forward to another wonderful school year!!!! I hope you are too!

This free picture slideshow personalized with Smilebox

Last Day Blues: June 8, 2011

2011-06-11T20:36:00.003-05:00

It's hard to believe the year is over. It went so fast!!! The students learned so much! They all became REAL READERS, REAL WRITERS and REAL MATHEMATICIANS!!!

Thank you so much for all your support throughout the year. Lowrie is a GREAT school and it was an honor to teach there with such an incredible principal and staff!!!

I'll be returning to Liberty in the fall-Keep in touch!!!! Happy Reading!

Create a free photo collage

Readers Theater: Piggie Pie & Moo Who???

2011-06-11T19:17:00.002-05:00

Enjoy!!!!

Make a free slideshow design

Free photo slideshow made with Smilebox

Planetarium Field Trip June 3

2011-06-05T15:57:00.004-05:00

We had a great time learning about space history at the planetarium. Dr. Hernandez, another National Board Certified Teacher, taught us about the stars we will see this summer as well as the planets we can see. We learned a lot! Thank you Dr. Hernandez!

Estaban's parents also came as parent helpers. THANK YOU!!!

I wish I could show you all that we saw - but- check out the U-46 website and find out how you can go to the planetarium with your family.

A free digital slideshow by Smilebox

Final Days of Readers Workshop

2011-06-05T15:20:00.004-05:00

A digital slideshow by Smilebox

Olympic Day...May 23

2011-05-27T21:04:00.002-05:00

This slideshow design made with Smilebox

Spring Sing...Principal for the Day...Real Readers...and MORE!

2011-04-30T17:38:00.006-05:00

Enjoy....just a typical week at school!

This slideshow created with Smilebox

Spring Break Reading!

2011-03-30T18:33:00.000-05:00

A newsletter by Smilebox

Our Daily Readers!

2011-03-20T18:24:00.002-05:00

Daisy, Alexia, Mercedes, Vicente, and Diego were our special readers this week. We will take a break from video taping until the next go around.

Another digital ecard by Smilebox

Special Readers!

2011-03-12T18:13:00.000-06:00

Enjoy!

This picture collage customized with Smilebox

Real Reading!

2011-03-05T19:12:00.003-06:00

Enjoy our special readers: Luis, Madison, Serenity, Trinity and Joshua!

A newsletter by Smilebox

Personalize your own newsletter

Great Readers!

2011-02-26T18:43:00.002-06:00

Enjoy listening to Andrew, Michael, and Isaac as they read:

Create a photo slideshow

Real Readers and a Readers' Theater!

2011-02-21T14:58:00.003-06:00

Enjoy John, Christian, Mario, Alex, and Mireya reading. Then take a moment to enjoy Luis, Savannah and Frankie in a readers' theatre performance of Stone Soup!

Another free picture slideshow by Smilebox

Create your own free slideshow

Back to School!

2011-02-12T15:17:00.012-06:00

We had a mystery reader this week: Jaime's Dad! He read two books about Sharks that we loved! We also learned that he is a graduate of the University of Illinois! (I mean...not EVERYONE can go to ISU! Just kidding!) He encouraged us to keep working hard so we can all go to college!!!

Customize your own photo slideshow

Mercedes, Juan, Matthew, Esteban, Dominic, and Amiya all read this week to the class:

Take a moment to listen to our wonderful readers:

Slideshow design personalized with Smilebox

Customize a picture slideshow

Real Readers!

2011-02-05T14:47:00.002-06:00

Real Readers! Enjoy!

This free slideshow design created with Smilebox

Free digital slideshow made with Smilebox

Snow Day!

2011-02-03T10:04:00.004-06:00

I hope everyone is enjoying their snow days! Curl up with a GREAT book and stay warm!

I know you will all have GREAT stories to share! I hope to read a lot about digging out of the snow when we return to school on Monday! Stay warm! And remember....writing is an adventure...create those adventures to share!

Another digital slideshow by Smilebox

Madison, Michelle, and Jaime Present!

2011-02-02T10:42:00.001-06:00

Picture slideshow personalized with Smilebox

Gread Readers and Mathematicians!!

2011-01-21T19:18:00.004-06:00

Enjoy!

Readers!

Make your own picture slideshow

Mathematicians!

This slideshow design made with Smilebox

January Fun in the Cold!

2011-01-20T07:18:00.003-06:00

Our first child of the day to read to the class and lead us through the classroom promise and calendar was Brianna. She did a fantastic job and then helped Alexia when she had questions the following day! Take a moment to enjoy listening to their reading!

Look for an update to the blog this weekend where you will get a chance to hear students reading!

A New Year Begins!

2011-01-09T14:25:00.004-06:00

We ended the year with a Mystery Reader/Storyteller: John's mother!

Then we began the year with a review of PBIS procedures with Mrs. Rios' class and Mr. Ricardez class.
In readers, writers, and math workshop, we reviewed what each looked and sounded like. We did a quick refresh of where we left off before break and now we are all back to learning.

In readers workshop we are learning about the strategy of inferring. We read Corduroy this week and looked at how the clues in the text plus our schema help us to infer what is happened.

In writers workshop we reviewed our anchor charts on leads and continued learning ways to end our stories using mentor text.

In math workshop we finished up our unfinished independent work from December as well as worked on math facts.

Have a GREAT week!

Classroom News!

2010-12-12T14:11:00.005-06:00

We said a sad goodbye to Ms. Platz on Friday. She is officially a certified teacher and graduate of Illinois State University. Congratulations....and we will miss you!

Friday was also Christian's birthday. Happy Birthday!

And just for fun....Hip Hop ABC Phonemic Awareness:

Holiday Card Project 2010

2010-12-05T16:43:00.002-06:00

This photo slideshow personalized with Smilebox

This is the card we sent out to all our new friends across the world. As we receive cards back, we will map the locations using Google Earth.

Mystery Reader!!!!

2010-12-01T07:00:00.004-06:00

Dominic's mother was our mystery reader this week!!! He was very surprised! First, his grandmother and now his mother!!!

If you would like to be a mystery reader....just let me know!

T'was the Week Before Thanksgiving!

2010-11-21T15:24:00.002-06:00

Enjoy!

Newsletter design personalized with Smilebox

The Author is in the House!

2010-11-05T18:35:00.003-05:00

Click on the link to the right (student writing) and hear two new authors on the scene: Andrew wrote a story about playing with his friend and Dominic wrote a story about being afraid of Clowns.

Check them out....then let the authors know what you think about their newest writing!

Pumpkin Seed Friday!

2010-10-31T12:16:00.004-05:00

To help students use technology as a tool for their learning, we work with schools across the country (and sometimes the world!) on various projects during the year. Our first collaboration was Pumpkin Seed Count 2010. We integrated language arts, science, social students and math to learn about pumpkins and then counting the seeds inside our pumpkin.

First, we created estimates based on our knowledge of how pumpkins grow and comparing the size of our pumpkin with those of other students across the country. We each made an estimate and then averaged a class estimate of 446 sees. Then, we began counting. By estimating and then counting we are working on number sense. Some students quickly recognized that by placing seeds in groups of 10, it was easier to get an accurate count. Some counted by one's, some by two's, some by five's and some by ten's. Some groups did several counts and discovered easier ways than counting by one's. Here are our results:

Create your own digital ecard

We also participated in a school-wide PBIS celebration: the most students reading poetry at one time:

Writing Fun!

2010-10-27T13:03:00.006-05:00

Enjoy a story by Frankie!

Click on Student Writing to right and it will take you right to a story written by our very own Frankie!

Mystery Reader!

2010-10-19T19:15:00.003-05:00

Savannah's dad came in today as a Mystery Reader! Savannah was VERY surprised. Thank you for taking time out of the day to read to our class....we LOVED it!

If you would like to be a mystery reader, just send me an email or a note and we'll get it set up!

We also had an opportunity to go the computer lab. We used KidPix to make patterns:

Mystery Reader!

2010-10-06T19:19:00.005-05:00

We had our first mystery reader on Tuesday: Mrs. O'Brien...our favorite principal!!!!

Mrs. O'Brien read Those Shoes. We were able to share our thinking and how we are learning about metacognition: thinking about our thinking.

Thank you, Mrs. O'Brien!

If you would like to be a mystery reader, just send me an email or write a note! We LOVE surprises!

Setting a Record!

2010-10-03T19:24:00.005-05:00

Friday afternoon the entire school went outside to set a record: the most Lowrie students blowing bubbles at one time:

Growing Readers and Writers

2010-09-29T19:38:00.004-05:00

We are growing as readers as we learned more about how Reading is THINKING! We made a reading pizza. The pizza crust represents just reading the words: bland. But, when we add our thinking, the pizza toppings, we get flavor and excitement. We enjoy the pizza...our reading.

Students continue to write in their response logs to track their thinking each day.

We had 2 practice fire drills today as well.

Leaving Tracks of our Thinking!

2010-09-27T19:30:00.002-05:00

Students all have a reading response journal to leave "tracks of their thinking" each day as they read. Today we learned more about what a read reader is as we learned about checking for understanding.

We also had our annual bus evacuation drill today.

This week students will be meeting with me to set academic and social goals. We have our class goals for each academic area as well as a social goal of walking quietly in the hallway. We're on our way!

Wednesday Wonders!

2010-09-15T19:09:00.007-05:00

Today students continued to work on building stamina as readers. We practiced reading quietly and then picking out new books quickly and quietly. In writing we drew pictures of our "treasures" as we learned writers write about what is near and dear to them. Students then used their pictures to write about their treasures.

During math workshop, some students worked on sorting and counting. Other students worked on problem solving by making a table and began learning about arrays.

Yesterday students were asked what they wanted to be when they grew up. They learned more about Illinois State University and saw pictures of the campus. Next time you are in the building take a look at the bulletin board. Find your child's picture, learn what they said they wanted to study and see the building or hall where their major is housed.

Community of Learners at Lowrie!

2010-09-14T20:14:00.004-05:00

Now that I have all the permission slips in....I thought you might enjoy a few pictures of our beginning days of school. We've been working on building a community, building stamina as readers' and writers' and mathematicians. We are learning how to follow routines and work independently. As children work independently at their level of ability, I can meet in small groups to differentiate the instruction and meet all students needs. Enjoy!

Back to School Sneak Peak!

2010-08-19T19:26:00.007-05:00

Sneak peak...the classroom is ready!

Back to School!

2010-08-17T17:31:00.001-05:00

The room is almost ready for my new friends!!! I can't wait to meet everyone! In the meantime...read....read....read!!!!!

See you soon!!!!!

Back to School!

2010-08-10T20:09:00.003-05:00

Are you ready? Are you reading? Are you practicing your writing...math...are you soaking up the last few days of summer vacation???? Here's a little practice on writing conventions. Try your hand at it.

width="584"
height="300">

I'm really looking forward to meeting my new students at Lowrie. I can't wait to hear about your summer and all the books you read this summer! See you soon!

Fraction Fun!

2010-07-17T18:40:00.001-05:00

Here's some fraction fun to keep your math skills sharp! Don't forget to go to the portaportal site for more fun!

width="584"
height="300">

Summer Fun!

2010-06-22T20:02:00.004-05:00

Hello from Disney World!!!!

I hope you are all enjoying your vacation. It's VERY, VERY, HOT in Orlando, but we are having a LOT of fun!

I sent Neha a letter using her envelope from our Remembrance Boxes...be sure and use yours and let Neha know how your summer is going. I can't wait to hear back from her.

Are you working on our math packets? Are you reading EVERYDAY??? I'm reading books by a new author I discovered...I'm on my 5th book already!

Keep in touch by adding a comment below. Have fun!

Last Day Blues!

2010-06-04T20:29:00.002-05:00

Thank you for making our last week together so much fun. I will treasure my Teachers Bag of all my students forever! What a wonderful gift to remember the class of 2010! And thank you all for the individual gifts...it was too much but thank you for thinking of me. Now enjoy:

This digital slideshow made with Smilebox

I will be teaching next year at Lowrie. I will miss my friends and students at Liberty. Thank you parents for all your support. You have been great and thank you for trusting me with your wonderful children.

And....don't forget to READ...READ....READ!!!!!

Tuesday Tales!

2010-06-01T19:12:00.003-05:00

Enjoy! Our last readers' theater, Columbus Day, is included.

Photo album created with Smilebox

Today was our last P.E. and music classes of the year. Students brought home their gym shoes. Thursday will be our last art class and they will bring home their art shirts then.

Tomorrow in the morning we will talk about our Reflection Boxes. In the afternoon we will have our end of year celebration.

Have a GREAT night and don't forget to READ....READ....READ!!!!

Readers Theater

2010-05-31T17:46:00.003-05:00

Under the Sea With Jacques Cousteau!
Starring: Bela, Klara, Mallory, Elsa, Mia, Hayden, Chris, Haley, Branden, Bradley, Isabella, and Jefferson. Enjoy!

Create your own picture slideshow

And one more...

2010-05-30T18:59:00.003-05:00

Helen Keller: A Remarkable Woman Starring:Haley, Mallory, Mia, Klara, Sahithi, and Isabella

Enjoy!

Slideshow design made with Smilebox

Two More Readers' Theater Performances

2010-05-30T18:16:00.002-05:00

Enjoy: Earth Day and Lady Liberty!

Create a free greeting card

Readers' Theater: Earth's Seven Continents

2010-05-29T16:51:00.003-05:00

Starring: Sahithi, Mia, Bela, Klara, Branden, Bradley, Chris, and Leighton.

Enjoy!

Create your own digital slideshow

Water Cycle Adventure Readers' Theater

2010-05-28T20:47:00.001-05:00

Starring
Neha, Mia, Mallory, Joshua, Elsa, Bela, Klara, Isabella, Leighton, Jacob, Matthew, Hayden, Jefferson, Branden, Haley, Jason, Sahithi, Chris, Bradley, Shivam

A free slideshow by Smilebox

Fun Filled Friday!

2010-05-28T20:11:00.000-05:00

Enjoy!

Create a free slideshow

Readers' Theater 1: The Wright Brothers at Kitty Hawk

2010-05-27T20:32:00.002-05:00

Celebrity students: 2nd graders Branden,Mia,Bela,Matthew and Leighton

Personalize your own free digital slideshow

Thursday Thrills!

2010-05-27T19:25:00.003-05:00

I've filmed several of our readers' theater performances and I will gradually get them posted. We still have a few more to film tomorrow. I apologize again for having to cancel our live performance, but too many kids will be gone tomorrow to continue.

Don't forget tomorrow is P.E. and Music, so be sure and wear appropriate shoes. Tuesday is a Friday switch day, so we will have P.E. and music again.

Enjoy:

A photo album by Smilebox

Catch up Wednesday!

2010-05-26T20:26:00.002-05:00

Pictures from Monday through today, Wednesday.

Digital slideshow generated with Smilebox

I video taped 3 readers' theater performances today. I'll work on getting those uploaded tomorrow.

ANNOUNCEMENT!!!!!

2010-05-24T16:20:00.002-05:00

Due to the number of students that will be absent on Friday, our readers theatre performance has been cancelled. I will try to videotape them instead and post them to the blog as soon as I can. Some may not be posted till next week.

I am sorry for any inconvenience that this may cause, but there are too many out and too many parts to reschedule at this time.

Fabulous Friday!

2010-05-21T20:44:00.003-05:00

Field Day was cancelled so to compensate we watched The Tale of Despereaux. I liked to read this book every year but we are running out of time. This would make a GREAT, GREAT, book for you to read with your child this summer.

In addition to the movie, we had P.E. and music. The remainder of the time was spent practicing our plays. We had run-through's, independent practice, and we watched videos of our performances. This is a powerful way for kids to really hear themselves and what reading with fluency really means.

Don't forget: Friday, May 21, 9:30-11. Room 318...You are invited to our play performances and poetry readings.

Make a photo album

Thursday Thrills!

2010-05-20T18:44:00.001-05:00

Enjoy!

Customize a photo album

Keep an eye on the weather for field day tomorrow. Have a GREAT night and don't forget to READ...READ....READ!!!

Wednesday Wonders!

2010-05-19T19:12:00.001-05:00

Enjoy!

Customize a photo album

Tales from Tuesday!

2010-05-18T19:25:00.005-05:00

Reading and Writing Unit of Study: Poetry
Math Workshop: 1st Grade: making change
2nd Grade: Measurement
Science: Metamorphosis (caterpillar to butterfly)

And now for a few pictures from our day:

Make a photo album

Monday Marvels!

2010-05-17T18:30:00.001-05:00

Here is hoping 1 picture is worth a thousand words:

Photo album created with Smilebox

Friday Fun!

2010-05-14T19:25:00.001-05:00

We had a GREAT day...Enjoy!

Customize a photo album