Halloween Parade

Just a reminder that students are welcome to bring a costume in a bag for the Halloween parade on Thursday! It is a 2:15, and prior to that we will have a party with games and treats that afternoon. You are welcome to send in treats, BUT the healthier the better. I do realize that students realistically won't bring a tray of veggies, but things that are not full of artificial colors and ingredients would be appreciated. We do not have any allergies in our class. Pictures of our Halloween festivities will be posted Friday. Check back, and be safe when trick-or-treating!

Red Sox Day

Don't forget to wear red, blue, and all your Red Sox gear tomorrow!

Common Core Update

These are the student "I Can" statements for the month of October. These are all Common Core Math based and reflect what students should be able to do by the end of October.

So of course I have a few tricks or rather games up my sleeve! These will help students see the concepts in another fun way.

Properties of Multiplication Game

Partitioning Numbers

Calculator Chaos

Properties of Muliplication

Patterns

Grand Slam Math

NECAP Testing

Fourth graders are taking the NECAP test today through Thursday. Students should get to bed early and make sure they are rested and ready each day. Also, there will be no homework <insert applause here>. Eat a good breakfast and be ready!

In the Works

Hello Parents! I just wanted to let you know that most of the fund-raising we do this year for our class will go towards a grant that I have applied for called The Walking Classroom. I am very excited about it, the school board already approved the preliminary paperwork. The grant will fund a class set of MP3 players which will come preloaded with language arts lessons that are tied to the Common Core Standards. 

"Listening to this content builds standards-related knowledge and listening stamina.  Walking improves students’ moods and appreciation of exercise, of their environment and, most of all, of their own ability to learn in a whole new way. Moreover, what they listen to isn't just a textbook being read aloud. It's enthusiastic discussions and presentations by teachers and kids their age about things they need to know. Written and produced specifically for audio, these educational and entertaining podcasts allow the teacher to take the class on a 20-minute walk each day. "

Click the link below to learn more about the program. I am hoping to do a Jump-a-thon and fourth grade dine out night to raise enough money  to move up the waiting list.

http://www.thewalkingclassroom.org

Attention Gamers!

This week and next week we will be covering simple machines in science. Here are a few links to science games that can help students learn beyond the basics.

EDHEADS

Simple Machines Match Up

Simple Machines Label It!

BrainPop

More Matching

Search and Identify a Simple Machine

Lego Day!

The class is SO excited to build and program the first Lego model tomorrow! We will be building dancing birds and covering lots of new vocabulary! Force, diameter, simple machines, gear, axel, pulley, motion, work,  and belt are a few of the words they will learn. Everybody has a lab partner (or two) and is very excited to start building!

Happy Birthday to...

the MOST spectacular math teacher on the planet! We had fun on Miss Nelson's birthday. She taught a math lesson and then gave us a sweet present. Chocolate! 

In case you don't know, Miss Nelson is a volunteer who comes to teach math on Mondays and Tuesdays. She is a former teacher and principal, and also a sister. Miss Nelson is so great at making kids "get" math. She also sings, dances, and entertains us as well. We love her enthusiasm and I especially love how kind she is to children. It's should be a given that people who work with kids like them. But Miss Nelson has a very special way of making a child feel confident, smart, and valuable. Happy Birthday to my good friend!