Coming home today are a bunch of handouts:
1. Third Quarter at-home memory verses.
2. Third Quarter at-school memory assignments.
3. Q3W1 Slips.
4. This week's spelling list.
5. Division facts flashcards.
Also, students recieved a new checklist for their reading journal. Checklists are located inside the front cover and contain 10 topics they will journal about during the quarter as they apply to their current silent reading book. Students are to cover the topic as clearly as possible in their letter to Mr. W. Two letters must be completed each week. (Exceptions: If the first letter is great and earns a +, the student is done. If the second letter is not a +, students may choose to write a third letter.) Students are also receiving a bookmark that reviews all the things I discuss about their journals with them.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Thursday, January 24 Newsletter Updates
I will do my best to get everything in here from home. Ethan went home sick yesterday with his mom. She took the morning off with him today, and now I am home with him for the afternoon. While he sleeps I'll get the newsletter done.
Pancake Supper
Tonight is the night! Pancakes, pancakes, pancakes!!! There is still time to help out. Come tonight and ask where people are needed. I'm sure there is a place for you. Remember, it's the volunteers that make these amazing events...well...amazing! Enjoy the great meal!
End of the Quarter Today - Report Cards Next Week
Today is the end of the quarter. With only a few exceptions all homework and missing work was turned in. Grades will be calculated tomorrow and report cards printed on Monday. After double checking and adding comments, report cards will be ready to go late next week.
Best Work?
This morning students and I talked about the importance of always doing your best.
Here's an example: Since last week I have been reminding students that all work needed to be completed by today for the end of the quarter. This morning we added 30 minutes to memory time and when it was all said and done I still filled in 11 zeros in the gradebook.
Here's another example: Students know what I expect on math assignments - labels on story problems, showing work (like on large addition problems), writing addition problems vertically, showing regrouping, etc. I don't do this to be the big, mean teacher. It's because when kids don't do these things they make mistakes. Too many students continue to repeat these mistakes.
And here's the most frustrating part. This is simply NOT what this class is like. They are smart, do great work, help one another, and have the ability to be excellent students. Let's do everything we can to get back on track as the third quarter starts.
Monday Speed Stacks Meeting Cancelled
Due to a suddenly scheduled appointment that is out of the building, I won't be at school for Speed Stacks that night. We will continue with the schedule as planned. There will probably be an added meeting in February.
The Upcoming Week
Memory - I don't remember what the assignments are, but all third quarter papers will come home on Monday.
Religion - Jesus' earthly ministry.
Reading - Finish timeline of Look to the North, start next story.
English - Nouns
Math - Continue lessons 54, 55, etc.
Science - Planets and the solar system.
Social Studies - Finish the Great Lakes States
Spelling - List will come home on Monday.
Pancake Supper
Tonight is the night! Pancakes, pancakes, pancakes!!! There is still time to help out. Come tonight and ask where people are needed. I'm sure there is a place for you. Remember, it's the volunteers that make these amazing events...well...amazing! Enjoy the great meal!
End of the Quarter Today - Report Cards Next Week
Today is the end of the quarter. With only a few exceptions all homework and missing work was turned in. Grades will be calculated tomorrow and report cards printed on Monday. After double checking and adding comments, report cards will be ready to go late next week.
Best Work?
This morning students and I talked about the importance of always doing your best.
Here's an example: Since last week I have been reminding students that all work needed to be completed by today for the end of the quarter. This morning we added 30 minutes to memory time and when it was all said and done I still filled in 11 zeros in the gradebook.
Here's another example: Students know what I expect on math assignments - labels on story problems, showing work (like on large addition problems), writing addition problems vertically, showing regrouping, etc. I don't do this to be the big, mean teacher. It's because when kids don't do these things they make mistakes. Too many students continue to repeat these mistakes.
And here's the most frustrating part. This is simply NOT what this class is like. They are smart, do great work, help one another, and have the ability to be excellent students. Let's do everything we can to get back on track as the third quarter starts.
Monday Speed Stacks Meeting Cancelled
Due to a suddenly scheduled appointment that is out of the building, I won't be at school for Speed Stacks that night. We will continue with the schedule as planned. There will probably be an added meeting in February.
The Upcoming Week
Memory - I don't remember what the assignments are, but all third quarter papers will come home on Monday.
Religion - Jesus' earthly ministry.
Reading - Finish timeline of Look to the North, start next story.
English - Nouns
Math - Continue lessons 54, 55, etc.
Science - Planets and the solar system.
Social Studies - Finish the Great Lakes States
Spelling - List will come home on Monday.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Since We Are Studying the Planets...
Here is an interesting article about a mysterious NASA photo.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,324800,00.html
Many of the kids wanted to know the address of the article and photo. The original photo can be accessed from that article. Anyone know for sure what it/he/she is?
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,324800,00.html
Many of the kids wanted to know the address of the article and photo. The original photo can be accessed from that article. Anyone know for sure what it/he/she is?
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
More Congratulations!
Tomorrow in the school spelling bee the fourth grade will be represented by Anthony and Jordan S., winners of our classroom competition. Nice work gentlemen! I should mention that Paige and Dakotah were in the final four (and then Mr. Wilhorn got mean and broke out the hardest words!), and Dakotah "dueled" Anthony for a quite some time.Now we'll see how it all shakes out tomorrow in the school bee. Let's just hope "cherrie" isn't one of the words...
Monday, January 21, 2008
I Thought I'd Share Anyway
The fourth graders will get a kick out of this - win or lose. Here is a picture from yesterday. No, I didn't just wander off dejectedly into the wilderness after this stunning loss. I did sit in stunned silence next to Nathan after the game wondering how in the world that just happened. And yes, it was cold, but nothing like today's English assignment. (You'll understand when you see the assignment.)This picture was taken, obviously, in the Lambeau Field Atrium before we went outside since the thermometer still reads 60 degrees.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Friday, January 18 Newsletter Updates
Sorry, but I think there will be a lot of stuff in here. I try to keep them all brief.
End of Quarter Next Week
The second quarter ends on Thursday. (No school on Friday) All work must be completed since all grades will be calculated on Friday. Students were told about all of their missing assignments today and that they should really stay focused next week.
Pancake Supper
Less than one week! Please consider volunteering for a shift for set-up, kitchen, servers, or clean-up. At the very least, come and eat! How could a person stay away? It's inconceivable!
Substitute on Monday
I will not be here on Monday morning. I am taking a personal day (half-day) to travel home from Green Bay. Yes, the rumors are true. I have a ticket to the Packer game. Rather than drive home in the middle of the night, in sub-zero temeratures, by myself, I'm going to spend the night with friend in Appleton and come back by noon. (Hopefully a very happy man.)
Snow Sculpture Tomorrow
Yes, it's going to be freezing, but the snow sculpture competition will go on...as far as I have heard. Consider coming to help Mr. Betts and Mrs. Macomber. The competition has been moved to the Centrailia Center (the old Wal-Mart) so people can go inside and warm up.
Social Studies Test
We took a SS test earlier in the week. There was an opportunity to earn 8 extra credit points. I was surprised - and disappointed - at how many children didn't even attempt the extra credit. Some didn't even turn in the sheet with the test. Doing the extra credit was their choice, but I still think doing the extra credit was the correct choice.
The Upcoming Week
Memory - At Home: Q2W8 slips due Thursday. At School: 1. Close of the commandments, first half. 2. Close of the commandments, second half.
Religion - Jesus the healer.
Reading - Look to the North.
English - Special writing assignment on Monday, complete final copy of how-to paragraph or paragraph of information.
Math - Adding and subtracting numbers with 4 or 5 digits, division facts, division with remainders, calendars, rounding to 1000s.
Science - The Solar System.
Social Studies - The Great Lakes States.
Spelling - SPELLING LIST UNIT 16 Students are required to write the abbreviation, not the entire word. Pres. (President), Dr. (Doctor), Ave. (Avenue), Hwy. (Highway), Rd. (Road), St. (Street), Fri. (Friday), Sat. (Saturday), Sept. (September), Dec. (December), tsp. (teaspoon), lb. (pound) Extra words: Wed. (Wednesday), Gov. (Governor), Mt. (Mount), Dr. (Drive)
End of Quarter Next Week
The second quarter ends on Thursday. (No school on Friday) All work must be completed since all grades will be calculated on Friday. Students were told about all of their missing assignments today and that they should really stay focused next week.
Pancake Supper
Less than one week! Please consider volunteering for a shift for set-up, kitchen, servers, or clean-up. At the very least, come and eat! How could a person stay away? It's inconceivable!
Substitute on Monday
I will not be here on Monday morning. I am taking a personal day (half-day) to travel home from Green Bay. Yes, the rumors are true. I have a ticket to the Packer game. Rather than drive home in the middle of the night, in sub-zero temeratures, by myself, I'm going to spend the night with friend in Appleton and come back by noon. (Hopefully a very happy man.)
Snow Sculpture Tomorrow
Yes, it's going to be freezing, but the snow sculpture competition will go on...as far as I have heard. Consider coming to help Mr. Betts and Mrs. Macomber. The competition has been moved to the Centrailia Center (the old Wal-Mart) so people can go inside and warm up.
Social Studies Test
We took a SS test earlier in the week. There was an opportunity to earn 8 extra credit points. I was surprised - and disappointed - at how many children didn't even attempt the extra credit. Some didn't even turn in the sheet with the test. Doing the extra credit was their choice, but I still think doing the extra credit was the correct choice.
The Upcoming Week
Memory - At Home: Q2W8 slips due Thursday. At School: 1. Close of the commandments, first half. 2. Close of the commandments, second half.
Religion - Jesus the healer.
Reading - Look to the North.
English - Special writing assignment on Monday, complete final copy of how-to paragraph or paragraph of information.
Math - Adding and subtracting numbers with 4 or 5 digits, division facts, division with remainders, calendars, rounding to 1000s.
Science - The Solar System.
Social Studies - The Great Lakes States.
Spelling - SPELLING LIST UNIT 16 Students are required to write the abbreviation, not the entire word. Pres. (President), Dr. (Doctor), Ave. (Avenue), Hwy. (Highway), Rd. (Road), St. (Street), Fri. (Friday), Sat. (Saturday), Sept. (September), Dec. (December), tsp. (teaspoon), lb. (pound) Extra words: Wed. (Wednesday), Gov. (Governor), Mt. (Mount), Dr. (Drive)
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Tonight's Basketball Games Cancelled
All basketball games for tonight have been cancelled.
There are lots of phone calls to make. To try and cut down on these, if possible, please email me (bwilhorn@immanuelrapids.com) if you get this message before 2:45. Let me know if your child should ride the bus, walk, wait for you, go to Cougar Kids, or whatever.
We'll start calling parents then at 2:45. Thanks!
There are lots of phone calls to make. To try and cut down on these, if possible, please email me (bwilhorn@immanuelrapids.com) if you get this message before 2:45. Let me know if your child should ride the bus, walk, wait for you, go to Cougar Kids, or whatever.
We'll start calling parents then at 2:45. Thanks!
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Friday, 1/11 Newsletter Updates
Congratulations, Brandon!
In case you haven't heard, 4th grade is home to a SCHOOL CHAMPION! Brandon won the school geography bee, beating out 9 other 4th-8th grade students. To win he knew that in 1959, 12 nations signed a treaty to reserve Antarctica for scientific study. Impressive!
The fourth graders will be doing a "Classic Toys" basket for the Celebration Auction this year. The Celebration Auction, started last year, is an annual event designed to raise funds for the school. In its first year it raised about $22,000 if I remember correctly.
As part of our classic toys basket I'm asking you to help me brainstorm. My interest range for toys was limited when I was younger - Hot Wheels, footballs, and board games. (I still haven't gotten a Stretch Armstrong!) Some quick searching found some classics like marbles, slinky, tiddly winks, lincoln logs, jacks, pick-up sticks, gyroscope. Maybe we could focus on a decade. Maybe we could focus on specific types of toys (games or building stuff).
Well, the ball is rolling. Help me with some ideas...just don't be too good at brainstorming or we'll have too many ideas.
The Second Quarter...
...is quickly coming to an end! Only two school weeks left - nine school days. Keep working hard!
The Upcoming Week
Religion - More works of Jesus.
Memory - At Home: Q2W7 Slips At School: 9th commandment (for anyone who still needs to), 10th commandment, 10th commandment and meaning.
Reading - Compare and contrast, The Cricket in Times Square, sequence, Look to the North.
English - How-To paragraph, revising, final copies.
Math - Multiplying 2-digit numbers, division, equal group problems, adding and subtracting decimals. Please remind your child to practice multiplication facts. Soon we will be adding division facts. Knowing multiplication facts makes division facts easy for two reasons. First, division facts all start with the answers from multiplication. Second, all the answers in division are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9.
Science - Finish chapter 3 about oceans. Thanks to Lauren for bring the movie about discovering the Titanic. We saw up close the submarine and robot used to explore the wreckage that was mentioned in our book.
Social Studies - Finish chapter 7 about the South Central states.
Spelling - SPELLING LIST, UNIT 15 Singular Possessive: team’s, bird’s, wolf’s, horse’s, class’s, group’s Plural Possessive: girls’, students’, trees’, parents’, owners’, players’ Extra words: driver’s, writer’s, cousins’, teachers’ The important part of this lesson is recognizing that singular words add ‘s and plural words add s’. That will be made clear on the test.
In case you haven't heard, 4th grade is home to a SCHOOL CHAMPION! Brandon won the school geography bee, beating out 9 other 4th-8th grade students. To win he knew that in 1959, 12 nations signed a treaty to reserve Antarctica for scientific study. Impressive!
The Pancake Supper
Immanuel's traditional pancake supper is coming up...quicker than normal. It is on Thursday, January 24. That's under two weeks! Please take a look at the school newsletter for where donations and volunteers are are needed. Consider working that night. It always is a fun time working with other families from school.
The fourth graders will be doing a "Classic Toys" basket for the Celebration Auction this year. The Celebration Auction, started last year, is an annual event designed to raise funds for the school. In its first year it raised about $22,000 if I remember correctly.
As part of our classic toys basket I'm asking you to help me brainstorm. My interest range for toys was limited when I was younger - Hot Wheels, footballs, and board games. (I still haven't gotten a Stretch Armstrong!) Some quick searching found some classics like marbles, slinky, tiddly winks, lincoln logs, jacks, pick-up sticks, gyroscope. Maybe we could focus on a decade. Maybe we could focus on specific types of toys (games or building stuff).
Well, the ball is rolling. Help me with some ideas...just don't be too good at brainstorming or we'll have too many ideas.
The Second Quarter...
...is quickly coming to an end! Only two school weeks left - nine school days. Keep working hard!
The Upcoming Week
Religion - More works of Jesus.
Memory - At Home: Q2W7 Slips At School: 9th commandment (for anyone who still needs to), 10th commandment, 10th commandment and meaning.
Reading - Compare and contrast, The Cricket in Times Square, sequence, Look to the North.
English - How-To paragraph, revising, final copies.
Math - Multiplying 2-digit numbers, division, equal group problems, adding and subtracting decimals. Please remind your child to practice multiplication facts. Soon we will be adding division facts. Knowing multiplication facts makes division facts easy for two reasons. First, division facts all start with the answers from multiplication. Second, all the answers in division are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9.
Science - Finish chapter 3 about oceans. Thanks to Lauren for bring the movie about discovering the Titanic. We saw up close the submarine and robot used to explore the wreckage that was mentioned in our book.
Social Studies - Finish chapter 7 about the South Central states.
Spelling - SPELLING LIST, UNIT 15 Singular Possessive: team’s, bird’s, wolf’s, horse’s, class’s, group’s Plural Possessive: girls’, students’, trees’, parents’, owners’, players’ Extra words: driver’s, writer’s, cousins’, teachers’ The important part of this lesson is recognizing that singular words add ‘s and plural words add s’. That will be made clear on the test.
Friday, January 4, 2008
Friday, January 4 Updates
Multiplication Facts
We have begun a final push to learn our multiplication facts. Our results on timed tests haven't been getting much better over the past few weeks. Every child has been given multiplication flash cards to use at home. On the Loudest Class website there are links to facts practice sites on the Internet. We will continue using Math Facts in a Flash in the computer lab. We also have started two class challenges where we time a math activity (flash cards and the "math ball") and try to break our record.
Also, next week we will be starting division facts. Knowing multiplication facts will help greatly with division facts. Keep practicing!
Memory and Spelling
We are back on schedule for both memory and spelling next week. The spelling list and memory assignments are listed below.
Speed Stacks After School
For those involved, there is a Speed Stacks group activity after school next week on Wednesday.
And Finally, but Most Importantly...
Thank you! Your generosity and thoughtfulness this Christmas was amazing. Whenever I think the class isn't paying attention I will remember Christmas. Any class that gets me gifts of music, coffee, books, candy, cookies, and football must be paying attention. For the individual gifts and the wonderful class gift, thank you, thank you, thank you.
The Upcoming Week
Memory - At Home: Q2W6 Slips At School: We're a little behind, so we're going to hurry just a bit. Both the 8th and 9th commandments may be broken up as indicated. 8th commandment up to "...our neighbor" and ALL. 9th commandment up to "...or house" and ALL.
Religion - Jesus on Earth
Reading - Stealing Home, drawing conclusions, compare and contrast, The Cricket in Times Square.
English - Writing a paragraph of information and a how-to paragraph.
Math - Multiplying by 2-digit numbers, (parentheses), naming lines and line segments, division facts.
Science - Continue Oceans. We are trying something new. One of my goals is to teach the class how to recognize the most important information in a textbook. This chapter students have a sheet in their journal with main idea questions for each lesson. The answers will be written on the following pages, one page per lesson. We're doing our best at school to keep it straight...hopefully it makes sense to you at home as well.
Social Studies - Continue the South Central region.
Spelling - SPELLING LIST UNIT 14: shelves, sheep, teeth, elves, mice, calves, spacecraft, jeans, feet, women, men, geese Additional words: series, oxen, deer, halves BONUS WORDS: salmon, scissors
We have begun a final push to learn our multiplication facts. Our results on timed tests haven't been getting much better over the past few weeks. Every child has been given multiplication flash cards to use at home. On the Loudest Class website there are links to facts practice sites on the Internet. We will continue using Math Facts in a Flash in the computer lab. We also have started two class challenges where we time a math activity (flash cards and the "math ball") and try to break our record.
Also, next week we will be starting division facts. Knowing multiplication facts will help greatly with division facts. Keep practicing!
Memory and Spelling
We are back on schedule for both memory and spelling next week. The spelling list and memory assignments are listed below.
Speed Stacks After School
For those involved, there is a Speed Stacks group activity after school next week on Wednesday.
And Finally, but Most Importantly...
Thank you! Your generosity and thoughtfulness this Christmas was amazing. Whenever I think the class isn't paying attention I will remember Christmas. Any class that gets me gifts of music, coffee, books, candy, cookies, and football must be paying attention. For the individual gifts and the wonderful class gift, thank you, thank you, thank you.
The Upcoming Week
Memory - At Home: Q2W6 Slips At School: We're a little behind, so we're going to hurry just a bit. Both the 8th and 9th commandments may be broken up as indicated. 8th commandment up to "...our neighbor" and ALL. 9th commandment up to "...or house" and ALL.
Religion - Jesus on Earth
Reading - Stealing Home, drawing conclusions, compare and contrast, The Cricket in Times Square.
English - Writing a paragraph of information and a how-to paragraph.
Math - Multiplying by 2-digit numbers, (parentheses), naming lines and line segments, division facts.
Science - Continue Oceans. We are trying something new. One of my goals is to teach the class how to recognize the most important information in a textbook. This chapter students have a sheet in their journal with main idea questions for each lesson. The answers will be written on the following pages, one page per lesson. We're doing our best at school to keep it straight...hopefully it makes sense to you at home as well.
Social Studies - Continue the South Central region.
Spelling - SPELLING LIST UNIT 14: shelves, sheep, teeth, elves, mice, calves, spacecraft, jeans, feet, women, men, geese Additional words: series, oxen, deer, halves BONUS WORDS: salmon, scissors
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Welcome Back Updates
Christmas Church Attendance
If you still have your notes about Church attendance, please send them in by the end of the week. If you don't have the note, a simple note will do.
Memory Slips
A number of kids didn't turn in their memory slips before break. These need to be turned in as soon as possible.
Memory and Spelling This Week
No new memory or spelling this week since it is so short.
And Of Course...
Happy New Year! It doesn't seem right to just jump in with all business, so I thought I'd offer something else. I hope everyone's Christmas was great, the holiday relaxing, and that we are ready to go for the new year and the rest of the quarter.
If you still have your notes about Church attendance, please send them in by the end of the week. If you don't have the note, a simple note will do.
Memory Slips
A number of kids didn't turn in their memory slips before break. These need to be turned in as soon as possible.
Memory and Spelling This Week
No new memory or spelling this week since it is so short.
And Of Course...
Happy New Year! It doesn't seem right to just jump in with all business, so I thought I'd offer something else. I hope everyone's Christmas was great, the holiday relaxing, and that we are ready to go for the new year and the rest of the quarter.
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