Conferences Day 3

I'm going to apologize in advance for the short entry, but I have an appointment and my conferences ran long. Today we discussed polygons in math. The fourth graders discussed comparing fractions and played some Pearson Speed Games during their math time. After lunch, the fourth grader went to band while the rest of the students read chapter 2 of the myth “Persephone”. Finally we worked on our thank you letters to Project LEAD and had some JiJi time. Tomorrow is the Jogathon and it is going to be hot. As such, you may wish to send your kid with a hat, shorts, sunscreen and water. We'll have water and fruit on site, but you may wish for your child to be totally prepared. It should be fun.

IMPORTANT INFO:

1) Jog-athon slip and money due
3) Johnson STEM t-shirt order forms due.

Homework:
Math: IWB 95-96
Reading:Read for 40 mins
Language Arts: none
Spelling: Study Lesson 24(gr. 5) and 24 (gr. 4)
Science: Study your study guide Friday's test
Social Studies: vocabulary for chapter 7
General: Sign CJ and planner; fundraise, return progress report, come prepared to jog :)

Conferences Day 2

I've really enjoyed the conferences I've had so far. It's unfortunate, however, that I will not get to meet with everyone. If you were unable to find an appropriate time this week, please let me know so we can find a time that more suits your needs/situation. Today in math we continued learning the basics of geometry. As such, we used protractors to measure, classify and create angles. The fourth graders used fraction strips to compare and find equivalent fractions and In science, both grades took their second benchmark.

IMPORTANT INFO:

1) Jog-athon slip/money due by Wednesday, March 30th.
3) Johnson STEM t-shirt order forms due.

Homework:

Math: IWB 93-94
Reading:Read "The Fun They Had" and answer comprehension questions
Language Arts:
Spelling: Study Lesson 24(gr. 5) and 24 (gr. 4)
Science: Study your study guide Friday's test
Social Studies: none
General: Sign CJ and planner; fundraise, return progress report

Tuesday Conference Day One

Sorry for missing yesterday's blog entry, but I was preparing for conferences. I'm sure my one reader (my mom) missed me. Today was an easy day for the students. We had our awards ceremony @ 9, worked on our Project LEAD thank you letters and then had WHEEL until the end of the day. My conferences are going well, but I had 4 no shows today. I was all prepared and stuff. Hopefully, there was just some sort of misunderstanding and I'll have the pleasure of meeting with those parents in the near future. Finally, we had a productive fundraising meeting today with the good people from Pappa John's Pizza. They've offered us an array of fundraising choices and all sound good. Keep your eyes peeled for more information when we return from break, as we need to raise money for this year's promotion.

MPORTANT INFO:

1) Jog-athon slip due TOMORROW, Wednesday, March 30th.
2) Johnson STEM t-shirt order forms due.
3) Conferences Tuesday through Thursday w/ Tuesday and Wednesday being half days.
4) Science test Thursday or Friday

Homework:

Math: DSR 35 and 36
Reading: none
Language Arts: Stonebridge worksheet
Spelling: Study Lesson 24(gr. 5) and 24 (gr. 4)
Science: Fill out study guide and study for Thursday/Friday's test
Social Studies: none
General: Sign CJ and planner; fundraise, return progress report

Mock Trial Field Trip

You would have been very proud of our students. We did a wonderful job on the trip. Directions were followed, fun was had and there wasn't any drama. At the courthouse we presented the mock trial, met the Honorable Judge Shelton, had our fill of pizza and then left with gift bags full of school supplies. All in al,l it was an excellent trip. We learned quite a bit and now, sadly, our Project LEAD experience is over. However, we'll carry (hopefully) its lessons and the experience with us for a lifetime.

IMPORTANT INFO:

1) Jog-athon slip due by Wednesday, March 30th.
2) Johnson STEM t-shirt order forms due.
3) Conference for sent Wednesday
4) Progress report sent yesterday.

Homework:

Math: Log on to Pearson site
Reading: Read daily
Language Arts: Reflect upon Project LEAD
Spelling: Study Lesson 23(gr. 5) and 29 (gr. 4)
Science: None
Social Studies: study chapter 6 for Monday
General: Sign CJ and planner; fundraise, return progress report

Thursday the 24th

I'm leacing tracks in the parking lot today b/c the Aztecs are playing at 4:15. Conference forms were sent yesterday. Please return them ASAP. Also, Mr Smith sent progress reports today as well. Please review and discuss with your student. They should be returned by Monday. Remember our trip to the District Courthouse is tomorrow. Please be sure to have your son/daughter here on time as we'll leave right after breakfast.


IMPORTANT INFO:

1) Jog-athon slip due by Wednesday, March 30th.
2) Mock Trial slip and $6.00 due TOMORROW
3) Johnson STEM t-shirt order forms due.
4) Conference for sent yesterday
5) Progress report sent today.

Homework:

Math: IWB 88(gr. 5); Text pages 237 5-19 odd (gr. 4)
Reading: 4o mins.
Language Arts: Study Mock trial parts
Spelling: Study Lesson 23(gr. 5) and 29 (gr. 4)
Science: None
Social Studies: study for test
General: Sign CJ and planner; fundraise; return field trip slip and $, return progress report

Wednesday the 24th,

Today we continued our work with decimals to prepare for tomorrow's short quiz on dividing decimals with decimals. In SS the kids read about the Middle Colonies. After lunch, we reread and discussed the article, "Bullies Are Everyone's Problem" which dovetailed nicely with one of our Project LEAD lessons. Then we practiced the mock trial for Friday's trip downtown to the District Courthouse. A conference form was sent today. I'd love to meet with everyone's parent/guardian, but only have 30 slots. So if you wish to meet, please send the slip back quick, fast and in a hurry (that said, if you cannot meet during the times provided, I'll make time, as my time is your time).

IMPORTANT INFO:

1) Jog-athon slip due by Wednesday, March 30th.
2) Mock Trial slip and $6.00 due ASAP
3) Johnson STEM t-shirt order forms due.
4) Conference for sent today

Homework:

Math: IWB 37(gr. 5); Text pages 234 12-34 even (gr. 4)
Reading: "The Eye of the Storm"
Language Arts: comprehension questions for narrative above
Spelling: Study Lesson 23(gr. 5) and 29 (gr. 4)
Science: None
Social Studies: HW book pages 63-65
General: Sign CJ and planner; fundraise; return field trip slip and $

Tuesday, March 22

Sorry I didn't post yesterday, but my entire evening, after the HW kids split, was spent working on my MAPS presentation (nothing like waiting until the last moment). Today went well. We only had math as it was a shortened day. We discussed dividing decimals with decimals. We understand the concept, but some kids are struggling because, sadly, they haven't committed their multiplication facts to memory. After the students left, we had an inservice during which we continued our work around Thinking Maps. I came away with some excellent ideas that I will utilize in our classroom. Conference forms will be sent home TOMORROW. I'd love to meet with every child's parent/guardian, but spaces/times are limited. As such, if you wish to meet, return your form as soon as possible.

IMPORTANT INFO:
1) Jog-athon slip due by Wednesday, March 30th.
2) Mock Trial slip and $6.00 due ASAP
3) Johnson STEM t-shirt order forms due.


Homework:
Math: DSR 33-34(gr. 5); Text pages 231-232 9-33 odd (gr. 4)
Reading: none
Language Arts: Worksheets "Irata Gaming System"
Spelling: Study Lesson 23(gr. 5) and 29 (gr. 4)
Science: None
Social Studies: Study chapter 6 for next Friday's test
General: Sign CJ and planner; fundraise; return field trip slip and $

Fridays Missing Post

Sorry this post is so late, but I left tracks in the parking lot Friday, as I had plans. Friday we had a good day. The kids were extremely positive considering we spent the entire morning, and part of the afternoon, taking our math and language benchmarks. During Project LEAD we got our roles (some students are lawyers and others are the bailiff, police officers, jury members and witnesses) for the mock trial. Anastacio is the judge (here come the judge...Here comes the judge) and Austin volunteered to be the defendant. We'll practice a few times during the coming week to get ready for the trip to the courthouse Friday. Please remember to return the permission slip and $7.00 for the bus. Our Friday Folder were sent Friday. Please empty the folder, review its contents with your son/daughter and return it Monday. Have a nice weekend.

MPORTANT INFO:
1) Jog-athon slip due by Wednesday, March 30th.
2) Girl's STEM FAIR forms due ASAP
3) Mock Trial slip and $7.00 due ASAP
4) Johnson STEM t-shirt order forms sent


Homework:
Math: none (gr. 5); none (gr. 4)
Reading: Read 3@ least 5 mins. daily
Language Arts: Smile
Spelling: Be happy
Science: Periodic Table worksheet
Social Studies: None
General: Sign CJ and planner; fundraise; return field trip slip and money, return Fri. Folder

Thursday the 17th

Things went smoothly today, so the day flew by quickly. The only problem was that I was unable to see the Aztec's NCAA First Round Game (don't tell me what happened! :). I'll have to wait until I get to my friend's crib. Thankfully he has DVR capabilities. We estimated to divide decimals today. We'll have the dividing decimals by whole numbers tomorrow. In science the fifth graders worked with the Periodic Table. The fourth graders continued experimenting w/ electricity and circuits in science and started a new unit on fractions. Keep your fingers crossed for SDSU, as each tournament win earns a free HW pass.


IMPORTANT INFO:
1) Jog-athon slip due by Wednesday, March 30th.
2) Girl's STEM FAIR forms due ASAP
3) Mock Trial slip sent today.
4) Johnson STEM t-shirt order forms due.


Homework:
Math: PW 71 evens (gr. 5); Text pg. 225-226 7-25 odd (gr. 4)
Reading: Read 35 mins.
Language Arts: Worksheets 88 and 91
Spelling: Study Lesson 22(gr. 5) and 24 (gr. 4)
Science: None
Social Studies: Study chapter 6 for next Friday's test
General: Sign CJ and planner; fundraise; return field trip slip

Wednesday, March 16

Things went smoothly today despite some computer difficulties late in the day. Today we continued dividing decimals by whole numbers to prepare for tomorrow's quiz. In science, the kids took a test on the labs they've recently completed. After lunch, we discussed supporting details, as well as paragraph and sentence skills (sadly, it seeems that now that we've been word processing we've lost the ability to properly capitalize sentences). Finally, we worked on our second paragraph of our persuasive letters to President Obama. Student ID cards were sent today to the families that ordered them. A field trip slip for the mock trial on March 25th was also sent. We're asking for $6.00 per child to cover the cost of the bus.

IMPORTANT INFO:
1) Jog-athon slip due by Wednesday, March 30th.
2) Girl's STEM FAIR forms due ASAP
3) Mock Trial slip sent today.
4) Johnson STEM t-shirt order forms due.


Homework:
Math: PW 71 odds(gr. 5); none(gr. 4)
Reading: Read "Bullies are Everywhere"
Language Arts: Bully comprehension sheet
Spelling: Study Lesson 22(gr. 5) and 24 (gr. 4)
Science: None
Social Studies: Study chapter 6 for next Friday's test
General: Sign CJ and planner; fundraise; return field trip slip

Tuesday Prep Day

Today was academically easy, but physically taxing, as the fifth graders took part 2 of their Fitness Test. Today they ran the mile and were measured for height and weight. Bashier and Kevin ran the farthest for the boys and Kareemah took the crown for the girls. They are tremendously fit. While waiting to be tested, we logged in some JIJI time (finally), wrote in our blogs and worked on our introductory paragraph of our letter to President Obama. There is a science test TOMORROW. The students had been given a study guide and should also reread pages 28-40 in their text and review their labs. If not, they won't do well tomorrow.

The strangest thing happened yesterday. A woman I hadn't thought about for over 30 years emailed a picture of us in elementary school in the 70's. I have know idea how she got my email address, as I don't Facebook or anything like that, but the picture put a stupid smile on my face. I've included it for fun. Check the hairdo. It's only a little bigger than now :).

IMPORTANT INFO:
1) Jog-athon slip due by Wednesday, March 30th.
2) Girl's STEM FAIR forms due ASAP
3) Our field trip to the Courthouse will be on the 25th. The permission slip will be coming soon.


Homework:
Math: DSR 31-32(gr. 5); textbook pages 216-217(gr. 4)
Reading: none
Language Arts: preposition worksheet
Spelling: Study Lesson 22(gr. 5) and 24 (gr. 4)
Science: Study pages 28-40 in text and study guide for TOMORROW's test
Social Studies: complete 58-61 in HW text (not collected today); watch the World News
General: Sign CJ and planner; fundraise

Monday the 14th...My Favorite Day of the Week

Today was a pretty good day, but since Mr. Smith is still illin' some students chose to misbehave for the substitute. Today we continued to divide decimals by whole numbers in math and the fourth graders talked about congruent shapes. In social studies the fifth graders read about busy farms and seaports during colonial times and the fourth graders did an experiment involving a motor during science. After lunch and recess, we received our new spelling lists and read chapter 8 of The Odyssey. Finally, we wrote blog entries on last Friday's Project LEAD lesson as it taught us about refusal skills. Let's wish Austin and Corey luck with their robotics work tomorrow during the competition.

IMPORTANT INFO:
1) Jog-athon slip due by Wednesday, March 30th.
2) Girl's STEM FAIR forms due ASAP


Homework:
Math: IWB 84(gr. 5); textbook pages 216-217(gr. 4)
Reading: Read @ least 35 mins.
Language Arts: none
Spelling: Lesson 22(gr. 5) and 24 (gr. 4)
Science: Study pages 29-49 for our test
Social Studies: 58-61 in HW text
General: Sign CJ and planner; fundraise

Thursday the 10th

Today the kids learned how to divide decimals by 10, 100 and 1000 and in science we finished up part 2 of their lab. During history, they read about New York and New Jersey. Grade 4 students continued to have a substitute, as Mrs. Barnes is unfortunately illin'. Today they read about electricity and continued learning about solid figures. After lunch and recess, we read chapter 7 of "The Odyssey" and met some new friends from Mrs Katona's second grade class. We read and got to know them, as well. We'll do a project with them in the future. Finally, we blogged it up while some of classmates were in band. Today we wrote in our blogs about Johnson, the happiest place on Earth :).

IMPORTANT INFO:
1) Jog-athon slip sent today. Our goal is to raise $5000. The envelopes due by Wednesday, March 30th.
2) Girl
s STEM FAIR forms due ASAP


Homework:
Math: IWB 82 (gr. 5); textbook pages 210-211(gr. 4)
Reading: Read @ least 35 mins.
Language Arts: Find the Mistakes worksheet
Spelling: Study Lesson 21(gr. 5) and 23 (gr. 4)
Science: Study pages 29-49 for our test
Social Studies: complete questions on 246 #'s 1-3
General: Sign CJ and planner;

Hump Day...

Today was a pretty good day, but Principal Jenkins-Martin had to speak to all the fifth graders (and some 4th) about proper Johnson behavior. There has been too much physicality on the basketball courts and some unkind rumors spread by some students about others. This sort of behavior has never been acceptable @ any school or in any grade, so our students know how to behave. Unfortunately, some are making poor choices on a regular basis. Please continue to encourage your son/daughter to make positive choices @ Johnson STEM. Today we used our computers to model multiplying decimals and found out that when you multiply decimals your product gets smaller. Mr. Smith sent home his last social studies test today and the scores were UGLY. The students had a week and a half and a study guide to prepare. It seems that, sadly, only a few students took the time to study. The fourth graders read about Thomas Edison and learned about solid figures during math. After lunch, we visited Johnson's first AA History Art Exhibit. We were impressed by the artistic talent @ our school. I loved the African masks made by one of our classes. I wish to thank Mrs. Morris for putting it all together. We loved the art time as a class and did excellent work. I'll have to find more time for art in the future.

Homework:
Math: page 148-149 (gr. 5); 207-208 #'s -14 all; 209 #'s 15-287 odd (gr. 4)
Reading: Anthology pages 394-406; 410-413 (gr. 5); 216-239 (gr. 4)
Language Arts: none
Spelling: Study Lesson 21(gr. 5) and 23 (gr. 4) words written in planner
Science: Finish lab (gr. 5)
Social Studies: none
General: Sign CJ and planner; Share and discuss science test

Tuesday Prep Day

Today went by smoothly. We took a short assessment in math on multiplying decimals and briefly used our computers to model decimal multiplication. In social studies the students read about the Middle Colonies. The fourth graders did a science experiment on conductivity and discussed circles during math. Then we ate lunch and split. Once my HW kids leave, I'll be "home alone". I won't know what to do with myself. I may get some work done today:).

IMPORTANT INFO:
1) Prime Time applications sent yesterday. Please return ASAP as the program fills up quickly and has limited space.
2) Learn English for FREE .Families & Friends of Lincoln are invited to take English as a Second Language Classes every Tuesday & Thursday from 6pm-8pm starting March 15th in Room 601

• Enroll on the first day of class
• No credit offered
• All ages and levels are welcome.

3) 10th Annual Girls STEM Workshop paper work sent. A workshop created by women to educate girls about careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and math.
*April 30th from 8:30 to 3:00 @ Bethune Elementary School

Sounds like a wonderful opportunity and there be will prizes

Homework:
Math: IWB 78 (gr. 5); IWB 204-205 8-24 (even)(gr. 4)
Reading: None
Language Arts: Crossville Soccer Tournament worksheet.
Spelling: Study Lesson 21(gr. 5) and 23 (gr. 4) words written in planner
Science: study 48 - 49 (Periodic Table)
Social Studies: Vocabulary chapter 6; page 57 in HW book; watch the world news and discuss w/ adult
General: Sign CJ and planner; empty and return Friday Folder; return Prime Time and STEM Fair forms

Monday the 7th.

Despite the inclement weather today was a good day. In fact, the lunch monitors singled out our class' positive behavior during lunch and recess. We flip-flopped the rotation today so we had math first and then science and history. We've decided to keep it like this for awhile. In math we multiplied decimals with zeroes. There will be a test tomorrow on multiplying decimals. Next, we'll divide decimals. In history they took a test on chapter 5. I'm sure the kids did well as they no doubt spent hours studying for it this weekend :). After lunch, we continued our letter to President Obama about problems in the US and possible solutions to those problems. Our second Paragraph tackled the increasingly violent nature of our society. Finally, we worked on our second blog entry @ kidblog.org/MrHickenbottomsClass/. The students are becoming very adept at blogging. Some have added pictures. A few have even added videos.

IMPORTANT INFO:
1) Prime Time applications sent today. Please return ASAP as the program fills up quickly and has limited space.
2) Learn English for FREE .Families & Friends of Lincoln are invited to take English as a Second Language Classes every Tuesday & Thursday from 6pm-8pm starting March 15th in Room 601

• Enroll on the first day of class
• No credit offered
• All ages and levels are welcome

Homework:
Math: IWB 76 and study for test (gr. 5); IWB 120-121 all(gr. 4) none
Reading: Read for @ least 35 mins.
Spelling: Lesson 21(gr. 5) and 23 (gr. 4)
Science: study 48 - 49 (Periodic Table)
Social Studies: Vocabulary chapter 6
General: Sign CJ and planner; empty and return Friday Folder

Friday

Today was a pretty good day. This AM we had Family Friday, during which we took our spelling test with the help of Austin's Grandmother, Mrs. Minnick. We also had time to blog it up. Austin and Juliana demonstrated how to add a picture to our updates. During math, we continued our decimal work and then Mr. Smith gave the students a study guide for Chapter 5's social studies test on Monday. The fourth graders continued working with geometry with Mrs. Barnes. Today they dealt with triangles and their angles. During Project LEAD, with Danielle and Chantal from the District Attorney's Office, we had an excellent discussion on bullying. Be sure to ask your son/daughter about it. In light of recent events in our society, I feel it was a very important lesson. As such, we'll read some articles about bullying in the coming weeks. Friday Folders were sent today. There is a lot of graded work in them including several labs from Mr. Smith's science class. Please review and discuss the work with your child and return the folder Monday. Finally we had PE and science during WHEEL. Have a nice weekend. Enjoy the warm weather.

Homework:
Math:Study chapter 6 (gr. 5); (gr. 4) none
Reading: Read daily for @ least 35 mins.
Spelling: Smile
Science: get outside
Social Studies: Study for Monday's test
General: Sign CJ and planner; empty and return Friday Folder, finish standards (if needed)

I was about to HULK OUT ! :)

Things were a little hectic today because the kids gave the recess and lunch monitors a hard time. For some reason the students were awfully silly. Must be a full moon or something. maybe it was because my pants split up the backside :). Mr Smith mentioned that last night's labs were poorly done in science, so he's giving the kids tonight to redo them. Also, this AM in math we continued to estimate and multiply decimals while the fourth graders discussed angles in geometry. After lunch, some students finished their MAPS math test w/ Mrs. Matthews while the others blogged it up. The kids are really enjoying writing their blogs and have already begun to surpass the "master". The "force" is strong in some of them. I only hope they do not turn to the dark side :). Finally, we finished our response to Cynthia Rylant's narrative.

Homework:
Math: IWB 73 (all) 74 #'s 13-15 only (gr. 5); IWB 117 and 118 (gr. 4)
Reading: 35 mins
Spelling: Study Lesson 20 (gr. 5) and Lesson 22 (gr. 4)
Language Arts: DLR Thursday. if your child lost their old sheet they also have Monday-Wednesday
Science: IMPROVE upon lab and worksheet
Social Studies: Study for Monday's test
General: Sign CJ,Planner and progress report (for Mr. Smith); log onto pearsonsuccessnet.com

Wednesday, March 2nd

Today was interesting. We had to switch our schedule b/c of our third MAPS language assessment. This AM, during math, we used a real life problem to estimate and multiply decimals. After MAPS, we responded to, Cynthia Rylant's, "Slower Than the Rest". I am looking forward to reading the student's responses since we had an excellent discussion about this narrative. Afterwards, we logged onto kidblog.org and wrote our first blog entry. Kidblog is a safe site for kids to blog. I'm having so much fun writing my blog, that I thought I'd include the kids, too (no Twittering, though. I don't like the sound of that:). I'll keep it structured and we'll try to write 3 or 4 times a week. It should be entertaining. Finally, the kids went to Mr. Smith and wrote chemical equations in science (chemical equations !). I resent the loggin for pearsonsuccessnet.com so your child can practice their facts and play games that cover our math objectives. Try to have them log on as often as possible. I'll find out what's up w/ JIJI as well. It seems like most students had trouble logging on. Finally, there will be a short quiz tomorrow on your kid's reading HW tonight. If they read, it will be a snap. If not, it will be painful. Have a nice evening.

Homework:
Math: IWB 72 (gr. 5); 200-201 #'s 8-24 evens (gr. 4)
Reading in anthology: Tall tales 110-124 (gr. 5) A family Reunion 189 -211(gr. 4)
Spelling: Study Lesson 20 (gr. 5) and Lesson 22 (gr. 4)
Language Arts: none
Science: finish lab and worksheet
Social Studies: Study for Monday's test
General: Sign CJ,Planner and progress report (for Mr. Smith)

Tuesday Prep Day

It's Tuesday and I can get some work done, as we don't have a meeting. Today the fourth graders took the CST writing test. They had to write a summary. We haven't spent much time writing them, as summarizing is a lower level reading skill, but I trust they did well. The fifth graders wrote chemical equations in science and multiplied decimals and whole numbers. The code to access JIJI online @ home were finally sent today. You can log on @ web.stmath.com. Our HW activation code is : JOH73V-HCT-AE-ZZB. Your son our daughter will then use the same password to access JIJI they do @ Johnson. Try to have your son/daughter log on as much as possible. Also, remember to sign your child's Read Across America log. Our class needs to do our part so we can see Mrs.Jenkins-Martin dressed up like a tiger :).

Homework:
Math: DSR 29-30 (gr. 5);None (gr. 4)
Reading:Sign Read Across America Reading Log
Spelling: Study Lesson 20 (gr. 5) and Lesson 22 (gr. 4)
Language Arts: "A Civil Discussion" worksheet
Science: none
Social Studies: HW book 53; finish standards (if needed)
General: Sign CJ,Planner and progress report (for Mr. Smith)