Week of November 2nd - 6th

Dear families,

Thanks for all of the families that came to the Halloween parade or helped with our successful party (or both!) The kids had a great time and there are some wonderful pictures below to remember the day. Please enjoy!

The biggest news of the week is that we will be beginning our animal reports on endangered animals. There is a purple page that explains the process that was sent home Monday with the kids. I also put a link of the page to the right under "Endangered Animal Reports Sites". We went over the guidelines and I think the kids are clear on the process. The most important thing to know is that the majority of the report will be written and typed in class this week, and next week there will be no homework to allow time for projects and any final typing not finished at school.

Please take some time to explore the web sites with your child so they can settle on an animal early. The reports and projects will be due Friday, November 13th.

Our chapter 8 math test will be this Thursday and I have an exciting tool that I think will help both parents and students. Due to the generosity of many parents I was able to purchase a document camera. A document camera allows me to project 3-D images onto the screen with the use of a camera. I can solve a math problem or show a student example in real time on the projector screen. Also, I can capture video of me solving a problem and save it as a movie that you all can watch whenever you want.

So, I have tried my first movie and have posted it here. Please check it out and let me know if it was successful. Hope it is another way to connect what we do at school with your home.

Hope all is well,
Mr. Mc

Week of October 24th -October 30th

Dear families,

Big week coming up!

Monday will be our last ceramics class and the kids will be painting the pieces they have created. They will also have the opportunity to attend an assembly that will explain a possible adoption of a school in Afghanistan. An organization is looking to find sister schools that will help provide an education for orphaned children from Afghanistan. I think it will open their eyes to other parts of the world and the struggles that we often don't have to face.

On a different note, the kids will be also be participating in their first Monday morning meeting as an entire school. All classes will be meeting on the upper grade playground each Monday to do the flag salute, sing a patriotic song, and discuss a monthly theme. This month's theme is appropriately "Pride". I think it will be a great community builder.

Our continuing focus on algebra will continue with a new chapter on variables (Parents: If 3x + 4 = 10, what is x?) The kids will have to continuing using the knowledge form last chapter but add a few new wrinkles to their bag of tricks. I have updated the challenge pages as well as the review pages. Please use them to help your child with any concepts you see on the homework.

Our first spelling pretest had three students pass on Monday, and subsequently take on the challenge list last week. I am proud to say that these three students all got a 100% on a ridiculously hard list! Congrats to them and look for more kids to pass this next week. Good luck with the challenge words!

The Halloween parade will be Friday at 8:30 (I believe). I look forward to seeing some great costumes and a fun filled day. We are having a party in the afternoon and will have a relaxing, no stress day in class. Hope to see some of you there.

Lastly, "Crazy Hat Day" was a success and I have included a slide show below of our kids. Enjoy! Have a great week.

Hope all is well,
Mr. Mc

Week of October 12 - 16

Dear families,

Well, it's conference week so that means I will be seeing all of you some time this week. One of many things I hope to explain are some new math options I have prepared for you.

In preparing the progress reports for the students I realized that I have a great math class. There are some kids who could truly benefit from some challenging math activities and I want to make them available on the blog. Please look below the "Math Concept" and find a new group of links entitled "Math Challenges". I have made 2-3 challenging math pages available for each chapter. Warning: Some are difficult! Parents - you might have to get involved with these! Please take a look and see if they interest you. Each page is worth $3 of McMoney - it's worth the extra effort!

I also realize that some kids need a bit of review and extra practice for each chapter. I am also adding a link entitled "Math Review" that will have up to 5 extra pages that will reinforce the skills of the chapter. I am going to allow these pages to replace any assigned math homework pages (one page replaces another). You might find these more straightforward and more appropriate for your child. All you have to do is print them out and attach them to your homework. Kids, if you chose to do these as extra pages they will earn you $1 McMoney! I hope this creates a little extra incentive for improving your math at home.

I can't wait to meet with you and I hope that our time together is valuable. See you soon!

Mr. Mc

Week of October 5th -October 9th

Dear families,

Parent conference are right around the corner. I wanted to share the schedule with you. I have sent an e-mail and a hard copy home, but I thought this might help those who check the blog regularly.

See you soon!

Mr. Mc

Conference Times
Monday (10/12)

12:40 Mariah
1:00 Carly
1:20 Matthew
1:40 Abigail
2:00 Edwin
2:20 Emily S.
2:40 Jonathon

Tuesday (10/13)

12:40 Annika
1:00 Heather
1:20 Haley
1:40 Sara
2:00 Curtis
2:20 Michael
2:40 Miranda

Wednesday (10/14)

12:40 Bella
1:00 Madelyn
1:20 Jaden
1:40 Emily W.
2:00 Mia
2:20 Will
2:40

Thursday (10/15)

12:40 Cameron
1:00 Dana
1:20 Jada
1:40 Jeremy
2:00 Blake
2:20
2:40 Josh

Friday (10/16)

12:40 J.P.
1:00 Trinity
1:20 Amanda
1:40 Joe
2:00 Max
2:20 Maverick
2:40

Week of September 28th - October 2nd

Dear families,

I hope all is well with you at home. I have a few announcements and reminders for you regarding Room 10. Here they are:

- We are lucky to have a talented ceramics teacher, Jenni Ward, who will be coming for four weeks to do ceramics with our class. The kids will create three original pieces (one each week) and then use the fourth week to paint them. She was here last year and the kids really enjoy her. So, look forward to some great art in the coming month.
- Today we will kick off our science unit and begin studying Living Things (plants, animals, etc.). Our Big Idea is: All living things need energy and matter to grow. In the coming weeks your kids might be talking about producers, consumers, and decomposers. They'll also be learning about food chains and food webs. Look for a letter to either come home or be posted on the blog that will give you some ideas for the home if you want to extend science.
- The Harvest Carnival is this Friday and I (maybe regrettably) have volunteered to do the Dunk Tank. So, if you're kids are looking for a way to pay me back for anything, Friday is their chance. I will be in the tank from 7:15 - 7:45 (or until I freeze). I hope to see you all there - the carnival should be great.
- Conferences are coming up the week of October 12 - 16. I look forward to meeting with all of you and sharing a progress report from the first two months. I have a lot of scores to share and hope to explain a few things and answer any questions you might have. The school brings someone in to schedule everything so look for your conference times to come home soon.
- Time for Kids has been a big success! Many kids have chosen to do some extra work and earn $5 McMoney at the same time. It's a fun way to discuss current events with your kids.
- Last but not least, a new $5 McMoney bill has been out into circulation! On the suggestion of one of my students, I have printed some new money. Should be a lot of un.

Hope all is well,
Mr. Mc