Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Science- Lillmars 11/26

Today in Science, the students...

1) played trait Bingo

2) worked on the "DNA" take 5.

No homework. Have a fabulous Thanksgiving!

Science - Spotts

Science today...
- DNA Take 5
- Trait Bingo
Turkey Trot today!!!
Happy Thanksgiving!


Monday, November 25, 2013

MATH - Chambers/Luhmann

Today we took our quiz on math properties and simplifying expressions.  There is no homework tonight.

Mrs. Schuiteman - English

Today we:
*completed gratitude journal #14
*presented our turkey presentations to others in class
NO HW, but DRESS WARM for Turkey Trot tomorrow!!!

Tomorrow we will:
*complete gratitude journal #15 & bring the journals home to be shared with famiy
*get back bully writing grades
*create Christmas cards for Troops
*participate in Turkey Trot at the end of the day!
HW-  Share at least a few of your 15 days of Gratitude Journal with family & have a wonderful, safe, and Happy Thanksgiving and break!!!

Science - Spotts

Science today...
- we got our tests back
- we took a class survey to kick off the genetics unit
- no homework today
TURKEY TROT TOMORROW! Dress warm.

Social Studies

Monday:
Today we are taking the Maya Test (I will try to have grades entered by Wednesday)
No Homework

Tuesday:
(Because of the Turkey Trot Run we only have hours 1-5)
CNN Student News
Mayan Articles
No homework

Have a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving break!!  See you next Monday:)

English-Hickok

Today we finished up our turkey presentations.

No homework!

Science- Lillmars 11/25

Today in Science, the students started the genetics unit with a "class survey" of traits.

No homework.

Friday, November 22, 2013

Mrs. Schuiteman - English

Today we:
*completed gratitude journal #13
*worked on our pleading turkey presentations.... be ready to present MONDAY!!
HW:  Finish up turkey presentations for Monday!!

**FYI:  Students who scored standard not met or progressing on their summary assessment earlier in the trimester were offered an opportunity to improve that score today.
Also, I recently entered a couple of scores for the bully argument paper.... check it out.
I have the personal argument paper to grade yet... scores to come for the end of the trimester grade! :)

SRI

http://ha-scholastic:55880/slms/studentaccess

Social Studies

Friday:

Watched CNN Student News

Played review game for Mayan Test Monday

HW: Study for Maya TEST MONDAY!!  (Tuesday is the last day of the marking period therefore retakes will not be possible for this test)

Science- Lillmars 11/22

Today in Science, the students...

1) took the Brain unit test

2) started the Genetics unit with a pretest

3) had DEAR time

No homework!

Science - Spotts

Science today...
- Brains Test!
- Genetics pretest
- DEAR time

Thursday, November 21, 2013

MATH - Chambers/Luhmann

Today in math we went over the assignment and did more examples.  The homework is to complete 2 sections of the PracticeA/Puzzle Time worksheet and the skills review sheet.

Friday we will review more and on Monday we will have a quiz on math properties and simplifying expressions.

Social Studies

Thursday:

-Compared Ancient Maya to current Maya
-Went over answers on for the Mayan test review

HW: Study for the Mayan Test MONDAY (end of the marking period is Monday so retakes will not be an option this test).

Mrs. Schuiteman - English

Today we:
*shared some good books & went to library for checkout
*finished gratitude journal entry #12
*worked on our turkey presentations - - - students will give these on Monday!! 
HW- Continue to work on your turkey presentations so you will be ready Monday!!

English- Hickok

Another productive work day for our turkey presentations.  Great job everyone!  Kids know if they are presenting Friday or Monday, so be prepared.

Don't forget about our middle school Turkey Trot next week Tuesday.  See link below.

Turkey Trot

Science - Spotts

Science today...
- Journal entry "How do I learn best?"
- Test Ticket Time
- Quiz bowl review
- Brains Test Tomorrow!!! Be Ready

Science- Lillmars 11/21

Today in Science, the students...

1) wrote another entry into their "I Can" Journals.

2) reviewed for tomorrow's unit test over the brain. All students received a test ticket on Monday.

HW: Study! Now that we know how they work, strengthen those dendrites!

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Mrs. Schuiteman - English

Today we:
*did the 1st of more "Kind Words Wednesday" activities - ask your student about it!
*completed gratitude journal #11
*worked on our turkey presentations
No HW, unless you would like to work on brainstorming for your presentations!

Public Service Announcement

We are all collecting food for people in need this holiday season.  All donated food needs to be turned in to 1st hour by Friday.

*Lepo's first hour is making something for Thanksgiving if anyone would like to donate a brown paper bag (large grocery size) please bring in by Monday-you will get candy in return:)  Thanks!!

Social Studies

Wednesday:

Today we continued to learn about Mayan Culture - ask your child about it!

HW: Work on test review and study-TEST MONDAY:)

MATH - Chambers/Luhmann

Luhmann - Today we practiced identifying math properties when looking at equations.  We also took note about using distribution and simplifying expressions.  The homework is to complete the double sided worksheet with simplifying and math properties on it (not #62) and the review sheet.


BONUS:
#25     63 + 9c
#27     40g + 24
#41     68 + 28k
#45     3d + 1
#61     area: 108 +9x perimeter: 42 + 2x


Chambers - We did the same lesson as Mr. Luhmann. =) Since we are a little behind still, the homework is # 21-47. We will do the story problems from this sheet tomorrow.

English-Hickok...continued

Some great ideas are surfacing for our turkey persuasion projects!

English-Hickok

We had work time again to prepare for our "turkey presentations" that will be this Friday and next Monday.

Homework- Please manage your school work time and time at home so that you are ready to present this Friday.

Science - Spotts

Science today...
- we will prepare the rest of our study skills presentations
- we will do a gallery walk of presentations and take some pictures
- any leftover time will be spent on studying for our brains test Friday
HW - Work on that test ticket!

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Social Studies

Tuesday:
Mayan Culture - ask your child what we did in class!!

Students picked up a Mayan test study guide, test is Monday (end of the marking period is Tuesday so there will not be retakes offered for this test)

HW: Work on test review!

MATH - Chambers/Luhmann

Today we took our math quiz on beginning algebra.  The students took some notes on math properties that we will get into more tomorrow.  The homework for tonight is a skills review sheet.

science - spotts

Science today...
- We did a journal entry
- we worked on our stations - present tomorrow

Science- Lillmars 11/19

Today in Science, the students...

1) completed their third "I can" journal.

2) continued working on their imagination stations.

HW: Review! Make those dendrites strtonger! Our unit test is Friday. Students received a test ticket yesterday in class.

Monday, November 18, 2013

MATH - Chambers/Luhmann

Today in math we did some review for our quiz tomorrow.  The kids get a practice quiz to go over as a study guide.  The homework is a skills review sheet and to study for the quiz.

Mrs. Schuiteman - English

Today we:
*completed gratitude journal #9.... Today, I am thankful we are all safe after the storms! :)
*had a last day to work on our argument paragraphs of choice.
HW- Please finish up argument paragraphs if you are not done!!  We are starting something new tomorrow!!

Social Studies

Monday:
We are continuing to learn about the Mayan culture and economics.  Lepo's class held a Mayan market today.

No homework (Students will receive a study guide for the Mayan test tomorrow, the test will be next week Monday)

English-Hickok

Today we introduced our "Turkey Persuasion" project.  The kids are excited to show their creativity and writing talents!  Ask them about it.

Keep bringing in food items for the Thanksgiving meals.  You are making a difference.

Science - Spotts

Science today....

- handed out test ticket, discussed how it works
- worked with our learning strategies groups on our project displays
- present learning displays tomorrow
- Brains test on Friday!

Science- Lillmars 11/18

Today in Science, the students...

1) went over the Brain Unit Test Ticket

2) spent the hour working with their groups from Friday to create their imagination stations for learning strategies

HW: Study! Brain unit test is Friday!

*Kyle Heyerman, here is your reminder to bring your materials for BBG. :)

Friday, November 15, 2013

MATH - Chambers/Luhmann

More review of algebra today… the homework is to complete 3.2 practice A&B worksheet.  The quiz on algebra is on Tuesday.

Mrs. Schuiteman - English

Today we:
*completed gratitude journal #8... they are really thinking of all the things they are thankful for!!
*worked on trying to finish up the argument paragraph on a choice topic
~No HW except reading at home this weekend!!~
Have a great weekend!

English-Hickok

Today we identified our topic sentence, evidence, and arguments in the writing samples that were turned in today.  You should see grades on this assessment soon.

No homework.

Good luck and be safe, my fellow hunters!

Social Studies

Friday
Today we continued learning about the Maya, ask your child about their math system!!

No homework (Retakes for persuasive essay are Monday and Tuesday only)

Social Studies

Friday
Today we continued learning about the Maya, ask your child about their math!!

No homework (Retakes for persuasive essay are Monday and Tuesday only)

Science-Lillmars 11/15

Today in Science, the students...

1) reviewed visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning styles

2) researched helpful study tips/ideas for these styles in groups

3) as a group selected the best activity for each learning style

We will continue with this topic next week!

HW: Study! Our final brain test is next week Friday.

Science - Spotts

Science today...
- We started a study strategies project called the Imagination Station
- We did some research on study strategies
- our groups planned our stations
(Yesterday I had assigned a paragraph, but we did not get that far in class. Sorry if it was confusing. We are just going to skip it altogether to catch up a bit.)

Thursday, November 14, 2013

MATH - Chambers/Luhmann

Today in math we review some of the algebra from earlier in the week.

Mrs. Chambers' class has a skills review and 3.1 practice A worksheet for homework.
Mr. Luhmann's class has 3.1 practice A and B worksheet for homework.

The quiz over algebra is on Tuesday, Nov 19th.

Social Studies

Thursday

Mayan fun continues - ask your child about it!!

No homework:)

Science - Spotts

Today in Science...
- I Can... journal entry
- Learning Styles survey
- Read ADD article, highlight, write a summary paragraph - DUE FRIDAY!

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Math Chambers/Luhmann

Luhmann: Today in math the substitute teacher taught lesson 3.2. This lesson covered how to change from math words to math as well as from math to math words. Use the chart on the back of the notes booklet to help you with your homework.
Homework: Finish the lesson 3.2 worksheet AND the skills review half sheet.
Chambers: We are behind Mr. Luhmann's class (we will catch up tomorrow =)). We finished up 3.1 and taught part of 3.2. Homework: Skills review half sheet. We will do the 3.2 worksheet that Mr. Luhmann's class had for homework tomorrow. 

Science- Lillmars 11/15 (Thursday)

I am posting tomorrow's blog entry early because I won't be here tomorrow.

Tomorrow, in Science, the students...

1) completed another entry in their "I can" journals

2) discovered their learning style

3) continued writing about the article we read on A.D.D

HW: Writing is DUE tomorrow. Also, we have our final Brain test next week Friday!

Mrs. Schuiteman - English

Today we:
*completed day 6 of our gratitude journal
*worked in lab on finishing & printing bully DBQ writing
*worked in lab on research for our own choice argument
~No HW aside from reading @ home!!~

Social Studies

Wednesday

Learning about the Mayan civilization (timeline, eras, and daily life) - ask your child about it!

No homework

English- Hickok

Today we wrapped up researching evidence for our argumentative writing sample.  The kids should be working on their rough draft by now.  If they have questions at home, they have an outline to follow to help them write the paragraph.

HW- Have rough draft ready for Thursday.

Science - Spotts

Science today...
- Roberto Book
- Learning Disabilities Mind Map
- ADD article with sticky notes

No Homework today:(

Science- Lillmars 11/13

Today in Science, the students...

1) entered their first writing in their "I can" journals. Today's topic was "I can identify basic brain anatomy". Students wrote about what they have learned about the brain parts so far in our brain unit.

2) finished their brain helper/blocker notes from last week.

No homework!

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Math: Chambers/Luhmann

Luhmann: Today in math students continued with the concepts taught yesterday on Chapter 3 Lesson 1. Students have a notes booklet to help organize their notes on the lesson. Students did a review sheet in class. Homework: The worksheet covering the concepts in 3.1 AND the skills review half sheet.
Chambers: We took notes on 3.1 in our Chapter 3 notes booklet practicing the skill as well as the new vocabulary of algebra.  Homework: Finish the worksheet covering the concepts in 3.1 AND the skills review half sheet.

Mrs. Schuiteman - English

Today we:
*completed day 5 of gratitude journal
*continued to type our DBQ paragraphs
*started on our next argument paragraph if we finished DBQ
~No HW!~

English- Hickok

Today we continued gathering information that will support our new argumentative topic.

No homework

SRI test

http://ha-scholastic:55880/slms/studentaccess

Social Studies

Happy 11/12/13!!
Today we started learning about the Mayan Ancient Civilization.  Ask your child about it!!

No homework (Test retakes are next Monday/Tuesday)

Science - Spotts

Science today...
- Finished the Helpers and Blockers
- Tried out some Mirror Activities to see how it feels to have a learning disability
- Jotted down some info on Learning Disabilities
No Homework except some of you owe me 1$ for journals

Science- Lillmars 11/12/13

Today in Science, the students...

1) read/sticky noted an article about A.D.D.

2) categorized their sticky notes

3) began an organized writing about the article

no homework!

Monday, November 11, 2013

Math-Chambers/Luhmann

Luhmann: Today in math we started Chapter 3! Students took notes on lesson 3.1. Homework: Skills Review sheet
Chambers: Today in math we finished up our quizzes from Friday. We will begin Chapter 3 tomorrow. Homework: Skills Review sheet

Mrs. Schuiteman - English

Today we:
*changed seats! :)
*completed 2 gratitude journals (we had to make up one from Friday).
*worked on typing our paragraph - Should bullies be treated as criminals with evidence and arguments from our organizer.
~No HW, but you can always read! :)~

Social Studies

Monday

Current Events: Discussed and watched video clips from CNN student news about Veteran's Day and the typhoon in the Phillipines (Discussed connections to globalization and test Friday).

Started MAYA unit (KWLR and pretest)

Almost all classes had tests returned graded (sorry 7th hour, I will finish grading them tonight!).

No homework

Science - Spotts

Science today...
- Science Notebook Entry #1 - Identify Basic Brain Anatomy
- Finish Fishing Activity from Friday
- No Homework today

Friday, November 8, 2013

Math- Chambers/Luhmann

Today in math we took the second part of our decimals quiz. This part was more challenging as it was all story problems.  Homework: Skills Review Sheet 
Enjoy the weekend!

Social Studies

Friday:
Thanks for all your hard work this week, we had a lot of things due!  Today we took a persuasive writing assessment.  I will grade them this weekend and all grades will be updates next week Monday or Tuesday.  They will be graded using the Language Arts 4 point rubric:
4=100%   3.5=92%   3=84%   2.5=76%   2=68%    1.5=60%    1=52%

No homework!! Get ready we start learning about the Maya civilization next week!!

SRI TEST LINK


http://ha-scholastic:55880/slms/studentaccess

English-Hickok

Today the kids took the SRI test.  Lots of kids have been working hard on their reading, so I'm looking forward to seeing their results.

No homework

Science- Lillmars 11/8

Today in Science, the students...

1) did a "fishing" activity about brain helpers and blockers

2) took a brain quiz

3) finished their memory paragraph from yesterday

No homework!

Thursday, November 7, 2013

MATH - Chambers/Luhmann

We took the first part of our quiz today (4 problems) and will take the second part (word problems) tomorrow.  The homework for tonight is to complete the skills review sheet.   Also, students should study the word problems on the practice quiz and past homework sheets. 

Mrs. Schuiteman - English

Today we:
*completed day 2 in our gratitude journal
*went to library for checkout
*worked on evidence & arguments for our argument writing
No HW!!
Just a heads up:  SRI test tomorrow!!

Dobb 11/7

Today in ELA...

Students reviewed Document 3 (the School Handbook) to form thoughts on whether they think bullying should be a criminal act and what evidence supports their thinking.

HW:  Read!




Today in Math...

Students processed through LCM and GCF word problems.  They figured out both LCM and GCF for each word problem to evaluate which answer makes the most sense.

HW:  Review sheet 11/7




Today in Guided Studies...

Students considered or sorted vocabulary words they are currently using in all their classes.  After brainstorming the specific vocabulary words, students sort the words into categories with a partner to determine how the words are connected.

HW:  Productivity Checklist

Social Studies

Thursday:
Turned in Democracy Vs. Dictatorship writing
Looked at an Infographic on globalization
Worked on outline and practiced persuasive writing
Watched CNN Student News

HW: Be ready for persuasive essay test tomorrow

Science - Spotts

In Science today we...
- Handed in our Brain Response Questions
- Read and Sticky Noted an article on Memory
- Talked about quiz tomorrow - Review to Build those dendrites!
HW - Study for Quiz! (Brain parts notes, Neuron Notes, Brain Mind Map, Limbic System)

Science- Lillmars 11/7

Today in Science, the students...

1) finished reading the memory article

2) put their sticky notes into categories

3) began writing about what they learned

HW: Review! Brain quiz tomorrow!

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

MATH - Chambers/Luhmann

More decimals!!!  More problem solving!!!  The homework for today is to complete the other side of the problem solving worksheet and complete the review sheet.

Here is how the rest of the week looks:

THURSDAY : Decimals quiz #1: Four decimal problems (+, -, x, /)  The students will also get a practice quiz for problem solving with decimals
FRIDAY : Decimals quiz #2 : Problem solving with decimals.  The points from parts #1 and #2 will be combined.

Social Studies

Wednesday

Today we:
-Watched a Globalization video about fashion-ask your child about it!
-Went over what to work on to get ready for the writing assessment FRIDAY (all students have an outline, notes, and rubric) -Tomorrow we will work on these in class

TEST Writing Prompt:

  The President of the United States want to get rid of all World Relief Organizations, you must write a letter persuading him to change his mind and see the value in these organizations.


HW: Democracy Vs. Dictator writing due tomorrow, TEST FRIDAY, anyone that did not turn in poster today=late and turn in ASAP

Mrs. Schuiteman - English

Today we:
*completed day 1 of our  "15 Days of Gratitude Journal"  - ask your student about it
*finished up our debate & took a final vote
*discussed and started organizing our argument piece of writing
~No HW!~

English- Hickok


Today we practiced writing an argumentative paragraph using our documents from this past week.  The kids will applying this skill to a new topic that they will choose this week.  

No homework

Science- Lillmars 11/6

Today in Science, the students...

1) continued working on the 5 Brain questions that are DUE tomorrow

2) began reading/sticky noting an article called "How Well Do You Remember" about memory

HW: Questions are due tomorrow-- and students should be reviewing for their Brain quiz on Friday!

Science - Spotts

- Lists, Lists, Lists (Memory techniques)
- How Well do you remember? Reading and Sticky Note
- Brains Response Sheet -DUE THURSDAY!

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

English- Hickok

Today we had our trial!   Kids did a great job supporting their claim with evidence and strong inferences.  Well done. :)

No homework

MATH - Chambers/Luhmann

Today we worked on problem solving.  The homework is a review sheet and to finish one side of the problem solving paper.  The quiz covering decimals is Thursday of this week.

Mrs. Schuiteman - English

Today we:
*finished up some team planning
*started the "debate", as groups presented opening statements and started in on document evidence
~No HW, but certainly do some reading tonight!! :)~

Social Studies

Today in class we:
Discussed Globalization and filled in a Cause and Effect graphic organizer.
We then researched International Aid Organizations.

Assessment Questions on Globalization (WEDNESDAY)
Using the information you researched please do the following:
1.   Focus my research to answer the following question:  How does GLOBALIZATION affect the people that are suffering around the World?



2. Put yourself in this simulation:  The President of the United States wants to get rid of all World Relief Organizations, you must write a letter persuading him to change his mind and see the value in these organizations.


HW: Bill of Rights Poster Due WEDS.
        Democracy vs. Dictatorship Writing Due THURS.

Science - Spotts

Science today...
- Hand in Mind Maps
- Limbic Speed Sort (practice notes)
- Memory Practice
- Brains Response Sheet - Due Thursday
- Just a heads up - Brain Quiz on Friday!

Science- Lillmars 11/5

Today in Science, the students...

1) confirmed what they learned yesterday about the limbic system with "not-so-smart" criminal stories

2) worked on memory activities with "lists"

3) began working on "Brain Response Questions"

HW: Questions are DUE Thursday and we have a Brain Quiz FRIDAY. I spoke with my classes about what to study for this quiz yesterday. 

Monday, November 4, 2013

Social Studies

Today in class we:
-Make a mini book to help us remember the forms of government.
-Started a paragraph writing assignment about Dictatorship vs. Democracy

HW: Bill of Rights Poster due Wednesday
         Paragraph due Thursday

Dobb 11/4

Today in ELA...

Students kicked off the Document Based Questioning (DBQ) Project!  Over the next week the class will be looking at articles/evidence to determine whether bullying should be treated as a criminal act.

HW:  Read!



Today in Math...

Students will work through Greatest Common Factor Word Problems and Least Common Multiple Problems, along with identifying vocabulary to focus on telling which operation to do.

HW:  Review problems 11/4.  This is a half sheet of 8 problems that are due tomorrow at the start of the hour.



Today in Guided Studies...

Productivity Checklist and "Make Your Binder Magnificent Monday!"

HW:  Productivity Checklist


Mrs. Schuiteman - English

Today we:
*shared good news from the weekend
*checked in our signed letters - IF you did NOT get a signature, please take care of that tonight!!
*split into our "No" and "Yes" sides & started to work together to organize our points for our debate
HW- Get a signature if you still need to get one!!!

MATH - Chambers/Luhmann

Today in math we shared our shopping lists from last week and finished up some word problem notes.  The homework for today is a division worksheet problems 34, 49, 50, 51, 52ab, 59abc, and 60ab.
These problems are due on Wednesday.

Chambers: Since we had more work time than Mr. Luhmann's class, my class should be close to finished if they used their time wisely. We will go through the answers and work through any questions that students may have.

We will have a quiz covering decimals on Thursday.  Most of the quiz is word problems so students will need to read slowly and think about what is going on in the situation.

Check out this video about the math.

BONUS
#50     4.8 feet
#59a   6.15 bowls

English-Hickok

Today the kids organized and practiced their "jobs" for Tuesday's court trial.

No homework

Science- Lillmars 11/4

Today in Science, the students...

1) turned in their mind maps

2) learned about their brain's limbic system

3) did a note sorting activity

No homework-- but we will have a brain quiz on Friday!

Science - Spotts

Science today...
- Learn about the Limbic System and how it affects learning
- Do a speed sort activity
- Finish Mind Maps - DUE TUESDAY

Friday, November 1, 2013

Mrs. Dobb

Today in ELA we...

Checked out books in the library and worked on using sentence starters strategies to begin our writing.

HW: Read 2 pages and enjoy your weekend!


Today in Math we...

Started the hour by completing math stations. We then checked the weather and calculated the average temperature for the week. We also worked on transferring information from factor trees into Venn Diagrams.

HW: Have a fabulous weekend!


Today in Guided Studies we...

Completed a survey to find out more about our strength and challenges as learners. We also talked about how these strengths and challenges will impact our future career goals.

HW: Productivity Checklist :)



Mrs. Schuiteman - English

Today we:
*discussed document #6
*worked on a parent letter and selected our side & our evidence
HW:  SHARE LETTER & GET SIGNED!!  :) 
Have a great weekend!!

MATH - Chambers/Luhmann

Today in math we talked about, and estimated, division problems with decimals.   There will be quiz on Thursday over decimals. (adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing)
HOMEWORK: Review the notes on how to do each of the 4 operations with decimals and complete the review sheet.

English-Hickok

Today we looked at the signed parent letters and divided the class up into two groups based on what side of the big question they were on.  Kids then organized subgroups based on responsibilities for Tuesday's court trial.

No homework

Science- Lillmars 11/1

Today in Science, the students...

1) worked on their mind map

2) continued watching the brain video we started yesterday

HW: Mind map is DUE Monday