AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!! The talking has somehow returned. NOOOOOO!!!!!! It is really only a handful that are shouting out, but then everyone joins in. We have talked this issue to death, but we will once again focus on it again. Fines will go up to $50 instead of 20 for this. We waste so much learning time when so much time is spent refocussing and saying shhhhhh all the time. Some of the shouting is class clown too, which is ten times worse. We talked at the end of the day about how they should be respectful and follow procedures because it is the right thing to do. Unfortunately, I am also having to issue more and more fines. The good thing is, it works for a bit and then we need to retrain. Growing and learning, growing and learning. If you could talk with kids tonight about choosing a good place to sit in CC Meeting and when doing partner work or in line that would be so helpful. Many kids are not talkers by nature, but once they get near a talker they follow that negative example. Positive leaders are more successful in life!
In SS today, we had Kevin from Connecticut. He did a GREAT job sharing how the NE region is similar and different from ours. We learned so much about their economy, their size, their population density, and their state symbols. It sure is different over there. I don't know about your child, but I sure was proud to be a Montanian by the time he left. Too many people in one small place for me! Some of the information he shared will show up on the final test for the NE region.
Speaking of tests, the states and capitals test is quickly approaching. We worked on our flashcards today. I also had them tell me what state I was pointing to. Practice, practice please.
In MT History, we continued on with our State Symbols. We learned the state gem, grass, animal, and bird. We will talk about the flag next. How does ours compare to the Crow Indian flag? What do the symbols on both mean? We will find out the answers to these questions soon!
Homework tonight is DynaMath. Kids need to do page 3. Last night they read about how there is 89 days in winter on Earth. When subtracting, we discovered that meant that there were 276 days left for summer, fall, and spring. I then asked if that meant that all seasons had 89 days? To solve that we did 89 x 3 and found it to be 267. That is 9 days short of the 276 left. So....which season has more or do they all???? I posed a challenge to google it. If they find out, please write the answer in the planner for $20 tomorrow.
Challenge math homework was given out tonight (not required, only for those that were up to the challenge). It was a three by two multiplication crossword. Kids shouldn't need any help and they should know if their answers are correct by filling out the crossword. If one is not fitting, then it is not correct (or the other one is not correct). Today, we had many kids doing 4 by 4 and even 5 by 5 multiplication problems. I couldn't even do the 5 by 5s on the calculator. They were so big! Wow!!!! Love that they are loving this. Tomorrow, we will do some common core standard testing, including these types of problems. This helps me see who needs more and who is ready for new material. We will all move onto measurement very soon.
Don't forget about those basic multiplication timed tests this Friday. I am hoping to see growth each time. Who is going to add to the exit out club this week????? :0)
Some of you have asked about the weekend homework. I have cancelled it. We are not ready, and I decided to do it in class. The part I was going to send home will now be done in class. The only part that will come home is to practice their presentations. Thanks for your willingness to help!
Have a wonderful night!
Ms. Erickson
