Scoop.it!

Does anyone out there use Scoop.it!?
I have one link I've made for my 5th graders since we're studying early colonial settlements.

1.  Guess I'm looking for suggestions on using this web site.
2.  Anyone have files?

2012

1. Drink more water...which should be easy to do, since I don't drink much now.
2. Don't sweat the small stuff.
3. Organize and de-clutter my classroom.
4. Become an expert in the area of.... (I'll get back to you when I decide)

 

Happy New Year,

Pat

Fa La La...it's Christmas Break

To do list...
1.  quizes on quia .com for both 4 grade reading & my 5th graders in social studies
2.  Prepare writing lessons for every day...our state assessment is the end of January
3.  Prepare reading passages every day... to get ready for the state testing at the end of April

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from the midwest...the picture is Pinterest inspired :)

Book Report...the powerpoint way

If I were more organized...I'd keep project directions from previous years.  BUT I find each class different and thus when I have kept projects from previous years they don't seem to be exactly what I want.  My class loves to make powerpoint projects (thank you microsoft for this program).

Merry Christmas

No, I'm not too early.  My husband's family celebrated Christmas on the farm...(HERE) this weekend....and we had 6" of snow for the event.  Then next weekend I'll be celebrating with my children, so on Christmas day they will be able to stay home instead of coming to the farm.  So after next weekend all my Christmas shopping will be done (big smile) , and I'll be able to be serious about blogging.   SO
Merry Christmas to all...

Tis the Season

I've found it very hard in the past to give my students something they will really enjoy without breaking my checkbook. 

My students are not to use mechanical pencils until second semester...so of course they're going to get one from me plus a homework pass--good only for the month of January. I make the passes using PrintShop and use the business card format.

What are some other ideas for students during this time?

Word Work

Beginning next week there will be a rotation to either work on spelling words or vocabulary words.  We've been keeping spelling words in a composition notebook...but vocabulary words are now going onto a ring instead of in the reading journal.  I've made a beginning card for the ring and then the vocabulary words will be added.  The cards will have the word, either a definition or sentence, and a simple drawing.  They may use their ring of words while working at the work with word tubs.

Loving my time away from school...I'm feeling creative and relaxed.  With only one Thanksgiving guest that means there will be a lot of leftovers for the rest of the week...no extra cooking YEA!!

Three Day Week

Even though it sounds great...I do not like 3 day weeks.  It's really hard to get anything accomplished with regards to a story/vocabulary/focus lesson...so here's what we're doing for technology...thank you Jennifer for the suggestion of the wallwisher.

Happy Thanksgiving to all.

Skill builder

 

 Academic Skill Builders has some great games for all areas of academics.  I need a lot of practice with parts of speech...or I guess it's really using the arrows to move to the correct answer.

Weekend Time

My 4th grader grandson needed to take pictures of a historical site not far from here...so we spent an hour snapping pictures and then time composing and creating a ppt (here's a snapshot of the first slide).  'It's a good thing'. 

Google...

Just went to a google docs workshop.  Isn't it amazing what you can do and then share?  How is everyone out there using google docs? 

Onward!!!

With Halloween over, it's now time to move on...seems like there's a lot of holidays in the next 2 months.  We're reading a great booklet from readinga-z.com on Veterans' Day.  It gives background information about why we celebrate the day.  We have a school program for veterans, so this is very helpful and I'm hoping it makes the day more meaningful.

Halloween Fact/Opinion

This past week we read a narrative nonfiction selection from our reading series.  Since Halloween is tomorrow...and I'm not sure how much learning will take place (we are having a Halloween party in the pm...and we can wear costumes), we're going to google and blog Halloween facts and opinions.

oops!  I scanned the sheet, but it was upside down...so I put it in a word document and rotated it...then just took a screenshot! 

Mad as a wet hen

This coming week....there will be no computer class because we

are assessing (MAP), and they will be no math (since I teach 6th grade English/spelling) and the 6th grade teacher teaches math...and the 6th grade will be assessing...

SO the 4th grade is going to study idioms.  We'll partner complete the idiom sheet as seen.  The top part is for the idiom, the middle is a drawing of what it says, and the bottom is for the definition/use it in a sentence. I have a few books I'll share...the Chocolate Mousse & The king Who Reigned.

Now I can be as made as a wet hen, on those days that homework is not returned!

Conferences Monday and Thursday evenings...but I'm off Friday.  With a day off you'd think I'd stay home. But, NO, I'm going to school with the grandsons & 'enjoying' a school lunch!

Enjoy the weekend.  It's suppose to be lovely here in Nebraska.

Poetry Day

Thursday will be poetry day in my room.
1.  this week- everyone will read a poem to the class
2.  next week- everyone will have a poem memorized
3.  following week- (or so- I hate to have a rigid schedule because with 24 students it's tough to give everyone an equal chance on the same day) choose a poem...illustrate it...record it for an imovie...check back in 3 weeks and see how my schedule is unfolding.  I've found my camera takes ok videos.

To blog or not....

Too funny!

Homecoming Banner

The second graders and 4th graders worked very hard on coloring and cutting sport graphics for the homecoming parade and skits.  The freshman were the lucky class that ran through the banner.

WHEW!!!!

WHEW!!! is my only comment for this week...it was homecoming at the high school and we also showed our spirit.

Today was a pep rally.  Each class and their buddies made a banner...we marched in the parade...yelled a cheer, & had a good time.

PLEASE...PLEASE, let next week be normal.  OH! I forgot, we're MAPS testing!

Took the Plunge

Ordered  an ipad2.  Love the one I have...but I'm excited about icloud and the camera included in the upgrade...

imovie

Anyone know how to post an imovie to a blog?? My imovies are better quality than animoto (too cheap to upgrade).

OH yea!!that's me...Mrs. Baker (ha ha)

Fitness Day

Kids' Fitness Day was today...boy am I tired!!! I must not be fit.