Homework

Monday- Finish study guides. Write a poem about your favorite part of winter. Remember your elements. You pick the topic. Tuesday- TAKS prep page 338-9; study for grammar quiz. No spelling test this week!

Study Guides

Science- Due Monday
Social Studies- Due Tuesday
Grammar- Due Tuesday

Homework next week. Dec. 12
Monday: Complete Grammar and Social Studies Study Guide. Write a poem about your favorite part of winter. (You choose the style.)

We are studying poetry right now. We read the poem Twas the Night Before Christmas and looked at all the elments within the poem. Then we re-wrote each stanza into a literary story. Enjoy!

Christmas Eve

It was the night before Christmas. No one was moving throughout the house, not even a tiny mouse. We were hoping that St. Nicholas would come to their house soon. So they had nicely hung all their stockings near the fireplace.

The children were sleeping and dreaming of happy things such as sugar plums dancing. Mamma and I had on our night hats and had just gotten into bed for a start of a good nights sleep.

All of a sudden there was a loud noise out on the lawn. I jumped out of bed and threw open the shutters to see what was happening. I opened the window quickly.

The moon was glistening off of the snow, giving light outside. Suddenly a small sleigh with eight tiny reindeer appeared.

And in that sleigh was a lively driver and I knew at that moment it was St. Nick. He came very fast and started shouting out his reindeers’ names.

He called out, “Dacher, Dancer, Prancer and Vixon then Coment, Cupid, and Doner and Blitzen. They flew all the way to the roof of the house. I could hear him shouting “Dash Away All” at the top of his lungs.

When they flew up to the top of the house, the wind was whipping around. They were carrying an entire sleigh full of toys and St. Nick also.

Suddenly I heard something on the roof. It sounded like reindeer dancing. Then Santa came tumbling down the chimney and landed with a thump.

He was dressed up in a fur coat as furry as a polar bear from head to toe. His clothes were ripped and covered with ashes. He had put packages of toys on his back like a robber taking out his stuff he had stolen.

Santa had cute little dimples and eyes that twinkled. He had a red nose and cheeks. He was smiling with a very white beard.

He held a stump of a pipe tight in his teeth. The smoke was circling his head like a wreath. He had a round belly and a broad face.

He was a chubby guy and I laughed when I saw him. When he winked and twisted his head, I knew I had nothing to fear.

Santa was silent but went right to work. He counted five candies and placed one in each stocking. He turned around, put a finger up to his nose, and gave a nod. His feet jerked off the ground and he flew up the chimney.

He jumped into his sleigh, gave his reindeer a sharp whistle and his sleigh flew away into the night. When he left I heard him yell, “Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.”

Down, Set, Hutt!

Down, Set, Hutt!

By: Samuel Andrade

          Every Sunday, my family watches football together. After watching all those games, I have learned to like football.

          Playing football is a great way to have exercise.  When you’re running to the end-zone, throwing the ball to another teammate, or kicking for a field goal, you don’t stop moving. When you’re running from here to there, it is your mission to run as fast as you can and zoom past other opponents. While you’re waiting to throw the ball, you have to dodge people trying to take you down like a predator catching his/her prey. Then you bend your arm and let go. When you’re kicking, you swing your leg back and then you punt it all the way to the field goal.  Football is a good sport to help build muscles and have a strong body. When I’m outside jogging up and down the street with my ball between my hands, my legs are pumping, and sweat is dripping down my face, I already know that I’ve done a good part of exercising. When it comes to playing football, I exercise more than I usually do to give me what I’ve always wanted, a strong and healthy body. Playing football is a nonstop way for exercising.

Football includes working together. Teamwork is something important that you need while you’re playing football. It’s impossible to run for a pass or score a touchdown without a team. There are many things you can’t do without friends in football. When I’m playing by myself, the only things I get to do are throwing the ball in the air and then chasing it. With someone there to play with me, I have more fun. When my friends and I work together, we build a bond or a friendship. It’s so boring just to play by yourself. You always need someone there to play too.

          Playing football is something I like to do if I want to exercise or work together. For now, I can’t stop touching the ball.

S- Yellow

E- Blue

M- Green

C- Gray

Library Lounge by Ella

A sea of books and shelves of magazines can only be at one place the library. It fills my heart with joy. When I close my eyes I think about my favorite place and the library is my top pick. I am like a banker the library is my bank books are as valuable as money.

          Here, there, and everywhere. Books are all over the place, but that does not mean that it’s hard to find the book I want. If I want a non-fiction book I go to the non-fiction section. The fantasy books are labeled a-z for easy access. If I need to find a long lost book I go to the computers and look it up. I don’t have to go thru random isles searching for a perfect book. Signs guide me through the building. Without them the library would be a maze. Wherever I look I see signs that say graphic novels on the left and mysteries on the right. There are even signs for computers and games. Colorful stickers sit on the end of the books so a 5^th grader won’t take a junie b. Jones book an a 1^st grader won’t take a dictionary. When I was 3 and went to the library for the first time I was shocked at how amazing every thing was organized. All I had to do was blink and the book I wanted was there. Finding a book is a breeze in the library.

          I will never forget all the times I have gone to the library. I can have fun by playing on the computer or by checking out books.

The Ice Cream Shop

Vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, all of those flavors I can try with just a simple trip to the ice cream shop.  The gigantic room filled with mouth watering poster and jaw dropping flavors is like a buffet because without a doubt I can try every single flavor that I want.

There’s always so many flavors that I can chose from but if I can’t make up my mind I can always go and get the sample spoon.  There, I can try all of the flavors in the world!  No matter what I can always rush in and dig into the sweet sensation of  cherry or caramel without paying a cent.  The very first time I went to the ice cream shop was when I had the worst craving for ice cream.  My mind was completely  stuck on ice cream and that’s when I step into the huge room filled with it.  My mouth watered as I grabbed the sample spoon and started to dig in.  Ever since than I thank the person who created free samples at ice cream shops.

My favorite place to be is not the arcade or an amusement park but it is the ice cream shop!

By: SteVonte’

More Examples Written With The Class

Show Time!

Lights! Camera! Action! There is no place like it. Isles of people scarfing down popcorn, children laughing their heads off and a big screen can all be found at one place, AMC Movie Theater. When I close my eyes and think of my favorite place, it is without a doubt a movie theater.

            The lights go out and the fun begins. The movie theater is my favorite place for no other reason than the big screen. It is here where my favorite movies come to life. Harry Potter or Diary of a Wimpy Kid were great books but to see them spread out across an entire wall of projection is breath taking.  Sitting in those rows of chairs you can see everything from a small ant to a large tree. There is no way to miss an important scene. It does not matter if you sit on the front row or the very very back because you can still see it. It feels like you are IN the movie interacting with the characters. The last movie I saw was The Polar Express. As I strolled in to find my seat it was like ants in an ant hill in the theater. After finding the perfect spot, what seems like hours, when actually it is only minutes, the lights begin to flicker. Show Time! The screen filled with images, my heart sank and I knew I had found my happy place. That is why I love to go to the movies. The big screen is like sweet chocolate cream pie.

            SeaWorld may be fun. The neighborhood pool is a blast, but my place of all places is the movie theater. Whether to see a good book come to life, have a good laugh with your friends, or just enjoy the treats, the AMC  Movie Theater is my favorite place to be.

S- Yellow
E- Blue
M- Green
C- Gray

Spelling Words 11/28

argue
cart
aware
march
rare
carpet
charge
stare
declare
pardon
arch
alarm
harness
tardy
spare
smart
charm
glare
snare
spark

Mrs. Clark's Fourth Grade Class: Narrative VS. Expository

Mrs. Clark's Fourth Grade Class: Narrative VS. Expository

This Week...

This week we are wrapping up our unit on Expository Writing and Reading. Students will write their final Expository paper for 2011. :) We will spend the next 2 weeks studying poetry.

In reading, students will review Main Idea and Summary and apply what they already know to Informational Text. We will also review how text is organized, context clues, elements of informational text, and making inferences.

In math, we are beginning our unit on Geometry. Students will have the opportunity to extend their learning through hands on menu activities. It is important that students are studying the vocabulary at home. A huge part of Geometry is Vocabulary!

In Science, we are beginning matter.

In Social Studies, we are wrapping up on unit on Texas Revolution. Students will share what they have learned from each battle and share it with the class.

Happy Turkey Day!

I hope you all are having a wonderful Thanksgiving! Go Aggies!! :)

Batter Up- Expository

Batter Up!

Minute Maid Park is the place for me. Whether to get examples from players or watch a baseball game, I feel at home in the stadium.

Professionals are professionals. At Minute Maid Park, my heart is filled with joy. Here I can learn from the best. At each game, the players take turns at bat. Sitting up in the stands, you can sit back, relax, and take notes. When the first star player enters the batters box, I watch in amazement. They will spread their legs shoulder length apart and even bend there knees. It may be hard to see from way up top, but usually you can look at the big screen to see a closer look. With the bat over his shoulders, I can watch him prepare to swing. The ball will soar and he will throw his shoulders forward and swing with all his might. The first time I saw Craig Biggio at bat, my heart pounded. I took notes like a college student in chemistry class. At my next baseball game, you should have seen me hit the ball. 

Minute Maid Park is without a doubt the place for me. As soon as I a walk through the doors, I feel overwhelmed with joy. It is special to me because there in the park I learned to be the athlete I am today.

Another Expository Paper...Written together by Mrs. Clark's Class

Home of the Fighting Texas Aggies

Whoop! A sea of endless Maroon and people shouting  “howdy” is no other than the great Aggie Land. When I close my eyes and think of one place that has changed my life, College Station, home to the Fighting Texas Aggies, comes to mind.

            Down! Set! Hut! The best part about Aggie Land is Kyle Field. When you enter the stadium on game day, instantly you feel at home. People will stand in lines to get their cokes, hot dogs, and prepare for kick off. The stadium is a roar of laughter and hollering fans cheering on their team. You can feel the spirit as soon as you enter the gates. At every Aggie Football game the fans can be found standing on their feel screaming, “Gig em Aggies!” I remember my very first football game. It was my freshman year of college. I thought I had died and gone to heaven. After I found my seat, or should I say bench there is no sitting at Aggie games, my heart dropped.

            Whether to attend a game of the Fighting Texas Aggies, be welcomed by all the friendly residents or hear the core band play, Aggie Land is truly my special place. When I’m lost, sad, or just plain bored, I know I can load up my car and head to College Station for a good time.

The last of them. :)

And more!

Here are some more! :)

Electricity Pictures

Narrative VS. Expository

NARRATIVE: (A moment with that person.)

Write about a person that is important to you!

Trash Day!

I hurry and drop it into the container. Three bags full this week. I pinch my nose in disgust. Luckily it was coming today.
I stormed down to the end of my driveway with the cans trailing behind me. The truck was creeping around the corner, sure to stop at each house. It was only yards away. I felt relieved that I remembered early this morning that it was Tuesday, trash day. The bucket with my neighbors’ trash clanged together as the load dumped into the truck. Men were hanging on to the back by only a large bar. This gave them quick access to grab the cans. 
At each stop they pounced off with an immense amount of energy. They’re like the energizer bunny that keeps going….and going… This simple occasion happens twice a week. While it seems routine and normal to me….I ask myself what if? My mind drifts off to a world without garbage men. A world where my car would be forced to stay parked in the driveway for the trash would take over. I imagine the streets with empty soda cans, old food from yesterday’s dinner, dirty diapers, old furniture, and more cluttering the boulevards.  The putrid smell would be unruly interfering with life’s everyday events. It would be a life of chaos. I snap back to reality as the last can of my trash is lifted into the truck. 
While my family and friends are an important part of my life, it is the everyday people that make the world go round. I am thankful for garbage men for keep my planet clean.  When I stop and reflect, I quickly realize the importance of their career. 

Expository: (Explaining Who and Why)

Write about a person that is important to you. Describe who and why they are important!

A Trash Man! Can’t Live Without Em’!

Trash is unavoidable. It is everywhere you turn. I eat lunch, I have trash. I go grocery shopping, I have trash. I do my homework, I have trash. A world without a trash man is a world of chaos, disgust, and clutter.

          A clean planet is a happy planet. A trash man matters to me like milk to a baby. He keeps the planet clean. Twice a week the trash man comes to pick up my trash. He delivers it to one landfill. It isn’t scattered around or left where animals can get it. When the trash is picked up, my neighborhood is left smelling fresh and clean, like a clean load of laundry. Each week, I step outside with the trash trailing behind me. I think about a world without a trash man. It would be a world of mush covering the highways, slim in the grass, and bacteria everywhere. Trash would take over. Thank goodness I have a trash man.

          Organization is very important to me. Without a trash man, my house would be in ruins. Cooking dinner would mean throwing empty cans into my living room or old meat containers out into the backyard. Having a trash man keeps my house together. He allows me to put everything into a white bag. This bag is then placed into a large plastic container. Those few days a week I push the container out to the curb, and it waits to be carried off to its next destination, the landfill. My world with a trash man is a world of peace and harmony. It keeps my house clean and free of clutter.

          Whether it means keeping a tidy house, clean planet, or a fresh fragrant home, a trash man is important for many reasons. When I picture someone who affects my life in a positive way, I think of the trash man. He keeps my world in check.      

Informational Text Features

Students should be able to identify and explain the purpose/importance of informational text features.

Informational Text Features	Importance
Labels	Helps the reader identify a picture or photograph and its parts.
Photographs	Helps the reader understand exactly what something looks like.
Captions	Gives a little information about the photograph to better understand it.
Maps	Helps the reader to understand where something is.
Different Types of Text (bold, italics, etc)	Helps the reader signal “Look at me! I’m important!”
Table of Contents	Helps the reader identify key topics.
Index	Alphabetical list of everything covered in the text with page #’s.
Glossary	Helps to identify key words.
Subtitles	Helps the reader to know what that section is about.

Grammar Review

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Commas- Grammar Review

The three grammar rules that will be tested this week all have to do with commas:

Using commas in a list or series- if a list or series three items or more are in a sentence, the items need to be separated by commas. (Ex. Rover got a bath, went for walk, and burried a bone.)

Using commas with dependent clauses- A dependent clause does not express a complete thought. When found at the begining of a sentence, it needs to be separated by a comma. (ex. As the marching band went by, we cheered and yelled.)

Using commas with appositives- An appositive is a word or phrase that is another way to say the noun or pronoun in front of it and needs to be separated from the rest of the sentence by commas. (ex. Mrs. Tomlinson, our science teacher, says that animals have adaptations to help them survive.)

Conferencing with your kiddos!

NARRATIVE

How can I help my children with narrative writing? I am so glad you asked! J

It is important that students are completing their pre-writing (STARS) and complete story for every prompt. After they have finished here are a few questions you can help conference with your child:

Did they describe where they are at in detail? They should build their setting, not describe it.

Did they pick one small moment and describe it?  One setting and one place.

Can you tell what they are thinking throughout the story?

Do they have a Show, Not tell?

If they answer yes to all these questions they should be ready to go. There are a few examples on my blog.

EXPOSITORY TEXT

Now, expository…. This is a new concept for students. I know you are wondering…how can I help them..?!

Here is the writing process:

1.)   Read Prompt

“Write about 1 thing you have made. Describe what you made and why you enjoyed making it.”

2.)   Generate a list of ideas. Choose One.

a.      Science experiments

b.      Cakes

c.      Origami

d.      Music

e.      Robot

f.        Stories.

g.      Paper airplane

h.      Cupcakes

i.        Light switch***

3.)   Why did you think this was enjoyable?

a.      Creative

b.      Challenging

c.      Help us light up our rooms

d.      It was fun.

e.      Educational

f.        Hands-on education (fun)

4.) Generate ideas for S-E-M-C- (This should be done for both body paragraphs.)

Statement- Lights! Camera! Action! Creating a light switch was a great challenge.

Explanation - make light light up first.

Wires had to be in the exact place.

If it wasn’t lighting I had to figure out why.

Was the light bulb burt out or battery dead?

Once you had a circuit we had to make the switch. The important part is all the metal had to be touch.

We worked together trying different things. And finally it worked. I loved the trial and error.

Me- Now when I think about turning on the lights, it makes me appreciate all the hard work Thomas Edison did.

Closing- Creating a light switch is a challenge that I would be up for again tomorrow.

Electricity! It All Starts With a Battery!

(Introduction) Electricity is a wonderful thing. In science class, I created my first light switch with just a battery, few wires, light bulb, index card, and a few brads. It was a challenge from the beginning and I was smiling from ear to ear.  I loved working with my team to put the wires in just the right place. We put our hands and minds together to make the light bulb light up with a switch.

            (Body Paragraph 1) Lights! Camera! Action! Creating a light switch was a great challenge. From the beginning, the first challenge was to make the bulb light up before worrying about the switch. The wires had to be in the exact place. It was a process of trial and error. We put our heads together and worked to figure it out.  Finally, the light bulb was lit and then it was time for the next challenge, the light switch. We dove in like a scuba diver looking for fish. My mind raced with all the different ways. Finally, it was like winning a race. We completed the light switch. Now when I think about turning on the lights, it makes me appreciate all the hard work Thomas Eddison did. Creating a light switch was a challenge that I would be up for tomorrow.

Stories should include an introduction, 2 body paragraphs, and a conclusion. An example of an entire paper is on my blog. J

I hope this is helpful!

Expository Text

Here is an example of expository text. :) 

 

To Choose or Not to Choose?

Choices are like stairs, each one leading to another level. While we make simple choices everyday, what to wear, what to eat for lunch, the most important choice I have had to make is the paint color of the walls in my house. 

 I asked myself grouchy as a bear or serene as a cat?  Colors change your mood. I wanted to wake each morning with a smile on my face and a twinkle in my eye.   As I stood in the store glaring at the thousands of paint samples my mind raced. Red…too bold…green…what is this a golf course? I pondered to myself. Think of a beautiful sunset coming above the horizon. The colors are calming and rich. This color will determine my ever changing days. I knew it was an important one.

First impression is everything and if you walk into my house my goal is to shock you with my decorating talent. Choosing the color to paint my walls is like picking out your wedding dress. It is the first thing everyone sees and the one thing everyone remembers. When you make the last step towards the front door and turn the medal handle, it hits you like a gust of window. First impression! The purple color will fill your heart with warmth and send an inviting feeling your way. I want you to walk away thinking, WOW!

While picking out your paint color may seem simple, it is so much more wrapped up into one big decision. It can determine you day just by looking around. So remember, when you pick out your room color how will it affect your future?

I'm rich! :)

It was a lot of fun! Thanks for cheering me on!

Your Awesome Fourth Grade Teachers!

Do You Soar? Do You Roar? Project

E-mail the following by Tuesday Morning:
Microsoft Word (1 Page)
-Size 12 Font
-Times Roman

Title & Animal Explode the Moment (150 words or less)

Biography (50 Words or Less)

See post before for details!

Do You Soar? Do You Roar?

Story: ( 150 words or less.)

Prompt: The magic wand has been lifted and you are now your “animal”. Pick a place that you would want to go…whether it is to a park, Schiff elementary, ice cream shop, the Alamo, Disney Land, etc. Explode that moment. Include everything you can hear, see, smell or feel. Don’t forget to describe your animal….

My paws are aching to get out of this house. I’ve been hearing about this place….this place with endless grass, park benches, and Frisbees every which way. I’ve been talking to my friends Pal and Frank the Dobermans and the have given me directions.  As the clock strikes 12, I know it is my time to escape. I reach for the door handle with my nose and sure enough it pops open. I stick my nose to the ground like peanut butter on jelly. The snitch leads me forward. AS the houses get smaller in the distance, the grass hill grows larger. Then I see it. The park bench nestled in the middle of a large open field. There is a Frisbee laying right next to the park bench with a half eaten hamburger, must have been someone’s lunch. The night lights shine through out the park.  “I have died and gone to heaven,” I thought!

( 150 words or less.)

Bio (50 words or less)

Example: My name is Jaylynn. I am 10 years old and love attending Schiff Elementary. I enjoy reading a good book or going for a jog on a beautiful day. When I grow up, I want to be a teacher so I can educate the students of the future.

Name-

Age-

Favorite things to do-

When I grow up-

Tuesday Folder

Thank you for your patience while I have been gone. I will be back tomorrow. I will send home Tuesday folders tomorrow, Wednesday, October 26.

Week of October 24

Unit Objectives:

Reading- As the new nine weeks begins, we are diving into expository text. The students will focus on identifying expository. What does it look like? What makes it different from fiction? We will revisit text features, and discuss the purpose behind them. We will ask ourselves, what is the purpose of a subtitle? A picture?

Writing- Writing expository text is different than writing narratives. We want to write about things we know about. We will be creating an “Expert List.” This list will contain things in our life that we feel we are knowledgeable about.  Students will be challenged to put their opinions in writing.

Math – Students will continue to use patterns to multiply by multiples of 10, use rounding and compatible numbers to estimate solutions to multiplication problems, and use multiplication to solve problems involving 2-digit numbers.

Science – Students will differentiate among forms of energy including mechanical, sound, electrical, light and heat/thermal – sound & electrical.

Social Studies –Students will begin to study the influential impresarios who began the first non-mission settlements in Texas.

Character Trait – Non Violence

Write Source- Grammar Snap

https://ws.hmhpub.com/writesource/
Username: Lunch Number
Password: student  

After you first log in, change your password to your lunch number!

Here is another EXCELLENT paper!!

Game of Pain

            The large, dusty room seemed ancient. My older cousin and I were walking through cobwebs, dust, and tools. We were in the basement. My younger cousin was counting. “Ten… nine…” I felt excitement pulse within me. I would win this round. My cousin hissed, “Where should we hide?” I gave him a shrug. “I don’t know.” We suddenly passed a small storage space. It was filled with boxes and dust. Cobwebs filled nearly every corner and hole, but we still decided to hide here. I chose to hide behind a large wrapped and boxed item. My cousin chose the side opposite. “Five… four… three…” My cousin was finishing. I leapt behind my item and crouched, closing my eyes. My older cousin was sliding behind his box. I blinked a bit and saw something glint beside me. It was a web! Just then, my cousin finished. “Two… one. Ready or not, here I come!” It was too late. I would be stuck with a web and possibly a spider for the game.

            My younger cousin’s footsteps rang in my ears and I blinked my eyes open. Pale light hit the gray floor of the basement. I crouched down further. Soon my cousin drew closer; I could see a shadow fall against the ground. My cousin stopped just outside the storage space, and gradually, her footsteps retreated. But that didn’t help the fact that my back was sore… and that I could be next to a spider. How was my older cousin doing? Suddenly, my cousin (younger) called out, “I’m going to the restroom!” I heard my cousin climb the stairs and TV sounds pierced the air. The door closed. Anxiously, I hissed to myself, “This is hopeless!” Soon my cousin had returned.

            My younger cousin was still walking around, way too stubborn to give up. I wished the game would end soon. My older cousin growled, “Give up already!” My younger cousin didn’t reply and stalked toward us again. I felt about to feint any second now. Finally, my younger cousin sighed, “Fine, I give up.” I instantly shoved my boxed item away and scrambled out, looking in disgust at my dust-coated shirt. Then I saw my older cousin clambering out of his spot and relief tingled in my spine. I stretched out my sore legs. Finally, I was out again!

4 Paper

Here is an example of a paper from a student. See the detail!

SCORE                                                                                            

How in the world could I do this and do it right?

The crowd was screaming like there was a taco truck on the field or something but I just ignored them. Suddenly on the side lines my coach screamed “5 in 1!” which meant 1 goal in 5 mins. There was 7 positions forward ,right mid ,left mid ,center mid ,right defense , left defense ,and of course goalie. I was right mid. The grass was stuck to the ground like there was no tomorrow. It was perfectly cut for my cleats to grip the ground, and the line I was standing on was fading so you couldn’t really see it that good. The referee held his hand up. That meant are you ready? They both raised there hands. “Here goes nothing.” I pondered.                                                                                                   

The game started. The crowed cheered like a herd of elephants. The game began; it was a challenge from the start. The other team had the ball and dodged are left mid, she passed to the center but our left defense retrieved the ball. She passed to center mid with rocket speed. I ran up field so she could get a perfect target “I’m open I’m open!” I hollered. Finally it happened she passed the ball to me as my foot hooked the ball the crowd cheered louder. I heard my mom on the sidelines “Come on Kennedy you can do it!” she hollered like a lunatic.                                                                                                                     

Come on I thought come on my only obstacle was dribbling up the field and shooting. Suddenly on the corner of my eye was an attack from my enemy. She was coming straight at me. I saw a slot that I could get out of and I zoomed passed her “I’m not giving up that easy!” I screamed. There it was just me and the goalie 1 on1 this is the most challenging part. I wanted to give up but it was too late now how will I ever score with this giant goalie in my way. I ran throw my mind trying to find a way for me to score it was like a light bulb went on, I did a move that I never, tried before and she fell for it. I put my left foot next to the ball to balance. I turned my right foot out and began to swing it back. Will I kick it into the goal I thought to my self? My arms swung back to get my speed.  I arched my back for some boost. I hit the ball my heart pounded will it go in it went in the back of the goal. “Yah I scored!” I yelled on the top of my lungs.                                  

This was a day of a life time I played soccer and scored. The score later on was 3 to 0 we won. This memory will stay with me forever this game I had a goal to score a goal.    

Homework Changed 10/19/11

Tonights homework is to write a star and the setting for a time you will never forget. We are really working on slowing it down in our writing. I have stressed to the students that we it is very important that they take their homework serious and put forth 100 % effort.
Here is an example of a setting: (Remember....this is JUST the setting part.) Build it...don't describe it!

My heart was racing faster and faster as the anticipation built. I was about to enter Schiff Elementary gym. The cool air from outside was seeping through the door by the gym. It was still morning and I had not had my morning caffeine to wake me up. Suddenly, I ambled into a different dimension. Sandy colored bins lined the floor of the gymnasium. The lights reflected from the glossy floor as if the sun was shining in. I was here just yesterday and knew the routine. Today was Skating 101 in P.E. I walked in, grabbed the safety gear, take off my shoes, and nimble to the colored lines. Coach Colianni’s voice echoed through the room. She enumerated, “Zero for sitting or no skating!” Her voice stuck in my head and I followed her command. I knew in only minutes the aroma of sweaty feet would fill the room like a hot air balloon.

Think Tank...

What does this mean to you?

Think Tank...

What does this make you think of?

The sounds outside our classroom....

What was it? Well....

The afternoon had come to an end. I wandered back to my classroom and found my long lost desk. It had been some time since I had sat down. Students had left pencils scatter about on the floor. There is a privacy folder left on one desk, why....I just don't know. I swivel in my chair to begin grading. Today was a busy day...which mean...I have a busy evening a head of me.  Then, I hear it again!  The students had asked earlier, "What is that crying sound coming from the window?" I quickly responded with, "I don't know, but we don't have time to worry about it. Let's keep reading." So sitting on the carpet, we did just that. WE READ.  Here I am 45 minutes later and there is still crying. "I must be loosing my mind," I pondered to myself. I turn around in my swivel chair. The sun is peeking through just the bottom of my blinds. The projector is pulled down and I can't see anything. I stand up and creep over to look out the window. I just knew it had to be a lost baby. Here at Schiff, you hear all sorts of noises...you just never know what it could be. Well, believe it or not (I know I didn't at first)...there was a GOAT outside my window. At first I was captivated with his cuteness, his little ears and small nose. He even reminded me of my little dog (actually he is quite big) Gino.  Then I started to wonder... why in the world is a GOAT at Schiff Elementary and why is it outside my window?  Then appeared Miss Rahaman shouting for joy in my doorway, "Did you hear? Did you hear? We are having a goat at GO GREEN?!"

Even when you think it has been a normal day, things turn CRAZY :)
(It's really true....it was a goat!)

Handwriting

In class we have been talking about the importance of NEAT handwriting. While we are becoming a technological diverse world, it is important that students are still able to write legibly. Here is a website to help student practice print or cursive. :)

http://www.handwritingworksheets.com/

The Book Is In..........

The Sun of Neptune is here! Be the first to check it out. :)

No Math Homework Tonight!

Study! Study! Study for grammar. See websites on previous post for extra practice. :)

Commas

Commas are important! So far we have learned:
1.) Commas to combine 2 or more complete thoughts. (Comma and a conjunction)
EX: Mrs. Clark loves to shop on the weekends, so she visits Katy Mills mall.

2.) Comma in letters.
EX:
Dear Mrs. Clark,
Your friend,
Sally

3.) Comma in a series.
Use a comma to seperate 3 or more in a list.
EX: Mrs Clark loves to shop, eat junk food with her friends, and read novels.

Tonights Homework Has Changed!!!!!!!

1.) Create a word problem.
2.) Solve using Part/Part/Total and TIPS.
3.) Draw arrays to represent multiplication problems.
4.) Explain what it means on number 3 to have leftovers.

1. 38 x 2 =
2. 9 x 5 =
3. 25/3 = 
4. 18/6=

This week...

Reading- We are reviewing inference this week. As readers, we use evidence from the text and our own experiences to make inferences. The students will make inferences and support them with evidence. There will be a graded inference assignment on Wednesday. On Friday, we will take a test on what we’ve learned on text features, summary, and inferring.

Writing- We have written our stories, dived deeper, and stretched our sentences. It is now time to do our final revision and editing. The students will conference with the teacher this week, revise, edit, and publish their important person or important place narrative.

Math – Students will continue to represent multiplication and division situations in picture, word, and number form.  Ask your child to show you “Circles & Stars” and “Candy Boxes.” Reflex math is a good way to practice this skill.

Science – Students will continue to identify the roles of organisms in a system, identify characteristics that allow species to survive, and identify the Sun as a major source of energy. They will also represent the natural world using models and identify their limitations.

Social Studies –Students will continue to study the causes and effects European explorers had on the land and natives of Texas. This week we will focus on Coronado and Onate.