iPad Update

Last week, Mr. Greninger's iPads were removed from the classroom for an update and general repair. His were returned this morning, and Ms. Leom's iPads were removed for their turn.

We are using this opportunity to return to our learning and routine from earlier in the year, when we were using our editing and proofreading marks. We reviewed the types of sentence, subjects and predicates, and more. It is always interesting to see what students remember!

Here is an image from the work we did for each class. Sometimes, the teacher reflecting on the day wonders how similar or different the learning is between two classes. I think it is more alike most days, with the opportunities to build on the the individual gifts of students in each room. I like how students in both answers could generate the answers for their learning and how they closely compare ("compare" being our new reading strategy).

Compare and Contrast

We started our new reading strategy today, Compare and Contrast. We started by looking at pictures of houses and recording a list of things that were the same and different about the houses.

Ms. Leom's Class's Discussion and Learning

Mr. Greninger's Class's Discussion and Learning

Then we worked to develop some strategies we used to compare and contrast. Tomorrow, we will be reading an article, "Mercury", and applying the skill to our reading.

This is part of the standard (written in student friendly terms), "I can read using a variety of strategies."

Best Laid Plans

I had the best lesson plans!! Students in both classes are working on Southeast state projects on the iPads. We are researching and using Keynote. Students are working with partners, based on the states they picked. We should be wrapping up next week ... 

As it happens with all good plans and true intentions, outside events add to the learning journey. Our iPads are overdue for an update. Mr. Greninger's iPads were sent in on Thursday. Ms. Leom's iPads are scheduled for next Monday. In my mind, I wasn't worried. Mr. Greninger's class would just use Ms. Leom's iPads, and the learning would continue ... Until I realized that the work was stored on THE iPad students were using. New plan necessary and five minutes to make it happen smoothly. 

This is why I like to be prepared!! Our next region of study will be the Midwedt. The copies arrived. I didn't want to start the learning, because some fourth graders are working on their organization and keeping track of their materials. I like when my students are best prepared for success! 

So Mr. Greninger's homeroom and I introduced the Midwest states and capitals. It was fun to see how prepared several students were. No grades or documentation were collected. Our first lesson is to give students the opportunity to see what they know and need to know with a pretest. After going through the answers and sharing some memory conversations ("Why does Kansas have Topeka for a capital when it is one of the latest states and a "PEAK", now pronounced TO-PEAK-a, indicates a high area?)

Then we pulled out puzzles. (I love Target's dollar section!! I also love how Mr. Leom is an educator too, and we rarely question our personal investments in our students' learning and classrooms!!) what better way to learn that physically hold up the shape of each state and place it with purpose?! 

Next week, when Ms. Leom's class will have their iPads in for the update, they will also have an opportunity to learn using the puzzles. That is the new plan!

A Kiss

Ms. Leom gave her homeroom students a Kiss today.

She was SO PROUD of their hard work and efforts this week on their MAP Reading and Math tests! She said it was to "kiss your brain" (but didn't think parents would appreciate an actual kiss on the top of each student's head).

Keep participating, working hard, and doing your best work! It matters!

Dr. King

Mr. Greg Anderson is a retired teacher who is substituting for one of the sixth grade teachers this week. He brought his treasured tradition, "A Bus Ride", a play he put on for years.

He had room for one fourth grade class to attend. Mrs. Arens was the first to volunteer. She won ... until her son got sick and she was called home unexpectantly ... There were several changes to her plan for the day, so she needed another class to go!

Yeah us!! Mr. Greninger's students were in my room for that hour, so we went to the play! It was great!! Mr. Anderson introduced us to important new vocabulary and gave us some historical background.

The "famed" bus riders ...

Then there was a choral reading of Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech with individual speakers ...

We are so thankful we could attend. Ms. Leom only wishes both her classes could participate!

Give a Hand

I taught a lesson at After-School tutoring, and it made me go ... "Hmmm ... ALL of my students could benefit from this!" So give "a hand" to a new tool to help students be successful.

We traced and cut out our hands. Then we labeled each figure to represent a part of a summary. On the back, we wrote the frame for a second strategy of a summary.

Students are expected to write two SUMMARY sentences every day on their Weekly Reading Logs. Now students have a hand in the back of their planners when they feel stuck.

B-I-N-G-O!

We had the fourth grade BINGO Reward today. Students who were caught up with their Second Quarter learning were invited to play Bingo in the Elementary Small Gym.

Listening to the details

Coupons for rewards

Getting started

Listening carefully

Sitting with friends

So hopeful

What was that one?

Mr. Lyon and Mr. Greg Anderson (substitute) call out the game

Our first winner!

students could change cards between games

 A fun way to spend a winter afternoon!

Students who did not make the reward worked in Mr. Greninger's classroom. He was available to help students with their missing work and provided a quiet, supportive place to complete missing learning before the end of the quarter. We are limited in the additional work time we can provide students. Mr. Greninger offers Homework Club on Tuesday and Thursday mornings before school. We are available several days during Recess; although, Mr. Greninger and Ms. Leom try to limit it to the first half of Recess, because we know the value of students needing time to run, play, and be kids. Reward days are one way we can be accessible and support students who need the help and aren't able to complete work at home, attend Homework Club, or make use of other opportunities in the school day. We want all of our students to be successful!