Swimming

There was some "technical difficulty" with our plan to swim last week ... (someone was sick IN the pool ... it took several days for the pool to be safe for swimming ... then the pool schedule and our schedule had to align ...) and finally we made it!

I love how we plan rewards for EVERY student to participate. We went swimming today to reward students for their efforts to learn all year long and their hard work as we finish up our testing season. Assessments can be a stressful time for fourth graders, and we recognize the anxiety. Swimming was the recognition and time to "just be" ... the time to talk, to laugh, and to spend time with friends. Playing is its own reward and an important part of growing and learning. We are so thankful to be part of the Milaca School District and staff that works to share facilities and make sure we are doing the best for ALL of our students!

Outside

After MAP Testing this week, we just NEEDED to get outside. The sun was shining. The fresh air was calling, and we showed up.

TOY

Education is filled with an alphabet soup of acronyms. There are MCAs, MAP Tests, IEPs, ALP, AIP, and many, MANY more.

TOY stands for Teacher Of the Year. At Milaca, we have an elementary and a high school staff recognition. This year, I am thrilled to have two teachers who I call friends achieve this recognition. Mr. Taylor is a high school Social Studies teacher, and Mrs. Marxhausen, a former fourth grade teammate, now teaching sixth grade.

We also celebrate the extended staff who were nominated.

"Well played", my friends!

Tall Tale Turn and Talk

We had a Tall Tall Turn and Talk on Monday morning. Students of 2016 need opportunities to talk and share what they know. The expectations have to be clear and the time monitored to keep most of the group on topic. Students were invited to use their books for text context clues to spark their ideas or support their thinking.

Turning and Talking was a helpful strategy in student engaged learning and recalling the features of a Tall Tale. 

Phy-Ed

Ms. Leom had her class for Phy-Ed on Friday afternoon. Since it was the first beautiful day after a week of clouds and rain, we went for a run. Really.

Ms. Leom ran seven miles before school, so a run around the school wearing jeans seemed doable. We walked around corners for safety and to make sure all our students were together.

What a great time to spend together!! We ended with some free play on our playground. Phy-Ed - Leom style.

We will be excited to welcome Ms. Elness's return! ;)

Tall Tales

We Our current genre study is Tall Tales. We are reading about Febold Feboldsom, Mighty Joe Magarac, and Casey Jones. We reread independently and with partners. Then as a class, we are using context clues to understand the figurative language often used.

April 29th and our serious learning continues ... no Tall Tales about it!