Thursday December 18th

 We're so close to the holiday break!  History has taught me that tomorrow is usually a chaotic day, especially with it be an early dismissal (finished at 2:10pm). So just in case I don't get to it tomorrow...Happy Holiday's to everyone this break.  I hope everyone has safe and enjoyable break.  I'm looking forward to seeing everyone again in January!

As for today:

Period 1 -Red light, read aloud, reader's workshop....we've been working on figurative language (Similes and Idioms) and we'll try making our own ridiculous Similes with the Simile Machine I created...should be good for some serious laughs.

Period 2 I'm hoping to get to the 'time bingo' game we never got around to yesterday.

Period 3 we'll stay outside for a little bit (Weather Permitting) and when we come in Mrs. River's Grade 5 class should be performing their own reader's theatres for us.

Period 4 is Music with Mrs. Haynes.

Period 5 we have a Holiday Craft we need to work on.  

Period 6 I have a few questions I need to go over the class with about the language of time (quarter to and quarter after) then I'll give them some free time.   

Wednesday December 17th

 Here is the plan for today:

Period 1 - Red light, read aloud, reader's workshop-we'll read a story, looking for idioms...and deciphering what exactly they mean.

Period 2 -Writer's workshop - we'll be looking at our writing and trying to use some figurative language (e.g., Similes or Idioms).

Period 3 -Math - a game of 'time bingo' and an elapsed time worksheet.

Period 4 -music with Mrs. Haynes.

Period 5 -we'll finish the Polar Express movie

Period 6 -I'm going to try knowledgehook again...then they'll have some free time.

Tuesday December 16th

 Happy Tuesday...

Here is the plan for today:

Period 1 - Red light, read aloud, wordle, and we'll explore idioms.

Period 2 -Mr. Woolley for French.

Period 3 -Maybe outside?  Maybe not if it's still blacktop?  The field is apparently too icy.  Time Bingo when we come in.

Period 4 -finish invitations/ more time work on Blooket.

Period 5 and 6 - Head to the library for the Grade 2 'country parade'.  Then when we come back we'll do some idiom inspired art...and maybe chill out to some Polar Express.

Monday December 15th

 Period 1 - red light, weekend round up, read aloud

Period 2 -we made up our own ridiculous similes (Mr. Cross' smile was as light as a feather).

Period 3 -we'll stay outside for 10 extra minutes then come in and do some more 'time' work.

Period 4 -we'll work on our party invitations, to calculate elapsed time.

Period 5 is gym.

Period 6 we'll have some free unplugged time and discuss Friday's comfy, cozy day.

Friday December 12th

 Here is plan for today:

Period 1 - Red light, read aloud, and an very fun fluency and expression activity that required us spinning the big wheel.

Period 2 we'll do some 'Simile' work...we will be Simile masters by the end of today.

Period 3 we'll play math/time bingo!

Period 4 we're going to use the chromebooks to design our own 'party invitations'.  The kids will be calculating elapsed time when designing their invitations (e.g., play laser tag from 2pm to 3pm = 1 hour)

Period 5 I have a STEM challenge for them that will test their knowledge of compression and tension in a fun way...making paper bridges...

Period 6 is gym with Mr. D.

Thursday December 11th

 Here is the plan for today:

Period 1-Red light, read aloud, reader's workshop...mini lesson on decoding similes.

Period 2-Writer's workshop, mini lesson on using similes in our writing.

Period 3-I'm hoping we can get outside to play in that snow today?

Period 4-Music with Mrs Haynes.

Period 5-We're going to do a quick experiment to find out why circular shapes are best to use for when working against compression.

Period 6-I have a bit of work to do on elapsed time...after that I'm hoping they can enjoy some free time. 

Wednesday December 10th

 Happy Snowy Wednesday.

Here is the plan for today:

Period 1-Red light, read aloud, and reader's theatre performances.

Period 2 -we'll do some quick work on syllables and predictions.

Period 3 -we'll have to go outside and play in the amazing snow.

Period 4 -is music with Mrs. Haynes.

Period 5 -We'll head to the gym for the matinee performance of the 'arts showcase'...we'll see some of our classmates that are performing in the choir.

Period 6 -It's unclear how long the performance will take, but we'll spend the remaining time doing some unplugged free time.

Tuesday December 9th

 Here is the plan for today:

Period 1 -Red light, Read aloud, finish reader's theatre scripts...and I think there might be some performances...I also have a self reflection sheet to go along with this activity.

Period 2 is French with Mr. Woolley.

Period 3 we'll head outside and possibly play in the snow?

Period 4 we'll do some more math, reading analogue clocks.  Today we'll focus on the language of time (20 past 3...quarter to 4)...I noticed some kids having difficulty with this concept yesterday.

Period 5 and 6 we'll review what a structure is (has a shape, purpose and carries a load)...then they'll be challenged to design their own structures (either a home for an animal, or a tall bell tower) and see if they can make them stable (hopefully they'll but some triangles in there).  If there is time at the end of the day, maybe some free time?

Monday December 8th

 Here is what we did today:

Period 1 -Red light, Weekend Round Up, and Read aloud (really sad part of The One and Only Ivan).

Period 2 - we worked on our scripts and some groups even got to rehearse a little.

Period 3 -we stayed outside

Period 4 -we did a time scavenger hunt around the school....our Aldershot high school volunteer, Will, did an amazing job hiding some of the clocks.

Period 5 -We had gym with Mr. D.

Period 6 -was some hard work on Knowledgehook.  And then some free time to celebrate our hard work.

Friday December 5th

 Here is the plan for today:

Period 1- Red light, read aloud, and then we're actually going to attempt to write (and perform) our own 'Reader's Theatre'.

Period 2 -We'll head to the library for book exchange, and possible reader's theatre practice.

Period 3 -we'll play out in the snow for a bit...then come in and hopefully continue some math work (telling time to the nearest 5 minutes).

Period 4 -we'll use prodigy to practice our skills.

Period 5 -I have a continuous contour line art challenge.  

Period 6 -off to gym with Mr. D.  

I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend.

Thursday December 4th

 I am unfortunately not there today...I'm with my son at an appointment most of the day.  I'll be back tomorrow.  Mrs. Wilson (retired Glenview teacher) is in for me...so I know the kids will have lots of fun.

Wednesday December 3rd

 Here is the plan for today:

Period 1-Red light, read aloud, reader's workshop: mini lesson focusing on good readers not just reading the words but reading the voices.

Period 2 is writer's workshop.  We'll do another lesson on showing, not telling. (e.g., Mr. Cross was tired vs. "I can barely keep my eyes open", whispered Mr. Cross ).

Period 3 we'll probably stay out most of the period, snow = fun.

Period 4 is music with Mrs. Haynes.

Period 5 and 6 is art.  We're going to combine a little science into our art.  We'll start by creating some sculptures out of plastercine and toothpicks and string...we'll attempt both natural and man made structures.  Then we're going to try sketching our own on some paper. 

Tuesday December 2nd

 Here is the plan for today:

Period 1 -Red light, read aloud, finish up Winn Dixie movie posters.

Period 2 -French, with Mr. Woolley.

Period 3 and 4 -Outside for some more snow fun, come inside and we really focus on Pattern Rules...I have a partner activity for them to do.  Once done, they can consolidate their knowledge of pattern rules by answering a couple of questions on prodigy.  

Period 5 and 6 we'll quickly do the 'interdependence' final lesson I've been meaning to do for days now, then we'll start our next unit in science...strong and stable structures... we'll learn about natural vs manmade structures and what exactly a structure is.

Monday December 1st

 December already??? Time flies.

Period 1: Red light, Desk Swap, Weekend Round Up, Read aloud

Period 2: Work on our Because of Winn Dixie movie posters.

Period 3: We'll stay outside for a bit, when we come in we'll be doing small group, growing pattern work.

Period 4 we might revisit knowledgehook again....gulp.

Period 5 Mr. D has them for gym.

Period 6 We'll talk about 'interdependence' between Urban, Rural and Suburban communities.