Sunday, April 22, 2012

4/23 - 4/27

I hope everyone had a great weekend! We are looking forward to a terrific week!

This week, we will be learning:

Reading: Spelling numbers, starting a novel study by Andrew Clements
Math: Fractions (Equivalent, Comparing)
SS: SE Suitcase Project
Writing: Finish Acrostic Poems, Concrete Poems

Reminder: No School on Friday! Staff Development Day

Field Trip
Field Trip letters went home on Friday. We will be traveling to Arabia Steamboat Museumand WyandotteCounty Parkon Friday, May 18. The cost is $5.25 per child. I am in need of 3-4 parents to attend the fieldtrip. Each parent will assist a small group of students throughout the day. We will depart school at 8:30 A.M. and return no later than 2:30 P.M. Unfortunately, there is little room on the bus, so we are asking that parents carpool, and follow the bus. This can be coordinated among those parents driving. Adults will be responsible for covering their own admission which is $12.50 (to be paid at the museum).
Please let me know if you are interested in being of assistance on this awesome field trip.

Earth Day Celebration
This Monday, we will be honoring Earth Day! All 4th grade classes will be switching and going to different stations to learn more about our Earth. Here's a look at what we'll be doing:

#1           Sunflower Power: Master Gardener's, Ms. Caplinger, Ms. Darlene
·         This station will be run by a member of the Master Gardener program in Leavenworth Co.  They will have the seeds and soil for this project and something to plant them in. We will provide the cups to carry plants home, tubs to carry them back to classrooms, spoons for measuring, water container and water for the plants.  Teachers will be there to assist in the planting and any discussion you would like to input for this station in regards to planting importance, needs of plants, and control of the station. I have all the supplies in my room and they will be placed on the picnic tables outside of the staff restrooms. 

#2           Rescuing Resources: Mrs. Evans       

·         Renewable/Nonrenewable resources in our environment. Discussion game of placing the resources in categories. Brainpop video on natural resources  and the importance of conserving them for the future.  

#3           What is Water?: Cheryl & Gary Rader, Mrs. Munsterman                      
·         Water Jeopardy game that will be run by Cheryl and Gary Rader. They have everything for this activity. If you get time to review the vocab I e-mailed you last week, it would help the kids do better on the game.

#4           We’ve Got the Power!: Brenda Taxeras, Ms. Sheeley, Ms. Sarah       
·         Brenda Taxeras of K-State Extension and Research will present on power sources of the future. She will be bringing wind turbines and solar panels for the kids to see how nature’s energy turns to power. This station will be outside the west green hall doors. She will need the long table in my room and the students will have to sit on the sidewalk. In the event of rain, this will move into Ms. Caplinger's room.

#5           Mr. Grass Head: Mrs. Beahan, Mrs. Doyle                
·         Mrs. Beahan & Mrs. Doyle will be doing an activity on erosion prevention and planting.  The student council has given us funds to purchase the supplies for this project.

#6           The Three R’s: Sara Conrad, Mrs. Lynn                               
·         Sara Conrad will talk about the recycle program in Lansing and our school. She will reinforce the importance of recycling, reducing, and reusing items. By doing this we can all make a difference in the future of our earth. She will do a trash sorting game with the students and she has all the supplies needed.

#7           Pop Your Brain!: Ms. Rosenthal                      
·         Have students discuss with a partner for 2 minutes what things we do to protect the environment. Make a list or have students write down things.  Show the Brainpop video about the environment. http://www.brainpop.com/science/ourfragileenvironment/humansandtheenvironment/preview.weml    (7min) There is a book about the environment to read to the class and have them discuss the things they forgot to mention in the earlier discussion.  

#8           Turn It Off!!!: Jana Stanfford, Mrs. Lamar                                
·         Jana Stafford from the LanDel Water Department will talk about water and not wasting it in our daily lives. She will do a demonstration on this with the students. She will need a table or a desk for this.

Sunday, April 15, 2012

4/16 - 4/20

Wow! What a week we had at LES. I'm sorry I forgot to update this past week. With math state assessments, I completely forgot. Thanks for being so understanding!

We are OFFICIALLY finished with state assessments! I am so very proud of our 4th graders. They worked so hard and I am very pleased to say that we did an AWESOME job!!! Truly, I cannot be more happy with the progress our students made this year. I am very proud to claim them as my own - especially my very 1st class! WOOHOO!

Our reading pizza & movie party was a lot of fun. The students have earned an "electronic" party this Friday for their math performance. I will be giving more information about that this week as to what can be brought to school.

With testing complete, we can move along. Here's what we've been up to and what we will be doing this next week:

Reading: Figurative Language & Poetry
Math: Fractions - Equivalent, Comparing, etc.
SS: Northeast states, U.S. Regions Group Project
Writing: Poetry - Creature poems, Acrostic, Concrete

The Egg Drop Experiements were phenomenal! The students all brought creative contraptions to school. A total of 14 out of 23 eggs survived! Very impressive!

Our final field trip is coming up! I will be sending home permission slips and information about our field trip on May 18th. Until then, I'm going to keep it a surprise! :)

Monday, April 2, 2012

4/2 - 4/6

Hello Everyone!

It's that time again ... State Assessments. Please bare with us as we try our hardest this week! We have worked so hard this year and are ready to show off our skills!!!

Reading: State Assessments, Poetry
Math: Review topics for State Assessment
SS: Northeast Region - States project with a partner
Writing: Quiz Bowl - Final Week! :)

**Due to Reading State Assessment, there will be NO SPELLING THIS WEEK.

**Report cards went home last Friday (March 30th). Please be sure to review the report and comments. Send back the yellow slip of paper to verify you have seen this!

Sunday, March 25, 2012

3/26 - 3/30

Hope everyone had a refreshing spring break!

This week will be very busy ...

Reading: Review for State Assessment
Math: Review for State Assessment
SS: U.S. Regions
Writing: Quiz Bowl

With State Assessments right around the corner (NEXT WEEK), please be sure to talk with your child about the importance of doing your best! They did AMAZING on the science assessment and I know they will be GREAT on the reading/math!

Thursday, March 15, 2012

:)

Exciting News!
Excited students and teachers are in a buzz around the school this spring. With a lot of extra time filling out grants for technology support in our school, Mrs. Kelly and Mr. Newton were able to accomplish this excitement for us.  We are so excited to have three class sets of IPods that will be used in the classrooms at each grade level 3rd, 4th, and 5th. Each grade level has a set to share and will rotate them around to each teacher so that every student will get the opportunity to use them each week two to three times. We have support applications that will enhance our curriculum, teach technology skills, and be a fun way to learn skills in all areas.
We are so fortunate to have this opportunity and wonderful administration that support new technology in our school.  When you come by the school sometime please take a moment to thank Mrs. Kelly, Mr. Newton, and the teachers for giving so much time and effort to your child’s education in Lansing Elementary. Lansing students and teachers are very fortunate to be cared about so much!

Science State Assessment

The kids did AWESOME! The preliminary scores are amazing and I couldn't be any prouder of our 4th grade class! I will share the scores with individuals as soon as I can.


Have a wonderful spring break!

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

3/12 - 3/16

Sorry this is a bit late. We are having a BUSY week!

Science State Assessment is this week! CRAZY! It is this Tuesday & Wednesday! We talked about the importance of getting a good night of sleep and eating breakfast. We will be having snack/breakfast before the test, and any child that doesn't bring a snack will be given the choice of pretzels.

This week we will be learning:

Reading: Figurative Language (using idioms, metaphors, similes, personification, hyperbole), reading The Bunyons
Math: Basic Fractions, Factors, Prime & Composite Numbers
Science: State Assessments
Writing: Quiz Bowl

**Dr. Seuss Timeline is due Wednesday, March 14th! Guidelines were sent home last Friday.

We are looking forward to Spring Break! Only a couple of days away!

Monday, March 5, 2012

3/5 - 3/9

Here's what we will be learning about this week:

Reading: Main Idea & Detail - Our story is about the Grand Canyon. This goes great with our science topic!
Math: Finishing up Measurement, Test on Friday!
Science: Rocks & Minerals, Electricity/Magnetism
Writing: Quiz Bowl

State Assessments are approaching!
Science: March 13th & 14th
Reading: April 2nd - 5th
Math: April 9th - 13th


**Please DO NOT schedule appointments on these dates. Also, make sure that your child gets plenty of rest. These tests are not easy, so they need all of their energy!! Thank you for all of your support as we gear up for state assessments!  


Our Fieldtrip is this Thursday! We will be seeing The Lorax at the Legends KC! Please send your child with a sack lunch!

About Me

My photo
I have always known that my career would involve working with children. I volunteered and worked with a summer camp in Derby, KS for eight summers, to which I owe my games and song collection that are popularly used in the classroom. I am an alumna of the sorority Alpha Gamma Delta and the University of Kansas. I have been happily married for over two years to my best friend, Eric. Together, we share a three year old beagle, Ellie May. I enjoy reading, playing board games, and watching Grey’s Anatomy. I am so grateful to do what I love everyday. I cannot wait to teach this new group of 4th graders!