Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Protractors Tomorrow

Yes, if your child has not brought a protractor to school as of yet, they will need to do so by tomorrow for Math as we are starting to draw & measure angles of different measurements.
Today, we added & subtracted decimals via white boards and a game & had a great decimal review again and I think these kids have this concept down.  Have them add 67.85 + 23.6 in the planner for free money.  Speaking of free money, we are at the end of the quarter so we will be spending our fake money on Thursday at Mrs. Hankins' store and then starting out with new money after the Easter Break.
Today they had a guest teacher in Music and earned a compliment.  That is great and I am proud of them.
Picture envelopes or packets-please as soon as you get a chance to look at them and make a decision.
Today is the end of the quarter so the last day for 3rd quarter grades is today.
Tomorrow is a new, fresh start.  Let's finish the year strong, Team Hankins.
Have a great night.

Monday, March 30, 2015

Spring Pictures Went Home Today

Yes, Spring Picture packets went home today.  These are the ones where you need to return them if you are not purchasing them.  If you are purchasing them, you need to send the money in the envelope.  You may purchase only part of the package too so then you need to bring the money and any unpurchased pictures back.  Please try to do this ASAP to avoid losing them.  Thank you.  Free money will be given when returned.
End of the quarter is tomorrow so if your child has been sick, it is very important that they try to get their make-up work in by tomorrow afternoon so that I can store the grades for this quarter.
Today, we did a fun special news report article in groups on Lewis & Clark.  Ask your child what character they were and what the article was about.  Write the name in the planner for free money.
Great whole group review on decimals/fractions today and everyone was very successful on their assignment.  Tomorrow we add & subtract fractions and then we are done.
Remember to have recorders here tomorrow.
Have a great night.

Friday, March 27, 2015

Enjoy the Weekend

What a great week we had.  It is amazing how much more fun it is to teach and be at work when you feel good.  This was a nasty bug and I am glad it is finally clearing up for all of us.  Let's hope everyone is well by Monday.
For buddies today, we took advantage of the beautiful weather and went out and did some sidewalk chalk practicing spelling words and doing math  problems.  Saw lots of creativity out there too.
Lead 21 finished Selection 2 of Unit 6 today with completing their story maps with problem, events, and solution.  Next week we are on to the next selection.
Just a reminder that on Thursday, April 2nd we have an Early Out with 12:00 dismissal and then No School on Friday or Monday, April 3rd & 6th.

Congratulations to Kaylee, our student of the week.  We found out she loves turquoise, recess, Monster High books & movies.
Have a great weekend and enjoy the weather.

Thursday, March 26, 2015

Happy Thursday

Not a lot to report today.  We started a new read-a-loud book titled:  Mick Harte Was Here.  Ask your child what it is going to be about and why I chose this book to read this time of year.  If they can tell you, write the title of the book in the planner.
In math today we compared & ordered decimals.  Quite a simple skill but have your child put these in order from least to greatest:  0.6  3.06    1.2   0.06.
Remember tomorrow is Library so get those books back.
Today in character counts meeting we had a great discussion about a "my" problems as well as an "our" problem.  Kids realized that sometimes they try to make things out of their control an "our" problem.
Remember spelling test tomorrow.
Have a great night.

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

WE Made It!!!

Yes, we made it back to St. Louis successfully with only losing one person on the expedition way back at the beginning that died of an appendicitis attack and Lewis who got shot in the thigh as he was exploring the Marias River.  So amazing considered all that they went through.  Ask your child where Pompey goes when he is only 2 years old.  IF they can tell you, write the answer in the planner.
Today, we worked hard in math on fractions, but some are still having difficulties writing the decimal for fractions who don't have a 10 or 100 as the denominator.  For example 4/5 =  __________.  They need to remember to make the denominator into a 10 or a 100.  Have them do this one in the planner writing both the fraction and the decimal.
Remember, tomorrow is PE-shoes needed.
SBAC test practice-we have been working hard on practicing for the SBAC tests which we will be starting on April 14th.  We will be taking the Math & Reading.  Please stress with them the importance of doing their best and putting forth a 100% effort.
Have a great night.

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Nutrition Fun

Yes, today we started a 6 week series of Nutrition classes with Mrs. Hanson. She is amazing and we learned so much from her already today.  Ask your child to tell you 3 amazing things you learned from her today and if they can tell you, write nutrition in the planner.  Check out her newsletter.  She is going to send them home weekly.
Today in Montana History, we got ready for our return trip from Fort Clatsop to St. Louis.  This trip will help explain why William Clark is the only one whose signature is visible evidence at Pompey's Pillar.
Today in math we started decimals and how decimals are equivalent to fractions.  For example have your child write the fraction & decimal for 55/100.
Protractors:  Yes, we will be needing protractors in math by next Monday, March 30th so please make sure your child has one.  They are fairly inexpensive at Wal Mart.  Make sure they are full size and not the mini ones.  Thank you.
Have a great night.

Friday, March 20, 2015

Great Job

Congratulations to all our Nova participants.  They did a great job and we are so proud of each and every one of you.
Just a reminder that there is No School on Monday, March 23rd.  Enjoy your 3 day weekend.
Remember recorders on Tuesday.
Have a nice weekend.

Thursday, March 19, 2015

Welcome Jakob!

Yes, we have  a new member to Team Hankins.  We would like to welcome Jakob.  He comes to us from Troy, MT.  I think Billings is a bit overwhelming as Troy is quite a small Montana town.
Today in Math, we worked hard on converting measurement.  We had to convert from larger to smaller and smaller to larger units by using either multiplication or division.  Have your child convert 6 ft. = ____inches.  8quarts = ______ gallons.   Do it in the planner for free money.
Today students had the HIV video in HE.  Ask them to tell you about it.
Today in Montana History, we finally reached Fort Clatsop & the Pacific Ocean where they are going to build their winter home.  Ask your child what they were able to get from the beached whale that was so valuable to them and also what they were able to get from the ocean since they had already used up all of what they brought with them.
Tomorrow is Library so get those library books back.
Have a good night.

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

I'm Back!!!

Yes, it feels good to be back and feeling better.  This is quite the bug and it is making its' rounds through this room and school.  If your child is miserable and running a fever, it is recommended that they stay home and get some rest and not come to school and spread it around.  Thank you.  We disinfected the room quite well this afternoon so let's hope this helps.  We did have 5 kids out again today.  Glad they didn't come just for the performance at ABT as most times kids don't want to miss those things.
Speaking of ABT-Junie B. Jones was a good performance based on three of her books:  Junie B. First Grader at Last,  Junie B. Boss of Lunch, and Junie B.One Man Band.  Ask your child about the performance and if they can tell you about what happens to Junie B., write Junie B. in the planner.
Have a good night.

Monday, March 16, 2015

No Post Today

Going home sick. :((((

Friday, March 13, 2015

Happy Friday

Picture Day today went great and we all brought our "beautiful" smiles.
Some of the upcoming happenings for the week:  Alberta Bair Field trip-if you haven't turned in your permission slip, please do so on Monday.
HIV/Aids HE  talk/video with Mrs. Buss on Thursday.  Health test on Monday.
Lead 21-we are going to do selection 4 of Unit 5.
Language-finishing up adverbs and moving into prepositions.
Spelling-Unit 27 word list.
Math-we have been practicing for our Spring SBAC tests and the kids may be telling you they are hard.  Unfortunately there is some material we haven't covered yet as it is only March so next week we are going to start doing some lessons on decimals, measuring angles, and the metric measurement.
Montana History-continuing with the expedition.  Today we got to the part where they had to portage around the Great Falls by walking 18 extra miles to go around them and it took about 3 weeks.
Have a great weekend.

Thursday, March 12, 2015

Alberta Bair Permission Slips Went Home Today

Yes, our field trip to Alberta Bair in on Wednesday, March 18 so please sign the permission slip and get them back to school ASAP.  Thank you.  Congratulations to Jenna, our Student of the Week.  She loves the color red, football, baseball, and pasta.  Her favorite subject in school is Math and after school she likes to ride dirt bikes & 4-wheelers.  When she grows up she wants to be a famous dirt bike rider.  The highlight of her sharing today was that we helped her name her Bobcat stuffed animal.  Ask what we named it and if they can tell you, write it in the planner. :)))  Hint:  It is a name that Mrs. Hankins came up with-HMMMM-I wonder where it came from?
Lead 21 kids have been working hard and are almost done with Unit 5.  After next week, we will be into Unit 6 which is another Science unit.
In Math, we continued with fractions-today we subtracted fractions with unlike denominators.
Another highlight of our day is Montana History and the Lewis & Clark Expedition.  Ask them some of the amazing facts we learned today and if they can tell you, write Sacajawea in the planner.
REMINDER:  Class/Spring Pictures tomorrow.  Bring those smiles!!!!  :)))))
Have a great night.

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Thank You to our Wonderful PTA

Today we enjoyed our Subway Lunch compliments of the PTA.  It was definitely worth all the reading we did!!!  Make sure to thank them.  We will be writing "thank you's" here in school tomorrow.
Recorder test-yes, they are having a recorder test today checking all the new notes they have learned.  They are sounding good and they have to play individually in front of everyone.
SRI scores-great news-most of the students went up quite a bit since we tested right after the holiday break so that is awesome.  All the students took it whether they are Lead 21, Read 180, or System 44.  Ask your child how they did and if they can tell you, write SRI in the planner for free money.
Today we learned a lot about the Lewis & Clark Expedition.  The Corps is now in Mandan, ND and ready to head West when the ice on the Missouri River melts.  Ask your child to tell you at least 5 things they have learned so far.  If they can tell you, write L&C in the planner.
Remember PE shoes tomorrow.
Also, picture day is on Friday, March 13th.
Have a great night.

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Proud Teacher Here!

Yes, way to go Team Hankins!!!  Mrs. Stott said yesterday went great.  Glad that "true character" shined through.
Today was another good day so we snuck in a little afternoon recess.  Enjoyed by all-now they all know that if they work hard and show respect to themselves & others throughout the day that there will be some "give & take" and a little fun as an added bonus.
As you know, the testing season has started.  Today, we practiced for the SBAC tests which won't start for us until April 14th, but now students know where to go so they can practice at home.  It is on the Bitterroot Learning Links at the very bottom.  They enter as a guest each time for practice.  This is an option for at home and we will do lots more practice here at school.
Tomorrow, my Lead 21 kids will take the SRI reading level test again to see how much growth they have made since January.  Some of the Read 180 kids have amazing scores.  So proud of them.  Let's hope we all shine and do our best.
Today in Math, we added fractions with unlike denominators where we had to find the least common denominator.  Multiples and/or count bys came in handy for this.  Have your child show you how to add 3/4 + 7/16 in the planner for free money.
Nova theater tryouts were last night and everyone made it so now they are on to practice each night until their performance March 20th.  Those proud of those involved.  What a great experience. :)
Silent Ball-Mrs. Neese's favorite game today.  Fun to  watch as it was totally silent with lots of strategy involved.
We had 4 people that didn't have recorders today so hopefully they show up tomorrow.  Can't play & perform without them.
Remember Subway Lunch tomorrow for winning the Read-A-Thon
Have a great night.

Friday, March 6, 2015

Congratulations to All

Yes, Congratulations to all the Read-A-Thon individual & class winners.  Team Hankins will receive a Subway lunch party on Wednesday, March 11th so students will not need lunch on that day.  Also, Izzy was our top reader in our class and Kassidee was the recipient of a new Tablet as her name was drawn for one of the 4 lucky winners of those.  Great job to all.
Monday there will be a guest teacher here so please once again remind your students of expectations.  True character shines when no one is watching.
New forms for Nova went home today.  If your child is interested, please have those signed & returned on Monday as this will be their ticket to try out for the production.  Tryouts are on Monday from 3:20-5:20.  I know a few of you turned them in already, but they want these turned in as they have an email contact on them.
Have a great weekend.


Thursday, March 5, 2015

Happy Terrific Thursday

We "rolled" into testing yesterday and got done with Sections 2 & 3 today so we are finished with our first go round of testing.  Thus we were able to enjoy a Tootsie Roll treat as we did Montana History today because everyone worked so hard and did their BEST -BEST!!
Tomorrow is going to be our assembly for the Read-A-Thon.  Team Hankins is going to be presented with a team prize and possibly some individual prizes as well.  I will let you know when our Subway Lunch is for winning our grade level division. :)))  I do know that it is sometime next week.
Tomorrow is Library so get those books back.
Also, tomorrow there will be a representative here at 10:00 from Nova to talk to the kids about the upcoming tryouts & production.  So if you have any questions you want your child to ask, please send them with them tomorrow.
Unit 25 spelling test tomorrow.  I know we didn't practice much here at school this week, but we will have it anyway.
Tonight's blog question:  What were some of the items Lewis & Clark took with them as they began their expedition.
Congratulations to Izzy, our student of the week.  We learned that she likes turquoise, Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, tennis & racquetball.  After school she likes to color or play with her dogs.  When she grows up she wants to be a teacher.  Thank you Izzy-we enjoyed hearing all about you and seeing the great  pics of your family.
Have a great night.

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Testing Encouragement Note

Yes, as students arrived today, they were welcomed on their desk by an encouraging note about testing.  Ask them what it said and if they can tell you, write testing in the planner.  HMMMM-I wonder what the treat will be????  Day 1 of testing is down with 2 to go.  Yes, there are three parts to this Science test so we will be doing one each day, Wed.-Fri.  So far they are looking good.
In Montana History, we are getting ready for the Lewis & Clark Expedition to begin.  As a review, ask your child who was president at this time, along with reasons he wanted this area explored now that it was purchased from France for $15 million.  Also, ask them another name this group of people go by.  If they can tell you all this, write L&C in the planner.
Remember PE shoes tomorrow.
PTA movie note went home today as well as Spring picture envelopes.  Also, going home was the slip about NOVA which is a group that comes and works with students in theater and then they will perform on March 20th.  Please read this note carefully and be aware of the time commitment that it is.  Hope to see lots of kids participate.
Also, Yearbook orders are being accepted until March 20th.
Lastly, I would like to Welcome our new student, Camden.  He is coming to us from Washington State.  He came yesterday and was so excited to come back today as his first day was Awesome according to him!!!  He is a great addition to Hankins' Team.
Have a great night.

Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Whoot-Whoot!!!

Congratulations to Team Hankins for winning the Read-A-Thon for the 3-4th grade level.  I am not sure of our total minutes yet, but we will find out at the Awards Assembly on Friday afternoon.  Way to go.  Make sure you keep up the nightly reading even though the read-a-thon is over.  Students that had received prizes in their envelopes were given them today so ask them for them so you can go out and enjoy them.
YAM presentation-Jane, a docent from the Yellowstone Art Museum was here this afternoon sharing many different artists' work talking about brush strokes, color, technique, mood, etc.  Ask your child which was their favorite and write it in the planner for free money.
Biographies are complete-yes, we finished sharing &  presenting today and I have to say they were awesome.  They are on display in the hallway so if you get a chance to come and check them out, do so.
Tomorrow we begin our Science Mont-Cas testing.  We will test on Thursday as well.  Students are able to bring gum if they choose.  Also make sure they bring a healthy snack, have a healthy breakfast, and also a good night's rest.  They are going to have a fun little note on their desk tomorrow that will be followed by a fun treat on Thursday when we are done.   "HMMMM-I wonder what it will be?"
Have a great night.














Monday, March 2, 2015

Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!

Yes, today is his birthday so everyone in the school engaged in DEAR (Drop Everything And Read) for about 15 min. this morning.  What is your favorite Dr. Seuss book as a parent?  Write it in the planner for free money.  :).
We shared about 6 biographies today and they were AWESOME!!!  Great job-I can't wait to see & hear the rest tomorrow.  Pics of each will be attached tomorrow.
Read-A-Thon-It is complete and I think we finished strong.  Didn't get the results of the weekend minutes yet, but I am sure we will tomorrow.
We started Montana History again today with the idea of Manifest Destiny & Thomas Jefferson being instrumental in purchasing some land from France.  Ask your child what that was called and why we wanted it.  If they can tell you, write it in the planner for free money.
Weather change tomorrow-please dress for the weather.
Also, tomorrow is Music so get those recorders here.
Have a great night.