Mrs.Hankins's Blog for the 2011-2012 School Year-DREAM--BELIEVE--ACHIEVE

Check Out the Monster Valentines

2012-02-13T14:01:00.000-08:00

Wow-what creativity and fun! Those monster bags were fun. Enjoy the Smileboxes. There are 2 because the designs I liked the most don't take 26 pictures.
Speaking of Valentines. Tomorrow is the party so that means that each committee that was supposed to bring food, decorations, or games need to have them here tomorrow. Also, remember to bring your valentines.
The desks are arranged in a heart and ready for a fun day. The decoration committee will be having lunch in the room with me and decorating.
In Math today we found averages or the mean. If your child can tell you how to do it, write averages in the planner. We also learned about adding fractions with like denominators.
READ-A-THON: We don't have the final minute totals yet, but I know Team Hankins did AWESOME!! The one thing about the READ-A-Thon that I was not real clear on is the fact that they wanted kids to get reading sponsors. It was not real clear so I didn't push the fact, but they were wanting some donations to help pay for all the prizes they got. Anyway, if you would like to donate whatever that would be great and if not, that is totally fine too. Whatever works. Thank you and have a great night.

2012-02-13T13:59:00.001-08:00

Another greeting by Smilebox

2012-02-13T13:50:00.001-08:00

Another photo album by Smilebox

Edible Science

2012-02-10T13:44:00.000-08:00

Edible Science-Gotta Love it!
Today in Science with both 4th grades we continued our study of plate tectonics and the boundaries.
Using graham crackers and frosting, students were able to see all 3 kinds in action. Then the best part of all, we got to EAT IT!!
If they can tell you how volcanoes are created and what kind of boundary it is, write volcano in the planner.

Celebration: Today we played Gauntlet Dodge Ball for our celebration fun. They got a good work out and I got to see them in a different environment. They definitely are an active, competitive bunch. But, the good thing is-I did see and hear some good sportsmanship, but next time we will even work harder on that. We ended it with getting a nice cold Pepsi! We are now working toward our next celebration of 100 points.
Reminder: Valentine Monster Bags are due on Monday for sharing.
Also READ-A-THON Reading envelopes are due for the last time on Monday. Tonight (Friday) is the last night. We are now at
12,220 minutes. Let's finish strong Team Hankins.
In Math, we had a practice test over some review and some new concepts. I am so proud of the kids as they did awesome.
We had our group counseling session today with Mrs. Micheletti. She is taking over for Mrs. Salazar now that she is at home being MOM. Mrs. Micheletti is wonderful and we are looking forward to getting to know her and work with her.
Remember recorders for Monday.
Also, just a reminder for the food and decorations committees for our Valentine's Party to remember your food and decorations for Tuesday.
Have a great weekend and stay warm.

Busy Day!

2012-02-09T13:38:00.000-08:00

Today in Science, we continued talking about the earth and today we focused on Plate Tectonics and learned about the 3 kinds of boundaries; transform, convergent, and divergent and how each one is different as they create volcanoes, earthquakes, mountains, and trenches. Ask them about the San Andreas Fault in California and what kind of boundary it is and what is slowly happening to Los Angeles. If they can tell you, write boundary in the planner.
In Math today, we compared mixed numbers. This concept was quite easy and fun for them. What we have left to do with fractions is adding & subtracting them which we will start next week. Tomorrow will be a review-quiz day.
Today in Morning Meeting, we focused on "feelings" which they write about these everyday. But today we dug deeper and talked about what Rusty says every morning-feelings-they come and they go. We compared ourselves to a robot and how they don't have feelings and instead of a brain, they have a computer chip and instead of a heart they have batteries. We also talked about how you can have many feelings in a day and that is ok and it is important to have more than one feeling. We compared it to having a pizza with just the crust and not being able to put anything on it. How boring that is-just like how boring it would be to walk around everyday, all day being happy or mad. The importance of this is to realize that feelings are important.
Read-A-Thon Readers: We are at 10,970 minutes. WOW-that is AWESOME. Students have just tonight and tomorrow left so let's keep it up Team Hankins.
Tomorrow we are going to have 40 minutes of exercise and fun in the gym playing Gauntlet for our 75 point celebration. It is a fun version of dodgeball. We are now on our way to trying to earn 100!!
PTA Meeting tonight at 6:00-7:00.
Library books for tomorrow.
Have a great night.

One Big Continent

2012-02-08T14:42:00.001-08:00

Today in Science, we found out that Earth was once a large continent called pangaea millions & millions of years ago. Then over the years it started to shift and split apart into the continents we have now. It is all like a puzzle piece. What was fun today is that the kids had to cut out all the continents and piece them together as if it was one big continent. This took some persistence along with knowing where the continents are today. Another thing that helped was the phrase "the animals on the map will be your friend". If your child can tell you how that is so, write pangaea in the planner. Hint: It has to do with fossils.
Now we are going to move into talking about plate tectonics and learning about faults and the different kinds of fault boundaries.
Great job on the 3-D models. We had some fun creative ones.
Today in math, we worked more on fractions. I bet your child can explain it much better to you today.
READ-A-THON READERS! We are up to 9600 minutes-that is AWESOME!! See why I believe in these kids.
Tomorrow is PE so bring the shoes.
Speaking of being prepared for specialists-I was disappointed in 5 students today as they didn't have their music practice book page done for Mr. Goodheart. This is a big part of their music grade this quarter. So please talk to your child about if they were one of them or not.
Valentine bags went home tonight with a monster valentine writing project. The sky is the limit on the creativity for these. They will be due here at school on Monday so they can share before we start filling them up with valentines on Tuesday.
Today the committees met and planned food, games, and decorations. Your child wrote in their planner what they need to bring.
Have a great night.

Happy Tuesday!!

2012-02-07T13:29:00.000-08:00

Today, we did our Science Lab with the eggs for those that had them. We talked about Pangea and how the continents were at one time one big piece of land and how over time, they have shifted and moved apart creating the 7 continents. Students drew the contininents and oceans on them before we opened them and discussed the layers. Students are to bring in a 3-D model of the earth's layers other than an egg as a review of them so look in your refrig or in toy box and see what you can come up with. Tomorrow we are going to go into depth talking about plate tectonics and do another fun little activity showing how the shifting happens.
Valentine Committees have been formed. Ask your child what they signed up for today. They will have time tomorrow to meet and discuss what they are going to bring. Also, tomorrow they will get their bags that they will use for their valentines. There is a writing project to go with it along with them writing about a valentine monster and then decorating their bag to portray that monster.
Today in Math we talked about mixed & improper fractions. Have your child show you how to change a mixed to an improper and an improper to a mixed. If they can, write M & I in the planner.
Today we did 2 constructed responses in preparation for testing. We did one in math which they have in their mail and my reading kids did one, but I didn't check it yet.
RECORDERS FOR MUSIC TOMORROW.
READ-A-THON READING: We are at 8171 minutes-just our class. That is so AWESOME so keep it up!! We have through Friday. As a school, we reached 50,000 already so now Mr. Senitte is challenging us to 10,000 and if we do as a school, each classroom will get extra activity time in the gym. Let's go Bitterroot.
Have a great night and let's hope it quits snowing. Be careful out there.

Hard-Boiled Egg Needed

2012-02-06T16:54:00.000-08:00

We had a great day today and I just got back from my workout and it is SNOWING!! I bet the debaters who like snow are happy! Let's just hope it doesn't over-do it like last time.
We started a new Science Unit today on Earth, Plate Tectonics, and Volcanoes. If your child can tell you the layers of the earth, write Earth in the planner. ALSO, THEY NEED A HARD-BOILED EGG TOMORROW FOR OUR SCIENCE LAB!!!
Marathon practice for testing is upon us. Yes, we will be doing our MONT CAS tests the first 2 weeks of March and so we are practicing lots leading up to the real thing. These practice tests are quite long and have bubble sheets to go with them just like the REAL tests. We are practicing not only to make sure we are prepared for the skills, but also to endure the length of the real tests. In fact, the practice tests are old released test items from past years. They are mostly multiple choice answers, but we will be practicing constructed responses too which is where they have to write down their complete thoughts. I will not be helping them with these practice tests as I can't on the real ones so I just want them to work hard and DO THEIR BEST!! So please talk to them about this and I just wanted you to know why there will be so many coming home in the next few weeks. I know the students will do AWESOME! These will be done in both math and reading. If you ever have any questions on these as they come home, please contact me.
READ-THON-READERS: WOW-Hankins' Team is up to 5800 points. Way to make sure your kids are reading and getting those envelopes back. Students who are doing their part to help our team will be rewarded not only from the PTA, but from me as well.
KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK AND LET'S END UP ON TOP!!
Tomorrow is PE so remember the shoes.
Today in Social Studies, we made our flash cards to practice at school and students should still have the map to practice the West Region at home.
We compared and ordered fractions today in Math and tomorrow we are moving on to Mixed Fractions.
Students will be signing up for Valentine's Day Party committees tomorrow and then meet with their committees on Wednesday to plan. They will let you know on Wednesday what they will need to bring. Thank you.
Have a great night and let's hope we don't wake up to too much snow.

Happy Super Sunday!

2012-02-05T12:08:00.000-08:00

Wow-what a gorgeous day! Sure doesn't seem like football weather. Speaking of football, don't forget to look at your predictions and keep track of touchdowns and field goals to see how close you came to your Friday predictions. Also, have you quizzed your families on the team names. We had fun with those on Friday along with Ms. Erickson's class. Tell what your favorite/clever/creative one was and write it in the planner for free money.
Tomorrow is the day students will be signing up for a Valentine's Day Committee. They also will be paying their $300 to buy in. They can not be on a committee if they can't buy in. That doesn't mean they can't participate in the party as long as they have $300 by February 14th. They have 5 to choose from. They are: food, decorations, entertainment, set-up, and clean-up. Please talk to your child about which one would work best for them and you. The food committee is in charge of bringing the food they decide on. Decorations is in charge of buying and/or making the decorations, entertainment has to plan what we do for fun besides open valentines and eat, and of course the set-up and clean up are self explanatory.
READ -A-THON READING: Wow our class is doing awesome. We have over 2800 minutes already. Way to go Team Hankins and keep it up. Should have lots of minutes to add tomorrow for the weekend.
Remember recorders tomorrow.
I finally figured out how to get pictures on here so I made a hodge-podge of pics for you in a Smilebox. Enjoy.
Have a great rest of the weekend and may your team win. I am not even going for anyone in particular.

This picture slideshow created with Smilebox

Great Job Team Hankins!

2012-02-02T14:49:00.000-08:00

Wow-we are off to a FABULOUS start with our Read-A-Thon Reading. We read over 1200 minutes in just one night as a class!!! This definitely gives us the motivation to keep it up!! We had a few kids not bring their envelopes back and talked about how EVERYONE has to help out the team. They will be fined $100 for each day it is not returned starting tomorrow. Also, prizes for the minutes read so far were in the envelopes tonight so check your child's to see if they received a coupon. Also, make sure you initial each day also.
Tomorrow is Terrific Kids & BUG Club Assembly at 2:20. BUG Club is for those that brought up or maintained their grades from Q1 -Q2 and Terrific Kids Club is for students getting straight A's either 1st and/or 2nd Quarter. I hope to see those of you that got my email there if you can make it. If not, I will have pictures.
Speaking of pictures, I will have lots to make into a Smilebox this weekend. My new camera is a little bit more high tech than I envisioned but I will get it done.
Tomorrow we are doing some fun activities for the Super Bowl. Talk to your kids tonight about what it is and who is in this year and write Superbowl in the planner for free money.
Tonight's nightly writing is the final/Part 4 of the kite series. The kids are doing quite well on it and I told them to look back at their mistakes from the past 2 days to help them with tonights.
Tomorrow is technology buy-in day. Students may bring any device that allows them to listen to music for $400. This is totally optional.
On Monday, I will be collecting money for the Valentine's Day Party so we can start putting our committees together.
On the side of this blog is a list of students for valentines. Remember everyone has to get a valentine.
Students know that their valentine bag projects are going to be a home project along with a little nightly writing sometime next week. Don't panic-I have the bags for them already and it won't take lots of supplies, just creativity.
Library is tomorrow so get those books back.
Have a great night.

KEEP ON READING-READING-READING

2012-02-01T13:46:00.000-08:00

What a great assembly today to kick off our Read-A-Thon Reading. Bitterroot School is accepting the challenge of reading 50,000 minutes and having Mr. Senitte duct taped to the wall. Hankins' Team is taking on the challenge of reading the MOST minutes for grades 3 & 4. We know WE CAN DO IT!! Please see the envelopes as all the instructions for this are on there and on the sheet inside. Envelopes need to be returned DAILY with your initials on it to get credit for minutes read.
Debate: We did our debate with Ms. E's class. Great job kids on your first debate. We had people convinced to change sides so that was a successful debate.
In Math today, we compared fractions, write 2 fractions down in the planner tonight and have your child compare them for free money at check in.
Nightly writing again tonight. I am so excited to see retention of writing & editing skills since the beginning of the year. It was fun to see as I checked their notebooks today.
PE shoes tomorrow.
Remember those reading envelopes.
Have a great night.

Read-Read-Read

2012-01-31T14:22:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow is our kick-off assembly for "I Love to Read" week. We are participating in a flash mob with a Black Eyed Peas song. The link is on my website list so have your child practice this tonight. It is going to be AWESOME!! Reading calendars for this will be going home tomorrow with more details.
Today we worked hard on equivalent and simplifying fractions so please please have your child practice their facts as this is a must.
Debate time: Ask your child about the debate we did with our class today. They actually did a great job for the first time doing it. If they can tell you some of the arguing statements, write debate in the planner.
Tomorrow: Recorders for Music.
I will post more tomorrow about the Valentine's Day Party. Correction on the buy-in. It will be $300.
The technology buy-in on Friday is $400.
Have a great night.

NIghtly Writing is Back

2012-01-30T13:35:00.000-08:00

Yes, we are continuing with our nightly writing once again after a break. Since the first go round, we have been doing lots of editing in our Language weekly DOL's so now it will be fun to see all this in independent action through the nightly writing. As always there won't be any for the weekend.
The sharing of biographies was FANTASTIC. The projects looked great and I know the kids learned a lot about their historical figures as well as we did during sharing time. I am putting together a Smilebox with these and will post them when I get them.
I got a new camera for my birthday so I can post pictures again YIPPEEE!
This week we are working hard on main idea/details, character analysis, along with writing I-V_F summaries in our individual book clubs.
In Read-A-Loud, we are reading Owls in the Family. Hilarious story with lots of fun Science activities we are going to do with it.
Speaking of Science, we are going to begin our unit on rocks and layers of the earth with Ms. Erickson's class. Should be fun as we love to plan together. What a great team we make.
In Social Studies, we started our tour of the West. If your child can tell you 5 states in this region, write west in the planner.
In Math, we learned how to find equivalent fractions today. If your child can show and explain the criss-cross multiply strategy, write criss-cross in the planner. Tomorrow we will be simplifying fractions which is a fun skill if you know your mult./division facts so again this is a must to be practicing if needed.
Pennies for Patients: Our class raised $154.42. Great job Team Hankins.
There are 2 more days to bring in books for the collection for the hospital patients.
Congratulations to Team Hankins for receiving the "The Golden Garbage" can for the 2nd week in a row. We are going for 3 and trying to get 3 strikes or a turkey like in bowling. WE CAN DO IT!!!!
Remember tomorrow is PE so bring in those shoes.
This Friday is BUG Club at 2:20. Your child won't know if they made it or not until the assembly.
Also, on Friday, we will have a technology buy-in. Students will be able to bring in their IPODs, MP3 players, etc. to listen to music during recess, independent work time when I am not teaching. It will cost $400.
We also talked about the Valentine's Day Party buy-in for $500.
Have a great night.

Another Great Day!

2012-01-26T13:16:00.000-08:00

Wow-these kids are becoming so mature and performing to the extent that I knew they could!! There have been some issues lately with kids in other classes not being respectful to adults/authority here at school. But, I am happy to announce that Team Hankins is showing respect and using good character. I am so proud of them and let's keep it up. I would like you to compliment your child too and write talk in the planner for free money.
Tomorrow is the last day for Pennies For Patients. Take one last look for all those loose coins.
Tomorrow is Library so get those books in. We got a compliment from Mrs. Anderson this week as we got all our books back last week so GREAT JOB!! Let's do it again.

BIOGRAPHY PROJECTS ARE DUE TOMORROW. WE WILL SHARE THEM IN READING BLOCK TIME!!!!
Today in math, we continued fractions on a number line.
Next week, we start the West Region in Social Studies. I put the states and capitals on here so start studying. The test won't be for a couple of weeks though.
I don't know if all of you know yet or not, but Mrs. Campbell, our wonderful secretary, is deciding to enter into a new chapter of her life. Yes, she is retiring and leaving us. Wednesday, February 1st is her last day. Ask your child what they did for her today and have them share some of it with you. Pretty funny-I hope she has enough time to complete even 1/2 of her list of advice.
Have a great night.

Finished Metric Olympics Today

2012-01-25T15:05:00.000-08:00

Today we finished the Metric Olympics by discussing how we can make more accurate estimations with an activity like this. We also took time to convert measurements from mm-cm-m and the g-kg. If your child can tell you why the metric system is so much easier than ours, write metrics in the planner.
Also, we continued with fractions today. This kids are doing great and can't wait until we get into harder fractions.
If they can show you the difference between parts of a region and parts of a whole, write fraction in the planner.
Started recorders today. A couple people still need theirs. Remember they need them on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Tomorrow is PE so remember those shoes now that we have boots.
Reminder that the biographies for my kids are due on Friday.
Reminder that Friday is the last day for Pennies For Patients. Let's give it our all Team Hankins to come out on top with the most donated!! WE CAN DO IT!!!!!!!!!
As I mentioned yesterday about the book donations for the children at the clinic. Everyone go through your books and donate those that you no longer want. I will pay the kids $5 for each book they donate.
Have a great night.

Recorders Need to be Here For Music Tomorrow

2012-01-24T17:59:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow is recorder day in Music. Students that are bringing them from home must do so tomorrow. If they are getting one from Mr. Goodheart here at school, they already have them. School ones can't be taken home to practice. Let the fun of these squeaky things begin! Good thing is -it is fun to compare them from Day 1 until they have their concert.
We started fractions in math today. If your child can tell you about the numerator & denominator and tell the difference, write fraction in the planner.
We finished our Metric Olympics today with measuring marble grab in grams. Tomorrow we will discuss the activities and wrap it up.
We will also share our persuasive writings with a partner and start practicing for our debate which is going to be next Tuesday with Ms. E's class.
My reading kids researched owls today to build background knowledge for our new read-a-loud which is Owls in the Family. This is a hilarious story and your child will have lots to share about it when we start reading it.
Book Drive: One of our former students who is now at Castle Rock is involved in a project called Two Roads. What he is choosing to do for his part of the project is collect books and donate them to the pediatrics unit at both hospitals here in town. So what a great way to "pay it forward" and help out others. So please donate any books that you have read and want to share and pass on to others. I know I have many books that just sit around so why not share them and let others enjoy them. Go Team Hankins -let's once again do our part to help out others.
Have a great night and remember those recorders.

Happy Monday!

2012-01-23T13:45:00.000-08:00

We had a great day in here today, but I didn't feel as though I had enough contact time with them as we also had Library today added to our already usually busy Monday. Just to clarify-we will have Library this Friday as usual. Today's was a make-up from last Friday.
We had our first long division math assignment today. We have been practicing and so now I want to see who can do what by themselves. Should have great results I am hoping. We also talked more about volume today. If your child can tell you what volume is in math, write volume in the planner. We are getting ready to move on to Fractions. Again, we will continue to review and repeat old skills through the DOM's.
Great job on the SW states and capitals test which we took on Friday. Now we are moving to the last sections which is the west and that is the region with Montana. We will go through this region and then study Montana History by itself.
In Science, we will finish our Metric Olympics tomorrow with grams. We have measured centimeters, milliliters, and now grams.
Nightly writing tonight consists of students writing their final copy of their persuasive paragraph on the colored card they received today. Some students want to type it out on the computer and this would be great too. I can not wait to see these and looking forward to the debate. Have your child read through their completed paragraph a few times to better help them prepare for the debate. If they do this, write debate in the planner.
Reminder: To my reading kids, biography projects are due on Friday. Staley & Melissa have theirs here and they look great.
Congratulations to Branden, our student of the week. We loved hearing about you. Our new one this week is Jose'. Looking forward to seeing your stuff.
I have some pics from Venture Theater, but my camera & computer are not cooperating with each other. I can not get my computer to read the camera. Bummer. Guess I may need to ask for a new one for my birthday.
Remember PE shoes tomorrow.
Have a great night.

Great Job Today to the Venture Theater Kids!

2012-01-20T15:55:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to the Venture Theater cast. They did a great job and what courage it takes to get up in front of people. What a fun-filled, upbeat performance it was. Great story line too-what would we do without technology?! Brought back memories of board game nights with family during the holidays. I love to play board games.
Persuasive Writing went home tonight to write their draft for their paragraph. Then parents, please help by editing it so we can write the final draft on Monday. Then we will be ready for our debate on Wednesday. Can't wait.
Library on Monday-since we didn't have Library today due to Venture Theater, Mrs. Anderson wants to take them on Monday afternoon so get those books back.
Pennies for Patients: We had $30 this week. Way to go, let's make this last week our strongest week yet so again bring in those loose coins.
Remember to my reading kids-biographies are due on Friday, January 27th.
Have a great weekend. I think we are in for some nice weather.

Report Cards Are Arriving Today!

2012-01-19T13:46:00.000-08:00

BRRRRRRRRRR!! Mother Nature is not letting up! Maybe tomorrow will be outdoor recess if it warms up, so make sure you dress for it so you can go out in the snow if the temps. allow. The kids are doing very well with indoor recess though keeping themselves busy with work, games, and puzzles.
Today, we discussed our Persuasive Writing. Some students need to re-visit theirs tonight and make some corrections and then return them tomorrow. So assigning Part 2-the rewrite- will be put "on hold" until tomorrow. I want to make sure everyone is ready to move on. Great job to those that don't have it to re-do tonight. Those that do either wrote their details as opinions and need to reword them, wrote about the wrong topic, or they need to finish as they were incomplete. Come on Team Hankins' YOU CAN DO IT!!
Pennies For Patients: We only collected $8.31 this week. Keep looking around the house for that loose change.
Library: We will not have Library tomorrow due to Venture Theater so students will check out books on Monday afternoon.
Remember to be working on those Biographies. They are due on Friday, January 27th, just one week away.
Report Cards should be in your hands by the time you read this. Overall, they are very good and kids are doing a good job. I hope you take the comments I wrote seriously. Students who made Terrific Kids Club or BUG Club do not know yet as it will be a surprise at the assembly. I love surprises and to see their faces when their names are called.
Venture Theater performance tomorrow at 1;00, 2:00, and again for parents at 6:00. These kids are going to make us so proud.
Have a great night and stay warm. Yippee-I get to go home and shovel. See why I don't like snow-shoveling is a waste of time. The good thing is, there is some exercise that goes along with it. :))

BRRRRRRRR!!

2012-01-18T15:01:00.000-08:00

WOW-it is cold out there!! Ok-so who are those people that wished for snow???!!!! What are you thinking now?? Ms. Erickson, remember when I told you "watch what you wish for" when we made our snowmen last week. Anyway, this leads me to our nightly writing for tonight. Students are to decide if they "like" snow or "do not like" snow. That will be their topic sentence for their persuasive paragraph and then they are to give 3 details to support it along with a proof (evidence) statement to explain the detail. Don't forget the conclusion at the end. For tonight, they are just to complete the graphic organizer, then tomorrow we will talk about what to do next.
Today, we continued with our Metric Olympics. Students had to do a standing long jump and measure in centimeters and then we measured liquid using a graduated cylinder and milliliters. This activity was called the sponge squeeze. Ask your child what was their favorite so far and write it in the planner.
Tomorrow is PE so make sure you pack those shoes.
Report cards are coming home tomorrow.
Remember that states and capitals test on the SW is either going to be tomorrow or Friday. We will squeeze it in.
Have a great night and stay warm.

Quick Post

2012-01-17T15:58:00.000-08:00

This is going to be a quick post as I just got out of a meeting at 4:45.
We had a great day today and started to learn the Metric System. We learned about millimeters, centimeters, meters, and kilometers. We did a few activities that we titled: "The Metric Olympics". If your child can tell you about the 4 events that we did, write metrics in the planner. Tomorrow there is more to come. It is a fun way to introduce this system of measurement.
We talked about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. today. If your child can tell you what he did for our country, write MLK in the planner.
We took our Geometry test today and so far the scores are looking great. I will finish grading them tonight and then we will go over them tomorrow or Thursday.
Have a great night.

What a Great TGIF!

2012-01-13T13:13:00.000-08:00

Wow-what a great day today. They earned 2 compliments so far today and they are hoping for another from Mrs. Anderson as they are in Library right now as I write. Ask them if they did get a 3rd one, and if they did write Celebration in the planner.
Mrs. Salazar had a great lesson today about "school is cool". If they can tell you 3 things about the story she read, write "cool" in the planner.
In Math today, we had an awesome review for our test coming up on Tuesday. They took their study guides home so have them do some practice over the next 3 days. We also practice long division with 3 digits divided by 1 and they are doing fabulous.
We finished our tour of the SW and learned why Oklahoma's mascot is called the "Sooners". If your child can tell you why, write "Sooners" in the planner.
My reading kids: Biography projects went home today. We had a great discussion and I think everyone understands all the parts. It is quite extensive. I showed them the model of mine and there is a picture of it below. Any questions or if you want tagboard from the school just ask. We talked about that the Dollar Store has fun colors for $.50 and also some fun sticker bubble letters for $1.00. I can't wait to see the awesome projects they come up with. Also, we talked about typing the poem and the facts for sure as that looks so much neater. They will be graded on each part along with quality, presentation, and overall effort.
Remember No School in Monday, January 16th as it is a special day honoring Dr. Martin Luther King.
Thanks Mason for sharing all your cool stuff. Your mom sure made you an awesome book. Love it.
Have a great weekend and Good Luck to your football teams if they are still alive in the playoffs. Go Packers!

Let it Snow-Let it Snow OR NOT!!

2012-01-12T14:38:00.001-08:00

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How many of you like snow????? How many of you don't like snow????? Well, we all have our opinions and reasons why we don't like snow and next week you will get to share your opinion. We will be writing persuasive paragraphs where you will persuade someone to like snow or not to like snow. These should be fun and then even more fun to have a class debate. Snow vs. no snow. I sure know what my opinion is, but will save that for next week.
Today, we had a good review of the DOM's in Math. You will notice that some grades are real good and we talked about taking our time, reading the question carefully, and doing our best. We will have these again as the weeks progress.
We will review for our Time, Geometry, multiplication, and division test tomorrow. Then we will take the test next Tuesday. They will get the study guide to take home tomorrow after our review.
Today in math, we played a little game called the "Royal Family". They were in teams of 5 and each got to be a family member, and lots of learning took place and I think we now have division down. If your child can show you a problem tonight, write division in the planner for money.
Today, I entered the last grades for the quarter. Report cards will be coming home next Thursday.
Remember tomorrow is the last day to order books.
Tomorrow is also Library. There is now a fine for not having their books.
Have a great night.

Snow Fun!!

2012-01-11T15:29:00.000-08:00

Today we had lots of fun making our own snow! Well, not exactly, but we made snowmen with shaving cream & glue. They are so cool as the students individualized theirs. We have all kinds. I am going to take their picture with them tomorrow morning and make them into a smilebox for you to see. They were a bit wet and drippy yet today.
Our HR yesterday was about Buffalo Bill Cody so after our discussion of it today, we had Mr. Senitte come in and talk to us about Cody. Why you may ask? Well, that is where he grew up and he still has family there. He gave us lots of great information about him and his family, as well as the town of Cody. If you remember the name of the famous hotel/restaurant that is named after his daughter, write it in the planner.
Mr. Goodheart sent home a letter today talking about recorders. Make sure your child shows it to you. Each student is to have their own recorder and will need them by Monday, January 23rd.
Pennies For Patients: We collected $42.17 which is awesome for just three days. Keep digging in the cushions, under the seats, and wherever as we want to be the top collectors at Bitterroot. Go Team Hankins!!
Make sure the kids in my reading are working hard on reading their biographies. They will get the materials for the projects they are to complete at home also on Friday.
Remember PE shoes tomorrow.
Have a great night.

Cruising Through the Southwest

2012-01-10T14:18:00.000-08:00

We have started our tour of the SW and should finish it up this week and will do our test early next week or maybe even this Friday. Should be easy as there are only 4 states. As I told the kids, I am not sending home a study map. Today, we talked about factories being built on the U.S./Mexico border. If your child can tell you why America builds factories in Mexico, write factories in the planner. (We talked about how this is sad, but true.)
Our HR today was about Buffalo Bill Cody. Tomorrow we will have a discussion on it and Mr. Senitte just happens to be from Cody so he is going to come in and talk to the kids about growing up there.
We are finishing up 4 huge concepts in math this week. They are geometry, time, graphs, and calendars along with continuing long division. We will have a test on these Friday. Today, we learned about finding the Median, Range, and mode of data. If they can tell you which one occurs most often, write it in the planner.
We started our new book clubs today. The kids are excited about their new books and we had a good discussion about them already as they shared their awesome predictions. Like I said before, these kids are so much for to listen to discuss books. So much information being shared. Just so you know the strategies we with books are:

*predictions
*connections
*clarifications
*questions
*summaries
*visualizations

Skills we work on are:
*figurative language
*main idea/detail
*cause/effect
* fact/opinion
* opinion/proof
*characterization
*compare/contrast

Wow-is that a lot of learning going on or what!!!!
Pennies for Patients-our box is getting quite heavy so keep sending in the coins to help out others. SHHHH-the kids still don't know about the pizza party.
I hear Venture Theater going on as we speak. They sound awesome already and can't wait until the 20th to see it.
Remember book orders are due on Friday.
Have a great night and dress warm tomorrow as a weather change is upon us.

Great Job Today!

2012-01-09T13:12:00.000-08:00

Another great day was had by all in 4th grade today. The days just fly by as there is so much to do. Today we continued and almost finished our Geometry unit. We learned how to classify triangles by not only their sides, but angles too. If your child can tell you the 3 kinds formed by their angles, write triangle in the planner.
My reading kids were given their new book club books today. Ask them the title of theirs and what they think the book is going to be about.
We started our tour of the SW today. One of the stops was the Grand Canyon. If they can tell you 2 facts about the Grand Canyon, write SW in the planner.
As I shared with the kids today, my grades for this quarter will be cut off on Wednesday. This will give me time to figure out their GPA so I can see who makes BUG Club and Terrific Kids Club. The Terrific Kids club is for those who have straight A's and BUG is for those who bring up or maintain their grades from 1st quarter.
Reminder: Venture Theater for those who signed up practice every day from 3:15-5:15 for the next 2 weeks.
Remember shoes for PE tomorrow.
Have a great night.

Another Great Day!

2012-01-06T13:22:00.001-08:00

Happy TGIF Day!
Today was another good day in the life of a 4th grader in Mrs. Hankins' Class. I guess you should ask your child, but in my opinion it was. Got a lot done and finished tidying up some lose ends.
In Math, we did a DOM. We are going to check it as a group on Monday so we can see where we made our mistakes if we made any. Also, finished up making line plots. We didn't get time to work on Long Division, but will pick that up again on Monday.
Also, finished up our book club activities except for the report cards that they are working on for a particular character. This is fun to hear and see their perspective of it and how it is to grade someone and then to give an explanation of why they gave a grade for a particular characteristic. They get to be on the other side of a report for once!!!
Also, my reading kids picked the biography they are going to read and take notes on as they read. They have sticky notes to mark their thinking and get key facts down about their person. I am reading Helen Keller out loud to them and modeling writing down key facts and then I will be showing them a project on Friday the 13th as a model for the project they will do for their person. So right now they are to be reading it as part of their nightly reading and taking notes. The rest will come later. The date for the whole project to be due on Friday, January 27th.
Speaking of report cards, I will be ending my grades for this quarter on Wednesday. So that will be the last day for 2nd quarter. Report cards then go home on the 19th.
Today in Social Studies, we read about the Louisiana Territory which is a little snippit of how Montana History will start this spring. If your child can tell you about the Louisiana Territory/Purchase (at least 4 things) then write France in the planner.
Speaking of planner and blog, I am still rewarding $ for the blog question, but it has dropped down to $10/day. That doesn't mean it isn't still important, but they don't need that much money as we discussed this morning in morning meeting. We don't have any field trips, etc. coming up in the near -near future. We will have a technology day at the end of this month in conjunction with my birthday.
Another question about the blog, are you enjoying having it and using it as a communication tool with your child? If you do, write yes in the planner and if you'd rather not have it, write "no". I love doing it even though it takes time, but I think it keeps the communication open, but I would like your input. Thank you.
Everyone brought home a flyer about collecting "Pennies for Patients" which is an organization collecting money for cancer patients. It is a 2 week period starting on Monday, January 9-23. We set a goal of collecting $200 (the class chose this) and the we did some math and figured out that each of us including me would have to donate $7.04 to reach that goal. We discussed how it can be any coins and bills too if they wish. Now please don't think you need to send that with your child as this was just what we came up with as a class goal- we will be happy to collect whatever we can. We also talked about how some may donate more and others less and we could reach our goal that way so be looking in those furniture cushions, vehicles, under furniture, etc. all those places change seems to fall into and help out a great cause. Thank you. The thing we didn't talk about was that the class collecting the most gets a reward of a pizza party. I don't want them to think of it as doing something for that reason, but instead to help out those in need. Ok so if this is as clear as "mud" let me know and I will clarify for you. (Seems like I made it a long explanation!!)
Congratulations to Staley, our student of the week. We loved the pictures.
Have a great weekend

I Knew They Could Do It!!

2012-01-05T13:09:00.000-08:00

Wow-great job to our class for a superb job on their SRI test. Lots of AWESOME growth has been made and I am sure there will be more to come. Way to focus, concentrate, and do your BEST kids!!
Today, we continued with our Long Division using the Royal Family. We are slowly getting it, but have no doubts that by next week we will be quite proficient with this skill.
Also, in math today we made a bar graph. If your child can tell you what the axis on a bar graph are called and what the title of our graph was, write graph in the planner.
Tomorrow, my reading kids will do their last little project with their books. Writing a report card for a character in the book and writing comments to go with it. Should be fun to see what they come up with. Now they will know what it is like for me to write comments on their report cards.
Remember tomorrow is Library so get those books back.
Also, they received their recorder books yesterday in Music and have an assignment to do page 2. Many of them have it done, and it needs to be done by Monday. These pages are a huge part of their Music grade from now on.
Book Orders went home today. Remember if you order on-line, our class activation code is: GZN8L. They will be due on Friday, January 13th.
Have a great night and continue to enjoy this amazing weather. Wow-what are we going to do when winter does come? We are getting spoiled, but I don't mind.

The Royal Family

2012-01-04T14:29:00.001-08:00

Yippee!! L-O-N-G Division began today and we are thinking of it as the Royal Family. Daddy-Divide --Mommy-Multiply
Sister-Subtract, and Brother-Bring Down. If your child can tell you the 5th member of the family that is not always "hanging" out with the rest, and comes in at the end, write "Division" in the planner. Again, please don't help your child with this process as I want them to do it just as we are and use the same vocabulary that we do. Like I said, I will video a group doing it and put it on the blog so you can see it at work.
Also, in math we worked on line plots. If your child can draw one for you and tell you what an outlier is, write line plot in the planner.
Today, we finished all book clubs. Tomorrow, we will be taking our SRI test which will show their reading growth thus far. I am excited to see positive results. Then on Friday, each of them will be making a report card for a book character that they just read. Should be fun to see the grades they give them for certain attributes and then the comments they write. Then next Monday, we will be starting new book club books.
Also, on Friday, each of my reading kids will be choosing a biography book to read at home for their nightly reading. They will read it, write down key ideas & facts on sticky notes, and then they will use these to make a final project along with a timeline.
Again, this will be done at home.
In Social Studies today we partnered with Ms. Erickson's class and did a review of the NE, SE, and Midwest regions. So exciting to see that they are retaining lots of the information they are learning.
We also started our geography challenge for the SW which has only 4 states in it so I won't be sending home a study map for the states and capitals. They can use the one they already have.
Remember HE/PE tomorrow.

Have a great night.

Almost Made It!!

2012-01-03T15:43:00.000-08:00

Well, we almost made it through the day today without anyone losing tickets. But, at the end of Science, we had a few students who chose not to listen and make good choices so unfortunately, we didn't make the goal of losing no tickets.
As I said yesterday, we started out with new money and our fines for consequences have remained the same, but I am going to add a new one and that is LISTENING!!! I feel that not everyone is listening to my instructions/directions the first time and that they are asking for repeats when they are to be beginning the task at hand. Trust me, I give clear, direct instructions and then ask for any questions before they are to begin. So from now on, anyone not sure of what to do because of lack of listening skills, they will be fined $100.
Now on the positive side, I am very proud of them and their scores thus far in the READABOUT computer program. They seem to be doing very well. We will have our SRI test for this on Thursday to see how much growth they are making. I can't wait to see the results.
Tomorrow in Math, we are beginning LONG DIVISION!! I have a fun way of teaching it using what is called "The Royal Family". I will video it sometime early next week of them doing it so that you can see how to help them if you need to. So please as of now, don't give them any help with this process. Thank you.
Today in Math we reviewed Congruent & Similar figures. If your child can draw 2 congruent figures, write congruent in the planner.
Tomorrow is tryouts for Venture Theater at 3:15. As I said yesterday, it is a 2 week commitment everyday for rehearsals from 3:15-5:15. The exciting thing is is that everyone makes it and what a great experience so I encouraged as many that can to try out. It is a musical this year and it is brought to us by our wonderful PTA!
Tomorrow we are finishing up our current book clubs and students will get to share projects they did and discuss how they rate the book together.
Have a great night.

Happy New Year!

2012-01-02T13:39:00.000-08:00

First of all, Happy New Year to all of you. I hope you had a terrific holiday and created lots of memories. Arizona was fabulous and the sunshine, blue skies, and warm weather were awesome. I sure could get used to that kind of weather. But, I was anxious to get back and into a routine again.
Also, thank you for the Christmas gifts. I loved each and every one of them. They meant a lot.
Today was a great day and we started off with our new wallets of $200. We talked a lot about expectations again and went over guidelines for success.
The 2nd quarter is rapidly coming to an end and report cards will be going home soon, January 19th. I can't believe how time is flying by and how these kids are maturing and really getting ready to be closer to 5th graders.
Our curriculum guides will be as follows: In Math, we are still continuing geometry, time, multiplication, and starting LONG DIVISION.
Reading: Finishing these book club books and projects and starting our new book club books. We are also going to start READ-A-LOUD again as we are all missing that part of our reading block.
Language will continue with grammar skills, editing, and parts of speech.
Spelling-skills and weekly word lists.
Social Studies-we are going to review the NE, SE, and Midwest regions before we move on to the SW.
Science-Measurement/Metric Olympics.
Venture Theater: Tryouts are on Wednesday, January 4th from 3:15-5:15 for those interested in participating. These letters went home before break. It is a big time commitment so make sure your child is willing to donate 3 weeks of practice time. In the past, everyone that tries out gets a part.
Reading calendars for January went home today. Make sure the December ones come back TOMORROW for a grade.
Thank you again for all your help and support in helping to make these such awesome, responsible, hard-working students who are showing tons of growth all the time. They are amazing.
Today's blog question: Talk to your child about something they are going to work hard on this next quarter and write it in the planner for free money.
Have a great night.

Polar Express Day

2011-12-21T14:55:00.001-08:00

Another free greeting card by Smilebox

What fun day we had today and the kids were awesome and so creative. You can see this by all the fun trains that were made.
My reading kids had fun with the book and writing poetry while drinking their hot chocolate. They wrote bio-poems through the eyes of hot chocolate. Pretty funny. :)
Reminder: Tomorrow I am not here so please again talk to your child about expectations. Thank you.
They know that if I get a negative report on any one of them, that they will not get their free money to start out the New Year. They will start at $0.
Also, tomorrow is game day so please send a simple board game with your child if that works for you.
Thank you for all your support and help thus far this year. You are wonderful and I so enjoy each and everyone of your children.
Have a Merry Christmas and enjoy the holidays making memories with family and friends.

Busy Busy Day

2011-12-20T14:44:00.000-08:00

You may have noticed that planners weren't signed by me and that is because we were shopping and spending our money up until 3:10. I won't be paying them for planners or blog questions for the next 2 days as we spent all our money and turned whatever we had left into the bank. Remember that after the break we start over with new money. It will be a fresh start for everyone.
Tomorrow is Polar Express Day so bring in your supplies. Also, it would be a good idea tonight to talk about a plan for their train so that tomorrow when we start they have an idea. This will take place in the afternoon. Remember to wear pajamas, bring blankets, slippers, and your favorite hot chocolate mug if you choose. My reading kids will be doing activities with the book in the morning.
Today, we got to have hot chocolate with our buddies and spend time together visiting and reading. We so love spending time with our buddies.
In Math, we are almost done with our Geometry unit. We have symmetry, area, perimeter, and volume left.
Just a reminder that I will be gone on Thursday. I know it is the last day before break and the students will be excited, but please talk to them about expectations. Thank you.
Have a great night.

What an Awesome Christmas Program!

2011-12-19T13:31:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to all the kiddos in the program today! What a fantastic job they all did and I think it definitely put all of us in the holiday spirit. A big thank you to Mr. Goodhart for all his hard work. Ask your child what they favorite song in the program was and write it in the planner for free money.
I want to apologize for the short blog last night and no question on it. As I was preparing Christmas dinner last night for the family gathering we had, I realized about 10 min. before they were to arrive that I forgot to blog earlier in the day. So needless to say it was a quick one.
Tomorrow is another busy day. We are going to get together with our buddies for hot chocolate and reading. Then at the end of the day, we are going to buy small stocking stuffers with our fake money. Any left over money will be donated back to the bank as we will start over with $300 in January as we begin our new, fresh start.
Wednesday is Polar Express Day. Remember pj's, stuffed animals, and your favorite hot chocolate mug along with all your train supplies.
Thursday is game day from 12:50-1:50. Students are to bring board games or card games to play. No electronic games.
This is part of our celebration and earning 50 compliment points.
Tomorrow in morning meeting, we are going to talk about creating memories. Talk with your child about their favorite holiday memory for them to share for free money.
Just a quick FYI- I will not be here on Thursday, December 22nd so students will have a sub. I know it is a crazy time of year to be gone, but my husband and I are flying out to AZ to spend Christmas with my 88 & 89 year old, active, healthy parents. What a blessing to still have them so healthy at that age. We are going on Thurs. instead of Fri. because the flight was much much cheaper to fly Thurs.
I hope you enjoy the pics of the concert. I couldn't get any real close ones.
Have a terrific night.

Busy Week Ahead

2011-12-18T15:46:00.000-08:00

Hope you are having a great weekend. Just a few quick notes about the upcoming week.
Tomorrow is our Christmas Program. You are going to love it. The kids have worked so hard and sound so good. I can't wait to see them all dressed up in their Christmas clothes.
Tuesday will be our buy in day to spend their extra money.
Wednesday is Polar Express Day. I hope you are finding your supplies for the trains. Also, everyone can wear pajamas and bring in their favorite hot chocolate mug.
Thursday afternoon is celebration. We have earned our next 25 points and we are going to have board games in the afternoon so please send some fun board games with your child.
As you can see, it is going to be busy. I am looking forward to seeing all of you tomorrow.
Have a great night.

Shopped Til We Dropped

2011-12-15T13:43:00.000-08:00

Yes, today was our Santa's Workshop day. First, we helped our buddy class shop. Then we got to shop. After that, we went and helped them wrap all their presents. After lunch, we got to wrap our own. Lots of cool stuff coming home for family members. These students literally could be Santa's little elves as they all were so on task helping their buddies and one another get everything all wrapped up. You have to LOVE some of the shapes of those packages they had to wrap.
Polar Express sheets came home today. It lists the supplies needed for sure and then anything extra they want to add to their trains and the background is totally up to them. Tomorrow will be the last day to buy in and also the last day for the assignment coupons. Hopefully everyone will make it.
Next Tuesday, we are having a small Christmas buy-in for students to purchase items I buy with their fake money. All the money will be spent or turned into the bank as after the holidays we start over with new money for the new year.
Tomorrow is our States & capitals test. I sure hope they are ready.
As part of our Midwest study we learned about some pretty cool places. If your child can tell you about 2 of them, write down midwest for free money.
Need Library books tomorrow.
Have a Terrific Thursday.

Band/Orchestra Concert

2011-12-14T14:27:00.000-08:00

Great job to all the 5th/6th Band & Orchestra kids here at Bitterroot. They did a great job today. It is amazing how far they have all come since the beginning of the year.
Today in Math we started Elapsed Time. This is one of those concepts that either kids "grasp" right away or it is a "struggle". The more practice they have not only in school, but at home will make them successful. Please practice a couple examples with your child tonight and write time in the planner. Example: Movie starts at 6:20--Ends at 8:47-how much time has elapsed?
Also, we continued with geometry. If they can tell you or draw what a diameter & radius are on a circle, write circle in the planner.
Reminder: Tomorrow is our shopping day for Santa's Workshop if your child chooses to. Everything is $1.00.
Also, tomorrow is HE/PE.
We will be talking about Polar Express trains tomorrow and what supplies are needed. The supplies sheet will come home tomorrow.
Remember states & capitals test is on Friday.
We had our test on skin today. Most did quite well. Their papers came home today. It was off of stuff we discussed, read about, or watched on short video clips. Definitely shows who has been paying attention in class.
Have a great night.

Happy Tuesday!!

2011-12-13T14:34:00.001-08:00

I am going to make this short as I am off to wrap presents for our Angel Tree recipients. I just love doing this knowing how we are helping make people's Christmas brighter. Once again it is a big Thank you to all of you and your children for participating in those $1.00 buy-in days.
Today, we learned more about the layers of our skin and their jobs. We also learned about calluses and wrinkled skin. If your child can tell you about it, write wrinkled in the planner.
Also, in Math we learned what prime and composite numbers are. Again if they can tell you, write numbers in the planner.
Tonight is MacKenzie River Pizza night and if you go, write pizza in the planner for free money. It is also family fitness night so if you attend that, write fitness in the planner.
Have a great night as I am off to wrap -wrap-wrap.

Student Council Representatives Have Been Elected

2011-12-12T14:01:00.000-08:00

Today, we got to hear some great persuasive speeches from our 11 candidates running for Student Council. The votes were quite close, but the following students have been elected. They are Megan, Aiden, Ilyssa, and our alternate is Lainey. Congratulations to all 4 of you. I know you will do a great job of representing our class. Thank you to all 11 who tried out. It took lots of courage to get up in front of the class and give your speeches.
2 digit x 2 digit multiplication in math is needing some practice so please have your child do 2-3 problems nightly and check them for them and give any help or feedback as needed. We started time today and hopefully we all have time to the minute so we can start elapsed time. We are also doing quick Geometry lessons each day to get the skills and vocabulary going.
In Science, we finished our "skin" book today and introduced the 3 layers of skin. If your child can tell you one of them, write skin in the planner. Also, if they can tell you whose speech they liked the most, write Student Council for more money.
In Social Studies, we finished our Midwest tour and so our test will be on Friday for the states and capitals. I know they will do great. Remember they need to have location too.
In my reading, we are going to try and finish our books by the holiday break. I know 2 groups will for sure this week and then next week, we are going to do some non-fiction with them.
Remember Monday, December 19th is the Music Program at 9:30 and again at 1:00.
Polar Express Day is on Wednesday, December 21st. I will be sending home a sheet with the items that will be needed for the polar express trains by Friday. Students have until Friday to buy-in. We have all, but 2 that have bought in so ask your child if they have or not.
Thank you to Grayson and his mom for sharing the ferrets on Friday. They sure have a lot of characteristics in common with otters.

Have a great night.

Thank You, Mrs. Salazar

2011-12-09T14:39:00.001-08:00

Today, we had a great bullying lesson from Mrs. Salazar where she used the Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer movie. The students watched and discussed the many different situations in the movie where bullying was happening.
Speaking of Rudolph, some of us finished our stories and they are awesome and look great hanging in the hallway. They will be up when you come to the Christmas Program on the 19th so you can take a peek.
Also, the car inventions turned out great too. Henry Ford would be impressed.
Reminder that Monday is when our Student Council speeches are due. Students will be giving their speeches and then we will vote for our 3 reps.
MIDWEST STATES & CAPITALS TEST WILL BE ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16TH!!
Melissa is our new student of the week. We loved hearing all about you and the pictures were great-ummm maybe except for the wig one. No just kidding-I think this turned out to be our favorite once we figured out it was you and not a doll.
Have a great weekend everyone and Good Luck to our Montana football teams. GO CATS!!!! Go Griz!

Student Council

2011-12-08T14:30:00.000-08:00

Students who are interested in being a Student Council Representative for our class are to have their speeches ready by Monday.
We have quite a few interested students so they are going to really have to make a good, strong persuasive speech as to why they are the best person for this role. What a great way to show leadership skills. They know they need to be here on Fridays for the 8:00 meetings and then help Mr. Senitte, our school, and our classroom throughout the year.
Tomorrow, we will be finishing up our Ruldolph stories. Thank you so much for helping edit them. Weren't they great?!!!
Tonight's social studies homework is that of inventing a car. We talked about Detroit, the motor city, and Henry Ford. They are to design their new car on the paper that was given them and color them. They will be graded on neatness, reality, & creativity. Can't wait to see the fun stripes & flames coming out of them!!!
In science, we have now moved from talking about bones & muscles to the skin. Ask your child which 2 places of the body have the toughest skin and how many pounds of skin cells we lose our entire life and write skin in the planner.
We have a few students who had some issues in PE today. They were not using good sportsmanship at all according to Ms. Buss. Please talk to your child tonight about this matter and if they were one of them that were part of the problem, write PE in the planner. I am thinking and I think you would agree that if they can't use good character at all times here in school and at home that they don't deserve to be part of our Polar Express Day on December 21st. They all know that just because the activity is going to happen doesn't necessarily mean they participate. It is a fun day that comes with the privilege if they earn it. Don't you agree??
Thank you to Nathaniel's Grandpa for spending the morning with us. I think he really enjoyed himself and he got to see how much these kids are doing and learning. He is a former teacher and principal so how fun for him to relive his days of the past.
Have a great night.

Rudolph-What Happened to Your Nose? Take 2

2011-12-07T13:39:00.000-08:00

There are some pretty creative Rudolph stories out there. I read them and they shared with a partner today. Positive criticism and feedback were given so now they are going home again tonight to make them even better if need be. Also, parents parents will you please read them and help them correct any spelling, capitalization, grammar, and punctuation errors so that they will be ready for them to rewrite the final copy tomorrow? Thank you ahead of time!! This will earn some free money. I appreciate you.
Today, we did a human body scavenger hunt with both classes. Lots of cool facts were found. If your child can tell you the 4 types of blood and how much your brain weighs, write scavenger hunt in the planner.
In Math, we practiced our 2 digit x 2 digit and learned about coordinate grids and plotting ordered pairs.
Tomorrow we will have a little quiz over many of our skills that we have continued to practice here at school.
Santa's workshop forms went home today if you are interested in your child purchasing. We will shop next week on the 15th is our scheduled day.
Remember that Monday, December 19th is the program with 2 performances. You need only come to one either at 9:30 or 1:00. Make sure you ask your child if they have a solo or a speaking part and at which performance they are doing it at.
Mid-terms went home today. Please take a look at them and write mid-term in the planner if you saw them.
We started our Midwest tour today. Keep practicing those states and capitals.
My reading kids are getting so good at figurative language and finding it in book clubs. Ask them to tell you what personification, idiom, and simile are.
Tomorrow is HE/PE.
Have a great night.

Rudolph-What Happened to Your Nose?

2011-12-06T15:28:00.000-08:00

Tonights nightly writing should be full of creativity, fun, and laughter. We are re-writing our own versions of how Rudolph got his new nose color. Students were given a colored pom-pom today along with my shared example of Rudolph, the Blue-Nosed Reindeer. With the creativity of this group, I know we will have some awesome stories.
In Science, we finished up our test over bone & muscle tissue and found out some new facts in the book I read to them. If they can tell you where chromosomes are found and what mitosis is, write body in the planner.
Today in Math, we introduced 2 digit x 2 digit multiplication. There was a look of confusion on some, but we will keep practicing it. They had a 4 digit x 1 digit for homework. We are also cruising through Geometry. Today we learned the 3 kinds of triangles. If they can tell you all 3 and the characteristics of all 3, write triangle in the planner.
In Social Studies, they studied the Midwest states and capitals with a partner. We are starting the tour of this section tomorrow.
Tickets: Today, I started taking tickets again for behaviors and then charging them at the end of the day. I think this will lead to less interruptions. Unfortunately, I am having to take more tickets lately. I know students are getting excited for the holidays, but we still have lots of learning to do. It saddens me sometimes that we spend so much time on character building in morning meetings and then some students continue to make poor choices by being disrespectful to me, themselves, and others. Please take some time tonight to have a heart to heart talk about what my expectations are along with yours for them here at school. We have lots of fun things coming up this month and months to come and I make the final decisions on who gets to participate and who doesn't. If you talk to your child about this tonight-thank you and please write "respect" in the planner for more money.
Sometimes I think the fun things we talk about are things they think they are entitled to. For example, I want to build edible cells with them, but not sure everyone is ready for it. They have to prove it to me. Don't get me wrong, for the most part we are moving along and doing very well, but I want the class to get to the point that it could run smoothly no matter who is present in here.
Have a great night and stay warm.

Guest Speaker

2011-12-05T13:53:00.000-08:00

Today, we were surprised by Officer Hunt, Gabe's Mom who is in the Navy came and talked to us today about how they have a "no tolerance" policy in the military when it comes to the use of drugs. She not only spoke on that, but also told us about her job. She is not away in active duty anymore because she realizes the importance of being with her children and that they come first. So now her job is Yoeman which means she is here in Billings and she does lots of paperwork in her office. She had lots of good information so if your child can tell you 2 things she talked about, write Office Hunt in your planner.
As you can see from this mornings previous post, I got the otter project Smilebox on. Don't they look cool. As I told you in yesterday's post that their grades will be in their mid-terms which come home on Wed.
Student Council: It is time for us to start thinking about student council room reps. We are going to be electing 3 people to be our classroom representatives. Students who are interested need to remember that they need to be responsible for attending at least 3 meetings, take good notes, and report back to our class on the day of the meeting they attended. Meetings are at 8:00 on Friday mornings. I will also be requiring those interested to give a speech in which they will persuade their classmates as to why they are the best candidate for the job and why they should be elected. We will be doing the giving speech and voting process on Monday, December 12th.
Math homework tonight. Yes, there are 2 assignments because we didn't get as much class time due to our great guest speaker.
Thank you and have a great night.

Otter Projects

2011-12-05T08:46:00.001-08:00

Personalize a photo slideshow

Mid-terms Go Home on Wednesday

2011-12-04T19:02:00.000-08:00

I hope you each had a great weekend. First of all, great job to all the kids for their awesome otter presentations. They received grades for their creativity and the knowledge they shared about their project. I used the requirements sheet as my guide while grading these. They will not get a sheet with their grade on them, but they will be posted on their mid-terms that go home on Wednesday. I promise I will get a Smilebox presentation put together tomorrow hopefully with each of their projects on. I was going to put it together this weekend, but I forgot my connector cord at school. Oh well, something to look forward to tomorrow.
This week will be a busy week continuing on our cell, muscle, and bones unit in Science and our Midwest tour in Social Studies.
We will be starting our graphing unit in Math along with continuing with multiplication & geometry.
See the calendar on the side for some upcoming events to mark on your calendar.
Tomorrow students will have a double Christmas Program practice. Mr. Goodheart is doing an awesome job and you are going to thoroughly enjoy the program. If your child can tell you the name of a song they are singing, write Christmas in the planner for free money.
Have a great night.

Wow! These Kids and Their Projects Are Awesome!!

2011-12-01T13:39:00.000-08:00

We started sharing our otter projects today and I am so impressed. They not only look fabulous, but what the kids learned, know, and shared about otters and their ecosystem is so exciting for me as their teacher. I am very proud of each of them. We will finish sharing tomorrow and then I will put together a smilebox with all their pictures together over the weekend for you to see these wonderful projects.
Another compliment to this great bunch of kids. Mrs. Ransome had to sub for me this morning until 9:00 as I had a meeting and she said how amazing they were. Way to go Team Hankins. Then again later this morning, we received another wonderful compliment from a guest student teacher that Mr. Hartman sent up to observe our book clubs. She was so amazed at how my reading kids were sharing & discussing their books during book club and how on task they were doing their rotations. Great job kids.
Tomorrow is Library so get those books back.
Have a great night.

Yeah-the Day is Finally Here

2011-11-30T14:23:00.000-08:00

Yes, tomorrow is the day we have been waiting for. The otter projects will be arriving. Students will display them on the tables in the hallway as they arrive at school in the morning. I have a meeting so they are to put them outside the classroom on one of the tables. Make sure as the directions said to have their name easily visible. We will begin sharing them tomorrow and finish sharing on Friday.
Today, we started discussing cells, bones, and tissue. If your child can tell you the name of the "control center" in the cell, write cell for free money. Also, today we watched a cool Bill Nye, the Science Guy You Tube about bones & muscles. If they can tell you how many bones a baby has vs. adult, write bones in the planner for free money.
Their nightly writing also goes along with this video. They are to write 2 paragraphs. One about bones and the other about muscles. They can use facts from the video and from what they know. These are to have a topic sentence, at least 3 details each, and a conclusion each. That is for sure a total 10 good sentences altogether in 2 different paragraphs. Don't forget to indent.
Tonight's math homework consists of 4 math problems-4 digits x 1 digit. We did some in class together today as a whole and then with partners. We then used our calculators to check them. If they had mistakes, they had to go back and find and fix them.
My reading kids are doing such an awesome job with their book clubs. They are writing great inferential questions, making connections, and writing great I-V-F summaries. You should see all the sticky notes they are using to mark their thinking. I love it and all the learning and discussion that is going on. Ask you child what book they are reading and have them tell you about it, and write the title in the planner.
Tomorrow is HE/PE.
Have a great night.

Otter Projects

2011-11-29T17:44:00.001-08:00

I am so excited to see the otter projects on Thursday. We talked about them today and it sounds like we are going to have awesome displays of what they learned. The creativity with these kids is endless. Way to go.
Today a map went home with the Midwest states & capitals so start studying as our test will be before the Christmas break. If you saw this paper and started studying with your child, write studied in the planner for free money.
Thank you to those of you that took the email that I sent you yesterday seriously about your child needing to know their basic multiplication facts. I saw improvements from some today. We started long multiplication computation today and they are realizing they need to know them so thank you and keep practicing.
Tomorrow we are starting the study of cells, bones, tissue, etc. in Science.
Our school wide manner motto this week is "giving sincere compliments" and accepting them graciously. In our morning meetings we are talking about giving specific compliments that we really mean and not just a general one, and how much better we feel when we know it is sincere. Give your child a sincere compliment tonight or tomorrow morning and see how they smile & light up. If you do this, write compliment in the planner for more free money.
Have a great night.

Busy Monday

2011-11-28T13:56:00.000-08:00

Wow-we didn't waste any time coming off our 5 day break. We hit the books hard today and got a lot accomplished.
First of all, I want to start off by saying I hope you all had a nice Thanksgiving with your family & friends. I sure did. Enjoyed lots of family and friend time. In fact, so much that I didn't blog over the weekend as you noticed.
Today, we started our Midwest states & capitals with our Geography Challenge. A copy of these will come home tomorrow. The test over these will sometime in December. I will let you know as to when. If your child can name 2 of the states in this region, write Midwest in the planner.
In Math, we did multiplication/division fact families along with writing multiplication story problems. Speaking of math, some of you received an email from me today informing you of the fact that your child really needs to practice their multiplication facts. I am sorry to say, that there is not a lot of improvement shown for some. This is really going to hurt them soon as we begin the computation component. I hate to take away their fun times to practice, but I will if I don't see improvements made with home practice.
Reminder: Otter projects are due on Thursday. I heard about lots of them today and they sound awesome. I can't wait to see the creativity that will be displayed. Speaking of otters-tonight's writing consists of writing a thank you letter to Jeff on the otter picture that they received today. They were shown a model of how to go around the inside/outer edge starting at the tail and filling in the body. Fourth grade quality is needed!!!!

Music Program is on Monday, December 19th. The same program will be done twice. Once at 9:30 and again at 1:00. Make arrangements to come to one of the performances. It is going to be awesome. We have very talented young ladies & gentlemen. Some have speaking parts to be memorizing so ask your child if they are one of them.
Tomorrow is HE/PE.
Have a great night.

Otter Project Information

2011-11-21T13:38:00.001-08:00

First of all, thank you for all the wonderful feedback from the spaghetti dinner. The majority of the advice was to have the whole family served at once and I totally agree. In fact, when Ms. Erickson & I were reflecting that evening while cleaning up, we thought the same thing. I think next year, we will have families go table by table and do it that way. We had decided this way because we wanted the kids to serve their parents & families, but we can still make that happen when we do families or table numbers at a time. The main thing is, the kids had a great time and enjoyed themselves. By the way, we made $644 after expenses were paid. Thank you again for making this a great project for all of us.
Otter project requirements went home today. Each student picked out of a hat the season they got. Like the paper says, "the sky is the limit" be creative and have fun. Please take the time to start talking about these tonight. If you do, write project in the planner for free money.
Today, we had our SE states & capitals test. Most students did fantastic!! Way to go-much better than the last region.
We also had our math test today.
5 free assignment/late work tickets were issued today. Talk to your child about what they mean and what having at least 1/5 left by Dec. 21st means. Also, the students who don't lose any, get a $500 bonus. If you have the talk, write Polar Express in the planner for another $ bonus.
Reminder: Tomorrow is an early out-12:00 dismissal.
Thank you and have a great night.

What a Fun Italian Spaghetti Dinner Night

2011-11-20T18:13:00.000-08:00

What a great time the spaghetti dinner turned out to be. Thank you so much for all of you whom attended. I think overall, it went very well for it being our 1st go at something like this. We will reflect on it and make some changes for next year so please give any input you may have whether be positive or negative. It was so fun to see the kids dressed up and enjoying themselves waiting on their parents and hanging out in line with their friends. I heard lots of fun and laughter going on that night. Must have been as we couldn't hear the Italian music playing even though I tried to turn it up twice. If you write any positives or negatives in the planner, students will receive free money.
This is going to be a busy short week. Even though we only have a full day Monday, and a 1/2 day Tuesday, we have our SE states & capitals test tomorrow along with our science test on otters and many of the other facts we learned on the field trip. Students will also get the information they need tomorrow for their final science project on otters that they will have the break to work on. On Tuesday morning, we will have our math test over estimation & algebra.
No Spelling words this week.
Next buy-in: On Wednesday, December 21st, we will have our Polar Express Day with both 4th grades. Students get to wear pajamas, have hot chocolate, watch the Polar Express movie, and make their candy trains. The buy-in will be $1000. Not only will they have to buy in, but they will need to have at least 1/5 missing/late assignment coupons left. Yes, they each will have 5 missing/late assignments coupons on their desk tomorrow. I am doing this because we have had a few problems with some missing/late work with some students lately especially after they have bought in to field trips, fun activities, etc. They need to know that even though they have enough fake money to buy in doesn't always guarantee they can participate in the fun things as a few students found out with our field trip last week. You, as parents, and myself as their teacher have the final say. I believe they need to use their good character at home and at school too in order to participate so please let's work together to make sure they earn the fun buy-ins. Thank you.
Have a great night.

How Cool!!

2011-11-17T13:45:00.000-08:00

I am totally impressed by how we all learned yesterday on our awesome field trip. As you know, for their homework last night, they had to write down 15 facts from the day. It is obvious that 2 of the most popular were: how otters mark their territory while playing, and that females rule the wolf pack!!
Today, we read an article on hibernation even though otters don't hibernate. If your child can tell you 3 things hibernating animals bodies do, write hibernation in the planner and if they can tell you what hibernating in summer is called, write summer.
Tomorrow is our last day for the Angel Tree buy-in. We, as a school, raised over $260 today and over $500 for the past two days. That is awesome, Bitterroot. Let's keep up the good work of helping our school families.
Tomorrow is the spaghetti dinner. Both 4th grades will discuss the whole set up and how the evening is going to work at our whole group morning meeting tomorrow. Your job as parents is to show up, have fun, and enjoy time together. See you tomorrow anytime from 5:30-6:30.
Tomorrow is Library so get those books back.
Also, tomorrow is the day before the big Cat-Griz game so extra $ to those sporting their favorite team shirts/sweatshirts, etc.
As you know, I am a big CAT fan and Ms. Erickson is a Griz fan. We have a bet on the game and it is that whomever's team loses has to bake cookies for the other class along with their own. Just a hint-you may want to "cheer" on the CATS because she makes awesome chocolate chip cookies and mine-well, not so much!!!!! So GO CATS!!!!!!
Tomorrow is picture re-take day from 1-2:00. See flyer that came home today.
Reminder: Social Studies SE states & capitals test is on MONDAY!!!!!!
Early out on Tuesday-12:00 dismissal and No School Wed.-Fri.
Have a great night and stay warm and hope for the crazy wind to stop.

Oh My-What a Day!

2011-11-16T14:43:00.000-08:00

This free slideshow personalized with Smilebox

Wow-we had a GREAT day today right from when we got off the bus at Norm's Island until we left Zoo Montana. We learned so many incredible, amazing facts about so many more animals other than just otters. We also learned about erosion, ecosystems, and the Yellowstone River. Your child's nightly writing/science assignment tonight is to write 15 new facts that they learned today with correct capitalization, punctuation, and 4th grade quality. If your child talks to you about the field trip while they are writing and can tell you 5 cool facts, write otters in the planner.
As you can see, we had a great time and learned tons.
Tests coming up: We are having our Math test on Monday for Chapters 2 & 3 and also our Social Studies states & capitals test has been moved up to Monday. I had originally said Tuesday, but forgot we only have 1/2 day.
Tomorrow's Angel Tree/Giving buy-in day is "chew gum" for $1.00. Supply your own gum. Today, we earned $296 for our families in need. Thank you and I love how many of the kids are taking the $ out of their own savings. How cool is that!
Have a great night and enjoy a couple of my favorite pics for now.

Field Trip Tomorrow!

2011-11-15T15:20:00.000-08:00

Yes, our field trip is finally here. We will be leaving tomorrow at 9:00 and returning around 2:15. We are going to Norm's Island first and then to Zoo Montana. We talked today about expectations and dressing in layers. It may be wet out at the island so wearing boots is a great idea. Tomorrow is also our hat buy-in day for $1.00. I told the kids to wear stocking caps and/or ear bands and then wear their other hat over it if they wish. Also, remember your sack lunch except for the ones that ordered the school one. I will have yours here for you tomorrow. PLEASE NO CAMERAS!!! We talked about taking cameras, but Ms. Erickson is not allowing her kids to so we won't either. That way, we won't be distracted from listening to Jeff and don't have to worry about losing it. Thank you-sorry kids for the change.
Our kids made me and Bitterroot proud today. Our whole school raised $365 for the Flakesgiving. If you tune into 102.9 tomorrow at 7:15 you will hear it announced on the radio -How cool!!
If your child participates in the hat day tomorrow -they will earn $50 of free money.
Today we finished our tour of the SE. Then we played a survival game. Wow-they really got to see how tough life was in the Jamestown Colony back in the 1600's. For their nightly writing tonight, they need to write a letter in their Social Studies workbook on page 37. They are to give reasons why John should or should not come from England to the colony.
Keep practicing those multiplication facts at home. After break, we are starting the harder computation and knowing the facts is a must.
Thank you to all of you for the Spaghetti Dinner responses. Wow- I am so excited to see so many of you coming. Also, I loved the little side notes that many of you wrote expressing your excitement. Thank you.
We will call Olive Garden with our final count tomorrow so make sure if you haven't returned your slip yet, that you do tomorrow. We sure don't want to run out of food.
Have a great night and see you tomorrow with your warm layers and your lunch.

Spaghetti Anyone??????

2011-11-14T13:36:00.000-08:00

Friday, November 18th has been set as the day for our 4th Grade Spaghetti Dinner. We talked about the details of it in morning meeting this morning and yellow informational slips went home today with your child. Please read through it carefully and fill out the bottom portion and return with your child tomorrow so that we can get a count of how many we are going to have so that we can let Olive Garden know. Thank you- a $300 fake money reward for those returning tomorrow.
Also, in your child's mail is a note about "helping out the less fortunate as the holidays are approaching. We, our Bitterroot Family, are going to have buy-ins this week Tues. -Friday at the cost of $1.00 each. All the money will be used for our school's angel tree with the exception of Tuesdays. The money collected tomorrow is going to be given to the Breakfast Flakes as our donation to "Flakesgiving" which helps buy Thanksgiving Dinner for those less fortunate in our Billings Community.
The daily buy-ins are: Tuesday: PJ--stuffed animal day
Wednesday-wear a hat all day
Thursday-chew gum in class day
Friday-eat left over Halloween candy during school at your teacher's discretion during the day.
Thank you for helping us out. We talked this morning in morning meeting about using their own money for these days and not asking parents for the money. Remember these are optional. I will pay $50 for each day they participate.
Field trip is Wednesday, the 16th. Please start planning dressing warm for the day as we are going to be spending most of the day outside. Also, make sure you are planning to pack a lunch for your child if you did not order a school sack lunch.
Remember to be practicing those SE states & capitals. Test is on Tuesday, November 22nd.
Some of you are getting much better with your multiplication facts. Good for you-I am proud of you. This will benefit soon when we start more difficult X computation.
Art: students will need empty toilet tissue rolls for Monday, November 21 in Art.
Book orders went home today and are due on Monday, November 21st if ordering with paper form and you can order on-line by going to www.scholastic.com/bookclubs. Our class code is: GZN8L
Have a great night.

A Huge Thank You to ALL our Veterans!

2011-11-11T14:45:00.000-08:00

Thank you goes out to all who have or are still serving our country in the military.
We had a busy week talking about what the day means and what the veterans do and have done for all of us and our freedom.
Today, was extra special though. We started out the day by reading a book titled: "America's White Table". What a powerful book about how families wait for their loved ones return. We set up the white table with the items just like in the book to show them and what they represent to all of us and their families. Ask your child to tell you about all of them and write "America" in the planner if they can tell you a lot about the book. I encourage you to go buy it and maybe even think of doing this at one of the holidays.
Then we had 2 very special Marines come. They were 1st Lieutenant Miller and Captain Nicholson. They talked to the kids about their military services and what it is like to represent & fight for our country. We had the white table set up for them and they were very honored as that is something they do with their families. We also had the yellow stars up in the background that the Bitterroot kids made in honor of their family/friend loved ones.
Then my reading kids got to see the video of the "Tomb of the Unknown Soldier". The requirements, dedication, and honor it takes to guard this tomb is amazing. The kids were in awe. As you can see, we spent a lot of time showing our patriotism and honoring those who have gone before us and those that are and/or will be fighting for us.
We took a moment of silence today at 11:11 to honor them also. Thank you veterans.
We also did buddies today and played a math game where they had to find facts that equal up to 11. We always love to get together with and help out our buddies.

Push Forward With Positive Attitude & Effort

2011-11-10T14:44:00.000-08:00

Today, we had some sad faces as they came back from PE and they saw they didn't get a reward and extra ticket. I had checked the multiplication timing for the 6's. Now, let's just say that they had 3 min. to do 25 problems and some didn't finish or had lots of the facts incorrect. I can not stress to them the need to practice these at home and put forth lots of effort. Things in 4th grade aren't going to come easy -effort is needed. Great job to those of you that are studying and practicing.
Also, I am hoping to see a carry-over of skills into other curriculum areas. When we practice capitalization/punctuation in DOL and they know it, it should be carrying over to their other work as well. Now, that I am on my soapbox-I really want you to encourage your child to do quality work in everything. As I tell them, it says a lot about them & their character. Thank you so much to all of you that will take the time to talk to your child about this. Please write "talked" in the planner for free money.
Now on the positive side, I can honestly say that my reading kids are doing a "bang-up" job in book club discussions.!! Wow-I am so excited and listening to all the dialogue going on is so rewarding!! Way to go Team Hankins.
Tomorrow is Veteran's Day and to honor our veteran's I am paying students $200 if they wear red, white, and blue. Some want to wear camo and that is good too.
Otter facts: We learned some pretty interesting new facts today. Ask your child how many layers of fur they have and why they roll around in the grass.
Reminder: PTA meeting tonight-if you go, write PTA in the planner for free money.
Thank you and have a great night.

Busy Little Beavers --Oh I Mean Otters!!

2011-11-09T13:12:00.000-08:00

Busy Little Otters-hence the cliche' "busy little beavers". We were busy today gathering some awesome otter facts using the computers and following the study guide from National Geographic for Kids. If your child can tell 3 cool facts they learned, write otters in the planner.
We started our tour of the SE today and if your child can tell you about 2 stops on the tour, write SE in the planner. Start studying those states & capitals if you haven't already.
Tomorrow is the multiplication timing for the 6's. They took a study/practice sheet home tonight to practice them.
Tomorrow is HE/PE so have the tennis shoes packed.
I still need permission slips and/or $ from the following students: Darian, Gabe, Ben, Thomas, and Logan. Thank you.
Veteran's Memorial: There is a poster up in the intermediate hallway to remember and honor our veterans. Students are writing names of the veterans, what war they were in, and how they know or are related to this person. Ask your child if they have done one yet, and if not and you know of someone, discuss it with them, and then tomorrow they can fill out the yellow star. So nice to honor those that have and still do fight for our FREEDOM!! Thank you veterans and anyone associated with the military.
Have a great night.

On the News Tonight!!

2011-11-08T14:56:00.000-08:00

Howdy Partners! Today was a great day right from the start celebrating our wonderful state of Montana's birthday. We started out with MT trivia that we turned into facts and then we wrote poems this morning as part of our language/reading.
After lunch, we got both classes together and did some map work with finding cities/towns in MT that matched little clues, then made birthday hat cookies, and of course sang the great state song "Montana". Brad, from KULR-8 was here and so be sure to tune in to the 5 and/or 6:00 news!! Great job 4th graders and quiz your parents on some MT trivia and if they can answer write MT in the planner and if they can tell you how old MT is write 1889 in the planner.
Nightly writing tonight consists of writing a paragraph or two or three about all they learned today about MT and what their favorite part was. They are to use topic, detail, and conclusion sentences. At least 1/2 page and 4th grade quality.
In math, we continue to write number expressions and will start algebraic expressions tomorrow. Everyone did great on the 5's today so tomorrow we start the 6's.
Also, tomorrow we are starting our otter unit in Science. Students will be using computers to find facts on National Geographic for Kids.
Thank you to all of you that sent in the $2.50 for the field trip and the permissions slips. The rest please get them back ASAP.
Have a great night.

Happy Birthday, Montana!

2011-11-07T14:03:00.000-08:00

Oh my what a busy day. We are trying to make up for lost time from last week. We got to a lot of curriculum today and not as much time to work on everything during independent work time as usual in class so there may be more homework tonight than some nights. Oh well, just the way it goes.
Tomorrow is Montana's 122nd birthday so both 4th grades will be doing some fun activities in the afternoon. Everyone has bought into this activity for $400.
Maps of the Southeast went home today so kids can start studying for the SE test. We are going to have this test on Monday, November 21st so that gives plenty of time to study. We will make flash cards here at school to study and use both maps at home to study the capitals and their location. Many students have the chapter 6 Geography Challenge tonight for homework. Make sure they put the answers on the workbook pages and put the places in on the map in the workbook also. If your child can name 3 states in the SE, write SE in the planner for free money.
Permission slips went home today for the all day field trip to Norm's Island and Zoo Montana. Take note of the lunch options and the $2.50 cost admission into the zoo. Students will receive $100 for getting slips back tomorrow and an extra $100 if they bring the $2.50 of real money.
Volunteering: This week our school & school tools manner motto is: Volunteer to help. What a great opportunity to help out our neighbors, family members, etc. If your child does a great deed of volunteering without you telling them to, please write volunteered in their planner.
Multiplication: Oh my, we really need to practice those facts. I can't help, but stress the importance of memorizing them. I am not worried about the speed of them, but just knowing them. We had a quiz on the 0-4's today and over 1/2 of the class doesn't know them. Yikes-so please put the studying of these in the nightly homework plan. If need be, we will practice outside at recess time. Thank you
No nightly writing tonight.

Back in the Groove on Monday

2011-11-06T08:10:00.000-08:00

I hope you are having a great weekend and playing out there in that white stuff! I can honestly say I am not a snow lover other than when I am skiing and wasn't too excited to see it falling yesterday. Oh well-let's hope it melts this week.
We are back into the groove this week with a normal week.
In Science, we are going to be starting our unit on otters, hibernation, and how animals adapt for the winter.
We will talk about and buy in for our field trip that is going to be happening on Wednesday, November 16th.
In Math, we will continue with multiplication reviewing 0-4's and starting on the 5-7's. Practice -practice at home. We are also moving on into some algebraic equations.
In Social Studies, we are finally taking our train & boat tour of the Southeast. A map of the states & capitals for this region is coming home Monday as well.
My reading kids started their book club books last Thursday so we will be working hard on them for awhile along with our language & spelling at that time.
Computer time to do ReadAbout & Success Maker will finally be normal this week as well. As you can see, we are hitting the ground running this week without any interruptions.
Both 4th grades are planning a 4th grade family spaghetti dinner just for our 4th graders and their families. They will have an active role in this and be able to interact with you. The date is Friday, November 18th so mark your calendars. Invitations will be coming home soon.
Once again, thank you for taking the time to meet with me at conferences. I enjoyed visiting with each and everyone of you and look forward to the rest of the year.
Remember you can now access your child's grades on line by following the info. sheet I gave you at conferences. (Now I have to do my part and keep my grades updated).
Have a great rest of the weekend.

Short & Sweet

2011-11-03T11:54:00.000-07:00

Due to conferences until 7:30 tonight, I am writing a short post. Thank you to all of you that have made it to the parent-teacher conferences. I so enjoy sharing with you all your child's successes and talking about what we can do to help them or make their school/academic experiences even better.
Today, my reading kid got their books for book clubs so ask them the title of the book they have.
No nightly writing tonight.
Today's HR was on Annie Oakley, the sharpshooter. If your child can tell you 2 things she did to earn that title, write sharp shooter in the planner for free money.
Next Tuesday, November 8th is our wonderful state of Montana's birthday. Both 4th grades are going to do some fun activities as part of our 4th grade Montana History curriculum to celebrate. There will be a $400 buy in for this party/celebration.
Tomorrow is the spelling test and also we are having a quiz over the 4's in multiplication. Please please practice those facts at home. It does make a difference.
Have a great afternoon & evening.

Conferences Are Underway

2011-11-02T16:55:00.000-07:00

It was great seeing those of you that I did so far and I look forward to seeing the rest of you tomorrow. It is so fun to share all the positives and excitement that I see in your child and their learning on a daily basis.
We have been working on estimation and tomorrow we will work on over & under estimates. Yes, they are having to use that rounding skill again.
Nightly Writing tonight consists of writing a letter to Officer Metzger at the Detention Center. They are tell about what they learned, what they liked, and how they will apply it in life. It should be at least 1/2 page and 4th grade quality.
Have a great night.

Happy November 1st

2011-11-01T15:12:00.000-07:00

Today was a day filled with finishing up some Halloween activities and our book club book.
My reading kids went outside and did some fun relays and games as a final activity for the book we read "There's A Boy In the Girls' Bathroom. We were celebrating just like Colleen celebrated her birthday in the book. We had fun as you can see by the pics.
Then we came in and looked at pictures of the real characters from the book. We all realized that we portrayed the characters so differently when we made and wrote our character descriptions. We all agreed that it was a fun, good book and now we are ready to break down into small book club groups starting on Thursday.
We had 3 guest speakers in to talk to us about the SE as that is where we are studying in Social Studies. Two were from Kentucky and the other from South Carolina. If your child can remember 1 thing about each of those 2 states write SC & Kentucky in the planner.
I sent home a multiplication chart to practice those math facts at home. Also, remember to get on the websites that I listed to practice. I can really tell which students are practicing and they will be rewarded periodically. I can't stress enough the importance of knowing these.
Thank you to those of you who attended your Parent-Teacher Conference today. I appreciate you!
I look forward to meeting with the parents of: Landon, Nathaniel, Hailey, Logan, Aiden, Megan, Jeremiah, Mason, Gabe, Ben, and Korbyn tomorrow.
Remember tomorrow is an early out (12:00) dismissal.
Have a great night.

Happy Halloween

2011-10-31T14:51:00.001-07:00

What a great day we had today. As you can see by the pics we had lots of fun, but still kept it academic based. I think the favorite 2 things were the dry ice activity and the candy graphing in math. They had so much fun partnering with Ms. Erickson's Class doing the dry ice and the trick or treating story told by Jerry Seinfeld. It is a hoot. They had a good discussion about the properties of dry ice. We also talked about the words greedy and rude and how they may not always like the treats they get, but to be kind anyway and especially to the elderly.
In Math, we learned about pictographs and then each student made their own graphing the amount of M & M's they got in their bag.
Thank you to Karissa for the yummy treats.
We are saddened today as Dezzee is moving to a new school. We sure hope you keep in touch and come by to visit. We will miss you.
Report cards went home today. You can keep everything inside, but please return the envelope for free money tomorrow.
Perfect Attendance for 1st quarter goes to: Brayden, Darian, Gabe, Jeremiah, Ilyssa, Staley, Melissa, Jasmyn, and Nathaniel. Let's see if we can get more of you next quarter.
Parent Teacher Conferences start tomorrow and I am looking forward to visiting with Staley, Jaeden, and Grayson's parents.

There is some homework out there tonight as some students didn't finish all our activities and they all have the one tonight to transfer the Halloween foam cut-out into something creating a creative, detailed picture. The pictures don't have to be Halloweenish at all when finished, but they may. I can't wait to see all the 4th grade, creative quality. Remember they have to be colored. We will do more with them here at school.
Have a safe night trick-or-treating and I hope you don't have too much sugar in your bellies tomorrow morning.

YCDC Field Trip

2011-10-28T14:44:00.000-07:00

Wow-what an impact this day made on all of us from the minute our field trip began to the end of the great assembly we had today.
Our field trip to the YCDC was a real eye-opener and showed the kids what happens when you make bad choices. They really took it all serious and I heard so many times "I don't ever want to come back here" or "being here would be no fun at all" and "ooh-this place doesn't smell very good". They not only gave them a tour of the facility, but also showed how the paintball gun works along with the taser. We loved seeing you in the restraining chair, Ben. Oh, the look in your eyes when you first got in there was priceless. The law enforcement officers down there try to portray the reality of it as much as they can for the 4th grade.
They did an awesome job and they love Bitterroot kids too and we always keep getting invited back.
To end our day, we had a great assembly put on by MCC (Montana Conservation Corp). They once again portrayed the effect of drugs on the individuals and their families.
Pumpkin Patch Party: Tonight is the pumpkin patch party from 6:30-8:00. Bring on the fun costumes. If you & your child attend, please write PPP in the planner for $200 free money.
Reminder: Next week is Parent Teacher Conferences with early dismissal on Wed., Thurs. and Friday (12:00).
I can't wait to visit with each of you at your scheduled time.
Report Cards will be coming home on Tuesday.
Thank you and have a great safe weekend.

Loved All the Pink

2011-10-27T14:37:00.000-07:00

Wow-what a great showing we had of pink in here today. Even our guest speakers from Skyview walked in and were taken aback.
Our guest speakers were great once again today as they were from the group at Skyview called SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions). They gave the kids a great message about all the "POSITIVE" things you can do with your life from making good friends to being active in and out of school. They are very involved in their school and activities which leaves them no time to even think about drugs and making negative choices. They did a cool activity with M&M's and if your child can tell you about it, wrtie M&M in the planner.
Tomorrow is "Team Up Against Drugs" -wear your favorite team apparel.
XtraMath: I am hoping your child is practicing their facts nightly at home. I am not paying them anymore as that is their homework and job now without getting $. Also, please make sure they are practicing those multiplication facts with flashcards or whatever you have at home to practice. Work on the 0-3's. Also, check out the website I have listed to use as extra practice.
Tonight's nightly writing consists of publishing and coloring their poems on the goldenrod colored sheets. Some finished it at school.
Tomorrow is our field trip to the detention center. We leave at 8:40 so I will see Lainey, Staley, and Brady's moms here then too right to go with us. Thank you.
Also, tomorrow is Library so get those books back.
Tomorrow is also the Pumpkin Patch Party at 6:30-8:00. I am sure our wonderful PTA has lots of fun things planned.
Congratulations to Megan, our student of the week. We loved all the pictures and the songs you played for us on the keyboard and guitar.

Drugs Stink -Wear Pink

2011-10-26T14:32:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is "Drugs Stink-Wear Pink" day (wear as much pink as you can-remember NO hair color) in conjunction with "pack the place" in pink day at Skyview. Speaking of Skyview, we have some students coming tomorrow to do skits with 4th graders on how drugs affect them.
Today, we watched our Little House on the Prairie Movie about how Albert got addicted to morphine. It really showed how it affected him and his family. If your child can tell you how it affected him at school and what it did to his family, write movie in the planner for free money.
Tonight for nightly writing, they don't have to reflect and write about the movie as we had a great whole class discussion after the movie was over.
Tonight's nightly writing is to write a poem about leaves or their animal that they made with their leaves. They can write a cinquain, acrostic, rhyming, etc. I told them to even go on-line and find some examples to piggy-back from. The main thing I stressed was 4th grade quality and creativity. Also, parents can you please edit them so that we can write the final copies tomorrow and then I can get them hung up in the hallway. Thank you.
Thank you for getting those conference confirmation slips back.
Remember HE/PE tomorrow.
Have a great night.

Drug Free Week --Day 2

2011-10-25T14:50:00.000-07:00

Today was another great day and opportunity for all of us to reflect on what drugs can do to us, friends, families, etc. and the many things we can do instead of drugs. We have a long poster in the hallway by the gym and we are going to add things to that tomorrow so ask your child what is something they can do instead of drugs. Write it in the planner for free money.
Today our guest speakers were from Senior High & Rimrock Foundation. They are or have been in treatment and they told their stories of what drugs have done to them and/or families.
We talked values & setting goals this morning in morning meeting and how this too can be affected by drug use. Ask your child one of their short or long term goals and write goals in the planner.
Conference slips went home today with the day & time that was given to you to meet with me to discuss your child. Please mark the date on your calendar and sign them and send them back tomorrow for $100 money reward. We need these so that we can make the final school-wide schedule for Mrs. Campbell.
In Math, we are working on multiplication. Students are to practice their 3's tonight and then do the 1/2 sheet that went home for homework.
Great job on the book bags for my reading kids. It was fun to hear the connections they made to the book.
Tomorrow is "Sock it to Drugs" day so wear those crazy socks for $100.
Also, tomorrow is our movie day. Everyone bought in today for $500 so that means popcorn & pop. Also, they can bring a pillow and blanket if they choose to sit/lay on the floor for the movie as it is quite long.
Keep practicing those math facts. I am going to set them up real soon on the multiplication component.
Have a great night.

Great Start to Red Ribbon Week

2011-10-24T15:05:00.000-07:00

Wow-what a great day we had today "kicking" off Red Ribbon Week!! First, we talked about how Red Ribbon Week got started and who the person was responsible for that. If your child can tell you the story, write Kiki in the planner. Then, we made a list and catagorized drugs into 3 different catagories and also talked about why people do drugs. If your child can tell you the 3 catagories and one reason why people use them, then write RRW in the planner.
This afternoon, we had our first guest speaker of the week. He talked about his job as a DEA Agent. Wow-what a job he has! The kids were so intrigued and had lots of good questions for him.
We had a great showing in our classroom today with all the Hawaiian clothes. Tomorrow is "Don't Let Drugs Tie You Up". Wear a tie. Remember no hair paint or color.
Congratulations to Karissa, our student of the week. We enjoyed all the pics and the things we learned about you.
My reading kids have a big project tonight as we finished our book "There's a Boy in the Girls' Bathroom. They are to put the title, author, their name, and a picture on one side of the white bag and then tell about their favorite part and illustrate it on the other side. Then they are to put 5 items in the bag that help tell the story. Then on a sheet of paper they are to write why they put each item in the bag.
It feels like the weather is turning so please dress accordingly.
Have a great night.

Watch KULR-8 Tonight!!

2011-10-19T14:55:00.000-07:00

We had a great 1/2 day today. Kristen, from KULR-8 came today and our picture will be on the 5:00 & 6:00 news so be sure to watch for us. She did a great job giving lots of weather facts and answering lots of our questions. Unfortunately, our time always goes way to fast.
Remember next week is Drug Free Week. Our whole agenda is posted on here as part of yesterday's blog so please mark all the dress up days and events on your calendar. Monday is Lei Off Drugs-dress Hawaiian. Free money to those that dress up.
Also, today the Parent-Teacher Conference forms went home and are due back on Monday with your choices of times.
Make sure you do some reading over the break and go to the Xtramath site to practice. Great job to Aiden as she is finished with addition. You rock-girl!!
Have a great long weekend and I won't post again until Monday.

Drug Free Week

2011-10-18T18:49:00.001-07:00

Hello there. Red Ribbon Week is once again quickly approaching. 4th graders will be heavily involved with all sorts of activities revolving around this concept. Some will need a parent’s permission and some will not. Please initial and sign below to ensure that your child doesn’t miss out on any of the upcoming events.

Monday, October 24th: Lei Off Drugs Day at Bitterroot
*Wear Hawaiian attire to school. ($100 reward)
* DEA agent Dunlap will be kicking off Red Ribbon Week by sharing the
story of DEA Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena. His story is the reason behind
Red Ribbon Week. He will also share what character traits he uses in order to be a DEA agent.

Tuesday, October 25th: Don’t Let Drugs Tie You Up Day at Bitterroot
*Wear a necktie to school. ($100 Reward)
* Students from Senior High that have had drug/alcohol related experience and received treatment from the Rimrock Foundation will be here to share their stories with us. (Age appropriate) This talk shows how normal kids, with normal families, get into trouble and make poor choices. It also shows that it starts now, at age 10-11 for many of these kids. Peer pressure is discussed as well. Many times these kids make a comment about how they wished they would have had Character Building time/classes like this when they were their age. POWERFUL!

Wednesday, October 26th: Sock It To Drugs Day at Bitterroot
*Wear Crazy Socks to school ($100 Reward)
*Little House on the Prairie Movie. This movie does a great job on focusing on how a life with drugs not only affects that person, but also takes a tole on the entire family. Albert, the main character, gets hooked on morphine due to peer pressure. His dad moves him back to his hometown only to find out Albert continues the drug habit. Pa helps Albert get off the drug and deal with the effects of that drug. It is rated PG. There is a $300 fake money buy in or $500 with popcorn and pop.
______ Yes, my child may watch the film.
______ No, my child may not watch the film.

Thursday, October 27th: Drugs Stink, Wear Pink Day at Bitterroot (Also in conjunction with Pack the Place in Pink day for Breast Cancer Awareness)
*Wear as much pink as you possibly can to school. ($200 reward)
*A group of kids from Skyview will be coming to do some activities with kids that teach them why drugs are not such a good idea. This is a really fun activity with a great bunch of high school kids that have continued to make good choices and resist peer pressure. AWESOME!

Friday, October 28th:Team Up Against Drugs Day at Bitterroot
*Wear your favorite team’s attire to school.
* Field Trip to the Yellowstone Detention Center (Jail)-Kids will get an age appropriate tour of the county jail. It is completely safe, and we are never left alone without guard supervision. We have done this before, and it really hits home with kids. They will see actual prisoners, cells, officers, food, and a booking room. They will hear stories that demonstrate all the things we have taught them this week. This is a huge eye opener to where they could end up if they make negative choices now. The officers that do the tour, talk heavily about how making positive choices NOW matters. They also share that almost all of the inmates are there because of drugs and alcohol related issues, and that most of the inmates are great people that just make poor choices. All parents are welcome to attend this field trip with their child and two chaperones are still needed. Just meet us there around 9:00 am. There is a $1000 fake money buy in for this trip.
______ Yes, I want my child to attend this field trip.
______ No, I don’t want my child to attend this field trip.
*School wide assembly at 1:00. MCC (Montana Conservation Corp) will be doing some fun raps, skits, and activities with kids for about 30 minutes to wrap up the week. MCC is also an amazing organization that gives kids an alternative to drugs and alcohol by doing volunteer work out in nature. Look into it when your child turns 13!

As you can see, both fourth grade classes take this issue very seriously. It is not meant to scare kids, but it is meant to show them the facts of life if they choose to go down the path of alcohol or drugs. Please feel free to contact us with any concerns/questions you may have.

JUST SAY NO!!!
Ms. Erickson and Mrs. Hankins

Student Name ___________________________
Parent’s Signature _______________________ Date _______________
*All this information can be found on the blog. Please log dates/events on your calendar and return this slip to school tomorrow. Thanks.

KULR-8 Coming Tomorrow

2011-10-18T18:28:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is our final day of our weather unit and what a better way to end it-having a meteorologist coming in to talk to us about the weather. It is Kristen K. from KULR-8 and she will review some things we already know and give us many new facts. Speaking of facts, we had a weather scavenger hunt today, If your child can tell you what instrument measures the speed of weather and how hot a lightning bolt can be, write weather in the planner for free money.
We made our leaf animals today. Most got laminated, but a couple didn't as they had too much glue on them and that makes an enormous mess in the laminator. The ones that did though will be up in the hallway for conference time.
Drug Free Week permission slips and the week's agenda went home today. Please initial and sign ASAP. I would love them back tomorrow or Monday the 24th at the latest. I will post the whole week's agenda on the blog so you will know what is happening each day if you forget.
Also, tomorrow Parent Teacher Conference slips will be coming home. These are due back here at school so I can turn them into the office on Monday, October 24th.
Reminder: Early out tomorrow (12:00) and No School on Thursday and Friday.
Have a great night.

Great Learning Day Off Campus

2011-10-17T13:34:00.001-07:00

Wow-did we ever learn a lot at the NILE!! I love it every year because I learn many new things each time too and that says a lot coming from an old farm girl from ND. This goes great with Rusty's toolbox question today: What does it mean to be a life-long learner. I told my kids that my dad is celebrating his 89th birthday today and he is still learning!!! I love it!
Well, back to the NILE; we went to 7 different stations today with each of them teaching us things about MT's agriculture.
If your child can tell you how many sugar beets it takes to make one 5 lb. bag of sugar, write sugar in the planner.
If they can tell you one thing we get from beef cattle other than meat, write beef in the planner for more money. We sang the "Home on the Range" song too. If they can tell you about rangeland, write rangeland in the planner. Last, but not least, if they can tell you what we get from brown chickens, write chickens in the planner. That is just a few of the things so have a great conversation tonight about what they learned and also ask them to tell you their favorite part and write NILE in the planner. As you can see, the blog reading tonight is worth $250. Also, if they practice the xtramath, write math for another $100. That is $350. We had great Bitterroot behavior so way to go Team Hankins! You made me proud!!
Water Cycle Stories: These are coming home to get published tonight if they weren't finished in school. We haven't had a lot of time to do them and they are due tomorrow.
Drug Free Week agenda/permissions slips: This will be coming home tomorrow. I want to talk about it tomorrow in morning meeting.
Leaves-Leaves-Leaves: We had so much fun helping our buddies with this on Friday that we and Ms. Erickson's class are going to make leaf animals tomorrow and then do some poetry writing to go with them.
Have a great night and enjoy the pics. I took more and they won't all fit so I will put a couple on tomorrow as well.

Leaf Animals

2011-10-14T13:35:00.001-07:00

Wow-look at the creativity we had with our buddies today doing leaf animals. We had so much fun helping them that we are going to do it too sometime in the next couple weeks. We love our buddies! If they can tell you what animal they made, write the name of it in the planner for free money.
Today was picture day and we had our terrific smiles on. I always love this day to see all the great smiles, cute hair, and fun clothes.
Today, Mrs. Salazar, the counselor, came in and did a bullying lesson and went over the bullying contracts. The students signed them, I signed them, and now it is your turn. If your child brings them back signed on Monday, they earn $200.
Also, the PTA fundraiser envelopes are due on Monday too. Remember, I am giving $50 for each donation they collect.
Everyone has bought into the NILE field trip so we are all going on Monday. We leave here at 11:10 and will return around 2:00.
Make sure students dress for the weather. We are outside some of the time. We talked about wearing comfy shoes, long pants, and have a jacket or sweatshirt. We will be eating our lunch in our classrooms that day.
Writing projects are in their final publishing stage. We didn't quite finish them today, but we hope to on Monday. They are great and thank you so much for all your help, guidance, and patience with the editing process. Trust me, they are worth it. You will all of them on display during conference time.
Remember to do the Xtramath on computers and if you do, write math in planner for free money.
There will be no spelling words this coming week due to the short week. Remember Wednesday is 12:00 dismissal and No School on Thursday & Friday.
Have a great weekend.

Water Cycle Stories Take Four and Five

2011-10-13T14:35:00.000-07:00

Wow-the creative juices are flowing!!! These kids are doing an amazing job on their water cycle stories and the best part is they are loving it. I have not had kids this exciting for writing in a long time. Great job Team Hankins!! Today they shared them with a partner again and then we picked 2 to share with the class. They were terrific. Tonight is the final night of this writing project. They are going to "precipitate" and go back to "collection" just like they started on Monday. Parents: Tonight is the BIG night and where I/we need your help. We talked today about having their stories totally reading for publishing tomorrow. These will be shared and on display for others to read. I would like you to go through their whole story with them and check for spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and word usage/grammar. Not if, but when you do, please write "checked" in the planner and your child will earn quite a large "sum" of money tomorrow!!!
Also, tomorrow is picture day. Come with those smiles and we have ours scheduled for 8:45.
Today the students had their Personal Safety lessons with Mrs. Salazar & Ms. Buss. A blue sheet came home today about it so I hope you use it for some discussion.
We didn't get to do the XtraMath today as the site was down, but hopefully it works tonight for you. If your child does it, write Math in the planner for free money.
Tomorrow is buddies also. We are helping them with a leaf animal project so we need to collect leaves; all shapes, sizes, and colors to help them create an animal. These are to be kept moist in a bag to keep them from crinkling. These are so awesome and fun to see the creativity once again.
Fundraiser envelopes: These are not due tomorrow. They are due on Monday, October 17th so you have the weekend yet to collect donations. I am giving $50 for every donation received.
Our field trip to the NILE is on Monday, October 17th.
Speaking of field trips: I am looking for volunteers to come to the jail with us on Friday, October 28th. We leave school at 8:40 and return around 11:30. We need volunteers as they split us into groups and we need adult supervision with each group. Thank you.
We do have our meteorologist scheduled to come on Wednesday morning. She is from KULR-8.
Reminder: Next week on Wednesday is Early out-12:00 dismissal and remember No School on Thurs. and Friday of next week.
Have a great night.

Water Cycle Stories Take Three

2011-10-12T15:09:00.000-07:00

Wow-our water cycle stories are sounding pretty creative and right on the topics of collection, evaporation, and yes you guessed it-tonight is "condensation". Today, they got to read the first two parts to a buddy and a lot of positive feedback was exchanged.
Also, keep working on the raindrop projects. We got a few already and can't wait to see the creativity in them. They are going to look so cool hanging in the hallway on display.
Today, was our states and capitals test. I didn't check them yet, but they seemed to do well.
Tomorrow we will have our chapter test in Math. We have been doing lots with rounding, decimals, and money, and I think we are ready.
Today in Science we talked more about wind and cold vs. warm air. If your child can tell you which is lighter, write air in the planner. Also, we talked about a person who studies weather, if they can name their title write weather in the planner. We hope to get a guest speaker in from one of the TV stations to talk to us about weather. They have been contacted so we will see if we get a response.
Bitterroot fundraiser envelopes are due on Friday. Remember free money for each donation you get.
Reminder: Tomorrow is HE/PE.
Have a great night.

Water Cycle Stories Take Two

2011-10-11T14:23:00.000-07:00

Tonight is Phase 2 of our water cycle stories. Remember this phase is evaporation. Make sure you have details about what causes evaporation, what phase the water is turning to, and where he ends up.
I was able to glance at Phase 1 today and the students did a great job of introducing their raindrop, giving a location, and adding some creativity as they were describing. There were a few that went into the evaporation stage last night so I talked to them about it and they need to fix it and continue tonight. Remember parents, please help with the editing, spelling, and grammar usage so that the final draft they have to write & publish will be easy to transfer and ready for display. Tonight they also got their tagboard raindrop to create their character. The sky is the limit with these and I can't wait to see the 4th grade quality and creativity.
Also, today in Science we continued with more of our weather unit talking about pressure systems. If your child can tell you the difference between a HIgh (H) and Low (L) pressure system, write H & L in their planners for free money.
Tomorrow is the NE states & capitals test. Study Study.
This week on School Tools and during morning meetings, we are talking about communication. Today, we talked a lot about non-verbal communication and what % of our communication is that form. If your child can tell you, write the number in the planner for more free money.
Field trips: Our field trip to the NILE is on Monday, October 17th. We will have an early lunch here and leave at 11:10 and be back by 2:00. All but one person has bought into this trip.
Our jail field trip is on Friday, October 28th. We still have a few to buy in so I am hoping they can make their money soon.
Keep practicing that Xtramath.com website to work on those math facts. It is so fun to walk around and watch them do it in here. They are so focused and working hard to pick up speed.
Have a great night.

Who Will Their Raindrop Be?????

2011-10-10T15:11:00.001-07:00

Tonight students are coming home with their nightly writing notebooks to start their water cycle stories. They are going to be a raindrop traveling through the water cycle. They are to write paragraph one only tonight which is the collection phase. In this paragraph they are to introduce their raindrop and tell where it is collecting. They are also to give some details about what they are doing in their collection place. They have a model of this 1st phase to use as an example to guide them through what my expectations are. They need to be creative, use good spelling, capitalization & punctuation. Parents-please please help with this process as it is almost impossible for me to go through each one everyday to correct for errors. I think this is a fun project to work on together. Tomorrow they will get the next part and another part each day this week. So make sure tonight only Part One. Also, tomorrow they will get a raindrop template where they will be creative and add fun details to make it look like their raindrop. I will have an example of Drippy to show them tomorrow. Thank you for all your help in this.
As you know today is Columbus Day. We had an HR on him and read a book. We talked about the difference in the European & Native American perspectives. If your child can tell you about the book, write Encounter in the planner.
Also, tonight I sent home the sheet they will need to get on the Xtramath practice website. It is extremely important that they do this nightly, it takes only about 3-5 minutes. I can't stress enough the importance of fact mastery. We are ready to move into multiplication real soon and so many don't have their addition/subtraction facts down yet. If your child does this practice tonight, write down what they got and write "math" in the planner for more free money.
My reading kids had a treat today-well maybe not a treat-depends how you look at it. Ask them where they went in reading today. I loved the conversations after this. :)))
This is the last week for the PTA fundraiser envelopes. Remember if every child in our class has even just one donation, our whole class gets an ice cream party. We can do it Team Hankins. You can send the envelopes anytime this week.
PE tomorrow.
Reminder that our states and capitals test is on Wednesday.
Great job today to all the kids. It was a very busy day. I can't wait to read the stories.

Happy TGIF!!

2011-10-07T13:49:00.000-07:00

What a difference a day makes!! Much much better choices being made today overall. There are still a couple of you who need to figure this out. I hope it happens for you soon.
Today we had our auction and those that got to participate had a great time. They got to take things home anywhere from stuffed animals, posters, bug cages, candy and soda treats. There were some sad faces on the sides, but hopefully this was a learning lesson and they will start working harder to earn that free money. We figured it out today that they can earn $450/week just by reading the blog, getting planner signed, doing job, and keeping a clean desk. That doesn't even include the positive behavior. Like I said at Open House, it is so easy to earn money in here. So come on Team Hankins'-let's get all of you on board the "winning team"!!!
Congratulations to Korbyn, our student of the week. Wow-what a lego builder he is!!
From the pics, you can see that we had a fun with partners in math today doing some challenging money problems. There was so much constructive talking going on as they discussed their strategies. I loved hearing it.
Good job getting those library books returned today. They are working on a fun project in Library with Mrs. Anderson. She is so awesome and is doing such a great job of weaving what we do in the classroom to their library skills. If your child can tell you what they are working on, write library in the planner for free money.
Today, we started a new math computer program along with our Success Maker Math & ReadAbout Reading (non-fiction).
I will be sending the information home on Monday for you about that so that you can access it from home and get your child on it nightly to practice those math facts for mastery.
Thank you and have a great weekend.

Auction Tomorrow

2011-10-06T15:27:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow we will be having the auction for those of you that have made "good" choices this year so far and have enough money left after buying in to the field trips. I am going to have you save some for the Drug Free Week activities just to make sure you can participate, but anything beyond that can be spent.
Speaking of choices, some didn't make very good choices this afternoon after lunch. Lots of talking out and lack of respect was shown to myself and Ms. Buss in PE. Needless to say, I was very disappointed this afternoon in some of the kids, not all. They know who they are and I visited with Ms. Buss at the end of the day and got a list from her so they will face consequences tomorrow for making poor choices and not using good character. Those that did what they were supposed to -GREAT JOB!! You should be proud. I know I am proud of you! They also have to write about their behavior tonight along with their nightly writing. I know tomorrow will be a great day so let's GO TEAM HANKINS and have an AWESOME TGIF!!!!
Keep working on those states and capitals. I have a website you can go to to practice. Test will be Wednesday, October 12th.
Also, I have posted a few new math sites to practice the math we have been doing here in the classroom.
Speaking of websites, I will be sending info home on a math fact drill one that I will be introducing to the kids soon. It is one that I will encourage you to have them do on a nightly basis. More on that soon.
Remember Library books tomorrow.
Have a great night and enjoy this cool weather.

Science-The Water Cycle & Celebration

2011-10-05T14:29:00.000-07:00

HMMMMMMM! I wonder how you can tie Science/The Water Cycle into eating ice cream and having our class celebration.
Well, we did today as we went outside for our science lesson, ate our ice cream, and learn lots of facts about water. In fact, we learned so much that they can tell you at least 2 things to put in the planner for free money.
My spelling kids played math basketball today to review our words. It was fun, but lots harder than it looked as you can see from the pics.
I showed them a good way to study their NE states & capitals today on their write-on/wipe-off boards using numbers. So hopefully this helps.
We will be having our auction on Friday in the afternoon. I sure hope everyone has enough money by then and can participate and at least get something. Making good/positive choices has its' rewards & benefits.
Tomorrow is PE so remember the tennis shoes.
Also, tomorrow the weather is supposed to change so dress for the weather.
Picture envelopes went home today. Picture day is Friday, October 14th.
Reminder of book orders due on Monday, October 10th.
Thank you and have a great night.

Celebration Time!!

2011-10-04T15:25:00.001-07:00

Yippee-we earned our 25th Compliment Point today so that calls for a "celebration". We got it from Ms. Buss which is awesome as we have been working hard on this which happens to be our "manner motto" this week. If your child can tell what it is, write manner motto in the planner for free money. I will be bringing in treats sometime this week and we will do a teamwork game or activity. Great job Team Hankins!! Now we are on our way to earning 25 more.
Just a reminder that we will be having our "auction" this week to spend that fake money. It is looking like we will be having it on Friday. Those that bought into the jail field trip and have extra money will be able to participate.
Today we started our train tour of the NE. If they can tell you a fact about West Quaddy Head, write WQH in their planners for free money. Students also got their write-on/wipe-off maps to practice these at home. The test on these will be on Wednesday, October 12th. They will need to know the names and locations.
Making Change in Math-this concept is posing a bit of difficulty for some, but I don't want them to get frustrated as they will get it as we practice practice.
Book orders went home today. Remember if you order on-line our classroom code is: GZN8L. Thank you-these are due on Monday, October 10th.
Also, today we started our computer programs of ReadAbout & Success Maker.
Thank you and have a great night.

Mid-terms Went Home Today

2011-10-03T13:40:00.001-07:00

By the time you are reading this, you should have already seen your child's mid-term report. Overall, these are very good and as always if you have any questions, please email or call. Since these are mid-terms, it gives a student time to improve their grade or grades before the First Quarter report card goes home. These do not need to be returned to school, but I do want to know that you have seen them so just write mid-term in planner for free money.
More work=the need for good time management. Students are realizing that 4th grade is getting harder and that there is more work involved which means it is so necessary to use good time management skills. We have discussed this as one of our tools for success quite extensively in morning meeting.
Computers finally start tomorrow. Yes, we are finally getting to start our ReadAbout & Success Maker computer programs which will help our reading and math skills.
In Math, this week we are working on Making Change with money. This can be a difficult concept. We did start today so please ask your child what the change would be from $5.00 if they purchased something for $3.53 at the store. Have them count the change into your hand by counting up. We practiced a few today and will continue tomorrow.
In Social Studies, we continue with our tour of the NE. Practice those states and capitals. The practice maps will go home tomorrow as I have to cut-out the laminated copies tonight.
In Science, we will have a quick review of the water cycle-then we will move into different weather systems and tools that meteorologists use.
HR's-We are starting a new thing called HR's. These are daily non-fiction articles about events, people, places, etc. We did 3 earlier this year as a group so now students are on their own. They are to read them, highlight key details/events, and then complete the back side. Today's is about Jimmy Carter.
My reading kids have a review spelling list this week as Unit 6 is a review unit so they will have only 20 words.
Reading Calendars: The October one went home today. Make sure you return Septembers tomorrow if you haven't already. These are a big part of their reading grade.
Posted on the side are all the important dates for now in our classroom and here at school.
Thank you and have a great night.

What a Fun Day Once Again

2011-09-30T14:25:00.001-07:00

Wow! I just love these kids. It is so fun to be part of all the learning that is going on on a daily basis in here. Not to mention the TEAMWORK they are using to help each other out.
Today was so fun watching them work with their 1st/2nd Grade Buddies. We played a Native American game together. If they can tell you how they played it, write game in the planner for free money.
Water Cycle Projects are complete and hanging on the wall here at school. Wow-we know lots about water already and we are only getting started. If they can tell you how we created the raindrops, write raindrop in the planner.
Congratulations to Lainey, our Student of the Week. We love all your seashells and pictures.
We earned Fun Friday again this week so we had a class kickball game. Once again, I saw and heard some good sportsmanship going on. Way to go Team Hankins!
Today, the students that had enough money to buy in for the Detention Center field trip did so. Now, we will have our auction next week sometime to spend the extra money they have. Those that didn't have enough money will not be able to participate in the auction. Ask your child their status on this.
Just a reminder to practice those NE states & capitals. We will be having the test on them the week of October 10th.
Have a great weekend and get out and enjoy the beautiful fall weather.
Go "CATS"!!!! Go Griz-

The Water Cycle Continues

2011-09-29T15:13:00.000-07:00

Today we continued Part 3 of our Water Cycle Project-the "pretty" part as the kids say. They got to use glue & glitter. Wow-they did a great job and worked hard at helping each other out. Amazingly enough, with 28 kids, we didn't have a large amount of glitter on the floor and no major spills. I am so proud of them and they were visiting and really loving the project and saying "This is fun". Tomorrow we finish with the written part where they have to explain each part of the water cycle. They are really showing that we can do more projects like this either just our class or both classes together and really handle it with maturity. The worst of it all, is there is never enough time to get everything done. I think I need to keep your kids for 2 more hours each day. What would they think of that???????
Tomorrow we have buddies which is one of our favorite parts of every 2 weeks. We will be helping them with plants & seeds.
We will also take some time tomorrow to trade in some of our money. Some of these kids are really getting lots of money so we are going to have a "buy in" or auction next week where they can spend some of their extra money. We will pay for the jail field trip first and then they can spend most of what they have left.
Please please talk to your child about this. We already talked about it this morning in our meeting and I was hoping to do the buy in tomorrow, but there is no way we can with having to finish these water cycle projects and do buddies so we will do the buy in next week sometime. Sorry if this creates a problem-but they can look at it this way, it gives them time to earn more money.
Nightly writing-the past 2 we corrected together and they seemed to do quite well. Thank you for checking their work to make sure it is 4th grade quality. I will collect tonight's writing tomorrow and grade that one so once again, make sure they have all the editing completed and quality written.
Library tomorrow so get those books back. Some students have overdue slips that came home today so they need to return those books tomorrow as well.
Have a great night.

Water Cycle Fun & Craziness

2011-09-28T14:50:00.000-07:00

Today we continued working on the water cycle project. We got the detailed part finished and now we get to do the part they are all waiting for; the glitter, cotton ball, and Q-tip part. They are looking great already and I love the 4th grade quality they are doing. We will finish them up tomorrow and then get them up in the hall on Friday. We are loving the water cycle song too. If your child can sing along to the YouTube video song, write water cycle in the planner and if they can tell you what happens to Uncle Dan in the song, write Uncle Dan in the planner for free money.
Speaking of great work-nice job on the nightly writing and editing. They are looking good and we have another one tonight titled: The Beach.
We were busy today so your child may have a little more homework than usual, but it is good practice and they can get it done.
Tomorrow is PE so remember the PE shoes.
Have a great night.

Terrific Tuesday

2011-09-27T14:23:00.000-07:00

What goes round & round? The water cycle of course. Today we started our new Science unit on the water cycle. We got together with Ms. Erickson's class and started a fun project to help explain the water cycle. If your child can tell you the 4 parts we started with today, write water cycle in the planner. Hint: I just posted a song on the link list to help. Fun song-hopefully it becomes some of your favorite listening music. :)
Northeast States & Capitals: We made flashcards today to help us study them. Those will be coming home tomorrow along with a map of their locations.
In Math, we continue to work on money and decimals. We are doing decimals in the tenths & hundredths. As an add on to this we are already learning the fractions too. Have your child write the decimal for forty-five hundredths along with the fraction.
The 3 skills we are working on this week in reading class are: sequencing events, fact/opinion, and cause & effect.
Have your child write 1 fact and 1 opinion about Mrs. Hankins. :) Be nice-haha!!
They ran the 800 today and let me tell you, they were exhausted. Starting tomorrow, they are going to run 1 lap around the playground at morning recess on a daily basis. Hopefully, this will help for when we have to run it again.
Have a great night.

Marvelous Monday

2011-09-26T13:41:00.000-07:00

First of all, great job to all of you that attended Saturday Live. We had a great turn-out from our class. Way to support our schools. Guess what-I promised a picture of my day hike, but forgot my camera at school on Friday-so no pics. Sorry. Just take my word for it-the hike was gorgeous. I have never seen so many shades of green, orange, yellow, and red.
Nightly writing has a new format. Students got a 1/2 sheet of paper titled: "Street hockey". It has mistakes in capitalization, punctuation, word usage, and spelling. Students are to edit it on the 1/2 page and then write it correctly in their nightly writing notebooks with indentation and correction of mistakes. We are going to use these as teaching points daily in helping make their writing better.
My reading kids are reading the book called: "There's A Boy in the Girl's Bathroom. If they can tell you a bit about the 2 main characters, write their names in the planner for free money. For Read 180 kids, have them tell you the book they are reading and write the title for free money.
In Math, we continue to work on counting $ using the fewest bills and coins. We are also working with tenths and hundredths.
Our problem-solving strategy is "patterning". If they can finish the following pattern, write it in the planner. 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, ___,
____, ______.
In Social Studies, we are going to be starting our tour of the U.S. with the Northeast region. Students will have to learn the states and capitals for this region as they will be tested. A practice map will be coming home later on in the week. The state names and capitals are on the side of the blog.
Thank you, Jeremiah for sharing your awesome "student of the week" pics. We loved them.
Lainey is our new student of the week this week.
Tomorrow is PE and Mrs. Buss said the kids are running the 800. They can bring IPODS for running if they choose to. They will be used for this only and not as a buy-in to use in the classroom.
PTA fundraiser: The large envelopes came home last week. You are asked to collect donations. I will give free money $50 for each donation your child gets. Let's see if we can get 100% class participation.
Have a great night.

Happy TGIF Everyone

2011-09-23T13:47:00.000-07:00

Today is Friendship Friday. We talked a lot about what it takes to be a good friend this morning in morning meeting.
If your child can tell you 3 things, write FRIEND in the planner. What a kind, caring group this is. We love our school/classroom family.
In Math, we continue to work with counting money both bills & coins. We are moving on to Making Change for money amounts so if you get any extra time, practice counting money and making change.
Today, we started our counseling lessons with Mrs. Salazar. A note went home today explaining her job as our school counselor and she talked extensively today with the students.
Tomorrow is Saturday Live from 10-4 at Pioneer Park. If you go, write Saturday Live in the planner for free money. Have fun if you go. I would love to go, but my husband and I are going on a day hike up to Glacier Lake. It is such a beautiful place this time of year as the trees are turning color. I will post a pic on Sunday of our trip.
Have a great weekend.

Short & Sweet

2011-09-22T11:14:00.001-07:00

Today's post is going to be short due to the 1/2 day. The morning just flew by and of course we try to get more in during the day than there is time for.
Jeremiah, please remember to bring your kid of the week stuff tomorrow so you can share.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY today to Ilyssa. Have a great day.
Remember Library books tomorrow. Also, wear some comfy shoes for Fun Friday as it looks like you are going to earn it for the week. Keep up the good job.
Have a great afternoon. Think of me as I will be in a workshop.

Nervous Young Ladies

2011-09-21T15:01:00.000-07:00

We sure had some nervous, young ladies in here today as they were anxiously awaiting their Girls' Honor Choir tryouts. Good Luck to you all and just remember if you don't make it, that you tried your best, and you made us all proud here at Bitterroot.
Money-money & decimals: Today in Math, we started counting our change and relating it to decimals. If your child can tell you how some coins are related to tenths & hundredths, write decimal in their planner for free money.
Also, we started our Step Up to Writing paragraphs. We are using a very detailed organizer that resembles something, if your child can tell you what the card we used today resembles and what the color yellow means, write yellow in their planner.
Reminder: Tomorrow is a 1/2 day with a 12:00 dismissal. Please make arrangements for your child.
Also, get those permission slips back ASAP. Thank you.
Have a great night.

Crazy Day

2011-09-20T14:31:00.000-07:00

Wow-what a crazy & busy day. It all started out with us taking our NWEA math test first thing. Therefore, we didn't get to have our morning meeting. Boy, did we miss that-it sure sets the tone for our whole day. We didn't even get to go over planners until after PE (1:40). Now I can see why we LOVE our morning meetings together. It's our TOGETHER SCHOOL FAMILY time.
No 800 today as Ms. Buss was not here. She will let us know when they will run the 800. Also, I did not charge for the IPODS today as we didn't use them much due to testing and no 800.
Well, the work load in reading really started today. Students are finding out they have to manage and use their time wisely. If your child has reading & spelling homework tonight, that means they probably didn't manage their time very well. We have 90 min. to do spelling, language, read-a-loud, and reading. YIKES-see why we have to be organized and movin.
Hidden treasure maps-for the most part these were great and they got to share them with their groups. Some were a bit challenging. Great job kids. If your child can tell you about one of their group members maps, write treasure in planner for free money.
For math, we are starting money so we played the dollar dice game with a partner. IF your child can explain the game to you, write money in their planner.
Tonight is Zumba sponsored by the PTA. Please join in the fun. I will be there for some fun exercise. $500 to your child if you attend.
Large golden envelopes: Your child brought one of these home from the PTA. They are for their fundraiser. It consists of money donations. (No nothing to sell or buy). How easy is that! Remember our PTA does many awesome things for our kids so let's all join in in helping them raise money. If each student from each class gets at least 1 donation (100%) participation, the class will earn an ice cream party. I am going to give the students $50 in free money for each donation they get.
They have until October 15th to keep collecting. What a great way to earn that field trip money.
Speaking of field trips, permission slips came home for the NILE trip today. Your child already paid and checked that section if they had enough money. All you need to do now is give them permission to go, sign it and return it to school. We do have another one coming up at the end of October so they will need another $1000 for that one. Like I told you at Open House, it is so easy to earn money in here.
Hope to see you tonight at Zumba.
Have a great night.

Talk Like a Pirate Day

2011-09-19T15:48:00.000-07:00

Great day today and it started out with fun in Music with Mr. Goodheart. Yes, it was talk like a pirate day and he had lots of fun music and activities. In fact, we tied this into our nightly writing. Students have to make a treasure map with a hidden treasure. Then they are to write 5 clues for me or another classmate to find their treasure. I am hoping they use some the social studies map skills that we have been learning in their clues. I can't wait to see the awesome, creative maps.

Today in Math we played a rounding game with partners and then took our rounding test. Overall, the kids did a great job and we are moving on to money. Lots of fun games and activities for this concept coming their way.

Tomorrow in PE the students have to run the 800 so make sure they have their tennis shoes for sure. I don't know if they can use IPODs to run or not. In the past, Mr. Ness let them use them, but I don't know if Mrs. Buss will allow it or not. But the kids can bring them and then they can listen to them in here during independent work time for sure. They will have to spend $500 fake money for this buy in and only if they have enough money budgeted for their field trips ($2000) coming up in October. Just like we adults have to budget our money and then use what is left for fun things. So talk to your child about this.
Tomorrow is Zumba in the gym from 6-7 sponsored by the PTA. Please join in on the fun. Your child can ear $500 if you and them attend. See there is the IPOD buy in.
Congratulations to Ilyssa, out student of the week. We enjoyed hearing about you and seeing all your pictures.

Car Lot Anyone?

2011-09-16T13:54:00.000-07:00

If you drove by the school around 1:45 you would have seen Mrs. Hankins out there running with the kids. I LOVED IT!! Wow-we had a great week and earned our Fun Friday privilege of a group activity. We played Car Lot and I got to be one of the car crushers. Great job kids, let's keep working together as a team to have another fun activity next Friday. If your child can explain to you how Car Lot is played, write car lot in the planner for free money.
Thank you to all of you who donated candy already. We appreciate you-keep it coming.

Happy Birthday to Staley & Darian. Have fun, safe birthdays this weekend. Also, thank you for the yummy treats.
Book Orders: They are due on Monday. Remember you can do on-line or the order form. If you lost the form, you go to www.scholastic.com/bookclubs. Our class activation code is: GZN8L. Thank you.
Our first field trip is coming up on October 17th. We will be going to the NILE down at the Metra. It is for 4th graders as it ties into our Montana History studies.
Sports schedules: If your child is in any after school sports activities and they have a schedule of games, I would take a schedule and try to get to at least one of their games.
Have a great weekend.

Hurricane Mania

2011-09-15T15:23:00.000-07:00

Wow-look at all those hurricanes blowing down the 4th grade hallway. They look so cool and colorful. We did a great job and had fun creating them. We have one more project with them and that is a writing project where we are going to create some awesome paragraphs.
Rounding numbers in math is going well and I think it is due to the Rap song. It is on my link favorites so please have your child sing it for you and if they do write Rap in the planner for free money. Also, if they can round the number 456, 987 to the nearest ten thousand and show you how we do it.
The hemispheres in Social Studies-if your child is disappointed with the paper they did yesterday, I told them not to worry as we did the one today that came home and I think they understood it much better.
I am going to send home a copy of the latitude and longitude game that we play here at school next week and you can play it together at home for extra practice.
Reminder-tomorrow is LIBRARY!!! Also, hopefully it is Fun Friday. They are working real hard to earn those tallies to "beat the teacher" for the week. Looks like it will be a good day for some classroom kickball.
Have a great night.

Rounding Numbers Rap

2011-09-14T14:54:00.000-07:00

What a great day we had today. In Math we started the concept of rounding numbers. Of course, we had to introduce it with a little fun and music. Well, we were rappin' in here and I think we now have the concept of process. I would love for you to have your child do it at home for you and please join in with them. I posted the site on my favorite links on the side of the blog.

How did we connect hurricanes with math you ask? Well in Science today we started origami pinwheels which spin just like a hurricane. What a great math connection as origami paper folding uses a lot of geometry math terms. We will finish them tomorrow. I am sure your child will be saying in their sleep; "crispy creases & folds-crispy creases & folds"- a big key to them turning out correctly.

Book orders went home yesterday and on-line ordering is encouraged as we get a free classroom book for each order purchased. You may still use the paper orders if you choose to.
Tomorrow is HE/PE so remember those tennis shoes.
Also, tomorrow we will be taking the NWEA Language test during our reading block.
Map skills in social studies-we keep working hard on that longitude and latitude along with the 4 hemispheres. Practice at home any extra chance you get.
Today is the birthday of the Star-Spangled Banner. If your child can tell you who wrote it and why, write Star-Spangled Banner in the planner.
DRESS FOR THE WEATHER-We all noticed a change in the weather today. Please check the weather daily and send your child to school with the appropriate dress. We had some chilly kids at recess today.
Have a great night.

WOW! Where Do the Days Go!!!

2011-09-13T14:35:00.000-07:00

Time is just flying by. I can't believe it is almost the middle of Sept. already. YIKES!! The BEST thing about it all though is that we are making so much growth academically, socially and behaviorally. I am so proud of each and every student already. Those that still need to practice their lining up skills know who they are. :) Please visit with your child about this. Thank you.

Today we played a fun game practicing our latitude and longitude with Ms. Erickson's class. They did a great job and it is so fun to work together. Tonight's nightly writing is that they have to write about a place they want to or like to go visit. If they can find the latitude and longitude of their location, write it in their planner for free money at check in.
Speaking of working together, today was Teamwork Tuesday and we wrote an awesome class acrostic poem about teamwork. If your child can tell one thing we wrote, write teamwork in the planner for more money.

Great job to those WISH tutors who showed up on time today. You meet again tomorrow at 8:00 sharp. Those who didn't show up on time or at all, you are no longer signed up to be a tutor.

Boy's Honor Choir-The permission slips went home yesterday and Mr. Goodheart said to return them by next Wed. Well, that has been changed and their 1st audition is here tomorrow so permission slips are needed by tomorrow.

Saturday Live-thank you to those that have brought in candy for the candy shack. You Rock!! Others-please help out if you can.
Have a great night.

Smilebox from Buddies Friday

2011-09-12T13:17:00.000-07:00

I hope you take the time to enjoy the Smilebox made from our Watermelon Buddy fun that we did on Friday. We watched it today and the kids LOVED it. I know some were disappointed that they weren't in it, but it was difficult to get everyone. They will have their chance again.
Math game-today we compared numbers with greater than and less than with our game boards and cards. I would like you to have your child practice saying large numbers to you. For example: 3, 456,786. Say it out loud. If you spend some time practicing these larger numbers, please write large numbers in your child's planner for free money.

Character trait: We have spent the past 2 weeks talking and modeling the "responsibility" trait. Now it is your child's turn to write 5 ways they show & use the trait at school and again 5 ways they show and use it at home. These are to be in sentence/paragraph form and not just a list.
This week we are working on "Respect". We will chart, practice, and role play many examples of this trait.
Today in my reading class I worked on the questioning strategy and the 2 kinds of questions-literal & inferential. We will be using these and get great at questioning during our book clubs. The GOAL is to ask more inferential ?'s as the year progresses.
Tomorrow's charades-students in my reading/language need to have a "verb" ready to act out for us and we will make a chart of verbs that will help us do our subject & predicate skill in Language.
Latitude & Longitude-we are working hard on this concept and will play a game tomorrow somewhat like Battleship to help us understand this difficult concept a bit better.
Congratulations to Ilyssa Schmidt as she is our STUDENT OF THE WEEK. Please bring in your pics and things by Wed.
Remember tomorrow is PE so bring those PE shoes.
Girls & Boys Honor Choir-Mr. Goodheart sent home notes for students interested in trying out for this wonderful program. Tryouts are on Wednesday, September 21 at 3:15. Your child needs that permission slip filled out if they are interested.
WISH TUTORS: Remember WISH tutor training starts tomorrow morning in the Library at 8:00 sharp.
Saturday Live Candy-once again Bitterroot is doing the Candy Shack for Saturday Live. If your child helps out and brings in non-chocolate candy, they will get free money.
Have a great night.