Tomorrow is Friday! :0)

Hi.

Homework tonight is to finish up those Mall of America layouts that they started last night. We will share their finished products in class tomorrow.

Library books and spelling tests tomorrow.

Gwen and Josh...feel better!!!! :0)

Have a great night!
Mrs. Grewell

Books Are a Kids Best Friend, Even If They Disagree With Me! :0)

Howdy Parents!

What a busy, busy day! We spent the day wrapping up lessons along with starting brand new ones. I felt like I didn't know if I was coming or going all day long. :0) Ever feel that way???

The wind at recess was CRAZY!!! Mrs. Jeziorski and I felt as if we were in a hurricane! We were awfully glad we had our hats and warm winter recess jackets. It was hard to watch those kiddos in shorts and t-shirts shivering outside. Please continue to keep warm clothing in the backpacks. Thanks!



In math we left the fraction world and dove right into geometry. We did this in a pretty fun way...Geometry Shout Outs. Ask your kiddos to show you the hand movements for the following terms. Just say the term...they will do the rest! Don't stand too close...especially when you say point!!! :0) Say...point, line, line segment, ray, parallel lines, intersecting lines, and perpendicular lines. I have found that when they do some hand motions with these, they are more able to find them in a picture or diagram. If your kiddos can show you them write GEOMETRY in the planner for $10 tomorrow.

I sent in the science fair applications for the Billings Clinic Expo today. So...if you helped me fill one out, they are now registered!

Homework tonight is for Wednesday AND Friday...which means they need to take their time! We finished up our tour of the Midwest region. We ended today in Minnesota at the Mall of America. Tonight and tomorrow night, kids need to create their own Mall of America's. In class, they wrote down their 5 favorite stores, 4 favorite places to eat, and 2 favorite fair rides. Those now need to be put on their mall layouts. The fair rides need to be in the middle area. The food and stores go on the outside wherever they want.  All of these places need to be real places and spelled correctly (they may ask you or use an electronic to help them find out). They also need to use correct capitalization on store titles. They may do whatever they want with this one. There will be one square left over. Kids may do whatever they want with this one. They can even make up their own store, have a swimming pool, haircut place, doggie daycare, whatever! Just on this ONE store though. Malls need to be colored and show 4th grade effort. Kids may print things off the internet and glue it in or they may free draw it or do a combination of both. Malls are due on Friday morning. We will share them and then they will be displayed in the hallway for a bit. Kids MUST HAVE FUN with this project. :0)

In science, we did a small practice test to help us review concepts before our MONTCas Science test next week. Only 4th graders take this. We will review again this week. They have this stuff! :0) Remember....science is logical!

We got to attend the honor band concert this morning. They played great. These kiddos will have a choice next year as to what they want to do music wise. They can join the band, the orchestra, or stay in general music (choir). They got to hear all the different instruments today. There is a sheet coming home in the Tuesday folder next week about a "musical petting zoo" where kids can go and try out all the different instruments to help them decide. Once they pick, they have to stay with it for the remainder of the year and promise to practice daily. My Emma plays the saxophone in her band class. She also plays the violin. Before her 5th grade year, she took the orchestra class offered in the summer (AMAZING and CHEAP!) at the Lincoln center. She learned a ton and was very well prepared for band before she walked in the door. I HIGHLY recommend this! Now, she takes violin lesson privately and plays the sax at school. Music is a huge part of her life, and BPS does a ton to help keep that passion alive in kids! Watch for notices coming home toward the end of the year. BPS also rents instruments very cheaply if kids need one and they have it available. Fun! They may join the honor band in the 6th grade.

I think that about says it all for today. A HUGE thank you to those of you that have already ordered books online. The more you order, the more I order! Fly Time depends on character books that I buy with your help! So, thank you and keep them coming! Every dollar helps! Plus kids LOVE getting those books on their desks on delivery day!

Have a wonderful night!
Mrs. Grewell

Midterms Today! They are doing great!!!

Hi!

Tuesday folders came home today. Inside you will find...

1. Midterms for 3rd quarter. If a grade is really low, it is probably due to a missing assignment. Check online for details. Kids checked grades online today, so they know how and can show you if need be. Remember a 4-A, 3-B, 2-C, 1-D, 0-F. If you see this, write MIDTERM in the planner for $10.

2. Multiplication Basic Facts Testing. Practice needed!!!!

3. Next week is Dr. Seuss week at Arrowhead. Each day, we will read a fun book written by him. Kids may dress up according to the theme written on the green sheet. I will post them to the right as well. Kids that participate while earn $50 each day.

4. New book orders. Order online or send them in. Fun stuff!

Homework tonight is a half page letter to me. Kids have 5 days left to finish up their Terabithia books.

We had fun with our 2nd grade buddies today celebrating winter. Kids had to take a snowman outline and turn it into something other than a snowman. They were to bring those home tonight to share with you. There were some pretty creative ones out there!!! If they did bring it home, write what they created in the planner for $10 tomorrow.

Miss. Laney was our star of the week last week. She finally got to share today. :0) Who knew she was so crafty...knitting, paper building and so sporty...basketball, softball...wow! It was great to learn more about you Laney. Thanks for sharing with us!



Have a great, great night!
Mrs. Grewell

Brrrrrr!!! Hats, Scarves, Mittens and a COAT please.

Hi there.

Below zero weather + no coat or just a sweatshirt = missing school because you are sick. :0( Please make sure kiddos are watching the weather and dressing appropriately. They went out for lunch recess and it was barely above zero so many of them were cold, cold, cold. They need to be prepared and it is always a good idea to keep stuff in backpacks all winter long just in case. Thanks.

Homework tonight is a math review sheet: Drops in the Bucket # 6.

It was WONDERFUL to have Miss. Morgan back! She spent last week in warm Hawaii! Today, she shared with us about her fun trip which included a trip to the beach, body surfing, and a 2 hour horse back ride. Her horse even went in the water!!! Cool Morgan. Morgan surprised me with a little gift too. It was so kind of you to think of me Morgan. I love my bracelet, magnets, fun shell (which I can hear the ocean waves in), and yummy treat! Thanks again. We sure did miss you!



In S.S., we took to the iPads and discovered some more things about the Midwest. Kids had to unscramble some letters AND use their iPads to discover the region's industries, agriculture, and natural resources. These were different than the ones that we have seen in our regions studies so far. Before, many of them came from the water. This region is more land based. Cool!

In reading today, we talked about three different skills. We practiced summarizing, paraphrasing, and quoting. These are tough skills for kiddos. Kids always want to rush through things and just get the answer down. All of these skills take effort and patience. We will continue to practice these all week.

I shared with kids today about an opportunity that came my way this weekend. Our class was invited by another 4th grade class from Washington Elementary downtown to accompany them on a field trip. This teacher took my Montana History class this summer and we became friends. She has a contact at the Chief Plenty Coup State Park. Kids would get to experience life as it was back then. This would be an opportunity for their MT History studies to come alive, especially about our Crow Indian neighbors. Kids were excited about this adventure. Now, it is time to poll you. What do you think? There would be a cost (my guess would be no more than $10 for bus and trip, but I am not sure) for each kid. Is this something you want me to pursue further and make happen for your child? We will go to Pompey's Pillar and my ranch as well at the end of the year. But, this one sounds AWESOME too! Write in the planner YES if you want me to make it happen or NO if you think this would not be a great plan for $10 tomorrow. We are looking at April for the trip. Thanks!

Have a great, great night!
Mrs. Grewell

Seems you can't outsmart Mother Nature. Mark Hyman

Happy Sunday. I will not be going to Bozeman today. Therefore, there will not be a sub on Monday and Tuesday. The weather on Saturday and future forecast for Bozeman decided that one. Darn Mother Nature!

It is a full week. Academically...

Math: We will start geometry later this week. We will spend tomorrow testing out of fractions. We will continue to review those concepts all week as well.

Reading/Lead 21: We will continue to review all our reading skills learned thus far during our daily rotations time. Kids are working on independent task folders to show master of each skill. If you look on the online grade book, you will see all 16 skills listed. As kids finish them up, I will put them in the grade book.

In our small leveled groups, we will continue to work on making predictions and connections. We will also begin to write a thesis essay about the astronomers we are reading about and all their contributions to science today.

Language: Linking vs helping vs action verbs.

Spelling: Suffixes. Last week we worked on prefixes. Now, we will look toward the back of the word. We will work on -ful, -less, -ness, and -ment words. Most kids are eligible for the alternate list this week. As always, they have the choice to take the challenge or stick with the book.

Social Studies: We will finish up with the Midwest tour. Kids will have a project that will be part of their homework this week and will be due on Friday. More on that to come. I was very, very proud of the kids and their knowledge of the states and capitals found in the Midwest. It is really starting to make sense to kids as to why it is important to know where the states are, especially when they are reading their Scholastic News.

Science: We will discover what speed and stored energy have to do with collisions by pressing on with our Project Lead the Way studies.

Kids have one week left to finish up their Bridge to Terabithia novel. We will begin our book reports the following week. Write what chapter your kiddo is on in the planner for $10 tomorrow.

I am hoping that everyone is back healthy and happy. Morgan...I can't wait to hear all about your vacation! Krissy and Noah B I hope you are both feeling much, much better! The flu and cough seems to be traveling around our room. Hopefully it is done now. :0)



It will be a full and great week of learning! Have a great week!
Mrs. Grewell

Is it Friday yet?

Hi.

Homework tonight is a spelling skill sheet, do a final states and capital's review, and grab those library books to be returned.

Many kids came home with unfinished work from our reading rotations. Pictures were right smack in the middle of it, so our time in each station was cut short.

Good luck to Espen and Gwen on their ski races tomorrow! Be safe, have fun, and BELIEVE!

Have a good night.
Mrs. Grewell

Good News is sooooo Much Better Than No News! :0)

Hi folks!

Good news from the doctor. All is taken care of, and I am on the mend. Thanks for your texts and sweet notes! It's good to be so loved. I have to share a fun story here. This morning when AJ walked in he said, Hey...I thought you were gone today. I said...later this morning AJ. He said, are you coming back. I said...do you want me to? He said...YES! I don't like it when you are gone Mrs. Grewell. Ahhhh...love it! Thanks for filling my bucket AJ!

Yesterday, in the Tuesday Folder, I sent home the Billings Clinic Expo applications for the science fair. You only got one if you responded that your child was going to do this. I need those back ASAP. I highlighted the areas that I needed you to fill out (front and back). Your child also has to sign it. So...Noah B, Josh, Kyra, Gwen, Espen, and Landon please fill those out tonight and return them tomorrow so I can submit them for you. Hanna and Laney, I got yours back today. Thanks! Gwen...I found yours in your folder, but it was not filled out. I will send it home again tomorrow.

Homework tonight is the same as last night, Drops in the Bucket #3. States and Capital's test is this Friday. Gwen and Espen...be ready tomorrow. :0)

It was great to have Noah L. back today. He spent the break in Florida with Mickey Mouse. He had a great time at Disneyworld with his family. Upon his return, he said that it was COLD here! Welcome back to Montana Noah! We missed you buddy!



We are still missing our friends Morgan, Gabrielle, and Krissy. We hope you return soon as well. :0)

Today in science we did another lab with Project Lead the Way. This time, kids had to adjust the height of the ramp and then run their car down it three times, find the average speed, and then use that data to predict outcomes for the next height. They sure had fun being accurate scientists! Ask them what they noticed about the distance when the height increased. They should tell you that the higher it was, the faster it went. If they do, write PLTW in the planner for $10 tomorrow.



Have an outstanding night!
Mrs. Grewell

Blessing are funny things...they are so often wrapped up in small packages and surprise you!!!

Hello there. Well, my Emma took 2nd in the spelling bee today!!! So proud of her! She surely did NOT get that talent from her mom! :0) Every report card I brought home said, your daughter needs to work on spelling. So, doubly proud of my little girl! The kids did great for the 1.5 hours with the sub. I love this class!!!

Unfortunately, I will be gone for a bit again tomorrow morning. I HATE taking days/time off, but I have a doctor's appointment that can't be avoided. My body just hasn't bounced back like it should have after the loss I had in November. Now, they are worried a bit. So, I need to go get a few blood tests run. I am sure that I am fine, but just feel like I need to take care of this asap. My appointment is at 9:30, so I will leave when kids go to music class. I will return by lunch. They have a sub that they have had before so things will be smooth sailing as usual.

Homework tonight is a math review sheet. Kids know all skills except number 7 now. Funny...that lesson is later this week. However, I gave them a mini lesson to get them through it tonight. They just need to divide all the numbers by 4.

Kids are down to 2 weeks to read their Bridge to Teribithia books. We will do the reports on week three.

States and Capital test for the Midwest region will be this Friday. If your child will be gone, please have them ready by Thursday and let me know. If not, they will take it on Monday.

Recorders are needed for tomorrow's music class if kids have them.

We will be doing a PLTW lab tomorrow. If kids have a tape measure in inches that they could bring in for the day that would be awesome. It is hard to use the ruler movement method to measure long distances. Thanks!

Have a great, great evening.
Mrs. Grewell

True Character is How You Act When No One is Watching.

SNACK IS BACK! KIDS MAY RESUME IN BRINGING A DAILY SNACK. I AM POSITIVE THAT THEY WILL PICK UP AFTER THEMSELVES AND NOT DROP CRACKERS ON THE GROUND TO BE STEPPED ON. :0)

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Hello there! I hope that you had a great few days off. My family and I sure did!

As you can see, we had a great, great time at our Valentine's Day party! We could not have done any of it without our room moms. Thank you so much Mrs. Lambourne and Mrs. Bornes! The minute to win it games were so fun, and the root beer floats were super yummy! A HUGE thank you to Mr and Mrs. Thompson and Mr. Bornes as well. Thank you all for your help. The kids had so much fun celebrating with you! Being a kid is awesome!

I will be at my daughter's spelling bee tomorrow morning, so the kids will have a sub tomorrow when they walk in. I will be back later in the morning. I can't wait to see them! 

Academically this week...

Math: Multiplying fractions and converting between fractions, decimals, and percents. 

Reading/Lead 21: We will be reviewing all skills learned up to this point. Kids will be doing small stations throughout the week to show mastery in all areas. This will help me determine which kiddos still need help with certain skills. In small groups, we will continue to work on making connections, opinions, predictions, locating figurative language, and writing summaries. 

Writing/Language: We will focus in on writing essays with a  thesis. 

Spelling: Words with prefixes. There is NO alternate list this week. 

Social Studies: Midwest Tour continues. The states and capitals test will be THIS Friday. 

Montana History: Final review of Montana Basics

Science: Project Lead the Way. Kids will begin to discover how their cars work at different levels on an inclined plane. They will also start to plan how they will make their restraints in their cars to keep an egg safe when going down that ramp at top speed. We shall see who our upcoming engineers are! 

Fly Time: Dealing with difficulties in a positive way, being considerate to parents, and learning to ignore distractions in class. 

We are coming up on testing season. Please know that I don't put a lot of pressure on kids when it comes to testing. All I want them to do is give me their very best, and not for me but for themselves. When I was a kid, I loved tests. (imagine that)! I know that all kids don't feel this way. I try very hard for them to realize that this is just a time for them to be shining stars. They have learned so much this year, and have put in so much effort to better themselves in all areas. Now, it is time to just show what they know. Our first test will be the MontCas Science test. Only 4th graders take this test. It is three sessions (days) long. We will take this test March 3, 4, and 5th. Make up testing is never fun, so please make sure kids are at school these days if at all possible. Thanks. We will take the rest of MontCas Smarter Balance testing later in the month of March/April. Kids will also take the NWEA Map testing one last time. When I know the specific dates, I will blog them to you. Please just encourage kids to do their very best! :0) 

I hope that you have a great week at work, and that the snowfall is nice to all of us. 

Mrs. Grewell

Valentine's Day Tomorrow.

Happy Valentine's Day...well almost!

We will have our fun celebration tomorrow. A BIG, BIG, BIG thank you to Avery and Noah B's moms for putting it all together for us. They have some really fun things planned including rooter floats, minute to win it games, and more! Wow!!! Please send in kid's boxes and valentines tomorrow.
Homework tonight is to get these things ready to go!

Thank you to all of you that sent back the science fair form. I am so glad that so many of  you will also be doing the Billings Clinic Science Expo as well. I have started to fill out the applications. I will send them home next week in the Tuesday folder for you to review and sign. I am still looking for  Landon, Noah B., Reece, and Claire's forms. Please send them back ASAP. Thanks.

Tomorrow is a half day for kids. They will dismiss at noon. There is no school on Friday or Monday. Enjoy the break. It is supposed to snow on Monday.

Have a great, great night. I will not blog again until Monday.
Mrs. Grewell

When You Reach the End of Your Rope, Tie a Knot in it and Hang On! FDR (Noah L's quote on biography report!)

Hello hello!

Tuesday folders came home today. There is some important information in there. If you volunteered t bring something for the Valentine's Day party you have a reminder in there. Please send in the supplies TOMORROW. Our room moms need to know if they need to make a last minute trip to the store. Remember, personal valentines and boxes need to come in on Thursday. Thanks.

You will also find an information sheet of the science fair. I need to get a solid commitment and make sure kids are starting these projects. I have checked the choice that I have on file for you at this time. If you selected you were still thinking, it is time to decide for sure. Please make corrections to the sheet as to what your child is going to do, and return it tomorrow. If you selected yes already, I need to know if you also plan to do the Billings Clinic Science Fair as well the weekend after the Arrowhead one. I suggest that you do, as kids often win money for their projects. The way I see it is since they went to all the work for this one, they might as well do the other one. Either way, I will need to send home that application as they are due soon to the Billings Clinic. Again, please mark your sheet accordingly. If you ARE doing a project, I also need to know what the project will be about. Please write your child's experiment question on the lines provided. For example, the one that we watched here at school a couple of weeks ago was: What in milk is making me sick? It can be anything, I just need to know what they will be experimenting. Last year, my daughter did: What type of popcorn leaves the least amount of kernels? My son did, what type of surface does a toy car have the  most friction on? Anything works! It would probably be wise if kiddos start their experiment over the long break if they are staying local. If they are doing one over a period of time, like which plant grows better: one with sunlight or one without, they really do need to get going and they need to remember to journal their findings daily.

I will post pictures of some sample science boards and how to put them together soon, but a sheet explaining each stage and label did come home already. Need another one??? Just ask.

It was fun to hear the HOLY COW math stories this morning. I am so glad I was not the only one impressed with what these 4th graders can do. Today, they moved onto adding mixed numbers. This one also had a pretty complicated trick. Have them show you how to add 2 and 3/6 and 5 and 5/6. They should get 8 and 2/6. If they do, write NOT AGAIN in the planner for $10 tomorrow. Amazing!

At Fly Time today, we got online again for our weekly grade check. Kids were able to once again see their current grades, missing assignments, and problem areas. Each child made a goal for themselves for this week. Ask your child what their goal is. If they share it with you, write GOAL in the planner for another $10. We also took a look at our behavior grades. Kids gave themselves a 4, 3, or 2 in EQ. They shared these in class and we discussed what it was that they need to work on this week to become a 4 next week. Ask them what they gave themselves in this area and what they decided they needed to work on. If they can, write EQ in the planner for yet another $10.

Recorders are needed tomorrow.

Homework tonight is for Social Studies. On our Midwest tour, we stopped to visit Detroit, the Motor City. Kids now have to design their own car tonight. My only rules is they MUST have 2 front tires, two rear tires, two headlights, a steering wheel, a windshield, and a back door. They must be colored and be creative. How that is done, is totally up to each child. We will share them tomorrow in class. Have fun!

Have a wonderful night.
Mrs. Grewell

Thank you for perfect attendance today!!!!

Hi there.

If kids are in my reading class, they are coming home with a Newberry Award winning book called, Bridge To Terabithia. This is one of my all time favorite books. This will be the book all kids read for their next book report. They have three weeks to read it. If your child tends to struggle staying focused, please feel free to read it aloud with them or even to them each night. You will also love it! Please make sure they are reading for 15 to 20 minutes a night or more if you feel they may not finish in 3 weeks or less. We will do the report together on the 4th week. If kids are not in my reading class, I will get with them tomorrow to talk about their assignment.

Homework tonight is a math multiplication sheet. It is a review of three by two multiplication. They should NOT need help on this at all.

In math today we had a mind blowing moment. We successfully learned how to subtract mixed numbers. This is a tough, tough skill. I can't believe that kids at this age can do this!!!! Shame on me for not BELIEVING!!! They sure proved me wrong. Allow them to show you as well. Have them subtract 7 and 2/5 - 2 and 4/5. They have to regroup a whole number as a fraction first. They know. They should get the answer of 4 and 3/5. If they are successful in showing you, write HOLY COW in the planner for $10 tomorrow.

We took a pretest on our Valentine's Day words today. No one passed with a 100%. So, all kids will take the test again on Thursday. They know which ones they really need to study. They must use capital letters when spelling a proper noun. The list is off to the right.

Have a fantastic night!
Mrs. Grewell

Short Week, But Busy One Indeed!

Hi there.

I hope you got out and enjoyed this absolutely gorgeous weather today. Wow!

This week is a short week. We have school all day Monday and Tuesday, Wednesday and then it is a half day on Thursday. We are off  Friday and Monday. Enjoy the long break!

Thursday is also our Valentine's Day party. Our room moms emailed me this weekend saying that everything is covered and that no more volunteers are needed. If you volunteered using the pink sheet, you will receive a reminder slip in the Tuesday folder this week. Thanks for all you help! I know the kids are going to have a great time.

Spelling-Valentine's Day themed words. The test will be Thursday morning.

In math, we will work on subtracting fractions with unlike denominators and then go into adding and subtracting mixed numbers with common denominators.

In S.S. we will begin our Midwest tour. The states and capitals test will be not this Friday but the one after.

In Lead 21 Reading, we will start our small group leveled books once again. We will work very hard on figurative language, summary writing, and literal vs. inferential questions. We will also take a close look at the different types of text structures.

In Science we will continue to work on our project lead the way projects. I will also check in with kids that have agreed to do the Science Fair. They will need to know their question that they will discover by Tuesday. Maybe over the long break, they could begin to get started on their experiments.

Last week in PLTW we did some work with our pendulums. Kids had to use an app called Ubersense to record their swinging pendulums and then play it back in slow motion to determine the height of the first swing. They had to determine what happened to the speed and height as the height went up. They also had to make a sketch of their experiment in their launch logs. This didn't go that well. There were so many sloppy drawings that didn't show scientific standards. They need to take their time and draw things to scale and accurate details, just like a scientist/engineer does. The kids did do a great job using the app and recording data though. Nice work!

The Reef night was so fun. I enjoyed being a kid right along side so many students. If you went, please write REEF in the planner for $50 tomorrow. Thanks for supporting Arrowhead once again!
If anyone took some pictures, could you please share them via text or email so I can post them here. Thanks.

I leave you with a couple of pictures of our fun guest speaker we had on Friday. Mrs. Matteson came to talk to the kids about some landscape art from the Yellowstone Art Museum. She shared about 6 different pictures and had the kids fully engaged. They were looking for things she was pointing out and connecting with the pictures themselves. At the end, they got to vote on their favorite one. The one done in Montana featuring a scene most Montana kids know by heart won by a landslide. Each kiddo got a free pass into the museum. That will come home in the Tuesday folder. Thanks YAM!!
Have a wonderful week!
Mrs. Grewell

We need box tops please!

Hello.

Are you ready for the Reef Family Fun Night tomorrow? I am!!!! I will be there around 5:30 or 6. Emma and Beau will join in the fun as well a little later. They have a function at their school that night as well. They are both excited to meet some of the kiddos that I am always talking about. :0)

Arrowhead memory books (yearbooks) are on sale now. All orders are due February 27th. Kids love getting these and getting them autographed by their friends every year. If you need an order slip again, they are at the office.

Mrs. Meier asked that we remind kids and parents that only water is allowed in the classroom. Some kiddos have been bringing flavored powders to dump in their water. Spills cause hardships and stains. I haven't seen this in my class, but a good reminder all around. It is fine for lunch in the lunchroom.

A HUGE thank you to our amazing PTA!!! Using some of the funds that were donated by you, all students and staff will now enjoy using...

30 mini ipad lab, a complete set of MacBooks in the stationary lab now (we were 5 short), and 32 new Chromebooks and cart!!! Wow and so, so appreciated. We have the absolute BEST PTA ever! Thank you to you for all your donations! All kids are benefiting from your generosity.

Class pictures will be on February 19th. A pink slip came home in the Tuesday folder this week along with the order form. The pink slip MUST be returned if you do NOT want your child to get an individual picture this time. If they do not RETURN the slip, they will have their picture taken and you will receive the proofs to look at and decide if you want to purchase at that time.

Mrs. Meier shared that at her principal's meeting it was shared that Arrowhead has the highest growth in the SRI reading tests in the district for the first semester. WooHoo!!!!

Homework tonight is to finish up some unfinished reading and spelling work from class today. Only 5 kiddos finished both assignments. They were a bit more challenging today! The five that finished have accelerated math homework. They are getting a head start for tomorrow, as all kids will do this then.

Spelling tests will be given tomorrow. Library is also tomorrow. They may finally turn in their biography books. (Those reports were awesome!!!) I learned so much just by listening to them. Fun! We also have music tomorrow. Due to testing this week, we missed our regular Wednesday music time. So, we will have it tomorrow morning. Remember those recorders.

In Fly Time today, we talked about bragging and one upping people. I have seen this in the classroom and out at recess lately. Ask your kiddo what an one-upper is. They should tell you that it is someone that listens to someone share a story and then they have to share a similar story but make it about them. When doing this, they steal the spotlight from the true speaker. We also talked about how when the character in the story just asked a question about the speakers story or gave them a compliment the boy made more friends than when he always tried to be better than them. A great lesson. If they can tell you, write UPPER in the planner for $10 tomorrow.

Have a great night.
Mrs. Grewell

I do what I do because I love to do what I do. Tammie Grewell

Hi there.

A busy, busy day! The NAEP test went great. All kiddos did their best, and I am proud of them. Those that were with me not taking the test, also did their best being quiet and having some time to just read a book, do a USA puzzle, read about space, or catch up on some missing work.

We started to add fractions today with and without common denominators. Fun times. Have your kiddo show you how to add 2/10 and 3/5ths. Make sure to remind them to ask their brain question about can the smaller denominator turn into the larger one. In this case, they should say yes, and make the denominator 10 for both fractions. They should end up with 8/10ths. See if they can take it a step farther and get the 5th grade reduced fraction answer by dividing a two out of both the numerator and the denominator to get 2/5ths. Wowzers. If they can at least show you the 4th grade answer of 8/10ths write WOW in the planner for $10 tomorrow.

Homework tonight is a DMG (Dear Mrs. Grewell) half page letter. Some kiddos used their homework pass on this one. They may enjoy the night off. :0)

Have a wonderful night!
Mrs. Grewell

The best gift in life is your kids. When they smile at you, tell you they love you and kiss you goodnight you know all the hard work is worthwhile.

Hello there.

Don't you just love that quote. So, so true. So many times I wonder how I am doing as a mom and as a teacher. Then, a little one, will come up and say the sweetest darn thing and be so genuine that all the doubt fades away and I know that I am truly being the best mom/teacher I can be. You are too!!! I see it and I hear all about you every day. You are so important to these kids! Every single one of you!

As you can see we had a great time doing a buddy project. As a matter of fact, it was so fun, that we extended it to our own class at the end of the day. Kids were helping their buddies look at a completed image and figure out how to make that animal out of nothing but hearts. This is similar to what 4th graders did in Project Lead the Way in order to build their model cars. It actually was more difficult than one would think. If your kiddo shows you their finished product(s) write HEART in the planner for $10 tomorrow. I have put the instructions at the bottom of this post for all the animals so they can make more at home. (They honestly could have done this all day I think. :0))



Homework tonight is to finish up the biography report. They received their last piece today. Kids need to fill in all parts, tape it together, and bring it in to share tomorrow.

We have the NAEP test tomorrow. Please have kids here on time.

I had kids access my online gradebook today in Fly Time. They were able to see their grades, see what missing work they have, and make a goal as to what they need to do to keep their grades or improve them. We also took a look at how one missing grade can change our entire "reading" grade. Kids got to see how a student had a B, then I put in a missing assignment and the grade went down to a C. Yikes! All because of one missing assignment. We reviewed again how important their "first job" here at school is, and how we are here to help them, but we can't do it for them. Ultimately, it is their choices that earn them their consequences.

Tuesday folders came home today. There are two Valentine's Day letters. One is from me, and one is from our room moms. Please take time to read them both. The one from the moms is asking for volunteer help. Please fill it out and bring it back tomorrow or by Friday at the latest. A mom will then contact you to confirm how you can help. Thanks in advance!!!

Have a great, great, great night.