Hi there.

What a great day in the 4th grade!

We started the day with a little video about perseverance. It was pretty funny, but sad at the same time. I am sure hoping that it was staged. The poor soccer goalie in the shoot off just got nailed in the face by the soccer ball over and over again, but he just kept on going back out there to defend the next shooter. It was a painful yet powerful lesson for kids to see one never ever quit! Ouch!

Krissy was our star of the week last week. She was able to share today. She loves to bake with her mom. They just baked a fun cake for her brother's "golden" birthday. She also collects bracelets and charms to put on them. Krissy loves her stuffed animals. So cute! Thanks for sharing with us Miss. Krissy!


Homework tonight is to study states and capitals. They may play a game online, use their flashcards, or build a new puzzle using a printed out copy of the SE region. Remember that they need to know both the location and the matching capital for each state.

This is the last week to read the December book report. We will begin to construct those next Monday. Students that will be gone that week will just be excused from the assignment. If you want them to write a report on their own, please feel free. They may share it in class as well. You can also check the blog from home to see what we are doing if you really want your child to do the same project as we are. Your choice.

At the end of the day we did a Christmas Listening activity. Students had to divide their paper into 16 congruent figures and then listen to oral instructions as to what to draw in each box. They only heard the directions once. We have been working on visualization in reading class so I had them close their eyes and visualize the directions before each one. They also had to put their drawing in the correct square. This was tough for some kids. Listening seems to be a challenge for some kiddos in here.

Tomorrow, midterms are scheduled to go home. Once again I find myself frustrated with this and the waste of paper (especially after our going green unit in Lead 21). So, I am going to ask you to do me a favor. If you want a hard copy of your child's grades at this point write COPY in the planner. If you can see their grades online and don't need a print out please write NO COPY in the planner. If you request a copy I will include it in the Tuesday folder tomorrow. If not, then I will not print it out. Clear as mud? Thanks! Those that write in the planner will earn $10 tomorrow.

Ok, the spoiling needs to stop! Three more gracious gifts for Mrs. Grewell today at Fly time. Josh found the PERFECT Mrs. Grewell shirt in Denver this weekend! Boy, I wonder if I will love wearing that one…YEP! So much so, that I went right into the restroom and put it on! Comfy and fashionable! Love it!!! Thanks Josh! Carl surprised me with a nutcracker. It is the first one I have ever owned. I have always wanted one! I am going to use it to open sunflower seeds, which I enjoy very much!!! Thanks Carl! Finally, since Espen is traveling to Africa for the holiday season he gave me an early Christmas present. I will very much enjoy doing some shopping at the new Scheels for MRS. GREWELL stuff. He said that it was to be spent on ME!!! That is a super fun one. Yay! Thanks Espen!



I leave you with some fun pictures of kids decorating and doing some fun Christmas activities. We saw the beginning of Reece's annual sugar cookie making. But, WOWZERS, look at the end the result!! Holy smokes Batman! Yummy! Morgan also got in on the cookie action. She looks like she is having a great time making some very yummy treats! Miss. Laney is having a grand time decorating her beautiful tree with dad. I LOVE the picture of her on top of his shoulders. She is all smiles!!!! What do all of these pictures have in common? They are all of kids loving every single second making memories with their families at Christmas! Love!!!


Have a great night!
Mrs. Grewell

Our prime purpose in life is to help others. And if you can’t help them, at least don’t hurt them. Dalai Lama

Hi there. Happy Sunday. What a week. Two sick kids all week and then a slumber/swimming birthday party at a Hotel this weekend for Emma. Now, the family party this afternoon. My goodness does parenting ever get a nap? :0)

I am so impressed with the willingness of these kiddos to participate in the Christmas Kindness Calendar activities. I have seen and heard some wonderful stories. What a kind hearted class. I am so proud to be their teacher. I can only imagine how you feel as their parents!

This week academically…

Math: We will continue converting measurement in the customary and metric system. We will also convert time and look at elapsed time using a calendar.

Reading: We will journey on in Lead 21. Unit 3 is taking a look at the Atlantic States. This is perfect as we just studied the NE and are studying the SE right now. In fact, take a look at how we were studying our new states locations. Each kiddo made a puzzle to practice with. They can pull these out anytime they have extra time after finishing an assignment and practice them. It might be a great idea to make one at home as well. :0) Students will work on visualizing, making generalizations, using connotations and denotations, and determining fact and opinion statements in their Lead 21 text.


Language: We will move away from plural nouns and begin on possessive nouns. This gets tricky when it comes to irregular plural nouns owning something as they are rule breakers. I am often so grateful for being born in a county where English was my first language. If I had to go back and learn it as an adult, I would be very confused with all the rules and exceptions to the rules. :0)

Spelling: More words ending in ed and ing. Most of these words do not have spelling changes before adding the suffix. Those doing alternate spelling, will experience adding a k to three of their words before adding the suffix ed and ing.

Science: We will continue on with our Project Lead the Way. By the end of the week, we will be building our first project with the VEX kits. Exciting!!! Topic: Potential and Kinetic Energy.

S.S.: We will begin our SE tour. We will take a look at some important places found in this region. We will make many stops along the way to do some hands on activities.

MT History: State Symbols.

Fly Time: Paying it forward and Small Acts of Kindness

I leave you with some fun pictures. Cayden and family got their decorating grove on. That is one great looking tree buddy! Fun! Claire and family have a fun tradition. They travel up to Red Lodge and find the perfect tree. Then, they grab their sleds and hit the mountains. Even the puppy got in on the fun! Lastly, Reece got the baking bug. Sugar cookie madness at his house this weekend. I can't wait to try one Reece…hint, hint, hint! I know Santa will enjoy those for sure! All of these families just warm my heart. Traditions mean everything to kids. I just love all my families this year! Amazing!




Have a wonderful, wonderful Sunday with your families.
Mrs. Grewell

No one can make you feel inferior without your consent. Eleanor Roosevlet

Hi!

Check out this new addition to my BELIEVE collection! Thank you JOSH!!!!! The kids had fun walking all over him. :0) I think they all wanted to leave their footprint behind. I am eating the yummy chocolates as I type this as well Josh! Just found a caramel one…yum!!! Thanks again buddy for making my day!


Today was a not so good day in the behavior department. Somehow, and I don't know how, the talking while moving has come back in full force. And right after our lesson on being a positive leader and follower. Urg! I spent so much time today waiting for kids to get ready that I finally decided that it was enough. Instead of lunch recess today, we all came back and finished the assignment in MT History that we should have easily finished before lunch. (Which we did when they all came back silent and spent the time working quietly and focussed.) Now, you know that I am not kidding when I say this as truth because what teacher in their right mind would give up their own lunch break? I am NOT one to take away recess as a consequence, but we really needed to get some things done today. They were much, much better the rest of the day. I am hoping it carries over to tomorrow as well. A gentle reminder from you might be a great way to start the day. There are always kids that make positive choices 99% of the time, but no one in here is 100% on every day. (Including me :0))

We ended the day on a fun note though. We spent the last 45 minutes organizing our Project Lead the Way tubs. Kids got to see, feel, and discuss all the pieces that they will use to build all of their projects. It is very similar to legos. It was fun to see their excitement. We will start the actual activities next week. Exciting!!!

Homework tonight is cursive. It is a great quote by Eleanor Roosevelt and fit perfectly with our bully lesson yesterday. "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." Love it!!! What a wise lady.

Bonus homework was given out tonight as well. We did a page just like it in class together a couple of days ago. This one requires some out of the box thinking!! :0) Feel free to help them.

A big WooHoo goes out to Dominic today. He lost a tooth! That is always fun for kiddos! Congratulations Dominic!

A safe travels goes out to Gwen and family. Enjoy making all your fun memories! Be safe! We will miss you while you are gone.

Tonight is the Barnes and Noble night. Drop by and support Arrowhead if you can. Some teachers are reading stories every half hour as well. A fun time for all. Part of the proceeds come back to the school.

I end with a picture of Kyra decorating her Christmas tree and a Christmas joke. That looks a like a BIG job Kyra!!! :0) Thanks for sharing with us. Now for the joke…Why was the elf depressed? (This one has to do with our bully lesson secret from yesterday's blog code word.) Ask your kiddo what the answer is. It's a knee slapper for sure! :0) If they tell you, write the answer in the planner for $10 tomorrow. Hee Hee Ha Ha!



Have a wonderful warm night!
Mrs. Grewell

Be Unique! Be Special! Be You!

Hello there!

Homework tonight is Math 4 Today #9. Kids need to do the entire sheet. We will grade it tomorrow.

A BIG get well hug to this girl. She is home sick, and what does she do…make a card for a soldier! So cool!!! If that wasn't cool enough, while sitting at the doctor's office she decided to study for her health test by writing on the chalkboard. Awesome kiddo!!! Hope you feel better tomorrow Kyra!



Miss. Hanna had fun on top of dad's shoulders trimming her Christmas tree. That must be a tall one!!!! She also scored big on her latest hunting trip. Yummy meat in her freezer. BBQ at your house Hanna??? :0)



Gwen is snuggling up with something fun in front of her tree. What a fun picture!



Keep them coming!

Today at Fly Time we talked about the victim in a bully situation. Kids came up with many reasons why kids get picked on including: money, parent's jobs, intelligence, athletic ability, disability, size, clothes, being a new kid, and race to name a few. After we listed them inside a bull's eye target I asked them what the secret to NOT getting bullied was for these things. We finally got the answer from Rusty's show. He told us that no matter what our "difference" is, we have to have a high self esteem and learn to love it about ourselves. I shared with them about how I was teased ALOT in school for the space in my two front teeth. My parents were not able to afford braces for me. Then one day, I saw that Madonna had one too. Everyone loved Madonna at the time so I then thought I was pretty cool just like her. My self esteem then grew and I actually learned to like it. I now just laugh when people comment on it…which they still do. :0) We just have to love ourselves for who we are. Our unique traits make us who we are….SPECIAL. Ask your child about this lesson. If they can share with you the secret…write SECRET in the planner for $10 tomorrow.

Well, that about says it all for one day. Have a wonderful night!
Mrs. Grewell

Doctor's Appointment right after school + No specialists on Tuesday = Late blog. Check back later.

Homework: Half Page letter to Mrs. Grewell about anything. Laney, Kyra, AJ, Adler, Carl, and Josh are excused.

Gratitude is the inward feeling of kindness received.

Hi there.

Happy December!!! I can't believe the year is almost half over already! Yikes!!! We started off the month right though.

At Fly Time today, we went around and talked about our fun memories made over the break. Miss. Laney even brought me a souvenir from her trip to Disneyland! How sweet are you to think about me. I am so glad that when she sees the word BELIEVE she thinks of me though! Yay…it is working!!! :0) I LOVE my little Tink Believe ornament. I found the perfect place on my believe shelf for it! My new Disney key chain has joined the one AJ brought me from his trip on my school keys. I pull those out daily, so I am guaranteed to smile big daily now!!! I will enjoy switching out my pink and purple BELIEVE/DREAM necklaces. Lastly, I will use my light up Tink clip as a makeshift Elf on the Shelf in the classroom by hiding it different places each day for the kids to find. Today, it somehow ended up in the basketball net. Silly Tink!!! (PS-the word Creer is BELIEVE in Spanish-very cool story behind that one from a student that didn't speak English in my class a few years back. LOVE that he transferred it to his own language!!!)



Josh shared his BIG surprise trip that he went on. ( We have been wondering since last Tuesday!) How amazing to be surprised with a Disney Resort trip to Hawaii!!!! OMG! I would have loved to be in his suitcase! Warm and fun!!!! Check out his new "Merry Chirstmas" Mickey ears hat! Fun!!!! Lucky Duck! :0) Nothing like coming back to good ole below zero temperatures in MT.



So many others shared such fun adventures as well. Lauren and Noah B both had a great time bowling with their families. One of my favorite things to do. Did you know I was on a league when I was their age. Yep, I was a Tony's Angel! And…I am pretty darn good if I do say my self! I had a great time listening to all kids that wanted to share!

Miss. Avery also surprised me with a gift this morning. It was an early x-mss gift but she wanted me to enjoy it all winter long so decided not to hold off. And…I can see why!!! How absolutely awesome is this tin BELIEVE sign that lights up with twinkling lights. So, so, so cool. It now has a permanent place on my BELIEVE shelf as well. Thank you little lady!



We ended fly time with a little lesson on holiday paying it forward with random acts of kindness. I gave each kiddo a Christmas countdown similar to an advent calendar. On each day is an idea of a random act of kindness that they could do. Today's was, Compliment a friend. Easy, free, and so impactful! Those that did it today, shaded it in. It is now coming home to hang on the fridge. It will need to come back after Christmas break. I want them to share their experiences of being secret little elves. We talked about how if it is random, it is also a secret. Which means that they will not get a thank you. Doing something nice is thanks enough and should feel like a gift to them as well. Kids may do as many or as little ideas as they want. They also don't have to do them on that day. If opportunity arrises on a different day, have them do it and then shade it in. Mrs. Meier dropped in and she caught me in the hall later to say how much she loved this idea as well. Have fun making a difference in ways that mean the world to people! If your child hangs their calendar on the fridge, please write CALENDAR in the planner for $20 tomorrow.

Homework tonight is an ABC order sheet. I have noticed some issues on this during our Mountain Language skill work. Since our spelling words all have ed or ing endings, I chose some of those words to put in order. Kids should use the strategy of numbering before writing that I shared in class to avoid frustration or missed words. Words all need to be written in CURSIVE!

Bonus homework is some challenge area problems where kids have to divide up a shape into smaller rectangles and squares and then add all the areas together. We practiced in class today.

Today, we finally got to use our interactive projector for the first time! We were studying how to make nouns plural when they end in a y. You can see the end result here. Each kiddo got to take a turn showing us how to make their noun plural and tell us why they did it that way using the rules in their explanation. Common Core going on here!!! Ask your kiddo the rules for making the words boy and sky plural. Write their plural forms in the planner if they can tell you WHY they spelled it the way they did for $10 tomorrow. Boy has a vowel before the y so the rules states to just add an s, making it boys. Sky has a consonant in front of the y so the rules states to change the y to an i and add es making it skies.



We made our new Southeast Regional states and capital's flashcards today. Kids should be bringing a set home today to start to practice. We will fill out a study map this week as well. The test will be in less than three weeks.

Two weeks and counting for December Christmas themed book report books to be read. I will be recording titles tomorrow at Fly Time. Please remind kids to bring in their books for this. I want to see them.

I leave you with some fun photos of Miss. Gabrielle decorating her home for the holidays. I LOVE the black and white one. Fun app!!! Keep them coming!



Well, that about sums up the day. Have a wonderful night!
Mrs. Grewell