Shorts, Capri Pants, and Sidewalk Chalk...Gotta Love Spring in the Winter!

Yay!!! A better day had by all (including Mrs. Grewell)! Thank you to all those kiddos that surprised me with a big hug this morning!!! (I had totally forgot that I said that on the blog so I actually was surprised!)

Homework tonight is spelling. They need to finish up their review on page 158, 41-60. Please limit help on this one, as I will take a grade and need a reflection of what THEY remember. Thanks.

Many kids are also coming home with some unfinished math work. Today, we practiced mean, median, mode, and range. Calculators are permitted and encouraged on this one. They know a little song sung to the tune of 3 Blind Mice to help them remember mean, median, and mode. Have them sing it to you. If they can...write MICE in the planner for $10 tomorrow.



Mean-Add up the numbers and then divide by the number of numbers. Round to the nearest whole number.
Median-Find the middle number after lining them up from least to greatest. If two numbers are in the middle add them up and divide by 2. Halves will happen sometimes.
Mode-The number that is repeated more than once and the most. There may be no mode, one mode, or more than one mode.
Range-Lagest number minus smallest number.

Example
Data: 2, 3, 1, 5, 7, 2
Least to Greatest: 1, 2, 2, 3, 5, 7
Mean: 1+2+2+3+5+7=20...20 divided by 6 (because there are 6 numbers total in the data)=3.33333, rounded to the nearest whole number is 3. So the mean is 3.
Median: 2 and 3 are the middle numbers in the data. So 2 + 3=5, divided by 2=2.5. So the median is 2 and a half.
Mode: 2, because it is shown more than any other number.
Range: 7 - 1 = 6. So the range is 6.

Get it, got it, good. :0)

In Fly Time, we shared your discussions about homework time that you had last night. A few are doing it in cars or in a bus. I recommend doing what I do for my kiddos by making a small car kit/school box full of pencils, glue stick, scissors, and so forth. That way...they always have what they need in the travel situations. Thanks so much for your support on this topic. We had a great discussion today.

We have been doing poetry all week for morning work. Kids have had to read different poems and then analyze them by answering questions. Poems are tricky because the mood and theme is really a secret known only by the author. We have to look for little clues that help us infer what the author really means or is talking about. Tough stuff. These have not been graded, just tried by themselves and then discussed in length whole group.

We started our compare and contrast essay writing today. We did step one...brainstorming and organizing information into a venn diagram. Together, we mad one about the Terabithia movie vs. the book. We talked a lot about how a 4th grader does this. Both sides of the oven should match content topics but be opposite in details. (Contrast) The middle should be how both are the same. (Compare) Then, I had them do one on how the main character of Terabithia (Jess) compares and contrasts to the main character in our last read aloud book, Rescue Josh McGuire... (Josh). They needed at least 5 comparisons and 5 contrasts. Most finished it and are ready to move on tomorrow. Didn't finish???? Now it is homework.

In PLTW science we took a look at what happens when two cars collide. Kids joined forces with another group and did some trial scenarios. They filmed each one in slow motion. In their launch logs, they drew each scenario and wrote what happened to each car when the collision took place. We will continue this tomorrow. Fun!

At recess, I brought out the sidewalk chalk. Kids had fun drawing and being creative with it. Enjoy the pictures!




Have a wonderful night!!!
Mrs. Grewell

Tomorrow is a New Day!

Oh My...Rough day for all (including Mrs. Grewell).

This seems to happen every year, so I am not sure why I am panicking, but today was kinda the straw that broke the camel's back. I feel as if I am repeating, repeating, repeating myself a million times and kids are still not following me or getting it. Is this happening at home???? Spring Fever?????

At any rate, we had a VERY long and VERY serious discussion today at Fly Time. I had so many people with no names on papers, questions left blank, entire sections left blank, words that were right in front of them in a word box spelled incorrectly in SPELLING, and the same mistakes made that were made on the last sheet that we JUST went over together in class. Listening to the teacher will solve 99% of these problems. I ALWAYS go over each and every direction, remind them to write their name on the top, and explain in detail areas that I see kids having trouble on before redoing something. I have kiddos goofing around on the carpet (this is where we do our whole group learning), playing with pencils, drawing pictures on white boards, poking girls, poking boys, talking with friends, laying down, getting up and leaving group, etc. It is time to buckle down. None of these behaviors have ever been allowed before, so I am not sure why they are doing them now?? We also talked about how homework is NOT optional in my class. It MUST be done every single day. If something comes up (which it does every once in awhile, and I get that) please write me a note in the planner or text me that homework didn't get done that night. That is perfectly ok. It is not ok to do it nightly or weekly. It is Arrowhead procedure that 4th graders have about 40 minutes of homework each night. Please make sure kiddos know when is the best time for them to do this at home. Is it on the bus? In the car? Before dinner? After dinner? Right away? I had two kids tell me today that they were not sure when they have time to do homework. I know that sports are starting up, dance practice is happening, and so on. However, homework has not changed since day one. It is a constant M-Th. If kids don't get it done at home, they have to stay in at recess to do it on their own time. That is so hard on them. It is beautiful out and they need to get some fresh air, but they have work to do that should be done at home. Please talk to your child tonight and make sure they know when they need to do their homework each night of the week. If you have this discussion, please write HOMEWORK in the planner for $50 tomorrow. A TON of money was taken today for all the reasons above. We have roughly 3 or 4 filed trips coming up that will be a buy in to go on. Silly mistakes cost kiddos money. Again, we talked long and hard about this today. I BELIEVE I will see improvement very soon. (Sorry for the rant. Again...are you seeing this at home lately?)(This is all on the kiddos by the way...they know all of this is THEIR responsibility...not mom or dads or teachers)

Tuesday Folders came home today. There were three important items.
1. Pictures. If you didn't send back the no picture taken form, your child came home with their picture proofs. You have not bought these yet. Scan them, take out what you want, buy the entire thing, buy one, buy none, whatever. Just send in the cash/check and/or any pictures you are not buying with your child. They are not free. :0) Thanks.

2. Pick up policy for parent during school. Apparently there have been some issues with this. Arrowhead is no longer taking calls/requests to have kids ready to go for appointments anymore during the school day. When you come in, THEN they will call for your kiddo to come down. (Please allow at least 5-10 minutes to pack up and gather needed materials for homework). We have had parents call, ask for kiddo to be ready and waiting in office at 2, so we do....and then they wait for a parent that is running late. That is priceless academic time out of the classroom. So, now there is this new plan. Thanks for understanding.

3. Field Trip Permission for the 4th grade Alberta Bair trip. This happens every year and is paid for by the district. Therefore, there is not a buy in for the class as it is not something extra in the curriculum but a part of it instead. So, everyone goes. :0) Please sign form and return tomorrow. Thanks.

Homework tonight is a math review. This is the 9th time doing this type of sheet, just with different questions. (When they get a 100% twice, they will be done with them for the year).

Kids are running the 800 meter run in gym tomorrow. Tennis shoes and water bottle would be a great idea.

Mark those calendars...Smarter Balance/MONTCas testing for Math and Reading will be on April 20, 21, 22, and 24th. If your planning to be gone, please let me know ASAP. Thanks.

We did SRI vocabulary/context clues testing today. I will text you the results tonight or tomorrow night. Most kids showed great growth from last quarter. When kids are really high already...it is so hard to get higher scores. We just celebrate that they are amazing learners already!!! :0) Great job to everyone. Expected SRI score for the 4th grade: 770-980.

On a good note...we had a super fun time today with our 2nd grade buddies making a fun St. Patrick's Day writing project! Love watching them have fun with their littles! :0)



I think that about says it all (and then some I am sure :0)). I think tomorrow should be give your teacher a hug day!!!! :0)

Have a good night.
Mrs. Grewell

Spring Has Sprung!

Hello. Happy Monday!

In Fly Time today, two reminders were given.
1. No personal pencil sharpeners are allowed at school (safety reasons with blade in them)
2. 1 snack a day. Kiddos are eating two or three snacks a day. Not sure if they are even hungry for lunch after all that. One granola bar OR One whatever. Also, kiddos are bringing in completely full to the zipper sandwich bags of goldfish and other crackers. Kids have learned about portion size in health with Mr. Pertuit. They do not need all that for a snack. Just a single serving per day. Thanks.

A reminder also for water bottles. The weather is turning warmer and kids are starting to need that water after recess and gym. They will run the 800 meter in gym on Wednesday. I heard Mr. Pertuit reminding them to bring water bottles too. We have had some pretty creative bottles come in lately as well, which have spilled all over the floor and papers. :0( As noted in the first day letter, please bring a REGULAR ole water bottle...regular size, regular shape. Thanks.

Homework:
1. Draw a visual of what comes to mind when you hear the word Indian. Whatever you see...draw it.
2. Cursive Practice: Ceaser Chavez.

For $10 tomorrow, ask your kiddo who they remember listening to when we went to the 3rd grade wax museum this morning. It was AWESOME!!! Write the name of the person they tell you about in the planner.

I LOVED all the 811 posters. I can't wait to turn them in. I just know someone from Mrs. Grewell's class is going to win that trip to Washington DC to watch a baseball game and win a Kindle Fire!!!! Plus if they win...then I win too. I win $811 to spend in the classroom and a Kindle Fire too!!! Yay for all!!! Four kids forgot to get that parent signature on the back. They have one more chance tonight  to get it. I am mailing off the completed entries tomorrow morning! Let's go Grewells!!!

Have a wonderful night!
Mrs. Grewell

Did You Turn Those Clocks Forward?

Happy Sunday! For us, it is happy fun day! Minus the loss of an hour due to springing the clocks forward, it was a perfect day! I love spring weather!!! We got two special surprises today...we got to watch a calf be born right in front of our eyes and Miss. Gabrielle came over for a visit to the ranch! Fun, fun, fun! (She also saw the calf...pretty sure she is scarred for life now!) Thanks for dropping by Gabrielle!!!



On Friday, Cayden was star of the week. Love that GRIZ pillow pet buddy!!! Cayden is also a fan of legos and reading books about horses! Awesome. Thanks for sharing with us Cayden!



We ended the Dr. Seuss week with The Cat in the Hat. Everyone looked great in their red, white, and black/blue gear! Miss. Gabrielle and Miss. Hanna really got into it! Love it girls. What a fun way to end the week!



On Saturday, my kids and I went to see Noah B and his derby car! He did a great, great job! He placed first in his heat, and then 9th overall out of 35. Way to go buddy!!! Thanks for inviting me! I will share the video in class on Monday!


Morgan...I hope your ball game went great. I had to be somewhere at noon, so I couldn't make it to that one. :0( Please keep letting me know when kids have things. I love to come watch and support them! I know baseball is coming up...LOVE baseball games!!

This week we are back in action full time. No testing! :0)

Math: We will dive into polygons, specific triangles, specific quadrilaterals, and how to use a compass to draw a circle with a specific diameter or radius.

Reading/Lead 21: Cause and Effect is our main focus, but we will also be taking an in depth look into poetry and how to decipher those. We will also begin to think/plan our inquiry projects.

Writing/Language: Compare and Contrast Essays. We will compare and contrast the Terabithia book to the movie and write a complete 5 paragraph essay. Wowzers!

Spelling: It is double duty this week. We will do review book work for the last 4 units and also do a new one. We will look at words that have a vowel, consonant, vowel pattern. This is similar to last weeks. There will not be a review test, only the new ones. The review is just skills in the spelling book.

Science: PLTW is back and in full gear! We will be colliding cars and watching the crashes in slow motion to see what happens. This will help them determine what they need to do in order to create their restraining device to protect their egg from cracking when colliding into the wall.

MT. History: We will begin the actual history part of this study. We finished all the basics of MT. Now, we will see what life was like for the native Americans before Europeans came to their lands.

We will NOT be doing a book report for March.

Homework this week will consist of Drops in the bucket math and language and cursive practice.

I hope that you have a great, great week!!!
Mrs. Grewell

Done, Done, Done!

Testing is done!!!!!!!!!!! (For now!) We have a couple weeks off and then we hit it hard again! So, so, so very proud of all these kiddos. They did their best, and that is all I can ask. We celebrated today with cookies and our Terabithia movie. :0)

I finally found my camera cord!!! Check out all these fun photos!



Bridge to Terabithia Sequence Activity:



Speaking of cords...we learned about chords in a circle today. Ask your kiddo what the difference between a diameter and a chord is. They should tell you that a diameter touches two points on a circle AND goes through the center ALWAYS. A chord can go through the center or not. It just has to touch two points on a circle. If they can explain it correctly, write CIRCLE in the planner for $10.

Spelling tests tomorrow as well as library.

There is no homework tonight. Tomorrow is Cat in the Hat Day!!!! Wear black, white, and red!!

Laney and Espen...please remember your mold science fair forms tomorrow. Thanks!

Again, Happy Birthday to Kyra yesterday! Yummy treats!

Have a great one!
Mrs. Grewell

Last MONTCas Science Test Tomorrow Morning! :0)

Fun, fun, fun animal prints day for Dr. Seuss. Tomorrow is The Foot Book. Kids should wear two different shoes or types of shoes to celebrate it. CRAZY Dr. Seuss. His books sure confuse me!!!

We took the second MONTCas test session today. Everyone did their best and I could tell they were all shining stars. One more to go tomorrow.

We have been approved to go on the field trip to Plenty Coup in April. There will be a bus cost for students. Watch for details to come. Yay!

Ok...we are in DESPERATE need of glue sticks. This seems to happen year after year. I upped the amount on the beginning of the year supply list this year too. My goodness. So...please stop at a store tonight or tomorrow morning and grab a pack or two. Many kids were having to borrow today and my reserve is gone. I also need mine for when I model how to build the notebooks on the front board. Poor AJ just got some two days ago and kids were borrowing his. (If your kiddo was one of those, please pick up a replacement for him too). Please help with this issue. It is becoming quite the distraction in our learning lessons. Thanks.

No homework was assigned tonight. However, many kiddos still have their Scholastic News to finish up. It is due tomorrow morning.

We started to watch the Terabithia movie today. Kids were amazed at how different it is from the book already and we were only about 10 minutes in. :0) Ask your kiddo to share with you one way it is different so far. If they can contrast for you, write MOVIE in the planner for $10 tomorrow.

Also, if you saw the book report (biography) in the Tuesday Folder yesterday be sure to read the comments I wrote on the back of them. If you saw it/read it write BIO in the planner for another $10 tomorrow. There was also another multiplication test result sheet in there. Please, please, please work on these basic facts with you kids. Come up with anything that will help them...answer it before they get dinner, before bed, to get their pillow, to get their covers, to get their bowl of ice cream...whatever. Just please help them learn them by sight in 5 seconds or less. Thanks!

I think that about covers it all. Have a wonderful night!

Espen...good luck on that final ski race!!!! Emily...my goodness girl...get better soon!

Mrs. Grewell

Happy Birthday Kyra!!!

Hi.

Happy Birthday to Kyra! We haven't had a birthday in a long time. Yay!!! Thanks for the yummy cupcake treats little lady. Yummy!

There is no homework tonight. I don't give homework on test days! Just go to bed early instead. :0)

We had a lot of fun at Fly Time today. We listened to Fox and Socks. Tons of alliteration (tongue twisters) in there. Thank goodness for online versions!!! I have a fun picture but I can't find my download cord. Rats!

Tomorrow is Animal Print Day. Kids may wear any kind of clothing that has an animal print on it.

We also read a book about taking the Big Test today in Fly Time. The moral of the story...relax and BELIEVE that you have this test in the bag! Kids are ready for anything. They have been preparing for these kinds of test their entire life...starting with you reading to them right out of the womb. No worries...smooth sailing. The test today went great. We will continue on with session two tomorrow.

Emily and Cayden...feel better soon! We miss you!!

Have a fantastic night!
Mrs. Grewell