McFarland-Mayberry-Begley Bulletin

for the week of January 25, 2016

Due Dates / Upcoming Events:

Monday, February 1st - Reading logs due

Tuesday, February 2nd - Home link due

Wednesday, February 3rd - Early Release Wednesday

Thursday, February 4th -  Spelling due

Friday, February 5th - Home link due

Adventure-Based Learning

Thursday, Mrs. Murray was back with several challenges.  Kids needed to work in their groups to pass balloon balls using just two fingers in such as way that everyone gets a touch.  And then, we combined groups -- so our groups have doubled in size!  Most kids were excited to have new members to work with, and others recognized the potential challenges of larger groups.  Mrs. Murray also gave us a sneak peek at our upcoming Iditarod simulation!  She brought in a sled, ropes, flag markers, and a provisions crate, and demonstrated some of the skills the kids will develop and use after vacation.  More details to come on that in the coming weeks -- and as we keep an eye on the weather!

Report Cards

Report cards are in homework folders today.  The report card reflects your child’s work, performance, and achievement for the entire first semester.  All three team teachers collaborated on the reports.  All of the math grades were done by Mrs. Mayberry, and all of the science & social studies grades are from Mrs. Begley.  For our class, the reading and writing grades are recorded by Mrs. McFarland.  If your child receives full pull-out services through an IEP, the grades are based on their progress in that resource room class.  Please review and keep the report card, but sign the envelope and send it back to school on Monday.

Valentine’s Day

On Thursday, February 11th, students will have an opportunity to please include everyone in the class.  Each child should bring a container to collect Valentines.  This can be as simple as a plastic bag or as complex as a decorated shoebox.  I’ll send home a class list (hopefully today!).

Academic Updates:

Reading Workshop

Please check out your child’s huge packet of reading logs from October through this past Monday!  Wow!  We’ve done a lot of reading this year so far!  With that stack is a bright green assessment sheet that shows to what extent your child is meeting grade level expectations with at-home reading.  As you know, that reading time is paramount in your child’s reading development.  In addition, there is a purple Reading Workshop Reflection that your child filled out this morning, which will help me continue to get to know your child’s ideas about reading and will guide my thinking as I make plans for the second half of our year together.

    Today in class, kids studied their logs and commented about the books they were reading (“Those were the days when I was reading The Bell Bandit!”).  Some kids erased capitalization mistakes and fixed them (with no prompting from me).  Others are wondering about the new reading log option I’ll reveal on Monday, available to readers who have been consistently reading and logging!  More info to come on that next week!

Writing Workshop

This week, we shared our information books with some MIW friends!  On Monday, the Mayberrys met with Mrs. Follett’s class, who brought fairy tales, their informational books, and/or their wax museum speeches to share with us.  On Wednesday, the McFarland writers hosted Mrs. Dominski’s class, who also brought their informational books to share.  It was really fun!  

    We also started our new unit, Literary Essays.  We started by reading four stories that we’ll focus our essays on -- great reads with rich characters, underlying issues, and sophisticated writing that begs to be analyzed!  We worked with partners to craft succinct one-sentence summaries that we will use in the introduction paragraphs of the essays.  Next week, we will review the criteria for a strong thesis statement, study the Opinion Writing Checklist, and hopefully get really far into our first literary essay.  That one, we will write all together with much instruction and support.  Off we go!

Math

This week students learned how to use the partial products algorithm to multiply large numbers. We started out by multiplying 3- or 4-digit numbers by a 1-digit number and then moved into multiplying 2-digit by 2-digit numbers. In addition we worked with multi-step number stories involving money. On Friday students learned a fun game called Multiplication Wrestling.

Spelling

This week students looked at the word endings al/el/le, which are challenging because they make the same sound.  After brainstorming words that fit each ending, we did an activity where students had to look at a word with all three endings (ex: normle, normal, normel) and determine which was spelled correctly.  

Theme

This week we prepared for our magnet & electricity quiz, which we took today.  This included creating study cards, playing Jeopardy, and completing some review activities.  

    Next week we will start a PBL (project based learning) project, where students will create an invention that applies their knowledge of circuits and magnets to solve a problem.

McFarland-Mayberry-Begley Bulletin

for the week of January 19, 2016

Due Dates / Upcoming Events:

Monday, January 25th - Reading logs due

Tuesday, January 26th - Home link due

Wednesday, January 27th - Early Release Wednesday

Thursday, January 28th -  Spelling due

Friday, January 29th - Home link due / Progress reports will be sent home in your child’s HW folder

Read to Lacey at Prince Memorial Library!   

This is a program that happens year round, through the entire school year and into the summer too. It is an opportunity for kids in grades K—5 to sign up for 15 minutes to read to a therapy dog at Prince Memorial Library. They bring in what they are currently reading or choose a book from the library collection. This is a wonderful way to encourage beginning readers to practice their reading and for older readers to make the time to read for just 15 minutes out of their busy days.  Stop by or email Lauren Isele at lisele@cumberlandmaine.com for more information.  

Academic Updates:

Reading Workshop

Readers have selected animals to research and are working their way toward a digital slideshow project!  First, we are using research maps to collect, sort, and categorize information as we read multiple texts about a chosen animal.  Through a collage activity, we saw how organizing things into categories helps our brains to remember and learn information more effectively.  Other skills and strategies we are using are:

• ask questions about the text
• attempt to answer your own questions
• identify the main idea of a text
• identify supporting details
• understand the author’s purpose
• teach others

We’ll also incorporate some science learning into this project, specifically life cycle, physical & behavioral adaptations, and food web.

Writing Workshop

Almost all of our writers have completed their informational texts!  They are looking great, many pages bursting with information, diagrams, and text features!  Soon, I will start reading a few stories to the kids, texts that we’ll use to focus on during our upcoming unit: Literary Essay.  This unit is tied for My Favorite (along with Poetry).  From the first year 4th graders started this unit -- I thought, “What?  Nine year-olds writing essays about literature?” -- I’ve been blown away by how the children demonstrate their deep understanding of texts through the writing of an essay.  We will see the fruits of our reading-instruction-labor with this one.  WARNING: In upcoming newsletters, I will be gushing about our writers’ progress throughout this unit.

Math

This week students were introduced to multiplying large numbers using two methods. The first is called partitioning rectangles, and the second is called partial products. We will continue to practice both methods during the coming week. In addition, students learned to convert liquid volume (liters to milliliters) using extended multiplication. Next week students will have homework involving all of these skills. Please encourage your child to check out my homelink tutorial (on my web page) if they are having trouble with their homework at home.  Students know how to access this.

Spelling

***This week students looked at patterns for the /yu/ and /u/ sounds, which are ew, ue, u-consonant-e, and oo, and u.  The distinction between the two sounds is subtle, and it proved to be a good challenge for us.

Theme

This week we explored lots of things with circuits.  Students built simple circuits with bulbs and motors.  We learned about parallel and series circuits and how each type of circuit affects the output of the user.  Also, we added switches and resistors and talked about the function of each.  

    I’ve been teaching students a different kind of notetaking called “sketch notetaking”.  As we built working circuits and learned about the different parts, students made sketch notes.  It’s been exciting to see the creativity students bring to the table and how they represent different concepts.

    Next week, we will take a short quiz on magnets and electricity.  A study guide will come home on Monday & we will make study cards in class.  During the last two weeks before vacation, students will be presented with an engineering challenge where they will have to apply their knowledge of magnets and electricity.

    Kids have been LOVING our Snap Circuits.  Lots of kids have asked where they can purchase a kit.  They can be found on Amazon and at Island Treasure Toys in Yarmouth and Freeport.

kids being kids (photo taken from our classroom window at lunch recess today)

Newsletter Update for the week of January 11th

McFarland-Mayberry-Begley Bulletin

for the week of January 11th

Due Dates / Upcoming Events:

Monday, January 18th - No school

Tuesday, January 19th - Reading logs due

Wednesday, January 20th - Full day Wednesday

Thursday, January 21st -  Spelling due

Friday, January 22nd - Home link due / PTO Movie Night @ GMS

Color Guard Performing at Greely Girls’ Game

Next Friday, January 22nd, the GMS 4-5 Color Guard will be performing at halftime at the Greely girl’s basketball game.  We have 5 students on the Mayberry, Begley, McFarland team who participate in Color Guard, so consider going and supporting those students and the program, and check out what Color Guard is all about!

Room 206’s Got Talent!

The highlight of my week was easily our Skills and Talent Share!  In fact, it’s probably the highlight of the year so far for me.  The project was purposely wide open and kept to a small scale (2-3 minutes each, our own class as the audience), and I’m glad it was low-key.  The variety and creativity speaks to the unique individuals we have in our room!  Kids were brave in their choices and brave in their presentations; it’s not easy to get up in front of your peers and have all eyes on you!  No matter the degree of nervousness, every child had her/his moment in the spotlight and -- I dare say -- enjoyed it!  Each child chose their own cheer for the class to show support and appreciation (that was fun it itself!).  Definitely something to ask your child about this weekend!

    Curious about what kinds of talents we have?  Here’s the list!  violin~guitar~Miranda Sings impersonation~rock climbing~ice fishing~knee circles ~acting~sewing~jogging horses~boxing~dance~basketball~soccer~hockey~piano~singing~hoverboard

Academic Updates:

Reading Workshop

As promised this week, we went multi-media with main idea practice!  Students watched two short videos over the course of the week, one on how lobsters stay safe while moving across the ocean floor, and the other was about chimps creating and using tools.  All students tried out a new graphic organizer called a Main Idea Table to record their thinking.  I’m seeing good improvement with the concepts of identifying main ideas and supporting details.  Next week, we will start working on a research project where we will use our main idea skills.

    In addition, students learned about Martin Luther King, Jr. and his leadership in the Civil Rights movement.  They worked on a small art and writing project, which they are displaying on their own locker doors when done.

Writing Workshop

Students have turned a sharp corner in their work on informational writing.  Tuesday, we will start final drafts!  There are so many different text features and options for this writing project, and at this point it’s become quite individualized.  If your child brings home some writing work over the long weekend, take a look at this photo from the board that includes basic directions and reminders.

Math

In math this week we continued to work with reading and converting decimals and fractions to the hundredths place. Students also had an introduction to measuring precisely using centimeters and millimeters. I must say I have many students who are really executing precise measurements all the way down to the nearest millimeter!

Spelling

This week students looked at “roughie toughies” or ou and ow words that don’t say the /ow/ sound.  A lot of commonly misspelled words fit in this category, like though, through, enough, etc.  We also looked at patterns for the /er/ sound: er, ir, and ur.

Theme

This week we wrapped up the magnet portion of our unit.  On Monday, students used magnets, iron filings, and other magnetic objects to help find hidden magnets seal inside boxes.  Students also made temporary magnets, such as electromagnets and nails.  On Wednesday, we performed an experiment called “Iron for Breakfast”, where we extracted the iron in fortified cereal.  (Click here to see the experiment in action)  We are now shifting to electricity.  On Thursday we discussed energy transfers, using a Newton’s cradle.  On Friday, we made different model circuits to see what is necessary in order to have a complete circuit.  We also had a few brief moments to start playing around with the Snap Circuit kits.

Have a safe long weekend!

Photos from this afternoon's visit with our Japanese exchange students

Our generous, patient guests taught us how to say some basic phrases in Japanese.  Then, they came around and gave us some coaching.  Our students were prepared with questions on index cards to ask our new friends.  A special experience for all of us!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

McFarland-Mayberry-Begley Bulletin

for the week of January 4th

Due Dates / Upcoming Events:

Monday, January 11th- Reading logs due

Tuesday, January 12th - Home link due

Wednesday, January 13th - Math box catch up night

Thursday, January 14th -  Spelling due

Friday, January 15th - Home link due

Monday, January 18th - No School

Wednesday, January 20th - Full Day Wednesday

Welcome Assembly for Japanese Exchange Students

On Wednesday our students attended the welcome ceremony for the Japanese exchange students who are visiting Greely Middle School this week.  We followed this up with a presentation and question-and-answer session in Mrs. Groom’s class on Friday.  The kids were really excited about the opportunity and asked lots of good questions.

Adventure-Based Learning

When is a jumprope a gateway to get out of Jurassic Park?  When it’s ABL day!  Ask your child to tell you about the challenges of getting out with a partner, with a focus group of 6 to 8 kids, and then with two combined focus groups!

serious business!

feet ready for a closing game

Academic Updates:

Reading Workshop

When students arrived on Monday, there were eight new baskets of nonfiction books on our shelves!  Most of the books focus on animals and things about animals, such as migration, life cycles, and adaptations.  It was great to see renewed enthusiasm about nonfiction texts.  We are continuing to work on strategies for identifying main idea.  Mrs. Mayberry made us some Main Idea Task Cards, 32 cards that each have a very short article.  The cards are numbered, and students have a numbered sheet on which to record the main idea of their articles of choice.  We are getting picky about what a main idea is and isn’t (see photo).  Next week, we will work to identify the main idea of some short National Geographic videos.  This will surely contribute to more succinct answers when you ask your child, “What’s that show about?”

Writing Workshop

On Monday, we turned an important corner in our informational texts: we used stapled paper and Post-its to make draft booklets, and we planned the layout of our books.  That makes it seem real, and kids can start to see the big picture of this project!  We used the Whole Brain Teaching technique of writing Genius Paragraphs (thank you, Pinterest!).  I wanted a new way to help kids write engaging, informative paragraphs with correct grammatical structure, something I noticed that was a little sketchy in our essay unit.  Each child has written three paragraphs using this technique.  We also started our conclusion paragraphs.  Students are able to see the commonalities of different genres, as narratives, essays, and informational texts all need a purposeful ending, among other parts (such as transitions and leads).  Next week, we will host Mrs Greenlaw’s 6th graders to help us edit for spelling!

Math

In math this week we continued to work with reading and converting decimals and fractions to the hundredths place. Students also had an introduction to measuring precisely using centimeters and millimeters. I must say I have many students who are really executing precise measurements all the way down to the nearest millimeter!

Spelling

This week students reviewed silent letters and homophones.  I shared two read alouds, Silent Letters Loud and Clear and How Much Could a Bare Bear Bear?  Students also practiced these concepts with some guided practice in class.

Theme

This week we started our unit on magnets and electricity.  Monday we elicited prior knowledge in our notebooks.  After sharing ideas about magnets with the class, students were given a magnet to explore.  Students recorded observations in their notebooks.  We followed this up with two labs: Will it Stick? and The Force.  Will it Stick? allowed students to explore the kinds of items that magnets stick to.  The Force helped students explore how the greater the distance between two magnets, the weaker the magnetic force.  We also explored ways that magnets are used in everyday life.