2 PhotoBooth Tips

I just can't wait until Tuesday to share some PhotoBooth troubleshooting I did today!

1) To turn off the 3...2...1... Countdown for the picture (which can be super annoying!), just hold "Option" key on your keyboard while you hit the shutter button to take the picture! 

2) To flip the photos so the words won't be backwards, go to Edit --> Auto Flip New Items.  If it has a checkmark next to it, it will flip things correctly after pictures have been taken!  

You're welcome!  :)

August 30, 2013

We published our first blog posts today!!!  Parents, please make sure you ask your children what the guest login password is, as well as their personal blog passwords they created today!  Students, feel free to personalize your backgrounds and pictures, as well as comment on others' posts!  I'm so excited for these blogs!  

Have a wonderful 3-day weekend!

Homework

1) READ for 20 minutes, & start choosing books for our PIZZA READING program!  Remember that for chapter books, they should be on your level, never-before-read, and at least 500 pages TOTAL (you could have one 500 p. book, or two 250 p. books, etc.).  Then, bring the book to class for a BOOK TALK!  Click here for a great book talk example on Inkheart.

***If you're looking for recommendations for books on your level and the genre you want, try Scholastic's Book Wizard!  It gives excellent recommendations & the genre for each book it lists!***

2) Tell your parents your personal blog password, and share the guest login password!

Upcoming Events

*Sep. 2: No School ~ Labor Day

*Sep. 12: Parent Night for 4th & 5th grade, 5:30-7:00 pm

*Sep. 24: Elementary Room Parent Social, 3:30

*Sep. 27: Progress Reports go home (mid term!)

August 29, 2013

We finished the last of the interviews for classroom jobs today, so I will be making job offers soon!  :)

I have also had several questions on when we will start the homework projects/journals.  We will hand out the first menu on Friday, Sep. 6 (a week from tomorrow)!

Homework

1) READ for 20 minutes, & start choosing books for our PIZZA READING program!  Remember that for chapter books, they should be on your level, never-before-read, and at least 500 pages TOTAL (you could have one 500 p. book, or two 250 p. books, etc.).  Then, bring the book to class for a BOOK TALK!  Click here for a great book talk example on Inkheart.

***If you're looking for recommendations for books on your level and the genre you want, try Scholastic's Book Wizard!  It gives excellent recommendations & the genre for each book it lists!***

Upcoming Events

*Sep. 2: No School ~ Labor Day

*Sep. 12: Parent Night for 4th & 5th grade, 5:30-7:00 pm

*Sep. 24: Elementary Room Parent Social, 3:30

*Sep. 27: Progress Reports go home (mid term!)

"Happiness is the consequence of personal effort."

~Elizabeth Gilbert

August 28, 2013

As today is the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.'s Speech, "I Have A Dream," we discussed that at school.  Check out this clip of it below:

Also, we completed our writing benchmark today, which was very simple: to write to persuade/convince me or parents about something.  Parents, some of your students have designed quite the debate for their issue--be sure to ask them what they wrote about!
Additionally, our first Scholastic Book Orders went home today!  Please see the button on the right side of our blog for online book ordering, which earns more points for our class to buy free books than paper ordering!

Finally, in 5th grade, we work in collaborative teams.  A LOT!  So today, we did some teambuilding called Square Balance.  Check out pictures below of students learning to communicate, cooperate, and work as a team!

Homework

1) READ for 20 minutes, & start choosing books for our PIZZA READING program!  Remember that for chapter books, they should be on your level, never-before-read, and at least 500 pages TOTAL (you could have one 500 p. book, or two 250 p. books, etc.).  Then, bring the book to class for a BOOK TALK!  Click here for a great book talk example on Inkheart.

2) If you turned in your application today, your job interview will be TOMORROW!  You may dress professionally if you'd like (tie, skirt, nice pants, etc.), or just wear regular dress code!

Upcoming Events

*Sep. 2: No School ~ Labor Day

*Sep. 12: Parent Night for 4th & 5th grade, 5:30-7:00 pm

*Sep. 24: Elementary Room Parent Social, 3:30

*Sep. 27: Progress Reports go home (mid term!)

August 27, 2013

WOW!  We learned more about blogging today, including internet safety, how to comment, and why tags are helpful, and I'm AMAZED at how excited everyone is to get started!  I found an article on student blogging just today (check it out!!), and one of my favorite parts was the list of what keeping a digital portfolio teaches students:

"They are also learning that:

• People will see what they post.

• People can comment on their posts and be part of the learning.

• Some things are better to post online than others.

• When you put something online, it stays online forever.

• You can learn from others online.

• You can help others to learn online."

If you look at the article, you'll see some examples of the types of work samples you'll be posting to your blog soon!  :)  Stay tuned!

Homework

1) Job Applications due tomorrow!

2) READ for 20 minutes, & start choosing books for our PIZZA READING program!  Remember that for chapter books, they should be on your level, never-before-read, and at least 500 pages TOTAL (you could have one 500 p. book, or two 250 p. books, etc.).  Then, bring the book to class for a BOOK TALK!  Click here for a great book talk example on Inkheart.

3) If you turned in your application today, your job interview will be TOMORROW!  You may dress professionally if you'd like (tie, skirt, nice pants, etc.), or just wear regular dress code!
4) Brown Paper Bag with 3 items inside that represent you and your interests to share!  Tomorrow is the last day to share!

Upcoming Events

*Sep. 2: No School ~ Labor Day

*Sep. 12: Parent Night for 4th & 5th grade, 5:30-7:00 pm

*Sep. 24: Elementary Room Parent Social, 3:00

*Sep. 27: Progress Reports go home (mid term!)

August 26, 2013

We had our first fire drill today, and everyone did a great job!  I was also very impressed with all the IB Profile Posters you made last week, and your presentations today!

Homework

1) If you haven't already, fill out your JOB application!  Remember to do your best and to put your top 3 choices to help improve your chances of getting the job you want!  Due by Wednesday (but you may turn it in early if you'd like!)

2) READ for 20 minutes, & start choosing books for our PIZZA READING program!  Remember that for chapter books, they should be on your level, never-before-read, and at least 500 pages TOTAL (you could have one 500 p. book, or two 250 books, etc.).  Then, bring the book to class for a BOOK TALK!  Click here for a great book talk example on Inkheart.

3) If you turned in your application today, your job interview will be TOMORROW!  You may dress professionally if you'd like (tie, skirt, nice pants, etc.), or just wear regular dress code!
4) Brown Paper Bag with 3 items inside that represent you and your interests to share!  We will share them throughout the week next week.

Upcoming Events

*Sep. 2: No School ~ Labor Day

*Sep. 12: Parent Night for 4th & 5th grade, 5:30-7:00 pm

*Sep. 24: Elementary Room Parent Social, 3:00

*Sep. 27: Progress Reports go home (mid term!)

August 23, 2013

I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend!  Thanks for all your hard work this week in learning all those procedures--you are doing great!  

Homework

1) Fill out your JOB application!  Remember to do your best and to put your top 3 choices to help improve your chances of getting the job you want!  Due by Wednesday (but you may turn it in early if you'd like!)

2) READ for 20 minutes!  You don't need a signature anymore, but it's extremely important to read every day!  We will also be starting Ken Garff again soon, as well as a class reading program!

3) Bring any other supplies you forgot as soon as possible!  Our class is still in need of 3 erasable pens.  Donations are always very welcome--and thank you so much for all our classroom donations already!!
4) Brown Paper Bag with 3 items inside that represent you and your interests to share!  We will share them throughout the week next week.

Upcoming Events

*Sep. 2: No School ~ Labor Day

*Sep. 12: Parent Night for 4th & 5th grade, 5:30-7:00 pm

*Sep. 24: Elementary Room Parent Social, 3:00

*Sep. 27: Progress Reports go home (mid term!)

August 22, 2013

Congratulations on finding our blog today!  :)  I hope you visit often, both to check the homework/upcoming events, and to use the other resources like games and math practice!  I also post pictures and fun videos as often as possible!

Today, we had a blast interviewing each other, learning about the 5th grade team of teachers, and (re)introducing IB & the Learner Profile traits.  We watched a couple videos, such as the one about Panyee's first football (soccer) team, and discussed how IB involves being problems solvers and global learners.  (Below is one many of you are also familiar with from last year called Caine's Arcade).  I'm looking forward to learning and growing together in these areas this year!

Homework

1) Please turn in all the papers from Back to School Night (the blue Providence Hall folder) as soon as possible!  I will be sending out parent emails as soon as I have everyone's!

2) Look over the job descriptions and start brainstorming which jobs you'll apply for.  Applications will go home on Friday. 

3) READ for 20 minutes!  You don't need a signature anymore, but it's extremely important to read every day!  We will also be starting Ken Garff again soon!

4) Bring any other supplies you forgot as soon as possible!  Our class is still in need of 10 socks to use for whiteboard erasing, and 3 erasable pens.  Donations are always very welcome--and thank you so much for all our classroom donations already!!

Upcoming Events

*Sep. 2: No School ~ Labor Day

*Sep. 12: Parent Night for 4th & 5th grade, 5:30-7:00 pm

*Sep. 24: Elementary Room Parent Social, 3:00

*Sep. 27: Progress Reports go home (mid term!)

August 21, 2013

Congratulations on rocking your first day of school!!  I am SO excited about our class, and getting to know each of you!  You did such a great job learning/practicing the many school procedures!  

Homework1) Please turn in all the papers from Back to School Night (the blue Providence Hall folder) as soon as possible!  I will be sending out parent emails as soon as I have everyone's!

2) Look over the job descriptions and start brainstorming which jobs you'll apply for.  Applications will go home on Friday. 

3) READ for 20 minutes!  You don't need a signature anymore, but it's extremely important to read every day!  We will also be starting Ken Garff again soon!

4) Bring any other supplies you forgot as soon as possible! 

Upcoming Events

*Sep. 2: No School ~ Labor Day

*Sep. 12: Parent Night for 4th & 5th grade, 5:30-7:00 pm

*Sep. 24: Elementary Room Parent Social, 3:00

*Sep. 27: Progress Reports go home (mid term!)

Sample Blog Post for Back-to-School Night!

We were thrilled to catch up with our little 1st grade buddies today during Buddy Reading--it seems like forever since we last met with them!  I hope everyone can get their missing work located and reports signed tonight so everyone can participate in Friday Fun!

Homework: 

1) Homework Choices this week.  Remember that your project and journal are due Friday morning!
a) x
b) y
c) z

2) Read 20 minutes!

3) Missing work: be sure to get it turned in, and get the reports signed!

Items of Business: 

*Class Store: If you have any extra soda, candy, trinkets, jewelry, or toys that you would like to donate to class store, please send it with your child!  We would like to do one more often to serve as a motivator for positive behavior!

Upcoming Events:

*Dec. 4-5: Christmas Concerts at 6 pm each night at the Jr. High.  Students with last names starting with A-L will perform on the 4th and M-Z on the 5th.

*Dec. 18: Boxtops due

*Dec. 21: Boxtop dress down day.

*Dec. 21: 12:30 early release!  Bring a snack--lunch will not be served!

*December 21: Bring any knitted "Cast cozies" to the front office by this date.

*Dec. 24-Jan. 4: Christmas break!

*Jan. 18: End of term 2

Thank You & Good Luck!

I'm so glad that you've continued to enjoy our classroom blog throughout the summer--the blog statistics tell me that many of you still do!  Thanks for visiting!  I hope you always feel free to come back and visit--both the blog and ME in person!  :)  While you still have a couple of lovely weeks of summer, I go back to school next week, so I'd like to publish my last summer post now. 

 

I'm sure many of you are SO excited, nervous, and a lot of other emotions about starting Jr. High--I know I sure was!  I just want to remind you of a few pieces of advice we discussed last year, most of which are from my favorite researcher, Brene Brown:

 

*Remember that cool is an "emotional straightjacket," and that it takes way more courage to be yourself! (from Brene Brown).

 

*Remember that you are WAY more than just a number! (remember how we discussed this sad-but-funny comic below?  The left side is so much more important!)

 

*This is something I recently discovered from reading Brene Brown's book, Daring Greatly, but it's along the same lines of our discussions last year:  Remember the difference between fitting in and belonging:

 "Belonging is being accepted for you.  Fitting in is being accepted for being like everyone else."

"Belonging...doesn't require us to change who we are; it requires us to be who we are." 

(Brown, Brene.  Daring Greatly.  New York: Gotham Books, 2012.  Print.) 

 

*Remember this fantastic quote by Theodore Roosevelt about giving it all you've got!

http://static.squarespace.com/static/51310ff3e4b0776ccd680f89/t/514212c6e4b044b80396a2a9/1363284678476/DaringGreatly-ArenaQuote-8x10.pdf

*And don't forget to exchange this expression whenever your teachers say to find a partner!  :)

Good luck, and enjoy the rest of your summer!