Monday, December 19, 2011

12/19/11

Language Arts:
Lesson 16 - spelling pages - due next year
Personal narrative - due tomorrow
Lesson 10 - due tomorrow

Math:
Balke: no hw - geometry review
Gordon: MJ 120
Hall: MJ 165
Moen: no hw - test today

Science: Tall index card structures

Social Studies: Pyramid wksts due tomorrow

Other:

Friday, December 16, 2011

12/16/11

Language Arts:
L10 - 115-119 - due T (don't do 120!!)
Personal narrative writing - 3-5 paragraphs - due T

Math:
Balke: no hw - circle graphs
Gordon: Gum sheet !!! MJ 120 (T) Test score
Hall: MJ 157
Moen: no hw TEST MONDAY

Science: CRUSHING done - stats Monday
Social Studies: Pyramid wksts - due T

Other: Have a stupendous weekend!!

Thursday, December 15, 2011

12/15/11

Language Arts:
L10 - 113-114 -due tomorrow
L10 - 115-120 -due T
Spelling test tomorrow

Math:
Balke: Coordinate geo. SL 5.4
Gordon: MJ 117 MJ 120 (T) Test today
Hall: MJ 153 hot choc tomorrow
Moen: no hw TEST TOMORROW

Science: Final Crush - continues tomorrow

Social Studies: Pyramid wksts - due T

Other:

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

12/14/11

Language Arts:
L10 - 109-112 - due tomorrow!!!
L10 - 113-114 - due F
L10 - 115-120 - due T

Math:
Balke: SL 5.4 (F)
Gordon: Finish pretest MJ 117 (F) MJ 120 (T) TEST TOMORROW!
Hall: MJ 151
Moen: SL 4.7 1st to 100

Science: Index card building - Final Crush tomorrow

Social Studies: Pyramid assignment - due F

Other: Have a good evening!

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

12/13/11

Language Arts:
Lesson 10 - 113-114 - due F
Lesson 10 - 109-112 - due Th

Math:
Balke: no hw - coordinate geometry
Gordon: SL 120, 2nd div sheet, 1st to 100 MJ 117 (F) MJ 120 (T)
Hall: MJ 144 SL 129
Moen: no hw - game day

Science: Height and Weight structure 20 cards

Social Studies: Social Pyramid of school

Other: have a great evening!
Music - talent show!

Monday, December 12, 2011

12/12/11

Language Arts:
Due tomorrow:
  • 1896-2011
  • 5 sentences
  • Small book task L9
Lesson 10 113-114 - due F

Math:
Balke: SL 5.2 5.3
Gordon: Div. 1st Div. 2nd MJ 114 1st to 100 (W) MJ 117 (F)
Hall: MJ 146 147
Moen: MJ 111-113

Science: Taller index card structures

Social Studies: Egyptian Social Classes

Other: Music class talent show W

Friday, December 9, 2011

12/9/11

Language Arts:
Small book task (L9) due T
1896-2011 - due T
5 sentences summary - due T

Math:
Balke: no hw - geometry
Gordon: MJ 114 (T) MJ 117 (F) Games = yay
Hall: MJ 139
Moen: SL 4.6

Science: Index card building

Social Studies: Begin Ch. 9

Other: Have a good weekend!!!!!!

Thursday, December 8, 2011

12/8/11

Language Arts:
L9 101-102
Spelling test
Small book task - T
1896-2011 + 5 sentence summary - T

Math:
Balke: SL 5.1
Gordon: SL 116 117 MJ 113 MJ 110 MJ 114 (T)
Hall: MJ 135 136
Moen: no hw

Science: Index card structures

Social Studies: ------------

Other: Permission

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

12/7/11

Language Arts:
Lesson 9 103-107 (108 we will discuss in class)
Lesson 9 101-102
Spelling test F

Math:
Balke: no hw - Start Geometry Ch.5
Gordon: MJ 110 (F) MJ 114 (T)
Hall: MJ 134
Moen: MJ 108 110

Science: Reviewed final slam

Social Studies: --------------

Other: PERMISSION SLIP!!!!!!

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

12/6/11

Language Arts:
Lesson 9 97-100 DUE TOMORROW!!!!!
Lesson 9 103-109 DUE Thursday
Lesson 9 101-102 DUE Friday
Spelling Test Friday

Math:
Balke: Test - no hw
Gordon: MJ 109 SL 113 MJ 110 (F) MJ 114 (next T)
Hall: no hw - game day
Moen: SL 4.4 4.5 MJ 108 110 (Th)

Science: Final Slam!!

Social Studies: Ch. 8 test - scores tomorrow

Other: Dress for success!!!!
Permission slips

Monday, December 5, 2011

12/5/11

Language Arts:
ANY Lesson 8 - due 8:30 a.m. tomorrow!!!!
Lesson 9 97-100 - due W
Spelling pretest

Math:
Balke: check the blog for MJ review - Test Tomorrow!!!
Gordon: MJ 108 MJ 116 MJ 103 (F)
Hall: MJ 132 133
Moen: no hw

Science: Final Slam tomorrow!!!

Social Studies: Ch.8 Brain only test tomorrow!! Read over your notes!!!!!!!!

Other: Permission Slips!!!!!!!!

Friday, December 2, 2011

12/2/11

Language Arts:
ANY Lesson 8 materials FINISH it THIS WEEKEND!!!

Math:
Balke: no hw - Posted the Review Pages - Test TUESDAY
Gordon: SL 106 107 MJ 108 (T)
Hall: MJ 131
Moen: no hw - scale 0n a map

Science: Final building Monday, Final Slam Tuesday

Social Studies: Tentative - review Monday, Test Tuesday

Other: PERMISSION SLIP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sports night tonight at Mercer/ Scanlon

12/2/11 - Mr. Balke's math review pages - Ch. 4

Test is Tuesday, December 6

Math Journal pages

124

125

126 1,2

128 1,2

130 1 through 9

131 1,2

133 5 through 12

134 1,2,5

135 1,2

136 1-6

139 1,2,4

141

142

143

146 1,2

147 1,2,4

148 4-11

150

152

153 1,2,4

154

155

156

157 1 through 4

158

159

Thursday, December 1, 2011

12/1/11

Language Arts:
89-90
Spelling test

Math:
Balke: no hw Test Tues.
Gordon: MJ 103 MJ 105 MJ 108 (T)
Hall: MJ 128
Moen: SL 4.2

Science: More building and testing

Social Studies: Open book test - brain only Tuesday

Other: PERMISSION SLIP
Science Night tonight
Sports Night tomorrow night

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

11/30/11

Language Arts:
Small Book Task - due tomorrow
Lesson 8 89-90 - due F
Spelling test Friday

Math:
Balke: SL 4.10 4.11 Test no earlier than Tues.
Gordon: SL 104 MJ 104 MJ 105 (F) MJ 108 (Tues)
Hall: MJ 124 126 Hot choc tomorrow
Moen: MJ 100

Science: More building and testing

Social Studies: -----

Other: Science night tomorrow 6:30

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

11/29/11

Language Arts:
Lesson 8 91-96 - due tomorrow
Lesson 8 89-90 - due F
Small Book tasks - due Th
Spelling test F

Math:
Balke: no hw, Ch.4 test no earlier than Tues.
Gordon: MJ 106 107 SL 105 (F) get yer test signed!
Hall: SL 107 test today!
Moen: SL 4.1 MJ 100 (Th)

Science: Building and testing

Social Studies: More Egypt

Other: have a pleasant evening!

11/29/11 - Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

The following is from a post from 2009:

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

Deep beneath the cover of another perfect wonder
Where it's so white as snow

Privately divided by a world so undecided
And there's nowhere to go

In between the cover of another perfect wonder
And it's so white as snow

Running through the field where all my tracks will
Be concealed and there's nowhere to go oh!

Now that I have your attention, just a few words regarding the coming winter.

Dress for success
If you are a student and you are coming early and have to wait outside, you had better check the weather report! It gets cold out there! Either don't come so early or dress appropriately.

When there is snow on the ground, many times there will be restrictions at recess. Boots and snow pants are nerdy, but it's a lot more fun to frolic in the snow than to stand shivering on the blacktop!!

Cancellations and Late starts
Nowadays, if there is a cancellation or late start because of weather, Mr. Murley or one of his designates will give you a Connect-Ed automated phone call. If your phone number is not in the system, or you simply miss the call for some reason, here is what you can do if you are wondering (in order of best to worst):

1. Internet - kcrg.com will give you updates, click on "Cancellations". The ICCSD website will post information prominently on the main page. This is the best option by far.

2. TV - KCRG and others will crawl the cancellations along the bottom of the screen. Not as efficient; you have to wait.

3. Radio - Terrible, I wouldn't even use it, unless I had to. KXIC or KCJJ would be your best local bets.

4. Call the teacher - If you call me, I will be cheerful, but I do not have ANY special teacher advance knowledge. I find out when you do. You laugh, but I have had folks think I have some sort of early notice regarding cancellations, and call me.

Cancellations get added on to the end of the school year. Late starts or early dismissals do not get added on. Late starts in the ICCSD have ALWAYS been 2-hour delays. So we begin at 10:30 instead of 8:30. Early dismissals, going by memory they are usually 1:00, but I believe that can vary, depending on the conditions.

Have an excellent day,
nb

11/29/11 - Spelling Article

Spelling is a popular subject when talking about education. I have a link to an interesting article I came across a week or two ago:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A27074-2005Feb15?language=printer

Enjoy!
nb

Monday, November 28, 2011

11/28/11

Language Arts:
Lesson 8 - 91-96 - due W
Spelling test - F

Math:
Balke: SL 4.8 AND 4.9
Gordon: MJ 101 102 SL 105 (F)
Hall: SL 105 Study for the test tomorrow!!!!
Moen: no hw - division

Science: Structure building

Social Studies: ----------

Other: More leftovers!!! Band tonight!

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

11/22/11

Language Arts: Parts of Lesson 8 - due dates TBD
Spelling test - F 12/2

Math:
Balke: no hw - %, Fractions, Decimals
Gordon: no hw - games
Hall: no hw - study guide
Moen: no hw - games

Science: New groups, new structure building

Social Studies: More Ch. 8 - Egypt

Other: Have a Peaceful Thanksgiving !!!!!

Monday, November 21, 2011

11/21/11

Language Arts:
Lesson 8 packet - 85-88 - DUE TOMOOORROWWWWW!!
Spelling Lesson 8 - test will be FRIDAY, DEC. 2!!

Math:
Balke: SL 4.7
Gordon: MJ 97 98 Game day tomorrow!
Hall: SL 93
Moen: Get tests signed - no hw

Science: New slammer groups tomorrow!

Social Studies: Begin Ch. 8 - Egypt!

Other: Bring gently used books!

Friday, November 18, 2011

11/18/11

Language Arts:
Packets finished
Small book task finished
Spelling test

Math:
Balke: no hw - Multiplying mixed #s
Gordon: Test Monday! MJ 97 (T) Math game (T)
Hall: SL 96
Moen: no hw - Division

Science: Slammed!

Social Studies: Test

Other: Have a splendid weekend!!!!!!!!

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

11/16/11

Language Arts:
Lesson 7 packet - due F
Small Book Task - due Th
Spelling test F
Gordon - finish book by 12/1

Math:
Balke: SL 4.5
Gordon: MJ 91 (F) SL 90 MJ 97 (T) SL 92 (4-7) whew!
Hall: MJ 122
Moen: Family letter, open response, no hw

Science: Build and draw

Social Studies: Open book test - TAKE IT HOME IF NOT DONE!!!!!
RN 7 - due tomorrow!!!
Brain Only F

Other: Be nice to all creatures

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

11/15/11

Language Arts:
Lesson 7 packet - due F
Small Book Task - due Th
Mrs. G's group - do your reading!

Math:
Balke: + - mixed #s w/renaming - no hw
Gordon: MJ 82 83 SL 90 (4-7) SL 90 1-3 (th) MJ 91 (F)
Hall: MJ 118 119
Moen: test today

Science: Build tall structures to survive the Slammer!

Social Studies: Rdg. Notes 7 due Th, Open note test W, Brain Only F

Other: Be good!!!

Friday, November 11, 2011

11/11/11

Language Arts: Stuff

Math:
Balke:
Gordon:
Hall: stuff
Moen:

Science: iugiy

Social Studies:

Other: be good

Thursday, November 10, 2011

11/10/11

Language Arts:
Wrap-up packets
Small Book activities - due T

Math: no math - Veteran's Day Assembly
Balke: SL 4.3
Gordon: Cut out sheets MJ 84 SL 87 - due T
Hall: MJ 111
Moen: no hw - Test Tuesday

Science: Drawing structures from different angles

Social Studies: more Ch. 7

Other: No school for students tomorrow
Bring food drive items tomorrow if you are able
There will be a substitute teacher Monday - you need to act appropriately! Think before you act!

11/10/11 - Conferences - Important!

1. As you know, my room is in a unique location. To get there, you may either:
  1. Cut through Mrs. Hall’s room. Either she will be in there, or BASP will be in there. I have the okay. Be careful, you may have to dodge those BASP kids!
  2. Wait outside my door (door #18, right in front of the main entrance). I will stay on schedule so that no one has to wait long!

2. I have sent three reminders of conference times. If you are not sure of your time, let me know. If you need to change times, let me know. I totally understand that folks can forget or unforeseen circumstances can develop!

3. If you can bring a non-perishable item for the Girls Scouts Food Drive, that would be great. You can bring them tonight or tomorrow.

Have a great day,
nb

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

11/9/11 - Girl Scout Food Drive

Bring items tomorrow!! No school for students Friday, but you can bring items with you during your conference!

Have a good evening,
nb

11/9/11

Language Arts:
Lesson 6 packet - tomorrow
Spelling Test is TOMORROW!!

Math:
Balke: SL 4.3
Gordon: SL 87 MJ 84 (T) Cut out sheets
Hall: MJ 111
Moen: no hw - test T

Science: 2D and 3D shapes

Social Studies: Begin ch. 7

Other: BRING ITEMS FOR FOOD DRIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Veteran's Day Assembly tomorrow 1:00!

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

11/8/11

Language Arts:
Maniac group - FINISH timeline and events task Tonight!!

Math:
Balke: SL 4.2
Gordon: MJ 80 81
Hall: SL 83
Moen: SL 3.10

Science: Building structures to with stand the Slammer!

Social Studies: Test

Other: Girl Scouts Food Drive! Bring something by Thursday!

11/8/11 - Food Drive for the Crisis Center

Girl Scout Troop 5120 is having a food drive for the Crisis Center in Iowa City during this week! If you can donate please send non-perishable items to the classroom. I will find out the deadline for this and relay that information.


Monday, November 7, 2011

11/7/11

Language Arts:
Lesson 6 packet - due TH
Dictionary group - need 5 words!
Maniac Magee - Timeline and Events activity

Math:
Balke: SL 4.1
Gordon: SL 86 MJ 81 (F)
Hall: MJ 97 107
Moen: no hw

Science: The Slammer

Social Studies: Brain only test TOMORROW!

Other: No school Friday

Friday, November 4, 2011

11/4/11

Language Arts:
Wrapping things up
Spelling test

Math:
Balke: Fractions no hw
Gordon: MJ 76 77 (m) MJ 79 (T) Play Angle Tangle MJ 81 (F)
Hall: MJ 101
Moen: no hw Measuring angles

Science: --------

Social Studies: Open Book test - Review Monday - Test T

Other: whew

Thursday, November 3, 2011

11/3/11

Language Arts:
Lesson 15 packet
Lesson 15 small book task

Math:
Balke: TEST
Gordon: Angle tangle MJ 74 MJ 79 (T)
Hall: SL 76 Sub Tomorrow!
Moen: SL 3.9

Science: Discussed successful structures

Social Studies: Reading Notes 6

Other:

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

11/2/11

Language Arts:
Lesson 15 Packet - F
Lesson 15 Small Book Task (Graphic Features Chart) - Th
Maniac group - Timeline - due TBA
Friday Spelling Test

Math:
Balke: Review - Test TOMORROW!!~
Gordon: wkst 64 65 (tomorrow) MJ 74 (F) MJ 79 (T)
Hall: SL 75
Moen: no hw MJ pages

Science: Tall structures

Social Studies: Reading notes 6 - due F (?)

Other:

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

11/1/11

Language Arts:
Lesson 14 Packet - W
Lesson 14 Small Book Task - W
Lesson 15 Packet - F
Lesson 15 Small Book Task (Graphic Features Chart) - Th

Math:
Balke: SL 3.10 - Review for Test THURS.
Gordon: no hw - MJ 74 75 (F)
Hall: SL 74
Moen: SL 3.8

Science: Building more shapes

Social Studies: -----------

Other: Good to go!

Friday, October 28, 2011

10/28/11 - Skateboards and Scooters, oh my!

We are having some problems with the presence of these and like items at school. Consider:

Lemme Parent Handbook 2010-2011:

“Roller blades, skates, or skateboards are not allowed on the school grounds during the school day or half an hour before or after school because of the safety hazard they incur.”


ICCSD Elem. Handbook 2010-2011:

“Due to the number of students who play on the playground at noon or at recess, certain play items or activities are banned. This includes throwing snowballs, the use of skateboards, roller skates, rollerblades, scooters, and hard balls.”

Please ask your student to keep these items at home!


10/28/11

Language Arts:
Packets Due M
Spelling Test
Small Book task - due T

Math:
Balke: SL 3.9
Gordon: SL 81 (M) MJ 71 (T) MJ 74 (F)
Hall: Test today
Moen: no hw - angles and tesselations and stuff

Science: Build with triangles

Social Studies: ------------

Other: BASP tonight 7:30
Halloween Fun on Mon.

Thursday, October 27, 2011

10/27/11

Language Arts:
Packet due TOMORROW!!!!
Spelling TEST TOMORROW!!!!

Math:
Balke: no hw - graphs
Gordon: MJ 67 70 MJ 71, Amazing Angles
Hall: MJ 88 TEST TOMORROW!!
Moen: SL 3.7

Science: Building cubes

Social Studies: King Sargon!

Other: good to go
BASP play tomorrow 7:30

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

10/26/11

Language Arts:
Packet due F

Math:
Balke: SL 3.7 3.8
Gordon: MJ 68 69 SL 80 MJ 67 (F)
Hall: MJ 85
Moen: no hw

Science: ---------

Social Studies: Started Ch. 6 - Mesopotamian Empires

Other: FIELD TRIP!
PJ Day tomorrow

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

10/25/11

Language Arts:
Lesson 14 packet - due F

Math:
Balke: SL 3.7
Gordon: no hw MJ 67 (F)
Hall: SL 63
Moen: SL 3.6 Triangle and angle review

Science: Structures - How to build with straws and pcs

Social Studies: Test - returned

Other: FIELD TRIP tomorrow a.m.

Monday, October 24, 2011

10/24/11

Language Arts:
Lesson 14 packet - Due F
Spelling pretest
Small Book Task Lesson 13 - due tomorrow

Math:
Balke: SL 3.6
Gordon: MJ 65-66 SL 75 MJ 67
Hall: MJ 64-65 Study guide
Moen: no hw, checked nb, journal pgs.

Science: --------

Social Studies: TEST TOMORROW!!!!!! Read your notes and read through the chapter!!

Other:

Thursday, October 20, 2011

10/20/11

Language Arts:
Packet - tomorrow
Spelling test - tomorrow

Math:
Balke: no hw
Gordon: MJ 61 64 65
Hall: MJ 77
Moen: no hw - angles

Science: -------


Social Studies: TEST is Monday!!

Other: permission

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

10/19/11

Language Arts:
Packet due F
Spelling test F
Maniac group - re-do paragraph if needed

Math:
Balke: SL 3.3
Gordon: MJ 62-63 (Th), 65 (T), 61 (F), 68 (Th) Test signed
Hall: MJ 76
Moen: SL 3.5

Science: Test

Social Studies: Civilization wkst - due tomorrow!
Open book test - tomorrow
Brain only - Friday

Other: permission slips
fundraiser

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

10/18/11

Language Arts:
Maniac Magee group - paragraph about a white girl/black girl/black boy Maniac
Packet due F
Spelling - see blog - test F

Math:
Balke: SL 3.2
Gordon: MJ 61 (F) MJ 65 (week from today)
Hall: SL 59 bring mug Th
Moen: no hw - work with compasses

Science: Test tomorrow

Social Studies: Civilizations wkst - due tomorrow

Other:

10/18/11 - Orange Conference Reminders on the way

Your student should have an ORANGE conference reminder card tonight. Let me know if any changes need be made.

10/18/11 - Spelling!!

Today, I gave a speech regarding spelling. Now, spelling is important, but usually it doesn't merit a blog entry!

I have had a stretch of poor efforts from many students. Not all, of course, but more than usual. Here is what we discussed:

1. You need to ACTUALLY STUDY the words!
2. You need to use your best handwriting. I do not give the spelling test as a speed test, so there is plenty of time to take care to use good handwriting.
3. I myself enjoy drawing. I don't discourage drawing, but there is a time and place! NOT on the spelling paper!

The lists are available to the A, B, and C groups on Mondays. The D (dictionary) group gets their lists by Tuesday, occasionally Monday. The pretest is Monday, the final test is Friday, and there are 3 spelling worksheets that we do during the week. I usually get the tests back to the students the next Monday.

So, give them your best rah-rah speech or gentle reminder (depending on what works best!) about spelling, and we'll see if there is improvement!

Monday, October 17, 2011

10/17/11 - Dictionary List 13

Lesson 13

1. handkerchief

2. counterargument

3. idiosyncrasy

4. asphyxiate

5. calisthenics

6. hyperventilate

7. mannequin

8. opossum

9. cornucopia

10.moccasin

11.maneuverability

12.chlorinated

13.ricochet

14.hieroglyphics

15.masquerade

16.pachyderm

17.jealousy

18.distinguishable

19.pamphlet

20.pandemonium

21.accompaniment

22.contagious

23.exemplary

24.gesticluate

25.genealogy

10/17/11

Language Arts:
Packet due F
Spelling - dictionary list posted tonight

Math:
Balke: SL 3.1
Gordon: SL 62 Study guide MJ 59 Test tomorrow!!!
Hall: SL 58
Moen: MJ 70 71 Spider worksheet HW Strip

Science: Review for test W

Social Studies: Civilization wkst due W

Other: Permission slip - take care of it!!!

Friday, October 14, 2011

10/14/11

Language Arts: Packet due M!!!!!!
Spelling final test

Math:
Balke: discussed test, started Ch. 3 no hw
Gordon: Math scale sheet due M MJ 59 (T)
Hall: SL 57
Moen: SL 3.4

Science: Salt water, hydrometer
M - Mystery cylinder
Test W maybe??

Social Studies: --------

Other: Iowa Assessment makeups next week
FUNDRAISERS!!!! BRING 'EM MONDAY!!!!
Permission slips!!!! ASAP!

Thursday, October 13, 2011

10/13/11

Language Arts:
Lesson 12 packet due tomorrow
Spelling test tomorrow

Math:
Balke: Test Today
Gordon: MJ 56 58
Hall: SL 49
Moen: no hw - measuring angles!

Science: Made and Weighed salt water
Test next week!

Social Studies:----------------

Other: FUNDRAISER DUE TOMORROW!! SOLD or UNSOLD!!
Bake Sale tomorrow - bring ya quartahs
Permission Slips!!!

10/13/11 - Fundraiser DUE TOMORROW!!

We had the lead for awhile now we have fallen behind Mrs. Hynes's class 45% to 37%. SOLD or UNSOLD they need them returned Friday!!


Wednesday, October 12, 2011

10/12/11 - Slight Change Iowa Assessment Schedule

Thursday – end around 10:45
Computation 20

Social Studies 35

Spelling 10


Friday – end around 10:40
Capitalization 10
Punctuation 10
Vocabulary 15
Tryout 20