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.

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

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

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.

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:

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

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

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!

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!!!

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!

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!!

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

10/12/11

Language Arts: Lesson 12 packet - F

Spelling test F

Math:

Balke: TEST TOMORROW! See study pages!

Gordon: MJ 52 59 (tomorrow) 56 (F)

Hall: MJ 66

Moen: SL 3.3 Finish MJ 66-67 Get test signed

Science: More weighing and data collection

Social Studies: More Civilization - Ch.5

Other: Fundraiser due F

10/12/11 - Math Journal Study Pages

Math Study Pages Ch. 2

*You don’t need to do every single one of these pages!

*We have done some of these activities, some we haven’t. You can certainly re-do activities that we have already done.

*I have tried to only list activities that may show up on the test.

45 46 47 (1,2) 48 49 50 51 (1,2)

52 53 54 (2) 56 57 58 (1)

60 61 (1,2) 62 64 (1,2,3) 65 (1,2) 66

67 70 (1,3) 72 73 74 (1,2,3) 80 (1,2,3)

10/11/11

Language Arts: Lesson 12 packet due F

Math:

Balke: Reviewing for the test TH!!!

Gordon: MJ 55 - cut out cards MJ 56 (F)

Hall: MJ 59

Moen: no hw - get test signed!!

Science: -----------

Social Studies: Started Ch. 5 - Civilizations

Other: Fundraisers due F!!

10/10/11 - Fundraiser!!

Just received some stats on participation in the school's fundraiser. My class is #1 in participation! Keep up the good work!

If you cannot sell or buy, I PERFECTLY UNDERSTAND how it is to be pinching the pennies. I have two in college now! But give it the ol' college try for Lemme University! The materials are due Friday.

Have a great evening,

Mr. Balke

10/10/11 - Mr. Balke's Schedule

For those who are interested:

Mr. Balke’s Schedule

As of 10/3/11 – subject to change

Monday

8:30 – Enter Building

8:33 – Attendance, Lunch count, Announcements

8:35 – P.E.

9:25 – Guided Reading I

10:00 - Language arts

10:15 – Book Checkout

10:30 – SSR

10:45 - Science

11:30 – Recess/Lunch

12:10 – SSR

12:15 – Social Studies

1:00 – Math

1:55 – Guided Reading II

2:25 - Language arts

2:50 – Wrap-up

3:00 – Dismissal

Tuesday

8:30 – Enter Building

8:35 – Attendance, Lunch count, Announcements

8:40 – Social Studies

9:25 – Guided Reading I

10:00 - Language arts

10:40 – Science

11:30 – Recess/Lunch

12:10 – SSR

12:35 – Guidance

1:00 – Math

1:55 – Guided Reading II

2:25 - Language arts

2:50 – Wrap-up

3:00 – Dismissal

Wednesday

8:30 – Enter Building

8:33 – Attendance, Lunch count, Announcements

8:35 – Music

9:25 – Guided Reading I

10:00 - Language arts

10:40 – Science

11:30 – Recess/Lunch

12:10 – SSR

12:15 – Social Studies

1:00 – Math

1:55 – Guided Reading II

2:25 - Language arts

2:50 – Wrap-up

3:00 – Dismissal

Thursday

8:30 – Enter Building

8:33 – Attendance, Lunch count, Announcements

8:35 – P.E.

9:25 – Guided Reading I

10:00 - Language arts

10:15 – Social Studies

10:45 – Science

11:30 – Recess/Lunch

12:10 – Art

1:00 – Math

1:50 – Wrap-up

2:00 – Dismissal

Friday

8:30 – Enter Building

8:35 – Attendance, Lunch count, Announcements

9:00 – Library

9:25 – Guided Reading I

10:00 - Language arts

10:40 – Science

11:25 – Recess/Lunch

12:10 – SSR

12:30 – Social Studies

1:00 – Math

1:55 – Guided Reading II

2:25 - Language arts

2:50 – Wrap-up

3:00 – Dismissal

10/10/11 - Iowa Assessments Schedule

For those who are interested:

Iowa Assessments Tentative Schedule 5/6 - 9:25 every day (ending times are approximate)

Monday - end around 11:00
Written Expression 40
Science 35

Tuesday – end around 10:40
Reading 30+30

Wednesday – end around 10:40
Math 30
Math 30

Thursday – end around 10:35
Social Studies 35
Vocabulary 15
Spelling 10

Friday – end around 10:45
Capitalization 10
Punctuation 10
Computation 20

Tryout 20 (This test is a test given annually to random school for the test makers to get statistics on new potential test items. It is not part of the student's composite score)

10/10/11 - Dictionary list Lesson 12

1. amateur

2. eucalyptus

3. pigmentation

4. macadamia

5. encyclopedia

6. disembodied

7. molecule

8. literacy

9. advertisement

10. considerate

11. hippopotamus

12. legislative

13. San Francisco

14. etiquette

15. delinquency

16. condescending

17. besieged

18. theoretical

19. individualistic

20. classification

21. effervescent

22. medieval

23. gastroenterologist

24. balalaika

25. sensationalism

10/10/11

Language Arts: IOWA ASSESSMENTS!!!

Spelling pretest - dictionary group check blog for list!

Math:

Balke: SL 2.11 - Sci. notation - Test W or TH!!!

Gordon: MJ 50 51 53

Hall: SL 54

Moen: no hw U.S. Census

Science: ----

Social Studies: TEST!

Other: Fundraisers due F!

10/10/11 - Iowa Assessments

This week, the newly (and boringly) named Iowa Assessments will be administered Monday-Friday, from approximately 9:25-11:00. We want your student to do as well as they can. There is no high pressure, like my job is on the line or anything like that. If your student is ill, do not tough it out and have them come; we have the whole next week for makeups. I find it interesting that we tell you to have students eat a good breakfast and get enough sleep during this week. Students should do this ALL THE TIME!! Keep a positive attitude and we will all be okay!

10/7/11

Language Arts:

Math:

Balke: no hw, test next week W, Th, F

Gordon: MJ 54 55 (M) MJ 53 (T)

Hall: SL 53 - Auction Monday

Moen: no hw - test!

Science: Complied data, weighed objects

Social Studies: Study the NOTES (the handout you received today!!) Brain only test MONDAY!

Other: FUNDRAISERS!! Due Friday the 14th

Iowa Assessments Next Week!

10/6/11

Language Arts:

Lesson 11 packets - due tomorrow

Small Book Task - due tomorrow

Math:

Balke: SL 2.9 2.10

Gordon: MJ 48 49

Hall: SL 50

Moen: no hw Challenge sheet optional, test tomorrow

Science:--------

Social Studies: CHANGE! Test will be MONDAY!!!!

Other: Fundraisers due 10/14

10/5/11

Language Arts: Spelling test Friday

Lesson 11 Packet due F

Small Book task due F

Math:

Balke: no hw Scientific notation

Gordon: MJ 47 SL 53 49 (MJ 49 - F)

Hall: SL 51 Game day

Moen: no hw group work - centers

Science: Compile data on weight of objects in water

Social Studies: Finish open book test if needed, Review tomorrow, Test Friday

Other: Want more coupons? MUST bring back envelope!!!

10/4/11

Language Arts: Lesson 11 packet - due F

Math:

Balke: SL 2.8

Gordon:

Hall:

Moen:

Science: Weight underwater

Social Studies: Reading Notes 4 - due tomorrow!

Other: