9/28/13 - Last Round from Chris Myers

We read a story this week about Chris and Walter Dean Myers, son-father illustrator-writing team.  Found this interesting interview:

http://www.readingrockets.org/books/interviews/myersc/transcript/#hawaii

9/28/13 - Playground of Science

This passed over my desk this week;

http://www.coe.edu/news/388/716/Coe-receives-STEM-grant-to-support-Playground-of-Science#.UkcwjYasiSo

9/28/13 - Technology Pioneers

Our class has taken the lead in using the new laptops and and getting in on new system of saving documents.  They have done a great job getting going with the technology this year.  They have used the laptops and the lab  for some research on hominids in social studies, keyboarding, and journaling.  We will be trying to the bulk of the writing on keyboards this year.

9/26/13 - What happened to the math test?

Tuesday we had a math test.  I have not returned them to students yet.  Let's just say I was disappointed in my teaching of this material.  Not to say that everyone did poorly, nor did everyone falter on the same items. I have been spending some time studying the tests and I am going to do a little re-teaching, most likely the multiplying by powers of 10.  I will return the tests tomorrow.  Let me know if you have any questions. Definitely a challenging unit!

Have a spectacular evening,
nb

9/26/13 - It's good to be back!

I feel like I've been gone for weeks!  But it's only been a few days. I guess those are the blessings/curses of medication!  I had an allergic reaction to an unknown allergen.  Mr. Rickels, Mrs. Fischer, and Mrs. Stika can easily hold down the fort in my absence and for that I am grateful.

A couple of items this morning:

Coming to school:  I understand that the weather is absolutely heavenly now that it's the crisp clear days of autumn in Iowa. But because of the cruel hard supervision issues, students should not come come any sooner that necessary.  We sure can build buildings in Iowa City, but we can't seem to hire people. Did I say that?  Ooops.  Anyway, what is "too early"?  I think it's quite possible that I have not communicated this so well (to parents, students know!!!).  8:25 is when we are bringing students in the hallowed halls of learning.  8:30 is the "tardy bell" (the funniest two words since I first laid eyes on them in 1970 as a youngster at "the late" Hoover Elementary).  Perfection would mean walk right up to the school at 8:24:59 and stroll right on in.  8:20 would be a good aim.  If your student walks up to school between 8:25-8:30, they should hustle right on to their rooms. If they come after8:30, the teacher will direct the students to the office to check in, sorry, that's a "tardy".

Conferences:  Impossible!  Too soon!  November 7th is the first day.  I will be sending some sign up sheets for those who need them and reminders for those who need them (and for those who don't need them for good measure).

Have a Splendid Day!!!

9/22/13 - New Links on the webpage!

Under Links on my webpage, I have two new ones, one in the Math section, and one in the Language Arts section.

Under Math, click on it and then you will see the list.  Go to "Decimals and Scientific Notation"  The first part is good, but at the 3:30 mark, that's when they discuss scientific notation.  The lead up to it is good.

Under Language arts, click on it and then you will see the list.  Go to "Possessive Nouns".  It is a nice presentation of one of the most mixed up things (by students AND adults) that there is in punctuation.

9/22/13 - I will be gone Monday!

I am under the weather. And what fine weather it is!  So I will be gone Monday.

Mr. Rickels will be in charge, and also Mrs. Fischer and Mrs. Stika are in the room, so there should be no problems whatsoever.  Plus, a fully capable substitute teacher will be there as well!  I am hoping these excellent students will not give Mr. Rickels "the substitute treatment"!  If you feel the need to review the six Pillars of Character (trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship) by all means, do so.

9/19/13

Math Review

We are doing some division for this test.  Here is what you need to know:

Whole number division with remainder, fraction, and decimal answers.
Decimal division, both divisor and dividend.

Use the "traditional" or "standard" method.  Do not use the "hang 7" or "partial products".

More to come.

9/18/13

Good evening!

I have decided to return to my blog, at least for a while!  A few items:

1. Math - we will be having a test TUESDAY!  In this unit we have been working on:
Division (whole number and decimals)
Standard notation
Expanded notation
Number and word notation
Scientific notation
Exponential notation

Whew!

I will be sending information out regarding preparing for this test!

2. Mr. Rickels - He has been doing a great job in social studies and science so far.  We're talking Hominids in social studies and floating and sinking in science.  We have had the opportunity to get our hands on the laptops to check out a couple of sites.  See the webpage for links.  Also, he showed an excellent Bill Nye episode about bouyancy.  He will be with us until mid-October.

3. Picture day is MONDAY!  Having anything on a Monday is harrowing. I am getting my haircut tonight!

Lem-me Leo-pard,s doom doom doomp-doomp-doomp!