Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Happy leap day everybody!  I  apologize for the lack of updates for our blog recently.  Coaching after school is really throwing me off.  I know your lives aren't complete without a daily update, so I will try to do better.

Today we had an amazing presentation about head injury prevention put on my Sacred Heart Children's Hospital and sponsored by Kohl's.  The kids got to put on some masks that simulated what it's like to have a concussion and then they tried to play catch with a ball.  It was most enjoyable to watch:)  When all was said and done, the presenter asked them if they would want their vision to feel like that in real life.  Yes! they screamed.  That's not the answer she was looking for :)




















Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

I was at an inservice yesterday and was unable to update the spelling and homework information.  I apologize for any inconvenience.  It is updated now and ready for your use.  Please be aware that I cancelled the homework that is written on the students' nightly homework sheets for tonight.  I want to allow time for Science Fair work for the next week or so.  At this point, the students should begin their testing as soon as they can.  Let me know if you have any concerns or questions.  Thanks!

Friday, February 17, 2012

Friday, February 17, 2012

We watched ourselves some Cars 2 today since we didn't have all of the permission slips returned.  As a fan of good movies, I wasn't necessarily disappointed that we didn't get to watch our old friend Percy :) 

Please check your child's Friday folder today.  There is a lot of life changing information in there.  Students may begin their Science Fair experiment at home whenever they are ready; just make sure they document the results and take some pictures if possible.

Have a great 3 day weekend everybody!

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Our class has set some academic goals, and we reached one of them!  We have earned a class average of above a 90% on 5 spelling tests in a row, which is simply awesome!  As a result of our effort, we have earned the privilege of watching a movie tomorrow afternoon.  I let the class nominate movies and vote on their top choice, which turned out to be Percy Jackson & the Olympians:  The Lightning Thief.  This movie is rated PG, so I need parent permission for each child to watch.  I sent home a note for you to sign, or you can just shoot me an email.  If you have issues with this movie, please let me know.  I will have some G-rated movies on hand just in case.

Thank you!

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Thanks to the amazing parents for a wonderful classroom (dance) party today.

The Valentine exchange

The buffet (notice the healthy options!)

Who's got two fists full of chocoloate?  This guy.

Strike a pose

Of course I brush my teeth, why do you ask?

Bust a move

When you have to dance, you have to dance


Happy Valentine's Day to all, and to all a good night!

Friday, February 10, 2012

Friday, February 10, 2012

The kids dominated their spelling tests and weekly assessments today!  Way to go!

Please note that the Valentine's Party will be from 12:30ish to 1:50ish on Tuesday.  This time is a little different than the one I wrote on the 4th Grade Happenings today.  I forgot we had PE at the end of the day on Tuesday.

Students, be thinking a bit about the Science Fair and what you might want to do for a project.  You need to have one picked out by early next week.

Have a perfect weekend!

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Thursday, February 9, 2012

I sent some Science Fair info home today.  Please look it over with your child and let me know if you have any questions or concerns.  Students should spend the next couple days deciding on a project.

Study up for tomorrow's tests and we'll see you in the morning.  Have a great night!

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

The kids sounded amazing last night at the concert.  Well done everybody!

Please practice your flashcards tonight; I would like all students to at least be checked off on their 2's by the end of this week.

I forgot to assign a new blog person today, so Hailey came through and wrote another Wisdom Nugget without even being asked.  You're awesome, Hailey!

Today's Wisdom Nugget:
Today we did a grammar and spelling worksheet and then lunch.  After lunch was math, and after math is recess, and after recess is PE.  After PE we go home!!

-Hailey

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Amazing things all people should know:
  1. Owen finished his flashcards this afternoon after just two days.  I have a call into the Guinness Book of World Records...
  2. The Science Fair is coming up.  Information about it will be sent home this week.  My hope is to make it valuable while keeping it low-key and stress-free.
  3. We did the Math is Cool tryout test today.  Nice job to all who tried out!
  4. The music concert is tonight at 6:30 at the high school.  We had a dress rehearsal today and I'm sure it was heavenly.
  5. Ummm...  I got nothing.
Today's Wisdom Nugget:
Today we had music in the morning and PE in the afternoon.  We are silent reading while finishing work.  Next is math, then recess, and then PE.  Then we go home!! :)

-Hailey

Monday, February 6, 2012

Monday, February 6, 2012

Because I am not a teenage girl, I really know nothing about Justin Bieber.  About the only observation I can make about him based on hanging around my students is that most of the girls think he is cool and most of the boys do not.  One of the young men in my class is particularly anti-Bieber, so the pain ran deep today when I asked the students to clear off their desks and look at me and he said emphatically:  "I would rather look at Justin Bieber than at Mr. V!"  Ouch :)

This week's spelling and homework information has been updated for you.  Have a great night everybody!

Friday, February 3, 2012

Friday, February 3, 2012

Today was a great day.  It was Jordan's birthday and he brought in some delicious cake balls on a stick.  They were life changing.  The quote of the day came from Jordan right before the bell rang while we were outside enjoying the sunshine.  It is no secret that I am not a huge fan of hugs, so some of the kids think it's funny to run up and hug me.  It is not enjoyable and I describe them as "attack hugs."  I keep my hands in my pocket and hope that the attack ends quickly.  Anyway, as kids were planning some attack hugs, I heard Jordan say quite loudly:  "He's not a hugger, but I AM!"  :)

I sent the kids home with their flashcards.  Here is what is expected:

Your child has made a set of flashcards for the 2’s all the way through the 9’s.  Students must achieve mastery on each set; mastery meaning that there is no hesitation when shown any flashcard.  Students will bring home their flashcards to practice, beginning with their 2’s.  When you believe they have achieved mastery on their 2’s, write your initials on one of the flashcards.  Once a student has a parent initial, I will then test them at school.  If they show mastery when I test them, then I will check them off for their 2’s.  They will then move onto their 3’s and the process will repeat.  The goal is to get all students checked off on all sets of flashcards.  Thank you for your help on this!  Let me know if you have any questions.

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Three important items:
  1. Freeman Elementary students are now set up with accounts on a free online typing website.  The address is http://www.typingace.com/  This site tracks their progress and is accessible on any computer with an internet connection.  I showed the students how to log in today.  They will be typing a thousand words a minute in no time...
  2. Everyone has completed creating their flashcards.  We will start using them next week.  I will explain to the kids tomorrow how we are going to use them, and I will fill all you parents in on my Friday newsletter.  I will also place information about it on the blog. 
  3. Mr. V's students are the coolest.