St. Nick's Day

A special visitor came to visit the Jungle this morning!  Fr. John (AKA St. Nick) surprised the kids by dressing as the saint and passing out candy canes to each student.  The kids enjoyed the brain break and the treat!



Call the Exterminator!

We have some super creepy crawlers invading the Jungle this week!  The Jitterbugs have been built and brought to life through a writing piece that the kids are wrapping up today.  Each student is writing a story about their individual Jitterbug and taking a photo with their bug.  Writing and photos will be on display next week, so be sure to check out the noteworthy authors when you visit for parent/teacher conferences.  Bugs are coming home today!  Be prepared!



Daily 2 Math

In a perfect teaching world, there would be plenty of time during the day for Daily 5 reading AND Daily 5 math.  However, with recesses, lunches, specials, and other subjects, we do not get as much time for these blocks as we would all hope for.  So, I have implemented a Daily 2 Math routine each week.  I usually use Monday's math time to introduce new skills/standards through whole group instruction.  Then, throughout the week, we visit our Daily 2 Math centers.  I try to get two rotations each day (Tuesday-Thursday) and assess the skills covered throughout the week on Friday.  Each week, students visit the various centers:

B: Buddy Games

U: Use the Computer

I: Independent Work

L: Learn about Numbers & Practice Facts

D: Do Math with Mrs. H

 

After a few organizational/procedural glitches, I have been pleased with the effectivenes and flow of our BUILD Daily 2 Math rotations each week.  I especially love how it allows for me to work with small groups of kiddos for extra practice or remediation.

 

 These students are practicing multiplication and division facts on a math website.

 

 This group is working with the number of the day.

 

 

 

 These boys are playing a Halloween multiplication game.

 

This pair is playing a division tic-tac-toe game.

 



Septeber Genre: Biography

We wrapped up our month-long study of biography/autobiography today.  All of the students' projects are turned in, and the students who chose the Dress-Up Day option did a fantastic job!  I was very impressed with their public speaking skills this early on in the school year!

 

Check out these famous characters!

Good Advice...



Sunshine on a Cloudy Day



"Bright" Kids

We began investigating electricity in the Jungle today.  We watched a short video on electricity and made a "circuit" by holding hands and demonstrating how electricity flows through a path.  I broke the kids into groups and introduced two types of circuits: series and parallel.  The groups had a great time constructing both types of circuits this afternoon.  Fourth grade Indiana state standards call for 4th graders to construct simple circuits/electrical connections.  This introduction into electricity will lead up to a final project that everyone LOVES: Jitterbugs! 



Diocesan Mass,Idioms, and Moolah

For where two or more come together in My name, there I am with them.  -Matthew 18:20

I cannot think of a more appropriate verse for our diocesan mass at the Ford Center yesterday! WOW! It was amazing to celebrate with 27 other Catholic schools!  The atmosphere was electric.  The music was moving.  I am so happy that we were a part of the experience.  Bishop Thompson did a phenomenal job.  The choir rocked the house.  Our kids were awesome!  God is good!!!

 

 

We discussed idioms this morning.  As part of the figurative language standard for the 4th grade, Mrs. Hanneman and I will be tackling an Idiom of the Week each week.  This week's is Hit the Sack.  We discussed how scary this world would be if we took the literal meanings of idioms seriously...for example: losing our minds, cracking up, raining cats and dogs. We read the book, More Parts, to the kids and gave them some Read to Someone time to read some other idiom books.  They are keeping track of their weekly idioms in their language arts notebooks.  Ask them about idioms this evening!

 

 

These students loved the funny idiom books they read today!

 

 

CHA-CHING!!!!! Our math time today was spent in small groups.  We practiced, practiced, and practiced making change.  I am so happy to report that all of the kids are doing really well with this concept.  They have a money kit in their STRIPE binders for at-home practicing!  Keep up the good work!





Mass: 8/24

The Jungle Crew did a FANTASTIC job at mass this morning!  The readings were fluent, the singing was harmonious, and the greeters were smiling and welcoming to all who joined us for this morning's service.