Happy Birthday, Indiana!

Indiana turned 198 today, and we couldn't pass up the opportunity to celebrate.  Who doesn't love cookie cake, right?!

 

 

The Jungle Crew researched interesting facts about the Hoosier State, donned Indiana apparel, and enjoyed a yummy (but slightly burnt) cookie cake today. 

Happy Birthday, Indiana!



St. Nick Visit



Weekly Recap: Dec 1-5

Another week in the books.  I can't believe how quickly this school year is passing.  Here are a few snapshots from our week:

We began our December author study this week on Roald Dahl.  The students received their Dahl lit circle novels.  We are reading The BFG, The Twits, and The Witches this month in literature circles.

 

Continuing our unit on flight concepts, we discovered during science lab that air has weigh and takes up space.  This group of scientists are hard at work!

 

We were chosen to lead the school in a rosary this morning.  The Jungle Crew did not disappoint!



Mass, 11/7

Check out the pictures from our mass this morning!  Great Job, Jungle Crew!

 

Happy Idiom-ween!

We had a great week in the Jungle!  The highlight of our week was definitely our long-awaited Idiom Party with the 5th grade class.  Mrs. Hanneman and I wanted to do something fun for Halloween, so we decided to make it a learning experience by having the students dress as a chosen idiom.  The kids did not disappoint!  Wow!  I loved the effort and creativity.  Check them out...

Not Playing With a Full Deck and Smartie Pants

 

Barking Up the Wrong Tree, Out of this World, and All Ears

 

 

Let the Cat Out of the Bag & Dressed to the Nines

 

 

 

Piece of Cake & A Picture Paints a Thousand Words

 

 

 

Blockhead & Chip on Your Shoulder

 

 

Two Peas in a Pod & At the Drop of a Hat

 

 

Hop to It & Take with a Grain of Salt

 

 

 

The class favorite: You're One Smart Cookie



Weekly Recap: October 13-17

We had a great week in the Jungle this week.  We are busy learning all about area/perimeter, our state's geography, the mystery genre, prepositions, and more!  We are also looking forward to a 3-day week next week before our school's Fall Break. 

In preparation of our first Indiana History chapter test, we spent some time reviewing by playing a competitive game of Jeopardy this week.  The competition was stiff as the Quacky Historians, Holy Halloween Einsteins, The Cobras, and the Terrifying Tigers battled it out.  After a "fierce" game, it was the Quacky Historians who came out victorious! 

Way to go, Quacky Historians!!!  Enjoy that 1/2 homework pass!

 

 

 

We also had a surprise visit from our mass buddies, Mrs. Weinzapfel's kindergarteners.  They learned all about Christopher Columbus and made us bookmarks with various facts about the explorer.  They loved sharing their knowledge, and we loved the one-of-a-kind bookmarks.  Thanks, mass buddies!



Show Me How Big YOUR Brave Is...

 

When the SAINTS Come Marching In

The energy at St. Joe's today was evident.  Students, staff, parents, parishioners were all on the edge of their seats as the name of our new Catholic school was announced.  The Holy Trinity Saints will be coming to a school near you in August of 2015!  We are all so excited and blessed.  Here are a few pics I snapped from mass and the reveal:

Drew and Grace represented our class in the choir.

Xavior read a petition.

The anticipation was great!

Holy Trinity!!!

We look good in purple!

I know I'm biased, but how cute are these two little Saints?!



September 15-19: Recap

We had a busy week this week preparing for Grandparents' Day.  The students are so excited to have their special visitors this afternoon.  Check out a few pics from the week:

We had some stamina time on the iPads this week.  I introduced the students to one of my favorite website for high-interest, non-fiction articles, Tween Tribune.  They loved it!

We built two electrical circuits during Science labs.  The students learned all about series and parallel circuits.  We will wrap up our electricity unit next week when we complete an insulator/conductor lab.

 

Next week's verse

 



Mass: September 17

The Jungle Crew planned this morning's mass, and they did an amazing job!



Spinelli Lit Circle Prezis

We completed our first round of literature circles for the year!  We all read Jerry Spinelli novels.  To wrap up, each group was asked to create a Prezi.  I was proud of their first efforts at using this technology.  Check them out!

Fourth Grade Rats: Rachel, Caleb, Sophie, Xavior, and Amia
http://prezi.com/iruqnch-3dys/fourth-grade-rats/

Loser: Jacob, Riley, Braelyn, Selena, and Emma
http://prezi.com/t1hga-y13kn6/loser/#

Maniac Magee: Xavier, Martin, Grace, Autumn, and Drew
http://prezi.com/wdrq0--ommdt/maniac-magee/

*The graphics may take a minute to load.  Enjoy!

Remembering September 11

It is hard to believe it has been 13 years since the attacks of September 11, which was 3 years before most of my current students were born.  I always like to spend a little time teaching about the tragic events but also reflecting upon and honoring the lives lost and the heroes made that day.

This year I decided to have my students interview two people the evening before September 11.  I wanted them to gain some background knowledge; but more importantly, I wanted them to recognize that we all remember exactly where we were or what we were doing that morning.  It is a moment forever engraved in our memories.

The kids' discussions about their interviews were awesome.  They were so engaged in hearing what their peers had to report.  We read an article together to give them some more information on the events before watching two videos this morning.  I don't know anyone who doesn't tear up from listening to Alan Jackson's "Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning," and my 9/10 year old students were just as moved as I was the first time I listened.  We also watched a news clip about the World Trade Center Memorial's opening on the 10 year anniversary of the attacks.



We wrapped up this morning's discussion with a moment of silence and prayer.  It is moments like this when I am reminded of what a blessing it is to teach at a Catholic school.  In a world that is often scary, we take comfort and trust that our God will protect us. 

Below are the two videos we watched this morning...

 

 

 

September 2-5: Literacy Stations are Alive in the Jungle!

We were busy focusing on main idea, decimals, realistic fiction this week, but what we were most excited about was our first rotation at our literacy stations!  Literacy stations usually meet on Tuesdays and Wednesdays in the Jungle.  Each rotation is around 45 minutes.  Students are partnered up and visit one of our 10 stations. 
Stations include:

1. Inference
2. Sequence
3. Character Traits
4. ISTEP Prep
5. Cranium Crew (research)
6. Partner Read
7. Listening (books on CD)
8. English
9. Word Play
10. Vocabulary

The students have been hard at work during literacy stations this week.  Check out some of the stations:

Cranium Crew research on the iPads

Character Traits station

These students are completing some sequencing activities at the Sequence Station.

Inference station

Word Play

Listening Station

We are currently listening to The Tale of Despereaux by Timothy Basil Ering

(Newbery Medal winner)

Partner Read station

 

 

Some of the Jungle Crew members opted to take advantage of a Science extra credit opportunity this week and created an electromagnet.  Demonstrations went well!  Nice work, Jungle Crew!