Gremlin Giggles

No Giggle Slip today, but we will try again tomorrow!

There were no Giggle Slips filled out today.  When I went to fill them out, some of the students had not stapled one to the agenda and others had neglected to put their name and Gremlin Number on the slip.  Stapling in missing slips and figuring out who the slip belongs to  when it is blank in the agenda simply takes up too much instructional time.  Therefore, I told the students that we would have another opportunity to follow directions tomorrow and I would fill out the slips then.  If you would be so kind to sign them over the weekend and return them on Monday, I would appreciate it.

Study your spelling sorts with all your concentration!

We now have 4 groups of students working at different levels in Words Their Way.  This is a great opportuinity for each student to progress at his or her own level.  This requires the student to be self reliant with study.  On Monday, each group has a mini-lesson on the sort skill for the week.  Each student has an opportunity to work with another on his level each day Monday through Thursday.  Those students who study and ask questions when things don't make sense, or when the pattern isn't evident do well.  Those students who simply go through the motions do not do well.  And, of course, those students who do not do their spelling homework, do not do well either.  Gremlins, please take care with your work.  Each day builds on the previous one and it is very hard when you do not work as you should each day.

Red Ribbon Week!

Welcome to the Gremlin Grotto

Explorers with Simple Machines

What do Columbus, Ponce de Leon, Cabot, Cartier, Balboa, & Hudson have in common?  They all explored aand saw new to Europe places.  We are studying the trial and tribulations of 15th century explorers in a simulation.  We will be learning all about what made these men embark on their trips.  Expect reading,writing and research!  We are planning a day at sea in the next few weeks.

Simple machines are everywhere.  There are six basic simple machines.  Explore these on www.edheads.com and go to the simple machines area. 

Persuade me!  We will write about our favorite simple machine in the next chapter of our science book. 

Keep reading, summarizing and looking for main idea and details.  Ask questions as you read, and read between the lines for meaning and connections.

Math! Division and multiplication go hand in hand.  Please study math facts nightly.  These need to be memorized for optimum problem solving and algorythmic performance.

Spelling sorts!  We have sorted ourselves into four groups and are busy working on phonemic awareness.  This should help our reading ability as we apply these skills to words on a page.

Healty behaviors will be studied this quarter.  Red ribbon week and the dangers of drugs as well as fire safety fit the question, "How do my behaviors keep me safe?"

We're wrapping it up!

What is it?  This is what I ask the Gremlins all the time.  You must name the noun and then you can replace it with a pronoun.  It is the first nine weeks!

We have studied writing complete sentences with capitals and ending punctuation.  We have analyzed poetry for images and grammar usage, not failing to mention color-coding parts of speech.  We have written a personal narrative about being a water droplet going through the water cycle and being in each of the three studied states of matter.

We have studied economics to learn what it is and how it works.  We have studied six Native American peoples and learned how their environment affects their lives with food, shelter, clothing, religion, art and family or clan groups.  We have even learned some words from a few of these cultures.  We will build dioramas next week and take a test on Friday to show how much we have learned.  The test will have multiple choice, compare-and-contrast and evaluation questions on it.  Additionally, the Gremlins will have a map to fill out, showing they know where these peoples lived.

We have studied the three states of matter, the water cycle and weather.  Some Gremlins rose to the challenge and wrote another narrative beginning their journey in a nimbus cloud above Kennesaw last week.  Our journals will be printed and illustrated this week.  A weather study guide will be sent home on Monday.  It is due Friday.  We will have a weather and water-cycle test on Friday. 

On Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday we will make weather prediction and indication instruments.  Donations of dixie bathroom-sized cups, modeling clay, non-bending straws (McDonald's type) and large round ballons would be greatly appreciated.

PLEASE--Monday is the day I need the dixie cups to make working anemometers.  We may even get to make an easy hygrometer on this day too--if the Gremlins work hard!

by Wednesday, bring in a small water bottle--6-10 oz.  It should be empty or have your Gremlin drink it for snack.  We will make thermometers--working ones!

By Thursday, bring a soup can or a large tomato can --empty and with the sharp edges either pushed down or taped over with masking tape so no one gets cut!  We will make barometers that really work.

Your Gremlin should know by now what these instruments do--

We will take our "TEST OF DOOM" for math placement next Monday or Tuesday.  Your Gremlin will know who his/her new math teacher is by Thursday, so please check the agenda for that.

Friday, all the Digit Heads in my math class will take a "Quarter Final."  This should be no problem if the student has diligently worked all quarter.  It is not timed.  I am pleased to note that grades have risen lately due to FOLLOWING DIRECTIONS!

We are busy and working hard.  Thank you for your support with nightly homework, weekly study projects, classroom supplies, and extra credit researching. 

Pictures are TUESDAY!  Look for information on Monday in the agenda.

Happy weekend!  Mrs. Green