Four students have already turned in worksheets, more than a week early. Amazing!

Of course, having corrected those four, I have some reminders for everyone:

• Don't forget you need citations for EVERY answer. 
• When you are done, read it out loud to make sure your answers make sense and you didn't leave out any words.
• Have a parent help you edit for conventions. LISTEN to what your parent tells you!

We read The Phantom Tollbooth together and completed a worksheet together as a model so everyone knows how to do a quality job. ​

For students who are still working on their books, I recommend that they open a worksheet file on the computer NOW if they haven't already. They should answer at least one question each day. Remind them that they don't have to answer questions in order. After all, we didn't answer questions in order while we were reading The Phantom Tollbooth. We answered questions as we found the answers in the book. 

​The last thing you want your child to do is to try to finish the entire worksheet on the night before it is due!

Our class is starting a new science unit called the FOSS Variables Module. We'll be learning about the essential elements of performing experiments. 

The big ideas in this unit are system and variable. A system in science is any collection of objects that is working together. In this FOSS module the class will work with a variety of systems: pendulums, boats, windup airplanes, and little catapult systems the kit calls "flippers." Each part of the system affects how the whole system behaves or performs. We change one part and make that a variable in an experiment. Teaching students about controlled experiments with single changed variables is an important step in helping them understand the scientific process.

Besides, we will have a blast with this unit! Be sure to ask your child what is happening in science in the next few weeks!

You should be able to go through your child's 3-ring binder now and find helpful information in nearly every section. We've been adding pieces and discussing them daily. One of the most important parts of the binder for YOU is at the front. The pocket in the front (or the front section) is where I send papers home. Those papers get taken out. The front of the binder should get cleaned out at least every weekend, and you should look over the papers.

The front is also where your child keeps a list of due dates. At the end of each day I have the students pull out their 3-ring binder, open it to the front, go to their assignment list, and add any new assignments they have. As they complete assignments, they get to cross them off. What joy, what a sense of accomplishment, what bliss! (We all know how great it is the knock things off a list!)

Remember, you can also go to the calendar (see the elementary stuff tab) to look for due dates coming up.

I have posted my calendar for the year in the elementary resources!

Each day the students enter the room and start writing a brief journal entry. I give them prompts  like:

• Tell something great that happened over the weekend.
• What is your reaction to the quote on the bulletin board as you walk in the door? (The quotes are inspirational or humorous.)
• What made you happy this week?
• Or they might have something to do with creative writing.

The mindfulness ideas came from a TED talk on Happiness that I've seen a couple of times. I encourage you to watch it too! I plan to use the gratitude turn-around in November.

We are also working on teamwork through class activities and especially through a simulation called Agency. Meanwhile they also get to learn about advertising, which will help them expand their skills for Market Day. 

Starting this week, we will read The Phantom Tollbooth together, and we do the worksheet and activities together so they can learn how to do the genre reading worksheets and projects they will need to do on their own.

​I'm having so much fun with your children! I hope they are having fun with me.