We can definitely use some pencils for the classroom so if you can donate a pack that would be really helpful! Thanks and see you at LEAF!
Algebra in the Air!
Thursday, May 5, 2011
We are having a blast working on algebra and I have to say this year the students are stronger than ever. Today we worked on penny jars. The students were able to write an equation for the following: There are 4 pennies in the jar. After 40 rounds of putting 8 pennies in the jar each round, how many total. The goal was not the answer, but the equation. And they did it fantastically!!! T= 4 + 8R. They worked in heterogeneous groups and work they did! The room was buzzing with ALGEBRA!!!!!
We also started to take a look at lighthouses for our projects which will go home tomorrow. Be on the lookout for lighthouses! (Said the ship’s captain!)
Have a great afternoon and evening!
Vince
Back to Work!
Monday, April 18, 2011
Ask about magnetism and animals, bacteria, and how our poles shift. Ask about our glogs. Ask about landmark fractions. Quiz your child about what fractions are near 0, 1/2, 1, 2, and in between. This is a terrific unit in Investigations that will give your child a strong foundation in fractions!
Happy Spring Break
Friday, April 8, 2011
I hope you all have a safe and relaxing holiday! Please make sure that over the weekdays of the break, we continue with reading for at least 35 minutes each day. This is a good time to visit bookstores and libraries to find really fun books to read. We are trying to form good habits about reading and keeping to the 35 minutes each day will help continue that habit.
We finished Hatchet and the kids loved it. I might recommend that you try one of the sequels to Hatchet as a follow up.
So….Today was a busy day. We had a wonderful time with our science experiement about the force of magnets. Ask your child about trends in data, attraction of magnets, why magnetism is so important to life on the planet.
Keep Learning!
Vince
music in the air
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Since we are a school of the arts, and I’m a musician who loves making music with kids, I’ve decided to spend the last 15 minutes of each day making music with the students. On the heels of an amazing harmonica residency, we’ll rotate with harmonica songs, songs we’ve written, and songs I’ve taught them. To be sure that all have harmonicas, I’ve decided that we’ll keep them here until LEAF so all kids have instruments each day. We they take them home, they’ll be expert harmonica players!
Friday and today
Monday, March 28, 2011
We had an awesome practice for our Kids Inquiry Conference today! Thanks to the parents who were there. We will practice in class this week to really work on the parts we were given feedback on.
Friday is when we go to UNCA. Please have your child dress in nice presentation clothes. I thought it would be great for them to have name cards with Dr. Smith PhD, Professor of Engineering, (example) Claxton University. If anyone has any ideas let me know.
Thanks!
reminder re KIC dress rehearsal
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Kids Inquiry Conference@9am. Monday morning. Wonderful projects. Students have prepped. So excited for this peer/parent run practice for FRIDAY at UNCA!
The harmonica residency was awesome. I’ve decided that we keep the harmonicas at school until LEAF so that each day we can practice them (and avoid the leaving them at home/losing them). I really want to try to have the last 15 minutes of each day be dedicated to music in our class.
Benchmark testing is this week as well. Please make sure your child gets plenty of rest. This third quarter benchmark is quite similar to the EOG. I am confident that students will:
1. Code their reading texts.
2. Underline important words in question stems.
3. Justify answers by underlining answers in texts.
4. Drawing pictures for geometry questions in math.
5. Use their handy dandy calculators for calculator active portion.
6. Double check all answers.
7. Use all the time allotted to check and recheck.
8. Show all work so we can remediate.
But please feel free to go over these points with your child.
Science conference dress rehearsal
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Parents and Guardians,
Mr. Floriani’s class and Fifth grade students want to invite you to Claxton’s practice session for the 3rd Annual Kids Inquiry Conference. Fourth and Fifth grade students have done science experiments based on a question they were interested in answering.
On Monday, March 28th, from 9-9:45 and 10:00-10:45, students will be having a conversation about their inquiry experiment in small groups, which will be a great time for practice and reflection on their projects. This is not a typical science fair, where students present to adults, but rather where students share. You are welcome to listen in during this time to see how your child shares his or her findings with others in order to prepare for our official presentation at UNCA on Friday, April 1! Remember, parents are not allowed to participate at the official conference at UNCA.
Practice Session schedule: Media Center:
9-9:45: Eggett and Floriani
10-10:45: Gregg and Sweater
Thank you for your interest in our Kids’ Inquiry Conference!
parent stumper!
Monday, March 21, 2011
Ask about our new unit on fractions! Check note home about this unit. Ask about our harmonica residency. What animal kills the most people?
We have nine people connected on Twitter! We are getting there. Please sign up.
Growing native plants
Friday, March 18, 2011
Ask about :Azalea nursery, native plants, magnets. Don’t forget pictures on Mon. harmonica residency on Mon. $2.50
Vince.Junior. show @ H.Fletch 6pm! tonight!
many thanks to Bill Jones for coming in today to talk to the students about native horticulture. We learned so much. Do you have a skill, job, passion, hobby you’d like to share? Please let me know and we would love to have you come in and share.
Have a great weekend!
