Christmas Stockings!!

Hello.  My name is A.P.  I am in fourth grade in Mrs. Carney’s class.  I am a guest reporter for the class blog.  This December, Mrs. Carney got us all stockings.  They are hanging in the back of the room on the bulletin board.  Every day in December if you are in class, you get a prize in your stocking.  She puts different stuff every day.  Almost everyone has a different stocking.  They are all Christmas colors.  The prizes inside the stockings are candies, erasers, stickers, and a rubber band bracelet.  I think the stockings are creative and thoughtful of Mrs. Carney. Mrs. Carney calls Herself Santa Carney. I think that name is very clever and nice. That is what is happening in our classroom this week!

Thanksgiving First in Math Challenge!!

Over Thanksgiving Break, I challenge Room 305 to keep sharp using First in Math.

You can play at home and log-in using your first name and last name.  All games are fun, but focus on facts and problem solving.  You can play ANYTIME.  I can keep track of your points online.

Any student who reaches a total of 2,000 points before Monday morning will get a special prize. 

My Name is Maria Isabel

Happy Thanksgiving Break

This Thanksgiving Break, I am sending home a chapter book for students to read with a two page Book Report.  The book, My Name is Maria Isabel is about a young girl who struggles to fit in at school.  The book is set during thanksgiving and into the winter holidays.  We started the book in class today, so the students have the next five days to finish the book and report.  I hope that you can read the book together or ask your child for details as they read.  Enjoy your Thanksgiving holiday.

Mrs. Carney

Hale Farm in the Winter

Yesterday we visited Hale Farm!  It was super cold, but the students who were brave and bundled enough for the visit enjoyed themselves and learned a lot.  We were able to visit a woman spinning and making yearn, a dairy farmer's wife making butter, a blacksmith, a frontiersman living in a one room cabin, and a glassblower making colorful glass pieces.

Pictured are the students walking around the farm, students watching the glass blowing, a student holding a blacksmith handcrafted hook, and students enjoying their lunches. 

We will be going on more field trips in December ... so watch the blog for more details and photos!




 

Hale Farm Visit

Next week we will be visiting Hale Farm in Bath, Ohio.  This farm is a historic site that is maintained by the Western Reserve Historical Society.  On the farm we will be participating in a program called Roots of Entreprenuership.  This program teaches how some of Ohio's earliest settlers became business owners.  The weather is forecasted to be cold and possibly snowy, so please dress warmly.  You do not have to wear dress code on this day, but please dress in heavy jeans, jogging pants, hoodies, mittens, hats, and boots.  We will be spending time outside walking on dirt roads and paths. 

For a preview of what we will be seeing, visit Hale Farm & Village's website HERE.
 

Fast Facts about Issue 4

DID YOU KNOW...? Issue 4 will allow for construction of 20 to 22 new schools and the refurbishing of 20-23 schools, and it also will generate $2.5 million a year for building maintenance – all without raising taxes. The state will provide more than $2 for every $1 the District spends on construction. That means Issue 4 will bring in an estimated $256.8 million from the state for Cleveland’s schools without raising taxes. Issue 4 authorizes $200 million in bonds for new construction and a half-mill tax for maintenance. Issue 4 will cost the owner of a $50,000 home $44.10 per year, just as the owner is already paying. It will not raise taxes. CMSD has spent its construction dollars prudently while building and renovating 41 schools since 2001. The District saved taxpayers $42.2 million by refinancing and paying of debt early. The Cleveland Board of Education has adopted the city’s Community Benefits Agreement to guide future construction. That will prioritize employment of city residents, minorities, females and small businesses on CMSD projects. The CMSD facilities plan funded by Issue 4 is aligned with the groundbreaking Cleveland Plan. The facilities plan gives CMSD the flexibility to start new school models and provide quality school options in every neighborhood. Issue 4 will have an estimated net economic development impact of $456.8 million for Cleveland (in local and state dollars) without raising taxes. The independent Bond Accountability Commission, which was created in 2001, will continue to monitor the use of bond funds. From CMSD Website http://www.clevelandmetroschools.org Retrieved Oct 28, 2014.

Almost Trick or Treat Time ...

This Friday, Watterson Lake is hosting a Trick or Treat Party.  Make sure to send in goodies for students to share.  Costumes may be worn provided that students bring them to school in a bag. Costumes may not be violent or scary, no masks or makeup, and students will wear the costumes over their school uniform.  

I am looking forward to seeing all of the students on Halloween.  Until then, here are some helpful Trick or Treat Safety tips!

The Golden Rule

This week the students have been working on our PATHS program learning about The Golden Rule.  Ask your child to give you examples of The Golden Rule.  Within the school setting, The Golden Rule just asks us to think about others before we act.  What can we do to treat others kindly?  How can we treat others in a way that we would want to be treated.  We will continue to promote this lesson this week and throughout the school year. 

Just a Reminder: No School Monday, October 13

 

WATTERSON LAKE SCHOOL

NO SCHOOL MONDAY, October 13, 2014

Ways Parents Can Boost Reading

Parent Teacher Conferences

 

Please plan on attending

Cleveland Metropolitain School's

Parent Teacher Conference Day. 

This is a day to sit down for a one on one session

with your child's teacher.  We can discuss grades,

concerns, and work together to make a plan for

your child's success. 

 

Watterson Lake (and all CMSD schools)

will be closed to students on October 21

for Parent Teacher Conferences. 

 Times are available from 12:00 to 6:30. 

Mark your calendar!

(Please note that parents are required to attend

conferences per the Cleveland Plan.)

ADM - Spirit Week

This week is our special ADM- Spirit Week.  We have special daily additions to the dress code. 
 
Today, Monday was Hat Day -

Tomorrow, Tuesday is Funky Sock Day- Wear
the wildest, craziest socks you have!


 
Wednesday is Crazy Hair Day - Add ribbons, clips, color, and hairspray to make your hair the wildest you can!

Thursday is Mismatched Shoes Day - Make sure you DON"T wear two left shoes.

Friday is Sports Day - Show your team spirit and wear your team's shirt OVER your dress code.

Tall Tales

Tall tales are stories passed down from one generation to the next.  The stories often involve a character who has a special talent.  The talent is exaggerated to be larger than life.  For example, Paul Bunyan is reported to be as tall as the tallest trees.  John Henry is supposed to be as strong as a steam engine.  These Tall Tales are part of the American tradition and speak to the American spirit. 

Picture Day Tomorrow!!!

Yep, tomorrow is picture day!  Make sure you look your best.  You may be out of dress-code providing that you are purchasing a photo package.  Information on photo packages went home about 2 weeks ago. I can't wait to see all of the bright and shiny faces tomorrow at school!

Playing with Prefixes

This week the students have been continuing their work with prefixes.  Prefixes are important to fourth grade learners for a couple of different reasons.  Prefixes give clues as to the meaning of words.  If mis- is before a word we know the word is somehow bad.  (Think misbehave, mistake, misinform, miscue - these words all have bad or negative connotation.)  We know if a word has pre at the beginning it's going to have something to do with early or before.  (Think preschool, pretest, preview.)  Working with prefixes also helps students break down words and become better spellers.  

Want more practice with prefixes?  

Try this online game and build your own words!

Prefix Game at FunEnglishGames.com

The Power of WOW

This week the students read a play in class.  The play was about a groups of students who were raising money to save a local bookmobile.  The play was so cute as our scholars read with animation and expression.  I think we may have a few future actresses and actors in our class. 

Reading plays and short scripts is a fun way to improve reading skills.  You get to play a role and speak in a natural speaking voice which is great for expression and fluency!

Our essential question this week asks, "Why might people raise money for a cause?"  Discuss as a family worthy cause that could use a hand.

 

Caught You Reading!

Going Techno

Here's one of our scholars busy at work on the computer!

In our classroom, we are lucky enough to have computers for the students to use.  Most of the students love a little technology time, and I love introducing students to fun educational websites.  Here are a few websites that we used this week:

Fun 4 the Brain has fun, easy Math, English, and Science games that are perfect for fourth grade learners.  This week we played Panda Pandemonium which challenged us to use different parts of speech to build sentences.  http://www.fun4thebrain.com  There are other games that practice Math facts and more!

This week the students also visited The Electric Company website.  There, the students built words using some of our focus word sounds from spelling.  This helps students become better readers and spellers!  The entire pbdkids.org site is fun for kids of all ages.  Believe it or not, it's more than just Sesame Street.  There are awesome educational games and stories even for older kids.  Be sure to check it out!  http://pbskids.org

 

Library Lovin'

This week, we are reading a story all about LIBRARIES.  The story focuses on different places around the world and how libraries give children access to books.  We are so lucky that here in the Detroit Shoreway Neighborhood that we have a beautiful, safe, and friendly library.  Do you and your family visit Waltz Library?  Do you know that you can order children's (and adult's) favorite library books and have them waiting for you when you visit the library? We also have wonderful children's librarians at Waltz who are sure to offer up a yummy selection of books for students of all ages.  If you haven't visited the library recently, make sure you stop by and check it out! 
-- Mrs. C

Parent Survey

Thank You parents for all you do to help.  We are a team!  As a teacher, I am always looking for ways that I can help you and your child with school.  Watterson Lake is committed to helping each child become a success story!

So that we may do our best and help your child do their best, I've designed a survey.  This anonymous survey will give me feedback on how YOU think we can help.  Just click the link to travel to Survey Monkey:

Watterson Lake Parent Survey 

Parents, Thanks again for all you do.

More Idioms

We talked about IDIOMS again in class today.  Congratulations to Marlon who had already checked our blog and knew that an idiom is when the meaning of words is different than the actual phrase.  An example we used in class was, "It's raining cats and dogs."  Here is another example:

 

Open House

Thank You to everyone who came to Open House.  It was a big success for Watterson Lake.  Our classroom had 13 students with families come visit us.  I enjoyed meeting each of you and hope that you were able to see some of the amazing things our scholars are learning here at Watterson Lake!  If you were unable to visit us, I will be sending home the information that was provided.  Please make an appointment to talk to me soon about any concerns that you may have.

Flocabulary - Five Things

If your student comes home singing a new song this week ... it might be because we've been listening to a song about parts of a story!  Five Things is a song that teaches us about the five essestial elements present in a story. 

Watch, Listen, and Sing Along!

 

 

         

National Grandparents Day

This Sunday, September 9th, 2014 is National Grandparents Day.  I know that Grandparents are a big part of many student's lives. Students often share stories about their grandparents, including grandparents who help with homework, share stories, and are always there just when you need them.  I love hearing stories about loving grandparents and love sharing stories with the students about my own grandparents, too!  So, this Sunday ... Let's recognize grandparents for all the love and support they give us all throughout the year. 

My Brother Martin

This week we are reading a story about Martin Luther King Jr.  This story is unique because it is told by Martin's sister, Christine.  We get to see Martin as a mischievous little kid.  Students enjoy reading about this different side of Martin.

Because the story is centered around Martin becoming a leader, our essential question asks: What might lead a person to try to change the world?  What lessons and events led Martin to become a civil rights leader?  Let Martin Luther King Jr.'s life become an inspiration to us all.  How can we turn  our challenges into leadership opportunities?   

What is an Idiom?

Today in class we were talking about idioms.  An idiom is a phrase that has a meaning outside of just the actual words.  One example of an idiom is the phrase:  It's raining cats and dogs. This doesn't mean that animals are falling from the sky.  This just means that it is raining very hard.  Can you think of any other idioms?

Open House

It's almost that time of year!  Open House is just around the corner.  Please plan to attend Watterson Lake's Open House, September, 9, 2014.  The students would love to show off their hard work and classrooms. 

PATHS

This week in the classroom, we began PATHS lessons.  PATHS is a program that helps students build self-esteem and strong peer relationships.  Students love PATHS activities, because they promote creativity.  Student also get a chance to work as a team and independently  PATHS also teaches conflict resolution and positive social and emotional health.

The PATHS student of the day is another part of PATHS that students enjoy!  The PATHS student gets to be a teacher's helper and also gets to be the center of attention as they are showered with positive peer compliments.  Look for students to come home with a paper full of compliments over the next month or so.

If you have any questions or ideas to help us promote PATHS in the classroom, contact me at the school!
 

Remind Reminder

I've shared with parents the text service I will use for reminders this year.  The text service will be used to send out information directly to your email or text message.  I might use this to remind you about a science project due in class or give the dates for picture day at school.  Don't expect daily reminders, just updates as needed.
The service is provided by Remind, an online program and app.  Besides the blog, this is a great way to keep in contact with you.  All you need to do is sign up via text or email.  There is also an app available, but you don't need that to receive my messages.  Signing up is totally voluntary, and you can unsubscribe anytime!
Here is my personal information for sign-up.  It's very easy!  (They will ask you for your Name and birthdate to complete the registration process!) 

-Mrs. Carney

Just a reminder that

Remind is a one-way text messaging and email system.
With Remind, all personal information remains completely confidential.
Teachers will never see your phone number, nor will you ever see theirs

Study Jams

Study Jams is an on-line site provided through Scholastic.  Study Jams is so much fun!  You can learn about different Math and Science topics.  This week we are using Study Jams to learn about Place Value.  One of the awesome things about Study Jams is that you can even review the videos and practice on-line at home!

Visit STUDY JAMS here!

Save Fred!!

This week, the students in Room 305 worked in teams to solve a problem.  Our worm friend, Fred, was stranded at sea.  Students had to work together to rescue Fred and secure a life-preserver gummi on his body.  Students were only able to use paperclips as tools.  Every group was able to use teamwork to successfully save gummi Fred!  Check out some of groups: