:The News from Room 47

I’ve spent some time this week reflecting on this year, and trying to find the right words to use in my final blog post of the 2009-2010 school year. As usual, some of my students came up with better words than I did! Friday we spent some time writing reflections. Some students reflected on sixth grade, while others focused on their entire Woodland journey. Several students also chose to reflect on a single high point of the year – which for many kids was Valleyfair. Here are a few of their poems/paragraphs. (because I didn’t ask permission to post these, I will label with initials instead of names)

Valleyfair
by: JT

Valleyfair reflection
A very awesome place to be
Loved all the rides there
Loved all of the great food
Enormous rides and roller coasters
You get wet on the wave
Fun going around the park
Amazing games to play
In all the field trips, Valleyfair was the best
Rides, rides and more rides
Woodland
by: CG

Woodland has taught me most of what I know
Having to go will be the saddest thing, so
I’ll try to hold back the tears.
Even after all the years
of laughs and trials
the frowns and smiles
Woodland, I’ll miss you
the students and the teachers too
Woodland, I’ll be back to visit
reliving memories will be exquisite,
Farewell Woodland, the place where through the rooms and halls I used to roam
Farewell, Woodland, my second home.

Acrostic Poem
by: CG

Walking down these familiar halls and rooms, this is a second home to me
Over all the years, I’ve grown to love Woodland
Oh, all the tears, our last at Woodland
Dearly missing everyone you meet
Leaving here will be the hardest part
Actions of smiles, hugs, last words and crying
Now, this dreaded time is here, time to say goodbye to everyone I’ll miss so dearly
Done with Elementary, starting a new chapter

Valleyfair Haiku
by: JR

The Wave was awesome
My group enjoyed the fun rides
I was so tired

Woodland
by: WA

We found our selves here,
We found our friends,
We were taught our values
and learned almost everything we know.
Now when it has come time to leave,
we will think about skipping down
the halls as kindergarteners when
we first began.

Report cards will be mailed home this week. Enjoy summer!!

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We have had the opportunity to showcase some of our awesome class talent over the past few days. On Monday we listened to the musical stylings of the 6th grade band – they were great! Then today we attended the talent show for grades 4-6. Several students from our class performed: Cailee on piano, and Sierra, Vanessa, Jennifer and Mia dancing. The 5th and 6th grade orchestra is busy rehearsing for a concert coming up next week. Way to go 6th graders! We’re proud of all your hard work!

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Just in case the sixth graders thought that four days of MCA testing wasn’t enough, we have MAP (also known as NWEA) testing coming up. These reading and math tests are designed to show student growth, and are given on the computer. Students will take these tests on May 12th and 13th – please plan appointments and other scheduled absences accordingly.  Students who are interested in brushing up their skills prior to testing should visit the Woodland Website, and find the MAP Math and MAP Reading sites on Kids Sites to Browse and Learn.

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IMPORTANT!!

REMINDER ABOUT BROOKLYN JUNIOR HIGH
7TH GRADE OPEN HOUSE

Sixth grade students who will attend Brooklyn Junior High next year are invited to attend an informal open house session at BJH from 7:00-8:00 PM on Thursday, April 22, 2010. An invitation letter was mailed to the homes of incoming seventh grade students and their parent/guardians.

Students and parents will gather in the BJH south gym for a brief general assembly and then are invited to visit with designated staff able to answer questions.

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Wow, it’s been over a month since my last post – I apologize for my tardiness! The two main topics on my mind this week are both 3-letter acronyms:

MCA – we will be taking the math MCA test this Wednesday and Thursday, and the reading MCA next week Tuesday and Wednesday. We have spent a fair amount of time discussing test taking strategies and how to prepare for these tests. Here’s what you can help with at home: kids should make sure to get a good night’s sleep the few nights before the test. They should also eat well-balanced meals and drink plenty of water. Students may bring a water bottle to school with them. Please remind your child to dress in layers for comfort during testing.

WBR – the Wastebasket Revue opens this week! This variety show put on by staff and community members raises money for scholarships for our district’s graduating seniors. Please consider coming to one of the shows. As an added bonus, you’ll get to see me dressed as a zombie dancing to Thriller!
http://www.district279.org/wbr/ for more info. Call the ticket hotline for tickets! 763-391-7205

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With third tri starting Monday, now would be a great time to check in with your student about the status of his/her school supplies. Many notebooks are running out, and some folders are damaged beyond the point of repair. Students should have a good supply of pencils, correcting pens, and at least one highlighter. Thank you!

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It’s hard to believe that it’s nearly mid-March, and that second trimester is coming to a close. This Thursday, March 11th, is the last day of 2nd trimester. AR points are due by the end of the day Thursday. Remember, there is no school on Friday!

On Monday, students will start fresh with zero late assignments for 3rd tri. Homework turned in late during 3rd tri will be docked 30%, so it is imperative that students continue being responsible for completing and turning in homework on time. If your child meets his/her AR point goals for 1st and 2nd trimester, he/she will not be required to read for AR points during third tri. While we still expect students to be reading at home (20 minutes, 5 days a week) – we hope to expand students’ reading choices to some great non-AR books!

Look for info coming home next week regarding behavior expectations during third trimester, which are linked to our end of the year trip to Valleyfair!

As always, please call or email with any questions!

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I have been wowed and amazed by my two science classes this week! Students delved into the challenge of determining what was inside of our ‘black boxes’. They collaborated, supported their ideas with sound scientific observations, and listened respectfully to the opinions of their peers. Their next challenge will be to engineer a black box that behaves exactly like the box they studied – without opening the first one!

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After a quick break for a Health chapter, we’re back to Science in Room 47. We will begin the FOSS Models and Designs science unit this week. We will assume the roles of scientist as we try to figure out what hidden systems look like and how they work. Then we will change into engineers as we try to design self-propelled carts from simple construction materials. We have an interesting and exciting couple of weeks ahead!

In this module, students learn about scientific models. A scientific model explains a natural system or process that is not totally accessible to direct investigation. We will gather evidence, share ideas with peers, create models, and modify them based on additional evidence. We will learn how to think productively about the unknown.

After we tackle models and expand our points of view and ways of thinking about systems, we will become engineers who design and create products. We will be designing and building carts from sticks, paper clips, wire, rubber bands, and the like. With each passing investigation students face more demanding engineering challenges, and I can expect to see a lot of creativity brought to bear on the problems.

Please take some time to discuss with your student what they’ve been doing in Science class. When they explain and justify their work outside of class, their understanding deepens, and they may be able to delve deeper into the engineering process. Thanks for your continued support, and please feel free to send any questions my way! Photos will be coming soon! (Due to Spring Break, plan on one Science quiz before vacation, and then finishing up the unit and the final test a few weeks after we return – specific dates will be posted!)

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Spring is right around the corner, and that can only mean one thing… STANDARDIZED TESTING!

NWEAs and MCAs are coming soon. Please try to schedule appointments and vacations around these days because it’s very important for students to be here (and well rested and well fed on these days!).

MCA math – April 14th and 15th

MCA reading – April 19th and 20th

NWEA – May 12th and 13th

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