New Math and Science Units for February!

Now that we've finished our units on Probability and Energy, this week we'll be starting two brand new, really fun units.

In science, we'll be starting a unit called "Picturing Polygons." We'll be exploring a lot of the characteristics or polygons that you've never seen before. Best of all, we'll be using a great program called GeoLogo - which is a kids version of a computer programming software. In the program, you'll learn how to program the computer to draw shapes and measure angles. Best of all, now that we have access to 32 computers every Friday, we'll have even more time to use the program than last year's class did. Check out some pics of last year's Superstars messing around with GeoLogo.





In science, we're continuing to study Energy, this time focusing on Force and Motion. You'll be learning about one of the most important scientific discoveries of all time by a man named Isaac Newton.

And we'll be conducting quite a few experiments that will test Mr. Newton's ideas.





In social studies, we'll be continuing our study of the US government, taking a look at some of the most important rights listed in the Constitution. After that we'll be packing our prairie schooners and heading out west to learn about the 1800s.



And by popular demand, we'll be role playing with another exciting simulation, this time of the Oregon Trail! Nobody will be eaten by sharks this time, but you'd better be on the look-out for Indians, buffalo, and snake-oil salesmen! Oh, and as an added bonus for those of you who consistently check the blog, I'll be hiding hints and cheats throughout the blog itself to help you make it through the journey unscathed!

Mini-Open House Tuesday!

We're going to have a mini-Open House next Tuesday (February 2) from 6:30 PM to about 7:00 PM in order to introduce your child's new Literacy teacher - Mrs. Wood. The Open House will be held in room 13 - Mrs. Wood's room.

All students will receive $100 in Bonus Money if their parents or guardians attend! So, kids, make sure to bug your parents incessantly over the next several days!

Fun Run!

Fun Run was a blast today! Check out all the great pics! Here are the coordinators of the event - Coach Scott and Coach Dudjak.


Here's our DJ for the Fun Run - Mr. Gonzalez.


First, the kids stretched to get ready for the run.












Finally, the got started with a slow walk, building up to a run.


I'm not sure what Max is doing here. Running???? Walking????





Even the teachers got in on the action. Here are Mrs. Hartless and Mr. Gibbons on the track.

Woah!!! Check it out!

Check out all these brand-spanking new laptops our school just got!! Now we'll have a lot more oppotunity to use Gizmos, Powerpoint, and other way cool stuff!!! Awesome!


-- Post From My iPhone

Ever Wonder What Teachers Do on Planning Day?

Wonder no more! Here are Mrs. Hartless and Mr. Gibbons hard at work planning for "High Quality Instruction"!





-- Post From My iPhone

Happy Birthday, Shane!

Yesterday was Shane's Birthday!


Look at the size of that cupcake! Hope you didn't get sick, Shane!


He looks really excited about having to wear the birthday hat, doesn't he?

Making Memories

Yesterday was a celebration of Ms. Harris! We had a wonderful luncheon, including this beautiful birthday cake brought in by Mrs. Hunter. We enjoyed watching last year's "American Grandstand" while we ate!

Oh, and in case anyone is wondering, YES, we will still be doing "American Grandstand" this year. I'm taking over the job of writing the script. The kids said they think I'll be very good at writing corny jokes! I don't know if I should take that as a compliment or not!

We also worked on patches yesterday that will later be turned into a quilt in memory of Ms. Harris! Take a look at some of them! I'll probably post more another time.