Monday, August 29, 2011
Links About Ancient Civilizations!
Here are some useful links to use when researching for your Ancient Civilizations Project!
MrDonn.org
Kidipede
Ancient Civilizations for Kids
If you are browsing from home, get your parent's permission before going on any of these sites.
Kidipede
Ancient Civilizations for Kids
If you are browsing from home, get your parent's permission before going on any of these sites.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Sofferin's Superstars 2011-2012
We had a terrific first week! It was like coming back from an extra long holiday break and starting right back where we left off! I'm so excited to be back working with one of the greatest groups of children I've ever had the chance to work with! And the seven "newbies" have been great additions to our already awesome class!
This week, we've already dug into our first class novel, "Granny Torrelli Makes Soup". We've started our first science unit on rocks and minerals! And the kids have impressed me with how well they remembered the mental math strategies that we learned in third grade! This year, we'll be focusing much more on writing, and the kids have showed me that they're going to be as successful with that as they have been with everything else!
Friday we held our first of many "Master Chef Writing Challenges"! Inspired by the television cooking competitions, students will compete to create the best story they possibly can out of a handful of ingredients - one setting element, one character type, one mood, and one writing craft - in just 45 minutes! The first challenge was a great success, with every single student working harder on writing than I've ever seen! In the end, there can only be one Master Writer for each challenge. And this week's winner was newbie, Lilianna!
Our Star Student this week was also a newbie - Tommy, who very quickly got the hang of how we do things in room 40 and showed the positive attitude and hard work that it takes to be successful!
This week, we've already dug into our first class novel, "Granny Torrelli Makes Soup". We've started our first science unit on rocks and minerals! And the kids have impressed me with how well they remembered the mental math strategies that we learned in third grade! This year, we'll be focusing much more on writing, and the kids have showed me that they're going to be as successful with that as they have been with everything else!
Friday we held our first of many "Master Chef Writing Challenges"! Inspired by the television cooking competitions, students will compete to create the best story they possibly can out of a handful of ingredients - one setting element, one character type, one mood, and one writing craft - in just 45 minutes! The first challenge was a great success, with every single student working harder on writing than I've ever seen! In the end, there can only be one Master Writer for each challenge. And this week's winner was newbie, Lilianna!
Our Star Student this week was also a newbie - Tommy, who very quickly got the hang of how we do things in room 40 and showed the positive attitude and hard work that it takes to be successful!
Bonus Money Challenge
Bonus Money Challenge #3
Go to the Braille Bug website linked below and read the short article about Louis Braille, the guy who created the Braille system that Helen Keller and Bailey use to read. Using the information in the article, make a time line of Louis Braille's life. You can draw it yourself or use the Time Line Maker website listed in the links on the sidebar. Turn the time line in on Monday to earn $50 in Bonus Money!
Click!
Go to the Braille Bug website linked below and read the short article about Louis Braille, the guy who created the Braille system that Helen Keller and Bailey use to read. Using the information in the article, make a time line of Louis Braille's life. You can draw it yourself or use the Time Line Maker website listed in the links on the sidebar. Turn the time line in on Monday to earn $50 in Bonus Money!
Click!
Monday, August 15, 2011
Our New Class!
Sofferin's Superstars
2011-2012
As you know, most of our class is the same this year as last. But among the names, you'll also find a few new students. I don't post last names on the blog, so you'll have to guess as to who the newbies are for now!
Axel
Israel
Jordan
Blaine
Klea
Liliana
DJ
Chloe
Justice
Leonardo
Nick
Hudson
Kenniah
Darius
Eva
Amber
Alexis
Tommy
Elysha
Abdullah
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bonus Money Challenges
This year, our class economy is going to play a much bigger part in our class. And I'm giving you a new way to earn bonus money! Throughout the year, at random, I will post Bonus Money Challenges on the blog! Some will be easy, some will be more difficult. The bigger the challenge, the more money you can earn! The posts will be whenever I feel like putting one up, but usually once a week or so. I will NEVER tell you when there's a challenge posted on the blog, so you have to check regularly to see if I've posted one! And if I'm being especially sneaky, I might even decide to hide the challenges somewhere in the blog!
Bonus Money Challenge #1
The first challenge is an easy one, worth $50 for anyone who completes it by the first day of school! Last year you all learned how to write in cursive. To earn $20 in bonus money, take a sheet of lined paper and write out the names of all of your classmates written above.
IMPORTANT - You only get credit if EVERY SINGLE name is written correctly. That means proper spelling, capitalization, and most importantly cursive letter formation!
Bonus Money Challenge #2
For another opportunity to earn bonus money, click the link below to take a quiz about your new classmates on ProProfs. You have the opportunity to earn another $50 if you score %100 on the quiz!
Click Here
2011-2012
As you know, most of our class is the same this year as last. But among the names, you'll also find a few new students. I don't post last names on the blog, so you'll have to guess as to who the newbies are for now!
Axel
Israel
Jordan
Blaine
Klea
Liliana
DJ
Chloe
Justice
Leonardo
Nick
Hudson
Kenniah
Darius
Eva
Amber
Alexis
Tommy
Elysha
Abdullah
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bonus Money Challenges
This year, our class economy is going to play a much bigger part in our class. And I'm giving you a new way to earn bonus money! Throughout the year, at random, I will post Bonus Money Challenges on the blog! Some will be easy, some will be more difficult. The bigger the challenge, the more money you can earn! The posts will be whenever I feel like putting one up, but usually once a week or so. I will NEVER tell you when there's a challenge posted on the blog, so you have to check regularly to see if I've posted one! And if I'm being especially sneaky, I might even decide to hide the challenges somewhere in the blog!
Bonus Money Challenge #1
The first challenge is an easy one, worth $50 for anyone who completes it by the first day of school! Last year you all learned how to write in cursive. To earn $20 in bonus money, take a sheet of lined paper and write out the names of all of your classmates written above.
IMPORTANT - You only get credit if EVERY SINGLE name is written correctly. That means proper spelling, capitalization, and most importantly cursive letter formation!
Bonus Money Challenge #2
For another opportunity to earn bonus money, click the link below to take a quiz about your new classmates on ProProfs. You have the opportunity to earn another $50 if you score %100 on the quiz!
Click Here
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Welcome Sofferin Superstars New and Old!
Welcome to Fourth Grade!
In just over a week, we'll be starting a brand new school year!
For most of you, though, you'll have the same classroom, same teacher, and most of the same classmates that made third grade such an amazing year! Personally, I am super excited to get to continue working with you guys! You made last year one of the best years of my career, and I know that this year will be even better!
For a few of you, you'll be new to room 40 and to Mr. Sofferin. But don't worry about anything - The Sofferin's Superstar veterans will help you feel right at home in no time at all!
Don't forget - Next Friday, August 19th is Orientation! All students and parents, both new and old, are welcome to come check out the classroom. And all parents are invited to our Welcome Back Breakfast on August 26th at 8:00 AM in room 40!
We're going to have a blast together! I can't wait to get started! For now, though enjoy your last few days of summer vacation!
Check back on the blog in a few days for the official class list (and also for a super secret opportunity to earn some early BONUS MONEY!!)!
In just over a week, we'll be starting a brand new school year!
For most of you, though, you'll have the same classroom, same teacher, and most of the same classmates that made third grade such an amazing year! Personally, I am super excited to get to continue working with you guys! You made last year one of the best years of my career, and I know that this year will be even better!
For a few of you, you'll be new to room 40 and to Mr. Sofferin. But don't worry about anything - The Sofferin's Superstar veterans will help you feel right at home in no time at all!
Don't forget - Next Friday, August 19th is Orientation! All students and parents, both new and old, are welcome to come check out the classroom. And all parents are invited to our Welcome Back Breakfast on August 26th at 8:00 AM in room 40!
We're going to have a blast together! I can't wait to get started! For now, though enjoy your last few days of summer vacation!
Check back on the blog in a few days for the official class list (and also for a super secret opportunity to earn some early BONUS MONEY!!)!
View the Class Blog from your Smart Phone!
Blogger has added a new feature - Now you can view the class blog in a much simpler, easy-to-read form on your Smart Phones! Sweet!
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