Mr. Chapman

Hello,

Here is an update about what's happening in Room 17!

SCIENCE:  For the next few weeks, up until MEA Testing, the 4th grade will be going to Miss Miller's class to do three mini units:  Astronomy, Energy, and Cycles (Rock, Water, etc.).  We have found that these areas commonly come up on the MEA and we want our students to be familiar with each subject.  Since we have new science kits this year, we are no longer studying these mini units in depth anymore. The 5th grade will remain with me working with levers, taking notes, and writing up lab reports and making conclusions.  I also hope to do a mini science fair project with the 5th grade as well.... to give them a sense about what is to come next year.

 MATH:  Math is going very well for both grades.  4th grade has just started work in the new journal, and 5th grade will be starting their new journal this week.

READING:  Students should continue to read their chapter book at home until the end of this week.  We won't do a FULL book report on the book, but I will have them answer some questions in class that will be homework to finish.  In class, we are reading short biographies and we will be doing a small project with them.

WRITING:  We are doing a creative story this week and we will continue to do many writing assignments leading up to Writers' Showcase which is coming up sooner than we think! 

LANDMARKS:  We have been having fun with Landmarks ands gearing up for the Civic Oration Contest.  Everyone has chosen a National Landmark and their brochures and Landmark Cartoons will soon be in the hallway to marvel at!  

 GO PATS!!

 Have a great day,

MR. C.
 

Posted by Mr. Chapman at 10:27 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

    Hello Everyone! 

    Thanks again to all who sent in cereal boxes. We now have enough.

    Here is what's going on in room 17 this week:

    We have finished Maniac Magee and now we will be doing some "heavy thinking and writing with the book."  If your child is in my reading group, then part of this week's homework won't be due until the end of next week, but should be done extremely well! No slop and no one or two sentence answers. 

    Here are the four questions we will talk about and start writing in class.  It will be up to the students to take the work home and finish it.  Typing the answers is absolutely allowed; it's actually preferred.

    1.  Compare Maniac to yourself.  What qualities do you and he have in common?  What are two of your differences?  Give examples from the book and from your own life.

    2.  Do you think that Jerry Spinelli was trying to send a message that people shouldn't judge others by the color of their skin?  Give at least two specific examples from the book to support your answer.  

    3.  Pick one place in the book.  Describe how you saw that place in your mind's eye.  What did it look like?  What did it sound like?  Did it have a smell? 

    4.  Re-read the Maniac Chant in the beginning of the book.  Write a chant of your own.  You may copy the rhythm of this one, but change the words.  Maniac Magee should be the subject of your chant.

    NALD CELEBRATION:  Our first Nald celebration will be the afternoon of December 19th.  Students may want to wear their team colors.  Hopefully, the crown will have been found and returned to the Orange King by then! If you would like to make (or buy) a celebration treat, that would be fantastic.  If you could send in a note explaining what you'll send, I will keep track so that we don't end up with 60 cupcakes!

      That's about all for now!

      Thanks,

       Mr. Chapman

       p.s.  If you know of anyone who is in need of a tutor, please let them know that I will be available after the Christmas Break.    I will be tutoring on Wednesdays and Fridays. Thanks.

 

Posted by Mr. Chapman at 11:52 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Hello Everyone!

This is going to be a busy week in room 17.

Important things to remember:  

    1.  BOOK REPORT:  Due on Friday, November 16th

    2.  SUPER HERO DRESS UP:  Friday, November 16th everyone is going to dress up as their superhero and we are filming our commercials that the heroes have "endorsed."  Each student should dress up as best as possible in their HERO uniform.  Have no fear, Adjective Man will be there throwing EXCITING and FUN into the day.

    3.  1/2 day:  Wednesday is a half day! (well, for the students at least) 

    4.  Friday Showcase:  HOPEFULLY, we will be performing a short little song at morning meeting this week... it's a Math Fact/ Non sequitur skit (we have learned what a non sequitur is) and.  we don't think the math facts and fruit get enough attention. ..... if you didn't understand that last statement, ask your child to explain!

   5.  We will now be together for science and will be starting a new program and unit: Matter.

    UNEXPECTED SMASH HIT:  If your child has come home in the past week, and has been talking about a game called Heroscape (MAYBE they have been begging you to get it), it is all my fault.  I got the starter set for the class to play during snack and lunch.  I figured a few kids would find it interesting; what I DIDN'T expect is that most of my class loved it.  Even the girls!  No offense Hayley, Heather, Shae and everyone else, but I figured it would mostly be a "boys" game!  That's what I get for assuming.  In fact, it's been so popular that I am going to use it to integrate into the curriculum.  Pat gave me the idea when he made a new character for the game using POLLY POCKET with a BOOMERANG PURSE attack and SHOPPING SPREE ability-- I didn't see that one coming, let alone from a boy! (no offense, Pat, I think it's awesome).

         We, the 4th grade, are now going to be using our math skills to make some new characters for the game-- POLLY POCKET SPECIAL FORCES-  A big Thanks goes out to Shae for bringing in her Polly Pockets to help us in this endeavor. 

         I guess the point I am trying to make is that the game is taking on a life of its own.  If  your child puts it on their Christmas/Hanukkah/Birthday list, it is because they have played it in class.  

Mathematically speaking, it's great to help teach addition, probability, logical thinking, measurement, and scale.

 REMINDER:  Please send in the permission slips for our two field trips.  Thank you to those of you who have signed up to chaperone!

Have a great day,

Mr. Chapman 

Posted by Mr. Chapman at 09:57 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

TRICK OR TREAT!

         The treat?  How about instead of giving you all candy, I give you a week of NO HOMEWORK>>>>> NO SPELLILNG TEST, NO STATES to MEMORIZE, no WRITING, NO MATH.. you get the idea. 

         The trick?  Ummm, there isn't one.  I am serious. Enjoy your week

         Check out Miss Miller's blog for a slideshow on the smokehouse.

         Also, the school is continuing with their food drive!  Bring in those canned items. The box is in the lobby.

         GO  SOX!!

         Have a good day,

         Mr. Chapman
 

Posted by Mr. Chapman at 01:07 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)