Morning Message

Good Morning! Today is Wednesday, October 21, 2009.
Day 31 of School, 149 days left
Tiger Day: T

Students may leave the classroom during Enrichment time to participate in enriching activities-- like extra math or a special project. These are exciting opportunities to work on challenging material and you don’t have to worry about missing anything in the classroom because I won’t be teaching anything new during that time period.

Book Fair purchases started last night. The Book Fair will also be open this evening 5:30-8:30pm. There may be time to make some purchases during the day today. But we’ve got a packed schedule, so tomorrow will be more likely.

At 9am we’ll be headed down to the cafeteria for the finale of “Happenings in Our Habitat.” We’ll be sure to take our Writing Notebooks down with us today. Jeanette Stewart, the author and environmentalist, has a really cool website that has all the slides on it. So you can share it with your parents!

To-Do List:

1. Complete your morning routine! Don’t forget about snack!
2. Check out your graded math fact quiz, which is on your desk. Then put it in your mailbox.
3. Take out your Chapter 3, Lesson 1 worksheet from your WIP folder. Continue to work on it until it is time to head down to the cafeteria.

Morning Message

Good Morning! Today is Tuesday, October 20, 2009.
Day 30 of School, 150 days left
Tiger Day: S

This morning we will be headed down to complete a Webquest on the American Indian language groups found in Virginia. What is a webquest? you ask. Well, are there two smaller words within the larger word that you recognize? Could those words help you figure out the meaning?

We have two important appointments this afternoon. First, as you know, the library has been taken over by the Book Fair. So during our library check-out time, we will be compiling wish lists. The first opportunity to purchase books will be tonight.

Secondly, we will be meeting in the cafeteria to find out what happened to poor Jack the dog. Because you’re so knowledgeable about watersheds, I’m sure you’ve already made a fairly accurate prediction.

You did a great job of being conscientious about your new jobs yesterday. Let’s keep that up!

Notes for Ms B: Enrichment time, 2nd jobs, blog, portaportal

To-Do List:

1. Complete your morning routine! Don’t forget about snack!
2. Take out your Chapter 3, Lesson 1 worksheet from your WIP folder. Continue to work on it until it is time to head down to the computer lab.
3. If you finish early, check the Work in Progress board.

American Indian Language Group Webquest

Welcome to your first blog assignment!



DIRECTIONS: Use the datasheets on your clipboards to collect information.

Information can be found at the following sites:
Algonquian Language Group
Iroquoian Language Group
Siouan Language Group

When you are done, you can watch this video which discusses the latest theories in North and South American archeology. Maybe it really wasn't as simple as our textbook says... Scientists now think that the Bering Strait Land Bridge isn't the only explanation for how people arrived on our continent.
Nova: When Did the First Americans Arrive? (video)

If you still have time left over, explore Ms. Bragg's portaportal.

Morning Message

Good Morning! Today is Monday, October 19, 2009.
Day 29 of School, 151 days left
Tiger Day: R

Everyone is hired! See the congratulatory note on your desk. A few students have been hired for two positions because their applications were outstanding and/or few people applied for those positions. Ms. Bragg still has several positions that need to be filled: Chair Stackers (3-4), Classroom Materials Manager, TechnoTigers (2), Textbook Managers (2), Floor Checker, Desk/Locker Checker, etc. NOTE: Several job titles need more than one hire. Everyone who submits an excellent application will have the opportunity to have 2 jobs. Things to think about: Are spelling, grammar, and neatness important on job applications? If so, why? What about honesty and confidence? Are those important to show when you’re applying for a job?

To-Do List:
1) Complete your morning routine! Don’t forget about snack! Return empty Friday Folders to your mailbox.
2) Wish Michael and Gordon “Happy Birthdays!”
3) Cut the boarders off your job responsibilities. Then tape it down to the bottom flap of your Work In Progress folder (see Sam’s and Hope’s for examples-- tape all around the edges). You’ll be able to refer back to this list of your job responsibilities in order to make sure that you’re completing your work.
4) Work on the Chester the Crab packets. Check the Work in Progress board.

Classroom Schedule

Click on the schedule to enlarge it.

Morning Message

NOTE: There was no Morning Message on Thursday, October 15th because Ms. Bragg was absent, attending her Grandfather's funeral.

Good Morning and Happy Friday! Today is October 16, 2009.
Day 28 of School, 152 days left
Tiger Day: E

REMINDERS:
• Virginia Geography test today!
• You may not tape pictures or signs to the outside of your locker. You are, however, allowed to decorate the inside of your locker.
• Materials and games used for indoor recess need to be carefully put away. Games that are missing pieces are no fun! Plus, an untidy classroom is not a pleasant place!

Sadly, Ms. Bragg returned to school this morning to find a very messy classroom and to hear reports of misbehavior. We need to discuss this.

To-Do List:
1) Complete your morning routine! Don’t forget about snack!
2) Find at least 2 colleagues who don’t normally talk to. Wish them a “Happy Friday!”
3) Take out your Virginia Geography flashcards and find a partner. Decide whose flashcards you will use. (Be careful to not mix up your flashcards.) Take turns quizzing each other.

Morning Message

Good Morning! Today is Wednesday, October 14, 2009.
Day 26 of School, 154 days left
Tiger Day: I

REMINDERS:
• There will be a substitute tomorrow because Ms. B will be at her grandfather’s funeral at Arlington Cemetery. I know you all will be extremely helpful to the sub and on your best behavior. I want to come back to find many letters awarded.
• Be sure you are taking care of your reading log and all other homework/classwork assignments. Everyone wants to earn Friday Afternoon Club.

FYI: We will have a visitor observing our classroom today, a college student from GMU.

This morning we’ll be discussing the last region in detail: the Appalachian Plateau. Only a small portion of the Appalachian Plateau is in VA, so it is VA’s smallest region.

Because 3rd grade is testing today, we will be switching schedule to help them out: 8:50-9:50 Encore, 10:00-11:00 Math, 11:05-11:40 Inquiry, 11:40-12:25 Lunch/Recess, 12:30-1:15 Character Lesson

To-Do List:
1) Complete your morning routine! Don’t forget about snack!
2) Take out your red notebook and add the new poem on your desk to our collection. Then practice reciting poetry with a friend.
3) If you do not yet have a copy of “My Dog May Be a Genius,” pick one up from Ms. Bragg’s desk and add that your collection too.