Mrs. Mott’s Classroom Blog

Today we accomplished a lot and had fun too! It is very exciting to see the Titanic unit wrapping up and projects being completed. I will post pictures of your finished work on the blog after we set up our “Titanic Museum” next week. We had a great time listening to Chasing Vermeer on our class patio but ants and pine needles made the experience somewhat less enjoyable. I will try to bring some blankets for us to sit on for next time. If anyone has an old picnic/camp blanket to donate please send it in – we will make good use of it! Some students were asking me for math word problems to practice at home. Here are some on the metric system: http://edhelper.com/metric_system_wordproblems4.htm
and some other fun word problem sites:
http://www.mathplayground.com/mathhoops_Z1.html http://www.mathplayground.com/logicgames.html

Tomorrow will be the last day to complete Titanic centres. Friday will be a day for completing persuasive arguments about the grade you deserve based on your three best pieces of work. Next week is our last opportunity for building projects. We will be moving on to ancient civilizations in May and I am very excited. We will be reading fiction and non fiction about these cultures, their myths and legends, and researching. We will be doing some amazing art projects connected to this unit. I have really enjoyed watching the incredible work everyone has done on the Titanic unit, but I can’t wait to move on to ancient civilizations either.

Today we were talking about how the brain works – fascinating stuff! We learned that the left side of your brain controls the right side of your body, and vice versa. We also learned that the right side of your brain is the creative side, and the left side is the logical side. People can be left or right brained, which means one side is stronger. Which side of the brain controls most of your activities? Try this test:

Clasp your hands together. Which thumb is on top?
Fold your arms. Which arm is on top?
Cross your legs. Which leg is on top?
Look through a paper tube. Which eye do you use?
Kick a ball. Which foot do you use?

Now try putting the hand you usually use for writing in your pocket. Try doing simple tasks with your other hand – changing tv channels, dialing the phone, opening a door, zipping a zipper. Is it easy or hard for you?

More brain challenging work coming up tomorrow!

I want to thank everyone for their great work all day. I was really proud when the reporter came around and everyone was so focussed and engaged. I know she was impressed with our school – how could she not be? I am not sure which of the papers the article will be published in as she works for several, but I will let you know as soon as I see it. Study hard for math and french tomorrow, and don’t forget your homework and library books.

Today’s math activity really showed us who the super shoppers in our class are! Everyone had $20 and 3 aquarium items. The job was to sell their items and buy as many new items as possible in 15 minutes. Interestingly, when we calculated who had purchased the most items, who had the most cash, and who had the best balance of both, male students prevailed in all three areas! Very interesting, and it provoked a lot of discussion. When I asked what we had learned, I was impressed with the answers. Students were talking about not buying impulsively, keeping track of their money, being careful to count your change, and taking your time to find a good deal. Bravo! All excellent life lessons!

I told you I would post a photo of our poetry bulletin board, which was a little tricky since I wanted it far enough away that no one’s photo could be seen, and it was hard to do. I ended up using a softening tool which makes it look fuzzy but it is important that your faces not be visible. This doesn’t do it justice but here goes:The poems are really lovely and the art adds a special something. You should be very proud of yourselves.

Alright, as promised, here are this week’s dictée words. Now there are no excuses for not studying!
1. en avant 6. le tapis
2. en arrière 7. les devoirs
3. sage 8. le taille-crayon
4. toujours 9. la nuit
5. le tableau 10. le lit

Don’t forget that there will also be a quiz on Friday for the verbs avoir and être!

M. Lohmann

I am so happy with the poems we have published and put in the hallway! When I came back to the classroom after dismissal I found two teachers standing in front of them discussing your work. They were impressed with both your poetry and your artwork. If everyone finishes by tomorrow, I will take a picture and post it here on the blog. Don’t forget we are having a math test Friday. It will be on money and will include making change, adding and subtracting amounts (keeping the decimal in its place!), and word problems. Jump at Home pages 93-107 cover many of the concepts.

It was a very busy and productive day. Your math journals show a lot of thought and smart calculations, and I enjoyed our discussion on advertising tricks. I have posted your work on ad features in the hallway, as well as your redesigned cereal boxes. I can’t wait to get your poetry up too! Don’t forget that great list of suggestions the class made for keeping your writing homework interesting:

• review of video game or tv show
• poem
• story about pet, toy, etc.
• comic strip
• cut out pictures from the paper or magazine and write your own story
• top ten lists
• plans for a trip, summer vacation, etc.
• cursive practice

If you have more ideas, why don’t you post them here!

I want to congratulate the class on a great week! We accomplished so much, including:

• Five students finishing their Titanic work and starting the *SECRET FILE*
• Very thoughtful math problem solving
• Great cereal ads
• crazy basketball skills
• Wonderful poetry
• not to mention the best April Fool’s Prank ever (well, a pretty good one anyway!)

Well done everyone. This week Ms. Manor said you were the best class ever. I have to agree!