Tag Archives: Rutger

Character Counts Awards and Talent Show

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We had our Chapel Assembly this morning which displayed the multiple talents of the older children at Hillside along with May’s Character Counts Awardees.

From my class:

  • Wyatt Prohn – By continually trying his hardest Wyatt has greatly improved his reading and math scores.
  • Sydney Thomas – Sydney his improved her reading level through hard work and determination.
  • Madeline Benjamin – Always friendly and kind and has achieved new heights in her reading skills.
  • Alexcia Worthington – With quiet determination Alexcia has always worked hard in all areas of her academic development and leads by her example.
  • Payton Mundy – Payton over the last quarter has reached new levels in her reading success by working hard and using her free time to read.
  • Rutger Lea – Rutger has made vast improvements in getting his work done on time and excels in math and reading.
  • Jack Paape – FOr trying his hardest and really improving in handwriting and reading.
In addition our two representitives to the Student Council Annie and Tucker were recognized for their contributions.
In reading we read To the Store. In this weeks Let’s Find Out it was all about Who Takes Care of Us.  The children had movement today and for Math it was Lesson 15-5 with a review of our left and rights.  This is the last lesson in this unit and Monday we will have our assessment test.  One more Unit to go before we end our Math year with Step Up to First Grade.
Enjoy your weekend.
Mr. M.

 

Martin Luther King – Peace

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Today we read It Is School Time.  Miss Linda was in to mentor the children with reading.  In handwriting is was lowercase “p” along with write the room and finishing up Explode the Code lesson 7 and writing the room.  We had Explode the Code in computer lab.  For Social Studies we had a lesson about The Reverend Martin Luther King and how African Americans were treated not that long ago.  Since Dr. King promoted peaceful disobedience we made paper plate doves.

We celebrated IXL achievements for:

  • Thomas – 10 hours practice and 1,500 problems completed
  • Jack – 10 hours of practice
  • Rutger – 5 hours of practice and 1,000 problems completed

Mer. M.

PJ’s, Popcorn and a Movie

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Well they made it through the day in their PJ’s! We had Fruit of the Spirit this morning and a discussion again about what love is and how God loves us.  Children had Art today.  In reading it was In and Out.  We read through our Let’s Find Out magazine and watched a video about animals that hibernate.  Kids also had Creative Movement.  In Science it was a discussion about our hands which we did not finish as it was movie time.  Madagascar was the choice.

We had almost everyone in the class get IXL award certificates today.  We did practice in school on Wednesday so that triggered some awards.

  • Alexica 1,000 questions and 5 hours spent
  • Ezekial 2 hours
  • Payton 2 hours and 500 questions
  • Thomas 2 hours
  • Jack 200 questions
  • Luke 1,500 questions
  • Madelyn 5 hours and 1,000 questions
  • Wyatt 5 hours
  • Rutger 500 questions and 2 hours

Mr. M.

This is what some of our mathematicians look like

This is what a PJ

Day looks like


 

 

This is what reading group looks like

Day 50

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Today we read Maria Goes to School.  In handwriting we started our lowercase letters with the letter “c”.  Children had PE today in “The Octagon”.  In computer lab it was Explode the Code.  For math it was lesson  5-3, and in science we did hand prints to be used in our next lesson.

This week the kids earned a pizza party tomorrow.  So PJ’s and pillow pets are the order of the day.  They will get a movie and popcorn as well.

FYI’s Sent also via email

  • In their folders today are their school pictures and information on Retake Day, Wednesday, November 28th.
  • Thanksgiving Feast is next Wednesday at 11:00 AM.  Please sign up at front desk for a dish to bring. Yourself and siblings are most welcome.
  • Apple Fund raiser is in full gear.  Please support Hillside Academy with sales to family, friends and neighbors.
  • Book Fair starts Monday 11/26 and runs through the week.  Again please support Hillside by purchasing books for your child, as gifts or for our classroom.
  • The December Assembly will feature a local author presentation and our monthly Character Counts Awards.
  • Christmas Performance for us is on December 13 at 6:30 PM.  So please reserve that date in your calendars
Hand Prints

Mr. M.

Listening Dragons

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Today we read The Garden.  In handwriting it was upper case “Z”.  We wrote the room with no one coming up with ten “Z” words.  Everyone did manage five.  We had PE today.  After lunch it was into the lab with Anna Paape helping to get everyone signed into Raz-Kids.   It is becoming clear that doing Raz-Kids in the computer lab is not working.  The kids read aloud, plus we have technical difficulties with microphones not working.  These issues prove to be troublesome in a group setting.  I believe it would be best if the the children practice Raz-Kids at home with them packing their headsets to and from school in their backpacks.  This could cause a problem if they leave their headset at home.  We will see how this works.  I highly recommend that they do Raz-Kids at home.  Most do Explode the Code and IXL  but not all.  We will continue to do Explode the Code and IXL from time to time in the lab.

In math it was lesson 3-5.  We celebrated IXL achievements for:

  • Maddie 200 Problems
  • Tucker 2 Hours Practicing
  • Rutger 200 Problems and 1 Hour Practice

 

The class worked on our classroom banner for tomorrows assembly.

The following is our class mascot Listening Dragon, motto and chant.

Listening Dragon

You can go anywhere by reading a book

 Chant:

You can ride on a wagon,
Save the world from a dragon.
You can find fame and glory
When you read a story.
I WANT TO READ!
I WANT TO READ!

Raz-Kids

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Today we read Over in class.  After recess  I did an introduction to Raz-Kids.  Ras-Kids is the on-line reading program that follows our in class reading.  These are the books they bring home and hopefully read to you.  In Raz-Kids the children can re-read their books or move forward at a pace they are comfortable with.  With this program they use the microphones from their headsets to record and listen to themselves reading.  I can also assign books to them and set up reward schedules for each child.  Today in our computer lab  I let them explore this program.  At this point I am thinking about doing one day of Explore the Code and the next day of Rz-Kids in school.  Should you wish your child to bring home their headset to practice at home by all means tell them to bring it home or they can now keep it in their backpack. For at home sign on it is by teacher and then by child.  I am KMANDOSKE and then the password is your child’s FIRST name.  The kids did pretty well today.  Again it is practice.  I have released all the AA books for them to do.  I ask them to listen first (the ear icon), and then to read (eye icon).  Let me know if you have any trouble.

A question asked last night was when there is limited computer time at home what is more important?  Reading will always take priority (Explode the Code and/or Raz-Kids over math (Envision and/or IXL).  Another question was more info from the specialists.  Kim is working with them to maybe once a month send out a newsletter of what each class is involved in.

In Envision Math we did lesson 2-8 as we reach an end to this unit.  Celebrations again as IXL Math is spreading like a virus with the children.  I see most of the after care kids on it after school.

  • Wyatt 2 Hours of Practice
  • Tucker 100 Problems
  • Annie 2 Hours of Practice
  • Thomas 1 Hour of Practice
  • Rutger 100 Problems
  • ‘Alexcia 200 Problems
  • Sabrina 500 Problems
In Social Studies we did a lesson on mapping.  I gave them a template with some landmarks of our classroom and asked them to fill in some details.  For HOMEWORK due next week I sent home a piece of card stock for them to map their bedroom or other favorite room in the house.  ONLY ONE ROOM.  Some wanted to do the house or the upstairs.  You can guide them but let them do most of the work.  Get them started and let them fill in details.  Labeling would be GREAT.  I will ask each one who completes it to present to the class.  We do a lot of presenting of our work.  It gives them a sense of pride, and confidence talking to the class.

Mr. M.

IXL Math Introduction

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Today we read My Family.  For handwriting it was capital “K”.  Children had PE today and judging by the sweaty heads it was a good workout for all, including Mr. Ken.  Today in the computer lab I had some help from Thomas and Jack’s mom, Anna, and from Rutger’s mom, Kristine.  I gave the kids a preview of the IXL math program in the morning.

IXL is meant to be done at home with a parent since the program does not read    the problems to them.  Much of IXL does not require the students to read and they quickly get the hang of it.  But some guidance from you early on will help them understand and be successful as they move along at a self directed pace.  Sabrina was the first student to hit the 100 problem mark of successful answers having jumped on it last night at home.  When the children hit these milestones I get an email and print out a certificate and we celbrate in the class during morning group.  IXL will not be a part of our regular computer lab time.  Students will  do it on the classroom computers but I want you to encourage them to use it at home, especially if they may be struggling somewhat with math.  Again as with any of the on-line programs, if you need some direction as parents please see me.

In Envision math we did Lesson 2-3.  I am going to repeat this lesson tomorrow.  Just as I expected, some students are having a hard time with the concept of more and less.  It’s the basis of addition and subtraction so it’s important for them to visualize this. In the classroom I use connecting cubes to demonstrate    The children also have cubes on their desks to help.  At home any objects can be used to help them understand more or less.  Today I used the example of having 3 cookies and if I ate 1 of them I would have 1 fewer, and thus have 2 cookies left.  Look at their worksheets and you will see how the problems are worded and how I have marked them to show each how to solve and think about the problem

In Social Studies we continued on our community unit with the concept that people are the most important elements of any community, be it Duvall, our classroom or our homes.  So we added people to our community board outside the classroom.  Look for your child’s house on the street they selected to move in. Flip up the house and under is the family (yours) that live there.  We will continue to build our community and talk about those things that compose a neighborhood and a community.

FYI I have scheduled our first field trip to Tolt/McDonald Park in Carnation on October 4th at 10:00 AM with Nature Vision.  While the weather is good we will go on a guided nature walk and look at some animal pelts and skulls, and then have lunch there.  After it is always a treat to stop at Taylor Park for some fun.  I am looking for parents who can drive or chaperon.  I will be sending home a permission slip shorty.

Reminder- tomorrow is Friday and Show and Tell.  Encourage them to bring something that is unique and special to them to share with the class should they wish to.

Mr. M