Our reading Chipmunks hard at work!

2/22/2012(Happy Birthday George Washington!)

A little midweek letter, Friday February 24th will be the 100th day of school.  We will be celebrating the 100th day by making 100 day projects.  We will see where 100 steps leads us.  Please send in a ziplock filled with 100 things from home.  Sorry for the short notice! 

2/17/12

This week in 210 we had our Valentine’s Day party!  Thank you for sending in heart healthy treats!  We had a great time, we ate, chatted, and danced!  We also wrote kind words about each other.  Our students are awfully kind!  We laminated and hung our kind words in the hallway.  Our reading Squirrels worked on the /kw/qu and /hw/wh sound.  We read “Tom’s Books.” about a boy who liked to read and then became an author.  Our reading Chipmunks worked on vocabulary for our next story “Did You Know?”  They also worked on finding the main idea of a paragraph.  In math we worked on counting same and different coin combinations.  Please assist your child with this by letting them count out change if you are in a store and use some.  Our math Squirrels continued work on addition and subtraction wtih a number line.  Please don’t be surprised if you find highlighter + and – signs on your children’s hands, we are trying to show them which way to go on the number line when both addition and subtraction are presented.  If this is something you do not want us to do, please email me and we will not use this method with your child.  In science we learned about the skin.  We found out that the skin is the largest organ in the whole body and that without it we would all be lumps of muscle, bones, and blood on the ground.  In social studies we read about animal friends.  We learned that animals do not have to be of the same species to be friends with each other.  There is no school Monday February 20th for President’s Day.  Also, the Hamilton Benefit takes place on February 25th.  Get your tickets!  Have a great weekend!

2/10/12

This week in 210 our reading Chipmunks finished their famous African American research reports.  We may have them read them to the rest of the class next week.  We also read about animals that live in holes, such as the otter, the nuthatch, and ants.  Our reading Squirrels read Norman Fools the Tooth Fairy, a story about an alligator who tried to use soap and licorice to get a quarter from the Tooth Fairy.  We also concentrated on the /ar/ sound.  We are continuing to review the /th/, /sh/, and /ch/ sounds, as, they are difficult to remember when we read.  In math we continued to work on subtraction and addition.  Please work with your child to look at signs when doing math.  We use a highlighter.  Some of our math students are working on subtraction with regrouping, this is a difficult skill!  Our social studies Squirrels learned about animal teeth.  They learned how many teeth certain animals had and what the animals needed them to do.  In science we continued work on our teeth.  We played a game on the computer about the proper way to brush.  

Monday February 13th there is no school.  Tuesday February 14th is Valentine’s Day.  We will be having a party, please check your child’s backpack for a letter I sent home today.  Thanks and enjoy your 3 day weekend! 

2/2/12

Happy Groundhog day!  This week in 210 our reading Chipmunks continued their reports on famous African Americans.  Our reading Squirrels read a book about Rosa Parks and sequenced the story.  We are putting these up in the room as we get them.  We worked on the /ch/ sound as well.  In math we continued to work on addition and subtraction.  We are learning to add with larger numbers and some of us are really  understanding regrouping.   Our social studies Squirrels read a play about animals in the arctic.  We also learned about Jackie Robinson, the first African American to play baseball on the all white leagues.  February is dental health month, so our science Squirrels began to learn about the different teeth in their mouths and the functions of each tooth.  There is no school tomorrow February 3, 2012.  Next week we will have a full week.  Valentine’s Day is coming up and we will be planning something to celebrate.  We’ll keep you posted on the website.  Have a great weekend!

1/26/12

This week in 210 our reading Squirrels read a story about going all over the world to make an apple pie.  We also read a story about a bird who couldn’t get some water from a glass so she used seashells to make the water higher and was able to drink the water.  We then wrote about a time when we had a problem and solved that problem on our own.  Our reading Chipmunks began their research projects.  We are researching important African Americans, as, February begins African American History month.  We are researching Martin Luther King Jr., Barack Obama, and Ray Charles.  Our science Squirrels learned about how to keep our urinary tracts healthy.  We identified where are kidneys and bladders were and named their functions in our bodies.  Our social studies Squirrels learned about the Chinese New Year.  We found out about the celebrations and that 2012 is the year of the dragon!  We used a map to trace where a Chinese New Year parade might go, which reinforced usage of directions(north, east, south, west).  In math we continued to work on addition but sprinkled some subtraction in as well.  Subtracting can be a difficult switch, especially if regrouping is involved.  Please work on subtracting at home.  Thanks for all that you do and enjoy the three day weekend!

1/20/12

This week in 210 our reading Squirrels read Ron’s Big Mission and they sequenced the story.  We also read Some Animals and answered questions about that story.  Our reading Chipmunks finsihed reading Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key and summarized it.  They took a quiz about the book.  They also read a story in their Climbing Higher books.  In math we continued counting coin combinations.  We also worked on adding.  Our science squirrels are continuing to look at the circulatory system.  We colored a diagramof the heart, blue for the blood that has not gone through the lungs and red for blood that has.  Our social studies squirrels learned about Japanese Snow Monkeys in Scholastic News.  We took our Scantron tests this week.   Thanks for sending your children in ready to test!  We have been lucky enough to have had a rather mild winter.  It seems as though that is no longer the case and 210 is getting cold!!!  Please send a sweater/sweatshirt that your child can leave at school for the times when it is cold in our classroom.  Also, please send your child in appropriate outdoor gear for the biting cold.  Thanks and have a wonderful weekend. 

1/13/12

Happy New Year and welcome back!  We hope you had a restful break!  This week in 210 our reading Chipmunks continued to read Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key.  We wrote responses using connection, predicting, and visualization strategies.  Our reading Squirrels read a story about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  He was a great man who helped end segregation in our country.  Our social studies Squirrels continued learning about MLK.  We completed a timeline of his life.  In math we worked on addition and adding coins.  We are seeing some major improvements in both!  Our science squirrels began learning about the circulatory system.  We explored the heart on the computer.  This week we also go to see a woodwind performance, we heard music from around the world.  It sounded very nice!  Next week we will be taking the Scantron tests again.  Please make sure your child is getting enough sleep.   There is no school Monday January 16th in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 

12-23-11

Happy holidays!!!!  This week in 210 our students read Peef, a story about a bear that Santa made and ended up having to give away to make both Peef and a little girl happy.  We wrote about something we had to give up to make someone else happy.  Our reading Chipmunks also continued read Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key.  Joey got into BIG trouble this time!  The whole group learned about the gift of giving.  Keep an eye out for the things they are planning on giving their families for the holidays!  In math we continued to work on our goals from addition to multiplication.  The students are definitely making strides!  Our social studies Squirrels continued to work on December holidays.  We discussed the miracle of Hanukkah this week.  We also talked about Christmas.   Our science Squirrels have continued their inquiry into the 5 senses.  We did an experiment to see what we could hear with our eyes closed.  Today we will have our holiday party where we will dance to holiday music and make gingerbread pops.  Thanks for sending in treats to share!  Please remember to read with your child over break and to log it on the winter reading log we sent home earlier this week.  Have a safe and wonderful holiday break!!!

12-16-11

This week in 210 our reading Squirrels finished reading The Sign On Rosie’s door.  We continued to discuss her character traits.  Our reading Chipmunks continued reading Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key.  We compared ourselves to Joey.  Our Math squirrels are continuing to add with a number line.  Our math Chipmunks are working on adding with regrouping and some are even beginning to multiply!  Our Friday store has been working towards getting the students to be able to count coins, we are doing pretty well!  Our social studies Squirrels have been learning about the holidays of December.  We learned about the miracle of Hanukkah, the reason behind Christmas, and we discussed the 7 principles of Kwanzaa.  We will continue to talk about these things next week as well.  Our science Squirrels got to perform a taste experiment this week.  We tasted vinegar(sour), dark chocolate(bitter), cookies(sweet), and crackers(salty).  We wrote down our observations.  There was a new observer in 210, Elvin, he is watching us to make sure we are behaving this holiday season.  Today the students will get to watch a performance of The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe.   Please remember that our students are going outside for recess, please send them with the appropriate winter clothing.  Try to stay warm this weekend and again, thank you for all that you do!

12-9-11

This week in 210 our class watched Pippi Longstocking the movie so that we could compare her to the Pippi we read about(Chipmunks) or try to find her character traits(Squirrels).  Our reading Chipmunks began a new novel Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key.  A story about a boy who is wired all of the time.  Our reading Squirrels read The Sign on Rosie’s Door, a story about a little girl who has some very interesting character traits of her own.  In math we continued to work on adding using both number lines and manipulatives.  We are working on paying attention to the numbers we need to stop on(for example 2+6 start with two and remember to stop counting when you have 6 more).  We are also broaching the subject of greater than> and less than<.  Please work with your children at home on this by asking which is more and which is less.  Our social studies squirrels are reviewing their home information.  They are also learning about the holidays of December which include Eid Al Adha, Hanukah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa.  Our science Squirrels are studying the 5 senses.  We performed an experiment where we covered our eyes and felt different objects and then described them.  That was fun!   Speaking of fun, the Winter Concert was on Wednesday!  Everyone did a wonderful job!   There are still 2 weeks until winter break, let’s remind the kids that we still have work to do!  With the weather getting much colder these days, please remember to bundle your children up, as, they will be having recess outside.  Thank you for all that you do! 

12-2-11

This week in 210 we read Bob and Jack A Boy and His Yak, a story about a boy who got the yak he always wanted and the relationship they shared.  We studied the character of Jack as a boy.  Our reading Squirrels read Let’s Help Cat, a story about friends making a pie together.  We answered comprehenstion questions and wrote about the things we like to make.  Our reading Chipmunks read Champ on Patrol, a nonfiction story about a canine watchdog and answered questions to demonstrate understanding.   Our math Squirrels have been working hard at adding with a number line.  Please work with them at home on this.  I will send number lines home next week.  Our math Chipmunks have been working on adding using carrying as well as multiplication.  We made shopping lists for the holiday and found the items in store ads to find out how much the holidays might cost.  Our “store” is coming along well and we have begun to give larger money incentives for good behavior/great behavior days, as, we have gotten larger items to “sell.”  Please encourage your child to have great behavior for these days, as, we also have our elf watching them to ensure they are demonstrating good behavior in school.   Our social studies squirrels read about the natural defenses of animals such as the puffer fish and the armadillo.  The science squirrels keep working on identifying the bones.  We have the skull down!  Thanks for all you do and enjoy your weekend!

11-28-11

Please realize that the temperature in 210 fluctuates, please send your child in layers, so they will be comfortable no matter what the temperature in the room.  Thank you.

11-23-11

Happy Thanksgiving!  We hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend!  This week in 210 our Reading Chipmunks finish Pippi Longstocking!  We summarized what we read together.  Pippi was fun to read about!    We learned about Thanksgiving this week.  We learned about how Squanto, of the Native American tribe Wampanoag assisted the Pilgrims in survival when they came to Plimoth(that’s how it was spelled back then).  We learned that the Pilgrims travelled for 66 days with little food and NO showers!  Gross!  We imagined ourselves on that boat.  Most of us decided that would be a scary situation.  Our Social Studies Squirrels learned that turkeys can fly, however they usually don’t.  They also found out that there were eels at the first Thanksgiving dinner.  We agreed that we were glad we were not there!  In math, we worked on adding using turkey feathers.  We also reviewed months of the year and time.  There were new items for sale this week!  We do enjoy our shopping!  Our Science Squirrels continued to explore the bones in the body, we played a game on the computer placing bones on the body.  That was fun!  Again, we hope you have a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving weekend.  As always thank you for all that you do!  If you have any questions or comments please email clgrobart@cps.edu .

11-17-11

A big thank you to all of the parents that came in for report card pick up!  We had a a great turn out!  This week in 210 we started to learn about Thanksgiving.  We learned that the Wampanoag Native Americans assisted the Pilgrims when they came to Plymouth.  They taught the Pilgrims how to hunt, farm, and build houses appropriate for Northeastern winters.  We also learned that there were 50 Pilgrims and 90 Wampanoag at the first Thanksgiving dinner, which was 390 years ago.  We wrote about how we celebrate Thanksgiving today and what we are thankful for in our lives.  We created a Thanksgiving graph of our(and your) favorite Thanksgiving foods. We did turkey math, which is like regular math on a turkey.  Our Social Studies Squirrels studied a map and identifed directions using a compass rose.  Our Science Squirrels created a skeleton out of parts.  Thanks again for showing up last night!   If you need to contact me feel free to email clgrobart@cps.edu.

11-15-11

Parents, if you have yet to sign up for report card pick-up, these are times that are NOT available as of this morning

2:30-2:45, 3:15-3:30, 3:30-3:45, 4:30-4:45,5:00-5:15

Please email me at clgrobart@cps.edu if you would like to schedule a time tomorrow or would like to schedule another day.  Thank you.

Please remember there is no school for students on Thursday November 10th and Friday November 11th.

11-9-11

This short week in 210 our reading Chipmunks continued to read Pippi Longstocking.  Pippi got into trouble at a coffee party!  She is always getting into trouble!  We answered whether we think she gets in trouble on purpose or if she just finds herself in situations that cause her trouble.  Our reading Squirrels began reading a book about Thanksgiving.  We wrote about who we celebrate Thanksgiving with and the foods that are included.  Our reading squirrels also got to work on the Ipads this week.  We explored writing using the Ipad.  We really enjoyed that!  In math we continued to work on time, money, and general calendar.  We also continued to work on addition.  Please work on adding at home with your child, as, this is a life skill we all need.  Our Social Studies Squirrels continued to look at community maps.  We also read about the way Pilgrims talked and compared it to the way we speak now.  Our Science Squirrels have moved on from the digestive system to the skelatal system.  Did you know that most of a person’s bones are in their hands and feet?  Please remember that report card pick up is Wednesday, Novermber 16th, please sign up for a time on the sheet I sent home today.  Also, there is no school Friday November 18th.  Enjoy your Veteran’s Day weekend and if you see one, thank a Veteran.  As always, thank you for all that you do to make our jobs easier.  If you need to contact me feel free to email clgrobart@cps.edu

11-4-11

This week in 210 was Halloween!  We had parties in our homerooms and got to dress up.  Lots of fun was had!   Our reading Chipmunks are continuing to read Pippi Longstocking.  We read about the trouble Pippi got into while at the circus, as well as how she dupped robbers in her home.  We worked on summarization of the chapters read in writing.  We also took a quiz about what we have read so far.  Our reading Squirrels read The Ugly Pumpkin, a story about a pumpkin who couldn’t find his place in the world and end up finding out that he was not a pumpkin at all, he was a squash.  We explored why the pumpkin felt sad in writing.  Our social studies Squirrels worked on community.  We explored a map and the different parts of community.  We also practiced making calls to our home numbers. In math our Squirrels continue to work on money, time, and the calendar.  We are also working on adding using a number line.  Our math Chipmunks are working on math journals and some are working on basic multiplication.   Our science Squirrels continued to work on the digestive system.  We saw a computer simulation of food going through the digestive tract.  Please remember next week is a shortened week due to the Veteran’s Day holiday, as well as a professional development day for teachers.  Thanks for all you do!  If you have any questions or comments please feel free to email clgrobart@cps.edu

10-27-2011

This week in 210 our reading Chipmunks continued to read Pippi Longstocking.  We wrote about what we would bring along on a picnic.  We also predicted where Mr. Nilsson might have gone on his picnic.  Our reading Squirrels read Dragon’s Halloween. A small chapter book about a dragon who makes a scary jack o latern out of 6 pumpkins and who unexpectedly scared his friends when a pumpkin fell on his head.  We wrote about how it would feel to not to have a costume we liked for Halloween.   Our reading Squirrels also have been working on -all words.  This was fortuitous, as, it is fall!  Our science Squirrels continued to learn about the digestive system. We assessed our knowledge of where food goes.  Next week we will be doing a kind of gross experiment, check back to find out how that went.    Our social studies Squirrels read a Scholastic News about animals.  We learned that bears eat approximately 16 fish a day to get ready for winter hibernation!  We also learned that owls are nocturnal and sleep in the day time.   In math we worked on counting by 5s and 10s using a clock and a number chart.  Please remember to send in your child’s PALA form next week.  If we have enough activity schoolwide, we could have a famous athlete visit us!  Monday is Halloween, feel free to send your child in a costume, but please remember no weapons(even fake ones, swords count) and masks will only be worn for the parade.  There will be parties on Monday, if you would like to send your child with something to share that would be appreciated.    As cold and flu season continues we encourage healthy behaviors for ourselves and our students.  Thank you for all of the work you are doing at home with your child!  If you have any questions or comments feel free to email clgrobart@cps.edu .