Ms. Neal

Week of May 14

Goodbyes are tough for me, so I'll wait til next week!  This will be our last full week of Target. Students will be bringing home their portfolios and thumbdrives.  Now, for the details . . .

Third Grade

We had a second great trip on the river last week!  The weather was perfect - not too hot and not too cold!  Thank you to our wonderful parent volunteers:  Kelvin Rivers, Eric Daugherty, Jennifer Benson, Andrew Baillie, Curry Mura, Dana DeWeese, Julie Thomas, Al Meadows, Brigit Wardrop and Tara Riddle!  You all worked, as my momma would say, "Like a well-oiled machine!"  Thank you so much!

We will take our final River Kids hike this week.  There are a few schedule changes for our hikes.  Tuesday's class will depart at 9:00 to accomodate Mrs. Salo's author's tea.  Friday's class will depart at the normal time, 8:30.  Students will need their boots, gloves, extra socks and water if they tend to get a bit parched!  :)

Please mark your calendars for our Morning of Memories on Tuesday morning, May 22 at 8:30 in the Media Center.  Students will share memories from River Kids and the rafting trip.  We will end with a light and sound slideshow!  We hope all of you will be able to attend!  Please bring Grandma, too!

Fourth & Fifth Grades

This will be our last week of Target for our fourth and fifth graders. All three classes will be abbreviated due to various school events. We have adjusted the schedule to complete the tasks needed for our day. The day will begin with the Transforming Transportation presentations where teams will be assessed on creative and evaluative thinking, concepts, open-ended tasks, commitment to task and working cooperativity. We will end the day with teams demonstrating their robotics skills through either completing the obstacle course or solving one of the Smart Move missions. These will be busy days, therefore, students may come in the morning before the bell rings to work on either presentations or programming. 

Our read aloud for the majority of the year has been Barry & Pearson's Peter and the Starcatchers, the story of Peter Pan. We thought you would like to know that Peter Pan will be performed at the Fox Theater in August. Tickets have just gone on sale! 

Week of May 7

We are on the home stretch now . . . rafting trip 2, preparing for presentations, robotics competition and resting a moment or two along the way.  Full speed ahead!

Third Grade 

Please mark your calendar for Morning of Memories - Tuesday, May 22 at 8:30 in the Media Center.  Students will share memories from their year as River Kids and from the rafting trips. We will end with presentations and a light and sound video from our year.  We hope each of you will be able to attend! 

We had a wonderful time on last week's rafting overnight!  It was a bit hot, but all present were happy campers!  The time on the river was magical!  I want to thank our wonderful parent volunteers who offered these two days to make this trip a reality!  Thank you to David Moser, Elizabeth Greer, Robin Doucette, Christopher Stanton, Anne Brady, Patti Fertig, Debra Buker, Liz Liotta, Tim Johnson and Matt Wheelis!  You were a gift to our students and to Christy and me!  Thank you.

May 10-11 Rafting Trip #2

We will depart on Thursday for our second rafting trip.  Please check the rafting trip page for the packing list and specific details concerning this trip.  http://tritt.typepad.com/neal/rafting-trip-2012.html.   

Fourth and Fifth Grade

Students will have the morning to work on preparing and rehearsing their group's presentation.  Each group will present the research they've conducted on their selected mode of transportation, an issue with its safety or efficiency, and an innovative solution they propose to solve the problem.  Ms. Wilson and I have challenged each group to make their presentation without the use of modern technology. Creative thinking is key! The kids have really impressed us with their ideas and cooperation. 

In the afternoon, groups will work to program their robot to complete the obstacle course laid out on the floor and/or the Smart Move Lego challenge.  This challenge involves various missions where students experience getting their robot to gain access to places and things while avoiding or surviving impacts.  Students have been working diligently and cooperatively!! :)

Have a great week!

 

Week of April 30

I want to thank the second, third, fourth and fifth grade teachers and students and Ms. Wilson for being willing to switch their classess during the next two weeks to accomodate our third grade overnight rafting trips!  Change is not easy . . . these teachers have been more than willing to adjust as needed!

Third Grade

Our first rafting trip departs tomorrow morning.  Please check the rafting page to the right of this blog for the recent update from yesterday morning.  You will find info on packing, arrival, return, medications and other tips in preparing for the trip.  Thank you for your support!  We are all excited for the journey to begin!

Morning of Memories - Please mark your calendars for our Morning of Memories on May 22 at 8:30 am in the Media Center.  Students will share journal entries, memories and songs from River Kids and the rafting trip. We will end with a multi-media slide show.  I hope each of you can attend! 

Fourth & Fifth Grade

Schedule Changes - Wednesday's fourth graders will come on Friday of this week.  Next week, Thursday's fifth graders class come on Tuesday. 

Teams will begin preparation for the Transforming Transportation presentations.  They will brainstorm a solution to the main problem with their mode of transportation.  We are requiring them to present without the use of technology for this project.  We can't wait to see their creativity in other ways!  Once teams have completed the obstacle course, they will be introduced to the Smart Move challenge which will require more indepth use of their programming skills.   

Have a great week!  We will send your greetings to the Hooch! 

Week of April 23

I hope you are staying in Kansas with Dorothy & To To too, with the wind gusts as they are tonight! Sissy's not so sure about this weather.  I am enjoying the unpredictability of each new day. I think there are life lessons to be learned in this. Okay, I will move ahead with Target this week . . .

Third Grade

We will delve a bit further in Hands-on Equations this week.  Students will have problems that use legal moves removing numbers and pawns.  They will work with problems using the distributive property.  If time permits, we will try a few word problems using their kits. We will end the day researching the Chattahoochee River. It seems fitting to spend time studying the river we will visit during the next few weeks!

Rafting Trip  - All medication for students attending the May 1-2 trip is due this Wednesday, 4/25 to Nurse Kamal.  Please check the rafting trip page for information regarding over-the-counter and perscription medications.  Nurse Kamal has a letter that will help you know which form to complete and what is needed.  Next week is our first trip!  The packing list is located on the rafting page.  We will post again this weekend as we hear more of what the weather will be like.  Please check the rafting page again on Sunday for updated info.  

Fourth & Fifth Grades

Monday's class spent the afternoon programming their robots to solve the obstacle course in the classroom.  Two groups were successful!  It was quite the noisy group!  Wednesday's and Thursday's classes will have a full day.  They will complete their individual research to support the group's project/presentation.  If students are not finished with their research, they will be asked to complete this at home this week.  We will introduce the Smart Move robotics challenge beginning Wednesday.  This challenge involves various missions where students experience getting their robot to gain access to places and things, while avoiding or surviving impacts!  This will be a fun-filled week!  For more pictures, see the robotics page!

Week of April 16

CRCT testing takes place this Wednesday, April 18 through Tuesday, April 24th.  During those days, we will meet our students for the last half of the day.  There will be no homework assigned during testing.  Our lunch time during CRCTs will be from 11:02-11:32. 

Third Grade

We will have our River Kids hike this week for Tuesday's class.  We will depart at 8:30 and return by 10:15.  Please make sure your child has their boots, gloves, extra pair of socks and wears their Adopt-a-Stream shirts.  I will take photos tomorrow to use in our end of the year slideshow.  Both classes will complete their My Life is Like a River projects.  If time permits, we will begin a research project on the Chattahoochee River. 

Rafting Trip:  The remaining trip fee of $30 is due on Tuesday, 4/17.  We would like to meet with our parent volunteers on Wednesday morning, April 25th at 7:20 a.m to go over last minute details for the May trips.  If you would like to see the packing list for the trips, feel free to download it from my rafting page.  Please check the rafting trip page on my blog for updated info regarding the trip.  We have important information regarding student medication for overnight trips. The county has specific guidelines. Medications and approriate forms need to be given to Nurse Kamal on the Wednesday before each trip. 

Fourth & Fifth Grades

We'll see each fourth and fifth grade class 1.5 days over the course of the next two weeks.  During CRCT testing days, we'll see our students half-day.  This week, Wednesday and Thursday's class will meet me at the cafeteria for lunch at 11:00 unless everyone finishes testing beforehand. Ms. Wilson and I have talked about research and robotics as related to how much class time we have as well as how students will feel after a morning of testing. :) This week...

Monday and Tuesday:  Research due, robotics in the afternoon (if research is complete)

Wednesday and Thursday:  Robotics in the afternoon, research due in class next week

Students are working to complete their portion of the research on the group's transportation topic. Each member's research will be used in creating the team's presentation.  Teams have made considerable progress with programming the past couple of weeks!  This week, many groups will have finished creating the programs for moving forward, forward and reverse, making a turn, and a loop.  They will use this understanding to create a program that enables their robot to navigate an obstacle course. 

Please let me know if you have any questions.  Have a great week!

Week of April 9

We could not have asked for a more beautiful spring break than we had last week! I hope you all had the time you needed for fun, rest and relaxation! I was able to spend a few days on Pawley's Island in South Carolina. The sunrises and full moon over the water was such special events! While visiting the little shops on the island, I found an old anchor which now has made its home in our harbor. I can't wait to share it with my students!

Third Grade

We will finally have time to work on our Life is Like a River projects this week. Students will reflect on the people and events in their lives that have shaped who they are today.  They will pick those representing their headwaters, tributaries, river channels, floodplains, river banks and the deltas in their lives. I look forward to knowing my students better through this activity! We will have a mini-lesson on note-taking to prepare for more in-depth research. Our desire is to help students learn how to take notes from text using their own words and then to learn what method works best for them when taking notes.  

River Kids - Friday's class will go to the creek this week on April 13th due to CRCTs next Friday. Please note the change of date from the original schedule. Tuesday's class will go next week, 4/17. Students will need to their Adopt-a-Stream shirts, boots, gloves and extra pair of socks. We will go from 8:30-10:00.  Please listen to the weather so they will have what they need. Thank you!

Fourth & Fifth Grades 

Transforming Transportation Project:  Students will continue to work on responding to their individual research questions. They are using a mind-map or a research grid to take the notes from the internet. We are accessing the internet through Cobb Virtual Library links to Sirs Discoverer and Mas Ultra.  These search engines have been helpful resources for this unit! 

Programming:  Teams will use a Robolab training video to help them learn how to create basic programs such as moving forward, going forward and reverse, creating point turns and using modifiers. They will begin creating programs to follow an obstacle course on the floor of our classroom. Here are a few pictures today from Monday's class . . .

 

Week of March 26

Flowers are blooming, pollen is stirring and my students are doing the same!  It must be spring! Spring break is upon us.  I cannot believe how quickly this year has gone by!  We have a busy week in Target ahead of us, we'll keep them busy til the end!  

Third Grade

"Over the river and through the woods to Chimney Springs Creek we go!"  We are going to the creek on Tuesday. Students will need their boots, gloves and extra pair of socks. Please let me know if it is not best for your child to go this week due to pollen allergies. We will end the day with the My Life is Like a River project. I will miss my Friday's class this week due to Arts in Eduation Day. I plan to join them for a few of their sessions on Friday.

Thank you for turning in the rafting trip forms and submitting the deposit last week. I heard from many of our students how they are helping earn part of the trip fee.  Thank you for supporting this and allowing your child to participate in the process. We are moving forward with our plans and look forward to sharing this time with your children and many of you as well!  Thank you!

Fourth & Fifth Grades

Research:  Robotics teams will finalize topics, create guiding questions and begin individual research for the Transforming Transportation project. Students may choose between using a research grid or a mind-map for their notes. We are using various note-taking methods with our students in order to give them opportunities to find out what works best for their learning style. I began using mind-maps in graduate school, took all my notes in this manner, and it made all the difference for me. While some of these methods may be new, we hope one method will connect with them and give them options as they move forward into middle school.  

Robotics:  Students will begin learning how to program their robot to do simple tasks such as moving forward, backwards and turning to the left and the right. We are using a Robolab video trainer created by Carnegy Mellon University to learn these skills.

Summer Headwaters Trip:  We have a few spots available for students who would like to explore the Chattahoochee Headwaters with Jerry Hightower and me. This will take place June 7-9th. Please check out the Headwaters Trip page to the right if your child is interested.  We would love to have your fourth or fifth grader join us!  

Week of March 19

What a joy it was to see so many of our students in last week's performance of Beauty and the Beast! They were absolutely amazing! I felt like we were watching a performance at the Fox! I am so proud of them.

I want to wish my fifth graders a wonderful Driftwood trip this week.  May you have beautiful weather, time to get to know each other a little better and a new understanding of the life that lives on the coast of Georgia.  I love our barrier islands and wish I could be there with you!

This week you will be receiving your child's report card. I will have a conference with each of them in class. Please sign the attached slip to let me know you have reviewed it with your child.  Thank you!

Third Grade

The rafting trip permission forms and deposit of $35 is due Tuesday, March 20. Please let me know if your child will not be attending the rafting trip, so we can plan accordingly. We hope our third graders are working at home and in the neighborhood to raise a portion of the trip fee. Their participation in this will help it be a more meaningful experience. Thank you for your support in this!  

This week students will compare their lives to a river. They will create a river that represents their lives and determine the people and events that have influenced them to become the person they are today. The people and events will represent the tributaries that impact the flow of the river.  I love the symbolism in this activity!  I look forward to hearing about the important people that have had such an impact on their lives!  

Friday's class will go to the creek this week.  Next Friday will be Arts in Education Day, therefore, we will not have Target that day.  Tuesday's class will go to the creek next week on 3/27. Please remind your child to pack their boots, gloves, extra socks and have out their t-shirt the night before!  

Fourth & Fifth Grades

The transportation security assignment is due this week. Students may demonstrate their understanding by taking notes using an outline, creating a mind-map or by taking a quiz in class.  

Tranforming Transportation Research - Now that each team has selected their mode of transportation and determined a problem, they will determine what they need to know and will create essential questions to guide their individual research. The questions will be divided among team members. Students may choose a note-taking method; either a mind map or a research grid that works best for their learning style.  

Robotics - Teams will begin programming using the Robolab software.  They will view training videos from the Carnegie Melon website to help them understand how to create programs.  

Have a great week!

Week of March 12

Daylight savings time has taken its toll on me today! With a little more rest, I hope to adjust to the time change soon! My Monday class walked in this morning and thought we should have nap time like they did in kindergarten. I liked that idea. They crack me up!

Third Grade

This week our third graders will think like a macroinvertebrate. They will select a mac and write a persuasive letter to mankind from the point of view of their macroinvertebrate. They should be close to completing their bug book this week.  We will continue to move ahead with Hands-on Equations, a hands-on approach to algebra.  Students will learn their first "legal move" this week.  

Rafting Trip News

Thank you to the following parents who will be our chaperones this spring!  

May 1-2 trip includes:  Matt Wheelis, Christopher Stanton, David Moser, Robin Doucette, Elizabeth Greer, Tim Johnson, our full trip chaperones and overnight chaperone, Anne Brady.  Thank you to Debra Buker for being willing to shuttle our parents from the outtake at Cumberland to the input at Powers Landing!  Also, we need one more tent for the boys!

May 10-11 trip includes full trip chaperones:  Kelvin Rivers, Eric Daugherty, Andrew Baillie, Jennifer Benson, Curry Mura, Dana DeWeese, and overnight chaperone, Al Meadows.  We need one more mom to stay overnight from 5:30 pm, May 10 through the remainder of the trip - noon on May 11. It would help us greatly to have a parent or two available to shuttle our parents from Cumberland to Powers Landing.  

Please let me know if you can help with any of these needs.  Thank you!

Fourth and Fifth Grade

**Note:  The 'Transportation Security' website is up and running!  The deadline has been extended for students; the assignment will actually be due next week.  As stated in Sunday's update, any student who has completed a mind map or outline may submit it now; any student who's chosen to take a quiz and is ready may do so this week. 

Groups in all classes will finalize their transportation research topics this week.  Before finalizing a topic, they'll have browsed tracks we created on Trackstar, narrowed down topics, and scanned articles to determine available information.  I'll talk with each group to make sure they've thought through their choice (Is this topic relevant to you?  Are you interested in researching this topic in-depth and long-term?) and that there is sufficient information on the one they've chosen.  At the same time, we're strengthening information literacy skills as we discuss narrowing a topic, using appropriate resources, modifying search terms, and 'scanning' articles for relevance.  If time permits, students will formulate essential questions to guide their research. 

Monday's class began construction on their first robot today.  All other classes will engage in a simulation to understand what it's like to be a robot with limited mobility and senses.  They'll then be introduced to the Robolab software.  Using the basic programs included in the firmware, groups will compare the speed and maneuverability of the tankbot and scooter.  Their observations will help them gain greater understanding of how different parts work and determine modifications they wish to make for future tasks. 

Fifth grade students and parents:  Because the Driftwood trip is next week, we've worked out a schedule change with the 5th grade teachers.  Monday's class will come on Thursday, and Thursday's class will come on Monday.  We're so glad students won't miss their Target day! :)

Homework:  Using the following website created by First Lego League and the Department of Homeland Security:  http://fll.mackblackwell.org/,  students are to demonstrate their understanding through their method of choice:  quiz, mind-map, or outline.  All assignments are due next week but may be submitted this week if complete. 

Have a great week!

Transportation Security Assignment Due Date Extended

Several fourth and fifth grade students and parents have had difficulty accessing the site needed to complete the Transportation Security assignment on Sunday.  We haven't been able to determine the issue.  Some of you accessed it yesterday but not today.  I was not able to access the site as well.  We've never had issues with this site before. 

Ms. Wilson and I will extend the due date a week.  Hopefully, these issues will be resolved tomorrow.  Fortunately (and unfortunately), this site is the most informative and age-appropriate one; we've had no luck in our search for a quality replacement.  If by Wednesday the site is still not accessible, we'll make alternative arrangements.  Thank you for your patience!  We hope this helps!

Students who have completed a mindmap or outline or who are ready to take a quiz may satisfy the requirements without delay.  We look forward to seeing these assignments.

Have a great week!