Another lovely weekend in paradise! I could get used to this!
This week, we will have spelling/vocab again as we continue to read Harriet the Spy in class. We will also look at fables, and what makes them different from fairy-tales, tall tales and legends. Students will continue to engage in discussion about our novel, and perhaps, have a quiz.
Mrs. Jenkins would like all students to bring their flashdrive and project/book report to class to work on typing it. Even if they have completed it, students should bring a copy to Technology. They can work on editing and ramping up the vocabulary.
A parent asked about using the website Prezi (http://prezi.com/) for the fable presentation. I looked it up and it is an awesome sight. I highly recommend everyone check it out. I was informed that I will not be able to use Youtube in class this year, which is a major disappointment for me, as there is a wealth of useful videos available for free to teachers.
Vocabulary/Spelling
Week of 9/24/2012 from Harriet
the Spy
4A (13 sentences) and 4B (14 sentences)
nervous
approached
loathe
crossly
continued
peculiar
restrain
triumph
consoled
unconcerned
pompously
arrogantly
spewed
discreetly
distributed
annoying
dilapidated
Vocabulary/Spelling
Week of 9/24/2012 from Harriet
the Spy
(15 sentences)
4C
simultaneously
decisively
loathe
crossly
careened
restrain
triumph
consoled
pompously
arrogantly
spewed
discreetly
distributed
iniquity
unmitigated
exceedingly
dilapidated
Dates to remember:
*Emergency Evacuation practice during carpool: 9/25, beginning at 3:05. We will practice the emergency evacuation plan, please be patient and remember, safety first!
*1st Book Report and Fable Project (2 different assignments) : due 10/05 (see blog or handout for more information on this or any other book report assignments)
*Picture Day: 9/27
*Scholastic Bookfare: 10/8-10/12
*Report Cards/Awards Day: 10/26
This was e-mailed to everyone who's e-mail address I have:
A note about he progress report that went home on Friday: they are somewhat deceptive. I spent the first two weeks of school getting to know and assessing students. There are fewer grades on the progress report than there usually are and, therefore, they count for more than they normally would. That said, I do tend to have longer term assignments and fewer assessments than students and parents are accustomed to. I believe this approach benefits students ability to truly understand and absorb information. Grades will fluctuate throughout the year.
Dear Parents,
Regarding Grades and grading for the 2012-2013 school year: This
year, North Carolina has begun implementing the Common Core Standards for all
grades. The EOG testing this year will be reflective of the changed curriculum.
What does this mean for you? Standards have been raised and grading will
reflect this. This does mean students aren’t working or trying as hard as they are
able. It is just a reflection of the higher standards that the state is now
requiring from all students and from their teachers. Grades should be tied to
EOG results, at least to a degree. There are always students who do magnificent
work in class and who just don’t test well, but that is the exception. Please understand, a “B” is a good grade, it
is not reason to panic or think you suddenly have a lazy child J, you do not. I am being asked to insist that children
develop critical thinking skills to tackle the increasingly difficult nature of
the world. Students must tie their
thoughts to the reading or their writing. They must read more informational text
with a critical eye. Offering up personal stories about the reading, instead of
connections between the world and the reading, is no longer the accepted
approach to communicating understanding.
The fairness of throwing this at students and parents is a moot point.
This is the curriculum we are given and the guidelines to which we must adhere.
I understand this is somewhat tough, but ultimately, it will lead to better
students and a stronger country. We must begin to make sure our students will
be prepared for college and to compete in a changing world market. The new standards attempt to address this
issue. Here is some very good and helpful information:
NC DPI information regarding Common Core Standards:
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