Luca's Adventures with Flipper

Flipper’s Adventures with Luca

Friday

After school I walked home with Flipper. When we got home we played hockey outside. Flipper tried to be goalie and did a pretty good job. Then we went inside and had some hot chocolate. I went to put away my backpack and when I came back Flipper was fishing in my fish tank! His “fishing rod” was string tied to the back of a paintbrush. I took it out of the water and told him not to do it again. Later that night we made muffins, watched a movie and ate dinner. Then we went to bed.

Saturday

In the morning Flipper and I took our dog Lola for a walk with my mom. We stopped by Panera.  I got a cinnamon roll to share with Flipper and we bought my brother an orange scone. Flipper liked the cinnamon roll but he still wanted fish. A little while after we got home, I found him in front of my fish tank looking at the fish again! I explained to him that our fish Houdini isn’t Flipper food. After lunch Flipper and I went to Mick’s house and played street hockey and video games. When I came home Flipper and I made cookies.  We ate dinner, (Flipper had fish) we played some monopoly and then went to bed.

Sunday

I woke up early and went downstairs to watch the Olympic hockey gold medal game. Canada won the game 3-0! I was so excited! Then later we played hockey on an outdoor ice rink. Later we went to a market in Chicago called Eataly and it had many delicious foods. Matteo, Flipper and I had Nutella crepes.  They were amazing.  As we walked through the store Flipper found that they were selling big cans of fish. He wanted to buy some but I said no because it was too expensive ($104!).
When we got home we ate focaccia and soup for dinner.  Flipper must have still been hungry because I found him in front of the fish tank AGAIN! This time he was trying to use a strainer as a net. I guess he really wanted fish. Then my mom got out a can of fish from the cupboard that he could eat. Flipper was super happy.  It was great that Flipper could come to my house.  I hope I can see him again soon.

Career Day!

Students came to school today dressed and prepared for all different types of careers! We had everything from athletes and businessmen to musicians and civil servants, with everything in between. 

Of course there were some students who just wanted to hold onto their childhood for as long as possible!

Mick's Adventures with Flipper

On Friday I took Flipper home with me. We were excited to spend our weekend with Flipper. First we played hockey on the driveway with my Dad. I was goalie and my Dad was the shooter. I made some good saves and Flipper thought it looked really fun. After that I had pizza with Flipper. Flipper liked the pizza with green peppers. After that, Flipper and I watched videos. We also had to go to bed early because we had a soccer game at 7:00 am.

I got up early and Flipper did too. I got all my soccer stuff on and went to YMCA. We lost the game, but we worked very hard while Flipper watched. Then, we went to IHOP. Flipper took like three hours to choose his meal. Well, maybe less. After that we went to play hockey and after that we had lunch, THEN PLAYED MORE HOCKEY!!! Flipper liked watching us play hockey. After that we had a quick dinner and went to Orbit Skating Center. Flipper thought it was so cool at Orbit and wanted to skate, but we could not find any skates his size. Then we went back home and went to bed.

Sunday we went to Luca’s house to play hockey. I was goalie for the whole time, but then we had to leave for the Wolves’ game. Flipper and I sat behind the penalty box. It was the Milwaukee Admirals vs. the Chicago Wolves. I was cheering for the Admirals and Flipper was cheering for the Wolves. Flipper kept on cheering for the Wolves until Skates bit him and started eating him, but Skates could not get him in his belly and barfed him out. So then we cheered for the Admirals, but the Wolves won 3 to 2, so we went home and got ready for bed.

Then we got up on Monday and Flipper wanted to try my goalie mask on but got stuck inside. I took it off and then we went skate hunting. We could not find a size for him, but they could find a size for me. Then I looked at goalie pads, goalie gloves, and blockers. Then I went to Andrew’s house, but Flipper was tired, so my Dad brought him home and a couple hours later we went to bed to get ready for tomorrow. 

Recent Classwork

Students worked in groups to summarize the main events that occurred in each of the chapters of the book My Name is Maria Isabel. They then identified a character trait that the main character demonstrated or possessed during each event. Students were then able to refer to this chart while working on their responses to literature during writing.

During our science unit the students used light sensors to detect the amount of light that was able to pass through each of the objects. This helped us to determine if the objects were opaque, translucent, or transparent.

After reading a Time For Kids magazine about the winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, the class designed their own gold medals, created new Olympic events, and explained if they preferred the summer or winter Olympics. 

During reading, we learned about literal and figurative language. Students illustrated different idioms, showing their two different meanings.

Weekly Crandall Chronicle

What's Happening This Week

Spelling: Our spelling pattern this week includes words with the soft g and soft c sounds. (c as in city and g as in gems)
Reading: This week we are focusing on comparing and contrasting main ideas, details, and story elements. For vocabulary we are practicing creating and using contractions.
Writing: We have been working hard on writing responses to literature for the book My Name is Maria Isabel by Alma Flor Ada. Each student has made a claim about a character trait that the main character possesses. In their responses they are using specific evidence from the text to support their claims. They are also adding explanations to explain how the examples from the book show the specific character trait. At the end of the week we will be working on adding strong leads and snappy endings to their writing pieces.

The February Writing words test will be Thursday, February 27th.Grammar: Our focus is identifying and correctly using helping verbs in sentences.
Math: This week students will be learning about a variety of concepts through short mini-lessons. These topics include fractions, story problems, and probability. They will also continue to practice math extended response questions, which require them to use more critical thinking and for students to explain not only how they solved the problem, but also why they did each step that they did.   
Social Studies: The West states and capitals flash cards and review sheets were sent home on Tuesday. The test covering these states and capitals will be the week before spring break.

Weekly Reminders

* The February Student Challenge was sent home a few weeks ago. To complete this challenge, students will select 8 countries they would like to "follow" throughout the Winter Olympics. They will predict which of the countries will win the most medals and then tally the number of medals that each country is awarded. This will be due after the closing ceremony. 

* Please continue to have your child practice spelling words, writing words, states and capitals, and math facts regularly.

Study Tip

We will begin a research project next week that focuses on student interest and questions they have about the world around them. Each child has filled out an interest survey in class that will help them to generate a list of ideas and topics that is of interest. In addition to this, the students have a "Daily Wonder" journal, which is being kept in their take home folders. This is a place where ideas and wonders can be recorded both at school and at home. The topics can be about anything, so please ask your child to share what he or she has already wondered about and encourage him or her to add more throughout this week and next. Take time to share with them some of the things you wonder about too, no matter how ridiculous they may seem! :)

Kate's Adventures with Swinger

Friday, after school we went straight home.  We had to get our snacks quickly so that we could get in the car.  I told Swinger that we were going to Madison, Wisconsin.  Swinger was very excited.  It was a long car ride.  When we got there we went to my cousin’s school.  We went there because they were having a school fair.   Swinger and I played some games and ate dinner there.  I won a wooden airplane at the fair.  Swinger didn’t win anything so I gave him one of my tootsie rolls.  We went back to my cousins’ house after the school fair.  My mom and my aunt went out to visit a friend when my cousins, Kenzie, Swinger and me watched a movie and played some wii.  We played wii for an hour.  The movie we watched was The Pacifier.  Swinger and I thought it was really funny.  We had to get ready for bed when my mom and aunt got back.  Swinger and I slept in my cousin’s bed.

Saturday, when Swinger and I woke up, we went downstairs.  When everyone got up we ate breakfast.  We had cinnamon rolls.  After breakfast, Swinger wanted to play a quick game of pool.  Swinger won.  We had to get dressed so we could go to the mall because my cousin had to find a dress and sweater.  We met some seeing eye dogs in training.  We looked at lots of stores.  Swinger, Kenzie, my other cousin, and I went to a toy store for a little bit because we were bored.  After a little bit we went to get lunch.  Swinger and I had Rocky’s pizza.  After lunch we went to see my great grandpa.  He is almost 97!  We talked for a long time.  Swinger even took a picture with him.  We had to leave WI after that.  Swinger and I said goodbye to the cousins and got into the car for the ride home.  When we got home, Swinger met my dad.  We drew a picture to send to my great grandpa then we watched some basketball with dad.  Later we watched the Olympics.  We had dinner and got ready for bed.  Swinger and I were really tired because we had a really big day.

Sunday, Swinger and I got up early because I had two soccer games.  Swinger and I ate breakfast and then got dressed for my soccer games.  Swinger was very excited to see me play.  I won my first game 10-1.  Swinger was very happy.  I lost my second game 6-7.  I scored 3 goals in the first game and 1 goal in the second game.  When we got home we had lunch, watched more of the Olympics and we each took a bath.  Later we played some wii.  We had roast beef for dinner and then Swinger and I read and watched some tv before bed.

Monday, we got up and got ready for school.  We had to take my sister to math before it was time to go to Dryden.  Swinger and I met up with my friends to walk to school.  We had a great weekend!

Peter's Adventures with Swinger

On Friday I got to bring Swinger home with me.  When I got home, I introduced him to my mom, dad and yiayia.  That night, we ordered pizza like we do every Friday night.  Swinger sat at the kitchen table with us while we had our dinner.

On Saturday, we started our day by going out to breakfast at Egg Harbor.  Swinger got to see a lot of people since it was so crowded at the restaurant.  After breakfast we had a lot of errands to do.  First we went to Mariano's, then we went to Costco and our last stop was  Whole Foods.  Swinger really liked being in the car.  My mom and dad had to remind him to wear his seatbelt!  Later that night, we went to Wild Fire for dinner.  We all had filets.  It was so good!

On Sunday we went to go and see my great grandma.  She is going to be 90 years old at the end of the month.  She liked Swinger and she even read us a story.  After we left my great grandma's we came home and played XBox.  Swinger liked watching me and was cheering me on to beat my dad.  While we were playing XBox, I found out that I didn't have school on Monday and Tuesday because it was going to be so cold out.  Swinger was so excited that he got to spend two extra days with me.  Later that night, my nana and papa came over for dinner.  My mom made all of us leg of lamb, roasted Greek potatoes and spinach pie.  Swinger got to sit right next to me at the dinner table.  

On Monday, we woke up and had breakfast.  Since it was so cold out we couldn't go any where.  We spent the day watching movies and helping my mom with all the laundry.  

On Tuesday, we woke up and had breakfast.  It was colder than it was on Monday.  We could not go anywhere.  My cousin Mason came over and we played games and watched some movies.  Swinger liked being with us boys!  I am really going to miss having Swinger around!

What Can We Do on these Cold Days?

Weekly Crandall Chronicle

What's Happening This Week

Spelling: Our spelling pattern this week includes words with the /ou/ sound.
Reading: This week we are focusing on drawing conclusions and identifying the moral of a story using fables. For vocabulary we are practicing using context clues to determine the meaning of words with multiple meanings. 
Writing: We recently finished reading the book My Name is Maria Isabel by Alma Flor Ada. The students have been summarizing key parts of the chapters and identifying character traits that the main character possesses. We will begin working on writing our responses to literature, in which students will make a claim about the main character, Maria Isabel, and use evidence to support their claims. 
Grammar: Our focus is identifying and correctly using linking verbs in sentences.
Math: This week students will be learning about a variety of concepts through short mini-lessons. These topics include congruent shapes, volume, and fractions. They will also be introduced to math extended response questions, which require them to use more critical thinking and for students to explain not only how they solved the problem, but also why they did each step that they did.   
Science: We will be having our second light test on Friday, February 14th. A review guide will be completed today in class and will be sent home with your child. Concepts on this test will include identifying objects as opaque, translucent, and transparent; modeling how light travels, and using key vocabulary from this unit. These vocabulary words can be found on the tab above called "Science."
Social Studies: The NE states and capitals test will beThursday, February 13th.

Weekly Reminders

* The January Student Challenge involved observing spinning circles called Benham spinners. If your child has not yet turned in his/her observations and would still like to participate in the challenge, please make sure they are turned in by Friday. I will be doing a demonstration with these spinners in class, so if your child does not have the opportunity to view them at home, he/she will be able to experience this neat activity in class. 

* The February Student Challenge was sent home last week. To complete this challenge, students will select 8 countries they would like to "follow" throughout the Winter Olympics. They will predict which of the countries will win the most medals and then tally the number of medals that each country is awarded. This will be due after the closing ceremony. 

Study Tip

The students are working in class on extended response questions in the areas of both reading and math. We are practicing the process of answering these questions with a specific formula or steps. In class we are highlighting the various steps in different colors to help the students visualize their answer and check that they have included each necessary part. Please review these problems with your child once the papers are sent home. This will help them to remember and better understand the process.

Here are the meanings of the different colors:

Reading

pink = beginning and closing sentences (use words from the question in a statement)

blue = book / a specific example from the passage

yellow = you / an explanation of how this example supports the answer 

*** The sequence should usually be as follows for most responses: P, B, Y, B, Y, B, Y, P

Math

purple = beginning sentences (states what the child is trying to solve) and answer (with a unit)

green = what steps were taken to solve the problem

orange = why those steps were taken

*** The sequence should begin and end with P. G and O should alternate multiple times.

Chicago Symphony Orchestra

We had a terrific time watching the Chicago Symphony Orchestra play at Orchestra Hall during our field trip on Friday! The musical selections focused on New World Music and there was even a little comedy thrown into the concert with some alien performances.