Mrs. Tiggs' Blog

Report Cards

2012-01-27T09:38:00.001-05:00

Earlier today I sent out an email saying that report cards would be coming home, but I've heard news that there have been some technical difficulties. Unfortunately, report cards will not be coming home today. Sorry for any inconvenience.

Farewell

2012-01-27T08:34:00.003-05:00

Sadly, today is Romantic's last day at UPA. We wish him all the best at his new school.

Talkative this week

2012-01-26T07:58:00.000-05:00

I've gotten several reports from AMPT teachers this week that the class has been "talkative." Could you please have a little talk with your child to ensure that they are expected to follow the directions of the AMPT staff. They need to be respectful and not talk when they are told not to. I appreciate your help in this effort.

In addition, for Technology, students have been asked for a few weeks to bring a book to class as a part of the project they're working on with Ms. K. Please make sure that your child has his/her book on Wednesdays.

Narrative (Report Cards) and MAP Scores

2012-01-26T07:40:00.000-05:00

Students will have report cards with them. Please check your child's ELO folder or backpack for the envelope.

http://school.discoveryeducation.com/clipart/clip/report2.html

Inside of the envelope will be the narrative with a percentage for each subject area with comments and your child's MAP scores on a report called, Student Progress Report. If you need help understanding it, there are explanatory notes at the bottom. If you need more clarification of what the MAP test is, please see the NWEA Parent Toolkit website (http://www.nwea.org/support/article/930/parent-toolkit).

State Project Help...Population Info for the 2010 Census

2012-01-25T15:26:00.002-05:00

Here is a hint to help out with finding the 2010 Census information. Go to this website and look for your state's population (on the left side of the page). That page is not the exact page that you will put on the Milestone #1 sheet, but it should give you a good start at finding the correct page. This will help you out with Milestones #1& 2.

Congrats to Briana for Passing Milestone #1

2012-01-25T10:51:00.000-05:00

Briana worked hard and passed Milestone #1 already! Great job Briana.

Thank you Romantic's Family

2012-01-25T10:26:00.000-05:00

Thanks to Romantic's family for sending in Combos as a snack. The individual bags are MUCH APPRECIATED! It makes it easy for me to get things ready for them while they are at AMPT class. Thanks so much!

AMPT Schedule change

2012-01-23T13:27:00.001-05:00

This is the new AMPT Schedule.
Monday
-Art

Tuesday-Music

Wednesday-Tech

Thursday
-Art

Friday
-Music

500-Plus Word List

2012-01-23T10:55:00.000-05:00

On some students' report cards in the comments section I mention using the 500 Frequently Used Word List to help your child practice spelling daily at home. Below is an electronic copy of the list.

Five Hundred Plus High-Frequency Words

College Project Update

2012-01-20T13:20:00.001-05:00

Everyone has finished finding the addresses and programs for their colleges! YAY!
Calvin, Romantic, Lindsay, Brooklynn, Nevaeh, and Adia are all working on addressing the envelopes. We have mailed Briana's letters out already!

Thank You Briana and Jayden

2012-01-20T12:43:00.001-05:00

Thanks to Briana and Jayden for sending in snacks. They should last through next week :)

No School Monday & Report Cards on the 27th

2012-01-20T09:00:00.001-05:00

There is no school for students on Monday, Jan. 23. It is Record's Day for teachers.

On the Friday, the 27th, students will receive their first semester report cards.

Pennies for Patients

2012-01-13T10:48:00.000-05:00

UPA is participating in fundraiser to help Leukemia patients. I am sending home the personal boxes for each student today. They can collect pennies and bring them to school for our class' box. The class that raises the most money gets a pizza party from the organization.

More information can be found here :http://www.schoolandyouth.org/school/Controller?action=loadContent&itemid=91060

Partial Quotients Method for Division

2012-01-12T14:46:00.001-05:00

College Project Updates

2012-01-12T13:20:00.002-05:00

Several people have finished finding programs and admissions office addresses already! Those people are: Dylan, Briana, Adia, Nevaeah, Romantic, Lindsay, & Alayna! Congrats to these hard workers.

The next step is to type the addresses into business letters that I have already set up in our class Google Docs account. Students will receive login information once I they pass the phase one address sheet.

Instructions on how to fill in the letter and make a copy of the letter can be found in the video below

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Your Dreams...

2012-01-11T16:21:00.000-05:00

College Project Explained

2012-01-11T16:15:00.000-05:00

On Monday we began a new project that all 4th and 5th graders will be completing. This is probably my favorite project of all time! The project consists of letter writing, a field trip, a college fair conducted by students, and making a commercial with a group. It's really exciting because students receive mail at school from the colleges. Sometimes there are boxes with lots of fun souvenirs sent by the college.

There are several parts of this project that we will be completing in school and some parts will need to be completed at home. Every student has chosen 3 states and are working on finding 1 college or university from each state.

In April, we will visit the campus of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor to see what college can be like. All phases of the project must be completed on time in order to go on the field trip. Teacher approval is required to move from one phase to the next.

Phase 1

Choose 3 colleges with programs (majors/academic programs) that are interesting to the child.
Find the Admissions Office addresses of all three colleges/universities
College ABC book with terms and vocabulary related to going to college
Write a letter to each college asking for information (& souvenirs) about the college and wait for responses. We will write & send the letters out from school.

Phase 2

Compare the information about the three colleges with assigned criteria on the Facts and Figures Sheet.
Write a feature article comparing two and pick the best one. This will be written mostly in school.

Phase 3

Field trip to U of M (cost TBA)
Create a poster or tri-fold board advertising the best college for you (out of the 3 students sent letters to).
College Fair in school

Phase 4

Commercials and website creation-the commercials will advertise colleges and universities across the country and help student around the world choose a college! We will publish the commercials on the Internet!
There will be other multimedia components that are added later for those students who work ahead.

Milestone Due Dates for the State Project

2012-01-11T14:43:00.002-05:00

We FINALLY have the milestone due dates for this semester! Here they are:

Milestone 1-Thursday, February 9th
Milestone 2-Thursday, March 22nd
Milestone 3-Thursday, May 17th State Project With All Milestones

College Project States Chosen

2012-01-11T14:37:00.000-05:00

College Project States Chosen

Thank you Briana, Brooklynn, and David

2012-01-10T13:00:00.000-05:00

Big thank yous go out to Brooklynn's family for sending in a pencil sharpener. Briana's family sent in disinfecting wipes and more snacks. Last, but not least, thanks to David's family for sending in more snacks for the class. Thanks so much!

Congrats on the Exhibition Test

2011-12-23T15:21:00.002-05:00

Students were encouraged to take notes during exibition week in order to prepare for the test. We took a test on Thursday. They were allowed to use notes to complete the test. The exhibition test was worth 18 points and there were 6 bonus points. The following people scored 18 or more points:

Nevaeh-18 points

Damarco-18 points

Adia-20.5 points

Lindsay-20.5 points

Alayna-22 points

Exhibition Photos

2011-12-23T11:44:00.001-05:00

If you took pictures or video of your child's exhibition, would you please send me copies of them? I did not remember to take photos of everyone the day of exhibitions--too many things on my mind, I guess. Thanks so much! Please send pics to: jtiggs@uprep.com

Science Video and Pictures

2011-12-23T11:31:00.001-05:00

Take a look at videos from our most recent science unit about energy. They learned about circuits, light, chemical, and electrical energy.

Art Room Donation Request

2011-12-22T17:19:00.002-05:00

The art room is in need to tissues and bandaids!

If you would like to donate to the art room, please leave your donation with the front desk or have your child bring it to Ms. Seikaly in the art room!

Thank you so much!

Thank you for the gifts!

2011-12-22T13:54:00.001-05:00

Thanks so much Damarco and his family for the silver travel mug! I love to travel and I love to have hot chocolate in a mug with me!

Thanks to Brooklynn and her family for the lovely journal! How did you know I love to write and collect interesting journals and notebooks???

Miller family, thank you for the purple notepad. Purple IS my favorite color!

I really appreciate the sentiments.

Thanks to Satchel's Family

2011-12-21T16:43:00.002-05:00

Satchel's family sent in a new game for the class to use during indoor recesses. Thanks so much!

Break Homework

2011-12-21T12:47:00.003-05:00

There will be weekend writing (on Schoology or/and in notebooks) and math homework over the break.

Here's the Weekend Writing:
Think about the hopes and dreams you wrote at the beginning of the school year.
Have you already met your hope and dream?
Is it still important, and is it still important to you?
If so, how are you going to accomplish it?
If not, what would you like to change it to?

Write at least TWO paragraphs to answer these questions,
➢ Each paragraph needs to include at least 5 complete sentences
➢ Make sure your first sentence is a topic sentence.
• Make sure to indent each paragraph and to use your margins correctly.
• Don’t forget to check your spelling, punctuation, and grammar.

The math is 2 sheets of multiplication. They can use partial products, lattice, and/or multiplication wrestling to solve the problems. Here is a tutorial on how to use the lattice method.

Important Dates

2011-12-21T12:45:00.001-05:00

Dec 26-Jan 8th-Winter Break

Jan. 9th-School Begins

Jan 10, 12, 17th-MAP Testing

Jan 16-No School MLK Day

Jan 23-No School (PD)

Jan 27-Narratives go home

Feb 23-No School (PD)

Reminders--Math test and Celebration

2011-12-21T12:44:00.002-05:00

Tomorrow the kids will take a math test based on most unit 5. Review sheets are coming home tonight in order to help them prepare for the test.

The celebration will happen from 12:30-1:30. Thanks to all of the families who have already sent in donations!

Exhibitions

2011-12-20T18:01:00.004-05:00

Exhibitions are finally over! We had some pretty interesting projects represented. Take a look on the Student Work page to view the Power Point Presentations.

Photos are coming soon!

Thanks Miller Family!

2011-12-20T10:52:00.000-05:00

We have cheese and crackers as a snack thanks to Jayden's family to last us a few days. Thank you!

State Project Information

2011-12-19T20:54:00.001-05:00

State Project With All Milestones

State new york by Kyra

View more presentations from jtiggs

100% Parent Participation! Thank you so much!

2011-12-16T10:52:00.001-05:00

I saw 100% of the families represented this week at exhibitions and learning team meetings. Thank you for taking time out to show up for your child. I am looking forward to the next round of exhibitions and learning team meetings in May.

Check out the Power Points from Exhibitions

2011-12-15T22:10:00.001-05:00

You can take a look at the Power Points from this week on the student work page. Check them out. I was able to get most of them published to the blog.

Winter Celebration Reminder

2011-12-15T21:58:00.000-05:00

The Winter Celebration is scheduled for next Thursday. Please do not forget to send the item(s) you signed up to bring. We already have enough hot chocolate. So if you signed up for that and haven't sent any in yet, you can bring something else. We still need someone to send in popcorn.If you signed up to bring something and it is not listed below, I apologize for the mistake. You can simply let me know what I left off by emailing me or writing a note.

Thanks for the Food Drive Donations

2011-12-13T16:02:00.001-05:00

Lindsay, Johanna, Romantic, and Briana all donated items for the food drive. We are at 134 items!!!

Thank you

2011-12-12T17:08:00.000-05:00

Thanks go out to Tiyonna, Briana, and Lindsay who have already brought in items for next week's Winter Celebration. I think we have enough hot chocolate already!

Another thank you goes put to Satchel's & Briana's families for the pencil donations!

Thanks for the Canned Goods

2011-12-09T11:58:00.001-05:00

Thanks to Briana, Satchel, Romantic, Alayna, Jayden and Johanna for helping us to collect 50 cans so far. We have a little ways to go win the competition though. Some classes have more than 100. We can do it!!! We still have until next Friday.

Exhibtions Start Next Week!

2011-12-08T06:42:00.001-05:00

We are very excited that exhibitions start next week. Please remember to adhere to your scheduled time. There will be no rescheduling!! An adult family representative is required to come.
At this point, your child should be rehearsing the presentation every night a few times in order to prepare for the 15 minute presentation about their How To Project. Please ask them questions that the audience might ask. Expect the unexpected questions about their projects. I ask some pretty tough questions and I don't want your child to be thrown off by any question (from me or his/her classmates).

***REMEMBER***

This is your child's time to shine. They are not allowed to get help from you during the exhbition.
They need to talk in detail and use THEIR OWN WORDS.
Students must memorize their information from the outline they turned in for Milestone #2 and any other information they will be presenting. No reading from notes is allowed! Points will be deducted if students do not have information memorized.

After the presentation, we will have a learning team meeting to discuss academic performance, behavior, and the next exhibition project. The Learning Team Meeting will last about 20 minutes. So please prepare to stay for at least 35 minutes.

Below is the schedule again.

Scholastic Book Orders are Due Tomorrow!

2011-12-08T06:38:00.001-05:00

Book orders are due tomorrow! If you child wants to place an order, you can order online or with the paper order form.

Online Ordering Information
Web address: scholastic.com/bookclubs
Class Activation Code: H7TPY

Math Facts App for Android Phones

2011-12-07T18:29:00.001-05:00

This app called, Math Practice Flash Cards, does the same thing as the Flash to Pass App that I blogged about a few weeks ago. So if you have an Android phone, try this one!

Other educational apps for the Android phone can be found at this link: https://market.android.com/developer?pub=TeachersParadise.com

Thanks to Alayna's Family

2011-12-07T18:22:00.001-05:00

Alayna and her family sent in a new board game for everyone to play during indoor recess.

Science-How do Nuclear Power Plants work?

2011-12-07T16:10:00.001-05:00

The past few days in science we talked about where electricity comes from. One origin of electricity is power plants. I showed the kids a website that talks about the Fermi Plant in Monroe.

Here is a link to DTE's page showing how Nuclear Power Plants work.

Thank you Miller Family

2011-12-07T08:41:00.001-05:00

Thank you Miller Family (Jayden's family) for sending in more Cheez-its for the class.

Other snacks that can be brought in are fruit snacks, pretzels, string cheese (I can put it in the teachers' refrigerator), granola bars (without chocolate), baked chips, veggie straws, raisins, or even popcorn.

Exhibition Rubric

2011-12-06T16:50:00.001-05:00

Yesterday I blogged about sending home a copy of the exhibition rubric that needed to be signed. Well, of course, I forgot to send it yesterday. Today I was filling in for Ms. Johnson in the office, but Ms. O (my substitute) passed the exhibition rubrics out. Your child should have it and needs to return the second page signed tomorrow. Thanks.

Congrats to Briana!

2011-12-06T16:44:00.001-05:00

We officially have our first person to pass Milestone #3 EARLY!!! Briana turned hers in last week, got feedback and fixed what needed to be fixed. She resubmitted it yesterday and she passed! Great job!

Book Fair-this Thursday

2011-12-05T19:53:00.001-05:00

Come to Our Book Fair
Family Event

You’re invited!

December 8, 2011
12:30-6:30p.m.

UPA Ellen Thompson – Gym
Come and enjoy refreshments and a surprise guest!
Cash, Credit, and Debit are all welcome

Exhibition grading

2011-12-05T09:25:00.001-05:00

Below you will find a rubric to show how your child will be scored at his/her exhibition. Please note: if your child does not receive 80% or higher, s/he will be expected to redo the parts needed until they are able to meet all standards.

This is coming home today. Please sign the second page and send that back with your child tomorrow.

How to Exhibition Rubric

Thanks to Calvin's Family

2011-12-02T15:57:00.001-05:00

to Calvin and his mom for sending in more pretzels for snack. Hurray!

New AMPT Schedule

2011-12-01T18:01:00.001-05:00

The new AMPT schedule starts Monday. See the schedule at the right. PE is Monday, so don't forget to send them with their sneakers.

Winter Celebration

2011-12-01T16:17:00.001-05:00

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Exhibition Schedule

2011-12-01T11:20:00.001-05:00

My exhibition---technical difficulties with the video

2011-12-01T10:12:00.001-05:00

Today at 9:00, Romantic's mom, Satchel's mom and Johanna's mom all came to see my exhibition along with a few parents from Mrs. Drain's class and Mrs. Drain's students. I tried making a youtube video of the whole thing, but there was some sort of technical difficulty with the video and it didn't work. :( I'm really sad, but the majority of the class was here to see it. Your child should be able to tell you what my expectations are and what the exhibition was like.

A few notes:

Students are not allowed to read from notes/papers, etc.
Students should tell what their driving question is and explain WHY they chose it
Students should memorize the information that was given in their milestone #2 (history/purpose, step-by-step directions, fun facts)
Rehearse the exhibition extensively in order to be prepared for questions.
Visual aids are to enhance the exhibition and to keep your audience involved

Below is the beginning of my exhibition.

More on Partial Products Multiplication

2011-11-30T17:51:00.001-05:00

Reminder-Exhibition Demo is Tomorrow!

2011-11-30T17:12:00.001-05:00

My exhibition demonstration is tomorrow. If you can make it, I'd love to see you. Hopefully it will make things clear regarding what is expected exhibition week.

When: 9:00

Where: Room 309

Hope to see you there!

Thanks to the Keyser Family

2011-11-30T17:10:00.001-05:00

to Romantic and his mom for sending in more pretzels for us so quickly! If you hadn't sent them, we wouldn't have snacks for tomorrow!

UPA Gives-Food Drive

2011-11-30T16:32:00.001-05:00

We're competing to bring in the most cans to donate!! UPA’s First Annual Food Drive info

Multiplication Wrestling Lightsaber Lecture

2011-11-30T15:22:00.001-05:00

The kids are learning to use the partial products method to multiply a two-digit by a two-digit number (example: 27 x 45 ). This involves breaking down the numbers into expanded form and multiplying those parts. Then you add the parts together to get the final answer.

Here's a video done by another teacher to help explain.

Mrs. Tiggs' Adventure Google Search Story

2011-11-30T09:48:00.001-05:00

We are frantically working on planning these adventure stories. To help inspire them I started my own adventure story. I showed them this trailer (that I created to go with my own adventure story) today. It's a google search movie.
To create your own, go to the You Tube Search Story Website.

Video-The Curran Challenge

2011-11-29T18:31:00.001-05:00

Watch Jeremiah go!

Snacks Needed

2011-11-29T16:50:00.001-05:00

Tomorrow we will probably run out of our class stash of snacks. If you are willing and able, please send in more dry snacks that we can share as a class. Thanks so much!!

Here are some of the items that will be on the list of healthy foods: popcorn, crackers, baked chips, pretzels, and a small pack of fruit snacks. The easiest snacks are those that are already in individual wrapped packages.

Picture Day is Tomorrow!!

2011-11-29T12:54:00.001-05:00

School pictures will be taken tomorrow. Those students who are paying for picture package, may wear whatever they like for their photos. All other students must be in normal UPA uniform.

First Comment!!!!

2011-11-29T12:50:00.001-05:00

I am so excited that Ms. Miller (Romantic's mom) has been the first one to post a comment on the blog under one of our posts!!! YAY!!!

Attendance & Absences

2011-11-28T22:09:00.001-05:00

I forgot to mention this when progress reports were sent home earlier this month, but the attendance on many people's progress reports was incorrect. There was a glitch in the system that made some it seem like some people had less absences than they truly do. So I don't want you to be surprised when the report cards come home later.

Additionally, if your child is absent, I need a written excuse, a phone call, or an email that can be noted in your child's file in order for any absence to be considered "excused."

Sample of Milestone #3

2011-11-28T20:19:00.000-05:00

Here is a sample of what Milestone #3 might look like. I will be using this in my exhibition demonstration on Thursday at 9:00.

Notice that there are NOT A LOT OF WORDS on the slides. There are pictures of me showing the step-by-step directions. I have not copied and pasted any text from any website or book. Everything is in my own words.

As an added bonus, when I copied someone else's picture from the web, I put the website underneath the picture where I got the image (for most). That way I am not stealing or plagiarizing anyone else's work.

Turning in Milestone #3 on Schoology

2011-11-28T20:17:00.001-05:00

I have posted these same instructions on Schoology for the kids. Just in case they want to turn in their milestone electronically, here are instructions for attaching a file when turning in the assignment.

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Inserting Images and Video into a Power Point

2011-11-28T20:01:00.001-05:00

Here is a how-to video on inserting images and video into a Power Point Presentation.

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Appointments

2011-11-28T19:38:00.001-05:00

I am more than willing to meet with any parent who would like to meet with me. If you have questions or want to talk about your child's progress, please make an appointment to see me. Because school starts at 8:30, I am not able to meet with anyone when the kids are coming into the classroom. I have to be available to them and ensure that they are ready to learn and are learning. It is better to meet when they are not in the room and when I am not teaching. So, I am available to meet before or after school some days. Just call, send a note, or email to make an appointment. Thanks so much for your cooperation and continued support.

Additionally, if you would like to volunteer to help out with classroom activities or to help students one-on-one or even in small groups, please let me know. We can definitely make that happen as well.

Thank You!

2011-11-28T19:34:00.001-05:00

A HUGE goes out to Brooklynn's family for sending in pencil donations! We appreciate it!

I would also like to thank Johanna's mother for responding quickly to the exhibition demo invite. She RSVP'd right away on Wednesday after the email was sent out! I hope to see others at the demo as well.

Sign up for exhibition preferences

2011-11-28T17:33:00.001-05:00

Please go to the Permission Slips and Forms page to sign up for an exhibition time & day.
http://mrstiggs.blogspot.com/p/permission-slips-and-forms.html

Thank you!

Social Studies-Assembly Line Photos

2011-11-26T18:23:00.001-05:00

Mrs. Wagner taught the kids how the Ford assembly line worked. Students worked in different groups with different roles for adding different parts to a drawing of a Model-T. Please view pictures below.

Beginning to write adventure stories

2011-11-26T18:22:00.001-05:00

Here are photos from the beginning of our genre study on adventure stories. Mrs. Drain launched it for us by reading a few books (Meanwhile & Brave Irene) and then talked about what characters of these stories are like. Then she helped us brainstorm ideas for different settings for the adventure stories we will write in groups of 4 students. See images below.

Food Drive

2011-11-23T15:12:00.001-05:00

The UPA Food Drive starts on Nov. 30 and will go through Dec. 16th. Students can bring in non-perishable items to donate to families in need. More information is coming!

Congrats!

2011-11-23T10:03:00.001-05:00

These students received an 80% or better on Friday's Unit 4 Math Test:

Adia

Nevaeh

Jeremiah

Alayna

Lindsay

Jayden

Briana

Calvin

You're Invited to an Exhibition Demonstration

2011-11-23T08:29:00.001-05:00

Who: Mrs. Tiggs & Mrs. Drain
What: How to project
When: Thursday, Dec. 1 from 9:00-9:30 am
Where: Room 309
Why: To show students what they're expected to do for their exhibitions.

On Thursday, December 1st at 9:00 am I will do a demonstration of what the fourth-grade exhibition should be like. Please join us. You can ask questions about exhibitions and see what the expectation is for how student should present their "how-to" project exhibition. If you are interested in coming, please contact me to confirm your attendance.

New Book Orders

2011-11-23T08:21:00.001-05:00

New book orders are coming home today!

Online Ordering Information
Web address: scholastic.com/bookclubs
Class Activation Code: H7TPY

Dear Parent,

There’s no time to lose! In order to make our deadline and have all our books arrive on time, your order to Scholastic Book Clubs is due by the date shown above.

Use the order form in the flyer your child recently brought home and return it to me with your payment right away!

Or, make it easy and send me your order online!

Go to www.scholastic.com/bookclubs and log in using your user name and password.

If it’s your first time ordering online, use the Class Activation Code shown above to get started

SIGN UP at www.scholastic.com/bookclubs. On the parent page, click the “Register” button in the “First Time Here?” section. Register for your own user name and password. When prompted, enter the one-time Class Activation Code shown above. This code ensures that your order is sent to me.
SELECT the books you’d like to order—choose from thousands of titles—many more than in our monthly flyers.
SEND your order to me online by the due date and your child’s books will be delivered directly to my classroom.

Ordering online is fast and easy!

Best of all, we earn a FREE book for the classroom library every time a parent places an order online.*

Thank you!

*Excludes eBooks.

Learning Updates-Nov. 21-23

2011-11-23T08:08:00.001-05:00

Writing-We started an adventure story project with all other 4th grade classes. Students have begun to develop characters for a story that they will write as a group.

Math-We reviewed number sentences, pattern problems and rounding numbers to the nearest 10s, 100s and thousands places. Students were grouped a bit differently and traveled to a different fourth-grade teacher each day.

Science-We began a new science unit on energy on Monday. We did an experiment to teach about heat energy transfer by rubbing hands together and noting the temperature change (using a thermometer to measure temp of hands).

Congrats to those who passed Milestone #2!

2011-11-19T18:47:00.000-05:00

It is so great that so many people worked ahead and turned in the milestone early. Many of those who turned it in early had something to fix, but they were able to fix it because it was before the actual due date. I am hoping that even more people will turn in Milestone #3 early so that they can get help if needed.

Congrats to: Nevaeh, David, Johanna, Damarco, Brooklynn, Alayna, Lindsay, Romantic, Tiyonna, Satchel, Jayden, Briana, and Calvin!

Learning Updates-Week of Nov. 14

2011-11-17T18:55:00.001-05:00

Writing-Students created drawings to help them generate ideas for their writing. Some pictures included maps of their house and bedroom. They also created heart maps to find out what's important to them. We worked on developing and adding sensory details (focusing on sound words like: click, clack, stomp, thud, clunked) to writing.

Reading-My reading class focused on visualizing while reading to increase comprehension. Visualizing is creating mind pictures or "brain TV" to help readers see what is happening in their books. This is an important skill, especially since more of their books are chapter books without pictures. Mrs. Drain's and Wagner's reading classes focused on making inferences. You make an inference when you use clues an author gives you to find out more about a story.

Word Study focused on the difference between an meanings of the words effect, affect and impact.

Math-We finished up unit 4 with learning how to measure lines to the nearest whole and half centimeter. We also practiced more addition and subtraction of decimals using bank deposits and withdrawls.

Social Studies-Students learned about the assembly line used in Michigan factories that supported our state's industry and use of our natural resources. Additionally, students learned about immigrants and migrants.They are taking a test Friday (11/18).

Winter Recesses

2011-11-17T18:21:00.001-05:00

On days when the temperature is above 32 degrees, we are allowed to take the students out. My rule is that people who do go outside on colder days must have hats, gloves, a warm coat and boots (if there's snow on the ground). We will have most indoor recesses, but sometimes we get a "warm enough" day where we can go out. So, as it gets colder, please be sure that your child brings these items to school in the event that we go outside. Today was a really cold day and we did not go out, but dismissal was an outdoor dismissal and some kids did not have cold-weather gear.

Milestone #3 Reminder

2011-11-17T17:54:00.001-05:00

Here is a video that explains Milestone #3 that is due on December 8th.

Unable to display content. Adobe Flash is required.
You can click through the slideshow a little bit slower if you'd like here:

Milestone #3 breakdown

View more presentations from jtiggs

Another thank you...

2011-11-17T17:52:00.001-05:00

...to Ms. Thompkins (Nevaeh's mom) for volunteering to type students' work for me! I am SOOOOOOOOOO grateful for the help!

Thank you

2011-11-15T18:45:00.001-05:00

Thanks to Romantic's family for sending in more sticky notes.

Thanks to Satchel's family for the step stool! Now we can finally reach the higher parts of the SMART board!

Writer's Workshop-Heart Mapping

2011-11-15T18:33:00.001-05:00

We have been coninuing work with collecting ideas from things that are important to us. Writers write from the heart, about things that are meaningful to them. Please see the movie below to see your child's work. Can you spot your child's work?

Thank you!

2011-11-14T10:38:00.001-05:00

You all answered the call so quickly!!!
Thanks to Brooklynn and family for bringing in a game to add to our class stash.
Thank you Briana and family for bringing in magazines for our projects.
Thanks to Adia's family for sending in snacks for the class!!!

Today's Field Trip

2011-11-11T18:59:00.001-05:00

Although some of the kids thought the show wasn't that interesting, there actually was good music--a little Michael Jackson even.

For more information about the band, visit their website http://www.rebirthbrassband.com/
Listen to some of their music here: http://www.myspace.com/rebirthbrassband

Math Facts App: Flash to Pass

2011-11-11T14:28:00.001-05:00

On the bus today I downloaded an app that allows people to practice math facts for all operations! The kids had a great time yelling out answers in my ear to problems that popped up on the screen!
The app is called FlashToPass and it's free! They seemed to LOVE it! Check it out when you have a chance.
The itunes app store has it. Connect to the link to see.
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/flashtopass-free-math-flash/id330482882?mt=8

Typist needed

2011-11-11T10:13:00.001-05:00

I really would like to post more of the kids' writing work on the blog, but I need some help. If you are willing to help me out by typing some of the work into a word document, PLEASE email or call me. Thanks so much in advance!

Progress reports Monday

2011-11-11T10:10:00.001-05:00

Monday progress reports will be sent home. Please be sure to check your child's backpack/homework folder for it. You will receive a narrative-style report for each subject.

Learning Updates-Week of Nov. 7th, 2011

2011-11-11T08:39:00.001-05:00

Writing-This week writing was about collecting ideas. They have been writing jots inspired by books we read together, about special objects & photos, and from listening to others. They have been learning to take the jots and writing LONG about those jots. I continue to be excited by the work and effort that they are putting into their writing. We are working on digging deep into work for meaning and asking, "what am I trying to say with this piece?"

Reading-Benchmark testing has begun in all reading classes. We are testing to see how much growth students have made. Students in my reading class have also continued working on writing reading response letters and remember to answer my questions when they write back to me.

Word Study- We finished up understanding the different meanings for the word "outline."

Math-We have worked on adding and subtracting decimals and remembering to line up the decimal places. Our class and Mrs. Drain's class have also been reviewing math skills with the use of Decimal Top-It, Name that Number and Multiplication Top-It. All of these games can be played at home as well just using a deck of playing cards as the numeral cards.

Social Studies-Students learned more Michigan history. We studied the iron and copper mining that took place in the Upper Peninsula. They continued to learn about the logging industry as well.

Thank you!

2011-11-11T08:27:00.001-05:00

I want thank David's family for sending in more snacks for the class and a game to add to our game box for indoor recesses during the cold months!

Milestone #2 is due Thursday!

2011-11-11T08:10:00.001-05:00

Please remember that Milestone #2 (the outline for the driving question) is due Thursday, Nov. 17th. Some students have already turned theirs in and passed! Congrats to Lindsay and Briana for already passing the milestone. Others have turned theirs in early and have needed to make some changes, but I am glad that they worked ahead so they could get help!

Please remember that your child's outline must look like an outline and follow the format given. The format is available here:
http://mrstiggs.blogspot.com/2011/11/milestone-2-format.html
http://mrstiggs.blogspot.com/2011/11/milestone-2-more-clarification.html

More student work to share

2011-11-09T19:20:00.003-05:00

Check out the student work page to see examples of students' writing about their memorable objects or photos.

Classroom Items Needed-Board Games

2011-11-09T16:30:00.000-05:00

During the winter months, when it gets too cold to go outside we have indoor recess. During indoor recess the students have the opportunity to play board games, but a lot of the board games in our classroom are old and missing pieces and torn apart. So we are in need of new and/or gently used board games. Any board game that is age appropriate, would be welcome..

Picture Day

2011-11-09T13:13:00.000-05:00

Nov. 30th is school picture day. More information will be sent home later.

Nov. 18 & 24th Free Dress for $1

2011-11-09T13:12:00.001-05:00

For students who have NO uniform violations or only ONE uniform violation, Nov. 18th will be a free dress for $1 day. The same is true for Nov. 24th. I will email you or send a note if your child is not allowed to participated in the Nov. 18th free dress day due to uniform violations.

Discussing books at home

2011-11-08T19:42:00.001-05:00

This list of questions gives ideas for ways to discuss books at home with your child. The questions gradually get harder and get to higher level thinking skills as you go down the sheet.

Blooms Taxonomy Book Review Questions
You can also take a look at this site http://readingtokids.org/ReadingClubs/TipBloomsTaxonomy.php

Working ahead!

2011-11-06T19:27:00.002-05:00

Great job to Briana, Romantic, Lindsay, and Nevaeh who turned in their weekend writing Friday and Saturday on Schoology!

I'm also glad that Nevaeh started working on Milestone #2 and sent me a copy that she wanted me to look over already!

What do the kids say they are learning?

2011-11-05T09:37:00.002-04:00

Milestone #2 Format

2011-11-04T14:23:00.003-04:00