Supply List for 2009-10
We hope everyone has had a great start to summer. Below is the supply list for next year.
We look forward to seeing you all in August.
Target Supply List
May 8, 2009
Fifth Grade
The end has arrived - the end of the 2008-2009 Target year and the end of the Target program for the now 5th grade students who will be entering the Advanced Content portion of the Advanced Learning Program.This final day was a true celebration as the students shared the tessellations which they worked so hard on and munched on a variety of tessellated treats.
We will miss our 5th grade students - both those who are new to the program and those who have "moved up through the ranks". We wish them the best of luck as they move on to middle school and hope they will come back occasionally to report about their many success.
Fourth Grade
Fourth graders have finished their tessellations; we look forward to the time next week when they will be shared. Teams of students also completed a puzzle called "Chain Reaction". Once the original puzzle was solved, the teams then created their own "Chain Reactions" to share with the class.
It is not too early to begin thinking about the Reflections contest for next year. The theme is "Beauty is...". I hope the students will consider entering their creative and beautiful tessellations in this contest. Keep them nice and safe until next year!
We are looking forward to a celebration of the end of the school year next week. Please remember to send a tessellated snack or drink.
Third Grade
Wow! The third grade students made their career presentations with success! The speeches were informative and the costumes were delightful. When asked about their careers, creative and thoughtful responses were made, adding to the information presented. We were pleased with these results of many hours of work.
Next week will be our last week of class. Please, if you are the parent of a boy, will you send in a six pack of juice drink? If you are the parent of a girl, will you please send in a bag of popped popcorn? These treats will satisfy our hunger as we do culminating activities.
Homework: Mrs. Zisook's class: If you have "The Game of Life", will you please bring it in on Tuesday?!
Second Grade
The students were very busy completing the payments on essentials like garbage service as well as making decisions about the affordability of cable TV and phone services. It was encouraging to see so many young minds thinking about what they could and could not afford. Our consumers, also, had to purchase groceries and clothing items for their families. Again, smart choices were made and therefore all students managed to save $50.00 in their checkbooks to spend on the entertainment for next week.
We introduced a game called "Chain Reaction" which was enjoyable and challenging as teams had to work together to figure out words. The students did an awesome job.
Next week is the last week of Target for the 2008-09 year. We look forward to our celebration and all of the items we will be purchasing. Thank you in advance for your donations,
Homework: In the Neighborhood
First Grade
Our first graders followed the Yellow Brick Road to the Emerald City to meet the Wizard of Oz. We began with a logic puzzle about the jobs at Oz. After illustrating our color poems from last week, we played the Chain Reaction Game which used our verbal intelligence to make connections between words from Yellow Brick Road to Scarecrow. A surprise awaited us after lunch when we watched the movie "The Wizard of Oz." As we were watching, we thought about ways that Dorothy and Cinderella were alike and different so that those ideas might help us with our homework. We learned that "there's no place like home."
Next Friday, May 15th is the last day of Target. Please remember to bring in the item that you were assigned so that we can all attend Cinderella's Ball Celebration.
Homework: Compare and Contrast Cinderella and Dorothy
To All...
We have enjoyed working with all of our students this year. We wish everyone a safe, fun, and relaxing summer.
Until next year...
Ellen, Patti, Lynn, and Karen
May 1, 2009
Third Grade
Our field trip to "The Fed" (more formally known as The Federal Reserve Bank) was a success! The students were able to see money - lots of money. They saw money from the past and present, foreign money, money being shredded, and money being transported from one area of the bank to another. Fortunately, the weather held out and we were able to eat outside in a lovely park-like area where the children were able to also get some exercise. The tour guides were so complimentary of the students - their behavior and prior knowledge of The Fed. We felt so proud.
This will be a busy week for the students as they make their career presentations:
- Monday, May 4th - Mrs. Grayson's students will present
- Tuesday, May 5th - Mrs. Zisook's students will present
- Hopefully, the students will be able to dress in their career attire. They should have with them the career outline, speech, note card, and rubric.
We are looking forward to seeing the culmination of a lot of effort and time spent on these projects.
Until next week,
Ellen and Patti
Friday, May 1
Fourth and Fifth Grade
The students are at various stages in the completion of their tessellations. We are very impressed with the creativity that is being shown. As students have completed the project they have learned about Fibonacci Numbers. Those that have may want to take a look for them in nature around their yards.
Please remember that next week is the last day for fifth grade and the date of our celebration.
Fourth grade will celebrate the last day on May 14.
Homework: Mrs. Reese's fifth grade is learning about Fibonacci and Pascal for homework. Mrs. Reese's fourth grade is completing Tangled Rectangles.
Second Grade
Second graders are seeing first hand how quickly money can leave a bank balance. Although we only had an hour of class, students had to write checks to cover garbage and electricity. For some it was a reminder to turn off the lights!
We look forward to completing our bill payments and buying grocieries and clothing.
No tally. No Homeword due to CRCT Testing.
First Grade
First graders took a trip over the rainbow to explore the science behind and poetry of the colors of the spectrum. Miss Frizzle and the Magic School Bus introduced us to the concept of light refraction and Mrs. Kauffman led us in a variety of experiments to create rainbows with prisms and what happens when light hits water and reflects off a mirror. Our first graders wrote poems about a color of the rainbow using their 5 senses. Some of our students wrote... Red is like a sunburn. Green makes me feel envious. Orange is the smell of a bonfire burning. Next week we will illustrate our poems.
Please remember to check your student's folder for a letter explaining our colebration and final activity on May 11th.
Homework: Rainbow Racers Logic Puzzle
Until next week...
Ellen, Patti, Lynn, and Karen
Friday, April 24
Fourth and Fifth Grade
Everyone had very short days. The focus was tessellations.
Please remember to return the signed green celebration form.
No homework. No tallies.
Next week is NOT the last week as Mrs. Zisook told her students.
Third Grade
It was a very short day. Students learned about the Federal Reserve in preparation for the field trip. To read again go to: http://federalreserve.gov/kids/
Please remember there is no class on Tuesday. Friday is the field trip.
No tally or homework
Second Grade
Our students were very busy deciding the home that they could best afford based on their monthly income. Good decisions were made as some realized that what he/she could afford was a rented apartment. These choices came after brainstorming all of the monthly expenses that a family has. Once a bid was placed on a residence, the students had to write checks to the mortgage company and for taxes and insurance. Money sure does leave a checking account quickly.
No homework
First Grade
We had a very short day due to continued testing in 3-5 grades. Students completed work on "foot" idioms.
No homework or tally.
To all: The year is quickly drawing to an end. Below is listed the last day fo Target for each grade.
Fifth: May 6
Fourth: May 14
Third: May 12
Second: May 11
First: May 15
Until next week...
Ellen, Patti, Lynn, and Karen
April 17, 2009
Fourth and Fifth Grade
Our classes have been primarily devoted to creating interesting and original tessellations. Fourth grade had slightly more time in class and so worked on Hands on Equations. We hope the different levels will be completed by the end of the year.
Due to CRCTs being administered next week, Target classes will be shortened. The students should, however, come prepared for Target.
Fifth grade: No homework, no Tally
Fourth grade: No homework. Mrs. Zisook's students do have a letter telling about our end of the year celebration. Please sign this and return as soon as possible.
Third Grade
The workers have been paid! They were excited to receive their salary checks and are now aware of the deductions made. What fun it will be to spend the net pay on third grade privileges!
The students have been instructed on how to write and use notes when making their speech. They should be practicing for their presentations (Mrs. Grayson's class on Monday May 4th, Mrs. Zisook's class on Tuesday, May 5th).
Our field trip to the Federal Reserve Bank is almost here! Thank you to the many parents who have sent in permission forms, donations, and emergency information. If you have not done so, please send these items as soon as possible.
Due to CRCTs being administered next week, Target class time will be shortened. The students should, however, come prepared for the class.
Homework: None
Second Grade
Construction began on our town as streets, business, and houses were laid out. Our students were amazed at the amount of money that came out of their paychecks. One student noticed she had only half of her gross pay in her net check. Oh boy! Those taxes make a difference! Second graders eagerly await next week and the purchasing of a home or rental of an apartment. The students were given a bank book and quickly deposited their paychecks. In the next few weeks, bills will be paid!
Homework: None
First Grade
Our first graders “got a kick out of learning about idioms” by reading Even More Parts by Tedd Arnold. They closed their eyes and imagined the literal meaning of many idioms, comparing their pictures to that of the illustrator’s. They learned the real figurative meaning of these idioms. Students went to work illustrating both the literal and figurative meanings of some common foot idioms such as “cold feet, get your feet wet, put your foot down, and footloose and fancy-free.” Students then went to the Media Center to use their research skills to answer questions to determine “Could it have Happened?” Ask your child to explain whether Elvis Presley could have walked across the Golden Gate Bridge, or if Christopher Columbus could have marched down the gangplank in sneakers. The students did an excellent job working cooperatively in groups and using a number of resources to analyze the information they needed to answer the question.
Homework: Stepping in the Right Direction – Evaluative Thinking
To All:
Even though students will be participating in the CRCTs, they will be getting served in Target classes around their testing and Specials schedule.
Until next week...
Ellen, Patti, Lynn, and Karen
April 3, 2009
Fourth and Fifth Grade
Final tessellation projects have been started. Final lessons in Hands on Equations are being completed. Spring vacation is here. CRCTs will be started soon. It looks like the end of the school year is right around the corner!
Please remember to bring a black Sharpie to class.
Third Grade
We have had to cancel several Target classes recently due to field trips and staff development classes. As we look forward to April and May, there are more interruptions to the 3rd grade Target schedule. Because we want to meet with our students as much as possible for the remainder of the year, we have changed a few Target dates and have created a calendar for your reference for the rest fo the school year. Please be sure your child gives you this calendar!
BE AWARE: Career presentations for Mrs. Grayson's class will be Monday, May 4th. Career presentations for Mrs. Zisook's class will be Tuesday, May 5th.
Homework: Mrs. Zisook's class: Complete writing career speech from outline information.
Second Grade
We missed our students due to teacher in service training.
First Grade If you could have animal feet, what kind of feet would you have? This question was asked of our first graders, and they went to work drawing themselves with animal feet. They then wrote a paragraph explaining what they would be able to do with their new feet. Some even looked up their animal in the World Book Encyclopedia to add interesting facts to their description. Students continued their study of analogies, focusing on animal groups and their offspring. Finally, we read Cinder Edna, and introduced character analysis, comparing Cinderella to Cinder Edna. Can a girl who prefers loafers to glass slippers live happily ever after? Just ask your children? Homework: None Enjoy your Spring Break! Until next time... Patti, Ellen, Karen, and Lynn
March 27, 2009
Fourth and Fifth Grade
The students were excited about making templates as examples of translation, rotation, and reflection and using them to actually tessellate. Immediately after the spring vacation, a final tessellation project will begin!
Tanglers are problems meant to be solved by small groups. Learning the actual date of the independence of Costa Rica can actually be fun!
Tessellating will be less frustrating if each child has his/her own roll of Scotch tape in class and a black Sharpie pen.
Homework: Complete Quotation Quizzler and response.
Third Grade
Due to several days off and computer glitches, the students have not had enough time to prepare for their individual career presentations. Consequently, we have changed the date to Tuesday, April 21. That will give us time to work with the students on writing a speech, creating notes for reference, and time to "rehearse" at home.
Brainstorming careers that relate to food brought many original responses. Who would have thought that third grade students would think of sous chefs, advertisers, food scientists, and medicine manufacturers. Finally, the students learned more about budgets - money coming in and money going out.
Homework: Create a budget
Second Grade
We were thrilled to welcome so many professionals into our classes. It was very educational to hear about all of the different occupations. The students' presentations were well done. Many had a variety of creative props to help with the presentation of the material. Surely, the students were introduced to an occupation that interest him/her for the future. Second graders discovered the fun of a rebus as they looked at words and pictures to figure out a common phrase. Math smarts and listening skills were used as students solved mental math problems-no paper, all done in the head!
Due to in-service training of Mrs. Reese and Mrs. Shaw there will be no class on Monday, March 30. We will see everyone again on April 13th.
Homework: Career Cavalcade
First Grade
"Lives of great men remind us ~ We can make our lives sublime ~ And, departing leave behind us ~ Footprints on the sands of time." This poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was the inspiration for our research on people who have made a difference in the world and who have left their footprints on the sands of time. Our students researched biographies of inventors, explorers, sports figures, and scientists, to name a few, and came away with a better appreciation of what makes people great. The students then learned a new way to objectively evaluate possible solutions to a problem in such a way that one "best" solution can be determined. Using a Problem-Solving Matrix, we determined that purchasing twelve new lockers was the best way to spend $1200 donated to Crystal Pond School. Students will be able to practice this creative problem solving process for homework using "Chow Time!," where their problem is to decide the best place for their family to go for dinner. We ended the day guessing the contents of our Mystery Box, with a 20-questions type game, and figued out that it was a toothbrush (Is it plastic? and Could it be used for cleaning? were the clues that really helped!)
Homework: Chow Time! Evaluative Thinking - "What's the best place for your family to go for dinner?"
To All:
- You should have received a Target report card last week. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact your child's Target teacher.
Until next week...
Patti, Ellen, Karen, and Lynn
March 20, 2009
Fifth Grade
The students completed Hands on Equations Lesson 21. After H.O.E., the students had a Center Day!
Homework: Complete puzzles from Center Day and the Flight Instructions puzzle.
Fourth Grade
The students did not have class this week because they went to the High Museum. ALP class will resume next Thursday.
FOURTH AND FIFTH GRADERS: Please bring a roll of scotch tape for our tessellations. Thank you!
Third Grade
The students learned all about note-taking from our Media Center Specialist, Mrs. Schmidt. Using that information, the students began investigating their careers using website on ikeepbookmarks and putting their research in their outlines.
Homework: Work on your project at home.
Second Grade
Second graders were introduced to a new kind of logic puzzle called Perplexers. It is done without a grid and horizontally. The students did very well with it. Creating a really good "hook" for the opening of their presentation was discussed, and we saw some very clever and creative openings being written. Much of the day was spent on writing their occupation report. You should have seen a time line come home to help with time management for the completion of the project. We are very excited about having all the professonals visit us on Monday. Parents please check the rubric for all the information you need on what your student should be doing. If props are large, students may take them to their ALP classroom first thing in the morning. We appreciate you support with this project.
Homework: Completion and practice of the Occupational Project.
First Grade
Critical thinking was the first activity of the day, as our students completed another Scratch-off Logic Puzzle called "Farm Chores." We combined our classes to read a book called Shoe Magic, that led into the Creative Thinking Activity "A Day in the Life of a Shoe." Students created a four panel cartoon where they imagined what a shoe would say if it could talk. We introduced and practiced Analogies, and students completed a worksheet of synonym and antonym type analogies. First Grade listening skills are improving with Mental Math where students answer word problems without paper or pencil. Finally, we showed a picture of a grizzly bear fishing for salmon and students were asked to describe it. This led into the reading and discussion of The Salmon Princess, an Alaskan Cinderella story.
Homework: How They Relate - Analogies
To All:
Please remember that snacks are suppose to be healthy. Please nothing with sugar added.
Until next week...
Patti,Ellen, Karen, and Lynn
Actions in ALP
Fourth and Fifth Grade
This week, the students used manipulatives in order to find the eight possible semiregular tessellations. This is something the students can continue to work on at home (although it is not a homework assignment). They also learned about the numerical designations of angles around a vertex. These are advanced skills to be proud of accomplishing.
A video, "Tessellations and How to Make Them", demonstrated how to make three different types of Escher style tessellations. This really got the stuldents excited about making their own which they will begin later in March. Please, have your child bring in a roll of Scotch Tape for ease in making these tessellations.
Due to the fourth grade field trip on March 19th, there will be no third grade Target on that day.
Homework: Complete puzzle: A St. Patrick's Day Party
Third Grade
Target classes will resume on Tuesday March 17th.
Homework: Mrs. Grayson's class: Examine a Dime
Second Grade
Second graders had a very challenging day. They were immediately challenged by our logic puzzle called Bank Employees. From there we moved into a lesson on "interest". Students were introduced to a site called www.kidbank.com where a friendly character called Interest Ray explained the term. The students were able to understand that interest is just " a little bit extra". If you save, the bank gives you a little extra. If you borrow, you give the bank a little extra. Boy, did this hit home when students made a deposit of 15 jelly beans into the bank. If they didn't spend (eat) any, then ,every hour on the hour the interest paid was one jelly bean per 5 left in the bank. We have some smart savers. Almost all of the students doubled their money (jelly beans) by the end of the day. Classroom research for the occupation presentation was completed. Some students will need to continue at home with parental help. We will write the report next week.
Homework: Complete the research and be ready to write. Begin to think about the props and costume needed for the presentations on Monday, March 23.
First Grade
In anticipation of St. Patrick’s Day, the first graders wrote about what they would do if they found a pot of gold. Most would share some of their new found wealth with their families. (You raised them well!) Students learned a new way to solve logic problems called the “Scratch-off Method.” They will get a chance to practice this new technique with their homework. We next learned about the history of shoes, as students tried to create a timeline of shoe images from early civilizations to the present. Did you know that the Egyptian pharaoh’s shoe had a long, peaked toe that denoted royalty? Students then used their divergent thinking when they chose a force-fitting noun and verb to create an invention complete with force-fitting spare parts. Imagine a watermelon squeezer or a pickle grower, and you get the idea. We watched a Bill Nye, the Science Guy video on inventions. Our day ended by reading and discussing the Egyptian version of Cinderella. Homework: Three Teachers/The Marriage Game Logic Puzzles (using the Scratch-off Method)
Until next week,
Ellen, Patti, Lynn, and Karen
