Full of Fortitude Friday!

Welcome back!  

This week in High Ability we've focused on patience.  ALL classes have been wonderful with this.  Since I'm testing kindergarten for the next month, my schedule is full.  There are times when I drop my things and go directly to the computer lab.  They've come in to no morning message or quote and have been very patient and flexible.  I appreciate it! It has taken me an extra day to get the blog finished too.    

My fourth graders have also practiced patience this week because they need to wait for me to come get them.  The kindergarten testing is right before their time, so we don't always start on time with their class.  They are so understanding and willing to be flexible.  We will continue with this schedule until the end of February.

Since it's the end of the month, I had my first graders choose three green slips from our very full basket.  Those chosen, have their green slips posted outside of my doorway AND have selected something from our treasure chest.  We'll draw three green slips each month.  




Our winners for January were James in fourth grade for perseverance, Caysen in third for initiative and Kaden in second for effort.  Congratulations!

Some of the quotes discussed this week were:

• Good things come to those who wait.
• When things get tough, it's a great chance to practice patience.
• If you had everything, where would you put it?

Math Masters

"It's Hip to Be Square!"  We've started our Math Masters in every grade.  They are timed tests for each expected grade.  The neat thing is that they will keep progressing as they are ready for the next level.  





Last year, I had third graders doing mixed and improper fractions plus second graders on multiplication.  They were so proud and eager to learn more than what they should!  Also, each has a chart in their math folder to track their progress.  I have them shade in the bar graph to see their progress.  This helps them to "stay in their own lane", not worry about where others are and see their own personal improvements 

. . .much less overwhelming.

Fourth Grade LA:

A majority of them are past the planning stages of their Google Slides and onto the fun part of creating their slide show.  I appreciate the maturity of this group and how they help each other out.  Often times they will offer help to a fellow student who is behind them on the project.  




What better way to really learn something than to teach another!  I showed them how to share their project with me, so I will be able to watch their progress and touch base with them.  Google is amazing in that way, although they did get a bit creeped out when my face would appear suddenly on their screen, lol.

Fourth Grade Math:
Unfortunately we didn't see fourth at all this week due to conflicts in the schedule with the music program.  No worries, we'll pick right back up next week!

Second Grade LA:

Although we have been reading Edward's story what seems like forever, there are no complaints what-so-ever.  I assign the required reading for those that are following along, let those who are further keep reading and for those who are done . . . they are working on an Edward Word Search.  





We make time each week to journal our thoughts on the chapter or just to touch base with me.  It's great!  I wish you could see the reactions of those who finish the book.  One was talking aloud telling herself to hold it together and not cry.  Another student closed the book and just stood there taking deep breathes.  He just couldn't get over how it all came together.  He kept repeating . . . wow . . . wow . . . wow!  There's nothing better than to have a child fall in love with a book.  

Second Grade Math:
This group took full advantage of our Smartboard and the program Gynzy to work with money.  We bought things, added things up and made change.  I'm proud of them for persevering with making change.  It's not a fast process, but they understand how to count up and use the least amount of coins.  

Third Grade LA:
My small group of three were happy to have time to write their own fairy tale based on the pictures shared during our Alice in Wonderland PowerPoint.  We discussed how children of the time were considered little adults.  They were very serious and dressed in very fancy clothing.  We touched base and read what they had so far.  Some asked for suggestions while others had their story plotted out in detail.  

Third Grade Math:
Students were paired up to play a reducing fractions game.  Although they've come a long way with the concept, they often need a refresher on how to do it.  They enjoyed moving their pieces around the spacey game board all while figuring out their challenge.  A majority are on their X's 12's.  It will help them to study these facts at home.  Great job to Caysen who passed his first multiplication times test.  He will move onto 90 division problems in five minutes.  

First Grade LA:

We read the book E-MERGENCY!  It's a funny book about how E gets injured and then no one is allowed to use the letter E.  I read the book and had the kids decipher the words using other vowels which didn't make much sense.  We also did an activity where they were challenged using the clues to come up with a word that doesn't contain the letter E.  We've begun our lesson on Lipograms and will continue next week.  

First Grade Math:

Although the technology didn't agree with us the first day, we have started working with time.  This group is beyond telling time to the hour, so we we are onto the half, quarter and time by five minutes.  I do have various levels within the group, so I'll make adaptions for all.  Congratulations to Cal and Trevor for passing their addition timed test!  They will move onto subtraction next week.

Yours in education,

Mrs. Koedyker