Testing Next Monday and All Week!

Hi there.

We started the day off with CC Meeting. We read a story about the Chicago Fire back in 1871. The story had many examples of people paying it forward. Please ask your child to share at least two of them. If they can, write FIRE in the planner for $20. We have learned soooooo much about this topic. It has been very fun seeing and hearing all the excitement about this topic. Thanks Rusty!!!

In Language today, we completed a DOL. This is where kids have to take a sentence and tell me what part of speech each word is. (old school diagraming sentences for us) I had the kids turn it into me today, and oh my. We had a lot of confusion and I was thinking they knew a lot more than they did. Yikes! So, we back tracked and went over each part of speech again and wrote down the definitions and examples. I then had kids come back and we worked through the sentences together. The sentences today were pretty tough!!!!! I told the kids that if they can really buckle down and get the harder ones, then the easy ones will be super easy. I also told kids that they should walk away from assignments saying, wow that was challenging not man that was easy. So many kids in here need that extra challenge, and I know they will rise to my new expectations. We will continue to work on them. So, what can you do to help at home? In the car, give the kids a sentence and have them go through it word by word and tell you the parts of speech. You will be amazed at how much you learn too. I learn every day on these things! Love it!

We will have the review spelling test tomorrow. No need to study. This test shows me if they have really learned all their words and transferred them to long term memory or just memorized for the Friday test.

In Science today, we began to talk about where we can find fossils. We brought out some samples of Sedimentary Rocks and saw how different they feel depending on what layer they came from. We talked about the pressure needed to create this type of rock and these remains into fossils. I also shared with the kids that we will be taking a field trip the last week of March to the Dino Lab here in Billings. It is down by the Metra. We will catch the Met bus at Bitterroot and it takes us right there. We will then tour the place for about an hour and come back to school on the Met Bus again. The return bus brings us right back to Bitterroot at 3:10 so pick up will be right on time. There is a $5 charge per student. Please send that in with the permission slip that will come home next week. There will also be a $500 buy in with fake money. Kids that can't buy in will stay at school in an alternative placement. Everyone should be well over that amount by now. Ask your child how much money they have in their wallet right now. Write the amount they say in the planner and earn another $20 tomorrow. If your child is under $500 ask them why. Have they had missing assignments? Talking in class? Unsigned planners? Those are about the only way they can lose money in here.

Many kids brought home their MT History journals tonight to finish up some Lewis and Clark stuff. Journals are due tomorrow. I NEVER, EVER, EVER let these go home so I told all of them that they MUST come back tomorrow! If a kid loses theirs, it will be impossible to replace. I do want you to see all the work they have done though. Take a minute to sit down and allow your child to walk you through it. It has been an amazing journey. If you do, write MT HISTOY in the planner for another $20. We will begin our journey into fur trapping on Monday. Awesome!

Testing is coming up next week. VERY IMPORTANT!!!!!!! We will be testing the following all week NEXT week.

Monday: Science-Morning
Tuesday: Reading-Morning, Math-Afternoon
Wednesday: Reading-Morning, Math-Afternoon
Thursday: Reading-Morning, Math-Afternoon
Friday: Science-Morning

KIDS MUST BE HERE ALL WEEK!!!!!!!!! Make-up testing is a royal pain, not a natural testing environment, and kids miss the regular instruction when they are pulled for over an hour to make up tests. If you have appointments scheduled during the above times, please reschedule them. Normally, we test MONT Cas for three weeks. We all agreed to condense it into one and be done. Many schools have found this to work the best. Kids are fresh and they know that it is one week and over, rather than three. I will be sending a note home from Mr. English tomorrow about testing do's and don'ts. Here is the basic run down:

1. Kids need a good night's sleep. (No homework next week)(4th graders should be in bed and asleep by 9:00)
2. Eat a good breakfast that contains protein. (Eggs, peanut butter, and meat)
3. Be here every single day ($100 reward each day we have perfect attendance.)
4. Be on time daily. (If test has started, kids will have to stay in office until it is over)
5. Stay home if really, really sick. (Once a child starts a test, they may not leave and start again)(It is better to stay home and make it up)(Fever or Throwing up) Also avoid picking kids up early. They may be in the middle of a test. Again, if they leave, everything left undone is marked against them. They may not go back and finish.
6. Bring a healthy snack each day. (Again, hardboiled eggs, nuts, peanut butter on a spoon, jerky, beef sticks)
7. Kids may chew healthy, regular stick sized gum. Please bring a pack to school on Monday that will last the entire week. (Optional)(Loud chewing, blowing bubbles, or smacking of gum will be a loss of gum)
8. MOST IMPORTANT: Send kids out the door in a good and positive mood. Tell them you love them, give them extra hugs, encourage them to do their very best, and tell them how proud of them you are. (You know, like you do every day! :0))

Doing these things above honestly does make a difference. Kids are going to ROCK these tests. These tests are used to determine our Annual Yearly Progress with the No Child Left Behind Program. We have to have a certain number of kids present to pass a certain section. Attendance is imperative! We so appreciate all that you do for your kiddos, and for us! Thank you.

Well, that abut wraps it up. Have an awesome night with your awesome kid!

Pay It Forward With a Tooth????

Hi there. Real quick tonight due to my MONT CAS training meeting tonight after school. We had a great day, packed with many different events. This morning Alexis was our star of the week. It was fun to meet her family through her pictures. She also shared her love for Taylor Swift music and her fun yellow duck that reminds her that her mom loves her. Lastly, she shared her fun rock that her dad gave her. It was super cool and you could tell that it was very special to her. It was great fun learning more about Miss. Alexis! What a great kid! Up next, Andrew!

In Science this morning, we shared our fossils. Very, very cool. I was surprised to see so many, and how much the kiddos knew already about them.

In CC Meeting we added to our Paying It Forward poster. Today, Rusty really talked about how when paying it forward you do NOT expect anything in return, BUT....you often get things in return. This is so true. When I go out of my way to show kindness, I often find that I receive acts of kindness as well. It is a mystery in life, and a cool one at that! We also watched an online story about a tooth. You can watch it too! It is only about 4 minutes long, and so precious. It is off to the right on my favorite links. The story is called The Tooth and Annette Benning reads it.  Discuss it with your child and ask them how the little girl in the story payed it forward. If they can tell you, write Tooth in the planner.

I would like to take a minute to say WOWZERS!!!! Miss. Olivia did an amazing job in her Girls Honor Choir performance today. The group travelled all around the heights today performing at different schools. It was a great, great show. I am so proud of you Olivia!

Well, that is about it for today. Have a great night!

Ask Your Child About the Spelling Bee. :0)

Hi. We took a practice test in math yesterday and the results show that most kids do not like to take Ms. Erickson's advise. All year, I have been stressing in class and on computers for them to work out their problems on paper and NOT in their heads. So many missed the simple addition and subtraction problems because they did not take the time or make the effort to write it down. At this age, there are so few that can handle these types of problems with regrouping in their heads. I told them today, once again, that I am here to lead them to water, but I CAN'T make them drink! Please, please talk with your kiddos about this issue. Again, I stress that I am NOT a test driven teacher, but I do absolutely expect each and every child to push themselves to do their very best on each and every assignment every single time, no matter what that assignment is. We can do this Team Erickson!

Just a reminder that the SW states and capital's test is this coming Friday. There are only four states in this region, but they need to still study. It will use the same matching and map location format as the ones in the past. We will study in class tomorrow, but practice them at home as well. If you do that tonight, please write SW in the planner for $20 tomorrow.

That about sums it up for today. Have a wonderful night!

Got Fossils? Bring Them In To Share?

Hi. Happy Monday.

This morning we opened up the day with PE and HE. Due to some scheduling issues, we will also have PE/HE tomorrow morning as well. We will not have it on Wed. this week. So, bring those shoes again tomorrow. Thanks.

Next up, we did CC Meeting. I swear, this is my favorite part of my day and my true calling/passion in life. Getting kids to really get it is what my life is all about. Once we have won their hearts, then the brain and academics come easily. Which is perfect in here, because testing is right around the corner...like next week. Yay!

In CC meeting today, Rusty talked to us about paying it forward. Kids first predicted what that phrase is all about. You can see the list on the picture above. Then we discovered, with Rusty's help, that paying it forward really means to pass on acts of kindness. We also talked about how we should walk around with an attitude of gratitude instead of always wanting more out of life. I asked them when the last time was that they walked into Walmart with you and instead of asking for something they said thank you for buying them food was. Not very many could say that had happened recently. I ended the meeting with a challenge. Find someway to pay it forward with an act of kindness, don't expect anything in return, and try not to let people know you did it. If so, let me know and they will become a part of our Pay It Forward Club. Today, Alyssa noticed that our school crosswalk lady, Mrs. Patti, looked cold. So, she convinced her mom to go buy her a coffee. She then went back and gave it to her and Alyssa shared that the best part of her kindness was seeing Mrs. Patti's face light up. That is paying it forward!!! Way to go Alyssa! Olivia and Alexis joined the club by getting books for others without them knowing in Language Arts class today. I am soooooo proud to be this class' teacher!

We spent a good chunk of our reading block doing LEAD 21. We are venturing into the nonfiction part of the South Central region of the U.S. Today, we used a main idea chain connection graphic organizer to find important details that fit under a main idea. We did two together, and then the kids did one alone using information found in their small leveled readers. Tomorrow, we will turn those into summaries. Walla! It is quite magical. Just one more strategy to use while becoming a good reader.

This week we are reviewing in spelling, so there are no words to study. All the words on Friday's test will be words they have had before. We will review all week.

According to our work on linking verses action verbs today in language class, we need to work on those a little bit more. Half of the problem however, is that some kids don't read or listen to the directions and end up getting things wrong that they could have gotten right. Choices...consequences.

In Math, we took a review test. I am assessing them to know what we really need to review or still go over before MONT CAS testing. It is unreasonable to think that we can learn a year's worth by the end of February when we still have an entire quarter of math to go, but I want to just see if there are some major issues I can help with or review. I don't believe in teaching to the test, and I surely don't believe in cramming for the test. Remember, these tests are to find out what your child knows. It is NOT a 4th grade test. It is a test that tests everything they have learned since birth. So, if we haven't covered something yet to prepare them, no worries, they will get it before next years. That being said, I will take time out to review all that we have learned this year and help fill in gaps to further and deepen that knowledge.

In science, we learned about Amber Fossils. What are those anyway? Ask your child, and if they can tell you write AMBER in the planner for $20 tomorrow. I am thinking we just may need to take a field trip to see some of the types of fossils we are learning about real soon. Yeppers! More to come on that one. If you have any type of fossil that you would be willing to come in and share with the class, they would love it!

We wrapped up the day by sharing Brayden's hockey trophy from this weeks tournament. Third place! Way to go Brayden. Then he had fun going to see Mount Rushmore with his family. Love to hear those great memories!!!

I think that about does it for today. Tomorrow is the Bitterroot spelling bee for 5th and 6th graders. We will go watch so they know what it is like for next year, plus I am the coordinator so we kinda have to. It is always fun to see those take risks in this subject area!

Have a wonderful night!

Ever Feel Like a Sponge?

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Hi there. I hope you had a great weekend. It was a beautiful day outside today! Hope that lasts for a bit longer. It is nice to also have light when I drive in and back home these days as well. 

Above, you will see a collection of fun activities that happened last Friday. The first few were an activity we did in CC Meeting. Rusty shared with us that feelings are the colors and textures of the world. So, we put that to the text, literally. I passed around a hard sponge, a soft bristled brush, and a soft ball of yarn. I then had the kids feel each object and decide if they were feeling sad, mad, or happy. They then had to share their opinions and back them up with evidence. It was pretty funny to listen to their logic. Bristle Brush for mad because it represents chores! Hilarious. It was a great lesson. Ask your child what they picked and why. If they share with you at a 4th grade level (opinion and solid proof) write TEXTURE in the planner for $20 tomorrow. Next weeks lessons with Rusty all deal with paying it forward. Can't wait for those! 

We are all so proud of Tyson for winning the Purple Hand Cookie award for going above and beyond the call of duty in the area of kindness. Sharing his money with Alexis when she forgot hers was extremely generous. Way to go Tyson. I am proud of all the nominees. Keep on being kind! 

At the start of the week, I posted or chain of "little things" that the class agreed to focus on this week. Throughout the week, we discovered that working as a team is tough. We often forgot to push in chairs, pick up garbage rather than walking over it or past it, and invite those that alone. We had to find those links and break the chains. The kids were able to see what happens to a team when there are weak links. The kids were dying to correct the behaviors or do more if I would just reconnect them. We talked about how we need to make good choices the first time and keep our promises to one another. On the other hand, I saw so many little things that the kiddos did do. So many were generous to one another. This really is a great group of kiddos! 

Well, that about sums it up. Have a great Sunday. 

Way to Go Alexis!!!

Hi there.

Today we had a packed day from start to finish. Unfortunately we had to rip off a chain link today...pushing in chairs instead of walking over or past them. Darn it. But, we are all in tack for the rest though. Today, we talked about the importance of exercising in order to get out our extra energy. I stole an idea from Bob, the trainer off of Biggest Loser, for this very subject. Ask your child what cardiology is and how to play it. Better yet, tell them that you drew the eight of spades and watch them drop to the floor to do eight pushups for ya. :0) If they can tell you what the hearts, diamonds, and clubs were for then write the word CARDIOLOGY in the planner for $20. Rusty ended our meeting by sharing the same thing! Get that energy out, so we can all focus.

MT History today took us down a pretty fun road. We read a reading from William Clark about his version of meeting the Salish Indians. Then, we read the Salish version of meeting Clark and the Corps. It was pretty funny to hear how both sides saw each other. There is always two sides to every story. Great, fun lesson!

We have a spelling test tomorrow. Please test through those words one last time. Breaking them into syllables should help this week. Thanks for your help.

Tonight's homework is a review sheet on many skills that we have learned this year. Please refrain from helping your child on this one, and allow me to see what they know. Thanks.

A HUGE congratulations again to Miss. Alexis on winning the Read-A-Thon Nook. She was out the last couple of days so she didn't get it till today! Have fun reading on that Nook Alexis!!!

PS-In the picture above, if you look in the background you will see Mrs. Fauth. She is here visiting from Glasgow, where she teaches 4th grade as well. She was my Junior Field about five years ago, and has come back to learn how I teach MT History. It was great having her here today, and again tomorrow.

Have a great night!

Go Team Go!

Hey there. It is Wednesday all ready! My oh my time flies when you start on a Tuesday!

Everyone now has a water bottle. Yay! Please make sure they come back daily if taken home to fill up again. Kids don't have to take them home, but they can if they want them fridge cold. :0)

Homework tonight is a review of multiplication again. Keep on practicing those is what I say!!!

We will begin reviewing all our math skills at the end of this week. Test prep is officially beginning. Exciting!

Today, in CC meeting we talked about doing little things for the team. We all wrote down one thing that we could do to make the E4 team even better. I agreed to pick up garbage that I see instead of stepping over it. Others agreed to recycle more, watch for those that are alone and approach them, get supplies for each other, put away water bottles and chairs for each other, and many others. We then linked all of the "little things" into a large chain. We agreed that we should all do all of the tasks presented, not just our own. Now, we will all watch and encourage each other to do these things throughout the week so they become habit. If someone is spotted NOT doing one of the things linked, then we will have to rip out that link, therefore breaking our team chain. On Friday, we will see if we are all still linked together or in bits of separated pieces. Time will tell!!!! Ask your child what they wrote on their link and how it went today. If they can tell you, write LINK on the planner for $20 tomorrow.

Got that hat picked out for Friday? It will be the last one!!!! We will also be picking our February Purple Hand Cookie Award this Friday as well. Ask your child who they might nominate and why.

Library books need to come back tomorrow. Those that don't will pay the $50 unprepared fine, just like our tennis shoes. Please remind them to get those in the backpacks tonight.

Thanks so much for all that you do. Know that I notice it, and I am loving teaching your children!

Have a great night!

Got a Kindergartener? We want them!!!!

Hi there. It was a great Monday, oops, I mean Tuesday! :0)

Today, we talked about why we were off yesterday. President's Day!!! Rusty told us that the holiday really is more than great sales and lots of commercials on TV. We read a fun book about President Obama's dog Bo. I also shared other books that can be read throughout the week about different presidents.

Next, we shared our drawings of our people that work with fossils. While sharing them, we compiled a list of attributes that belong to this occupation. It was quite the list. We then went into how a fossil really becomes a fossil. The organism has to be buried quickly under sediments and it has to wait over a thousand years. So, we talked about how things that die today, can't become fossils tomorrow.

After that, we had our NAEP testing. It went very well, and all kids did their best. Ask your child what they thought of the test and if they took the math or the reading session. One thing I did notice is how many kiddos don't have water bottles. Water has oxygen, and out brains need oxygen to work to their full potential. Please ask your child if they are in need of one tonight. Those that have them here, labeled, and ready to go tomorrow will earn $100. Those that don't will have to pay $100 for a new one from me. It is that important, especially when testing. Gotta keep that brain hydrated!

In math today, we did three different skills. We learned how to order fractions with uncommon denominators from least to greatest. Fun! We then practiced our multiplication (3 by 2 digit) and our long division. They are getting better and better at both these skills. They had a crossword puzzle to do in class. Many of the kids did not finish it, so that is their homework tonight. They also need to study those spelling words.

We continued on in MT History today. We added our pages about Clark, Lewis, Sacajawea, and another crew member of their choice. Kids had to share what they have learned about each corp member thus far. We also added in pictures of different items that the corp took along to give as gifts to American Indians and to trade with. Ask your child which gift they would have liked to get from the Corp. Write what they say in the planner for $20 tomorrow.

We also started our SW tour today. We did our geography challenge for this region. There are only 4 states and capitals in this region, so the test SHOULD be super easy, but they still need to study them!!!

Midterms came home today. If your child has a missing assignment, I also attached that sheet. Grades bottom out when kids have missing assignments. They need to get them turned in right away. I don't do make up work for absences, but kids need to remember to turn in assignments that they were here for upon their return. Math grades also went down a little bit due to some poor success maker grades. Kids need to really buckle down on those computer sessions, use their white boards instead of doing math in their head, and ask for help when they get a problem they don't know. Those that guess, have a low score over and over again. The system is set up to continue to present the same types of problems to kids until they show mastery of them. This program is done on each student individual level. So, if they are below or above grade level they are shown those types of problems. I am here to help. They just have to ask for it. You DON'T have to return the midterm. Just write the word MIDTERM in the planner and I will know that you saw it. Kids that have that in their parent's handwriting will earn $50 tomorrow.

The assembly for the Read-A-Thon was a hoot! As you can see, we did a great job turning Mr. English into a human banana split! Our class won a banana split party on Friday for having 100% participation! Alexis also won the nook for being the top reader in all of the 3rd and 4th grades!!!! WoooHoooo! We will celebrate with her upon her return as she is in Helena cheering on her sister as she has won a very special award there! What a family!!!! Proud, proud. Miss. Natalie took second place for overall reading as well. Well done E4! I am very proud of all our readers, and it was fun to celebrate it together today.

Tomorrow is PE, so remember those shoes. We also have music, so recorders need to come to school as well.

I have noticed a lot of coughing in class. Please feel free to send cough drops with kids as long as they have a note (or hard candies). They need to keep them on my desk. If your child has a fever and a cough, please keep them HOME! That nasty noro virus is going around and it wipes kids out in numbers and is very contagious. No fever though...send them please. It is important to be here every day! Thanks!

Lastly, here is a note from Mr. English and Mrs. Zimmerman regarding a favor they need to ask of you.

THIS MESSAGE IS TIME SENSITIVE

FALL 2013 Kindergarten Registration:

Dear Bitterroot Families,

The demographics study done for the district as part of the facility planning process indicates a significant increase in Kindergarten through 3rd grade students coming to Bitterroot in the Fall of 2013. In order for us to plan classroom spaces and staffing we need to get a handle on the number of new students as soon as possible. You can help us by registering your incoming Kindergarten students now. All new registrations will be marked by Christy with date and time of registration just in case "first come, first served" becomes part of the classroom placement process.

Also, I will be grateful if you help us get the word out to families you know have Kindergartners starting but for some reason haven’t received this notice.

Gratefully,

John English

Principal,

Bitterroot School

From Mrs. Zimmerman: 

Child must have turned 5 by 9/10/13

Enrollment Form - Into the office ASAP

Before the child can attend their first day of school, these items must also be turned in to the office:

A Copy of a Certified Birth Certificate

A Copy of Immunizations

    Must include:

    4 DPT

    3 Polio

    2MMR

Thanks and have a great night! 

Human Banana Split Tomorrow!!!!!

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Hi there. I sure hope your few days off have been wonderful. I know I have enjoyed them. I spent some time in Roundup, MT helping teachers set up their morning meetings with Rusty, and getting their money systems going. What a great school up there! The rest of the time was spent with family, cows, and my online class. Teachers have to re-certify every six years in Billings by taking a college course and attending workshops. It is my year to do so, so I am back in college again. Weird! I am taking a class about character in the classroom. I thought it would be a shoe in, cuz that is my number one passion, but it has really been interesting. It actually has applied more to the mind of the child and how they develop character rather than how to teach it. Interesting! 

Well, as you can see our Valentine's Day Party was a success. All committees did a great job and everyone had fun, including me! 

This week we will be back to business as usual with one exception. Tomorrow, Tuesday, we will have the NAPE test. Please make sure your child is well rested and has a healthy breakfast before leaving the house tomorrow morning. Think eggs and peanut butter. :0) Healthy, protein snacks are also encouraged. All kids need to know about this test is that they are expected to do their very best and apply all that they know. There will be stuff they know and stuff they won't know. They just need to try and give it their best effort. Time to shine diamonds! 

MONTCAS testing is also right around the corner. The window begins the first week of March. I will post the exact schedule when I know it. Love this test, because it is yet another time to really shine. Yes, I am the teacher, but testing is when kids show what they know and what they can figure out on their own without me, the teacher. Please help me encourage kids that testing is not brutal or scary, but just a time to reflect back on their entire education process and just let us know what they know. Please know that I completely understand that these are children and not data machines. I encourage their best, but it is not every thing, actually it is not even close to every thing! 

We will begin our tour of the Southern states. They are off to the right for study reasons. There are only four of them. We will also proceed with more MT History. We will take a better look into what the Lewis and Clark exposition meant to American Indians at that time. We will log some first encounter experiences and hear some stories from tribal members. We should be able to wrap up this section this week. Next up is fur trappers in MT! 

In math, we will wrap up fractions and begin measurement. We will also be reviewing and mastering long division. Expect those skills for homework this week along with some review problems from previous units. 

In reading, we will continue trying to solve the mystery happening at the Drive Thru Funeral Parlor in Besseldorf. The author is throwing many red herring clues at us, and it has been fun to see how the kids think they know but they find out they were tricked by the author's clues. We are working hard on the skills of character analysis, figurative language, and recording and analyzing clues. Kids are finding it easier and easier to spot idioms, similes, metaphors, personification, and onomatopoeia examples. 

In Lead 21, we are still working on predicting, cause and effect, main idea and details, synonyms, antonyms, and using charts in a text as we read more about the Midwest region. This week we will move forward to the lower regions and work on summary writing along with all the skills above. 

Spelling will resume this week as well. The words are off to the fight. We will focus on breaking words into syllables to help us spell them. 

In science, we will begin to really hit fossils hard. We will share our drawings we did last week, and talk about different tools needed to work with fossils. Then, we will dive into the study of how fossils come about, where we can find them, and what they tell us about the past. Fun! 

Our banana split assembly for the Read-A-Thon is tomorrow. It will be fun to turn Mr. English into a human banana split. Be careful though, Mr. English is allergic to bananas for real!!!! What a great sport of doing this for the kiddos. The kids did a great job of achieving their goals. I also hear that we have a winner for the Nook in our class. Awards will be presented at the assembly. Way to go E4!

Well, that about does it. Have a wonderful last day off. I can't wait to see all the kids again tomorrow. 

Make Your Choice A Positive One...Fresh Start!

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Hi there. Well, if for sure was a BETTER day in here. However, you can sure tell it is the day before Valentine's Day. It was for sure my fault however. We played a little Minute to Win It Valentine's Day style. The kids had to complete 4 tasks; all in a minute or less. It was super funny, and they worked really hard. Check out the pictures in the slideshow. The kids brought home the puzzle one. They now need to see if you can do it in a minute or less. If they try it on ya, write PUZZLE in the planner for $20 tomorrow.

We exchanged our money today. Many kids were able to buy some fun coupons to use after the break. We then donated the rest to the bank and called the pink money good. We now have blue money. Kids need to save every dollar they can for upcoming field trips. There will be a $500 buy in for each one. They should save at least $3000 by April if possible. This will be super easy if they just make positive choices. Everyone has a fresh start again, and everyone can do it!!!

Our CC meeting today was on that exact topic: Choices=Consequences. We talked, in length, about how what we do effects what we get. We are going to work very hard for those POSITIVE consequences and steer clear of choices that will lead us down the wrong path.

Kids need to make sure that they are ready to go for the Valentine's Day party tomorrow. Those on the decoration committee need to be here at 7:45. They need to check in at the office and then come down to decorate. I will be here. Those on the treat committee need to bring in their goods. We will sure enjoy eating those!!! Entertainment committee needs to bring in all their fun stuff to entertain us. It will be a blast, I am sure.

We have gym tomorrow. Please help remember those shoes. If they come unprepared then it costs them $50, just like homework. Choices....Consequences.

Have a great, great night!

Rough Days Happen

Well, I wish I could say that today was a great day in E4, but I can't. This morning, we had a very LONG and SERIOUS talk about about the choices that were made by 17 of my 21 students. Come to find out, kids admitted that they guessed on their math quizzes and rushed through them without even trying to get to do their Valentine's Day bags. I can't tell you how disappointed I was in these 17 students, many which this is out of character for. I then told them that they would have NEVER done this if I was in the room, and how that also hurts me. We spend a great amount of time learning how to be honest and students with positive character. We also talked that true character is how you act when no one (Ms. Erickson) is watching. They made the wrong choice last Friday. I could tell that most of the students really did feel regret, but not all. That is also sad in itself. After our talk, we let it go and moved on.

As for the four that made positive choices and did their very, very best on their test I express how very, very proud of them I am. Rusty calls kids "little diamonds." These kids sure showed that they are living up to that name. Olivia, Daniel, Brayden, and Kayla all earned a little diamond from me this morning. I am sure hoping to give out more throughout the year. I told them to take it home and put is somewhere special and that each time they look at it, to remember how proud I am of them in this moment. Ask to see them and please help find a special place to treasure it. Well done, and well deserved!

The rest of the day went great! We got a lot done, including our book about Lewis and Clark's expedition. Today, we talked a lot about how the Corps would have been in big trouble without the help of one person in particular. Ask your child who that one person was. If they can tell you, write the name in the planner for $20 tomorrow. We will finish up with our stickers on the trail and the movie tomorrow. While watching the movie, we will eat a special treat in celebration of Pompey's birthday (which is today!).

Mr. English will be returning from his military duty on Wednesday. I am sure the kids are excited to tell him that they beat his challenge in the Read A Thon. The assembly will be after the break. I believe, but don't quote me, that they are planning on announcing the winners by this Wednesday. It sure will be fun having Mr. English back, but it was also great having Mrs. Hardgrove here as well.

In language class, we learned a new word today. If your child is in my language class, ask them to read this sentence and tell you what they learned in class about the word Snoopy. If they can tell you what word I am talking about, write it in the planner for another $20. Phrase: My dog, Snoopy, ate his bone.
This skill is WAY over a 4th grade level. Wowzers!

Don't forget that we have our NAPE testing coming up right after the break. Kids will take either the math or the reading section of it. I don't know anything about it or which one they will be taking. All I know is that they are ready to shine!!! It will be next Tuesday at 10.

MONTCAS testing is right around the corner as well. We will begin to review in many areas to ensure that we are ready to rock the test! I know they will do great, as long as they believe and give us their very best!

Please make sure kids are ready to go for their committed supplies for the Valentine's Day party on Wednesday. Also, make sure they have all those fun cards ready to deliver that morning. I am excited. Please send in all supplies on Wednesday. Thanks.

Homework tonight is a blast from the past. It is a Valentine Math sheet that reviews place value, expanded form, and rounding. Wow! Hopefully they remember how to do those...of course they will!

We will be starting our new science unit tomorrow. It will be on fossils. Tomorrow, kids will do a What do you think? question to show me what they already know. I will post the results on the blog.

Well, have a wonderful night. I am expecting a way better day tomorrow from start to finish. :0) BELIEVE!

Short Week...Lot's To Do!

Hi there. I hope you are having a great weekend. The weather was so beautiful on Saturday. As I am typing this however, I hear a lot of wind out there right now. Darn wind. I keep telling Zach that we need to put a wind farm behind our house!

I stopped in school yesterday for a bit. The report from Mr. Brown was excellent. He did mention though that many kids seemed to rush through their math quiz and not show all their steps on how to change to a common denominator. I agreed when looking at them. This seems to be the case for a couple of kids all the time. The lack of effort is causing some kid's grades to go down, down, down. It is not that they don't know it, it is that they don't show it. An assignment is a piece of paper that will eventually get tossed in the garbage can. It is the learning behind the assignment that matters. It is what they take away from the assignment and apply it to new learning that counts. They miss out on that when they skip problems, guess, or just simply rush on their work. That, to me, is one of the most frustrating things about kiddos. It is sooooo difficult for them to see the connection between now and future. I would care to bet that you have similar frustrations at home when asking kids to do tasks and to do them well. May I ask you to have a discussion about this with your kids and really talk about how doing our best the first time is the most beneficial to our future lives. Guessing or doing jobs with little or half effort is just a waste of all our time. Mr. Brown suggested that I have kids do it over, and I may. However, the grade earned the first time is the one that will stand in the grade book. I am a big believer in, when you turn it in the bin you are saying to me that you have done your very best work. I trust kids to not sway from that thought, and I think that it is important they are accountable for those actions. Now, if they didn't get it that is different, however he also mentioned that kids did not ask him for help, so I don't think that is the case here. We will discuss this further at tomorrow's CC meeting. If you discuss it at home, please write BEST in the planner for $20 bonus money.

The time has come for us to switch out money colors again. The kids have done a great job earning and saving it this quarter. I will be offering the reward coupons for them to buy this week. They love those, and I enjoy seeing them get to do things that are fun. I also believe that all kids will be able to buy into the Valentine's Day party. The love monster bags they created were adorable. They are in the hall on display until we need them on Wednesday for the party. The new money will need to be saved for our many field trips at the end of the year. We also participate in a Wiffle Ball Tournament that kids need to buy into as well. There are many, many other fun things we do that will require kids to buy in. Their choices will be crucial to make sure they get to join into the fun. I BELIEVE every single student is capable of making positive choices. Again, effort comes into play here. Homework needs to be done without excuses, planners need to be signed daily, classroom expectations need to be followed, and positive behavior choices need to be made. Those that do this regularly, won't have an issue. Those that find these things difficult or even a habit, will probably find themselves on the sidelines thinking about how they should and could have done things differently. It is third quarter now. We are in the homestretch of the 4th grade. We need to shift into future fifth grader mode. I am excited to see them grow even more!

This week is a short week. We have school Monday and Tuesday all day. Wednesday is a half day, pick up is at noon. We are off Thursday, Friday, and the following Monday! Enjoy that time together. Wednesday is our Valentine's Day party. We will go to gym/health class first thing and then come back and celebrate this great day together. The committees have done a great job of planning a really fun day for us all. Remember, the decoration committee needs to come to school by 7:45 that day to start decorating. They know who they are. :0)

I am not sure how the pledge money envelopes went on Friday for the Read A Thon, but they are due back tomorrow at the latest. Please collect that money today and send it in all ready to go tomorrow. Thanks so much for supporting Bitterroot!

Academically, this week will be a wrap up week. We will not have spelling this week due to the short week. Our math and language lessons will revolve around a Valentine Day theme that fits right in with what we have been working on. Homework will as well. We will finish the Lewis and Clark Expedition Trail and story we have been working on in MT History. We will be taking a look at fossils next in science. I will gather information that kids already know this week, and build the lessons from there. They are going to love this unit! It is not so much dinosaur fossils as it is a study of fossils and how they came to be about. Interesting stuff! After the break, we will be getting into our next region in SS. It consists of only four states so the the states and capital's test should be easy-cheasy!

New parent videos are up from Rusty. Here is a message he wanted me to share with all of you.

Dear Parents:

My name is Rusty May and your child watches my SchoolToolsTv videos everyday with their classmates at school. I'm now doing 3 weekly videos for parents to watch with their children at home.

The Parenting Page videos mirror the videos your child is watching that week at school so you know exactly what we're talking about and have an opportunity to build on our discussion within the context of your family values.

The 3 shows focus on:

- EQ, or Emotional Quotient, which helps build your child's emotional intelligence.
- Bully Byte which talks about all aspects of bullying and how to prevent it.
- Life Lesson which is a common sense tool they can use to help them achieve their goals and dreams.

You can see the free shows starting Monday of each week at http://www.schooltoolstv.com/index.php?option=com_hwdvideoshare&task=viewcategory&cat_id=17&Itemid=120

If you have any questions or comments, please don't hesitate to contact me at rusty@schooltoolstv.com

Thanks and have a fantastic day.

Hats 4 Hope Tomorrow...50 Cents!

Hi there. It was a great, fun day in E4. We sure are having fun learning this year!

Tomorrow, I will be out of the building. Kids will have their favorite sub, Mr. Brown. He knows the drill, so all will run smoothly. I am asking that kids be the BEST them tomorrow, and to make THEMSELVES proud! Those that chose to push Mr. Brown's "buttons" will be sitting out part of the Valentine's Day party. Yikes! Good choices all the way around please!!

Due to sub tomorrow, Miss. Olivia did her Star of the Week today. It was so much fun meeting Ranger, her puppy! What a cutie, and love those Husky eyes! Olivia also shared a hidden talent, she can seriously decorate cakes. I am talking Pinterest quality here folks. Who knew??? Wow!!! What a great kid!

Read A Thon Envelopes have come home today for one last time. Kids need to make good on their pledges. Please round up the money owed and place it in the envelopes. I believe the last day for this is next Monday. Winners for contests will be announced next week sometime.

Kids will make their Valentine bags tomorrow for Fun Friday. This will be the only time to do this. Those that are absent, will be given a blank bag to collect their valentine's in. They are transforming their bags into love monsters! Rrrrrrr!!! The sky is the limit on creativity and if they want to bring in supplies of their own, they may do so tomorrow. I showed examples today in class. There is a creative writing piece with this as well that kids will need to accomplish BEFORE they get to do the fun decorating. There is no cost for this Fun Friday, everyone can attend for free. :0)

We finished our Fighting Fair unit with Rusty this morning. All kids are now officially trained on how to fight fair. The poster will hang in the classroom for awhile as a reminder. Today, we added to THINK BEFORE we SPEAK or WRITE! Once we say things, we can't get those words back. So, they should be words we can be proud of.

Have a fantastic night and weekend. I will post again on Sunday night. Remember, next week is a short week. Full days M and T, and half day on Wednesday. Then off Th, F, and Monday. Back to school on Tuesday. Enjoy the break!!!

Committees are formed!

Hi there. Real quick today.

We formed our Valentine committee's today. We went by what you decided in the planners. Below, I have listed the committee and what they have agreed to do/bring for the party. If it is going to be an issue, please let me know ASAP so I can regroup.

Entertainment:
McKenzy: Singing Machine
Collin
Andrew-Disco Ball
Sebastian-Disco Game
(Each group member has agreed to bring their favorite CDs and wear a costume)

Snack: (22 People Worth)
Brayden: Red Cups
Elijah: Strawberry Shortcake
Robby: Cool Whip (Large Tub) and Fortune Cookies????
Evan: Soda x 3 (liter bottles)
Tyson: hawaiian punch x 2 and Table Cloth
Ethan: Chips x 2 bags and Valentine plates
Daniel: Brownies
Alexis: Conversation Hearts
Cameron: Valentine Napkins and Silverware
Natalie: Baked goods and Dips for chips
Alyssa: Baked goods and valentine bowls.

Decorations:
Olivia
Katherine
Kenzi
G
(All parties have their assigned parts and supplies will be given out tomorrow to bring home.)

All supplies need to be brought in on NEXT Wednesday morning. Please check your child's planner for more details if they have them. Write ALL GOOD if you are fine with the required items for $20 tomorrow.

Thanks so much! They are very excited about this!!!

Have a great night.

Happy Birthday Andrew!

Happy Birthday Andrew!!! Thank you sooooo much for the donuts! Yummy, yummy, yummy!

We started the day by adding to our class poster in CC Meeting. Rusty is talking about fighting fair this week. He is sharing with us that all relationships require work and that we WILL have arguments and disagreements in even the healthiest of relationships. The key is to know how to "fight fairly." We have discovered all the things you see on the poster above. Take a look.

In CC Meeting, we also did some role playing with two and three friends. We went through a "training" of how to deal with friends when there are only two of them playing or walking home from school. Then, we went through the procedure of what to do when a third friend enters the situation. I taught them that the person in middle when walking home, is the one that needs to take charge of making sure that the person to the right and left are involved in the conversation. Lastly, we talked about how it is OK for our friends to have other friends, and that it doesn't mean they don't like us anymore. Hopefully, this helps kiddos that are struggling with these concepts.

We continued up the trail in MT History today. After traveling for a bit, we watched a movie that reinforced everything we have done and seen thus far on the journey. The kids were all sorts of interested in that! Ask your child to share about this with you. If they can, write MOVIE in the planner for $20 tomorrow.

Homework tonight is a math sheet. Kids need to convert mixed numbers into improper fractions. It is fine to help them if needed. Some kids are finding this difficult, not for the concept, but for the fact that they still have yet to master their basic multiplication facts. xtramath.org is still there for students to do at home.

Valentine Sheets came home today. Kids may begin to write out or make their Valentine's Day cards. They need to come to school on Wednesday, February 13th. Please leave them at home until them.
We will have our committee meetings tomorrow. If you have yet to pick a committee and write it in the planner please do so by tomorrow. Most of you have done this already. Thanks.

Have a wonderful night, and read, read, read!

Rosa Park's 100th Birthday Today!

Happy Birthday to Rosa Parks!!! And...what would Rosa have brought to school for her birthday treats??? Hmmm....she fought for black and whites to be the same and live peacefully together...so....yep, black and white Oreos it is! And, if you have Oreos you also have to have some milk! So, we celebrated her by eating Oreos and 1% milk. Dunk-a-roo!!!!

The Read-A-Thon is going strong. We are behind Mrs. Hankin's class, but not by much. Read, read, read! We want those banana splits! Kids are doing a great job so far! The contest ends this Wednesday.

I will be gone on Friday. I am presenting the MT History notebooks we have been building to a top dog. We are hoping to get it all around MT!!! They just love them that much! Speaking of which, ask your child what they discovered while going up the trail again today. If they can tell you one sticker AND about it, write what it is in the planner for $20. Love when you guys communicate about school!

I will send home the Valentine's Day list tomorrow. Kids should begin to create their cards for their classmates if they choose too. Remember, they have to write one to EVERYONE in the class if they are participating. We will pass them out at the celebration. We will make bags in class, so no need to build one or a box at home. :0)

Lastly, a golden rod sheet came home with the kids today. It is a nomination form for the Golden Apple Award. I am not at all pushing you to nominate me, but I gotta tell ya, when I have been nominated in the past they gave me copy of the letter the parents had written. Wow! That was a winner for me. To hear that someone had taken time to write such wonderful things about what I do in life as a career was for sure a highlight in my day! I know it would be one for any teacher you think has gone the extra mile to help kids learn, been a role model for kids, and has impacted the life of a child. Those are the three requirements. So, nominate someone that has made a difference in your child's life. The teacher will LOVE to get your letter and feel appreciated in all that they do! I know I love my kiddo's teachers over at Miles. Both of them qualify for the award in my opinion. Hmmmm, sounds like I have some writing to do. :0) All the instructions are on the sheet.

Have a wonderful Monday night!

Hi there. Happy Sunday! I hope you are enjoying the Superbowl and surrounded by family and/or friends. My team, the Steelers, is not in it this year so I will be just watching to watch. Plus, gotta love those commercials. :0)

Last week we wrapped up our Snow-ology unit for good. As you can see, the snow globes are finally done. Enjoy them at home. It was super fun, but it is time to move forward. We have even more fun coming up!!!

Ethan was our star of the week last week. Who knew he was such a military buff? I just love learning more and more about these kiddos!

Valentine's Day is quickly approaching. We need to begin to start the planning process for our class celebration. I would like to start that with your input. Below, I have described the three committees that the kiddos that have bought in will choose from. The celebration will be planned totally by them. Please discuss these committees with your child and decide together which one you both agree to doing. We will sign up for them tomorrow. The celebration will take place on Wednesday, February 13th. It is a half day that day.

1. Decoration Committee-Kids will be responsible for bringing in and decorating the classroom. Since our celebration is on a half day, these kiddos will need to come decorate before school starts. They will need to be here at 7:45 am to ensure they have time to decorate. As a committee, they will decide their plan and divy up the items to bring. It will be up to them if they use store bought or homemade crafts. They may use any supplies we have at school.

2. Snack Committee-Kids will be responsible for bringing the snacks and drinks. They will make a plan together and divy up the items to bring. They will also need to plan for the plates, cups and utensils. They are welcome to any supplies we have at school.

3. Entertainment Committee-Kids will be responsible for providing the entertainment at the celebration. In the past we have had glow sticks, dance offs, valentine box contests, and more. The kids will meet and make a plan. If CD's or other game activities are needed they will figure out who has what and can bring it. They are welcome to any supplies we have at school.

Please write the name of the committee that you and your child believe would be the best fit for them and your family. Those that do, will earn $20 tomorrow at check in.

Lastly, I am sure you are wondering what all the funny pictures on the whiteboards are. Well...they are big headed fractions, otherwise known as Improper Fractions. Kids learned how to make mixed fractions into Improper by giving them a big head. Ask them about them and have them show you how to make 6 and 1/4th as a "big head."Write their answer in the planner for $20.

Have an amazing rest of the weekend!