May 07, 2008

May 7, 2008

We are heading toward the finish line.  I thought you might like to see our Chia Pets that we made from the sock and buttons that you sent in.  I told you that you may not recognize your sock.  This activity is a result of our study of the life cycle of a plant.  Can you believe that we had already given them haircuts?

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We also observed 5 caterpillars become pupas.  Unfortunately, they morphed into butterflies over the weekend.  We set them free in our very own Nicholson Butterfly Garden. Ask your child if they know the stages of a butterfly.

We also have some tadpoles that should be sprouting their back legs soon.  More to come!

April 21, 2008

April 21, 2008

View our powerpoint presentations on the Life Cyle of Trees.  The students did a great job!

Paul:Download tree-paul.ppt

Ian:Download tree-ian.ppt

James:Download the_treejames.mht

Noah:Download the_life_cycle_of_a_treenoah.ppt

Trevor:Download my_summer_treetrevor.ppt

Nicholas:Download my_treenicholas.ppt

Logan:Download season_treeslogan.ppt

Izah:Download the_life_cycle_of_a_treeizah.ppt

Ronald: Download seasons-Ronald.ppt

Jennifer:Download the_four_seasonsjennifer.ppt

April 14, 2008

April 14, 2008

Welcome back from spring break. I hope everyone had fun.  Only six more weeks.....can you believe it?????

I wanted to post the dates for CRCT.

The schedule is:

CRCT begins on April 23, 24, 25 for grades 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5

CRCT will continue on April 28 and 29th for 3, 4, and 5

Make ups will happen on April 30, May 1, and 2nd

Your children will need lots of rest and a good breakfast.

March 25, 2008

March 25, 2008

How cute was the Second Grade Musical, "Go Fish"? The students really let their little lights shine.

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Have you seen any single tube socks hanging around your laundry room?  Your child will need 1 old tube sock for a science project.  Don't expect it to be returned. Infact, you won't even recognize it when we're through with it!!!  Along with the sock, please send in 6-10 flat buttons.  Any color except white please.

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I hope you have been able to access some CRCT practice online. I'll be sending some practice worksheets for homework next week.  We'll be correcting them in class. 

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Has your child used any persuasive strategies on you lately? Have they stopped begging and pleading for what they want?  Listen to see if they are giving you reasons and examples for what they want.  You might have a hard time turning them down!

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We are beginning our study of Australia.  If you have visited there or have any interesting artifacts to show the class, please let me know. We'll be comparing Australia's culture to our own.

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We'll be celebrating new members to the 100/100+ Clubs this Friday along with Spirit Day, Banking Day, and Chick-fil-a Biscuits ($2.00).

Fact timed tests will be given Wednesday and Thursday of this week.

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I would like to wish everyone a safe and happy spring break.  While everyone heads to the beach, I'll be going to Chicago for 4 days to visit with family. ENJOY

March 05, 2008

March 6, 2008

Bullying-Bullying is a very serious issue and one we want to avoid here at Nicholson.  Every child should be working on a poster that addresses this issue. Be creative and follow the rules stated on the flyer that went home at the beginning of this week. Posters are due by March 14th.

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Book Projects-I wish you could have seen the variety of wonderful Book Projects that the class presented. The students have plenty of time and should  be planning their next project.  This is a time to choose a project that will allow your student to shine.  Summaries should be well written and proofread. Written projects should be written on a separate sheet of paper and attached to the summary.  Have your child practice reading their summary and presenting at home.  It really alleviates the "jitters". Next projects are due March 28th.  Remember to choose a different one.

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Math-Hopefully your child has mastered two digit addition and subtraction with regrouping, because we are about to begin regrouping with three digit numbers.

Common Mistake-One of the most common mistakes that second graders make is adding when they should have subtracted.  Circling the operational sign before computing may help.

Multiplication and division will also be introduced. There is no need to memorize these facts, unless your child has mastered his/her +,- facts, and would like a challenge.

Please continue to practice counting back change up to a $1.00. This is a difficult concept and needs much practice.

We have three more members of the 100/100+. Just keep your child practicing and they'll have another chance at the end of the month. Helping your child memorize math facts is one of the best gifts you will ever give them!

Great Website-Check our this website for addition, subtraction, and multiplication timed tests.

www.mrmyer.org

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Writing-Persuasive writing will be our final genre of the year. Students will learn to form an opinion and then back it up with reasons to support it. Watch Out Parents! Your child's persuasive "whining" may turn into convincing persuasive arguments.

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Social Studies-We are learning a lot about Japan.  Your student should be able to compare the Japanese culture to our own.  Check it Out-Check out the Japan Website on the Blog.

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CRCT Practice-Please try out the CRCT practice on-line.  Students will be more likely to perform better if they are familiar with for format of the questions. 

March 6, 2008

Bullying-Bullying is a very serious issue and one we want to avoid here at Nicholson.  Every child should be working on a poster that addresses this issue. Be creative and follow the rules stated on the flyer that went home at the beginning of this week. Posters are due by March 14th.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Book Projects-I wish you could have seen the variety of wonderful Book Projects that the class presented.  For some, it was obvious that it was pulled together the night before.  The students have plenty of time and should  be planning their next project.  This is a time to choose a project that will allow your student to shine.  Summaries should be well written and proofread. Written projects should be written on a separate sheet of paper and attached to the summary.  Have your child practice reading their summary and presenting at home.  It really alleviates the "jitters". Next projects are due March 28th.  Remember to choose a different one.

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Math-Hopefully your child has mastered two digit addition and subtraction with regrouping, because we are about to begin regrouping with three digit numbers.

Common Mistake-One of the most common mistakes that second graders make is adding when they should have subtracted.  Circling the operational sign before computing may help.

Multiplication and division will also be introduced. There is no need to memorize these facts, unless your child has mastered his/her +,- facts, and would like a challenge.

Please continue to practice counting+ Club! It's not  back change up to a $1.00. This is a difficult concept and needs much practice.

We have three more members of the 100/100too late. Just keeping practicing and you'll have another chance at the end of the month. Helping your child memorize math facts is one of the best gifts you will ever give them!

Great Website-Check our this website for addition, subtraction, and multiplication timed tests.

www.mrmyer.org

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Writing-Persuasive writing will be our final genre of the year. Students will learn to form an opinion and then back it up with reasons to support it. Watch Out Parents! Your child persuasive "whining" may turn into convincing persuasive arguments.

..........................................................................

Social Studies-We are learning a lot about Japan.  Your student should be able to compare the Japanese to culture to our own.  Check it Out-Check out the Japan Website on the Blog.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

CRCT Practice-Please try out the CRCT practice on-line.  Students will be more likely to perform better if they are familiar with for format of the questions. 

March 6, 2008

Bullying-Bullying is a very serious issue and one we want to avoid here at Nicholson.  Every child should be working on a poster that addresses this issue. Be creative and follow the rules stated on the flyer that went home at the beginning of this week. Posters are due by March 14th.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Book Projects-I wish you could have seen the variety of wonderful Book Projects that the class presented.  For some, it was obvious that it was pulled together the night before.  The students have plenty of time and should  be planning their next project.  This is a time to choose a project that will allow your student to shine.  Summaries should be well written and proofread. Written projects should be written on a separate sheet of paper and attached to the summary.  Have your child practice reading their summary and presenting at home.  It really alleviates the "jitters". Next projects are due March 28th.  Remember to choose a different one.

===============================================

Math-Hopefully your child has mastered two digit addition and subtraction with regrouping, because we are about to begin regrouping with three digit numbers.

Common Mistake-One of the most common mistakes that second graders make is adding when they should have subtracted.  Circling the operational sign before computing may help.

Multiplication and division will also be introduced. There is no need to memorize these facts, unless your child has mastered his/her +,- facts, and would like a challenge.

Please continue to practice counting+ Club! It's not  back change up to a $1.00. This is a difficult concept and needs much practice.

We have three more members of the 100/100too late. Just keeping practicing and you'll have another chance at the end of the month. Helping your child memorize math facts is one of the best gifts you will ever give them!

Great Website-Check our this website for addition, subtraction, and multiplication timed tests.

www.mrmyer.org

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Writing-Persuasive writing will be our final genre of the year. Students will learn to form an opinion and then back it up with reasons to support it. Watch Out Parents! Your child persuasive "whining" may turn into convincing persuasive arguments.

..........................................................................

Social Studies-We are learning a lot about Japan.  Your student should be able to compare the Japanese to culture to our own.  Check it Out-Check out the Japan Website on the Blog.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

CRCT Practice-Please try out the CRCT practice on-line.  Students will be more likely to perform better if they are familiar with for format of the questions. 

February 05, 2008

February 5, 2008

I want to thank everyone for coming to conferences. I enjoyed meeting with you to discuss your child's progress. 

SUPPLY ALERT! Each child brought home a supply alert this week.  I attached it to their homework packet.  Many supplies are lost or broken.  Check with your child to see which of their supplies need to be replaced.

BOOK REPORTS: Also check your child's Homework Folder for the book report packet.  You will find a letter that needs to be signed by a parent and returned.  The packet offers the students a number of ways to present what they have learned about a book.  These activities challenge your child to use higher level thinking skills. Encourage them to be creative.  I suggest they report on the AR chapter books that they are reading.  I don't mind if AR books go home, but they need to come back to school everyday.The activities will be presented to the class and are due on Spirit Day, Feb. 29th.

WEEKLY READER: I hope your child is enjoying the Weekly Reader homework assignments.  This is great practice for finding information and reading about current events.  Answers must always be written in complete sentences.  Encourage your child to spell words correctly, since most are RIGHT THERE in the text.  I look forward to reading their responses to the THINK ABOUT IT.

SPACE WEBSITES: Be sure to check out the blog and encourage your child to explore the space websites. It's always good to extend your learning.

100/100+ Club: Congratulations to those students who achieved their math fact goals and read 18 or more AR points by the 100th Day of School!!! The Pep Rally was awesome.  Don't forget, it's not too late.  Students need to keep working hard to get 90% or above on 100 + and - facts in 7 minutes.  It needs to be consistent. Keep reading, too.  I'll give the inclass timed tests anytime after the 21st of February.  For those who made the 100/100+ Club, challenge yourselves.  I know some students are finishing in less than 4 minutes.  Jot down your time on the graph so I can see it, too.  If you're not practicing every night, you may see very little progress!

DON'T FORGET TO BUY YOUR CANDY GRAMS

Thanks for all you do at home!

December 18, 2007

December 18, 2007

News and Notes

Math Facts

*I am so proud of my students.  Most have worked very hard these past two quarters and have made great improvements in their memorization of math facts.  If your child is continually getting 90% or above in 7 minutes, lower the time to 5 minutes.  We will have our 100 Club Celebration on the 100th day of school.  Next, the 100 Plus Club!!!

*I would like to encourage you to continue having your child read over the holidays.  It's pretty amazing what they can forget in two weeks.  I thought you might be interested to know that the Accelerated Reader Program keeps track of how many words your child has read since August.  The lowest is 3,839 words compared to the highest at 221,657.  Improved vocabulary, reading fluency, and comprehension are all benefits of consistent reading.  I can share this information with you at conferences.

*Don't forget math facts.  I have attached some great math games and activities that our ALT shared with us.  These might be a nice break from timed tests.

*Friday, Dec. 21, is PJ Day.  For the donation of $1.00 to Relay for Life. students can wear their PJs to school. FUN! FUN!FUN!

*Have a safe and joyous holiday with your family and friends.  I am off to Chicago to spend Christmas with my family.  It's pretty certain that I'll have a white Christmas.  Hope you do, too.

Applying research to instruction: Computational fluency

Computational fluency and number sense go hand in hand: they develop together and one cannot exist without the other. (Griffin and Case, 1997)

                                                      

Standard:  Number and Operations

Students will further develop their understanding of computation of whole numbers and compute in problem-solving situations without calculators.

Element: Know facts with understanding and fluency

Bloom: Application (Apply an abstract idea in a concrete situation to solve a problem or relate it to prior experience.)

Fluency refers to having efficient, accurate, and generalizable methods (algorithms) for computing that are based on well-understood properties and number relations (NCTM, 2000).

Computation is a particular form of mathematical problem solving.  Computation engages a significant amount of problem solving skills. 

                                                                               

Computational Capers

In these last weeks before winter break it is a good idea to keep kids as active and involved as possible!   These activities are designed to engage students to think like mathematicians.  They allow for students to work individually or in small groups, and they focus on developing computational fluency by using a game format.  What could be easier!!

The activities involve a standard deck of playing cards (without the face cards) or number cards.  As a bonus, these activities incorporate not only various content standards but Process Standards as well!

K-2

Hit the Target.  Have your partner close his or her eyes and choose one card from the deck of cards.  The number on the card is your target.  Place the remaining cards face up on the playing surface.  With your partner, take turns looking for two cards that you can add or subtract to get the number on your target card.  Keep playing until you cannot find any more combinations that equal the target number.  Repeat the game with a different target number. 

Five Alive.  Have your partner pick a card or call out a number between 5 and 10.  You respond by saying “5 and  ---“,” for example, if your partner says “9”, you respond “5 and 4.” Take turns calling out the number.

The DoubleMaker.  Turn your calculator into a ‘double maker’  by pressing 2 X or x 2, depending on the calculator.  Now press any digit followed by = and you will get double that number.  Work with a partner to find the double before using the calculator to check the answer. 

3-5

Hit the target II.  Select five cards from a shuffled deck and arrange them in a row.  Place a sixth card, known as the target card, below the row of cards.  Can you multiply, add, or subtract any combination of the five cards to equal the number on the target card?  Challenge a friend to find the greatest number of combinations that equal the target card.

Face off.  Start with a deck of cards facedown.  You and a friend each draw one card form the deck and turn it face up so that both players can see it.  The first player to call out the correct product of the two cards wins both cards.  If both players call out incorrect answers, place the cards in a discard pile.  When no cards remain in the deck pile, the game ends.  The player with the most cards is the winner. 

What’s the difference?  Choose four cards and arrange them to make the least possible four digit number.  Have your partner choose three cards and make the greatest possible number.  If either of you draw a 10, discard the card and draw again.  The player with the four cards subtracts the three the three –digit number, or subtrahend, from the four-digit number, or the minuend.  If the answer is odd, the player with four cards wins the point.  If the answer is even, the partner with three cards wins.  Switch roles and repeat.  When you have drawn all the cards in the deck, the player with the most points wins. 

Fast Facts  You and a partner choose two cards from a deck placed facedown.  Place the two cards faceup next to each other, making a two digit number.  This number is your product (or sum).  Challenge each other to find two numbers, or factors, that you can multiply (add) to get your product (sum).  Take turns calling out pairs of factors.  Pick two more cards and continue finding factors.

3 by 3 magic Use or draw a 3 x 3 grid.  Place the numbers 1 – 9 in the squares so that none of the rows, columns, or diagonals have the same sum.  Use each number only once.  Compare your solution to other classmates’ solutions.  Challenge yourself to try again, using a 4 x 4 square grid and the numbers 1 -16.

Those fabulous fives.  Can you make five 2’s equal 5?  On a piece of paper write a horizontal row of five 2s, leaving enough space between each number for one of the operational symbols (+, -, x, or ÷)

                                    2   2    2    2    2 = 5

Insert symbols to make the equation equal 5.  You do not have to use every symbol, and you may use a symbol mre than once. You may need to use parentheses to show the order of operations.  Try to use five 3s, five 4s, and five 5s to write equations that equal 5. 

High/Low.  Do this activity with a partner or a group of three or four students.  Using a deck of cards with the face cards and 10’s removed; the dealer deals six cards to each player.  The remaining cards become a stockpile.  Before the players look at their cards, the dealer announced where they are playing for either the high or the low sum.  Players then turn their cards faceup and form two three digit numbers that add up to either the high or the low sum.  Beginning with the dealer, the players draw once from the stockpile and may choose to exchange the card they draw for a card in their hand.  Each player then must discard one card.  The player who gets the highest or lowest sum is awarded one point.  Play continues until a player has ten points. Change the game to subtraction and play for the highest or lowest difference, or deal four cards and play a multiplication version of the game. 

Games provide the motivation to practice ‘facts’!  Use them often and change partners often.

Teach one game at a time and then allow students to pick a game to play when they arrive in the morning, during transition times, inside recess or when they are finished with their work.  Research says this format is very reliable in teaching automaticity.  Do instead of or in combination with speed drills on paper and pencil and math games on the computer.      

December 03, 2007

December 3, 2007

Important Dates:

  1. Report cards will be delayed to coincide with conference week.  You will receive your child’s report card at your conference.
  2. Friday, December 21, 2007 is PJ Day!  For a $1.00 donation, your child can wear their pajamas to school.  The proceeds benefit our Relay for Life Team.  Nicholson faculty has set a $6,000 goal and we are already past $1,000!  This in conjunction with Spirit Day.
  3. Winter break is almost here!  Our last day of school is Friday, December 21, 2007.  We will return to class Tuesday, January 8, 2008.

BARNES & NOBLE NICHOLSON NIGHT

Please join us at our first annual Barnes & Noble Nicholson Night!

When: 
Thursday, December 6th from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Where: 
Barnes & Noble at 50 Barrett Parkway, Kennesaw
click for Directions and Link to Barnes & Noble

What: 
*A Special Performance by Ms. Kneuer and students
*Nicholson teachers and Mrs. McWhorter reading holiday favorites aloud
*Nicholson teachers gift wrapping purchased items from 6 to 9 p.m.
*A chance to dress as your favorite storybook character

Why: 
A percentage of all purchases made by Nicholson family and friends on December 6th, 7th, and 8th will be donated to our school.

R.S.V.P.
By coming to our Nicholson Night!  Look for familiar Nicholson faces!

Click to see the official flyer

Download barnes_noble_night.doc

May 2008

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