Ms.Jackson

What are we learning this week?

Math: We are studying the properties of multiplication (associative, distributive, commutative, zero and the identity property)  **Homework completion is a very important part of your student's academic achievement in mathematics, please make sure it is done each night. 

Reading:  We are nearly completed with our author study.  We have been studying the informational texts written and illustrated by Gail Gibbons.  We are comparing and contrasting her writings.  Please remember to read 20 minutes or more nightly.

Language Arts:  We continue to develop a source notebook with the students.  This nine weeks our focus is on persusaive writing.  We have discussed the set-up of a persuasive paper and how to establish a solid position.  We will continue our exploration of this genre by developing how to support our positions with evidence.

Spelling:  We have begun Unit 18.  Our core words for this week are power, problem, winter, longer, and deep.  Our skill this week will be antonyms. 

Science: We will explore the solar system as the year comes to an end.  The students will have a project to complete where they create their own constellation and chose a project to complement this constellation. 

Social studies: We are learning the basics of the Revolution War.  We are using the background knowledge derived from our field trip to the Youth Museum to understand the causes and effects of this war. 

Health: We will be working on intergrating our langauge arts persuasive writing by producing anti-smoking projects, which will be due on the 16th of May.

View curriculum information on the Cobb County portal Picasso.

Spitfire Today

Spitfire is doing well. He will be ready for release when his plastron lesions heal up completely and if he continues to have overall good health. It is always exciting to release an animal that was sick back into the ocean, so they can continue to contribute to the population of loggerhead sea turtles! He is still receiving bandage changes every three days, but a good granulation bed has developed over the area. A granulation bed is a pink area signifying a good blood supply and healthy tissue. An example of a good granulation bed is when you have removed a scab from a cut or knee scrape and see nice pink tissue!

Spitfire's news!

Dear Adoptive Parent,

Spitfire is doing well.  His plastron lesions are healing nicely but still need bandage changes every three days.  He is continued on chloramphenicol, an antibiotic.  His blood work and chemistry panel appear to be within normal ranges so we will continue his current treatment for another few bandage changes and reassess at that point.  He is eating very well and has received a slight diet increase.

News from Spitfire

Dear Adoptive Parent,

Spitfire was recently weighed in at 118 pounds!  He is doing well except for a recently developed lesion on his plastron.  What this means is that there is a comparable area on the bottom of his shell, like a sore.  Often turtles will develop lesions if they are rubbing along the bottom or if the chemicals in the water aren’t quite right.  Dr. Norton has placed Spitfire on antibiotics and placed a bandage on his plastron.  This bandage helps pad the area but also keeps any feces or food particles away from the lesion as well.  The bandage is changed every three days and has already healed up some since it was first discovered 4 days ago.  Spitfire is still proposed to be released in the spring, assuming this lesion heals up before then. 

Proud parents of a Sea Turtle

Our class has been studying informational text.  One of the ways we have learned more about this genre was by reading our book of the month One Tiny Turtle.  This made us want to search for more information about sea turtles, especially the loggerhead sea turtle.  These turtles come to nest on the Georgia coast.  While investigating on the interent, Mrs. Jackson and Mrs. Alcala found the Georgia Sea Turtle Center located on Jekyll Island.  They rehabilitate turtles and release them back into the wild.  They also have an Adopt-A-Sea Turtle Program.  We have officially adopted Spitfire!! You can check him out at Spitfire.  The students are very excited. 

Check out these educational websites!

Click on the orange phrases below to travel to sites for some extra practice...

Harcourt Math -This site ties into our text book and the curriculum we are teaching.

Math Fact Practice -Online flash cards to reinforce basic math skills.

Multiplication Practice -Work on your multiplication skills through online games.

Math Games -BBC practice on different math skills.

English Practice -BBC practice for grammar and sentence construction.

Scholastic -Learn more about your favorite book characters and play games that include those characters.

Funschool -This site has fun games that deal with a variety of academic skills.

Spelling -This site allows you to enter your own spelling words and practice spelling them.

Mrs. Alcala's Photos

 
                    

Schedule

7:15-8:00 Morning routine/RAP

8:00-9:00 Math

9:00-10:45 Language arts/ Reading/ Writing

10:45-11:30 Specials (Mon.-Music, Tues./Thurs.-P.E., Wed.-Art, Fri.-Rotating schedule

11:35-12:09 Spelling/English

12:11-12:41 Lunch

12:45-1:00 Outdoor Exercise (Fun Friday 1:00-1:30)

1:05-2:05 S.S./Science/Health

2:05-2:15 Read Aloud

2:15-2:30 Dismissal

What's going on?

May

Thursday 5-8-08:  Scholastic 1/2 price book fair.

Friday 5-9-08:  Scholastic 1/2 price book fair.  Last day to return books and last day to take AR tests!  Abigail Adams vists from 9:15a.m.-10:15a.m.

Monday 5-12-08:  Stevi B's Night

Friday 5-16-08:  Field Day!  Spirit Day!  Chick-Fil-A biscuit sales!

Tuesday 5-20-08:  4th Grade Award Ceremony 8:15-9:30!

Friday 5-23-08:  Last day of school!

Contact Information

The best form of communication for us is email.  We will respond to you as soon as our schedule allows.  You can contact Mrs. Jackson at Susan.Jackson@cobbk12.org and you can contact Mrs. Alcala at Danielle.Alcala@cobbk12.org.  Also you can check out our blog weekly or bi-weekly.  We update it frequently with important things going on around school.