"Slingin' & Flingin'"

Grammar-  The class has been learning about the different types of verbs.  They can easily recognize action verbs and have helping verbs memorized.  We have diagrammed each of these types.  Today, they learned about "state of being verbs".  Much to their delight, they already have them memorized!  The verbs am, is, are, was, were, be, being, and been are state of being verbs, as well as helping verbs.  The class learned to recognize this role that a verb can play.  They also reviewed first, second, and third person, as well as the different verb tenses, as we conjugated the verb "be".

Writing-  In writing class today, Ms. Bev began the class by taking a private look at their journals.  These journals are a way to get the kids into the habit of writing.  Not everyone loves journalling.  It isn't going to be everyone's favorite time of the day.  However, Ms. Bev explained to the class that each of them need to be careful not to "sling and fling".  She explained that, sometimes, we get in a hurry, or we just don't want to do something.  So, we "sling" something onto the paper and "fling" it at the teacher.  This isn't just a lesson for writing class.  This is a great lesson for EVERY class.  For LIFE.  After the chat, Ms. Bev backed up to review last week's lesson on topic sentences (or "power sentences").  The class completed a teacher driven activity power sentences, breaking them apart to see how the writer added the details.  They are working to try to turn information and facts on different topics (last week was on the Civil War) into a cohesive, flowing, paragraph. 

Math-  In math today, the 3A class worked more on multiplication.  They practiced multiplication skip counting songs, as well as a lesson on multiplication and division.  They are working hard on memorizing their multiplication tables.  It is not fun, but once they are committed to memory, it will help them out throughout life!  The 4A class went over and checked their fraction number line activity from yesterday.  They then worked with fraction number lines in the textbook, discussing it as they worked.  Finally, they had their multiplication quiz.  Ms. Jennifer is really challenging them to memorize their multiplication tables!

Science-  The science class observed the results of Tuesday's chromatography experiment.  They talked about the different colors that are found in each dye, and how the filter paper separated them!  They had an activity where they observed the strange properties of "aqua-sand".  Ask them about how it felt and what happened to it when it was taken out of the water!  After the activity and the review of the concepts from chapter 7, the class played a extremely fun review game: Science Trivial Pursuit!  They worked in teams to answer questions from science topics, and gather up all of the pieces of the pie!

Literature- Today, the class kicked off the new book, "Sign of the Beaver".  As they read aloud, I couldn't help but smile when I heard "This book is good already!"  I am absolutely loving the fact that the class enjoys reading, and enjoys studying the literature together as a group.

Social Studies- Today, one of our students brought in a special treat!  He showed the class his collection of Civil War era coins, describing each and explaining their history.  The class was amazed by them!  The class had a big review crossword puzzle, pulling from material they have learned so far.  They were able to use notes, their vocabulary index cards, and their textbook to pull information and complete the page.  It wasn't easy!  At home, they will be completing a test over the material, to be completed by Tuesday.

Agriculture-  In agriculture today, the class checked out their pea plants to see how much they have grown.  I explained to the students that, when we plowed up the summer garden to plant the cool weather plants, some tomatoes were left on the vine.  I showed them that the tomato seeds had planted themselves all over the garden!  A few of them decided that they would try to bring some home and keep them indoors, as an experiment in raising a warm weather crop indoors in the cool weather season!  The class also was also able to feel for the ligament changes in our pregnant doe versus our non-pregnant doe.  I had explained that the ligaments on the doe's back get softer as she gets closer to kidding (as in humans), but it is a different story to be able to feel the difference.  As kidding gets imminent, they will become so soft that they cannot be felt.  I can't wait!