Today we began our math by exploring subtraction across zeros using blocks and expanded form. We will continue to master this in class, slowly adding more practice to this skill. In science we began our new unit on energy by discussing kinetic and potential energy. In social studies we began an new chapter on geography and how landforms affect communities. Today we specifically discussed the natural resources that are around mountains, bodies of water, deserts, and plains.

Oh, and we started our exploration of verbs in English class.

Here is the work for the day:

This week we worked on our “Turkey Buffet” of activities including Thanksgiving word searches, crosswords, code breaking, coordinate grid coloring projects, and got caught up on our corrections and other class work. We also reviewed for and took our chapter 5 test on basic subtraction. Our class average was a 94%! Remarkable and unbelievable! I am stunned by this, since this concept is pretty difficult. We have learned to do regrouping and borrowing using standard form, expanded form, and using symbolic/manipulative blocks. We also knew that we could always check out answer with addition. On the test you kids could use any method to get the right answer, and it seems you did! Great work!

I would also like to point out that our online grade book will begin a new trimester when we come back on Monday. So, please be sure to check your grades before next Monday before we mostly start over anew. For parents -> I will not be able to print off the grade graphs with these report cards due to our whole system changing. Hopefully I will be able to for the next report cards. I will be sending home grade summaries, instead. 

I wish everyone a restful and rewarding Thanksgiving break. I know that I am thankful for this great group of students that I get to teach. I am also thankful for the great support and kind words I get from all of the parents. You all make teaching a joy!

I am also thankful for my family. Recently we just lost my cat, Maggie, of nearly 16 years. Feeling the void my wife and I recently got a new kitten for Nadia and us. His name is Roger and pictures are below.

Kids, be sure to let you parents know that you are thankful for all that they do for you.

See you on Monday!

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Happy Birthday, Monica!

Have a great weekend parents and students. This week we finished up our first chapter on communities in social studies earning a class average of 93% on our chapter test. Good work kids! We will be finishing up our first study of subtraction concepts next week with a review on Monday and a test on Tuesday. Practice that borrowing and regrouping!

In science we began a new unit on force and energy with an experiment that explored us storing up energy in rubber bands. In English we finished up our study of nouns and will begin our work with verbs after Thanksgiving break.

The only homework you may have over the weekend includes any old corrections you may have.

See you on Monday!

p.s. By the way, kids, vote in the sidebar for what type of event you would like to earn next!

This week we have been practicing the fundamentals of regrouping in various ways. To ensure we all know what is really going on when we borrow and regroup in subtraction, we have been using base ten blocks, block symbols, expanded form subtraction, then the standard subtraction algorithm we all know and love, and then check this all with addition. Each problem is being worked in four different ways. I am really proud of how well we are doing demonstrating subtraction in each of these ways.

Also, our online grade book is all set to go. Looks a little different, feel free to ask questions.

Here is a sample for all the parents out there:

Here is the work for the day:

Rest in Peace