Funny Caption Contest (ENDED)

16

Posted by MrLynch | Posted in Contest, Funny Pictures | Posted on March 31, 2012

Winning entry by Anna: “This is so much better than going on an Easter Egg Hunt!” Anna was the winner of two Dingos and a Keurig hot chocolate in this week’s caption contest.

Weekly Newsletter (April 2-5)

0

Posted by MrLynch | Posted in Weekly Newsletter | Posted on March 31, 2012

Weekly Newsletter

 

April is a choppy month – we have Friday off of school (Good Friday and Passover) and then a week later we have our fake April Vacation with another three days off. After I pranked students with a ridiculous (and fake) speech and research paper project (hee hee) for an early April Fool’s Day present, I will be introducing our real Big 6 project next week. Students will have much more information on this in a week. Math will be interesting this week (with three of the days being dedicated to videotaping) and I may do something different with the test for this particular unit.

Upcoming Events

No School – Friday, April 6

Book Buddies – Thursday, April 12

Mini April Vacation – April 16-18

Spring Open House – Tuesday, May 22

Last Day of School – Friday, June 15, 2012

Math – Students are just about finished with Unit 8: Fractions and Ratios. Students are in the final year of the Everyday Mathematics program in Avon. I offer math extra help on Wednesday mornings from 7:30 – 7:55 AM. Your child can attend regularly, once in a while, or even just one time. Do not think of this as remedial help or even enrichment – it’s basically whatever the students need who show up. My two requirements to attend are as follows: 1) Parents should send me an e-mail by the night before letting me know their child will be attending. 2) The student should have some idea what he/she needs help with. If their answer is, “I don’t know. My mom is making me go,” that’s not going to cut it. It may be absolutely true, but if students have no idea what they need help with then it’s not always useful time. This year we are using the 2012 edition which does a much better job helping teachers focus on the new Common Core State Standards, but for students you most likely won’t notice anything drastically different from fourth grade. Basically, these standards are an effort to get all 50 states teaching the same curriculum. It doesn’t mean the same program even town-to-town – it just means that in the past a student in California and a student in Montana might be learning very different skills. This is an effort to tighten that up and within a few years the CMTs will disappear and be replaced with national tests. On most nights (except Fridays) students will have homework and the vast majority of the time it will be a Study Link worksheet. Again, probably very similar to fourth grade.

English – Writer’s Workshop continues with activities tied into Writer’s Notebooks. We have been working on the revision process and each student finished creating his/her own online picture book. You can see these on their student blogs. Each student is working on his/her own individual writing project. With the website and blog students have been customizing their own websites and most students have his/her first official post on the website. Writer’s Notebooks will serve as a major vehicle for their writing activities this year.

Reading– Mrs. Pooler continues with Reader’s Workshop. In our classroom, I am currently reading aloud with students – The Fighting Ground by Avi. This is a tie-in to our Social Studies unit on the American Revolution.

Science – Students are currently working on a variety of material in science. They made the switch-over to science labs with Mrs. Mahar recently. Students are learning about this with in the classroom and in the science lab. Students will continue two science labs a week with Mrs. Mahar. In the classroom (with me) we discussed sound and read literature about how sound impacts their everyday lives. This week we will continue those discussions and also focus on the parts of the ear. At Thompson Brook, students have science twice a week in the science lab with Mrs. Mahar and once or twice in the classroom with me. (During the first half the year they had Mrs. Luddy for science.) For the most part, the implementation of the science curriculum is established by Mrs. Mahar as well as any supplies that students need. If you have questions or concerns I’m happy to pass them on to Mrs. Mahar or you can reach her directly at jmahar@avon.k12.ct.us. Unless it’s a personal issue, please CC me on any e-mails to the science teachers so I can help out, too.

Social Studies – We are continuing to work on the American Revolution. Last week students learned about Paul Revere’s Midnight Ride and The Shot Heard Round the World. As I told students, I’m not a big quizzer or tester in Social Studies. I do assess my students – just not through a standard quiz or test. I could write an entire thesis on my dislike of rote Social Studies memorization, but I’ll try to sum it up in a few sentences. My students walk away learning about many historical events and some even remember specific dates, but I could care less if students remember that the Boston Massacre took place on March 5. I care very much that they know it TOOK PLACE, they know WHY it took place, and they know the historical significance of HOW that one event helped begin a revolution that led to the formation of our country. If a student can memorize the date and know nothing else about the event except that a few people were killed, what’s the point? After basic geography (because if students don’t know that Japan is not off the shore of Connecticut they will at some point in their lives sound foolish), most of Social Studies in fifth grade is based on history, with a big focus on the 1760s – 1860s.

Connecticut Historical Society Visit

1

Posted by MrLynch | Posted in Pictures, Social Studies | Posted on March 28, 2012

Click here to see photos from today’s visit from the Connecticut Historical Society. Students did activities based on the American Revolution and explored objects that would have been used during that time period.

Funny Caption Contest (ENDED)

12

Posted by MrLynch | Posted in Contest, Funny Pictures | Posted on March 25, 2012

Winning entry by Alysen: “Yes. Now I can eat during Arts and Crafts.” Alysen was the winner of two Dingos and a Keurig hot chocolate in this week’s caption contest.

Weekly Newsletter (March 26-30)

0

Posted by MrLynch | Posted in Weekly Newsletter | Posted on March 25, 2012

Weekly Newsletter

 

This is the last week of March and it seems like the weather has simmered back down to regular spring temperature. Ba-bye fake summer. Last week students had the opportunity to create a resume. Since the resumes include some personal information on each student, these won’t be published on their websites (or anywhere else). The resumes are great for when students want to get a future babysitting job, a lawn mowing gig, or to apply for a summer camp. I had every student save theirs so they will be easy to update in the future.

Upcoming Events

Mini April Vacation – April 16-18

Spring Open House – Tuesday, May 22

Last Day of School – Friday, June 15, 2012

Math – Students are currently working on Unit 8: Fractions and Ratios. Students are in the final year of the Everyday Mathematics program in Avon. I offer math extra help on Wednesday mornings from 7:30 – 7:55 AM. Your child can attend regularly, once in a while, or even just one time. Do not think of this as remedial help or even enrichment – it’s basically whatever the students need who show up. My two requirements to attend are as follows: 1) Parents should send me an e-mail by the night before letting me know their child will be attending. 2) The student should have some idea what he/she needs help with. If their answer is, “I don’t know. My mom is making me go,” that’s not going to cut it. It may be absolutely true, but if students have no idea what they need help with then it’s not always useful time. This year we are using the 2012 edition which does a much better job helping teachers focus on the new Common Core State Standards, but for students you most likely won’t notice anything drastically different from fourth grade. Basically, these standards are an effort to get all 50 states teaching the same curriculum. It doesn’t mean the same program even town-to-town – it just means that in the past a student in California and a student in Montana might be learning very different skills. This is an effort to tighten that up and within a few years the CMTs will disappear and be replaced with national tests. On most nights (except Fridays) students will have homework and the vast majority of the time it will be a Study Link worksheet. Again, probably very similar to fourth grade.

English – Writer’s Workshop continues with activities tied into Writer’s Notebooks. We have been working on the revision process and each student finished creating his/her own online picture book. You can see these on their student blogs. Each student is working on his/her own individual writing project. With the website and blog students have been customizing their own websites and most students have his/her first official post on the website. Writer’s Notebooks will serve as a major vehicle for their writing activities this year.

Reading– Mrs. Pooler continues with Reader’s Workshop. In our classroom, I am currently reading aloud with students – The Fighting Ground by Avi. This is a tie-in to our Social Studies unit on the American Revolution.

Science – Students are currently working on a variety of material in science. They made the switch-over to science labs with Mrs. Mahar recently. Students are learning about this with in the classroom and in the science lab. Students will continue two science labs a week with Mrs. Mahar. In the classroom (with me) we discussed sound and read literature about how sound impacts their everyday lives. This week we will continue those discussions and also focus on the parts of the ear. At Thompson Brook, students have science twice a week in the science lab with Mrs. Mahar and once or twice in the classroom with me. (During the first half the year they had Mrs. Luddy for science.) For the most part, the implementation of the science curriculum is established by Mrs. Mahar as well as any supplies that students need. If you have questions or concerns I’m happy to pass them on to Mrs. Mahar or you can reach her directly at jmahar@avon.k12.ct.us. Unless it’s a personal issue, please CC me on any e-mails to the science teachers so I can help out, too.

Social Studies – Students gave their American Revolution weeks ago. Check out the pictures. At this point, we are continuing to study the American Revolution. As I told students, I’m not a big quizzer or tester in Social Studies. I do assess my students – just not through a standard quiz or test. I could write an entire thesis on my dislike of rote Social Studies memorization, but I’ll try to sum it up in a few sentences. My students walk away learning about many historical events and some even remember specific dates, but I could care less if students remember that the Boston Massacre took place on March 5. I care very much that they know it TOOK PLACE, they know WHY it took place, and they know the historical significance of HOW that one event helped begin a revolution that led to the formation of our country. If a student can memorize the date and know nothing else about the event except that a few people were killed, what’s the point? After basic geography (because if students don’t know that Japan is not off the shore of Connecticut they will at some point in their lives sound foolish), most of Social Studies in fifth grade is based on history, with a big focus on the 1760s – 1860s.

Funny Caption Contest (ENDED)

5

Posted by MrLynch | Posted in Contest, Funny Pictures | Posted on March 17, 2012

Winning entry by Mark: “I volunteer as a Tribute. Don’t take Prim.” Mark was the winner of two Dingos and a Keurig hot chocolate in this week’s caption contest.

Weekly Newsletter (March 19 – 23)

0

Posted by MrLynch | Posted in Weekly Newsletter | Posted on March 17, 2012

Weekly Newsletter

 

Tuesday is the first day of summer….. I mean spring. I get confused when the temperature hits 80 degrees. Friday is a half day of school. The CMTs finish up this week with Tuesday being the last day. Wahoo! Students should continue to be delivered to school each day well rested and well fed. The schedule is as follows:

Monday, March 19 – Science

Tuesday, March 20 – Supplemental DRP (Bonus Test. Exciting!)

Upcoming Events

Half Day of School – Friday, March 23

Mini April Vacation – April 16-18

Spring Open House – Tuesday, May 22

Last Day of School – Friday, June 15, 2012

Math – Students are currently working on Unit 8: Fractions and Ratios. Students are in the final year of the Everyday Mathematics program in Avon. I offer math extra help on Wednesday mornings from 7:30 – 7:55 AM. Your child can attend regularly, once in a while, or even just one time. Do not think of this as remedial help or even enrichment – it’s basically whatever the students need who show up. My two requirements to attend are as follows: 1) Parents should send me an e-mail by the night before letting me know their child will be attending. 2) The student should have some idea what he/she needs help with. If their answer is, “I don’t know. My mom is making me go,” that’s not going to cut it. It may be absolutely true, but if students have no idea what they need help with then it’s not always useful time. This year we are using the 2012 edition which does a much better job helping teachers focus on the new Common Core State Standards, but for students you most likely won’t notice anything drastically different from fourth grade. Basically, these standards are an effort to get all 50 states teaching the same curriculum. It doesn’t mean the same program even town-to-town – it just means that in the past a student in California and a student in Montana might be learning very different skills. This is an effort to tighten that up and within a few years the CMTs will disappear and be replaced with national tests. On most nights (except Fridays) students will have homework and the vast majority of the time it will be a Study Link worksheet. Again, probably very similar to fourth grade.

English – Writer’s Workshop continues with activities tied into Writer’s Notebooks. We have been working on the revision process and each student finished creating his/her own online picture book. You can see these on their student blogs. Each student is working on his/her own individual writing project. With the website and blog students have been customizing their own websites and most students have his/her first official post on the website. Writer’s Notebooks will serve as a major vehicle for their writing activities this year.

Reading– Mrs. Pooler continues with Reader’s Workshop. In our classroom, I am currently reading aloud with students – The Fighting Ground by Avi. This is a tie-in to our Social Studies unit on the American Revolution.

Science – Students are currently working on a variety of material in science. They made the switch-over to science labs with Mrs. Mahar recently. Students are learning about this with in the classroom and in the science lab. Students will continue two science labs a week with Mrs. Mahar. In the classroom (with me) we discussed sound and read literature about how sound impacts their everyday lives. This week we will continue those discussions and also focus on the parts of the ear. At Thompson Brook, students have science twice a week in the science lab with Mrs. Mahar and once or twice in the classroom with me. (During the first half the year they had Mrs. Luddy for science.) For the most part, the implementation of the science curriculum is established by Mrs. Mahar as well as any supplies that students need. If you have questions or concerns I’m happy to pass them on to Mrs. Mahar or you can reach her directly at jmahar@avon.k12.ct.us. Unless it’s a personal issue, please CC me on any e-mails to the science teachers so I can help out, too.

Social Studies – Students gave their American Revolution speeches a few weeks ago. Check out the pictures. At this point, we are continuing to study the American Revolution. As I told students, I’m not a big quizzer or tester in Social Studies. I do assess my students – just not through a standard quiz or test. I could write an entire thesis on my dislike of rote Social Studies memorization, but I’ll try to sum it up in a few sentences. My students walk away learning about many historical events and some even remember specific dates, but I could care less if students remember that the Boston Massacre took place on March 5. I care very much that they know it TOOK PLACE, they know WHY it took place, and they know the historical significance of HOW that one event helped begin a revolution that led to the formation of our country. If a student can memorize the date and know nothing else about the event except that a few people were killed, what’s the point? After basic geography (because if students don’t know that Japan is not off the shore of Connecticut they will at some point in their lives sound foolish), most of Social Studies in fifth grade is based on history, with a big focus on the 1760s – 1860s.

Storybird Online Poetry Books

0

Posted by MrLynch | Posted in Student Writing | Posted on March 12, 2012

One of our recent Writer’s Workshop projects was to create a simple rhyming poem. Students took that poem and made it into an online poetry book. Each student then posted it on his/her blog. Below is Jade’s poem.
I Love Music by jstbs on Storybird

Funny Caption Contest (ENDED)

9

Posted by MrLynch | Posted in Contest, Funny Pictures | Posted on March 11, 2012

Winning entry by DanceCM: “Wait a second, what if someone sits on me??” DanceCM was the winner of two Dingos and a Keurig hot chocolate in this week’s caption contest.

Weekly Newsletter (March 12-16)

0

Posted by MrLynch | Posted in Weekly Newsletter | Posted on March 11, 2012

Weekly Newsletter

 

It was great seeing you at conferences last week. The CMTs continue this week although Monday is a day off of testing. Students should be delivered to school each day well rested and well fed. The schedule is as follows:

Monday, March 12 – No Testing

Tuesday, March 13 – Degrees of Reading Power (DRP)

Wednesday, March 14 – Mathematics I

Thursday, March 15 – Mathematics II

Friday, March 16 – Mathematics III

Monday, March 19 – Science

Tuesday, March 20 – Supplemental DRP (Bonus Test. Exciting!)

Upcoming Events

Spring Open House – Tuesday, May 22

Last Day of School – Friday, June 15, 2012

Math – Students are currently working on Unit 8: Fractions and Ratios. Students are in the final year of the Everyday Mathematics program in Avon. I offer math extra help on Wednesday mornings from 7:30 – 7:55 AM. Your child can attend regularly, once in a while, or even just one time. Do not think of this as remedial help or even enrichment – it’s basically whatever the students need who show up. My two requirements to attend are as follows: 1) Parents should send me an e-mail by the night before letting me know their child will be attending. 2) The student should have some idea what he/she needs help with. If their answer is, “I don’t know. My mom is making me go,” that’s not going to cut it. It may be absolutely true, but if students have no idea what they need help with then it’s not always useful time. This year we are using the 2012 edition which does a much better job helping teachers focus on the new Common Core State Standards, but for students you most likely won’t notice anything drastically different from fourth grade. Basically, these standards are an effort to get all 50 states teaching the same curriculum. It doesn’t mean the same program even town-to-town – it just means that in the past a student in California and a student in Montana might be learning very different skills. This is an effort to tighten that up and within a few years the CMTs will disappear and be replaced with national tests. On most nights (except Fridays) students will have homework and the vast majority of the time it will be a Study Link worksheet. Again, probably very similar to fourth grade.

English – Writer’s Workshop continues with activities tied into Writer’s Notebooks. We have been working on the revision process and each student finished creating his/her own online picture book. You can see these on their student blogs. Each student is working on his/her own individual writing project. With the website and blog students have been customizing their own websites and most students have his/her first official post on the website. Writer’s Notebooks will serve as a major vehicle for their writing activities this year.

Reading– Mrs. Pooler continues with Reader’s Workshop. In our classroom, I am currently reading aloud with students – The Fighting Ground by Avi. This is a tie-in to our Social Studies unit on the American Revolution.

Science – Students are currently working on a variety of material in science. They made the switch-over to science labs with Mrs. Mahar recently. Students are learning about this with in the classroom and in the science lab. Students will continue two science labs a week with Mrs. Mahar. In the classroom (with me) we discussed sound and read literature about how sound impacts their everyday lives. This week we will continue those discussions and also focus on the parts of the ear. At Thompson Brook, students have science twice a week in the science lab with Mrs. Mahar and once or twice in the classroom with me. (During the first half the year they had Mrs. Luddy for science.) For the most part, the implementation of the science curriculum is established by Mrs. Mahar as well as any supplies that students need. If you have questions or concerns I’m happy to pass them on to Mrs. Mahar or you can reach her directly at jmahar@avon.k12.ct.us. Unless it’s a personal issue, please CC me on any e-mails to the science teachers so I can help out, too.

Social Studies – Students gave their American Revolution speeches a couple of weeks ago. Check out the pictures. At this point, we will continue studying the American Revolution. As I told students, I’m not a big quizzer or tester in Social Studies. I do assess my students – just not through a standard quiz or test. I could write an entire thesis on my dislike of rote Social Studies memorization, but I’ll try to sum it up in a few sentences. My students walk away learning about many historical events and some even remember specific dates, but I could care less if students remember that the Boston Massacre took place on March 5. I care very much that they know it TOOK PLACE, they know WHY it took place, and they know the historical significance of HOW that one event helped begin a revolution that led to the formation of our country. If a student can memorize the date and know nothing else about the event except that a few people were killed, what’s the point? After basic geography (because if students don’t know that Japan is not off the shore of Connecticut they will at some point in their lives sound foolish), most of Social Studies in fifth grade is based on history, with a big focus on the 1760s – 1860s.

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