MrHowd.com

If you are looking for a way to keep your student “sharp” this summer, or for a way to provide extra math and reading activities, then consider GRASP, the Grand Rapids Academic Summer Program. From the registration form:

The GRASP program is a nine-week correspondence summer program in math and reading. It is designed for children who have completed Kindergarten to 8th grade. Children receive a packet of material containing all 9 lessons for the summer. The lessons are scored, results recorded, and returned to the children.

Children successfully completing (70% accuracy) at least 7 lessons are awarded a certificate, and those successfully completing all 9 lessons receive a medal soon after Labor Day.

The fees for the summer of 2009 are $37 for one subject and $61 for both subjects for each child. Each child should be placed at the grade just completed in school. If there are extenuating circumstances, order the level that is appropriate for your child. Materials will be mailed in June.

This is an inexpensive and convenient way to keep your student learning over the summer. In addition, your student’s results will be sent to their fifth grade teacher next year so that they can get off to a great start in fifth grade.

More Information:

• View and print an enrollment form
• Frequently asked questions
• Program objectives
• Program Reviews
• Sample Pages

Spelling: None today. Students completed a science assessment during this time.

Cursive: Ten cursive sentences, seven or more words each, are due Fridays.

Reading: Today was a reading day in Literature Circles.

Writing: We learned that a poem can have a double-focus. For example, a poem about grandpa’s old, big, dirty, scuffed, worn shoes could also tell about how grandpa is big, getting old and worn, ready to do what is necessary, even if he gets dirty.

Our next portfolio piece will be a collection of poems, due Friday, May 22.

Math: We spent another day reviewing the partial-quotients method of division. Only 12 students were able to get more than one out of three divisions problems correct on a quiz. Some common mistakes:

• Incorrect multiplication facts. Again, students are having problems due to not having their basic math facts memorized.
• Incorrect subtraction. Some students are struggling with subtracting correctly, including trading or borrowing.
• Arithmetic mistakes. Some students understand the math, but are making basic math mistakes. More practice is needed here.

Homework tonight is to finish a division practice sheet. I asked students to do the division with a parent and “talk it out” as they were working, thinking aloud so a parent could see the mental processes. I also asked students to get a parent signature on the math. With only a month left of school, fifth grade is looming large; some students just need a little more practice to be ready for next year.

Science: We learned about the movements of the earth and moon. Homework is to complete a crossword puzzle review page.

Social Studies: None due to library.

Behavior Update:

• Yellow magnets: 0
• Orange magnets: 0
• Red magnets: 0
• STAR Awards: 0
• Magnets moved this week (goal: 10): 1
• Hours with no yellow magnets (record: 58): 17
• Days with no orange magnets (record: 39; previous score: 3): 5

Check your student’s Personal and Social Growth grade at SnapGrades to see if your student moved their magnet.

Notes:

• View grades, assignments, attendance and even the report card at SnapGrades.
• Check out our class calendar to stay up-to-date.
• This week’s juice volunteers: Tyler, Morgan

Spelling: Students completed a spelling and skill test today.

Cursive: Ten cursive sentences, seven or more words each, are due Fridays.

Reading: Students received new Literature Circles books today and planned how many pages to read for each day.

Writing: We read some of the book Love that Dog, by Sharon Creech (a book about poems, written as a poem). Students continued to work on poetry. Our next portfolio piece will be a collection of poems, due Friday, May 22.

Math: We reviewed partial-quotients method of division and students completed a three-question MiniQuiz on the subject.

Science: We completed our notes comparing the sun, moon and the earth.

Social Studies: Students completed a test over the French and British in Michigan.

Behavior Update:

• Yellow magnets: 0
• Orange magnets: 0
• Red magnets: 0
• STAR Awards: 0
• Magnets moved this week (goal: 10): 1
• Hours with no yellow magnets (record: 58): 10
• Days with no orange magnets (record: 39; previous score: 3): 4

Check your student’s Personal and Social Growth grade at SnapGrades to see if your student moved their magnet.

Notes:

• View grades, assignments, attendance and even the report card at SnapGrades.
• Check out our class calendar to stay up-to-date.
• This week’s juice volunteers: Tyler, Morgan

Spelling: We reviewed the there homophones, which will be the skill test for tomorrow’s spelling test.

Cursive: Ten cursive sentences, seven or more words each, are due Fridays.

Reading: Students received new Literature Circles books today and completed a narrative reading test.

Writing: We talked using a metaphor in a poem: the cafeteria is a zoo, school is a pinball game. Students continued to work on poetry. Our next portfolio piece will be a collection of poems, due Friday, May 22.

Math: Students continued to practice the partial-quotients method of division. Homework is to finish a division practice worksheet started in class.

Science: We practiced making food chains and webs by playing food chain rummy. Homework is to finish Investigation Review p. 43.

Social Studies: We graded review worksheets and took notes in our minibooks. A test over the French and British in Michigan will be tomorrow.

Behavior Update:

• Yellow magnets: 1
• Orange magnets: 0
• Red magnets: 0
• STAR Awards: 0
• Magnets moved this week (goal: 10): 1
• Hours with no yellow magnets (record: 58): 3
• Days with no orange magnets (record: 39; previous score: 3): 3

Check your student’s Personal and Social Growth grade at SnapGrades to see if your student moved their magnet.

Notes:

• View grades, assignments, attendance and even the report card at SnapGrades.
• Check out our class calendar to stay up-to-date.
• This week’s juice volunteers: Tyler, Morgan

See pictures from our field trip to the Straits of Mackinaw, posted live! Check back throughout the day to see updates from our field trip. Feel free to post comments about out trip.