April 27, 2018

• MAP Testing - Students worked incredibly hard on MAP Testing this week, and I am so impressed with their focus.  We know that testing is not the most important part of our children's schooling, but it's amazing to see them take the challenge so seriously and do their very best.  We have finished the ELA (Reading, Writing, & Listening) sessions and will complete Math next week.   
• ALEKS Pizza Party - In Math class, students work on the ALEKS program to review their Math skills.  Students earn fun coupons as they complete different slices of the ALEKS pie (no shoes, use the teacher's chair, bring a stuffed animal, etc.).  Students who complete the ALEKS pie will participate in a pizza party to honor their focus and hard work.  Pies must be completed by Monday, May 14th, in order to participate.  
• Mindfulness - We have been using a website called Calm to help us practice some moments of mindfullness throughout the school day.  Click here to check out the "7 Days of Calm" and some other calming activities that students have practiced this week.  This is a great resource to use at home! 

• Monday, April 30th 
• Math MAP Testing @ 1:00-3:00 pm  
• Tuesday, Mary 1st  
• Leadership Academy after school-4:00 pm 
• Boy Scouts @ 6:30-8:30 pm 
• Wednesday, May 2nd 
• Math MAP Testing @ 9-11 am 
• Thursday, May 3rd 
• Strings Rehearsal during the school day and performance @ 6:00 pm, LHS 
• Friday, May 4th 
• Field Trip to Claire Gempp Nature Conservation Area, students need to bring a sack lunch 

Questions for Kids

• What is a specialized structure and how do they help animals or plants to survive?  
• What types of things did you discover in the outdoor classroom?  What tools did you use to observe? 
• Tell me about Number the Stars, your new read aloud book.  

• Click here to check out the Crestwood PTO page!

To prepare for our field trip to Gempp Conservation Area, students explore the outdoor classroom.  

Kids use a variety of science tools including thermometers, bug nets, bug jars, and magnifying lenses.  

We explore living & non-living things and record our observations.

Kids jot down questions and wonderings about their discoveries.  

Science groups work together.

April 22, 2018

• Looping to 5th Grade - I am very excited to be moving to 5th grade for the 2018-2019 school year and to have the opportunity to loop with our entire class!  On Friday, Mrs. Oliver sent home a detailed letter explaining this concept along with a short Google Form email for you to complete.  Please be sure to read both carefully and respond this week.  Contact myself or Mrs. Oliver with any questions you have. 
  
• MAP Testing - We will begin MAP testing on Monday, April 23rd, and the students are ready!  Throughout the school year, we've prepared for this assessment.  Over the past few weeks, we've perfected our test-taking skills and completed some online practice tests to get comfortable with the program.  Remaining test dates include April 25th, 26th, 30th, and May 2nd.  Thank for expressing confidence in your child and ensuring reasonable bedtimes and healthy breakfasts. 
  
• Midterm Reports - Midterm Reports will be sent home Monday, April 23rd, to reflect students' 4th quarter academic and behavioral progress.  If your child completed "Not Yet Note" corrections and turned in last Friday (or will turn in Monday), the midterm will not reflect these corrections.  I will check and adjust grades this week. 
  
• ALEKS Pizza Party - In Math class, students work on the ALEKS program to review their Math skills.  Students earn fun coupons as they complete different slices of the ALEKS pie (no shoes, use the teacher's chair, bring a stuffed animal, etc.).  Students who complete the ALEKS pie will participate in a pizza party to honor their focus and hard work.  Pies must be completed by Monday, May 14th in order to participate.  

• Monday, April 23rd 
• Library Day 
• ELA MAP Testing, 1-3 pm 
• Tuesday, April 24th 
• Boy Scouts @ 6:30-8:30 pm 
• Wednesday, April 25th 
• ELA MAP Testing, 9-11 am 
• Thursday, April 26th 
• Happy birthday, Maddy! 
• ELA Map Testing, 9-11 am 
• Friday, April 27th  
• Grant's Farm Night, 6:00-10:00 pm 

Questions for Kids

• Can you share some examples of living and non-living things you observed in the outdoor classroom?  
• How does a protractor help you to measure and draw angles? 
• Tell me about Frindle, your last read aloud book.  

• Click here to check out the Crestwood PTO page!

April 13, 2018

We reviewed self-control during our Class Meetings this week.  Students watched short videos of themselves from different times throughout our daily routine:  transitions in the classroom, lunch time, lining up in Art, etc.  We pinpointed exactly what self-control looks like.  We noticed many kids ignoring distractions, keeping their voices at appropriate levels, and using their bodies safely.  We also set goals for those times when self-control can be a bit more challenging.  

• Monday, April 16th 
• 
  
• Tuesday, April 17th  
• Boy Scouts @ 6:30-8:30 pm 
• Wednesday, April 18th 
• 
  
• Thursday, April 19th  
• Dad's Club @ 7:30-8:30 pm, Library 
• Friday, April 20th  
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Questions for Kids

• How are parallel & perpendicular lines different from each other? 
• What is your opinion about students being required to play a musical instrument in school?  Give three reasons to support your opinion. 
• In Flyer Family, you heard the book Chocolate Milk, Por Favor!  What are some ways you can make a new student to feel welcomed and included?  

• Click here to check out the Crestwood PTO page!

William & Cooper use their "smart chart" to identify different figures of geometry.  

Caroline & Sophie team up to draw lines segments, parallel lines, and perpendicular lines. 

As part of practicing writing to a prompt to help prepare us for MAP Testing, students wrote of the perspective of a donut on Dads & Donuts day.  

We did a "fold the line" activity that allowed us to share our donut writing with a new partner. 

Art Class 

Art Class

Students reviewed some important elements of partner work this week. Every day, we work with another student during at least one subject.  Working with a partner allows us to practice communication skills, work on patience with one another, and get comfortable explaining our thought process.  Plus it's FUN!  Good partners stay focused on the task at hand to ensure productivity.  They pick a spot to work, stay there, and control their bodies.  Teamwork includes "ping-ponging," taking turns reading or solving problems.  

• Monday, April 9th 
• Library 
• Chess Club after school-5:00 pm 
• Tuesday, April 10th  
• Boy Scouts @ 6:30-8:30 pm 
• Wednesday, April 11th 
• Flyer Families; wear t-shirts
• Early Release @ 1:40 pm 
• Literacy on the Lawn @ 5:00-6:30 
• Thursday, April 12th  
• Dads & Donuts @ 8:00 am 
• Growth & Development presentations with Nurse Eva 
• Read, Right, Run after school-4:30 pm 
• Friday, April 13th  
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Questions for Kids

• How can you find the perimeter of a figure? 
• What study strategies work best for you when preparing for a vocabulary test? 
• What details did you use about hats, bandannas, or other articles of clothing during your prompt writing practice?  

• Click here to check out the Crestwood PTO page!

Noah & Alex "flash write" together.  This involves talking through your writing plan before you put your ideas onto paper.  

Lydia & Ethan talk about the details they will "grab & slab" from the passage to made their writing evidence-based.  

Caroline & Maddy take turns asking each other questions to pull more information from the text. 

Kids work together using Quizlet to study new vocabulary words. 

Students use flashcards to practice parts of speech, spelling, & definitions of new words.  

Mrs. Snowbarger works with a group to review nonfiction text features. 

In Music, kids "circle the donut" and perform a group dance with Mrs. Caughlin.