February 7, 2018

Our character word this week was courage.  Students shared ways they show courage in the classroom: asking for help when struggling, inviting a new friend to play, and seeking guidance in solving a problem.  They also shared ways parents show courage: when they call the cable company to negotiate =) and when they have to discipline children in public.  We have opportunities to show courage in the small decisions every day.  

• Monday, February 12th 
• Chess Club after school-5:00 pm 
• Tuesday, February 13th 
• Archery after school-4:45 pm 
• Wednesday, February 14th 
• Students bring Valentine boxes & cards to school. 
• Valentine's Day Party @ 2:00 -3:00 pm 
• Thursday, February 15th 
• Read, Right, Run after school-4:30 pm 
• Friday, February 16th  
• NO SCHOOL for students.

Questions for Kids

• Friday was Counselor's Day!  What's so great about Mrs. Kleitsch? =) 
• What words have you defined in your glossary for your informational text? 
• Why is Harriet Tubman an important historical figure?  

• Click here to check out the Crestwood PTO page!

Students poured 30 mL of different liquids into a cup and observed how density affects the layering. 

We learned that even when we pour liquids into a cup in different order, they rearrange themselves!  Higher density liquids move to the bottom, while less dense liquids move to the top. 

Students used the following formula to find the density of different liquids:  mass / volume = density. 

Emma & Violetta play an Albanian game on Cultural Day! 

Middle school students taught us a fun Domino game from Albania.  

We also played a Vietnamese game using beans.  

Bosnia's game was similar to golf . . . only we used a makeshift "green" and marbles.  

February 2, 2018

Our character word this week was purpose.  We watched a handful of Ted Talks from kids who shared inspiring messages about their dreams & goals.  

• Monday, February 5th 
• Library 
• Chess Club after school-5:00 pm 
• Tuesday, February 6th 
• Leadership Academy after school-4:30 pm 
• Archery after school-4:45 pm 
• Wednesday, February 7th 
• Flyer Families
• Early Release @ 1:40 pm 
• Thursday, February 8th 
• Read, Right, Run after school-4:30 pm 
• Friday, February 9th  
• All Valentine's Day party money due. 
• Happy Counselor's Day, Mrs. Kleitsch!

Questions for Kids

• How can both a mixed number and an improper fraction represent the same amount (example:  5 1/3 and 16/3)?
• What did your learn during your research for Writing this week?  
• How does density affect different liquids? 

• Click here to check out the Crestwood PTO page!

We had a great time at the Lady Billikens basketball game!  

Students visited a poster-making station to prepare for cheering the team on. 

Students packed the Chaifetz Arena.  

After a double overtime, Billikens defeated the Rams!  

Caroline, Cooper, & Dezamiah show off their awesome face painting. 

Our character word this week was communication, so we spent time practicing our best listening skills.  Want to know how to be a better listener?  Watch this video for some great tips.

• Monday, January 29th 
•  Chess Club after school-5:00 pm 
• Tuesday, January 30th 
• Archer after school-4:45 pm 
• Wednesday, January 31st  
• Field Trip to SLU for Books, Billikens, & Basketball!  Lunch will be provided.  
• Thursday, February 1st 
• Read, Right, Run after school-4:30 pm 
• Friday, February 2nd 
• Cultural Day

Questions for Kids

• Tell me about one informational text structure (description, sequence, compare & contrast, cause & effect, problem & solution).
• How does it feel when someone really listens to you?  
• Generate an equivalent fraction for 4/6.  Use multiplication and division to help.  

• Click here to check out the Crestwood PTO page!

Congratulations to Violetta for competing in Crestwood's Spelling Bee!  

Students discussed integrity this week, and we brainstormed all sorts of ways to show it.  Kids shared that integrity during a pizza party looks like waiting for everyone to be served before eating, picking up trash, and thanking Mrs. Kleitsch.  In PE, they agreed it includes listening to and following the rules of a new game.  In the halls, bathrooms, and other unsupervised times, kids suggested that showing integrity means doing the right thing because it's the mature thing to do.

• Sunday, January 21st
• Family Bowling @ 12:00-2:00 pm, Crestwood Bowl
• Monday, January 22nd 
•  Library Day 
• Tuesday, January 23rd 
• 
  
• Wednesday, January 24th   
• Flyer Families, wear t-shirts
• Early Release @ 1:40 pm 
• Thursday, January 25th 
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• Friday, January 26th 
• Variety Show @ 6:00 pm, LHS Auditorium 

Questions for Kids

• What are control or constant variables in a science investigation? (the things you control and keep the same)
• Is 6 a prime or composite number?  How about 12? 11? 15? (C, C, P, C)
• What topic are you considering for your Informational Text presentation?  

• Click here to check out the Crestwood PTO page!

This week, students learned about the Scientific Method.

They read a set of procedures for a salt water investigation.  

Kids wrote a hypothesis to predict the outcome of the investigation.  

We learned that an independent variable is the one thing scientists change in an experiment...

...and the dependent variable is the result that is being measured.  It depends on the independent variable.  

Cooper finished our 50 states puzzle!  Well...we couldn't find Alabama. 

Indoor Recess Fun 

Maggie & Caroline share their Face Frenzy results in math.  

• Monday, January 15nd
•  No school, MLK Day 
• Tuesday, January 16th 
• Happy birthday, Ethan! 
• Variety Show Rehearsal after school until 4:30 pm 
• Wednesday, January 17th  
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• Thursday, January 18th 
• Variety Show Rehearsal after school until 4:30 pm 
• Dining to Donate @ Papa John's Pizza
• Friday, January 19th 
• Pizza Party! We earned this celebration for our generosity during Adopt-a-Family in December! Students will enjoy 2 pieces of pizza and water.  They may bring a drink (no soda) and side if desired.  
• Crestwood Spelling Bee @ 2:00 pm
• Sunday, January 21st
• Family Bowling @ Crestwood Bowl @ 12:00-2:00 pm 

• Click here to check out the Crestwood PTO page!

Questions for Kids

• What are some special tools scientists use during investigations or experiments? (graduated cylinder, balance scale, hand lens/magnifying glass, ruler, dropper)
• What does PEMDAS in Math stand for?  How do I use it?  (parentheses, exponents, multiplication & division have shared power, addition & subtraction have shared power)
• What are some special features that authors of informational text use?  (table of contents, photographs, captions, labels, headings)