March 30, 2018

At Class Meetings this week, we spent a lot of time discussing positive self-talk.  Students created a mini-poster to attach to their desks with their own personal positive self-talk to read as needed. Here's what some students wrote:

• I have many talents.  I am good at many things. 
• Mistakes are okay because they help me learn.
• I can do better next time.
• I will smile at people today!

• Monday, April 2nd 
• Chess Club after school-5:00 pm 
• Tuesday, April 3rd 
• Boy Scouts @ 6:30-8:30 pm 
• Wednesday, April 4th 
•  
• Thursday, April 5th  
• Happy birthday, Will F.! 
• Counseling lesson with Mrs. Kleitsch 
• Read, Right, Run after school-4:30 pm 
• Friday, April 6th  
• 
  

Questions for Kids

• What are some units of length (inch, yard, mile)?  What are some units to measure capacity (fluid ounce, cup, pint, quart, gallon)?
• What are some responsibilities that citizens have (follow laws, get an education, participate, work together)? 
• What is prompt writing (one sitting, about an hour, follow a given question or direction, use a checklist or improve, paper or computer)?  

• Click here to check out the Crestwood PTO page!

March 9, 2018

This week at Class Meeting, we learned about our "upstairs" and "downstairs" brains.  Different parts of our brain have different functions, and our stress level affects from which areas we can operate.  Check out this interesting article on how to teach kids more on this topic.   

• Monday, March 12th 
• Chess Club after school-5:00 pm 
• Tuesday, March 13th 
• Archery after school-4:45 pm 
• Wednesday, March 14th 
• PTO Meeting @ 6:30 pm, Library 
• Thursday, March 15th  
• Counseling Lesson with Mrs. Kleitsch 
• Read, Right, Run after school-4:30 pm 
• Spring Parent Teacher Conferences @ 4:00-7:00 pm 
• Friday, March 16th 
• Early Release @ 11:50 am
• Monday, March 19th - Friday, March 23rd
• Spring Break, NO SCHOOL 

Questions for Kids

• What is the responsibility of a jury during a trial?  *Parents, if you've served jury duty, share that experience with your child!  
• How would I write "9 hundredths" as a decimal?  What about "9 tenths?"  
• Where is the main idea of a paragraph usually found?  

• Click here to check out the Crestwood PTO page!

Students celebrated completing their Informational Text Google Slide presentations this week!  Parents & other Crestwood adults were invited to come read through the pieces.  

Caroline works with Mrs. Steele to explain how to navigate a slide show. ;) 

Mrs. Bridwell was able to stop by to read Sophie's Kittens text with William.  

Even Nurse Eva came by to read and compliment the students' incredible work. 

March 3, 2018

Our character word this week was safety, and students were reminded of basic Crestwood rules and tips.  We discussed how kids should never open an outside door for an adult, even if it's someone they recognize.  Instead, (s)he should make sure to tell a teacher or other staff member.  Our discussions about safety raised some "What if?" questions about intruders, fire drills, and other sensitive topics.  Please take a moment to check in with your child to answer any questions (s)he may have come up with during our class meetings. 

• Monday, March 5th 
• Library 
• Chess Club after school-5:00 pm 
• Tuesday, March 6th 
• Tornado Drill 
• Leadership Academy after school -4:30 pm 
• Archery after school-4:45 pm 
• Wednesday, March 7th 
• 
  
• Thursday, March 8th  
• Writing Celebration; invitations to come 
• Read, Right, Run after school-4:30 pm 
• Science Fair @ 6:30-7:30 pm
• Friday, March 9th 
• Early Release @ 11:50 am
• Saturday, March 10th
• Trivia Night @ 7:00-10:00 pm 

Questions for Kids

• What are some important amendments from the Bill of Rights?  
• What place has a value of ten times the underlined digit in 77,777?  
• What revisions and improvements did you make to your Informational Text before finishing?  

• Click here to check out the Crestwood PTO page!

Most weeks, students spend time reflecting on their learning and behavior for the week.  

Sophia checks out the sequel to The Last Kids on Earth, the read aloud our class just finished...and loved! 

Landon & Maggie created improper fractions for each other to convert to mixed numbers.  

To celebrate earning so many compliments, students chose $10 of Scholastic books to order! 

• Monday, February 26th 
• Reading Celebration Week - Curl up with a good book & wear pajamas! 
• Chess club after school-5:00 pm 
• Tuesday, February 27th 
• Reading Celebration Week - Buddy up with a classmate & read together! 
• Archery after school-4:45 pm 
• Wednesday, February 28th  
• Reading Celebration Week - Reading exercises our minds, so wear something for your favorite sports team?  
• Thursday, March 1st 
• Reading Celebration Week - Dress up as your favorite book character! 
• Read, Right, Run after school-4:30 pm 
• Science Night @ 6:30-8:00 pm 
• Friday, March 2nd 
• Reading Celebration Week - Read in a special spot at Crestwood! 

Questions for Kids

• What is something new you learned or tried while publishing in Google Slides? 
• What is an infographic? 
• What are some responsibilities of the legislative and executive branches of government?  

• Click here to check out the Crestwood PTO page!

February 22, 2018

Happy Valentine's Day!  We had a great time at our party last week.  Students were really excited to share their homemade boxes and to pass out special Valentine cards to classmates and teachers.  Kids enjoyed a chocolate fountain and popcorn!  They also played Bingo and had their pick from some excellent prizes!  Thank you so much for donations that helped us celebrate the special day.  

February 19, 2018

This week at Class Meeting, students learned that accountability goes right along with honesty and integrity.  Taking accountability for our actions sounds like...

• "I totally messed up."
• "My mistake was..."
• "I ___, and it was wrong."  

Being accountable takes courage, and it's often uncomfortable for a period of time (usually a very short amount of time).  This article discusses how to create a culture of accountability at home. My favorite part advises using "cueing" to set kids up to be honest.  In our classroom I might say, "I know we've been talking a lot about taking accountability for our actions.  I know it's really hard to do, but this is one of those times you can practice.  Tell me about what happened at lunch."  I've found that framing the conversation in a way that helps kids feel empowered to practice the social skill is really helpful in getting the truth.  

• Monday, February 19th 
• Presidents Day, NO SCHOOL 
• Tuesday, February 20th 
• Archery after school-4:45 pm 
• Chick-Fil-A Night, 4:00-8:00 pm 
• Wednesday, February 21st 
• Library Day 
• Thursday, February 22nd
• Read, Right, Run after school-4:30 pm 
• Friday, February 23rd 
• 
  

Questions for Kids

• Tell me about adding mixed numbers.  Example: 4 2/5 + 7 3/5. 
• How does Liv Bits use technology to share her love of learning & books? 
• What does it mean to compromise?  How did the writers of the Constitution have to compromise in order to create the plan for our government?  

• Click here to check out the Crestwood PTO page!

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.