The Adventures in Mrs. Ripp's Class

Math – We finished unit 9 this week and next is a unit on pan balances, circles and getting ready for algebra.  The biggest obstacle many students face in math is slowing down to read the directions and then following them.  We have discussed this at length in class and I hope to see those discussions pay off in their work.  Overall, I am very pleased with their progress and dedication in math.

Social Studies – With only 18 lessons left we have finally reached the Revolutionary War.  We will still switch classrooms for our instruction until the end of the year; however, in here we will also embark on another simulation as well as dedicate time to work on our social studies/reading biography project.  I realize that the biggest obstacle has been to find good books for the students to use as sources; thank you for your help and patience in this.  I am keeping am aster list for coming years for suggestions for people.  Also, the students were given a handy packet to day providing tips for their biography as well as steps to take.  No deadline has been set for this project as we are still waiting for some students to get their books, however, ample time will be given in school to work on it.

Reading – A lot of our reading ties in with social studies and students are excited that they get the time to read in class.    

Writing –  Students are presenting their super hero books and also to answer any questions their peers have.  What wonderful imagination and detail work that went into many of these projects.  A lot of writing will be focused on the biography project as this is a culminating end of year project.

Science – The Grand Canyon challenge was wonderful with the results of the students’ work being displayed in the hallway.  My favorite part has been when the students present and their peers ask them challenging questions.  The ability to think on one’s feet and answer questions that one has not had time to prepare for is a life skill, and the students are doing incredibly well at it.  On Monday our final unit starts; environments.

Special Notes –

* Thank you for all of your congratulations on the twins; we are very excited to have a boy and a girl as well.

* What a great week it has been, the students are invested and dedicated and providing me with such wonderful feedback to lessons and ideas.  It is a thrill to be their teacher.

* I run the West Middleton talent show along with Ms. Bodell and auditions are April 23^rd and 24^th.  I encourage all students to audition, there is no act too big or too small to audition with and we are always in need of joke tellers etc.  The actual talent show will be Friday, May 11^th at 12:30 PM at the PAC.

* We continue working on grammar with a great need to figure out what constitutes a verb and what doesn’t.

*  A new blogging challenge has been posted, it is due NEXT Sunday.

*  Innovation Day is coming on May 7^th!  This is one of those days the students ask about all year and more information will be sent home soon.  You can see more about it on our blog from last year.

*  All student presentations using Prezi are posted on our website, please take a moment to view some if you are interested.

* I have some dates for you to put on your calendars: Mrs. Ripp pie in the face Tuesday, April 10t 8:40 AM (Assembly), 3^rd Grade Market Wednesday, April 11^th, PTO Bowling Saturday, April 14^th, Early Release CRT Tuesday, April 17^th , Talent show auditions April 23^rd and 24^th 3 PM in the music room, 5^th grade track meet Thursday, May 3rd, Innovation Day Monday, May 7^th all day, Talent Show Friday, May 11^th 12:30 PM.