The Adventures in Mrs. Ripp's Class

Math – We finished unit 3 today and will be pre-testing unit 4 on Monday.  The next unit is all about division, math fact tests are vital for success in this unit so please keep encouraging practicing of these.  The test for unit 4 is so far scheduled for Wednesday, November 28^th.

Science – We did not do any science this week as we stole the time instead to prepare us for blogging and do some community building.  Our next unit will be variables.

Social Studies – Next week we build background knowledge as we do a simulation on the Explorers.  Which leads us into chapter 3 that is indeed all about the explorers of the Americas. 

Reading – We started Harry Potter this week and have so far discussed the importance of picking just the right names for our characters.  Did you Know J.K. Rowling meticulously picked almost every single name in her book to convey a hidden meaning?  We have also discussed activating our prior knowledge to further comprehension in reading, as well as worked on our reading stamina.  We have 6 minutes on the clock so far!  

Writing – I love seeing the excitement the students have for blogging and am excited to have them write their first blog post today.  Please check out our classroom blog www.kidblog.org/mrsrippsclass/ to read their introductions as well as leave them a comment.  We have also started really living like writers in our units of study where we are working on learning how to write essays.  It was wonderful to hear one student exclaim how much fun this was!

Special Notes –

*  What an incredible week it has been with these students.  I know Mrs. Johnston kept telling me just how great they were and she was right; I already love coming into class to see what we can do next.

*  In-class spelling bee starts the week of Thanksgiving with the top 4 going on to the school spelling bee.

*  We are will be part of an Emergency Preparedness preparation featuring our lieutenant governor, Rebecca Kleefisch on Wednesday at 10:30 AM.

*  We got a new student this week; Marquez.  We are thrilled to have him join our class.

*  Congratulations to Buddy, Graham, and Noah E. for representing us at the Quiz Bowl.  We wish them all luck when they compete on Wednesday.

*Box Tops are still happening, I don’t think we got any this week, so if you have any do send them in.

*  Swimming permission slips go home today, please send them in.  Also, I encourage students to bring in their swimming gear before Thanksgiving since swimming is that first Monday right after the break.  They can just leave it in the classroom.

*  We can be found on the district Facebook page with news of our mock election.  I was incredibly proud of how energetic and efficient the students were.  We guided more than 300 students through our room that day!

*  As part of our global awareness, I play holiday music from around the world in my classroom starting after Thanksgiving.  If this concerns you, please let me know.

* I have some dates for you to put on your calendars: Human Growth and Development Tuesday’s November 13 and 20^th 9:20 – 10:05 AM, I SPY art event Monday, November 12^th 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM, Parent Teacher Conferences November 15^th and 20^th, No school Friday, November 16^th, Harvest Party Wednesday, November 21^st at 10:15 AM, Early Release Wednesday, November 21^st at 11 AM, No school Thursday, November 22 and Friday, November 23^rd – Happy Thanksgiving!  Swimming November 26, 28, 30 and December 4 and 6^th.