Classroom Update - by Sophia

Hi! My name is Sophia and I’m here to tell you what’s up in our classroom. 1. Next week we will start unit 2 for our new Wonders program. 2. This week in Music we got two clip ups. (We are the first ever class to get two clip ups in the history of PPLE. No, more like the first ones in all of the Paw Paw schools.) 3. Halloween is coming soon so remember to wear your costume on Oct. 31,2018. Don’t forget to come to the parade at 11:15am. 4. Today is Arabella’s Birthday on October 26 2018.  

So have a great weekend. This Sophia tuning out for next time.

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Book Winners!!

TWO book winners this month! 

Natalie and Victoria both won free books from Scholastic. 

They entered reading coupons into a monthly drawing and they won!

Congratulations!

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Wahooo it's Friday!!

We started something a little different today with GREAT success!!  For the kids who have worked hard, been responsible and turned in homework and school work all week long, Fridays during reading station time just got a bit livelier!  Those students now have even more choice over what they do during station time!!  On Fridays, the students may choose to write a blog post (see Bella's post prior to this about cats!)... 

 they might draw an illustration or a scene from a story...

By Ava

By Elizabeth

 ...or they can just read for the whole time!

They may also write a script and record a video book review, or write on any topic or with any structure they choose!!  I was super excited to see and feel all the energy and excitement over literacy again today!  Watch this blog for pictures, videos and writing from the students!!

Thanks to Braden, our "videographer" for the week for the pictures!

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Cat Forever by Bella

Cats For Ever

Have you ever wanted a cat? Do you already have one? If you’ve ever wanted a cat here are some things you’ll need to look for.does the cat you want have a nice friendly attitude or do you think it might bite or scratch you? You also want to check for heartworm or disease if so you could go to vet and have it checked. While looking into a cat you want to choose a breed that you like,for example if you don’t want hair all over the floor you may want a sphinx or a short hair. If you absolutely love fluffy furry adorable cats you may look into a Persian. You should also look into your local vet to what type of food you should buy for your cat. Whatever you do always remember that your cat loves you and you should love it back!

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Science Fair Information

Science Fair Information:

Science Fair Presentations will be on Thursday, November 15th in the Later Elementary cafeteria.

The project is worth 50 points (see point sheet that went home for details).

The projects need to include:

• Experiment - all projects must be scientific experiments, not just models.  This means the students should be testing something and the results must be measurable.  No volcanoes, sink/float, yes/no, or sweet/salty experiments, please.
• Log - The log is like a journal the student keeps throughout the entire project.  Every project must include a log with dated entries.  Anything the students thinks or does concerning the project must be written in the log with a date.  A simple folder with three prongs in the middle or a spiral or composition notebook would work well for the log. 
• Timeline - The project (log book and display board) is due November 9th.  A timeline of suggested dates went home to help keep students on track.  That schedule will help keep pace for a timely completion of the project.  

The Science Fair Presentation will be on Thursday, November 15th for students to show off and discuss their projects with fellow classmates, friends, teachers and family.  Our class time slot is from 9:30-10:00.

Ms. Neidlinger put together a great powerpoint presentation that might help with some of the steps and provides examples.  You can view the presentation here. 

Also, the "Science Fair Project Investigation Guide" that was sent home is also available online here. 

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Homecoming Spirit Week

This coming week is HOMECOMING!!  To help celebrate and get into the spirit, we have some special days next week.  Please do NOT go out and buy anything new or special for these days, just search for something you already have!

Monday, October 8th - Comfy Clothes Day (pj's, sweats or comfy clothes!)
Tuesday, October 9th - Mismatch Day (Do your best NOT to match today!)
Wednesday, October 10th - Dress like your favorite character (TV, movie, book...)
Thursday, October 11th - 4th grade wears as much WHITE as possible!!
Friday, October 12th - SPIRIT DAY!!  (Wear your Paw Paw gear; red, white or black colors!)

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Our Classroom Library

After the students helped me sort books for our classroom library, I spent the weekend at school putting it all together.  Putting together books I already had with our 300 new books as well as a move up two grade levels meant my system needed an upgrade!

I created bin labels for all our categories.  Then I took all the books, gave them each a matching label so it would be easy to know which bin they belonged in. (Theoretically making it a snap to return books to the proper bin.)

While the process was time-consuming, having an organized library full of new and classic titles is exciting not only to me, but to the students.  I was highly motivated to get this job done!

When all was said and done, our library took on a whole new feel!  Thanks to some donated money to help spruce up our corner, I added some beanbag chairs and brightly colored pillows to make reading more comfortable!

We will keep adding new books all the time to keep reading fresh, exciting and to address the specific reading interests and goals of the class!

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