The new homework is up.  You should have received an email from me on Tuesday about the literacy project and Valentine's homework.  The literacy project is now on the blog as well.

You also should have received an email about our hurricane-proof house project.  Students identified a need for new technology (a stronger shelter), and have come up with plans to solve that problem (engineering design).  They started constructing their houses today in class.  We will test our models next week and then think about what could be done differently to improve the design.  If your child wishes to make one at home, please have him or her turn it in on Tuesday.  We may not actually get to having a hurricane on Tuesday because of Valentine's day but I'd still like to have them then.

This week's writing assignment is not storyline related.  We've been talking so much about dragons that I thought it would be fun to do a dragon-themed imaginative story.

Our Valentine's Day party is on Tuesday from 2:00 to 3:00.  Please make sure your child brings in his/her Valentine bag or box on Monday.  Bringing in cards for others is optional.  In case you didn't see the email with the class list, I'm including it below.

Alexa	Gabby	Kyler	Ryan
Arman	Irena	Mackenzie	Sam
Charley	Julia	Madeline	Savanna
Delany	Kai	Madison	Selina
Emma	Kevin	Odin	Tyler
Esme	Kristin	Rachael	Zach

Have a great weekend!
Carone

The literacy projects (book reports) were due today.  I was SO impressed with them and the class was excited to see what people had done.  There was definitely a lot of effort and creativity involved!  The next project will go home in a couple of weeks and will be due mid-February.

The new homework has been posted.  I know many of you will be happy to see that the math is all in one file for easier printing.  I can't vouch for your computers but everything printed fine from mine.  Again, thank you for your patience and flexibility.

Our storyline is similar to a Magic Tree House book.  Morgan le Fay sent us a letter asking us to help the people of Wamengo, Kansas, as there is a tornado approaching.  We need to find out what the tornado warning signs are, how to prepare for a tornado and what to do after a tornado.  We read some books, watched a couple of short movies and listened to Mr. Sliva (Kevin's dad) tell us about his experiences with them.  The class has done a great job pulling key information from what's been presented.  If your child hasn't already offered up some interesting facts, be sure to ask.

Have a great weekend!  Apparently, our sunny weather is long gone.

Happy New Year!

It was so good to see everyone again after the break!  It sounds like there was a lot of fun to be had and I loved hearing everyone's stories.

We are in the process of starting our newest storyline, beginning with some map work.  We've talked about oceans and continents and the lack of a definitive answer for how many of each there are.  When I was in school, there were four oceans (Pacific, Atlantic, Indian and Arctic) and 7 continents (N. and S. America, Africa, Australia, Europe, Asia and Antarctica).  Now, some feel the waters around Antarctica should be called the Southern or Antarctic Ocean because the current travels differently from that of the other oceans which touch it.  As far as continents go, there are between four and seven.  The maps that we labeled in class have seven continents and four or five oceans (I let them choose if they wanted to include the Southern Ocean).

For homework this week, there are two math worksheets as well as some flashcards to make.  It seems as though most students understand what multiplication is but are at various points on the spectrum of knowing their facts.  The worksheet of multiplication facts will be fine for some students but others may need to do fewer to keep from feeling overwhelmed.  I'll leave it up to you.  The flashcards are a resource for practice; if you have your own, feel free to use those.

There is also a writing assignment as well as our first monthly literacy project.  We talked about the project in class and they seem really excited about it.  The assignment says to do a diorama or puppet show but there was a demand for a play as well; that would be fine.  If the puppet show or play option is chosen, I can't emphasize enough the need to keep it concise and focused yet detailed.  Let me know if you have any questions about it.

Have a great weekend and happy 2012!

Homework

Homework is now in folders under each heading.  The writing is now a word document instead of a pdf so it's "pretty"; it bothered me that unattractive printouts were going in their storyline books.  The folders also allow access is past homework for those who need it.  The due dates are part of the name for each file so hopefully it won't be confusing.  Mr. Morgan (my blog master) and I send home the same homework at the same time whereas Mr. Pfaff sends his home on Mondays; that's why their names are part of the files.  I know it's annoying to have to print out all four math pages separately; I'm not sure why that's happening.  I do appreciate all you patience and flexibility as we do homework via the blog!

Have a great weekend!

It's Been a Busy Week in the Village!

On Thursday, we discovered our stockade had been destroyed and Deer Running Downhill was missing.  There were several theories - a storm knocked it over and took Deer Running Downhill with it, intruders came and kidnapped Deer Running Downhill or perhaps it fell over on its own and Deer Running Downhill wandered off.  Students were working on staying in character.  It was necessary to look at the events as an Onondaga person, not as a Sexton Mountain student looking at paper, clay and sticks.

On Friday, we discovered that Dancing Dove of the Wind's basket of strawberries had been stolen.  Chief Atotarho said he saw some intruders in the forest, thus furthering the invader theory for some.  Other tribes were having troubles as well.

Later that day, we learned of a secret conversation out by the steam house.  Apparently, Chief Atotarho is unhappy that he was replaced earlier and wants his power back (thus introducing another theory).  The green hair?  He was said to have had snakes in his hair like Medusa.

Despite the causes, it was necessary to repair the stockade and move on.  We are definitely more on alert now.  We talked about how invasions and conflict between tribes were, unfortunately, a way of life for the Onondaga.  They aren't yet fully aware of what a terrible man Chief Atotarho was. 

We were also very busy this week with lots of writing.  Some students were finishing up their Thanksgiving books as well as writing about a typical day in winter and creating their own legends.  I enjoyed hearing all of the many things your children are thankful for and am entertained by their imaginations.  It's very likely you will hear your child read one of those pieces at the party on the 15th.

Spring has Sprung!

 Yesterday, the snow started melting in our Onondaga village.  Today we saw further signs of spring (time is moving very quickly now).

 Someone is about to pick some strawberries.

A lovely patch of daffodils.

Stay tuned as trouble is on the horizon...

From Jen Fife-Adams, Esme's mom and book order organizer:

Hi all - Scholastic book orders will be going home with your children on Wednesday.  I'll be placing two orders this month: December 4th for those who want items for the Holidays and December 23rd, for those wishing usual delivery in January.  If you want items to be earmarked for gifts, pop me an email at jfifeadams@gmail.com, and I can either wrap them before placing in the cubby, or we can make separate delivery arrangements!

I love it when you order online because we get free stuff everytime you order online. Your online orders have allowed us to add some great books to the classroom library such as some Roald Dahl, E.L. Konigsburg and Rick Riordan titles. These are great books to have in the

library!  For the holidays, the class will be receiving the entire Percy Jackson series and a collection of six books about mythology - that wouldn't have been possible without the online orders that have been placed.  Thanks so much for your orders; they are appreciated incredibly!

Go to  www.scholastic.com/bookclubs and log in using your user name and password.

If it’s your first time ordering online, use the Class Activation Code (H8KRK) to get started.

Thanks for reading!

Jen Fife-Adams, Scholastic Mom and mom to Esme (9) and Harper (5)