11.22.10

Hello all - 
Don't really have any updates since I was out today and will be again tomorrow. I guess with so many sick kids, I was bound to get something!  I hope everyone has a GREAT night...and know that you have NO HOMEWORK!  I miss you all so much!


xoxo,
Mrs. Thomas

THIS WEEK AT GSE...

This Week at Garden Springs

Nov.22—Day 2

Unity Day

2:45-3:30p: 3rd Grade Lego Club

2:45-3:45p: Performing Arts Club Rehearsal

FRC Angel Tree (11/8-12/6)

Nov. 23—Day 3
“Turkey” greets students

5th Grade—Colonial Day

Science Fair Experimental Design Due

Nov. 24, 25, 26 No School - HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Santa at Lexington Green wants to help GSE PTA. If you use the coupon you will receive $3 off a photo package and GSE PTA will receive $1 for each coupon used. Feel free to print extra coupons for family and friends. The coupons are attached to this post and will also come home in Weds folder.

Stone Soup Friday!



The stones (err..meatballs) were our favorite!



We made STONE SOUP today!!!  Most of the kids thought it was pretty yummy, some didn't like everything that was in it, but the majority gave an overwhelmingly positive response!  To be honest, I didn't think it would be all that wonderful, but it actually was good!  We first mixed Beef Boullion and water to create our broth.  Next, we added freshly chopped onions, fresh ginger, freshly chopped celery, fresh organic chives, salt, pepper, sugar snap peas, meatballs (as the stones), crushed red pepper, minced garlic, water chestnuts, mushrooms, carrots, rice, and noodles.  Finally, we poured more broth over all of the ingredients and let it cook for 4 1/2 hours.  Here are some pics...



We made enough to share with all of G-Complex!










The beginning of Stone Soup

  


We all crowded around to add our ingredients

 



TJ loved it!  He kept asking for seconds!

 

 






Our reading class is the BEST!



Love our Readers!



After we got our stone soup mixed together and cooking, we began our Spelling test.  Upon completion of our spelling test, we began our weekly ORQ.  Almost every single one that I graded got a '4'!  Wooo Hooo!!!  And guess what?  I have some big plans for reading next week :)

In math, we continued reviewing word problems and then got to play baseball addition since it is 'gameday Friday'!

After lunch, our stone soup was finally ready and we gobbled it all up.  Once we ate it, we went on a walk and then watched a video about the first Thanksgiving. 

I hope everyone has an awesome weekend!  Only 2 days of school next week!

xoxo,

Mrs. Thomas

6 days until Thanksgiving!!!

Bob's Adventures - Days 2 & 3 (with Micah)

Micah took me to her home today after school and she immediately started on her homework.  She got done as fast as lightning!  Then, she took me with her to her friend's house on her bike.  Her name was Lisa Madden.  Micah,Lisa, and me made a house for shelter. We gathered sticks, twigs, and bark to make a roof for our house. We saw a tree near the fence and put the sticks and twigs and put them slanted on the fence to the tree.  Soon, Micah had to go so I went back with her on her bike and to her house. She said, "It is VERY cold!" I really did not think it was cold at all, though!  Soon, we got back to her house and went in.  She told me that people and friends were coming to her house and also said that I have to use polite manners.  I hugged Micah tight like I was never going to let go.  I think she is nice, caring, and loving...oh,don't forget that she is also...F-U-N, FUN! Then, the sound of a honk broke my thoughts of Micah and I grabbed her hand,"What's that?" I asked. "Oh, it is a person," Micah replied. She ran to the door without me...but soon ran back and grabbed me in her arms and came back to the door. We saw people coming and then Micah said, "Bob, you maybe need to eat something before they come in." "Okay, I will!" I said.  Me and Micah rushed to the kitchen and Micah quickly got me a stuffed mouse like I had had before.  I gobbled it quickly...it was DELICIOUS!  I have had so much fun with Micah!  I cannot wait to experience new adventures with someone else this weekend!

Hoot Hoot!
-Bob

11.18.10

Is it just me, or has this week gone by super fast?!?  I LOVE that feeling!

We were really down on size today...we had SIX students absent!  YIKES!  Therefore, something is obviously going around and well, it has hit us HARD so here is your formal warning to wash those hands, get plenty of rest, bathe daily, and take those vitamins!  I sure miss my kiddos when they're not here!

I made a big 'boo-boo' and forgot to bring in the slow cooker to make our stone soup in reading :(  I'm sorry guys, I PROMISE, we will make it tomorrow!  In reading, we worked on getting a '4' on our ORQ that we've been getting coached on and have been working with in small group time with me this week.  Groups were also able to meet and go through their literature circle roles.  Students who did NOT get their multiple choice portion done of the quiz need to complete it TONIGHT for HOMEWORK.  Also, study, study, study those spelling words and their definitions!  The packet is due tomorrow. 

On that note, please review ALL of the packet tonight with an adult at home (and I mean, every single question on every single page).  As I am reading through your packets and grading them, I am seeing some very careless mistakes that can be avoided by simply reading the directions and double-checking your work. 

There were several students who did not do their math homework last night either :(  Come on guys, it was only THREE problems and the workbook walked you through each step.  You NEED to be practicing this concept of word problems at home.  You will never get better until you practice, practice, practice!  No one is perfect at something the first time...if we were, we'd all be rocket scientists and doctors!  No homework tonight, but there may be a quiz tomorrow...hint hint!

During Science and Social Studies time, we again worked on completing our On-Demands for Ms. Sharp that are due on Monday...boy, what a PROCESS they are!!!  Be sure and check back tomorrow for Bob's blog about his last night with Micah tonight.  He will be traveling home with someone else over the weekend and we can't wait to hear about what all he got to do!

Tomorrow is FRIDAY!

xoxo,

Mrs. Thomas



Thanksgiving is ONE WEEK from TODAY!!!



11.17.10

Hello all...it's Wednesday!  Be sure to check below for Bob's first adventure with Micah.  Bob is our stuffed owl that will be going home on journeys with students and keeping a journal of his adventures.  The student will report daily on our blog what Bob has to say about his experiences!

We began our day by finishing Charlotte's Web which was our PAWS reward from yesterday.  In reading, we were unable to make Stone Soup since we did not have all of our ingredients (my fault...I went to the grocery last night, but did not pick up beef broth which is essential to the making of the soup!).  We were able to work in our group rotations today. For homework tonight, please complete the "Even More Inferences" worksheet and turn in at the start of class tomorrow.  Also, continue studying your spelling words and their definitions!

In math, we continued our focus upon word problems.  We must remember to fully read the questions asked of us several times to ensure we understand what is required to do.  Most problems require more than one step to solve the equation.  Tonight for homework, complete pages 78-80 in your WORKBOOK.  **It says in the instructions to use a bar model to solve, you DO NOT have to draw a bar model...just complete the problems.  Remember, most have more than one step!!**

We had an AWESOME report from P.E. today which makes me so happy!  AND...we earned a GREEN paw in lunch again...wooooo hooooo!!!  Finally, we worked on our On-Demands that are due on Monday to Ms. Sharp.  We are really coming along with our idea development and elaborating by putting our thoughts onto paper so our readers can maintain interest throughout the piece. 

Thank you for being you!
xoxo,
Mrs. Thomas

Thanksgiving is 8 days away!

Bob's Adventures - Day One with Micah (11.16.10)

     As I go home from school with Micah, I walk into her bedroom and she makes me a place to stay while I am at her house.  She and I look around for a place for me to stay.  I spot something with my owl eyes and I say, "How about I sleep by your shelf ?" "Oh Bob,you spot everything! That place will be great!" she says in reply to me. I then fly down and fix the curtain, which is white and has flowers on it.  Micah puts a pillow down so I can be comfortable.  "Good! The curtain is a backround and the pillow is my bed!" I tell her.  I fly down to my new bed to see how it is. "Wow!I love it!" I proclaim as I add a pot that has a fake flower near my bed. "Looking good!" she calls to me as she watches.
     "Hey, Bob, it is snack time!" At that, Micah and I rushed to the kitchen and came back with a stuffed animal mouse for me to eat.  I gobbled it up!  "Yum, yum!"  I assure her, "that was gooooood!  Thank you!". 
     "You're welcome!" she said cheerfully.  We smiled at each other like happy newborns.  Then, I hear Micah's mom, "Micah, it's time for piano lessons!"  Whoa, I've never played piano before!  "Okay," she replies and she takes me out of the house to her mom's waiting car.  We drive to her piano teacher's house and I meet her.  Her name is Allison Powell and she is very nice.  Micah assures me that she will like me when she sees I am a bit nervous.  Together, we walk to her steps and ring her doorbell and she soon answers the door.  We got to play, "Rudolph, the Red-nosed Reindeer"!  After a quick 30 minutes, it was time to go so we said, "bye!" and drove home. 

     Thankfully, it was dinner time and we had fish which was very, yummy!  After dinner, I really wanted to watch TV, so we watched, "the Waltons".  I really liked that TV show and the character I loved the most was the mom of the family.  Actually, I really liked the whole family, but the mom was my favorite.  Micah's dad then asked us if we wanted a cookie.  "Sure!" we excitedly replied.  We went to the kitchen and ate the cookie quickly...it was gooooood!  After gobbling it up, we went back to watching some TV and soon, it was time for bed.  I watched as Micah brushed her teeth and wondered what that felt like?  When she was done, she carried me to her room and into our beds.  Boy, I sure was sleepy!  She even put me to bed and gave me a kiss goodnight...she is so sweet!  I hope I can stay with her again!  "Goodnight" she soothed as I got tucked in, but I heard her in my dreams because I was already sound asleep!  "Oh Bob, you fall asleep fast!" and before we knew it, it was morning.  See you tomorrow, and Micah, 'Owl' always love you!

Hoot, hoot!

-Bob