Brazilian Animal Project videos!

Hello all!  Here are some more videos from our presentations for your viewing pleasure!  These friends are FANTASTIC!!!

1.13.11

Welcome back my Snow Bunnies!!!  I have to admit, I really love me some snow days, but I also cannot deny how very, very much I missed your sweet, caring, animated faces!  Your smiles light up my life!  Words cannot adequately express, how heavy my heart is with pride for all of you...your success on your MAP scores today and Monday, and your Brazilian animal projects have made me one very, very proud and happy teacher...no wait, I'm downright ECSTATIC!!!  Parents, come in and see these AMAZING projects for yourself...they really are incredible!!!  Since it takes so long to upload them, I will update a few videos everyday until everyone's is uploaded (the ones in which I have permission) for your viewing pleasure.  I promise, it is worth your while to watch them...these are by far, the BEST projects I have EVER received from my students!

Today, we began our day watching presentations.  Next, it was time for our Reading MAP tests.  Our students are scoring through the roof!!  Some BIG gainers today were: Cameron, Jazzy, Tabi, Alonna, Eva, Skyla, and AbbyLou.  


Next, we had lunch and FREEZE DANCE!  It brings me so much joy to be able to dance and have some fun-filled movement with the students...especially doing 'tha Dougie'!!  My Reading class, DO NOT FORGET: your spelling packets are due tomorrow!  Study those words to ace your test!


Finally, we watched more presentations as we were: excited to see Anthony's stingray, awed by Micah's and TJ's jaguars, mesmerized by Cameron, Oliver, and Alonna's posters, illuminated by Tabi's and Maddy's dolphin models, enlightened by Aiden's and Peyton's armadillos, delighted with Caroline's and Jazzy's whale models, thrilled with Griffen's colorful poster and awesome tree frog,  and absolutely WOWED by Alyssa's beautiful and lifelike pair of Blue Macaws!!!


You all make my heart spill with pride and I am more than CRAZY about YOU!!!
xoxo,
Mrs. Thomas

NO school - Wednesday, January 12, 2011

ANNOUNCEMENT:

There is NO school TOMORROW (Wednesday, January 12, 2011).  Enjoy an additional day off!  I look forward to seeing you again!

1.11.11 - NO SCHOOL

There is NO school today due to expected inclement weather!  Enjoy your day off and continue watching the news into tomorrow!


P.S. My READING class, wouldn't this be a GREAT day to complete your spelling packets and practice your words?!?  Those WOW words sure are tough this week!


Also, my MATH class, wouldn't this be a PERFECT OPPORTUNITY to practice your multiplication facts?!?
hint...hint! 

1.10.11

Hello everyone!  WOW!  I am absolutely THRILLED with the Science projects!!  They look absolutely beyond incredible and I am so proud!  The presentations are going GREAT!!  Shown here are our friends who have presented thus far.  Come visit one day this week so you can get a look at them yourself as they are on display outside our complex!

Today, we were some crazy terrific testers!  First, we took our Winter Learning Checks to assess our knowledge through the halfway point of this year.  Next, we set goals and headed to MAP testing in the computer lab.  Almost every student went up on his/her score and many even met or exceeded their goals!  Way to go, friends!  Some of our biggest score increase winners are: Micah, Alyssa, Tabitha, Skyla, Ahmad, and Cameron!  I'm so proud of all of you!

Finally, it was time to present our SCIENCE projects!!!  So far, I am super, super impressed.  I will continue taking video of each person and putting that video here on our blog.  Keep checking back!  Also, I will be sure to post some pics from our Winter party last Friday!

I am CcRrAaZzYy about YOU!

xoxo,

Mrs. Thomas

PS, Don't forget to check the news tomorrow as winter weather is predicted for us!

Weekly Events: 1.10.11 - 1.14.11

This Week at Garden Springs

Jan. 10
2nd MAP Testing Window Continues (12/6/10-2/18/11)

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

2:45-3:45p:
Performing Arts Club Rehearsal
Jan. 111:30p: 5th Grade DARE t-shirt signing & pizza party
Jan. 12 Science Fair Completed Project Due

7:30-8:00a: K-Kids

2:45-4:00p: Comic Creators

2:45-4:00p: Goveror’s Cup Academic Team Practice

PTA Newsletter Distribution

Report Cards go home
Jan. 138:00-11:00a: Science Fair

11:00a-12:00p: FRC Advisory Council Meeting

2:45-3:45p: Ecology Club

Science Fair make-up date (if needed) —8:00-11:00am
Jan. 142:35-3:45p: 4th & 5th Grade Spanish Club

CHORUS SCHEDULE WEEK  Jan. 10-14

Mon.  4^th grade chorus rehearses

Tues. 4^th grade chorus rehearses

Fri.:  5^th grade chorus rehearses

Ms. Wagoner will be giving out chorus permission slips this week during 4^th and 5^th grade music classes. Please get your permission slip turned into Ms. Wagoner immediately.

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS FOR ALL PARENTS OF 2^ND and  5^TH GRADERS:

We are playing the piano weekly in music class. If your child takes private piano lessons, please have your child bring their piano music to music class.  Check your child's schedule to see when music class occurs for your child.  We are having a blast playing in the piano lab!!!!!!

1.6.11 - WOW!!! What a GREAT Birthday!!!

WOW....is ALLLLLL I keep repeating!!!  My birthday today was the absolute BEST I have EVER had!!!  I have never felt sooooo loved!!!  First, I came in to a dark room packed with over 60 third and 5th grade students waiting to, "SURPRISE!!!!" me!  Then, I was presented with cards, gifts, and love, love, looooove!!!  It really had just been THE MOST special day ever and I am so very appreciative!  Thank you everyone for being so amazing and making me feel so wonderful!  And to my former students (the now 'Big 5th graders'), I miss you so much and I am so grateful that I got to experience time with each of you.  You are all amazing and I am touched that you were so thoughtful today!  Geez, I sure am a lucky, lucky gal!

ANNOUNCEMENT: Tomorrow (yes, TOMORROW - FRIDAY), January 7th, is PAJAMA DAY for ours and Mrs. Ingold's classes...so wear those jammies and scoot on in for an added treat to our Winter Party Day!

**ALSO, TOMORROW is our Winter Party at 1:30PM!  Do NOT forget your present for the White Elephant.**

Now, onto our day...

Writing/ Reading:
The students who did not get a '4' the first time on their ORQs rewrote them to get a '4'...and they were FANTASTIC!  Super job, friends!  As students got finished, they chose a spelling activity from the 'Think-Tac-Toe' cards to practice their words for this week.
Once everyone was finished with the ORQ, we played a game called "Hidden Hints" that is a lot like Clue, but for reading...it was a lot of fun!!  Remember, tomorrow is your spelling test and your Lesson 8 packets are due.

Math:
We took our quiz over the 2s, 3s, 5s, 10s, & 11s, and they pretty much ROCKED the house on them!  Awesome job, guys!!  Next, we had writing prompts centered on math topics.  Homework tonight is studying the sets of 2s through 5s...so 4s ARE included in those!  Also, your last sets of multiplication cards are due by tomorrow!

After Lunch:
We had Guidance and then played two math games that are favorites and regulars within my math class: 'Sum-it-up' and 'What's the Difference?'. 

Again, I have NEVER felt more special on my birthday!  Thank you again to everyone for making my day so wonderful!  You are all extraordinary!
xoxo,
Mrs. Thomas

it may snow tonight...be sure and check the news tomorrow (just in case!)