Racing Toward the End of Third Quarter

Well, I guess my new reality for Blog updates is now every two weeks.  That is an indication of how busy we have been as we reach the end of the third quarter.  Really? The end of third quarter? Wow, how time has flown by.

We are closing in on the end of our exploration of 2-D geometry.  Students have examined, constructed, discussed and deconstructed many polygon.

We have also learned about angles: right or 90 degree angles, obtuse or bigger than 90 degree angles and acute or smaller than 90 degree angles. Students identified angles in the room, on various polygons, as well as construct various angles using straws and connectors.

Our next whole class math unit will be exploring 3-dimensional geometry. We will begin this unit the week following spring break.

We have some new technology additions to our classroom: a new, FASTER, desk top and a lap top.  We are scheduled to receive an additional desk top along with an old laptop from my house.  We received our new computers thanks to American Family Insurance.  They generously donate their used machines to our schools and it was Marquette's time to get upgraded.  These additions have allowed use to use more technology on a daily basis in the classroom.

Adding some final touches to the Power Point  

Ms. Sprangers, our practicum student from the UW, has been leading the students through a series of lesson teaching them about immigrants and migrants who made their way to Madison and Wisconsin.

She found several primary source documents accounting stories of migrants and immigrants who traveled to Wisconsin. Student groups read these accounts, took notes, and then created a dramatic presentation (aka a skit) to present what they learned to the rest of the class.

They also learned about and examined Push and Pull factors that contributes to the decision to immigrate or migrate.

Students will be using the information collected from their family interviews to create a art project and will be presenting these to the class next week.

We are still working diligently on our fiction stories.  Students have crafted various leads, examined endings from published texts and revised their stories along the way to ensure that each scene in their story includes dialogue, a sense of a setting, action, feelings and internal thought.

Family Fun Night Talent Show Sign-up Deadline
The deadline for students/classrooms to sign up for the Lapham-Marquette Family Fun Night Variety Show is one week away (March 30th)!   All students received a sign-up form in backpack mail earlier this week. It was a part of the Yellow Family Fun Night Packet.

Speaking of Family Fun night, come visit me at the Photo Booth at the Marquette-Lapham Family Fun night on Friday, April 20th.  Get your photo taken for a GREAT cause!
 Other Important Dates and Deadlines 

• Friday, March 30 is the end of 3rd quarter.  Students get out of school at 10:45.
•  Tuesday, March 27 is Dream Camp Group A.
• Tuesday, April 10 (the day we get back from Spring Break) is Dream Camp Group B.  I suggest, if your child is on a team with group B, they  bring their shirts to school prior to Spring Break and leave them in their lockers.
• Spring Break is April 2 through April 9.  Students return to classes on Tuesday, April 10.
• Family Fun Night, Friday, April 20.