The End of First Semester

Will we ever have a full week again?  What a rough start to January!  Hopefully, these wickedly cold days are behind us and we can get back into a classroom routine again!  We sadly said goodbye to Katie Schmudlach on Friday.  We wish her all the best and are glad to know that she plans on volunteering in our classroom this semester!

However, we are fortunate to welcome Marcela Anderson to the Lily Pad.  Marcela is in her final semester at the UW and will student teaching with me this semester.  Below is an introductory letter.  Please stop in and introduce yourself when you are at Marquette!



Despite all of the unexpected days off, we have kept busy in the Lily Pad. We started a new Science Unit, Rocks and Minerals, and our student geologist have been busy learning more about the relationship of rocks and minerals through their investigation of Mock Rocks.

First, students were charge with the task of observing their mock rock and making a detailed drawing of this rock in their Science Journals.  They were then given the task to identify the different minerals in the rock.  They did this by taking their mock rocks apart.

We determined that there were 3 minerals we knew for sure were in the rock: red stones, blue stones and a dry, gray substance.  Students predicted what made up the substance and then were told to discuss how we might separate the various "minerals" in this substance.  After much discussion, students determined that water could be used to separate the various minerals.

After the gray matter and water were added to a vial, we gathered on the carpet and shock up the ingredients.

Once the water had a chance to break down the matter, students observed the layers that formed.  They wrote observation and drawings in their science notebooks.

Our next task is to determine if there is salt or sugar in the gray matter.

Math

In our math block we continue to  practice multiplication and division facts and problem solving.  Along with our work with multiplication we are beginning to learn about fractions.  We are learning the significance of the denominator and numerator, comparing fractions and ordering fractions.

Hollywood Party

We rolled out the red carpet and celebrated our Role Model behavior Hollywood Style.  The students had fun embracing their inner celebrity and shining in the spotlight as they walked the Lily Pad Walk of Fame on the Red Carpet.

Spelling Bee

Congratulations to all the participants in this year's Spelling Bee.  All students tried their best and were cool under pressure.  Way to go!

Other News and Events

The Music Concert that was scheduled for the evening of January 28 has been rescheduled for Tuesday, February 4.  Same time, same place! Also, report cards will be coming home with students on Friday.

Thanks and stay warm!