Saturday, December 20, 2014

Team Mindcrafters

I added a few pictures to our blog of the Minute to Win It activity in my room Friday.  Below is some information about Kahoot.  I told students that I would send out this info, and I've already received one email request:)

I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday break!  

Kahoot - Students have played games in class using this website.  The games they've played were created by us for review.  However, there are many free games that can be played, and the Dressel house has been having fun challenging each other on a variety of topics.  Whether students want to play the class games again for review at home, or look for family games to play, an account needs to be created first.  It is quick and easy.  Once you create an account, you can search through the many public games out there.  This is the direct link to the homophone review game they played in language.  

--
Mary Dressel
Whitehouse 4th Grade
Office Phone 419-877-0543

Holiday Party Fun

Here are a few pictures of the "Snow Ball Fight" Minute to Win It game.


Mrs. Vanderstelt's Homeroom:




 

Mr. Pransky's homeroom:





 

Mrs. Dressel's Homeroom:





Thursday, December 18, 2014

Team Mindcrafters Daily Update 12/18

Parents,

Friday events.  The teachers have a fun-filled day planned for Friday.  All students will participate in the winter parties in the afternoon that day.  Please encourage your child to meet his/her reading goal for Friday and to stay caught up on their homework and classwork this week.  Students who have outstanding work or have not kept up on their reading may miss out on Battleball and the special Holiday Minute-to-Win-it game time during the day.  

Reminders:
  • Friday 12/17 - Winter party
HOMEWORK

READING
  • 77% AR by Friday
MATH:


SCIENCE/SOCIAL STUDIES:
packet about heredity and animal traits ( I have sent tests home today even though a couple people have make-ups tomorrow.)

USEFUL LINKS:
:-)  Mary Beth

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Team Mindcraters Daily Update - 12-16-14

Parents,

Friday events.  The teachers have a fun-filled day planned for Friday.  All students will participate in the winter parties in the afternoon that day.  Please encourage your child to meet his/her reading goal for Friday and to stay caught up on their homework and classwork this week.  Students who have outstanding work or have not kept up on their reading may miss out on Battleball and the special Holiday Minute-to-Win-it game time during the day.  

Reminders:
  • Friday 12/17 - Winter party
HOMEWORK

READING
  • 77% AR by Friday
MATH:
Watch Learn Zillion video and complete packet

SCIENCE/SOCIAL STUDIES:
None.

USEFUL LINKS:

--
Shane Pransky
Whitehouse Primary
4th Grade

Monday, December 15, 2014

Team Mindcraters Daily Update - 12-15-14

Parents,

Slime Shop.  The Santa's Slime Shop earned over $400 for needy families this year!  Thank you for all of your support with this project.

Monday morning.  It has been our observation that many students have been coming in on Monday mornings looking very run down and sleepy.  We understand that it is a busy time of year, but please make an effort to have your child to bed on school nights at a time that allows them to be fully rested and ready to learn here at school.  You may wonder what an appropriate bed time or amount of sleep is at your child's age.  Here is a short excerpt from KidsHealth.org on this topic:

School-Age Kids and Preteens

School-age kids need 10 to 11 hours of sleep a night. Bedtime problems can start at this age for a variety of reasons. Homework, sports and after-school activities, computers, TVs, mobile devices, and hectic family schedules all can contribute to kids not getting the sleep they need.

Sleep-deprived kids can become hyper or irritable, and may have a hard time paying attention in school.

It's still important to have a consistent bedtime, especially on school nights. Leave enough technology-free time before bed to allow your child to unwind before lights-out. A good rule of thumb is switching off the electronics at least an hour before bed and keeping TVs, computers, and mobile devices out of kids' bedrooms.

Reminders:
  • Friday 12/17 - Winter party
HOMEWORK

READING
  • 77% AR by Friday
MATH:
AM Practice

SCIENCE/SOCIAL STUDIES:
The test on factors of production will be December 16. Everyone needs to take their green folder and study. (A graded practice quiz went home today.)

USEFUL LINKS:

--
Shane Pransky
Whitehouse Primary
4th Grade

Friday, December 12, 2014

Team Mindcrafters Daily Update - 12-12-14

Parents,

We had a great week of learning.  Thank you for your support with the Santa Slime project.  It was a big success.  We will send you the amounts that we will be able to donate after we have everything calculated.

Math.  In Math today students took a STAR Math assessment to see how their skills are progressing.  Most students' results showed terrific growth from the beginning of the year.  I sent home the reports for Mrs. Vanderstelt's and Mr. Pransky's homeroom, but I didn't have time to put comments on Mrs. Dressel's class.  I will send these home on Monday.

Reminders:
  • Friday 12/17 - Winter party
HOMEWORK

READING
  • 77% AR by Friday
MATH:
none

SCIENCE/SOCIAL STUDIES:
The test on factors of production will be December 16. Everyone needs to take their green folder and study. (A graded practice quiz went home today.)

USEFUL LINKS:

--
Shane Pransky
Whitehouse Primary
4th Grade

Thursday, December 11, 2014

team Mindcrafters Daily Update 12/11/14

Parents,

Reminders:
  • Tomorrow is the last day for slime orders.
HOMEWORK

READING
  • 66% AR by Friday
MATH:
none

SCIENCE/SOCIAL STUDIES:
The test on factors of production will be December 16. Everyone needs to take their green folder and study. (Practice quiz taken today.)

USEFUL LINKS:
:-)  Mary Beth

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Team Mindcrafters Daily Update 12-10-14

Parents,

Reminders:
  • Secret Santa is TOMORROW - forms and money should be sent in
  • Tomorrow is also the last day for slime orders
HOMEWORK

READING 
  • Read Spiders - Online for anyone without their book
  • ELA sheet due tomorrow
  • 66% AR by Friday
MATH:
none

SCIENCE/SOCIAL STUDIES:
The test on factors of production will be December 16.

USEFUL LINKS:

--
Mary Dressel
Whitehouse 4th Grade
Office Phone 419-877-0543

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Team Mindcraters Daily Update - 12-9-14

Parents,

Students started multiplying 2 x 2 digit numbers for the first time today.  They are off to a great start!

Thanks for supporting your child and communicating with me about your child's Math homework.  Most of the kids did a great job on it today.  I realize that, for many of you, the ways that students do math today seems very different than when you (or I) were in school.  Modern ways of teaching math put greater emphasis on building a strong conceptual foundation for understanding rather than rote memorization of a series of steps to calculate a problem. This helps students make connections to other related concepts such as geometry and algebra that they will learn later on in school. More importantly, it help kids actually understand what they are doing when they multiply or divide.  If your child struggles with their homework, please just send me a note or an e-mail and I will make time to help them with it during math as we did in class today.

Reminders:
  • Secret Santa is Thursday - forms and money should be sent in by then
  • Order Forms for "Santa's Slime Shop" need to be turned in this week.
HOMEWORK

READING 
  • 66% AR by Friday
MATH:
AM Practice

SCIENCE/SOCIAL STUDIES:
The test on factors of production will be December 16.

USEFUL LINKS:

--
Shane Pransky
Whitehouse Primary
4th Grade

Monday, December 8, 2014

Team Mindcrafters Daily Update - 12-8-14

Parents,

Students started making the slime for "Slime Shop" today.  Ask your child about it!

Reminders:
  • Secret Santa is Thursday - forms and money should be sent in by then
  • Order Forms for "Santa's Slime Shop" need to be turned in this week.
HOMEWORK

READING 
  • 66% AR by Friday
MATH:
Watch LearnZillion.com videos (quick codes 1875 and 1877, they are not consecutive videos) and complete packet

SCIENCE/SOCIAL STUDIES:
The test on factors of production will be December 16.

USEFUL LINKS:

--
Shane Pransky
Whitehouse Primary
4th Grade

Friday, December 5, 2014

Team Mindcrafters Daily Update - 12-5-14

Parents,

Multiplication Pizza Party - A big thank you to the parents who donated drinks and other items for the party today.  We had a great time!  Students did a super job working toward this goal.  Next up, division facts!

Fundraisers: There is a Marco's Pizza night and Max and Erma's breakfast coming up soon to help raise funds for our school.  Information coming home soon.

Reminders:
HOMEWORK

READING 
  • 55% AR by Friday
MATH:
I sent home a few extra practice papers for multiplication this weekend that can be done for Class Dojo points.

SCIENCE/SOCIAL STUDIES:
The test on factors of production will be December 16.

USEFUL LINKS:

--
Shane Pransky
Whitehouse Primary
4th Grade

Thursday, December 4, 2014

team Mindcrafters Daily Update 12/4

Parents,

Multiplication Pizza Party - If your child mastered multiplication before Thanksgiving break, they have earned a special pizza party tomorrow!  Don't forget.

Secret Santa: Information was sent home yesterday.

Fundraisers: There is a Marco's night and Max and Erma's breakfast coming up soon to help raise funds for our school.  Information coming home soon.

Reminders:
  • $1 investment for Soc. Stu. project was due today.  We will still take it tomorrow from those few who forgot.
  • Book orders due Friday - Online orders through Saturday
  • Multiplication Mastery Pizza Party - Fri. Dec. 5 

HOMEWORK

READING 
  • 55% AR by Friday

MATH:
none

SCIENCE/SOCIAL STUDIES:
(The test on factors of production will be December 16.) Tonight most kids need to practice their skit and song for their classroom visit tomorrow. Also, REMINDER… bring Santa hats and Christmas headbands or hats tomorrow.

USEFUL LINKS:
:-)  Mary Beth

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Team Mindcrafters Daily Update 12-3-14

Parents,

Multiplication Pizza Party - If your child mastered multiplication before Thanksgiving break, they have earned a special pizza party this Friday.  Still looking for juice box donations for Mrs. Vanderstelt's class.  All set for Mr. Pransky and Mrs. Dressel's classes.

Secret Santa: Information was sent home today.

Fundraisers: There is a Marco's night and Max and Erma's breakfast coming up soon to help raise funds for our school.  Information coming home soon.

Reminders:
  • $1 investment for Soc. Stu. project due tomorrow
  • Book orders due Friday - Online orders through Saturday.
  • $1 Investment due by Thursday
  • Multiplication Mastery Pizza Party - Fri. Dec. 5 

HOMEWORK

READING 
  • ELA sheet due tomorrow
  • Read The Buffalo Are Back
  • 55% AR by Friday

MATH:
none

SCIENCE/SOCIAL STUDIES:
The test on factors of production will be December 16.

USEFUL LINKS:

--
Mary Dressel
Whitehouse 4th Grade
Office Phone 419-877-0543

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Team Mindcrafters Daily Update 12-2-14

Parents,


Fourth Grade Entrepreneurs.   Your child has a letter describing an exciting upcoming Social Studies project.  The students will be learning about economics this year by starting their own "slime" business.  (This is taking the place of what was formerly the "Treat Shop" project.)  Your child will need to bring $1 to invest into this business.  This money is needed by Thursday, December 4th to buy supplies.  The goal is to turn a profit and for each student to earn their $1 back.  Any additional profits will then be donated to needy families in the community.

Multiplication Pizza Party - If your child mastered multiplication before Thanksgiving break, they have earned a special pizza party this Friday.  Still looking for juice box donations for Mrs. Vanderstelt's class.  All set for Mr. Pransky and Mrs. Dressel's classes.

Student Writing Around Town: We finished up our persuasive paragraphs about a great business in Whitehouse to go to.  Most paragraphs (General's Ice Cream and Butterfly House are closed for the season) have been delivered and are hanging up inside!  Copies of student paragraphs will be coming home today.  Please make sure you check out the business your child chose, and see if his/her writing is on display!


Reminders:
  • Movie night forms
  • Book orders due Friday - Online orders through Saturday.
  • $1 Investment due by Thursday
  • Multiplication Mastery Pizza Party - Fri. Dec. 5 

HOMEWORK

READING 
  • Homophone worksheet (one side only)
  • 55% AR by Friday

MATH:
none

SCIENCE/SOCIAL STUDIES:
The test on factors of production will be December 16.

USEFUL LINKS:

--
Mary Dressel
Whitehouse 4th Grade
Office Phone 419-877-0543

Monday, December 1, 2014

Team Mindcrafters Daily Update 12-1-14

Parents,


Fourth Grade Entrepreneurs.   Your child has a letter describing an exciting upcoming Social Studies project.  The students will be learning about economics this year by starting their own "slime" business.  (This is taking the place of what was formerly the "Treat Shop" project.)  Your child will need to bring $1 to invest into this business.  This money is needed by Thursday, December 4th to buy supplies.  The goal is to turn a profit and for each student to earn their $1 back.  Any additional profits will then be donated to needy families in the community.

Multiplication Pizza Party - If your child mastered multiplication before Thanksgiving break, they have earned a special pizza party this Friday.  I could use volunteers in each homeroom to donate juice boxes. Please e-mail Mr. Pransky if you'd be interested in doing this.

Student Writing Around Town: We finished up our persuasive paragraphs about a great business in Whitehouse to go to.  Most paragraphs (General's Ice Cream and Butterfly House are closed for the season) have been delivered and are hanging up inside!  Copies of student paragraphs will be coming home today.  Please make sure you check out the business your child chose, and see if his/her writing is on display!


Book Order:  Book orders went home today.  In order to ensure a delivery before break, I will need to have paper orders in by Friday.  If you'd like to order online, you can go to https://orders.scholastic.com/GJLYC, online orders can be submitted through Saturday. If you are ordering books that are intended to be a Christmas present, please send Mrs. Dressel an email to let her know, and she will put your order in the office to be picked up.

Reminders:
  • Movie night forms
  • $1 Investment due by Thursday
  • Multiplication Mastery Pizza Party - Fri. Dec. 5 

HOMEWORK

READING 
55% AR by Friday

MATH:
  • AM Practice
SCIENCE/SOCIAL STUDIES:
The test on factors of production will be December 16.

USEFUL LINKS:

--
Shane Pransky
Whitehouse Primary
4th Grade

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Team Mindcrafter Daily Update - 11-25-14

Parents,


We hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving break. Thank you for allowing us to work with your child each day! Please have a safe and restful holiday!

Multiplication Pizza Party - This will be on Friday December 5th for all students who have passed multiplication by today. I could use some donations of drinks in each classroom. Any parents willing to donate juice pouches/boxes would be really appreciated.


Reading. Kids have doing a great job working toward their quarterly goals. Since it was short week, there was no expectation to meet for reading this week. Students can use this opportunity to get ahead or shoot for one of the higher goals if they reach 100% early.


Reminders:
  • Movie night flyers went home this week. - Fri., Dec. 5
  • Pizza Party (Multiplication mastery) - Fri., Dec. 5
HOMEWORK

READING 
55% AR by Dec. 5

MATH:
You can review your child's Multiplication Concepts Test results here. Mrs. Poktzywa's students results are here.

SCIENCE/SOCIAL STUDIES:
The test on factors of production will be December 16.

USEFUL LINKS:

--
Shane Pransky
Whitehouse Primary
4th Grade

Monday, November 24, 2014

11-24-14 Team Mindcrafters Daily Update

Parents,


Spelling test retake:  MANY students struggled with the spelling words on Friday.  Students who missed more than two words (there are only 10-12 incorporated into our sentences) will retest tomorrow.  The retest will be over all 20 words, not in sentences.  Students who need to retake know who they are.  Some are finishing a practice page for the week's words for homework tonight.  I'd recommend going to the Spelling City link below for your child to take a practice test tonight, or if you need access to the list.  The words are under 2.2 Ranita the Frog Princess.


Math extra papers.  Students have received several extra credit pages this week and last that can be done for extra practice at home.  If these are completed and returned to school, students can earn extra effort Class Dojo points.  I'll also be sending home a packet over Thanksgiving that has some puzzles that your child can do for fun.  -Mr. Pransky


Math test.  Your child took a Math test on Friday. (Some finished today) You can review your child's results here. Mrs. Poktzywa's students results are here.

Reminders:
  • Last day! - Math Challenge.  Master Multiplication by Midterm! (November 25)
  • Supplies - We are running short on a few supplies.  Mrs. Dressel could use donations of more glue sticks.
  • Last day! - donations for the canned food drive  

HOMEWORK

READING 
55% AR by Dec. 5

MATH:
  • AM Practice
SCIENCE/SOCIAL STUDIES:

USEFUL LINKS:

--
Shane Pransky
Whitehouse Primary
4th Grade

Thursday, November 20, 2014

Team Mindcrafters Daily Update 11/20


Parents,



Reminders:
  • Math Challenge.  Master Multiplication by Midterm! (November 25)
  • Supplies - We are running short on a few supplies.  Mrs. Dressel could use donations of more glue sticks.  Mr. Pransky could use donations of more disinfecting wipes, quart size baggies, mint candies, and glue sticks.
  • Bring in donations of canned food drive items  

HOMEWORK

READING 
44% AR this week

MATH:

SCIENCE/SOCIAL STUDIES:
"Cookie Production"  (Factors of Production practice- Directions at the top))

USEFUL LINKS:

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Team Mindcrafters Daily Update 11-20-14

Parents,



Reminders:
  • Math Challenge.  Master Multiplication by Midterm! (November 25)
  • Supplies - We are running short on a few supplies.  Mrs. Dressel could use donations of more glue sticks.  Mr. Pransky could use donations of more disinfecting wipes, quart size baggies, mint candies, and glue sticks.
  • Bring in donations of canned food drive items  

HOMEWORK

READING:
  • ELA Sheet is due tomorrow
  • Read Ranita the Frog Princess.
MATH:

SCIENCE/SOCIAL STUDIES:
None.

USEFUL LINKS:

--
Mary Dressel
Whitehouse 4th Grade
Office Phone 419-877-0543

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

11-18-14 Daily Updates

Reading Log Reminders:  Thank you to those who have been helping your child keep up with his/her reading logs.  The students know that THEY are responsible for writing in all of the information on the logs themselves, and then are to get your initials each night.  I'm not checking everyone's logs daily.  However, I regularly check those who are not at the goal needed by the end of the week.  I've added a new Class Dojo category to reflect students who are not keeping up with their logs, when checked.  This is part of their nightly homework, and really helps to keep students on track with their reading.  Thanks again for your support.


Reminders:
  • Math Challenge.  Master Multiplication by Midterm! (November 25)
  • Supplies - We are running short on a few supplies.  Mrs. Dressel could use donations of more glue sticks.  Mr. Pransky could use donations of more disinfecting wipes, quart size baggies, mint candies, and glue sticks.
  • Bring in donations of canned food drive items  

HOMEWORK

READING:
  • ELA Sheet is due Thursday

MATH:
  • Test over Multiplication Properties will be Friday.  
  • Homework - Take the practice test on Moodle to review for your test.
  • If your child does not have internet, they should do their AM Practice

SCIENCE/SOCIAL STUDIES:
None.

USEFUL LINKS:

--
Shane Pransky
Whitehouse Primary
4th Grade
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