Team Mindcrafters Daily Update 2-28-14

Parents,

Science.  Most students did a great job on the Science test today.  See link under Science to view your child's results.  Remember, your child has one week to retake this test to raise the grade if he or she would like.

Read the Most from Coast to Coast.  Students did a terrific job with this Reading challenge today.  Mrs. Dressel found that students passed 170 AR quizzes this afternoon!  If students want to check how many quizzes were taken today nationwide, they can follow it on the link below.  

http://www.renaissance.com/read-the-most/

We broke the last year's record of 4,409,662 at 3:52!  Check later to see if we break the goal of 5 million quizzes!

Have a great night!

Reading/Language:  

77% AR by Friday

Social Studies:

None.

Science: 

Check test results here 

Mr. Kirwen or Mrs. Pokrywza's students' results

Math:  

3rd quarter Math goal:  Master division facts

Spelling:  

Spelling - lesson 17

Dressel - test Thursday

Pransky - test Friday

--
Shane Pransky
Whitehouse Primary
4th Grade

Team Mindcrafters Daily Update - 2-27-14

Parents,

Math.  Your child has been studying fractions this week.  There are many great games for learning fractions. One of them we've been using recently is called Motion Math Fractions.  This game has the rare quality of being both fun and very educational.  Challenge your child to make it all the way "home" as they learn about fractions, percentages, and decimals.  I will send the students a separate e-mail that will allow them to submit high scores to this game to see who post the top score!

Have a great night!

Reading/Language:  

Lewis and Clark worksheet
66% AR by Friday

Social Studies:

None.

Science: 

Test over Chapter 4 is Friday

Brainscape flashcard practice

https://www.brainscape.com/study?context_pack_id=2695213&deck_id=1925529

Moodle Practice test

http://moodle.anthonywayneschools.org/mod/quiz/view.php?id=12985

Math:  

Watch Learn Zillion videos # 1 & #2 and complete packet pages.  Remember to watch the guided practice!

3rd quarter Math goal:  Master division facts

Spelling:  

Spelling - lesson 17

Dressel - test Thursday

Pransky - test Friday

--
Shane Pransky
Whitehouse Primary
4th Grade

Team Mindcrafters Daily Update 2-26-14

Parents,

Have a great night!

Reading/Language:  

Lewis and Clark worksheet
66% AR by Friday

Social Studies:

None.

Science: 

Test over Chapter 4 is Friday

Brainscape flashcard practice

https://www.brainscape.com/study?context_pack_id=2695213&deck_id=1925529

Moodle Practice test

http://moodle.anthonywayneschools.org/mod/quiz/view.php?id=12985

Math:  

3rd quarter Math goal:  Master division facts

Spelling:  

Spelling - lesson 17

Dressel - test Thursday

Pransky - test Friday

Team Mindcrafters Daily Update 2-25-14

Parents,

Math.  Students just finished learning long division this week.  Next we will be learning about fractions and decimals.  We will cover this topic up until about Spring Break.

Science.  Your child has a Science test this Friday over Ch. 4 (Ecosystems and fossils).  As we normally do at the end of a unit, we have cleared all of the papers related to this unit out of our Science folder and put them in their take home folder. Please note the study resources linked below for your child.

Reading/Language:  

66% AR by Friday

Social Studies:

None.

Science: 

Test over Chapter 4 is Friday

Brainscape flashcard practice

https://www.brainscape.com/study?context_pack_id=2695213&deck_id=1925529

Moodle Practice test

http://moodle.anthonywayneschools.org/mod/quiz/view.php?id=12985

Math:  

AM Practice.

3rd quarter Math goal:  Master division facts

Spelling:  

Spelling - lesson 17

Dressel - test Thursday

Pransky - test Friday

--
Shane Pransky
Whitehouse Primary
4th Grade

Team Mindcrafters Daily Update - 2-24-14

Parents,

I know the students are excited about their recorders, and it's great that they've been practicing, but please encourage them to always put them right back in their backpacks when they are done! 

Reading/Language:  

Read Storyworks article and complete worksheet. (both items attached)
66% AR by Friday

Social Studies:

None.

Science: 

Test over Chapter 4 is next Friday

Brainscape flashcard practice

https://www.brainscape.com/study?context_pack_id=2695213&deck_id=1925529

Moodle Practice test

http://moodle.anthonywayneschools.org/mod/quiz/view.php?id=12985

Math:  

None

3rd quarter Math goal:  Master division facts

Spelling:  

Spelling - lesson 17

Dressel - test Thursday

Pransky - test Friday

Team Mindcrafters Daily Update - 2-21-14

Parents,

Math facts.  As we are at midterm, I am sending home division fact packets to any students who have not mastered division.  Students not at division mastery will need to stay in for recess until they master one level each day until all division levels are mastered.  Remember that your child can practice these facts at any time using Home Connect.

Sickness/Absentee Work.  This is just that time of year where a lot of cold/flu bugs are going around.  We have discussed here at school proper habits for coughing and sneezing as well reminders about frequent hand washing.  Relatedly, if your child is sick, please let both Mrs. Dressel and I know and we will do our best to get the missed work to you. If your child is out for several days it can be especially difficult to get the students caught up here at school.  An early call to the school secretary or an e-mail to us is usually the easiest way to communicate when you can pick up the work.

Have a great night,

Mrs. Dressel and Mr. Pransky

Reading/Language:  

66% AR by Friday

Social Studies:

None.

Science: 

Test over Chapter 4 is next Friday

Brainscape flashcard practice

https://www.brainscape.com/study?context_pack_id=2695213&deck_id=1925529

Moodle Practice test

http://moodle.anthonywayneschools.org/mod/quiz/view.php?id=12985

Math:  

None

3rd quarter Math goal:  Master division facts

Spelling:  

Spelling - lesson 17

Dressel - test Thursday

Pransky - test Friday

--
Shane Pransky
Whitehouse Primary
4th Grade

Team Mindcrafters Daily Update - 2-20-14

Parents,

Recorders.  Students are starting to learn to play the recorder in Music at school.  Please be sure it comes back to school on the days your child has Music.  Mr. Pransky's students (Tues. & Fri.) and Mrs. Dressel's students (Thurs. & Fri.)

Have a great night,

Mrs. Dressel and Mr. Pransky

Reading/Language:  

55% AR by Friday

Social Studies:

None.

Science: 

Lesson 6 check

Test over Chapter 4 is next Friday

Brainscape flashcard practice

https://www.brainscape.com/study?context_pack_id=2695213&deck_id=1925529

Moodle Practice test

http://moodle.anthonywayneschools.org/mod/quiz/view.php?id=12985

Math:  

None

3rd quarter Math goal:  Master division facts

Spelling:  

Spelling - lesson 16

Dressel - test Thursday

Pransky - test Friday

--
Shane Pransky
Whitehouse Primary
4th Grade

Fwd: Team Mindcrafters Daily Update - 2-11-14

Parents,

Another short week, but hopefully we can make the most of our time!  We had several absent, and a few leave early.  All items needed to complete homework are attached.

Wanted:  Post-It notes.  We have been using these a lot in reading, and my supply is dwindling.  Any donations would be greatly appreciated:)

Have a great night,

Mrs. Dressel and Mr. Pransky

Reading/Language:  

Read play and paired informational text in Storyworks booklet, and answer questions on worksheet.  A copy of the stories and worksheet are attached.  (If downloading the worksheet, #9 needs to be answered on the back side).
55% AR by Friday

Social Studies:

None.

Science: 

None.

I have created two study resources for the students to practice for the upcoming Ch. 4 Science test.  Our test will be next week (probably on Friday)

Brainscape flashcard practice (highly recommended).  Remember to sign-up for an account and memorize or write down your username and password.

https://www.brainscape.com/study?context_pack_id=2695213&deck_id=1925529

Moodle Practice test - take this until you can get 100%

http://moodle.anthonywayneschools.org/mod/quiz/view.php?id=12985

Math:  

none

3rd quarter Math goal:  Master division facts

Spelling:  Due to the short week, there will be no spelling.  Next week's test will be over lesson 17.

Fwd:

Parents,

Finally, a snow day to be able to get outside to enjoy!  No wind, no sub-zero temps, and the sun is shining!!!  After digging ourselves out, AGAIN, my son and I made a snowman.  My poor daughter is too sick to join us:(

I'd love to see pics of the students enjoying a good old-fashioned snow day by playing out in the snow.  If you are able, please send my way, and of course I'll add them to the blog.

Here's to hopefully our last calamity day!

Mary Dressel

Ch. 4 Science Study Guides

Students,

I have created two resources for you to practice for your upcoming Ch. 4 Science test.  Our test may be Tuesday, February 26 (if everything stays on schedule).

Brainscape flashcard practice (highly recommended).  Remember to sign-up for an account and memorize or write down your username and password.

https://www.brainscape.com/study?context_pack_id=2695213&deck_id=1925529

Moodle Practice test - take this until you can get 100%  - The first 5 students will to take the test will get a prize out of my special Science prize box.

http://moodle.anthonywayneschools.org/mod/quiz/view.php?id=12985

Just for fun...

Mr. Parr Fossils song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNSrNT-nIDE

Mr. Parr Ecosystems

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUY_-LK_lOc

--
Shane Pransky
Whitehouse Primary
4th Grade

Fwd: Team Mindcrafters Daily Update - 2-12-14

Parents,

Wow, we made it through a full 5-day school week!  Thanks to all those who donated items for our party today, the students enjoyed themselves, and definitely deserved a celebration today!

Reminders:

• Monday, February 16 - No School (President's Day)

Have a great weekend,

Mrs. Dressel and Mr. Pransky

Reading/Language:  

Read!
55% AR by next Friday

Social Studies:

None

Science: 

None.

Math:  

none

3rd quarter Math goal:  Master division facts

Spelling:  

Spelling - lesson 17

Dressel - test Thursday

Pransky - test Friday

Team Mindcrafters Daily Update - 2-13-14

Parents,

In Science today we made fossils using clay and plaster of Paris.  They came out really nice.  Ask your child to show you theirs.  How to make a fossil video. 

Reminders:

• Valentine's party is tomorrow.  Please bring in donated party items, a bag or box for Valentines, and Valentines cards.
  
• Monday, February 16 - No School (President's Day)
• Tuesday, February 17 WAS a scheduled 2-hour delayed start for professional development.  THIS HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO THE MANY MISSED DAYS OF SCHOOL.  Tuesday will be a normal school day!
  

Have a great night,

Mrs. Dressel and Mr. Pransky

Reading/Language:  

Read Storyworks article on page 10.  Complete both sides of the worksheet.  *REMINDER - they should complete the predicting part BEFORE READING.
44% AR by Friday (and we are playing battleball tomorrow)

Social Studies:

None.

Science: 

None.

Math: 

none

3rd quarter Math goal:  Master division facts

Spelling:  

Spelling - lesson 16

Dressel - test Thursday

Pransky - test Friday

Team Mindcrafters Daily Update - 2-12-14

Parents,

We are slowly getting "back in the groove."  Keep thinking "spring-like" thoughts!

Reminders:

• Valentine's party is Friday, February 14.  Please bring in donated party items, a bag or box for Valentines, and Valentines cards.
  
• Monday, February 16 - No School (President's Day)

Have a great night,

Mrs. Dressel and Mr. Pransky

Reading/Language:  

44% AR by Friday

Social Studies:

None.

Science: 

None.

Math:  

Learn Zillion Videos #3 & #4 - complete packet pages
http://learnzillion.com/lessonsets/260-find-whole-number-quotients-and-remainders-with-up-to-fourdigit-dividends

or go to www.LearnZillion.com and use 

quick code: LZ1482

3rd quarter Math goal:  Master division facts

Spelling:  

Spelling - lesson 16

Dressel - test Thursday

Pransky - test Friday

--
Shane Pransky
Whitehouse Primary
4th Grade

Team Mindcrafters Daily Update - 2-11-14

Parents,

Math.  This week student are venturing in to the world of "long division."  As I mentioned before, students are using a different algorithm or system of solving division problems than you may be accustomed to from when you learned to divide in school.  While this may seem foreign to you, it is a method designed to build a stronger base of understanding for the process of dividing.  Don't worry!  We will learn the standard algorithm as well later in this unit as well.

Science.  This week we will be learning about fossils and how they give us clues about living things from the past.  On Thursday we will make our own fossils using plaster of Paris.  

Have a great night,

Mrs. Dressel and Mr. Pransky

Reading/Language:  

44% AR by Friday

Social Studies:

None.

Science: 

None.

Math:  

AM Practice.

3rd quarter Math goal:  Master division facts

Spelling:  

Spelling - lesson 16

Dressel - test Thursday

Pransky - test Friday

--
Shane Pransky
Whitehouse Primary
4th Grade

Team Mindcrafters Daily Update 2-10-14

Parents,

Let's cross our fingers for a full 5-day week!  Students did a good job getting back into the swing of things today.

Have a great night,

Mrs. Dressel and Mr. Pransky

Reading/Language:  

Reread Storyworks articles, and answer questions.  Students may do the chart on the back for a bonus Dojo point.  The article is attached for anyone who may have misplaced their booklet.

44% AR by Friday

Social Studies:

We are starting our timelines tomorrow, we do have a few extra containers, but please send one in for your child if you haven't already. Small Pringles can size is perfect!

Science: 

none

Math:  

none
3rd quarter Math goal:  Master division facts

Spelling:  

Spelling - lesson 16

Dressel - test Thursday

Pransky - test Friday

link again

Sorry for the wrong like earlier, I was still in edit mode.

Throw Back Thursday

Just got the delay call.....  Hopefully it will only be two hours!

Check out today's challenge responses

Thanks to those who sent pictures, or wrote an opinion about snow days.  You can read the opinions in the attached document, or check out the Throw-Back pics on our blog through the link below.

I HOPE I'll be seeing all of the students tomorrow.  Reminder, we will have our spelling test (reviewing lessons 11-15), and 33% is expected for AR.

Have a great night!
Mrs. Dressel

Throw Back Thursday

Throwback Thursday Team Challenge

Mrs. Dressel, Mr. Pransky and our spouses at Red Rocks in Nevada in 2004

Evan and Jacob - Friends then and now:)

 

This goes way back Brendan!

 

Watch out for Ty:) 

 

And watch out for Josie too!

 

 Hmmm, can you spot the real baby? (It's Josie) 

 

Aw, little Caroline!

 

 Hopefully it was a "no cavity" visit for Jeff:)

Day Off Challenges

One quick correction to Mr. Pransky's email:  I have 26 students in my homeroom.

Challenges:

1. Some of you may be aware of the recent popularity of "Throw Back Thursday" on social media sites.  If students would like to send us an old picture that they are in, we will compile these into a blog post.
2. Let your child know that they can check their email for a Google Presentation Doc for challenge number 2.  I'm encouraging students to add a slide of their own with an opinion paragraph about Snow Days.  There are directions included in this document.  I will have a treat for anyone who completes this.

Have a great day!

~Mrs. Dressel

Fwd: Learn Zillion Lessons

Parents/students,

Well, here we are again.  I just wanted to remind both parents and students of a few things:

1)  Tomorrow, weather permitting, is Career Day.  Students can dress in the "uniform" of their future career choice.

2)  Next Friday is our Valentine's Day Party.  Typically, we decorate bags at school and hand out Valentine's cards during the party.  If you are buying cards, Mrs. Dressel's homeroom has 26 students, and my homeroom has 24.  We will send home a list with all of the students' names as well as reminders of party item volunteers when we get back to school.

3) I gave students a LearnZillion packet and assigned students to watch videos #1 & #2 as wells to complete the packet pages that go with them for Friday.  These videos show a method for solving long division that may be unfamiliar to you.  If your child (or you) is confused about how to do the problems in the packet independently, remember to click the button for the guided practice below and to the left of the main video.  It will show a possible correct solution.  I don't expect mastery of this idea by watching the video, but I wanted to give some exposure to it before we learned about it in Math class.  If your child watches the video and gives a best attempt at the problem, that will be fine with me.

Have a great day!

-Mr. Pransky

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Shane Pransky <spransky@anthonywayneschools.org>
Date: Tue, Feb 4, 2014 at 9:13 PM
Subject: Learn Zillion Lessons
To:

Parents/students,

Here is the link for the LearnZillion Division lessons.  Packet activities for videos #1 & #2 are due on Friday.

http://learnzillion.com/lessonsets/260-find-whole-number-quotients-and-remainders-with-up-to-fourdigit-dividends

or go to www.LearnZillion.com and use 

quick code: LZ1482

The worksheets are attached also.

Enjoy your day off tomorrow!

--
Shane Pransky
Whitehouse Primary
4th Grade

--
Shane Pransky
Whitehouse Primary
4th Grade

Learn Zillion Lessons

Parents/students,

Here is the link for the LearnZillion Division lessons.  Packet activities for videos #1 & #2 are due on Friday.

http://learnzillion.com/lessonsets/260-find-whole-number-quotients-and-remainders-with-up-to-fourdigit-dividends

or go to www.LearnZillion.com and use 

quick code: LZ1482

The worksheets are attached also.

Enjoy your day off tomorrow!

--
Shane Pransky
Whitehouse Primary
4th Grade

Team Mindcrafters Daily Update 2-4-72

Parents,

Weekly Powerhouse Theme.  The theme at school this week is on eating healthy.  Students are encouraged to bring in a healthy, kid-friendly recipe to share for a school cookbook.  There also is a food color focus each day this week:

Wednesday- food color--White
Thursday- food color--Yellow/Orange
Friday- food color--Red

Grade Cards.  Please return signed envelopes if you haven't already.

Presentations.  Anyone who has not yet presented will present tomorrow, weather permitting, or whatever day we are in school next. They need artifacts, yellow slip, and presentation completed.

Spirit Day:  This Friday is "Career Day".  Dress up to show what career you'd like to have someday.

Girls on the Run.  A flyer for this went home today.

Have a great night,

Mrs. Dressel and Mr. Pransky

Reading/Language:  

None.

33% AR by Friday

Social Studies:

none

Science: 

none

Math:  

AM Practice due Wed. or first day back to school.

Learn Zillion packet video #1 & #2 is due on Friday.  I gave the students this packet today just in case we have to close over the next two days.  If we are not in school for the next two days, it will still be due on Friday.  I'll send a separate e-mail on this with the needed links and a copy of the worksheet.

3rd quarter Math goal:  Master division facts

Spelling:  

Spelling - Review (lessons 11-15)

Dressel - test Thursday

Pransky - test Friday

Team Mindcrafters Daily Update 2-3-14

Parents,

Weekly Powerhouse Theme.  The theme at school this week is on eating healthy.  Students are encouraged to bring in a healthy, kid-friendly recipe to share for a school cookbook.  There also is a food color focus each day this week:

Monday- food color-- Blue/Purple
Tuesday- food color--Green
Wednesday- food color--White
Thursday- food color--Yellow/Orange
Friday- food color--Red

Grade Cards.  Please return signed envelopes if you haven't already.

Presentations.  Tomorrow's presenters are as follows:

Dressel: Noah, Eliana L., Jacob, Justin, Haley, Montana, Isabelle
Pransky: Gabe, Travis, Vesta, Alivia, Seth, Austin.

The remaining presentations will be on Wednesday, or depending on the weather, whichever day we are back in school.  I'm ready for Spring....

Spirit Day:  This Friday is "Career Day".  Dress up to show what career you'd like to have someday.

Have a great night,

Mrs. Dressel and Mr. Pransky

Reading/Language:  

Read story in textbook "Into the Sea" pg. 558.  Write down on Post-It notes (provided) words or phrases they are stuck-on, and how they figured out the meaning.  We practiced this in class today.  Students should do at least three of these, and should write, "I didn't get ________, so I......."

33% AR by Friday

Social Studies:

none

Science: 

none

Math:  

3rd quarter Math goal:  Master division facts

Spelling:  

Spelling - Review (lessons 11-15)

Dressel - test Thursday

Pransky - test Friday