Team Mindcrafters Daily Update 9-30-15

Parents,

Soulshoppe.  Students are encouraged to  wear blue and white  to show our spirit tomorrow.  Hopefully many of you can make it out tomorrow night to the community night.  RSVP is again attached.

Cooler Weather - As the weather gets cooler, please help make sure that your child is dressed appropriately to spend 20+ minutes outside for recess each day.

Reminders:

• Soulshoppe Community Night - Thursday, October 1.  Dinner at 6:30 (RSVP requested) and presentation at 7:00.
•  Click here to sign up for a Parent Teacher Conference time slot.
  
• 
  

  HOMEWORK:

  
  

  MATH:

  none

  
  

  READING:

  • Read story on pg. 62
  • Finish ELA sheet (back-up copy attached)
  • AR goal for Friday = 66%

  
  

  SCIENCE:

  Test over Nature of Science will be next week.

  Students can practice by completing this online test on Moodle

  
  

  SOCIAL STUDIES:
  none

--

Mary Dressel

Whitehouse 4th Grade

Office Phone 419-877-0543

Team Mindcrafters Daily Update 9-29-15

Parents,

Science.  We are finishing up our unit on the Nature of Science (CH. 1 of the book).  We will be testing over this unit early next week.  Students will take all Science tests online using a website called Moodle.  I will posted a link a practice test below that your child can take and use to review for the actual test.  The practice test will give immediate feedback on answers and can be taken unlimited number of times to practice.  Be sure your child takes advantage of this great opportunity!

Reminders:

• Soulshoppe Community Night - Thursday, October 1.  Dinner at 6:30 (RSVP requested) and presentation at 7:00.
•  Click here to sign up for a Parent Teacher Conference time slot.
  
• 
  

  HOMEWORK:

  
  

  MATH:

  AM Practice

  
  

  READING:

  • AR goal for Friday = 66%

  
  

  SCIENCE:

  Test over Nature of Science will be next week.

  Students can practice by completing this online test on Moodle

  
  

  SOCIAL STUDIES:
  none

--

Shane Pransky
Whitehouse Primary
4th Grade

On the web:

Team Mindcrafters

Whitehouse Tech Club

Team Mindcrafters Daily Update 9-28-15

Parents,

Birthday Treats - Feel free to have your child bring in a birthday treat on or near their birthday if you'd like.  Please keep in mind, however, that we do not have a fully stocked kitchen in our classroom so please send napkins or anything else that would be needed to serve your treat.  Individually packaged treats are preferred!  Thank you:)

Conferences - If you haven't already, please sign up for a conference.  Click here to see available time slots.

Soulshoppe.  For the last few years, we have brought this program to our school.  Students will learn about successful strategies to cope with problems they may face.  This Thursday, students will listen to Joseph, and he will speak to families Thursday night.  I highly recommend attending!  As both a parent and teacher, I've appreciated the great insight Joseph has presented over the years.  Another RSVP is attached to this email if you are interested in attending.

Reminders:

• Soulshoppe Community Night - Thursday, October 1.  Dinner at 6:30 (RSVP requested) and presentation at 7:00.
• 
  

  HOMEWORK:

  
  

  MATH:

  none

  
  

  READING:

  • Sentence, Fragment, Run-on worksheet (do "C" side only)
  • AR goal for Friday = 66%

  
  

  SCIENCE:

  none

  
  

  SOCIAL STUDIES:
  none

--

Mary Dressel

Whitehouse 4th Grade

Office Phone 419-877-0543

Team Mindcrafters Daily Update 9-24-15

Parents,

Spelling.  This week's spelling list is a very challenging one.  Be sure your child studies it carefully tonight.

Reminders:

• Progress reports - these are due back tomorrow!
• 
  
• 
  

  HOMEWORK:

  
  

  MATH:

  Mrs. Dressel's class has an extra credit worksheet.

  
  

  READING:

  • AR goal for Friday = 55%

  
  

  SCIENCE:

  Read p. 25-30 in Science book and complete Lesson 4 Check worksheet

  
  

  SOCIAL STUDIES:
  none

--

Shane Pransky
Whitehouse Primary
4th Grade

On the web:

Team Mindcrafters

Whitehouse Tech Club

Parent Teacher conference sign-up

Parents,

This year we will be using the website Sign-up genius to schedule conference times.  Mrs. Dressel and I will be holding a joint conference with both classes.  If your child sees Mrs. Pokrzywa or Mrs. McNamara, they will attend the conference with us if the schedule permits.  If your child attends Title classes, you should receive a separate sign up for this. The link below will allow you to sign up for a conference slot.

www.SignUpGenius.com/go/20F0A4BABAF2EA0FF2-dresselpransky 

Mr. Pransky & Mrs. Dressel

--

Shane Pransky
Whitehouse Primary
4th Grade

On the web:

Team Mindcrafters

Whitehouse Tech Club

Team Mindcrafters Daily Update 9-22-15

Parents,

Progress Reports - Your child should be bringing home a mid quarter progress report today.  Please review this and sign and return by Friday.  Please also note that percentages in AR and levels in Math facts in a Flash were as of last Friday.  Your child may have taken a test since then. Find your child's most current scores and percentages on Home Connect.

Important Reminder.  Tomorrow is a 2 hour delay start for teacher PD

• 
  

  HOMEWORK:

  
  

  MATH:

  HW - AM Practice

  Extra Credit - $25,000 pyramid activity

  
  

  READING:

  • AR goal for Friday = 55%

  
  

  SCIENCE:

  none

  
  

  SOCIAL STUDIES:
  none

--

Shane Pransky
Whitehouse Primary
4th Grade

On the web:

Team Mindcrafters

Whitehouse Tech Club

Team Mindcrafters Daily Update 9-21-15

Parents,

Reading Logs - Please ask your child if he/she hasn't been bringing you the reading log to initial each evening.  They should be filling it in themselves, and just having you initial it.  Students who have been keeping up with their logs received a "responsible" dojo point today.

Reminders:

• September 23 - 2-hour delay schedule for teacher PD
• 
  

  HOMEWORK:

  
  

  MATH:

  None.

  
  

  
  

  READING:

  • Character Trait worksheet
  • AR goal for Friday = 55%

  
  

  SCIENCE:

  none

  
  

  SOCIAL STUDIES:
  none

--

Mary Dressel

Whitehouse 4th Grade

Office Phone 419-877-0543

Team Mindcrafters Daily Update 9-18-15

Parents,

Class Dojo.  Apparently, the class dojo servers are down so you may not get your regular Friday update today.  It also seems to be missing a lot of the points that were given this week.  Hopefully it will be resolved soon.

Hygiene lesson.  Mrs. Soeder, our nurse, gave students a presentation about hygiene today.  She also sent them home with a "goodie bag" of various hygienic products.  It would be awesome if your child could send her a quick thank you for these items.  Her email is:

lsoeder@anthonywayneschools.org

Have a great weekend!

Reminders:

• September 23 - 2-hour delay schedule for teacher PD
• 
  

  HOMEWORK:

  
  

  MATH:

  None.

  
  

  
  

  READING:

  • AR goal for Friday = 55%

  
  

  SCIENCE:

  none

  
  

  SOCIAL STUDIES:
  none

--

Shane Pransky
Whitehouse Primary
4th Grade

On the web:

Team Mindcrafters

Whitehouse Tech Club

Team Mindcrafters Daily Update 9-17-15

• Parents, 
• 
  
• Spirit Day. Tomorrow's spirit day is wear your favorite team.
  


2-hour Delay - Please mark your calendars for September 23.  There will be a scheduled 2-hour delay that morning for teacher professional development.



CogATs.  Students worked really hard on their tests today.  Tomorrow is the last day of testing.


Reminders:

• September 23 - 2-hour delay
• Spirit Day this Friday - Dress to support your favorite team.
• 
  

  HOMEWORK:

  
  

  MATH:

  Watch Learn Zillion video and complete packet pages p. 9 & 10

  Log in with student third party passwords or use  LZ Code: E7ABU28 to go directly to the video

  
  

  
  

  READING:

  • AR goal for Friday = 44%

  
  

  SCIENCE:

  none

  
  

  SOCIAL STUDIES:
  none

--

Shane Pransky
Whitehouse Primary
4th Grade

On the web:

Team Mindcrafters

Whitehouse Tech Club

Team Mindcrafters Daily Update 9-16-15

Parents, 

Spelling - Hopefully your child brought home his or her spelling test from last week.  Instead of a traditional spelling test, students will be asked to write two dictated sentences that contain several of the words from their list.  As the year progresses, we will also incorporate other language skills into these tests (capitalization, commas in compound sentences, etc.).  Attached is a "refrigerator" list of all of the spelling for the first five weeks of Unit 1.  I will send home similar lists as we move into later units.  This can be a resource at home that you can use to even work ahead towards future spelling tests.

CogAT - Tomorrow your child will take their second CogAT (Cognitive Abilities Test).  These are a series of short 10 minute assessments that will give us more information about your child's strengths with learning.

2-hour Delay - Please mark your calendars for September 23.  There will be a scheduled 2-hour delay that morning for teacher professional development.

Reminders:

• September 23 - 2-hour delay
• Spirit Day this Friday - Dress to support your favorite team.

HOMEWORK:

MATH:

none

READING:

• Read story from reading textbook, Experts, Incorporated  (Remember - this can count towards their nightly reading for their logs)
• Finish ELA sheet (copy attached to this email, if needed)
• AR goal for Friday = 44%

SCIENCE:

none

SOCIAL STUDIES:

none

--

Mary Dressel

Whitehouse 4th Grade

Office Phone 419-877-0543

Team Mindcrafters Daily Update 9-15-15

Parents, 

Science.  In Science this week we will be learning about the Scientific method.  Ask you child if he/she can tell you about any of these steps: 1) make an observation 2) ask a question 3) make a hypothesis 4) do a test 5)gather data 6) draw a conclusion

CogAT.  Tomorrow your child will take their first CogAT (Cognitive Abilities Test).  These are a series of short 10 minute assessments that will give us more information about your child's strengths with learning.

Reminders:

• Headphones or earbuds are needed

HOMEWORK:

MATH:

AM Practice

READING:

• AR goal for Friday = 44%

SCIENCE:

none

SOCIAL STUDIES:

none

--

Shane Pransky
Whitehouse Primary
4th Grade

On the web:

Team Mindcrafters

Whitehouse Tech Club

Team Mindcrafters Daily Update 9-14-15

Parents, 

Reminders:

• Headphones or earbuds are needed

HOMEWORK:

MATH:

none

READING:

• AR goal for Friday = 44%

SCIENCE:

none

SOCIAL STUDIES:

map scale (one side is extra credit for a dojo point)

--

Mary Dressel

Whitehouse 4th Grade

Office Phone 419-877-0543

Team Mindcrafters Daily Update 9-11-15

Parents, 

Math test. Today your child took their first Math test over Place Value.  This test was taken online using Accelerated Math.  Accelerated Math only tests students on skills that they show they are ready to test, therefore we will test students periodically as they build up skills for which they show proficiency.  This proficiency is determined by their AM practice results that have been done for homework the past two weeks.

E-mail updates.  If you would like to receive an e-mail update when your child completes an Accelerated Math test or an AR test, you can sign up in just three easy steps.  This is an easy way to keep the conversation going about your child's learning and success at school.

Step 1:  Log in to Renaissance Home Connect:

https://hosted174.renlearn.com/103310/HomeConnect/Login.aspx

​

Step 2: Click Email Set-up

​

Step 3: Add your name & e-mail

​​
​
​

Reminders:

• Students need to have gym shoes on Battleball and gym days
• Students should all have an Art shirt for Art class and some Science experiment
• Headphones or earbuds are needed

HOMEWORK:

MATH:

None

READING:

Read for 20 minutes.  AR goal for Friday = 44%

SCIENCE:

none

SOCIAL STUDIES:

none

--

Shane Pransky
Whitehouse Primary
4th Grade

On the web:

Team Mindcrafters

Whitehouse Tech Club

Team Mindcrafters Daily Update 9-8-15

Parents, 

Learn Zillion.This is what we reviewed in class today on how to do tonight's Math homework:  

1) Visit LearnZillion.com and enter the quick code on the worksheet (LZ525).  

2) Your child should watch the short video and then complete packet pages that go with it.  

3) To watch the "Guided Practice" video, click the Additional Materials tab and then the General Resource video. (see below)  

4) If the site asks your child to login, they should do this with their school google mail.  This info is on a sticker in their blue take home folder.  Check to have it remember this login, and it should not be needed again.

Tip:  Learn Zillion has a great free app for iOS and Android that make it very simple to use.  I recommend downloading this as we will use Learn Zillion a lot this year.  Learn Zillion videos will play on most any device, even smartphones.  If you have any difficulty for any reason, please let me know.

Reminders:

• Headphones or earbuds are needed

HOMEWORK:

MATH:

Complete Learn Zillion packet pages 5 & 6​

READING:

Read for 20 minutes.  AR goal for Friday = 33%

SCIENCE:

none

SOCIAL STUDIES:

none

--

Shane Pransky
Whitehouse Primary
4th Grade

On the web:

Team Mindcrafters

Whitehouse Tech Club

Team Mindcrafters Daily Update 9-9-15

Parents, 

Spelling - Our first spelling test is this Friday.  You child was given their list last Friday.  Today students practiced their words using Spelling City.  This is also linked on our blog.  Students will need to open the folder for their assigned color spelling list.  Then they need to search for the week's list.  This is listed by the story of the week, which can always be found on their ELA sheet.

Weekly Story - Also starting this week is the students' homework assignment of reading the story of the week in the reading textbook.  THIS CAN COUNT TOWARDS THEIR 20 MINUTES OF READING!  Please still have them record this on their reading log.  They are more than welcome to also read from their chapter book if they'd like, and could choose to record this on their log.  The homework story also has an AR quiz that students will take first thing in the morning.  Passing the AR quiz will give them their "homework complete" dojo point for the day.

Breakfast.  Your child is allowed to buy breakfast in the morning.  After talking to some of the students, it seems that some may be eating breakfast twice.  If you do not want you child buying breakfast, make sure you let either me or Mrs. Dressel know.  We don't want you to have any surprises if your child depletes their food service funds early.

Reminders:

• Headphones or earbuds are needed

HOMEWORK:

MATH:

none

READING:

• Finish ELA sheet (optional challenge is for a bonus dojo pt).  This is also attached, if needed.
• Read The Princess and the Pizza (story in reading textbook).  
• AR goal for Friday = 33%

SCIENCE:

none

SOCIAL STUDIES:

none

--

Mary Dressel

Whitehouse 4th Grade

Office Phone 419-877-0543

Team Mindcrafters Daily Update 9-8-15

Parents, 

Student Council.  Permission slips for students interested in student council are due tomorrow.  These students are also expected to give a short speech as to why they would like to represent the school in this group.

Hygiene.  Our nurse, Mrs. Soeder, will be talking to the students sometime soon about general hygiene.  If your child isn't already using deodorant, 4th grade is a good age to start them with this daily habit.  After playing outside in the heat, the students definitely had an "aroma" as they came up the stairs today.  

Headphones.  Your child will need this school supply this week in Math.  Earbuds work fine for this.

Paperwork for Miss Schnee.  Your child was sent home some paperwork for Miss Schnee last week.  If you haven't yet, please send this in to school as soon as possible.

Breakfast.  Your child is allowed to buy breakfast in the morning.  After talking to some of the students, it seems that some may be eating breakfast twice.  If you do not want you child buying breakfast, make sure you let either me or Mrs. Dressel know.  We don't want you to have any surprises if your child depletes their food service funds early.

Reminders:

• Student Council permission forms and speeches are due
• Headphones or earbuds are needed

HOMEWORK:

MATH:

AM Practice

READING:

Read for 20 minutes.  AR goal for Friday = 33%

SCIENCE:

none

SOCIAL STUDIES:

none

Team Mindcrafters Daily Update 9-4-15

Parents, 

Dress Code - Many students have been wearing flip flops to school.  This is against our school dress code for safety reasons.  Sandals are acceptable as long as there is some sort of strap that goes around the back of the foot.

Weekly ELA Sheet - Since we don't have school Monday, students received their first Weekly ELA (English Language Arts) Sheet today.  They will have a sheet like this most weeks.  You will find their spelling list, vocabulary, and other information.  A copy is attached for those who were not in school today, or those who may need an extra copy. 

Spelling - There are three spelling lists on the front and back of the ELA sheet.  Students were placed into one of the lists, based on their performance on a spelling assessment given last week.  They should have highlighted which list is theirs.  The back side has some activities that they are expected to complete by Thursday of each week.  This will be part of their Wednesday night homework, in addition to reading the story of the week.  They may work on this page anytime throughout the week.  The optional challenge may be done for an extra Class Dojo point.

National Parks - This year the national parks have a special program which allows 4th graders to receive free passes to all national parks.  Thanks to Mrs. Choma for sharing this information.  Here's a link for more information about this. Every Kid in A Park

Reminders:

• Labor Day Monday - no school

• Student Council permission forms - due Tuesday for anyone interested in running for Student Council.

• Book orders - These were due today.  I will place the order on Sunday, but you may still order online until then.  Order online: www.scholastic.com/bookclubs  Class Activation Code: GJLYC  

HOMEWORK:

MATH:

none

READING:

Read for 20 minutes.  AR goal for next Friday = 33%

SCIENCE:

none

SOCIAL STUDIES:

none

--

Mary Dressel

Whitehouse 4th Grade

Office Phone 419-877-0543

Team Mindcrafters Daily Update 9-2-15

Parents, 

Pizza Hut Dine Out Fundraiser.  This is tonight!  Thursday, September 3 (see attached flyer)

Home Connect.  One of the best ways to stay updated with how your child is performing with Accelerated Reader (AR), Accelerated Math (AM), and Math Facts in a Flash (MFiaF) is to register your e-mail on Renaissance Home Connect.  It will send you e-mail updates each time your child passes an AR test or takes a test in AM of MFiaF.  This site even allows you to do useful things like reprint your child's AM homework (should it be accidentally left at school) or look up books that you may have at home to see the book level and points they are worth in AR.

Here's the link:

Home Connect

UN: childlastname_childfirstname

PW: lunch code #

Here's a video showing you all the ways you can use Renaissance Home Connect

How to Use Home Connect

Reminders:

• Student Council permission forms have come home with any students who were interested.

• Book orders - (optional) due Friday - you can order online www.scholastic.com/bookclubs  Class Activation Code: GJLYC  

HOMEWORK:

MATH:

Complete Math Fact packet - read the cover page for suggestions of ways to practice facts

READING:

Read for 20 minutes.  AR goal for Friday = 22%

SCIENCE:

none

SOCIAL STUDIES:

none

--

Shane Pransky
Whitehouse Primary
4th Grade

On the web:

Team Mindcrafters

Whitehouse Tech Club

Team Mindcrafters Daily Update 9-2-15

Parents, 

Home Connect.  One of the best ways to stay updated with how your child is performing with Accelerated Reader (AR), Accelerated Math (AM), and Math Facts in a Flash (MFiaF) is to register your e-mail on Renaissance Home Connect.  It will send you e-mail updates each time your child passes an AR test or takes a test in AM of MFiaF.  This site even allows you to do useful things like reprint your child's AM homework (should it be accidentally left at school) or look up books that you may have at home to see the book level and points they are worth in AR.

Here's the link:

Home Connect

UN: childlastname_childfirstname

PW: lunch code #

Here's a video showing you all the ways you can use Renaissance Home Connect

How to Use Home Connect

Reminders:

• Student Council permission forms have come home with any students who were interested.

• Pizza Hut Dine Out Fundraiser - Thursday, September 3

• Book orders - (optional) due Friday - you can order online www.scholastic.com/bookclubs  Class Activation Code: GJLYC  

HOMEWORK:

MATH:

none

READING:

Context Clues (both sides)

Read for 20 minutes.  AR goal for Friday = 22%

SCIENCE:

none

SOCIAL STUDIES:

none

--

Mary Dressel

Whitehouse 4th Grade

Office Phone 419-877-0543

Homework correction

Parents,

Sorry.  I forgot to remove Mrs. Dressel's homework from yesterday from the homework list. Other than 20 minutes of independent reading, there is only Math homework for tonight.

MATH:

Accelerated Math

READING:

Read for 20 minutes.  AR goal for Friday = 22%

SCIENCE:

none

SOCIAL STUDIES:

none

--

Shane Pransky
Whitehouse Primary
4th Grade

On the web:

Team Mindcrafters

Whitehouse Tech Club

Team Mindcrafters Daily Update 9-1-15

Parents, 

Home Connect.  One of the best ways to stay updated with how your child is performing with Accelerated Reader (AR), Accelerated Math (AM), and Math Facts in a Flash (MFiaF) is to register your e-mail on Renaissance Home Connect.  It will send you e-mail updates each time your child passes an AR test or takes a test in AM of MFiaF.  This site even allows you to do useful things like reprint your child's AM homework (should it be accidentally left at school) or look up books that you may have at home to see the book level and points they are worth in AR.

Here's the link:

Home Connect

UN: childlastname_childfirstname

PW: lunch code #

Here's a video showing you all the ways you can use Renaissance Home Connect

How to Use Home Connect

Reminders:

• Student Council permission forms have come home with any students who were interested.

• Pizza Hut Dine Out Fundraiser - Thursday, September 3

• Book orders - (optional) due Friday - you can order online www.scholastic.com/bookclubs  Class Activation Code: GJLYC  

HOMEWORK:

MATH:

Accelerated Math

READING:

Context Clues (complete one side of the nonsense words paper)

Read for 20 minutes.  AR goal for Friday = 22%

SCIENCE:

none

SOCIAL STUDIES:

none

--

Shane Pransky
Whitehouse Primary
4th Grade

On the web:

Team Mindcrafters

Whitehouse Tech Club