One down, seven more to go!!  The kids did a fantastic job today!  Our next test is Thursday at 2:00 (I kept thinking it was 1:00–but I was mistaken.  It’s 2-3).  

Well, here we are!  It’s time for Testing!!  🙂  We will be taking our Writing tests this week on Tuesday and Thursday from 1-2!   

This was our discussion today:  

School is like a sport:  

First you learn how to do it…

then you practice, practice, practice…

then you play for the championship!

We have learned the stuff…we’ve practiced…now it’s time to show off everything we know!!  It’s time for us to bring home the trophy!!  🙂 (Can’t tell we have a lot of sports buffs in here, can you?!)  

Please make sure that your kiddo gets a good night’s sleep, a good  breakfast, and lots of encouragement from you!  

There are no reader response journals due this week!  🙂

Just a quick reminder that if you are absent, check out the Absent Work tab to get your missing work.  This way you’ll be totally caught up when you come back!!  🙂

Today for writing, we combined science and writing.  Students were asked to pick an animal that was native to Utah, think about their habitats, adaptations, and lifestyles.  Then they wrote a story from the animal’s point of view.  We also talked about how to write using “Show, Don’t Tell” techniques.  Here is a video that explains what that is: 

http://www.brainpop.com/english/writing/shownottell/

Here are a few websites that show some Utah animals:
https://sites.google.com/site/utahbiomesplantsanimals/wetlands/wetland-plants-animals

Utah State Animal: Rocky Mountain Elk
http://www.statesymbolsusa.org/Utah/Elk_Rocky_MT.html

A list of animals, a few facts, and some pictures:

http://mlbean.byu.edu/Portals/26/docs/Who%20knows%20Utah%20Animals.pdf

The Red Fox: 

http://dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/rsgis2/search/Display.asp?FlNm=vulpvulp

Wolverine:
http://dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/rsgis2/search/Display.asp?FlNm=gulogulo

Mule Deer:

http://wildlife.utah.gov/learn-more/mule-deer.html

Squirrel:
http://dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/rsgis2/search/Display.asp?FlNm=sciuaber

Chipmunks:
http://dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/rsgis2/search/Display.asp?FlNm=tamimini

Please remember that all missing work needs to be turned in tomorrow!! 

Check SIS to find out what you are missing!!

Welcome back to the full swing of things!  It’s going to be a crazy couple of months!! We start taking our End of the Year Sage tests on the 22nd.  Our first two tests are writing.  The rest of the testing schedule can be found on the classroom calendar (along with many other things coming!)

Today was a crazy-Monday-After-Spring-Break kind of morning.  I didn’t get a chance to go through the Words Their Way lists with the kiddos today, but I will be doing that tomorrow.  They will have Words Their Way homework starting tomorrow.  Journals need to be done by Friday, as well as reading for 20 minutes everyday.  

Enjoy the nice weather!!
Mrs. Schneider

Tomorrow (Wednesday) is Crazy Hair Day!  Just remember that any hair color needs to be washed out for Thursday.  🙂

Reader Response Journals for this week:  It has seemed to work out pretty well with people’s schedules to allow the students to turn in their journals on any day.  We are going to continue doing this.  Please make sure that journals are turned in by Friday night.  🙂

This week is Dr. Seuss Week:
Tuesday: Kids can wear a key chain on their name badge or belt loop
Wednesday: Crazy Hair and Wear Red Day 
Thursday: Wear Dr. Seuss Hat or a Bow Tie Day
Friday: Early Out

One more thing that I told the kids: 
I saw an invitation to the public for Brandon Mull’s (author of Fablehaven/The Beyonders/Spirit Animals) Launch Party for his new series: FIVE KINGDOMS.  It is Thursday, March 6th. 


Here is what I got:

Join Brandon Mull to celebrate the launch of his new series, FIVE KINGDOMS.  Come for the big free show with comedians and guest authors performing skits followed by a signing.

Authors include:
Brandon Mull (Fablehaven, Beyonders, The Candy Shop War)
Orson Scott Card (author of Ender’s Game)
James Dashner (author of The Maze Runner Trilogy)
Richard Paul Evans (author of Michael Vey Official Fan Page)
Tyler Whitesides (author of Janitors)
Chad Morris (author of The Inventor’s Secret)

Doors open at 6:30.  Show starts at 7:00
Books will be on sale at the event.
Free admission, No Tickets Required!!

Hosted by Brandon Mull 
Cottonwood High School
5715 South 1300 East
Salt Lake City, Utah. 84117

(I am not going to lie, I wish it wasn’t Parent/Teacher Conference night!  hahahaha!!)  🙂

If you haven’t signed up for Parent/Teacher conferences…please remember that we are having those this week!  🙂  

You can sign up by going to this link: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0848A5AE22AAF85-spring

Tonight’s homework:  Be ready to give those awesome speeches tomorrow!!  If you haven’t brought in your trifold, it needs to be here tomorrow.  🙂  

Remember to come in your costumes–but bring your uniforms to change into at 10:30.  If hair needs painted/colored for your costume, it has been okayed, but it must be washed out for school on Wednesday.

Reader Response Journals:  ARE due this week, however they do not have to be done on the students’ specific days…just sometime before Friday.  🙂

Remember that Thursday night is our NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM for parents/grandparents/aunts/uncles/cousins/neighbors…etc.  🙂  

Students need to be here by 5:15.  The speeches start at 5:30.  We will finish at 6:30.  

If anyone is willing to donate a case of the small bottles of water, it would be GREATLY appreciated!