Announcing FCAT Fun Friday!!

Starfish,

Our favorite friend, THE FCAT, is right around the corner! The test is scheduled for March 10th and 11th. In order to get ready, I'm declaring every Friday from now until then as...

We'll be doing super-fun learning games called "Brain Battle", "Double Trouble", and "Category Challenge". We'll also watch a very silly (but educational!) video to bump up our test taking skills.

What ideas do you have for FCAT Fun Fridays??

See you in class,
Ms. L

Homework for Parents .. are you serious???

Hi Starfish,

Good News! It's finally time for you to give your parents some homework. On Tuesday, we will take a practice FCAT test. You will then take the booklet home and administer the test to your parent or guardian. You can even make them sit and listen to the directions like we do!

My question for the week is ... why on earth do you think I would assign this as homework to your parents? Am I mean, crazy, brilliant, or all three?? Tell me what you think!

: )
Ms. L

In The News...

Hey Starfish,

What we are doing in class this week is making the news! Check out today's (Jan. 21st) edition of the Beaches Leader for the front page picture and story.

Speaking of newsworthy, all eyes (including ours) were on Washington DC yesterday as President Obama became the 44th President of the United States (POTUS for short) and the first African American president ever! It's so cool to be watching history happen, don't you think?

We've been linking it to our study of the Civil Rights Movement to finish the non-fiction unit. I just found out yesterday that Governor Crist is sponsoring an essay contest relating very closely to what we've been talking about in class. One middle school student can win a full-paid tuition to a Florida University! Wow, what an opportunity. Details coming soon.

Last night I watched President Obama dance at the MTV Youth Inaugural Ball. He said that young people (that's you ... and me, even though I'm a old, old lady) must rise up to the challenges facing our nation. I'm curious, as young people, what do you think America needs more than anything right now? How can you help?

See you in class!
Ms. L

Mmm...Menu Project Mania is here!

Starfish,
I've discovered that it is VERY DIFFICULT to hear all your wonderful menu ideas all day long. It makes me so hungry! Should I cancel the project to save my starving stomach?? Just kidding! It's due on JANUARY 20th!

I'm not a very good cook, so when I go home to Ocala I always ask my stepmom to make her famous, savory meatloaf! She always serves it with home-made mashed potatoes, green peas, and triple chocolate cake for dessert. Delicious!

What is your favorite food? Leave a comment and use as many descriptive words as possible. Remember...comments = bonus points!

See you in class,

Ms. L

Biography Schmiography!

Starfish,

By now you should be hard at work on your Biography Comic Strip. Remember, this assignment is to prove your ability in:

1. Gathering information from a variety of sources (library books, internet, posters)
2. Organizing your information for a purpose (to tell a President's life story)
3. Interpreting information into another text (making the comic strip)

If you need help finding information online, click here. It's the official site for the White House and it has a biography on each president. Be sure to click on the "Read Full Bio" tab for the complete article. Remember, when using a search engine, don't just type in the President's name. That will bring up too much information! Be specific. Try typing "Thomas Jefferson Biography" instead.

If you need help, please be sure to ask me! Comic Strips are due on Monday!
Ms. L

The Bill of Rights, not Lefts!

Starfish,

We've been studying The Bill of Rights in class. Click HERE and you can view an original copy of the actual document signed in 1789!! Wow! Look around our classroom and see versions of The Bill of Rights in French, Spanish and German.

We've been through the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution. Which of the amendments do you think is the most important? Why? Leave me a comment for some bonus points!

: ) Ms. L

Holiday Wishes

Dear Starfish,

The holiday season is here! Whether you are celebrating Hanukah, Christmas, or Kwanzaa (or even not celebrating at all, that's okay too!) the best part of any holiday is making wishes! You might wish for a gift, like an ipod or a skateboard. You might wish for someone else, for your friend to heal their broken heart or for your parents to find happiness. You might even make a wish for the world - that no child goes hungry and no one feels alone.

I am wishing for many things this holiday. I wish that all my Starfish find a great book to read over the break and come back in January ready to share new books with me! I wish for all my Starfish to remember to bring a pen or pencil every day. I wish for all my Starfish and their families to have a happy and safe holiday.

What are you wishing???


Free Glitter Graphics, Happy Holidays Glitter Graphics

Love,
Ms. L