Fourth and Fifth Grade,
We have started learning the frog's anatomy. Also, we are comparing and contrasting the differences and similarities between the human and frog anatomy. Try out the following game. Good luck!
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March 2011
March 30, 2011
March 29, 2011
NEEDED! Responsible Frog Babysitter!
Fourth and Fifth Graders,
Would you like an opportunity to keep our 4 tree frogs at your house over spring break? I am looking for a responsible student who would like to take care of them over spring break. This will mean that one of your parents will need to come by the Target room on Friday to pick up the tank and all of the supplies. Also, you will need to follow the directions provided and take good care of them until school resumes.
Here is what you need to do:
Write a letter to Mrs. Covington and tell her why you think you should be the one to take care of the tree frogs. Be descriptive, informative, and creative! All entries (that are on time and accepted) will be placed in a box for the drawing. The drawing will take place Thursday afternoon at 2:00. I will keep you informed!
ALL letters due to Mrs. Covington no later than 7:50 a.m. Thursday morning (March 31).
Thank you for your interest!
March 28, 2011
Physical Problems associated with the Heart
This week, you will be researching physical problems of the heart. You will be visiting some of the websites listed below during class. Your research team should complete the graphic organizer provided to you in class. Look over your rubric!
March 25, 2011
Week of March 21-25
Dear Fabulous First Graders,
Did you enjoy our new Cinderella story, Dinorella? Do you remember how the author captured our attention by using a literary element called alliteration? I know we all had fun with the story, and you did a good job with your Dr. FEFO brainstorming activity.
Today, we also practiced our deductive reasoning skills by asking questions and determining what was in Mary Jackson's mystery box. Next week, Grace will bring a new mystery item relating to our Cinderella unit. I can't wait to see what is inside next week's mystery box!
We are excited to have some new members join Target class. Abby's 4 green tree frogs have come to learn with us! Today, Abby taught us about her science fair project and how her hypothesis was correct when the tree frogs changed colors to their surroundings. I know we will learn a lot as we watch the frogs and help take care of our new friends. Thank you, Abby, for sharing!
HOMEWORK: (p. 14 and 15) Take it Out and Looking for Relationships
WEEKLY QUESTION: Write a sentence with alliteration. Illustrate your picture!
alliteration- a series of words all beginning with the same consonant or consonant sound
Example: Sarah’s seven sisters slept soundly in sand.
Now, it is your turn to create a silly sentence or poem using alliteration. If you are having trouble, refer to your alliteration brainstorm sheet that we completed in class. Or, you may want to read some of Shel Silverstein's poems (There's a Bear in There and Sarah Cynthia Stout). He has written some funny poetry using alliteration!
March 24, 2011
Week of March 21-25
Tadpoles, toads, and turtles...oh my! One word that comes to my mind to describe our outdoor field experience...AWESOME! Ranger Hightower did an amazing job leading and teaching us around Sibley Pond. We appreciate his expertise and guidance as we sifted through the "litter" and looked for pond life. What did your group find? Did you find something that surprised you?
I know we are all looking forward to May 5th when we'll go back to Sibley Pond and study how the pond life has changed over the next month and a half. Parents, we'd love for you to join us if you were unable to come this past trip. A special thank you to Mr. Slade, Mrs. Miner, Mrs. Zimmerman, Mrs. Murray, and Mrs. Cary for joining us on our trip! We appreciate you sharing your time with us.
HOMEWORK: None! (Except answer the weekly question.)
WEEKLY QUESTION: If you could have Ranger Hightower's job to be a herpatologist and travel around the world to study amphibians, would you? Would you like to study and help protect amphibians as your full time job? Explain your feelings.
REMINDER: Everyone should have received a report card for this past nine weeks. Please remember to keep working hard so we finish strong in Target this year!
Enjoy the pictures!
March 21, 2011
Week of March 21-25
Dear Second and Third Grade Cardiologists,
We had a fabulous day today learning more about blood parts and their functions. Did you enjoy making "blood"? I hope it will help you remember what makes up blood and how important each part is to our body.
If you'd like to read more, you may want to check out the following websites:
Homework: Blood Vocabulary - draw a diagram or picture underneath each vocabulary word. Add color to your pictures.
Weekly Question: COUNTDOWN 3, 2, 1! (Follow the directions below.)
* Name 3 parts of the blood.
* Name 2 tools used to monitor blood pressure.
* Name one reason why we should monitor our heart rate and blood pressure.
March 18, 2011
Week of March 14-18
Dear First Grade Target Students,
Did you enjoy learning about how to use Microsoft Power Point? Today everyone was assigned a group to work with. Your project assignment (in class) is to create a Power Point about all the Cinderella stories we’ve been reading in class. We will continue to work on our plan sheets and develop our slides each week. At the end of our unit, it will be fun to share our presentations with our classmates and parents!
Today we practiced our deductive thinking with a MYSTERY BOX! You did a good job brainstorming (divergent thinking) and then using the clues to discover what was inside the box (convergent thinking). Mary Jackson guessed correctly! Inside the mystery box today was a shoelace! Next week, she will bring the box back with a new mystery item inside. Remember, the item in the box must relate to our Cinderella unit, your shoes, or it could relate to your feet. I can’t wait to see what is inside next week!
HOMEWORK: Cafeteria Choices (logic puzzle) and Creature Sheet
WEEKLY QUESTION: Brainstorm (make a list) of all the things you can think of they have to do with your feet or items related to shoes. Your list of ideas will help you solve the mystery object in the box next week!
March 17, 2011
A BIG THANK YOU!
Thank you for making me feel so special this week for Teacher Appreciate Week! I know all the teachers loved the special breakfast and lunches that were served. Also, a big SHOUT OUT to our Partners in Education who donated food. I LOVE my new green spirit wear shirt. I will have it on every Friday!
I appreciate all that the parents do to support the teachers at Eastvalley. Thank YOU for all you do to help your child have the most successful year possible.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Sarah Covington
Week of March 14-18
Dear 2nd and 3rd Grade Cardiologists,
WOW! I was very impressed by your GBR projects. Your projects were creative, informative, and interesting. I know we all learned a lot more about the heart by watching and listening to our classmates. Way to go! I am proud of your hard work.
A special thank you to Mrs. Chalker, an Eastvalley Target parent and nurse, for coming to share her knowledge of the heart and how we measure blood pressure. Each student had the opportunity to use a SPHYGMOMANOMETER (blood-pressure cuff) and listen to the "lub-dub" of our heart. Do you remember the difference between the sistolic and diastolic numbers? How can we maintain a healthy blood pressure?
Next week, we will conclude our topic of "the blood" by making our own model of blood. Can you name the differ ent parts of the blood and functions of each part?
HOMEWORK: 2nd grade- Number Block puzzle
3rd grade- Number Block and Magic Heart puzzle
WEEKLY QUESTION: Write a THANK YOU note to Mrs. Chalker. Be sure to include several things you learned. Remember to write in the proper "Friendly Letter" format. Look at the following link to remind yourself how to organize your letter.
Check out some pictures of our GBR projects and visit with Mrs. Chalker.
Week of March 14-18
Fourth and Fifth Grade Herpatologists,
Riddle: Why do frogs like St. Patrick's Day?
I hope all of you had a great week! I was very proud of your GBR projects. I can tell you worked hard preparing, and I know we all learned a lot from your presentations. We saw puppet shows, clay frog models, Power Point shows, movies, new frog species, games, reports, and some even tasted frog legs! At the bottom of this message, I have included some pictures.
Next week, on WEDNESDAY, March 23, we will be traveling to Sibley Pond/Sope Creek, a division of the Chattahoochee National Park. This is close to our school, and we will have a short bus ride down to the park. We will leave at 10:00 a.m. and return around 1:00 p.m. Remember to bring your sack lunch/drink from home, unless you ordered a sack lunch from the school cafeteria. We will have a picnic lunch outside. We still need 2 or 3 more parent chaperones to join us. Please let me know if you can come!
Remember to wear comfortable walking shoes or boots. Also, wear a jacket or sweatshirt that you can tie around your waist if it warms up. We will be outside all morning, and it is important you dress appropriately. Ranger Hightower will lead us in an interesting field study. I know you will enjoy this learning experience!
Fourth Grade, your Target day next week will be on Wedesday. Both 4th and 5th graders, please bring your Target materials (Target bag and binder) on Wednesday. Be prepared to turn in homework and your weekly question.
I look forward to seeing you next Wednesday! (5th grade, please report to Target at your regular time)
- Mrs. Covington
HOMEWORK: (5th) Type your final copy of your Frog Life Cycle paper (4th) Logic Puzzle
WEEKLY QUESTION: FREE WEEK! No weekly question. Enjoy a little extra outside time enjoying the beautiful weather! Hop like a frog, run with the wind, and exercise your heart! :-)
