Wow, what a busy first two weeks of school we've had in room 14! We have spent a lot of time getting to know each other, establishing and practicing routines, and learning to work collaboratively.
Math
We have jumped right into the first unit (Factors, Multiples, and Arrays) and students have been busy exploring multiplication through arrays. Next week we will continue to make sure that students have mastered their multiplication combination through 12X12.
Language Arts
I have begun to assess students writing skills this year by having them write me a story about a favorite memory from the summer, a summary of a National Geographic Explorer article, as well as a poem about themselves. Having them do this will help inform my instruction so I know what areas I need to focus on as we move forward. I really enjoyed reading about all the fun things they did with their families during the summer!
In reading we have started a class novel study of The Cricket in Times Square. We will be doing most of the reading of this book in class and students will be asked to write responses to the story in their Reading Response Notebooks.
Science
We have jumped right into our first unit of science as well, Environments. This week students were put into collaborative groups and each group has started a terrarium where they have planted seeds. Every 2-3 days they observe their terrariums and record their observations in their science notebooks.
Social Studies
So far we have read and completed activities for the first lesson of unit 1 in our social studies books, The Land of California. This week students worked on finding the absolute location of a place by using the lines of latitude and longitude. Next week they will learn more about how the earth is divided into hemispheres.
Music/PE
Students have already had several sessions of both music and PE with their wonderful teachers. I sat in on the last 5 minutes of music today and heard some wonderful singing and saw some excellent rhythmic dancing going on. Please check in with your child to find out more about what they have been doing in PE since I fogot to ask (sorry!).
Friday, August 29, 2014
Friday, May 9, 2014
May 9th Update
Happy Friday Room 14 Families!
I can't believe that we are already more than a week into May. The time with these wonderful kids sure has flown by. As most of you are all aware (since you signed the packets), I assigned the Animal Research report this week to the class. The main book they would like to use for their research is due to be checked with me by next Tuesday (5/13). We will be spending some time working on research in the computer lab next week as well as in class with the lap tops and ipads but the rest of the report will need to be completed on their own time at home. The final due date is May 29th. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Students have been hard at work for the past couple of weeks writing narrative stories based on one of four picture prompts that I gave them. These stories are due to me on May 20th and I can't wait to read the creative stories that they have come up with.
In reading we are finishing up reading Island of the Blue Dolphins. I will be giving the class a unit test on this book on May 27th, The rest of the year we will be focusing on reading our National Geographic Explorer magazines.
In math we are finishing up our unit on plotting points on a coordinate grid. Next Thursday will be the unit 10 test. We will wrap up the school year by studying probability and geometry.
In science we have set up aquariums to study aquatic ecosystems. We have been having some trouble keeping out poor goldfish alive unfortunately but we still have some aquatic plants to observe as well as several pond snails.
In social studies we have started a very exciting simulation on the Gold Rush. Students have formed mining teams have to face different fates, answer questions, and write in a Minors Log in order to earn gold nuggets for their teams. This is a very fun and hands on activity to get them excited about social studies. Our field trip to Roaring Camp on Monday will be a perfect tie in to this when students get to pan for gold and go on a fun train ride. Be sure that your child brings his or her lunch with the on Monday as arrives to school no later than 8:15am so that we can be ready to leave school right at 8:30am.
I hope that all you moms have a wonderful Mother's Day this weekend! Your children were hard at work this week creating a little gift for you.
Have a great weeknd,
Jessica Barkve
I can't believe that we are already more than a week into May. The time with these wonderful kids sure has flown by. As most of you are all aware (since you signed the packets), I assigned the Animal Research report this week to the class. The main book they would like to use for their research is due to be checked with me by next Tuesday (5/13). We will be spending some time working on research in the computer lab next week as well as in class with the lap tops and ipads but the rest of the report will need to be completed on their own time at home. The final due date is May 29th. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Students have been hard at work for the past couple of weeks writing narrative stories based on one of four picture prompts that I gave them. These stories are due to me on May 20th and I can't wait to read the creative stories that they have come up with.
In reading we are finishing up reading Island of the Blue Dolphins. I will be giving the class a unit test on this book on May 27th, The rest of the year we will be focusing on reading our National Geographic Explorer magazines.
In math we are finishing up our unit on plotting points on a coordinate grid. Next Thursday will be the unit 10 test. We will wrap up the school year by studying probability and geometry.
In science we have set up aquariums to study aquatic ecosystems. We have been having some trouble keeping out poor goldfish alive unfortunately but we still have some aquatic plants to observe as well as several pond snails.
In social studies we have started a very exciting simulation on the Gold Rush. Students have formed mining teams have to face different fates, answer questions, and write in a Minors Log in order to earn gold nuggets for their teams. This is a very fun and hands on activity to get them excited about social studies. Our field trip to Roaring Camp on Monday will be a perfect tie in to this when students get to pan for gold and go on a fun train ride. Be sure that your child brings his or her lunch with the on Monday as arrives to school no later than 8:15am so that we can be ready to leave school right at 8:30am.
I hope that all you moms have a wonderful Mother's Day this weekend! Your children were hard at work this week creating a little gift for you.
Have a great weeknd,
Jessica Barkve
Thursday, April 10, 2014
April 11 Weekly Update
Good afternoon,
Happy Spring Break! I hope that you and your family all have a relaxing and fun spring break whether you are traveling to an exciting location or just hanging out at home. I am looking forward to our first family trip to Disneyland. My boys are so excited to get to meet Mickey Mouse in person.
This week in science we wrapped up our observations of our terrariums and isopods. After spring break we will begin to investigate aquatic environments. After the break I will also be assigning another research report for the class that will go with our current unit. They will be researching an animal and then writing a report. I will send home more details after I assign the project.
In math we continued chapter 19 and working with decimals and will do so with chapter 20 after the break as well. The Friday after the break, April 25th we will have our math stations.
In writing we finished up our response to literature based on the Chinese Folktale, " The Jade Paintbrush". After spring break we will begin our unit on writing narrative stories.
On Thursday we were excited to get a chance to watch our room 12 buddies along with the other 1st graders, perform "Peter Rabbit". It was fun to see our buddies singing and performing.
The first week back from Spring we will not do spelling due to SBAC testing. We will resume spelling the following week, April28th. Just a reminder our class will be taking the SBAC test on Tuesday, April 22nd after recess as well as Wednesday, April 23rd. We will again be testing on Tuesday, April 29th (and if needed April 30th as well).
The Parent Volunteer Tea will be on Tuesday April 29th from 2:15-3:15 in the GLC. Please RSVP to me if you can make it, our staff is looking forward to thanking you for all that you do for us.
Have a great Spring Break!
Mrs. Barkve
Happy Spring Break! I hope that you and your family all have a relaxing and fun spring break whether you are traveling to an exciting location or just hanging out at home. I am looking forward to our first family trip to Disneyland. My boys are so excited to get to meet Mickey Mouse in person.
This week in science we wrapped up our observations of our terrariums and isopods. After spring break we will begin to investigate aquatic environments. After the break I will also be assigning another research report for the class that will go with our current unit. They will be researching an animal and then writing a report. I will send home more details after I assign the project.
In math we continued chapter 19 and working with decimals and will do so with chapter 20 after the break as well. The Friday after the break, April 25th we will have our math stations.
In writing we finished up our response to literature based on the Chinese Folktale, " The Jade Paintbrush". After spring break we will begin our unit on writing narrative stories.
On Thursday we were excited to get a chance to watch our room 12 buddies along with the other 1st graders, perform "Peter Rabbit". It was fun to see our buddies singing and performing.
The first week back from Spring we will not do spelling due to SBAC testing. We will resume spelling the following week, April28th. Just a reminder our class will be taking the SBAC test on Tuesday, April 22nd after recess as well as Wednesday, April 23rd. We will again be testing on Tuesday, April 29th (and if needed April 30th as well).
The Parent Volunteer Tea will be on Tuesday April 29th from 2:15-3:15 in the GLC. Please RSVP to me if you can make it, our staff is looking forward to thanking you for all that you do for us.
Have a great Spring Break!
Mrs. Barkve
Friday, April 4, 2014
April 4th Update
Good afternoon,
A short but productive week in room 14. I am happy to say that our California Mission Reports are finally done! So far they look great and I can't wait to look at the brochures closer as well as view all of the slide show presentations. I really enjoyed the extra credit projects a few students brought in as well. After Spring Break the class will begin a new research project on an animal that goes along with our current science unit. I will be giving the class more specific details later this month.
I finally got the unit 8 math tests graded this week and you find these in the Friday Folders. Over all the class did really well with this unit on fractions. This week we started unit 9 and are now working with decimals and exploring how they are related to fractions. On Monday and Tuesday I was lucky enough to get to attend a two day professional development about using the workshop model to teach math. I am really excited to bring back so many great ideas to our class and use them to help students learn how to better talk about their learning and understanding in math.
In science we have continued to observe our terrariums...boy have those plants grown quickly. Next week we will add a new component to them by introducing isopods (the students like to call them rollie pollie bugs). Students will get to observe the isopods in three different situations to see which one they prefer to live in.
In writing we are finishing up our response to literature essays and many students have begun to turn them in already. They are all due to me no later than next Friday, April 11th. After Spring Break we will start our final unit in writing-narratives.
In reading we are continuing to read Island of the Blue Dolphins. Students who didn't finish the packet for chapters 12-13 know that it is due on Monday.
In social studies we are reading all about the events that lead up to California becoming a state and students are very excited to start learning more about the California Gold Rush. During our read aloud time after lunch we are reading a very exciting book, By the Great Horn Spoon, which is about the adventures of a young boy and his butler as they travel to California from the east coast to try and strike it rich during the gold rush. Students are really enjoying this book and can't wait to hear more every afternoon.
This coming Tuesday, April 8th, is Ability Awareness Day. Thank you to my volunteers who will be helping to guide the students through the different sessions. I am looking forward to working with all of you.
Have a great weekend!
Mrs. Barkve
A short but productive week in room 14. I am happy to say that our California Mission Reports are finally done! So far they look great and I can't wait to look at the brochures closer as well as view all of the slide show presentations. I really enjoyed the extra credit projects a few students brought in as well. After Spring Break the class will begin a new research project on an animal that goes along with our current science unit. I will be giving the class more specific details later this month.
I finally got the unit 8 math tests graded this week and you find these in the Friday Folders. Over all the class did really well with this unit on fractions. This week we started unit 9 and are now working with decimals and exploring how they are related to fractions. On Monday and Tuesday I was lucky enough to get to attend a two day professional development about using the workshop model to teach math. I am really excited to bring back so many great ideas to our class and use them to help students learn how to better talk about their learning and understanding in math.
In science we have continued to observe our terrariums...boy have those plants grown quickly. Next week we will add a new component to them by introducing isopods (the students like to call them rollie pollie bugs). Students will get to observe the isopods in three different situations to see which one they prefer to live in.
In writing we are finishing up our response to literature essays and many students have begun to turn them in already. They are all due to me no later than next Friday, April 11th. After Spring Break we will start our final unit in writing-narratives.
In reading we are continuing to read Island of the Blue Dolphins. Students who didn't finish the packet for chapters 12-13 know that it is due on Monday.
In social studies we are reading all about the events that lead up to California becoming a state and students are very excited to start learning more about the California Gold Rush. During our read aloud time after lunch we are reading a very exciting book, By the Great Horn Spoon, which is about the adventures of a young boy and his butler as they travel to California from the east coast to try and strike it rich during the gold rush. Students are really enjoying this book and can't wait to hear more every afternoon.
This coming Tuesday, April 8th, is Ability Awareness Day. Thank you to my volunteers who will be helping to guide the students through the different sessions. I am looking forward to working with all of you.
Have a great weekend!
Mrs. Barkve
Friday, March 7, 2014
March 7th Update
It's hard to believe it, but as of the end of today, we are officially at the end of the 2nd trimester of the school year! I guess what they say is true, time flies when you're having fun, and I think that we are having a ton of fun learning in room 14 this year.
This week we finished up Unit 7 in math which has been focusing on converting measurements in
both the customary and metric system, as well as looking at negative integers on the number line. We will do our unit review on Monday and take the unit test on Tuesday. Our next unit will focus on fractions and mixed numbers. Just a reminder to our math stations volunteers; our next math stations will be on Friday, March 21st since we will be on a field trip to the Monterey Bay Aquarium on the 28th.
In reading we have continued to read our new book, Island of the Blue Dolphins . We even went to an assembly on Tuesday with the same title expecting it to be about the book but it turns out it was about sea exploration near the real Island of the Blue Dolphins off the coast of Southern California. It was very neat for students to see what the area described in the story looks like from a marine biologist's point of view.
In writing I finally finished reading the first response to literature that students wrote in class. I allowed time for them to look back at their writing to see what comments were made and what areas they need to improve on for the next assignment. We also started the next response to literature. We read the Chinese folktale, "The Jade Paintbrush", and next week students will begin to plan out and write their rough drafts. They will be focusing their responses on what lesson the author wanted the reader to learn from the story.
We continued with our Too For Drugs unit this week with a lesson on using I-messages when students have a conflict with a friend. There is a handout in the Friday Folder that explains this more for you.
In social studies we are finally about finished with unit 2. We will wrap up the last lesson on Monday and will spend time reviewing the unit on Monday and Tuesday. The unit 2 test will be on Wednesday afternoon. I gave students a study guide today that they can use to help them prepare for the test. We will be going over the study guide on Monday and Tuesday. We will be moving onto our next unit in social studies which will be on the California Gold Rush. We are also still working on our mission reports this month. Next week, I hope to take the class into the lab (or bring the lab to us by bringing in the laptop cart) so that students can continue their research as well as begin working on their Google doc slide show with their partner and their brochures.
Students took the Magnetism and Electricity science unit test this week and over all they did a great job. Their tests can be found in their Friday Folders. I collected their science notebooks and will be grading them next week and hope to be able to return them by the end of the week. We will be starting out next science unit, Environments, in a couple of weeks.
This week we finished up Unit 7 in math which has been focusing on converting measurements in
both the customary and metric system, as well as looking at negative integers on the number line. We will do our unit review on Monday and take the unit test on Tuesday. Our next unit will focus on fractions and mixed numbers. Just a reminder to our math stations volunteers; our next math stations will be on Friday, March 21st since we will be on a field trip to the Monterey Bay Aquarium on the 28th.
In reading we have continued to read our new book, Island of the Blue Dolphins . We even went to an assembly on Tuesday with the same title expecting it to be about the book but it turns out it was about sea exploration near the real Island of the Blue Dolphins off the coast of Southern California. It was very neat for students to see what the area described in the story looks like from a marine biologist's point of view.
In writing I finally finished reading the first response to literature that students wrote in class. I allowed time for them to look back at their writing to see what comments were made and what areas they need to improve on for the next assignment. We also started the next response to literature. We read the Chinese folktale, "The Jade Paintbrush", and next week students will begin to plan out and write their rough drafts. They will be focusing their responses on what lesson the author wanted the reader to learn from the story.
We continued with our Too For Drugs unit this week with a lesson on using I-messages when students have a conflict with a friend. There is a handout in the Friday Folder that explains this more for you.
In social studies we are finally about finished with unit 2. We will wrap up the last lesson on Monday and will spend time reviewing the unit on Monday and Tuesday. The unit 2 test will be on Wednesday afternoon. I gave students a study guide today that they can use to help them prepare for the test. We will be going over the study guide on Monday and Tuesday. We will be moving onto our next unit in social studies which will be on the California Gold Rush. We are also still working on our mission reports this month. Next week, I hope to take the class into the lab (or bring the lab to us by bringing in the laptop cart) so that students can continue their research as well as begin working on their Google doc slide show with their partner and their brochures.
Students took the Magnetism and Electricity science unit test this week and over all they did a great job. Their tests can be found in their Friday Folders. I collected their science notebooks and will be grading them next week and hope to be able to return them by the end of the week. We will be starting out next science unit, Environments, in a couple of weeks.
Friday, February 28, 2014
Feburary 28th Update
I hope that you all had a wonderful break last week with your family. I know I enjoyed my time with mine. My boys and I had time to go to the Children's Discovery Museum one day and made a quick trip to the snow another day. Unfortunately there wasn't a lot of snow but they had fun throwing snowballs and tubing down a small hill anyway.
This week we started Unit 7 in math and focused on measurement using both customary and metric units. During the second chapter in the unit will be be looking more at a number line and with positive and negative integers. We also started a new Problem of the Month today--Squirreling it Away. In reading we started a new novel study. We are currently reading a wonderful book, Island of the Blue Dolphins. During this unit study we will explore vocabulary, characters, conflict, and responding meaningfully and thoughtfully to the text. Next week will be starting another writing piece responding to a short piece of literature. I am almost done reading the first set that the class has turned in and am impressed by their hard work so far. In social studies we started our Mission reports. Student were assigned a mission with a partner. Each person will be conducting their own research and will be completing a brochure that shows all that they have learned about their mission. They will also be required to turn in a formal bibliography citing their sources. With their partner they will then be creating a slide show, using Google Docs with 4-6 slides on their mission. I have given them a guideline to follow with all my expectations and requirements. They will have about a month to complete this, and the final project will be due on March 27th. We have already spent several days doing research in class and we will spend more time researching and working on the project in class but some of it will need to be completed at home as well. In science we started reviewing for the end of unit test by doing reading from the resource book. We will do our final review of the unit on Monday and Tuesday and the test will be on Wednesday, March 5th. They will also be turning in their science notebooks to me on that day. Finally we began our Drug and Alcohol awareness program, Too Good For Drugs, this week. In today's Friday Folder they is a note explaining a little more about this program and the lessons we did so far.
Have a great weekend!
Mrs. Barkve
This week we started Unit 7 in math and focused on measurement using both customary and metric units. During the second chapter in the unit will be be looking more at a number line and with positive and negative integers. We also started a new Problem of the Month today--Squirreling it Away. In reading we started a new novel study. We are currently reading a wonderful book, Island of the Blue Dolphins. During this unit study we will explore vocabulary, characters, conflict, and responding meaningfully and thoughtfully to the text. Next week will be starting another writing piece responding to a short piece of literature. I am almost done reading the first set that the class has turned in and am impressed by their hard work so far. In social studies we started our Mission reports. Student were assigned a mission with a partner. Each person will be conducting their own research and will be completing a brochure that shows all that they have learned about their mission. They will also be required to turn in a formal bibliography citing their sources. With their partner they will then be creating a slide show, using Google Docs with 4-6 slides on their mission. I have given them a guideline to follow with all my expectations and requirements. They will have about a month to complete this, and the final project will be due on March 27th. We have already spent several days doing research in class and we will spend more time researching and working on the project in class but some of it will need to be completed at home as well. In science we started reviewing for the end of unit test by doing reading from the resource book. We will do our final review of the unit on Monday and Tuesday and the test will be on Wednesday, March 5th. They will also be turning in their science notebooks to me on that day. Finally we began our Drug and Alcohol awareness program, Too Good For Drugs, this week. In today's Friday Folder they is a note explaining a little more about this program and the lessons we did so far.
Have a great weekend!
Mrs. Barkve
Friday, February 14, 2014
Feb. 14th Weekly Update
Thank you to everyone who sent in treats for our Valentine's Day party, the kids had a great time and now have very full bellies!
This was yet another busy week for us in room 14. We finished up unit 6 in math and took the test yesterday. We also finished up our last investigation in our Magnetism and Electricity science unit. We still have some reading in the resource book to do when we get back from break and then we will take the unit test most likely on March 5th. Students also will be turning in their science notebooks that day as well and will need to make sure that they are complete, neat, and well organized before that. A major part of their science grade for the trimester comes from their work in these notebooks. Students also finished writing their response to literature essays this week and I am in the process of grading these. So far they have done a great job and I am seeing a lot of improvement in the classes writing skills overall.
When we get back from the break we will begin our mission projects. Some of the work will be done in class and in the computer lab but there will be parts that will need to be completed at home as well. After the break I will be sending home information that will explain all that they are responsible for completing. Part of the project will be individual and part will be completed with a partner.
We also have our field trip to the Intel Museum on Wednesday, 2/26 when we get back from break. I will be contacting parents about chaperoning the trip this week.
Have a wonderful February Break!
Mrs. Barkve
This was yet another busy week for us in room 14. We finished up unit 6 in math and took the test yesterday. We also finished up our last investigation in our Magnetism and Electricity science unit. We still have some reading in the resource book to do when we get back from break and then we will take the unit test most likely on March 5th. Students also will be turning in their science notebooks that day as well and will need to make sure that they are complete, neat, and well organized before that. A major part of their science grade for the trimester comes from their work in these notebooks. Students also finished writing their response to literature essays this week and I am in the process of grading these. So far they have done a great job and I am seeing a lot of improvement in the classes writing skills overall.
When we get back from the break we will begin our mission projects. Some of the work will be done in class and in the computer lab but there will be parts that will need to be completed at home as well. After the break I will be sending home information that will explain all that they are responsible for completing. Part of the project will be individual and part will be completed with a partner.
We also have our field trip to the Intel Museum on Wednesday, 2/26 when we get back from break. I will be contacting parents about chaperoning the trip this week.
Have a wonderful February Break!
Mrs. Barkve
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