Happy Thanksgiving

I would just like to wish everyone a very Happy and Healthy Thanksgiving break!

The Cay

Third Grade students check out the new website I posted that tests your comprehension on "The Cay" use the vocabulary section to become more knowledgeable with unfamiliar words. Have fun and learn!

Fourth Grade Geometry

Fourth Grade students will be starting their Geometry Unit using Polydron pieces. Polydron pieces enable the students to observe, check conjectures, and make adjustments easily. Students will begin the unit working in cooperative groups to explore and discuss activities which are essential in order for students to understand basic terms and techniques. They will continue with Spatial Sense which consists of a series of building and visualizing activities designed to help students to become comfortable with three dimensionality. Finally students will build models of what can and cannot be built with Polydron shapes.

Parent-Teacher Conferences

I would just like to thank all of the parents who were able to attend conferences last night. I look forward to meeting with those parents next week that I have not met with yet. Enjoy the great weather we are having!

Oceanography-3rd

Third grade PA students are currently wrapping up their study of the ocean. Next week they will watch the final episode of The Mimi, and take their final oceanography exam. They will though continue for a couple of weeks by reading the novel, "The Cay" and discussing the story in small groups. After our Thanksgiving break we will begin our Algebra unit.

Parent-Teacher Conferences

Parents,
I will meet with you during your scheduled parent-teacher conference in your child's homeroom. If you wish to speak with me on a more private level about your child's success, please contact me so that we can set up a conference time.

Mayan Final Ceremony

Fifth grade students held their final ceremony and celebrated the end of their Mayan Game with a feast. Team Mayapan won for Best Sacrifices, Team Tulum won for Greatest Wealth, Largest Population and Best Secret Codex, Team Tikal won for Best Final Ceremony and Team Chichen Itza won for Best Team Work! Students have begun reading, "The Corn Grows Ripe" and will discuss the novel in small and large groups over the next ten days.

Multiple Intelligences

Traditionally, we have been led to believe that we are born with a certain potential for intelligence, and once we have gone through normal growth and education, we may reach and maintain that level of intelligence. This level can be determined by taking a pen-and-paper test using words, numbers, and maybe, a few pictures. This belief is not particularly encouraging.

Howard Gardner gives more hope with the theory of Multiple Intelligences. This theory proposes that people are not born with all of the intelligence they will ever have. Intelligence can be learned and improved upon throughout life. Everyone is intelligent in at least seven different ways and can develop each aspect of intelligence to an average level of competency. Fourth grade students have been learning about these different intelligences. They have learned four as of this posting. Ask them about these and the activites we've completed in the classroom.

Ocean Floor Models Completed

Third Grade PA students had fun sculpting and painting their ocean floor models and they will hopefully be on display soon in the LMC.

Open House Night!

I would just like to thank all of the parents and students who attended Open House last night. It certainly looked like a successful evening, and it was great to meet those of you who are new to the program and see some familiar faces as well! I was also able to greet many students and their parents from my guided reading classes, thank you for attending!

Models of the Ocean Floor

Third Grade students have created models of the ocean floor. Using a material called "sheetrock" they created their models. Some models have volcanic mountains, deep trenches, continental shelves, continental slopes, and more. Next week we will begin to paint these models. Ask them what lies on the abyssal plain?

Battle of the Books Comes to 4th Grade

Reported by marzenna_chmielecki@ipsd.org on 10/14/09

Battle of the Books Comes to 4th Grade
Is it for You? Are you in 4th grade? Do you enjoy reading books?
Are you willing to meet twice a month for book talks?
Do you enjoy competition with other 4th graders?
If you answered yes of all of these questions then Battle of the Books is for you!
Battle of the Books is a club that meets at lunchtime twice a month to explore and read a variety of books. You will be placed on a team with 3 or 4 other fourth graders from Cowlishaw. Your team will compete against other 4th grade teams at our school to determine which team is best at recalling the most trivia from the books we assign. You do not have to read all the books. Your team will help you out, and your teachers will be reading books in class to help you out, too. This is a great opportunity for ALL fourth grade students. If you think you might be interested, please bring back the attached permission slip. If you have any questions, see one of the coaches. We look forward to “Battling” with you!

Coaches

Mr. Gaca
Mrs. Halicki
Ms. Swift
Mrs. Yocum

Mayan Civilization

Fifth grade students have started their Mayan game and have begun trading with other Mayan cities. Ask them about their city and what the Mayan people believe is their most valuable resource.

Plate Tectonics and the Ocean Floor

Third grade students have been learning about plate tectonics and our ocean floor. They have recently created a puzzle showing the 12 plates.

Fourth Grade Quiz

Fourth grade PA students will have a mini quiz on Monday, September 28th. They will need to know the three main parts of the brain, the four lobes of the brain and their functions. Students will have a study guide to assist them in preparing for this quiz.

Failure

We have recently been discussing the definition of "failure" in our classroom. How people have failed, but also how we learn from our mistakes, and from those failures we succeed! Third and fourth grade students recently took a pre-assessment test on the subject areas they will be studying this first semester. I informed them that they probably would fail the assessment, but that they can certainly learn and succeed from this experience.
Every student failed! We will retake the assessment at the end of our unit and I will share with you our successes!

Mayan Civilization, 5th Grade

Students learn the mysterious history of the Maya by decoding glyphs, by investigating the unusual religion of the Maya, by unraveling the complex Mayan calendar, and by discovering the Mayan number system's secret meanings. Students re-create the structure of the ancient Maya hierarchy to discover the way life might have been in ancient times. Before the simulation draws to a close, students will have discovered that the needs of ancient cultures in many respects are not that different from the needs of successful contemporary cultures.

Neurology/Psychology, 4th Grade

Your brain has been custom-made for you! It's an original. One of a kind. And it came fully equipped with everything you'll ever need (and then some!). Are you interested in exploring possiblities-and capabilities-of your brain. The fact is, you could spend eight hours a day for the rest of your life reading about the brain, and you still wouldn't get everything written about on single year's worth of research and findings. What are kids interested in learning about the most? The unknowns! What does the brain do when we sleep? Why does the brain sometimes play tricks on me? Is it true that people have a sixth sense? We'll answer these questions and more and we examine the human brain!

Oceanography, 3rd Grade

The Earth's Oceans cover 361,000,000 square miles and reach thousands of miles deep-a vastness like no other on the planet. Take a journey to explore the ocean's underwater life, its geography, and its movement due to currents, tides, and waves. Learn how scientists delve into the depths of the ocean to study sea life, both present and past. Consider why the oceans are becoming polluted and how to help conserve this vital natural resource. Through this journey, students will gain a new understanding and appreciation of the world's oceans.

Welcome!

Welcome to another great school year at Cowlishaw Elementary! Something new this year in Project Arrow will be this Blog. I hope to have better communication with parents and students by posting information through the use of this tool. I will post required readings, homework assignments, and projects with due dates to help students and parents keep track of when assignments are due. As the year goes on and I learn more about blogging I hope to share students work with you through the use of this site. This is not a true blogging system in such that students and parents cannot blog back to me. However, you can still communicate with me through e-mail. Thank you and let's have a great school year!