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.