Live from Room 229

Our chicks are in the incubator!!

2012-02-29T12:24:00.002-05:00

Comic Creator

2012-02-28T14:18:00.005-05:00

Today, in reading class, we created comic strips about the story we are reading. Some of the kids wanted to know the website so they could also create comics. Here it is:

http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/comic/

Enjoy!

Sports Basket Reminder

2012-02-27T11:31:00.000-05:00

Great thanks to those who have contributed to the Room 229 Sports Basket for the PTO fundraising event...

A reminder that all items must be in by March 9th so the basket can be wrapped...in our basket so far, we have a small basketball, a soccer ball, tennis balls, a small yard game, wiffle balls, and a Bruins logo puck...

If you need ideas...we could use....a hat or visor, water bottle, sports books, keychains, pens, posters....

Thank you!!

Invention Convention 2012

2012-02-17T14:32:00.002-05:00

Invention Convention-tomorrow!

2012-02-16T08:14:00.000-05:00

The invention convention will be held tomorrow, Friday, February 17th from 8:30 to 9:30.

All are welcome!

I know a real live inventor!

2012-02-13T06:21:00.000-05:00

My sister-in-law and her friend are inventors! Check it out!

http://www.quirky.com/ideations/170368

Patriots Pep Rally

2012-02-03T14:40:00.000-05:00

Go Pats!!

Coach Olshaw

Valentine's Day

2012-02-03T06:35:00.000-05:00

As I know many of you are thinking ahead to Valentine's Day, I wanted to let you know that we will not be exchanging Valentine's cards in fourth grade.....instead, we will celebrate "No Name Calling Day"...this was a National event celebrated in many schools last week....we will make a valiant effort to be friendly and considerate to everyone.....Room 229 does this on a daily basis so it will be a breeze!

Also, a reminder that food items may not be sent in for holidays...

With the Invention Convention just 2 short weeks away and our Frindle play next week, we have a lot to be excited about!!

Pep Rally Friday

2012-02-01T19:43:00.000-05:00

We will be having a pep rally for students on Friday from 1:30-2 in the gym. Let's send the Patriots our team spirit!! Wear your Pats or red, white and blue gear!!

Go Pats!!

Celebrating Chinese New Year!!

2012-01-27T14:40:00.000-05:00

Practicing our Chinese characters

The Great Chopstick Race!!

The Face Off!!

Painting "Calligraphy"

Practicing with Chopsticks

Artifacts from China

Dancing to Chinese Rap

Dancers joining in

Dragon Masks with our First Grade Buddies

Famous Inventors- Oral Reports with Puppets

2012-01-27T14:30:00.001-05:00

Great job by everyone!!

Invention Update

2012-01-25T09:54:00.000-05:00

Our Memorial School Invention Convention will be held on Friday, February 17th at 830am. All are welcome to come!!

A packet went home last week explaining the project. Last Friday, we did some preliminary brainstorming and planning in school. The goal of the project is to try to make an everyday task easier. I asked students to look around the house and think of chores they have that they would like to make easier. Please be brainstorming possibilities at home this weekend as well.

On Monday, we will work on sketching out our ideas and thinking about materials. By next Friday, a final idea must be turned in. I will be sending home a sheet called the "Intend to Invent" which must be turned in at some point next week, Friday at the latest.

There is a group I have created on Edmodo.com for us to discuss the project.

Lastly, kids are invited to visit www.edheads.org to practice their knowledge about simple machines. It will be part of homework next week but kids can visit now if they want. Parents too!!

Good luck, Akash!!

2012-01-24T06:33:00.000-05:00

We will miss you!

From your Memorial School Room 229 Friends!!

Today, we learned in Social Studies.....

2012-01-20T11:13:00.000-05:00

Origami is hard!!! (but fun!)

We were lucky to have a special guest, Mr. Ku, teach us how to make a giraffe out of a single piece of paper....

We tried our best!!

Gummybear Lab- The Results

2012-01-19T11:33:00.000-05:00

What a difference we saw....

Measuring the difference with metric units...

Centimeters

Calculating the difference...

Grams...

(not the one who bakes cookies for you and has you over for sleepovers..)

Science Experiment- The GummyBear Lab

2012-01-19T08:50:00.000-05:00

Hypothesis: What do you think will happen if you put a gummybear in 50mL of water overnight?

If.....then,......

Our class business

2012-01-19T08:47:00.000-05:00

Our young group of entrepreneurs....

Biography Book Report about an Inventor

2012-01-13T09:02:00.000-05:00

Today, a handout went home explaining our Biography Book Report due on January 27th. There are 2 parts to the project:
1) a written book report due January 27th
2) an oral report with a puppet due either Jan. 25, 26, or 27--there will be signups Tuesday.

It would be a good idea to visit the public library this weekend to pick out your Inventor book. They are on hold in the Youth room under Mrs. Weinberg's class. I would like to check the books so please bring them in once you have picked one. Then, you can sign up for your date for your oral presentation.

It is a fun project but not if you wait until the last minute!!

Frindle Field Trip February 8th

2012-01-06T12:26:00.000-05:00

We will be taking a field trip to see the play, "Frindle", a dramatization of the Andrew Clements' book we are reading in class. Permission slips went home today (Friday). Please send them back with the $9 show fee as soon as possible!

Math Facts Quiz next week!

2012-01-05T08:02:00.000-05:00

Try out these classmate tried and approved sites for practice:

http://mathplayground.com/ASB_PenguinJumpMultiplication.html

http://www.mathisfun.com/

www.sheppardsoftware.com/math.htm

http://www.multiplication.com/

Edmodo

2012-01-03T11:08:00.000-05:00

Don't forget: www.edmodo.com at least once a week...see the Homework tab for more info!!

Happy holidays and have a great vacation!

2011-12-22T14:46:00.000-05:00

Last day before vacation fun...

Just in case you miss your crazy old teacher!!

Teachers' Domain: Earth in Motion: Seasons

2011-12-22T12:43:00.001-05:00

Teachers' Domain: Earth in Motion: Seasons

Check out what we learned about on the 1st day of Winter!!

2011-12-20T14:27:00.002-05:00

Pajama day!!

2011-12-19T10:08:00.002-05:00

On Thursday, our whole school will be wearing pajamas!!!

Feel free to wear your most comfy pajamas or outfit....teachers too! How fun!!

Rm 229 loves all celebrations...

2011-12-16T14:29:00.000-05:00

Playing dreidel

It's the holiday season...

2011-12-15T15:36:00.001-05:00

The show

Our good deed...Thanks for all the donations!

Reminder about Holiday Food Box items..

2011-12-14T10:31:00.002-05:00

Just a gentle reminder that all food items for the holiday box we are creating for the Woburn Council for Social Concern must be in by tomorrow...our box is almost full....great work!!!

Our very hungry cornsnake, Twitch...

2011-12-13T14:21:00.000-05:00

Band Rehearsal Tuesday!!

2011-12-12T08:02:00.000-05:00

Don't forget! There is a final rehearsal for all band members on this Tuesday, December 13th at 1:30. Please remember your instruments!

Then, the big show is Wednesday morning at 9am. Remember, white tops and black pants are worn into school!!

Progress Reports

2011-12-07T14:58:00.000-05:00

Hello!

Progress reports went home today in navy blue folders. Inside, you will find the report, an explanatory letter, and a yellow "parent response sheet." I do need the yellow sheet and the folder back as soon as you get a chance. Feel free to bring them to your conference on Friday.

I am looking forward to seeing you!

Holiday Food Baskets

2011-12-02T08:57:00.000-05:00

*A notice went home in the Friday Folder today about the following:

In lieu of a Holiday Swap/Gift, we have decided to gather materials for a family for a holiday dinner. The basket will be donated to the Woburn Council of Social Concern, who delivers the baskets to families in Middlesex County. All of the items can be found at a regular grocery store and should cost between $2-5. I will be providing the basket and the turkey. The baskets need to be completed for a December 16^th delivery date, so it would be important to have your student’s item by Thursday, December 15^th . If for any reason you can not obtain your student’s item, please let me know so I can get the item for the basket.

Thank you for helping us making a memorable holiday for a family.

Try it out this week...

2011-11-28T10:29:00.002-05:00

Math fact game:

http://www.playkidsgames.com/games/mathfact/mathFact.htm

Turkey Trot Postponed...

2011-11-23T06:21:00.000-05:00

We will run on Monday at 930am

Turkey Trot!

2011-11-21T11:35:00.000-05:00

Our annual Memorial School Turkey Trot will be this Wednesday, November 23rd at 9:30am. I look forward to joining the fourth graders out there pounding the pavement in our 1 mile trot. The rain date is Monday, November 28th.

Don't forget your sneakers!!

Gobble, gobble!

Check out our work in math class..

2011-11-18T10:16:00.002-05:00

Look under the "We love math" tab to see our work....

Remember your stamps....

2011-11-17T14:54:00.000-05:00

Hello friends!

Please remember to bring your 4 stamps tomorrow..

We will be learning all about the "Great Mail Race" that we will be participating to learn about all the states in our country! I can't wait!

We need those stamps to do so!

Tomorrow, we have a test on Animal Behavior..

2011-11-16T12:29:00.001-05:00

Today, Miss Pavlicek from the science center came in to teach us more about Animal Behavior..

Do you know what these terms mean?

Stimulus is what causes a behavior...it is the "Before"...like seeing the red light or hearing the loud sound...

Response is what happens "After"..it is the behavior that is caused like stopping when you see the red light or covering your ears when you hear the sound...

See Miss P's friends...

Cricket, the Owl

Bubbles, the Boa Constrictor..Nice belt, Miss P!

Book Fair!!

2011-11-15T08:05:00.000-05:00

This Thursday is our Book Fair Day!! We will head down from 12:10-12:40...

There are some GREAT books down there!!

Please follow by email...

2011-11-10T12:18:00.000-05:00

Hi Parents!

If you have not signed up to follow our class blog by email, please add your email to our list. It is on the righthand side of the blog here on the home page.

There have been many announcements this year..I try to post any changes in schedule to our blog. I want to make sure you are kept "in the know"!!

Thank you!!

It's a space-aged rocketship!!

2011-11-08T21:02:00.002-05:00

Goings on....

2011-11-08T07:58:00.002-05:00

Good morning!

We are very busy around here on this "short" week..

Tomorrow will be our Veterans' Day Assembly....please remember to bring your script to school!!!

I think we may be wearing red, white, and/or blue but I will double-check on that..

Also, Thursday is a PD day for teachers....not Parent Conferences. Parent Conferences are being held on Friday, December 9th. There was a calendar change prior to the start of the year. If you have not signed up for a time with me, please email me as soon as possible so we can set up.

Have a great Tuesday!

Veterans' Day

2011-11-07T12:36:00.000-05:00

Just a reminder that we will be having a Veterans' Day assembly put on by the fourth grade on Wednesday.

Also, we will have no school on Thursday, 11/10 (professional development) or Friday, 11/11 (Veterans' Day)

And...the PAARRTTYY!

2011-11-04T15:18:00.000-04:00

Happy Halloween!

2011-11-04T13:46:00.000-04:00

Be safe tonight while you trick-or-treat!

Check out the day we've had..

Vocabulary Parade 2011

Halloween

2011-11-01T09:58:00.002-04:00

Halloween will be celebrated on Friday in school too!

We can look forward to:

-The Vocabulary Parade

-All Halloween How-to Activities

Yay!!

"Map Lady"

2011-10-28T14:31:00.000-04:00

I just posted some photos from our visit from the "Map Lady", Mrs. Pientrantoni, this week. Click on the "Photos" page to see!

Thank you, Mrs. P!

What we learned in writing today....

2011-10-28T13:44:00.000-04:00

Subjects and Predicates...

Happy Diwali!

2011-10-26T11:09:00.000-04:00

Latitude and Longitude Game!

2011-10-25T09:47:00.002-04:00

This is a great game to practice finding latitude and longitude!

http://www.kidsgeo.com/geography-games/latitude-longitude-map-game.php

Rocket Day pictures are coming!!

2011-10-21T15:22:00.000-04:00

Stay Tuned!!

Rocket Day pictures will be posted this weekend!

Also, please be sure to see the notice in your student's backpack folder regarding changing for math. From here on, I will only be posting our homeroom's ELA homework (spelling, vocab, so on) in our homework section. Your child's math teacher will be providing their math homework and guiding them through writing these assignments in their planners.

I have added the other three fourth grade teacher's blog to our site for easy access.

Rocket Day Location Change

2011-10-18T17:00:00.000-04:00

We will be blasting off from the fields right across the street at Marshall Simons on Friday!! 9am..

Hope to see you there!

Green Shirts!!

2011-10-17T14:38:00.000-04:00

The Fourth Grade has been asked to wear GREEN SHIRTS for our "Thank you, Mr. Papadonis!" assembly tomorrow (Tuesday)...please spread the word...any green shirt will do!

Science test!

2011-10-17T06:40:00.002-04:00

Your science test on flight will be Wed. October 26th!

Mrs. Gonzalez will be going over the study guide with you in class...

Halloween "How-to"

2011-10-14T14:46:00.000-04:00

To help us prepare for Halloween, we will be doing a fun writing project on "How to" write directions!
A notice went home today explaining the project...all you have to do this weekend is discuss possible ideas for your project!!

New Math Fact Practice!

2011-10-13T10:06:00.002-04:00

Check out this sight to help you prepare for the math facts quiz tomorrow!

http://www.factmonster.com/math/flashcards.html#mul

Science Test Postponed!

2011-10-13T10:03:00.000-04:00

Due to rocket building, the science test will not be on October 19th!! Mrs. Gonzalez will go over the study guide with you and let you know when your new test date will be!

Also, feel free to check her blog at any point if you're looking for info. about science!

www.amygonzalez.blogspot.com

Check out what we learned in school today...

2011-10-06T14:04:00.002-04:00

Important Info!

2011-10-05T08:06:00.000-04:00

Good morning!!

I have a couple of important reminders and notices...

First, all coupon books, checks, or orders are due this Friday, October 7th! If you'd like to purchase the book, please bring in a check in the envelope for $25.00. If you'd like to pass, please bring back the book. This is a great fundraiser that will help us defray the costs of field trips and other wonderful activities...

Also, last week I sent out Scholastic Book Orders...if you would like to order, please place your order by Friday, October 21st.....please fill out the order online using the instructions I sent home (also available here on the blog)....then I will need to "submit" from my account on the 21st...Thanks so much!! Let me know if you have any trouble..

Instrument Rental Night--tonight!

2011-09-26T06:39:00.002-04:00

Don't forget that instrument rental night is tonight!! I believe it is at the high school.

Lessons will begin this week!!

Calling all animal lovers!

2011-09-25T20:31:00.001-04:00

Check this out!

http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/entertainment/x353259314/Hercules-leads-pack-of-big-cats-at-Carvers-King-Richards-Faire

I visited this liger on Sunday...he is an enormous blend of lion and tiger...amazing!

Join the Global Read Aloud 2011 Flat Stanley Group!

2011-09-25T20:27:00.000-04:00

Hi friends!!

To join the Global Read Aloud Project "Flat Stanley"group, you need to click "Join" near the "Groups" sections and you need the code: uuecep

Then, you can communicate with other readers from other schools!!

I am looking forward to week 2!

Say Cheese!

2011-09-20T12:09:00.000-04:00

Memorial School Picture Day is next Wednesday, September 28th.

Forms will go home this Friday.

Smile!!

Open House for Parents, this Thursday!!

2011-09-20T10:38:00.001-04:00

Please join us at Memorial School this Thursday at 6:30pm for our Open House!

Schedule:

6:30-7    Classroom presentation in room 229- Come meet me and see our classroom!

7-7:30    Introductions in the cafeteria

7:30-8    Classroom presentation repeated in room 229 (in case you have multiple classrooms to see)

Global Read Aloud Project and Edmodo!!

2011-09-19T10:41:00.000-04:00

Our class will be joining a blog called Edmodo so that we can participate in the Global Read Aloud Project. This will allow students to converse with students all over the world about a particular story. The project starts today, September 19th. We will read a Flat Stanley book to introduce the project (the Grade 4-7 book is Tuck Everlasting which students will read in 5th grade). Please see www.globalreadaloud.blogspot.com for more info. I am excited to give this a try!

Students must log in to Edmodo today and make a prediction on the blog. They do NOT need an email address. They just need their names and our blog code: beiuu6

I look forward to reading aloud globally!!

A Warm Welcome!

2011-09-06T22:20:00.000-04:00

Welcome to all my new Room 229 friends! You are all so very special as you make up part of the very first class EVER at the NEW Memorial School...It's a wonderful place isn't?

Browse around our blog a bit..it has a lot of important information...

Tell mom or dad to sign up for email updates from our blog down at the bottom right of our blog..

Also, don't forget to take the poll at the top right..

As always, happy blogging!!

India Calling!

2011-07-02T08:46:00.000-04:00

Be sure to follow Mrs. Olshaw and I at www.memorialinindia.blogspot.com

We are soooo excited!!

Math Man!!

2011-06-13T11:37:00.000-04:00

While you're here, check out MATH MAN!!

http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/mathgames/mathman/mathman_multiplication.htm

BRUINS WIN!!

2011-05-28T20:54:00.000-04:00

It all starts with Rene...

Sweet Victory!!

Camp Bournedale

2011-05-25T14:58:00.000-04:00

Last Reminder!!

Camp Bournedale info is due this Friday, May 27th!!

Family Picnic!!

2011-05-25T14:57:00.000-04:00

Don't forget! The Family Picnic is next Wednesday from 6-8pm!

It should be fun!

Family Math Night

2011-05-25T14:52:00.000-04:00

Check out Family Math Night

New Math Fact Practice

2011-05-02T11:50:00.002-04:00

Try it out!

www.playkidsgames.com/games/mathfact/mathFact.htm

Check out what's up in the Midwest!

2011-04-11T11:59:00.000-04:00

http://www.accuweather.com/blogs/news/story/48220/more-strong-storms-tornadoes-t.asp

Frindle tomorrow!!

2011-04-04T08:03:00.000-04:00

The fourth grade is lucky enough to be heading to see a live performance of Frindle in Chelmsford tomorrow!! The show is at 9:30am. We will be leaving at 8:30am and be back for lunch!

First Grade Buddies

2011-04-01T14:32:00.002-04:00

Today, we spent time working on "echo" and "choral" reading with our first grade buddies from room 107. We did a great job and had some fun!

Check out the poems we read:
Counting Senses

I see with my eyes,

I hear with my ears,

Two eyes, two ears.

I taste with my mouth,

I smell with my nose,

One mouth, one nose.

I touch with my hands,

I feel with my toes,

Two hands, ten toes.

My senses tell me

I’m truly alive.

Senses, one, two, three, four, five!

- Risa Jordan

Unpredictable April
April can be cold and blowy,
April can be warm.
We can have an April heat wave
or an April storm!
- Helen H. Moore

Math Playground- how cool!

2011-03-29T09:25:00.001-04:00

Take 2!

Check it out!

This is your new homework site:

http://www.mathplayground.com/

There are math facts practice, word problems, brain teasers.....Check out "grand slam" for multiplication and division..it's awesome!

Don't forget to tell me what you did on your sheet!

New Math Website

2011-03-22T10:40:00.002-04:00

Next week, your homework in math will be to go on to this website for some math practice. Try it out now if you want!!

http://www.ixl.com/math/grade-4

Big Day Tomorrow!

2011-03-21T10:15:00.000-04:00

The MCAS long composition is tomorrow!

Get a good night sleep tonight and you'll be ready to "Write a story about a time..."

You are ready!! Go get 'em!

States and Capitals Practice Games!!

2011-03-15T11:37:00.002-04:00

Check out this site for lots of practice on your states and capitals..you can select the Southern States region to practice the Southeast!!

http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/web_games.htm

Meet my friend!!

2011-02-28T17:24:00.000-05:00

The new friend I met in Puerto Rico sends a message..He says, "Study your math facts!!!"

MCBA vote!!

2011-02-17T08:00:00.000-05:00

The tentative date for the MCBA vote is Wed. March 9th. That gives you all of vacation and a week after to finish up a book!

We are so proud of all our readers!!

Calling all INVENTORS!!

2011-02-17T07:58:00.002-05:00

Our Invention Convention will be held this Friday, February 18 @ 8:30am in the caf.

All are welcome!!

Chinese New Year and Yin Yu Tang

2011-02-11T15:47:00.009-05:00

Claymations

Field trip Friday!!

2011-02-07T12:33:00.003-05:00

We are very excited for our field trip up to the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem , MA on Friday. We will visit the Yin Yu Tang house....an over 200 year old house moved here piece by piece from China...

Please pack a bagged lunch on Friday!

A Warm Welcome to Our Newest Addition!!

2011-02-01T13:35:00.002-05:00

Gung Hay Fat Choy!

2011-01-31T16:10:00.002-05:00

Happy Chinese New Year on Thursday, February 3rd!!

Be on the look out for photos from our celebration!!

Biography book reports

2011-01-31T10:06:00.002-05:00

Awesome job on all of your biography book reports!! Bravo! I am so proud!!

Re-post: No Friday Folders this week!

2011-01-31T10:01:00.000-05:00

Dear Families,

This week Friday Folders will not be going home on Friday. Mrs. Olshaw and I will be out at a conference learning about India to help us to prepare for our trip this summer!!!! It was rescheduled from our snow day on January 21st!!

I will do my best to check all homework on Monday and send the folders home then. Please return them on Tuesday.

Thanks so much!!

This week's Friday Folders

2011-01-19T10:10:00.000-05:00

Dear Families,

This week Friday Folders will not be going home on Friday. Mrs. Olshaw and I will be out at a conference learning about India to help us to prepare for our trip this summer!!!!

I will do my best to check all homework on Monday and send the folders home then. Please return them on Tuesday.

Thanks so much!!

Our Giving Fourth Graders!

2011-01-02T15:58:00.001-05:00

Check out the basket our fourth graders put together for the WCSC...

Thanks to our responsible students, a family enjoyed a delicious holiday meal. Isn't this what the holiday season is all about?

Holiday Festivities!

2011-01-02T15:36:00.014-05:00

Our tree!!

Yummy snack!!

Mr. Weinberg!!

LIMBO!

2010-12-23T10:12:00.002-05:00

We should all be so proud...we sent a llama and a basket of hope (rabbits and chickens) to a world community in need!!

Happy Holidays to all!!

Heifer Donation Completed!

2010-12-23T10:11:00.002-05:00

Thank you! Your generosity just sparked a cycle of giving...

...a cycle that will transform lives for generations to come. Heifer recipients receive months of training in how to care for their animal; sell the milk, eggs or other products at market; and restore the environment. Passing on this knowledge as well as the offspring of the gift animal is at the heart of Heifer's model which has been ending hunger and poverty for over 60 years.

Heifer International

2010-12-08T10:05:00.001-05:00

Giving the Gift of Life this Holiday Season!

Please see the hand out coming home in the backpack folders about our giving fourth graders!
http://www.heiferinternational.org/

Band Rehearsal on Tuesday, December 7th!!

2010-12-03T14:39:00.003-05:00

Please, remember to bring your instrument!!

Celebrating Hanukkah!

2010-12-03T14:32:00.008-05:00

Today, we learned about Hanukkah and played dreidel...then, we wrote about our new experiences!

Book Fair!!

2010-12-01T12:36:00.002-05:00

Don't forget!! Our book fair day is tomorrow! If you would like to bring in some money to purchase a book, tomorrow (Thursday) is the day!!

Newsletters

2010-11-15T09:46:00.002-05:00

Hi!

For folks who receive the Memorial School Newsletter, they went home with your students today. Last week was such a funny week with Thursday off so we didn't receive the letters until late Friday afternoon. They are in your students' backpacks now though!

Veterans' Day Assembly

2010-11-09T14:57:00.001-05:00

Come and check out our Veterans' Day Assembly tomorrow at 8:40am! We have been working really hard! All are welcome!