Merry Christmas

To all those who celebrate, I'd like to wish a very Merry Christmas to each of you.  I hope you find a little time to relax with the family and to let them know how much they mean to you.  Merry Christmas to all!

When I woke up this morning, I saw Santa sitting on my fireplace and I caught a picture of him :)

Winter Break and Extra Credit

Happy Winter Break!  While these last few weeks have been challenging with everything going on, I have never been more proud to be a part of Oswego School District and more importantly, Lakewood Creek.  Thank you all very much for the extra kind words the last few weeks.  I would also like to thank all those parents who were able to contribute to the Character Counts project of sending gifts to less fortunate children.  I know the students were so excited to know they could help! 

Each student received a sheet on Thursday showing some extra credit opportunities over break.  I also told the students I'd put a couple "easier" links here so they wouldn't have to seach back into other posts.  Here's some quick links:

1.  X Grand Prix (Racing game):
http://www.arcademics.com/games/grand_prix/grand_prix.html

2.  Printable X Timed Tests:
http://www.math-drills.com/multiplication.shtml
      Scroll down to the very bottom and find this:  Multiplying With 1 to 9 (Range 1 to 10)
      Click on letter A-J to get a test.

3.  Social Studies Roanoke-Links to help with research:
http://www.kidinfo.com/american_history/colonization_roanoke.html

A Few Updates...

Tonight is LC Night at Oswego High School!  The first game (coached by Mr. Harris and Mr. Wiemann) begins at 5:00.  It is also a "white-out" request, so please wear white if possible.

In addition, the book review page will be updated by early next week so you can keep up with what your son/daughter has been reading on their own and how they feel about the books. 

More importantly, some snowflakes are taped up outside the office doors.  Each snowflake has the name of a child from a local shelter.  On the back it states the gender/age along with a few simple requests for gifts for the holidays.  I know not everyone is in a position to give due to financial restraints.  However, please truly consider having your child grab a snowflake (or 2 or 3) and getting a gift for that child.  It's a great feeling for the children both giving and receiving!  I can fully speak for both sides since throughout my childhood, my family was the one receiving the gifts at the shelter.  Going from that situation to the one I'm currently in has been quite a journey, and I'm so grateful to work in the community I do, with families that can help others.

Lakewood Creek Night at OHS...November 30th

Come enjoy a free girls' High School basketball game on Friday, November 30th, at OHS.  The Sophomore team, coached by Mr. Harris and Mr. Wiemann (2 LC teachers) will start their game at 5:00 and Varsity will be right after them.  The best news is that if you bring the yellow sheet that went home last week, the entire family will get in FREE :)  If you need another sheet or have any questions, let me know!

Free Math Apps for iPhone/iPad

For the next TWO DAYS ONLY, you can get a free Beat the Computer App for your iPhone/iPad.  It's like electronic flashcards basically, but now your child can practice their facts on the go or while waiting for their siblings' sports practice to end!!!  Here's a link:
https://www.mheonline.com/apps/final_info/everyday_mathematicsbeat_the_computer_multiplication/ipad

Just go to the right where it says "Available on the App Store" and find it from there.  You can also just get it straight through iTunes if you want.  Great resource!

BTW, conference times will be coming home either Thursday or Friday this week with your exact time.  Thanks!

Math Multiplication Resources...

Hopefully by now you should have heard your student talk about the Multiplication tests we have been taking in class.  Up until Thanksgiving break, we will continue to test over only the "easy facts" which include x0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10.  This is any problem involving one of these numbers as a factor (so yes, 8x4=32 is included)!  Well, I know how frustrating it is to find resources to help your child improve their speed and accuracy with these facts.  Here's a couple of links that might help you out:

1.  The actual timed tests I use in class can be found at this link:
http://www.math-drills.com/multiplication.shtml
      -Scroll down to the last section that says CUSTOM MADE and find the section with factors 1-5 (with a range 1-10 as the other factor). 
      -Print off the tests and set a timer (even on the microwave) for 3 minutes and see how far they can get!

2. Here's a link to this game Math Magician we play as a class on a regular basis.  They can click on a specific fact family until they master it:
 http://www.oswego.org/ocsd-web/games/Mathmagician/mathsmulti.html

3. Here's a link to my old website with a few other games.  Unfortunately, these games should really only be played once they master all their facts up to 10x10:
http://mysite.oswego308.org/schools/lc/staff.asp?EID=2146&ID=12691

4.  Go to the Dollar Store and buy X Flashcards.  Use the cards any way you see fit (drill style, come up with a game, set up incentives, make a "mastered" pile and a "work on" pile, etc).

Oooopppsss...

So I tried to make a post on my cell phone last night...not so successful.  Sorry for the computer codes that came through and made you think your computer/phone had a virus :).
Anyway, I was just trying to remind you that the Solar System Projects and reports are due TODAY!!!  I had a substitute on Friday, so I didn't get a chance to remind the students, SORRY!  If they forget it today, I'll let it slide until tomorrow.  Thanks for working hard with your kids on those projects, and I'm excited to learn a lot about the solar system!

BFG Video

Hey Hey!!!

We had an AMAZING party today in class!  Just being able to "chill out" in our PJs and read a book in the Lounge was phenomenal!  The nachos were a success and the video captured our imaginations!  With that being said, we obviously didn't get to watch all 90 minute video (we watched 32 minutes, so some of the students asked if I would send the link, so here it is:

Solar System Project

Solar System project!
The other day all of the information needed for their solar system project came home for you to read through. Tomorrow, Wednesday, September 26th, topic form is due. October 15th, the project is due. I stressed to them that it is important to get started right away and not wait until the last minute. The project is a major part of their science grade for first quarter, it is really important that your child completes this on their own to the best of their ability. It is a big project but it is also very interesting, so have FUN!!!  We talked about ways to make the project their own (instead of you, the parent, doing all the work).  Please know their grade will be based WAYYYYYY more on their knowledge/facts/resource vs. "cuteness."  I am hoping to do a little research with the students in the computer lab, but we can't get in there until next week.  I appreciate the support and the holding-back from doing the project for them, but rather making this an educational research based project!

Other news:

-Please continue to remind your student to check on the Moon.  I know it's hard to find sometimes, but you can find the phases online as well just by "googling" moon phases calendar.

-The class party will be THIS Friday, despite what the note said, which EVERY student so "kindly" let me know :)  I'm excited to relax on Friday afternoon!

-The Field Trip is still scheduled on October 3rd and all volunteers have been selected and notified.  If you were chosen and can NOT make it, please email me ASAP. 

Sorry for the VERY LONG first post, but hopefully it's successful!

WELCOME TO 2012-2013 SCHOOL YEAR!!!

YEAH!

The school year is finally here!!!  You have successfully found the blogsite, so congratulations on that!  Please follow the directions on the note by entering your email address under the sign up section on the top left side of this page so you can receive email updates with reminders/notes.  Don't worry, I won't overdo it :)  Can't wait to see where this year takes us, and let me know if you have any questions about anything.