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We welcomed Ms. Chelsea to the class today. She is currently studying to be an elementary teacher and will be completing her Practicum with our class during the Spring semester. We are very excited to have her on board

Science: Miah opened class with prayer this morning. We read a devotional from Louie Giglio about the Ozone layer and how its protective nature is similar to the way Jesus protects us when we abide in Him. We reviewed our reading about the layers of the Earth’s atmosphere by completing fill-in-the-blank notes. Then, each table team took on a layer (Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, or Thermosphere) and filled out notecards with written or drawn facts about their layer. We used shades of blue paper to depict each layer and then students presented the notecards as they added them to the papers. We listened to a song about the atmosphere while we worked and then watched a short video to catch any facts we might have missed. We added arrows to show how the temperature rises or lowers in each layer. Using our hands, we repeated the layers visually. Then, we were off to the rally with our crazy hair!

Geography: After the flag salute, we read Sebastien’s clue card that led us to New Zealand! We discussed our country projects and then dove into the landmarks of South America. Each table team was given 4 landmarks with pictures and info to review and master. Then, they selected one to present to the class. South America is really filled with amazing beauty! When the presentations were completed, we began our world landmark BINGO game. The students had really grown in their familiarity from last time. On several occasions I could name the country the landmark was found in and the students could guess the landmark - wow! Each BINGO got a trip to the treasure chest. We finished off the class singing Happy Birthday to Sebastien and enjoying the donuts his mother brought to celebrate.

IEW: Today was our one-on-one day for Pecos Bill. I had corrected the rough drafts from section I and the students had completed the rough draft for section II for homework. I met with each student who had brought their work and reviewed their writing, walking them through the details of what was needed to be successful in the final draft. The final draft is due next week, which means there will be no review of section III. Parents, please review your students section III at home. Structurally it is the same as section II. There are no added elements (besides making sure their title reflects words in the clincher), but it is always helpful to have another eye. The checklist I will be using is on page 70. I encouraged the students to use this checklist as they do their drafts. If it would benefit your student to complete only part of the assignment (one section perhaps), please let me know and I will edit the rubric to reflect your student’s goals. We have a wide range of students in age and ability and I want to see them all grow! While I was meeting one-on-one, the students worked with their table teams to complete the rough draft for section III, get started on brainstorming for their draft (p. 68), created an illustration to add to their story and played a question bag game to review the things we have learned this year (banned words, similes, parts of a story, etc). The drafts I have read are very creative so far - I am excited to read the final part