Week 15

Another day of winter weather warnings at CC!  I hope you all are enjoying our small snow event.  We missed Sydney again this week, but enjoyed having another visitor in class.  We had fun walking through the steps of the scientific method to perform our experiments on inertia.  Our fine arts segment produced some wonderful Monet-like canvases, which I am sure will be lining the walls of your homes.  Lots of informative presentations were shared with very clear points that the audience could pick out and remember.  No presentations are due next week.  We will spend that time discussing another type of presentation.  Stay warm and stay well!  See you all next week.  Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

Week 14

Even though Sydney was out due to illness in the Wray household (Hope everyone is feeling better soon.), we still had a full house with our visitor, Sophia.  We talked about informative speeches and walked through the process of choosing a topic and 3 main points to cover about that topic.  We practiced an introduction and conclusion that stated and restated our 3 main points and discussed how the body of our presentation would contain more information about each of our 3 points.  Please prepare a 2-3 minute informative speech on the topic of your choice to share in class next week.  Remember, the audience should be able to easily identify your 3 main points.  Please let me know if you have questions or concerns.  Hope you all have a good week and enjoy our snow :).
Rhonda

Week 12

Well, it's official - we have finished first semester!  I have so enjoyed our time together each week and look forward to seeing you all after the break.  Thank you to for all the goodies I received in class:  yummy hot cocoa mix, Panera gift card, Chick-fil-a calendar & candy, beautiful, decorative apple.  I pray that each of your families has a wonderful Thanksgiving and blessed Christmas.  See you next year (literally since we reconvene in 2014)!
Rhonda

P.S.  Below is the recipe for the yummy Cowboy Cookies that Hannah shared with us in class.

Cowboy Cookies
1 1/3 cups quick oats
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)
1 cup chocolate chips
1 1/3 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1 stick butter or margarine, melted
1 egg, slightly beaten
1 tsp. vanilla

Mix thoroughly until blended.  You will need to use your hands to finish mixing.  Shape into balls about the size of walnuts.  Bake at 350 for 11-13 minutes.  Cool on rack for 5 minutes.

Week 11

Well, we are down to the end of first semester...so hard to believe!  It was great to have everyone back in class this week and I pray that everyone stays healthy.  We wrapped up our presentation skills with a review of all the skills we have covered this semester.  Please prepare a 2 - 3 minute presentation for next week on the topic of your choice and try to incorporate as many of these skills as you can.  We had time for a lengthy multiplication review (with flashcards) and I can see some building confidence.  Continue to use whatever method works at home (flashcards, apps, games, etc.) to increase recall of these facts.  I hope you all have a great week.  See you next Tuesday.
Rhonda

Week 10

Wow!  We were a smaller group today...we missed Jessica, Rachel and Sydney.  I hope you are all feeling better soon.  Our science project time was a blast, literally!  We had fun launching film canister rockets (fueled by Alka Seltzer).  Another added treat was creating the phases of the moon on Oreo cookies.  Several students wanted to play a solo during tin whistle and did a great job.  No presentations are due next week.  We will review all of our presentation skills covered this semester.  Mrs. Zielny announced during opening that next week is Wacky Tacky day...can't wait to see all the lovely outfits!  I hope you all have a great week.  See you next Tuesday.
Rhonda

Week 9

We missed you today Abby!  I sure hope you are feeling better soon.

Despite the cloudy weather, our sun print activity went well.  During our presentation time, we practiced the art of persuasion and discussed how inflection changes the meaning of our words or messages.  Please prepare a 2-3 minute presentation for next week that concentrates on the impact of inflection and the art of persuasion.  Your presentation should persuade the audience to believe in something...a good book you've read, a hobby or activity that you enjoy, a place you have visited, etc.  Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns.  Have a great week!
Rhonda

Week 8

Another great day of learning and fun with your crew!  No presentations are due next week, we will continue to add some more presentation "tools" to our "toolbox."  Tin whistle time continues to move right along.  They are really sounding quite nice.  Try to work in some multiplication review at home if possible.  Flashcards are always great, but there are also several interactive options available also (Math Bingo, Multi Flow, etc.).  I hope you all have a great week.  See you Tuesday.
Rhonda