Sparks' Notes
01-19-15
What We Are Learning This Week
Great Expectation Life Principle: Dependability
Math: Place Value, Addition, & Subtraction - Test Wed. (Zondle Review / Kahoot Review) / Thur. & Fri.: Fractions (Homework - will be posted on Thursday)
Writing: Expository - Adding reasons with specific details and examples
Reading: Connections Between Texts
(Homework: Read 20 minutes a night)
Language: Homophones & Idioms
Spelling: Prefixes and Suffixes
(Homework: Spelling Contract - 30 points)
Science: Water Cycle & Moon Phases
Social Studies: Texas Revolution - Finishing Up Academic Fair books
Be sure to check out our YouTube channel for helpful math & spelling videos!
Library on Tuesday. Don't forget your books!
Chromebook Care
- Chargers should be plugged in straight on with the rounded end of the adapter facing up. Trying to go at an angle can break the charger or Chromebook itself.
- Please be sure to keep case free and clean. Stickers and moisture can damage devices.
- Determine a fixed spot to plug in your Chromebook EVERY night so that it is charged and ready to go the next day. We have found that this step is crucial to keeping your Chromebook working properly. Keep your charger in your laptop bag when not charging.
- Make sure you bring your Chromebook every day. This is an essential school supply, not an extra.
You've Won the Homework Lottery!
Congratulations to these students for showing responsibility! Each will receive a scratch-off Homework Lottery Ticket.
Chase, Cody, Danny, Kayla, Kaylin, Talia, Sydni, Celeste, Belle, Emily, Aidan, & Kylee
Important!!! Be Sure to Join Us On:
Edmodo - Our Communication System & Protected Learning System
Go to www.edmodo.com.
Have your student sign in. (Username and password are inside front agenda cover.)
Scroll down the left side of the page until you see Parent Code. Write this code down.
Logout (upper right corner, click on “Me” and select Logout).
Go to www.edmodo.com and select “I’m a Parent” (under blue box that reads “I’m a Teacher”).
Enter your student’s code and set up your account.
Make sure to go Account (upper right corner, click on “Me”) and select "Settings". You can select to have email or text alerts for specific items.
Congratulations to these students for already signing up their parents!
*****Emma, Jesse, Chase, Maryori, Cody, Kayla, Kaylin,*****
*****Talia, Sydni, Celeste, Belle, Malik, & Aidan*****
On our Edmodo site, you can see:
Daily agenda (planner/calendar)
Homework links (Folder->Classroom Information)
Student progress
Assignments
Subject area links
Classroom pictures
Morning Reading Tutorials
Students who are attending both reading and math may simply alternate days.
If you student did not get a green permission slip and you feel s/he might benefit, please let me know.
Morning Math Tutorials
Students who are attending both reading and math may simply alternate days.
Permission slips will be in this week's Tuesday folder. If you student does not get a permission slip and you feel s/he might benefit, please let me know.
After School Tutorials
Parent Homework
Please do the following with your child:
Check and sign agenda nightly.
Check and sign reading log nightly.
Check that math and spelling homework are completed nightly.
Make sure that your child's computer is charged nightly (check that charger is plugged in correctly) and with her/him each moring as s/he leaves.
Look through Tuesday folder and sign and return the next day (keep the work).
Check out our YouTube Channel for helpful videos.
Sign & return progress reports (every three weeks) and report cards (every nine weeks). A clean copy with be sent home for you to keep.
This Week's Spelling Skill and Rules
Each child needs her/his own set of earbuds or earphones to listen to the spelling test on Friday.
Skill: Prefixes & Suffixes
- disconnect
- disagree
- disappear
- dishonest
- dislike
- prepare
- prevent
- prepay
- pretest
- premature
- champion
- ambition
- suspicion
- enjoyment
- movement
- replacement
- friendly
- monthly
- daily
- quickly
Spelling tests will be in cursive. Students will be allowed to write in both print and cursive for about six weeks as we transition to this new skill. I have created and posted cursive handwriting video tutorials in Edmodo in the Handwriting and Homework Links folders as well as on our YouTube channel.
Dates to Remember
Tuesday, Jan. 27th
Academic Fair at 6:00 pm
*We have been researching events from the Texas Revolution and are writing non-fiction books. If students would also like to build models (many are focusing on the Alamo) to share as well, they are welcome to do so. :-)
Week of Feb. 9th - 13th
Book Fair
Tuesday, Feb. 10th
Muffins for Mom 7:00 am
Monday, Feb. 16th
President's Day - Student Holiday
Wednesday, Feb. 18th
3rd & 4th grade reading benchmark tests
Thursday, Feb. 19th
3rd & 4th grade reading & 5th grade science benchmark tests
Tuesday, Feb. 24th
3rd Grade Choir Performance at 6:00 pm
Friday, Feb. 27th
Early Release at 11:20 am due to afternoon staff development
WANTED: Used Dryer Sheets
WANTED: Old Smart Phones or Tablets
WANTED: Old Scrabble Tiles
Michelle Sparks
Lunch: 11:20-11:50
Recess: 11:50-12:05
Email: msparks@leisd.ws
Website: www.edmodo.com/mbsparks
Location: 2600 Hart Rd, Little Elm, TX, United States
Phone: (972) 294-1670 172
Twitter: @mrssparks502