Parents often have a lot of questions about the Common Core State Standards. It is a hot issue right now, so naturally, there are many misconceptions about what these standards actually are. The Common Core Standards are clear and rigorous expectations about what students need to be able to learn and do at each grade level in order to be college and career ready. They build on each other and encourage critical thinking. These goals don't specify how a lesson should be taught, but rather what a student needs to be able to do by the end of a lesson. Check out this link to learn more about the Common Core Standards.
Here is another video with an explanation of the reasoning behind the standards:
The kids have been working very hard this week on their end-of-year assessments! We have been taking some extra recess time to celebrate our learning and hard work!
Last Friday we visited the Science Center of Iowa in Des Moines. We had an absolute blast! We saw a Shark iMAX movie, a Fire and Ice Show, went into a bat cave, and even rode an escalator! I tried to get pictures of everyone and everything but there was just too much to see. It was an amazing and unforgettable day!
The girls got a ride on a humungous elevator for VIPs only!
Doing some cooking'!
Looking at themselves on the TV!
Getting ready for the iMAX…I think some people were a little nervous. :)
I had bought a car kit on clearance a few months ago. It looked too complicated for me so I planned on bringing it home to have my husband put together but I had forgotten about it in the back of my closet. A few weeks ago one of the students spotted it and asked if they could put it together. I was a little apprehensive about parts getting lost but I went ahead a let them. Wow! I was blown away! A team of three of them had that car put together in about 10 minutes. I was very impressed as it had many parts and a batter-run light. Great job kiddos!
Miss Jodi, the Lucas County Naturalist, visits us once a month. The kids adore her and we always learn so many things! This month she talked about Earth Day. The kids made posters to help others learn about the importance of taking care of the Earth. One winner will be selected from each grade and will have their poster displayed at the Nature Center. I think ours turned out pretty great!
There's a recycling truck hiding under that arm.
Earth Day…and every day! :)
Hard at work for our Earth
Love those labels…future non-fiction author right there!
Sorry for the delay in getting this posted! Thank you for all your help with making our Flat Stanley Day fun and meaningful to the kids. The Stanleys had a great time but are happy to be back home with their real families.
Back from Colorado, Boone, & Idaho
Back from Missouri & Milo
Back from California….with a glowing tan and a new wardrobe!
Thanks for all who were able to attend and share our learning with us1
We have been having a good time these past few weeks watching our plants grow! We learned all about different types of seeds and the different ways that they travel. We even dissected a seed! The students are excited for their flowers to bloom.
Today each student brought home their log-in information for www.iXL.com. It is a wonderful website that allows the kids to review and practice math and language arts skills. I signed our class up for a free trial during the month of April. We will be working on this site a couple times a week at school. The students are also able to work on it at home as well with their log-in code. I encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity and get the kids on there as much possible.
Here is the link: http://www.ixl.com. Let me know if you need your student's log-in information again.
We had a great time celebrating April Fool's Day today! I had a great time getting the kids with my April Fool's Joke...ever heard of the Lirpaloof? It's a very elusive bird that you can only see in the beginning of April by going outside, waving a carrot in the air, and singing loudly. Check it out!
