Monday, November 7, 2011
Responsibility video
This week's lifeskill is responsibility!
Here is a video explaining what responsibility is all about!
Here is a video explaining what responsibility is all about!
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Red Ribbon week video
This week is Red Ribbon Week in our schools. Let's always remember to be drug and alcohol-free and to be proud!
Monday, October 3, 2011
Spelling Words for week of Oct.3-6
Here are this week's Spelling words: (the focus is on the long "e" sound)
1) beam
2) tea
3) chief
4) squeak
5) peep
6) weep
7) sleek
8) heal
9) tease
10) thief
11) deal
12) please
13) leak
14) league
15) reef
16) deed
17) feet
18) breathe
19) speech
20) wheeze
Bonus
1) neigh
2) pale
3) bail
4) freedom
5) appeal
1) beam
2) tea
3) chief
4) squeak
5) peep
6) weep
7) sleek
8) heal
9) tease
10) thief
11) deal
12) please
13) leak
14) league
15) reef
16) deed
17) feet
18) breathe
19) speech
20) wheeze
Bonus
1) neigh
2) pale
3) bail
4) freedom
5) appeal
Monday, October 3
HOMEWORK: SPELLING WORKSHEET P. 15 (P.13 IS NOT HOMEWORK)
Hello Lodge Parents and Guardians,
It has been over a week since I last posted on the blog. I apologize to those people who faithfully read my blog. We had a Word Wisdom quiz last Friday over Unit 1, Part 3. If your child did not bring home their quiz grade today, they should tomorrow. I forgot to pass out the quizzes to my last two groups. Students also received participation grades for completing their Word Wisdom workbooks on time. I try to go over this homework in class as well, so they can change their answers if needed.
Last week, I introduced to them an interactive website called "Quizlet." If you type that word into Google, you will be able to go to the website. It is a neat tool to use to learn vocabulary or spelling words. You can create your own flash cards to help review, or you can do a few interactive games and activities. I will try to use some of them in the classroom for the students to help review for quizzes and tests. Last week, we also spent several days on Science as we looked at images of landforms and wrote in our packets how we thought they were formed. We also did a couple of readings in our classroom set of "Earth's Materials" textbooks. The students read the assigned sections with their groupings and they do study questions together. This was a bit of a change of pace from the last time we had science, when we had some lab time with the sand, water, etc. I know some parents are interested in coming in to help. I will keep you updated for the next time to come in to help.
For this week, the students were told today that they will have a Spelling test on Thursday (no school Friday!) and most likely will have a test on Verbs Friday. I am planning a review session Wednesday during class, and we should be ready to test by Thursday. If something changes, I will let you know. I will put the Spelling list on the next blog. Have a great evening!
HOMEWORK: SPELLING WORKSHEET P. 15 (P.13 IS NOT HOMEWORK)
Hello Lodge Parents and Guardians,
It has been over a week since I last posted on the blog. I apologize to those people who faithfully read my blog. We had a Word Wisdom quiz last Friday over Unit 1, Part 3. If your child did not bring home their quiz grade today, they should tomorrow. I forgot to pass out the quizzes to my last two groups. Students also received participation grades for completing their Word Wisdom workbooks on time. I try to go over this homework in class as well, so they can change their answers if needed.
Last week, I introduced to them an interactive website called "Quizlet." If you type that word into Google, you will be able to go to the website. It is a neat tool to use to learn vocabulary or spelling words. You can create your own flash cards to help review, or you can do a few interactive games and activities. I will try to use some of them in the classroom for the students to help review for quizzes and tests. Last week, we also spent several days on Science as we looked at images of landforms and wrote in our packets how we thought they were formed. We also did a couple of readings in our classroom set of "Earth's Materials" textbooks. The students read the assigned sections with their groupings and they do study questions together. This was a bit of a change of pace from the last time we had science, when we had some lab time with the sand, water, etc. I know some parents are interested in coming in to help. I will keep you updated for the next time to come in to help.
For this week, the students were told today that they will have a Spelling test on Thursday (no school Friday!) and most likely will have a test on Verbs Friday. I am planning a review session Wednesday during class, and we should be ready to test by Thursday. If something changes, I will let you know. I will put the Spelling list on the next blog. Have a great evening!
HOMEWORK: SPELLING WORKSHEET P. 15 (P.13 IS NOT HOMEWORK)
Friday, September 23, 2011
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Self-Discipline Quote
The first President of the United States, George Washington, once said, "Nothing is more harmful to the service, than the neglect of discipline; for that discipline, more than numbers, gives one army superiority over another."
Many students and people know of President George Washington because his birthday is celebrated nationally, because he was the first President of the United States, and he is on the dollar bill and quarter.
What many people and students do not know was Washington's character as a leader. This quote is extremely relevant to today because we must first have discipline before we can accomplish our goals, whether it be in the classroom, on the athletic field, or in our careers and families.
This week is Self-Discipline week at Lodge. Let us remember President Washington's quote with sincerity.
Many students and people know of President George Washington because his birthday is celebrated nationally, because he was the first President of the United States, and he is on the dollar bill and quarter.
What many people and students do not know was Washington's character as a leader. This quote is extremely relevant to today because we must first have discipline before we can accomplish our goals, whether it be in the classroom, on the athletic field, or in our careers and families.
This week is Self-Discipline week at Lodge. Let us remember President Washington's quote with sincerity.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Wednesday, September 21
TONIGHT'S HOMEWORK (DUE THURSDAY): SPELLING WORKSHEET PP.10-11 (WRITING SECTION ON BACK IS BONUS)
Good afternoon Lodge parents and families,
Today we continued our substantial language arts unit that encompasses narrative writing, which is a type of non-fiction writing (Indiana DOE Standard 4.5.1). Yesterday, students listened to me read an example of narrative writing, entitled "Under the Sea." We discussed the writer's purpose of the narrative, and students were able to understand that the purpose was to discuss their amazing scuba diving experience.
In today's lesson, I displayed a graphic organizer onto the Promethean Board and the students copied this into their Language Arts notebook. They discussed and wrote about what they thought was meaningful in the narrative, what vivid details the author used, what they thought was interesting, and explained whether or not they thought the writer stayed focused in their writing. I discussed the importance of staying on topic when writing a major paper. Students will be using this graphic organizer to help generate ideas for a personal narrative that they will write. This will be the first major paper of the school year.
Please encourage the students' writing at home. We have been working diligently by looking at narrative examples, and we have created individual narratives through writing prompts and selected topics. They appear to be enjoying the writing process thus far.
For grammar, we progressed with our learning of the verb skill (Indiana DOE Standard 4.6.3 and 4.6.4). Today, we discovered new ways to say the word "said." We use the word "said" redundantly, especially when using dialogue. For example, instead of saying, "Bobby!! It's time to wake up!" said mother, we could say, "Bobby!! It's time to wake up!" shouted mother.
Students had Spelling homework tonight. See the homework assignment at the beginning and the end of this post. The Spelling test will be on Friday. Have a great evening!
~Mr. Polk
TONIGHT'S HOMEWORK (DUE THURSDAY): SPELLING WORKSHEET PP.10-11 (WRITING SECTION ON BACK IS BONUS)
Good afternoon Lodge parents and families,
Today we continued our substantial language arts unit that encompasses narrative writing, which is a type of non-fiction writing (Indiana DOE Standard 4.5.1). Yesterday, students listened to me read an example of narrative writing, entitled "Under the Sea." We discussed the writer's purpose of the narrative, and students were able to understand that the purpose was to discuss their amazing scuba diving experience.
In today's lesson, I displayed a graphic organizer onto the Promethean Board and the students copied this into their Language Arts notebook. They discussed and wrote about what they thought was meaningful in the narrative, what vivid details the author used, what they thought was interesting, and explained whether or not they thought the writer stayed focused in their writing. I discussed the importance of staying on topic when writing a major paper. Students will be using this graphic organizer to help generate ideas for a personal narrative that they will write. This will be the first major paper of the school year.
Please encourage the students' writing at home. We have been working diligently by looking at narrative examples, and we have created individual narratives through writing prompts and selected topics. They appear to be enjoying the writing process thus far.
For grammar, we progressed with our learning of the verb skill (Indiana DOE Standard 4.6.3 and 4.6.4). Today, we discovered new ways to say the word "said." We use the word "said" redundantly, especially when using dialogue. For example, instead of saying, "Bobby!! It's time to wake up!" said mother, we could say, "Bobby!! It's time to wake up!" shouted mother.
Students had Spelling homework tonight. See the homework assignment at the beginning and the end of this post. The Spelling test will be on Friday. Have a great evening!
~Mr. Polk
TONIGHT'S HOMEWORK (DUE THURSDAY): SPELLING WORKSHEET PP.10-11 (WRITING SECTION ON BACK IS BONUS)
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Spelling List for Week of Sept.19-23
The Spelling list for the week was sent home with students yesterday. You may keep that sheet as a study guide for Friday's test.
Here are the Spelling words for this week. The focus is on the long "a" sound, such as in the word "cake."
1) pale
2) face
3) crate
4) clay
5) stray
6) cane
7) slate
8) today
9) bail
10) rail
11) break
12) ache
13) drain
14) faint
15) flame
16) claim
17) steak
18) neigh
19) mane
20) graze
Bonus
1) grim
2) plum
3) cash
4) neighbor
5) railway
Here are the Spelling words for this week. The focus is on the long "a" sound, such as in the word "cake."
1) pale
2) face
3) crate
4) clay
5) stray
6) cane
7) slate
8) today
9) bail
10) rail
11) break
12) ache
13) drain
14) faint
15) flame
16) claim
17) steak
18) neigh
19) mane
20) graze
Bonus
1) grim
2) plum
3) cash
4) neighbor
5) railway
Homework from Monday/Tuesday
Monday's homework was the narrative worksheet p. 27.
Students finished their lab report from Friday's Science Water Table lab yesterday. We began narrative writing and students received the Spelling list. A test will be on Friday. I will post the list later today.
Today, we are continuing our work on narrative writing. We are also working on the verb skill for language arts and grammar.
Tonight's homework (due Tuesday) is Spelling Worksheet p. 9.
Students finished their lab report from Friday's Science Water Table lab yesterday. We began narrative writing and students received the Spelling list. A test will be on Friday. I will post the list later today.
Today, we are continuing our work on narrative writing. We are also working on the verb skill for language arts and grammar.
Tonight's homework (due Tuesday) is Spelling Worksheet p. 9.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Wednesday, September 14
HOMEWORK FROM WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 WAS: WORD WISDOM P. 17 (QUIZ TOMORROW)
SCIENCE WEEK
In class, we are continuing the unit on the Earth's Changing Surface. Students have read from our kit textbook, participated with the Promethean board by looking at slides of landforms, and they receive Polk Pride tickets for coming up to the board to write their answers from the bell ringer. When looking at the slides, they study the picture of the landform, they turn and talk to their group mates about what's going on in the picture, and then they make a sketch of picture, and finally explain the scientific process that is going on in the picture: (erosion, weathering, or deposition). The students did a nice job with their sketches and enjoyed the active assignment.
Students have also been developing their scientific notebooks in class by adding their table of contents and their word bank (science vocabulary words and definitions).
Students need to remember the seven steps of our scientific note-booking process. They are:
1) Question (Focus Question)
2) Prediction
3. Procedure/Plan
4) Observation
5) Claims and Evidence
6) Conclusion
7) Reflection
Students are expected to be ready for a pop-quiz on the seven steps of the note-booking process.
I have been vigorously trying to obtain all of the materials needed for our first real lab in class. I got some more last night at Wal-Mart. I am hoping to have it ready for Friday. If not tomorrow, we will do it early next week (even though it will be Language Arts week).
HOMEWORK FROM WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 WAS: WORD WISDOM P. 17 (QUIZ TOMORROW)
I will post later today for tonight's homework and reminders.
SCIENCE WEEK
In class, we are continuing the unit on the Earth's Changing Surface. Students have read from our kit textbook, participated with the Promethean board by looking at slides of landforms, and they receive Polk Pride tickets for coming up to the board to write their answers from the bell ringer. When looking at the slides, they study the picture of the landform, they turn and talk to their group mates about what's going on in the picture, and then they make a sketch of picture, and finally explain the scientific process that is going on in the picture: (erosion, weathering, or deposition). The students did a nice job with their sketches and enjoyed the active assignment.
Students have also been developing their scientific notebooks in class by adding their table of contents and their word bank (science vocabulary words and definitions).
Students need to remember the seven steps of our scientific note-booking process. They are:
1) Question (Focus Question)
2) Prediction
3. Procedure/Plan
4) Observation
5) Claims and Evidence
6) Conclusion
7) Reflection
Students are expected to be ready for a pop-quiz on the seven steps of the note-booking process.
I have been vigorously trying to obtain all of the materials needed for our first real lab in class. I got some more last night at Wal-Mart. I am hoping to have it ready for Friday. If not tomorrow, we will do it early next week (even though it will be Language Arts week).
HOMEWORK FROM WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 WAS: WORD WISDOM P. 17 (QUIZ TOMORROW)
I will post later today for tonight's homework and reminders.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
HOMEWORK FOR TONIGHT, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2011: WORD WISDOM: P.14 (REMINDER: QUIZ FRIDAY)
Today, we are continuing "Fairness" week. Albert Einstein once said, "I speak to everyone in the same way, whether he is the garbage man or the president of the university."
I think this message is important because even though the duties of the aforementioned jobs vary deeply, they are both truly important. We need to remember to treat each person with respect, the same respect you would want to be treated.
Today, be respectful or say something kind to someone you normally would not.
I will try to post later today whether or not I will need parent volunteers for our science lab later this week.
HOMEWORK FOR TONIGHT, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2011: WORD WISDOM: P.14 (REMINDER: QUIZ FRIDAY)
Today, we are continuing "Fairness" week. Albert Einstein once said, "I speak to everyone in the same way, whether he is the garbage man or the president of the university."
I think this message is important because even though the duties of the aforementioned jobs vary deeply, they are both truly important. We need to remember to treat each person with respect, the same respect you would want to be treated.
Today, be respectful or say something kind to someone you normally would not.
I will try to post later today whether or not I will need parent volunteers for our science lab later this week.
HOMEWORK FOR TONIGHT, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2011: WORD WISDOM: P.14 (REMINDER: QUIZ FRIDAY)
Monday, September 12, 2011
Lifeskill this week: FAIRNESS
Lifeskill this week: FAIRNESS
The lifeskill for this week is FAIRNESS. Eleanor Roosevelt once, "Justice cannot be for one side alone, but must be for both."
We just celebrated the ten-year anniversary of 9/11. I was in high school when this horrific event took place. I remember feeling numbingly shocked, and I felt like time stood still. Nothing at school seemed to matter that day. Classrooms and teachers tuned into the events on CNN and other local news networks. We need to be thankful for the freedoms that we can celebrate each day. Unfortunately, our freedoms were taken away for one day, that has endured for some families for ten years. Make sure, if you have not already, pause, and reflect for those families who lost loved ones on that historic day.
In our schools, today, justice must be for everyone. It doesn't exclude anyone. Eleanor Roosevelt's quote has truly stood the test of time, but we must show it in everything we do. I will be posting some fairness videos that Mrs. Kranning, our school counselor, has shared with us.
~Mr. Polk
The lifeskill for this week is FAIRNESS. Eleanor Roosevelt once, "Justice cannot be for one side alone, but must be for both."
We just celebrated the ten-year anniversary of 9/11. I was in high school when this horrific event took place. I remember feeling numbingly shocked, and I felt like time stood still. Nothing at school seemed to matter that day. Classrooms and teachers tuned into the events on CNN and other local news networks. We need to be thankful for the freedoms that we can celebrate each day. Unfortunately, our freedoms were taken away for one day, that has endured for some families for ten years. Make sure, if you have not already, pause, and reflect for those families who lost loved ones on that historic day.
In our schools, today, justice must be for everyone. It doesn't exclude anyone. Eleanor Roosevelt's quote has truly stood the test of time, but we must show it in everything we do. I will be posting some fairness videos that Mrs. Kranning, our school counselor, has shared with us.
~Mr. Polk
NEW POST!! Monday September 12
HOMEWORK, MONDAY SEPTEMBER 12: Word Wisdom, pp. 12-13, (QUIZ FRIDAY for Word Wisdom Unit 1, Part 2)
SCIENCE WEEK
It has been a week since I have posted. It was a busy week last week for sure! I will try to update daily again.
Last week, we completed our study and review of capitalization, as the students finished with a quiz on Friday. I thought a good number of students did a nice job, but make sure you review with your son/daughter major skills of capitalization, such as not capitalizing minor words in a title i.e. (Back to the Future).
We also continued with writing as we discussed and reviewed topic sentence, and writing supporting details for a topic sentence. We did examples in class and even had homework with this skill one night. Students are expected to be able to write a basic paragraph with a topic sentence, three supporting details, and a concluding sentence. Next week, we are going to take it a step further and begin narrative writing.
In science, we are continuing with the "Earth's Changing Surface" Unit. We are discussing terms such as erosion, sediment, weathering, deposition, and water tables. We will be looking at a landform chapter in the Kit Textbook (stays at school), and we will be looking at landform slides, trying to decide what caused the Earth's surface to change in these slides. We are also preparing a Water Table lab for Wednesday/Thursday of this week. BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR A PARENT HANDOUT INVITING PARENT VOLUNTEERS FOR THE LAB.
Have a great week, and e-mail me with any questions.
~Mr. Polk
ben.polk@evsc.k12.in.us
HOMEWORK: Word Wisdom pp. 12-13 (Word Wisdom Quiz on this Friday 9/16 over Unit 1, Part 2).
SCIENCE WEEK
It has been a week since I have posted. It was a busy week last week for sure! I will try to update daily again.
Last week, we completed our study and review of capitalization, as the students finished with a quiz on Friday. I thought a good number of students did a nice job, but make sure you review with your son/daughter major skills of capitalization, such as not capitalizing minor words in a title i.e. (Back to the Future).
We also continued with writing as we discussed and reviewed topic sentence, and writing supporting details for a topic sentence. We did examples in class and even had homework with this skill one night. Students are expected to be able to write a basic paragraph with a topic sentence, three supporting details, and a concluding sentence. Next week, we are going to take it a step further and begin narrative writing.
In science, we are continuing with the "Earth's Changing Surface" Unit. We are discussing terms such as erosion, sediment, weathering, deposition, and water tables. We will be looking at a landform chapter in the Kit Textbook (stays at school), and we will be looking at landform slides, trying to decide what caused the Earth's surface to change in these slides. We are also preparing a Water Table lab for Wednesday/Thursday of this week. BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR A PARENT HANDOUT INVITING PARENT VOLUNTEERS FOR THE LAB.
Have a great week, and e-mail me with any questions.
~Mr. Polk
ben.polk@evsc.k12.in.us
HOMEWORK: Word Wisdom pp. 12-13 (Word Wisdom Quiz on this Friday 9/16 over Unit 1, Part 2).
Friday, September 2, 2011
Friday, September 2, 2011
Good morning Lodge families,
I want to thank again the parent volunteers who came out yesterday to go on our "Earth's Changing Surface" walks at Lodge yesterday. The students enjoyed it and learned a lot of information, including terms such as sediment, erosion, deposition, and weathering.
We are taking a quiz today for Word Wisdom. Homework for Word Wisdom p. 11 was due today. Grades will be updated this weekend, so you will be able to follow the progress of your child in my classes.
In Science today, we are working in our cooperative groups creating posters that display what they have learned this week, specifically: sediment, erosion, deposition, and weathering. Each student is being assigned a different term to write, define, and to draw during class time. This will work as their science assessment for the week.
The positive attitude quote of the day is: "The only difference between a good day and a bad day is your attitude," written by Dennis S. Brown. I think that quote culminates all of the quotes this week from the life skill of having a positive attitude. Choose to have a positive attitude, and you will have a good day!
REMINDER: NO SCHOOL ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 5 IN HONOR OF LABOR DAY.
We will do a couple more science days in the shortened week next week, and we will have a couple of writing days.
Have a nice weekend!
~Mr. Polk
I want to thank again the parent volunteers who came out yesterday to go on our "Earth's Changing Surface" walks at Lodge yesterday. The students enjoyed it and learned a lot of information, including terms such as sediment, erosion, deposition, and weathering.
We are taking a quiz today for Word Wisdom. Homework for Word Wisdom p. 11 was due today. Grades will be updated this weekend, so you will be able to follow the progress of your child in my classes.
In Science today, we are working in our cooperative groups creating posters that display what they have learned this week, specifically: sediment, erosion, deposition, and weathering. Each student is being assigned a different term to write, define, and to draw during class time. This will work as their science assessment for the week.
The positive attitude quote of the day is: "The only difference between a good day and a bad day is your attitude," written by Dennis S. Brown. I think that quote culminates all of the quotes this week from the life skill of having a positive attitude. Choose to have a positive attitude, and you will have a good day!
REMINDER: NO SCHOOL ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 5 IN HONOR OF LABOR DAY.
We will do a couple more science days in the shortened week next week, and we will have a couple of writing days.
Have a nice weekend!
~Mr. Polk
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Science Walk a "Success"
Homework tonight (Thursday)- Word Wisdom p. 11
Thank you to all of the parent volunteers for coming to Lodge today to help our students with the Science walk today. The students used their knowledge of science concepts by applying themselves outside the school, as they may have realized for the first time that science is all around them, literally!
We have been discussing specifically the Earth's changing surface, and we continued our scientific conversations discussing terms such as sediment, erosion, deposition, and weathering. The students found real-life examples of all the scientific terms we discussed. I was worried because I knew it was going to be scorching hot today, but we weren't outside too long, and the students enjoyed getting sprayed with water at the end!
Our lifeskill of having a positive attitude continues this week. The quote of the day was from Betty Smith, "Look at everything as though you were seeing it either for the first or last time." The students have seen the playground hundreds of times, but they may have never thought of the playground as having so many scientifically-related items within. I even learned new things myself today from the students. It's important to remember that we learn from each other! =)
Our week is winding down, and I hope everyone has a nice holiday weekend.
We have a quiz tomorrow over the ten Word Wisdom words for the week. The words are found in pp. 6-11 of their Word Wisdom books. We will conclude our "Science week" tomorrow. Until next time!
~Mr. Polk
Homework tonight (Thursday)- Word Wisdom p. 11
Thank you to all of the parent volunteers for coming to Lodge today to help our students with the Science walk today. The students used their knowledge of science concepts by applying themselves outside the school, as they may have realized for the first time that science is all around them, literally!
We have been discussing specifically the Earth's changing surface, and we continued our scientific conversations discussing terms such as sediment, erosion, deposition, and weathering. The students found real-life examples of all the scientific terms we discussed. I was worried because I knew it was going to be scorching hot today, but we weren't outside too long, and the students enjoyed getting sprayed with water at the end!
Our lifeskill of having a positive attitude continues this week. The quote of the day was from Betty Smith, "Look at everything as though you were seeing it either for the first or last time." The students have seen the playground hundreds of times, but they may have never thought of the playground as having so many scientifically-related items within. I even learned new things myself today from the students. It's important to remember that we learn from each other! =)
Our week is winding down, and I hope everyone has a nice holiday weekend.
We have a quiz tomorrow over the ten Word Wisdom words for the week. The words are found in pp. 6-11 of their Word Wisdom books. We will conclude our "Science week" tomorrow. Until next time!
~Mr. Polk
Homework tonight (Thursday)- Word Wisdom p. 11
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Wednesday, August 31st
Tonight's homework: Word Wisdom p. 10 (there is a quiz Friday over Unit 1, Part 1)
Good morning Lodge students and families,
We are continuing the lifeskill of having a POSITIVE ATTITUDE. The quote of the day relating to the lifeskill is by Mary Engelbreit, and she said,
"If you don't like something change it; if you can't change it, change the way you think about it."
This quote had me thinking this morning. As a teacher, I am often faced with the rigors of maintaining classroom discipline, in order to invite a warm, creative thinking environment for all involved. Sometimes, as a class, we need to "change it up," as they say in hockey. In the beginning, Mr. Polk would say "Pride Promise" and most students would respond by raising their hand and quieting. After almost four weeks, I do have students who respond as they should, but not as many as the first week. I had a new student come in and tell me they used a "level system" in order to get quiet. So, for example, students will hear me say, "Level 1!" and they know to "Zip it. No talking or noises will be allowed."
So, I know as a teacher, I will need to keep "changing it up" to to keep the students disciplined in order to get an education. The second part of the quote helps me too. If I can't change it, I need to "change the way "I" think about it." I know sometimes that I can easily get frustrated because I do not tolerate talking or noise when I am speaking/teaching, or when another student or adult has "the floor." I need to remember to have a positive attitude and know that perfection is humanly impossible. I need to utilize the noise and adhere it to the students' strengths. Just my thoughts for the day...
In class, students were introduced to the Student Reference books for Science. These books will STAY AT SCHOOL. They are not being assigned to students because I only have enough for a class set. Therefore, there will be no homework assignments with the reference books; it will be used for classwork only. We read a chapter that dealt with terminology including: sediment, erosion, weathering, deposition...Ask your child what these words mean.
TOMORROW...the students will be doing an outside Science study to discover the "Earth's Changing Surface." A letter introducing the unit is going home today with your child. Also, there is white slip you can sign if you are interested in volunteering tomorrow for the event. Please follow the directions on the form.
If you have any questions, please e-mail me at ben.polk@evsc.k12.in.us
Have a great day!
~Mr. Polk
HOMEWORK tonight: Word Wisdom p. 10
Good morning Lodge students and families,
We are continuing the lifeskill of having a POSITIVE ATTITUDE. The quote of the day relating to the lifeskill is by Mary Engelbreit, and she said,
"If you don't like something change it; if you can't change it, change the way you think about it."
This quote had me thinking this morning. As a teacher, I am often faced with the rigors of maintaining classroom discipline, in order to invite a warm, creative thinking environment for all involved. Sometimes, as a class, we need to "change it up," as they say in hockey. In the beginning, Mr. Polk would say "Pride Promise" and most students would respond by raising their hand and quieting. After almost four weeks, I do have students who respond as they should, but not as many as the first week. I had a new student come in and tell me they used a "level system" in order to get quiet. So, for example, students will hear me say, "Level 1!" and they know to "Zip it. No talking or noises will be allowed."
So, I know as a teacher, I will need to keep "changing it up" to to keep the students disciplined in order to get an education. The second part of the quote helps me too. If I can't change it, I need to "change the way "I" think about it." I know sometimes that I can easily get frustrated because I do not tolerate talking or noise when I am speaking/teaching, or when another student or adult has "the floor." I need to remember to have a positive attitude and know that perfection is humanly impossible. I need to utilize the noise and adhere it to the students' strengths. Just my thoughts for the day...
In class, students were introduced to the Student Reference books for Science. These books will STAY AT SCHOOL. They are not being assigned to students because I only have enough for a class set. Therefore, there will be no homework assignments with the reference books; it will be used for classwork only. We read a chapter that dealt with terminology including: sediment, erosion, weathering, deposition...Ask your child what these words mean.
TOMORROW...the students will be doing an outside Science study to discover the "Earth's Changing Surface." A letter introducing the unit is going home today with your child. Also, there is white slip you can sign if you are interested in volunteering tomorrow for the event. Please follow the directions on the form.
If you have any questions, please e-mail me at ben.polk@evsc.k12.in.us
Have a great day!
~Mr. Polk
HOMEWORK tonight: Word Wisdom p. 10
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Plant Cell Animation
To view the plant cell animation, copy and paste the link below into a new tab/URL.
http://www.cellsalive.com/howbig.htm
Enjoy!
The positive attitude quote of the day was:
"It's so hard when I have to, and so easy when I want to." ~Annie Gottlier
http://www.cellsalive.com/howbig.htm
Enjoy!
The positive attitude quote of the day was:
"It's so hard when I have to, and so easy when I want to." ~Annie Gottlier
(Tuesday, August 30)
Good evening Lodge students and families,
If you need a reminder for tonight's homework, it is: Word Wisdom p. 9. It is due tomorrow (Wednesday). To do the assignment, you only need to write down the Word Wisdom words in the left column, your prediction for meaning in the middle column, and the book definition in the right column. You can find all of the book definitions in the back of the Word Wisdom book. Some words have multiple definitions; you only need to write the definition that fits the story on the first page of that part (p.6 in this part). There are two words on your list that have check marks by them. You do NOT have to do these two words (because they were already discussed on pp. 7-8).
In class today, I passed back the students' Word Wisdom pre-tests. They get 10 points of participation, just for TRYING. If they leave any of them blank, they will miss those points. I do still grade them to show the students what they missed, and then I put the correct answer by it. So, don't be confused if I put (-5), and you get a 10/10 score. You get all the points just for trying. I will also give bonus points for high scores in the class. Please use the pre-test as a tool to study for the upcoming Word Wisdom quiz, which will be on Friday. Quizzes will be worth ten points. They will assess the students on their understanding of the ten Word Wisdom words for the week. The homework throughout the week should help the students with understanding.
In science, we continued with our note-booking. We finished our template today, and the students should start remembering the seven steps of our scientific process:
1) Focus Question
2) Prediction
3) Procedures/Plan
4) Observation
5) Claims and Evidence
6) Conclusion
7) Reflection
Before the 9 weeks are over, I will give the students a quiz to name the seven steps of our scientific process. I also showed the students a neat plant cell animation. On their science pre-test in week two, there was a question asking about the size of the plant cell. This animation shows that the plant cell is smaller than the head of a pin. Using the animation, we were able to see a magnified view of the plant cell in which the human eye cannot see without the magnification. I compared the animation to looking through a microscope. The students really enjoyed looking at this animation, and plan to share it with you. The website is below:
http://www.cellsalive.com/howbig.htm
Click the link above for the neat plant cell animation!!
That's all for today!
~Mr. Polk
(Monday) August 29
Greetings parents and students of Mr. Polk's classes. I apologize for not blogging yesterday. As I told the class yesterday, it is very important to have a positive attitude (lifeskill this week) daily. On Sunday, when planning for science, I accidentally cut my hand when trying to open one of the gigantic tubs. Two lessons learned here: don't grow impatient because you can't find the scissors and use a knife, and to have a positive attitude even when bad conditions arise.
Anthony J. Angelo, author of The College Blue Book, once said, "Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine." I reminded the students yesterday to bring their own sunshine (positive attitude) daily even when they are having a bad day, or had a bad weekend. It's such a small thing, but it pays big dividends to end up having a great day!
In class Monday, we began our science unit. The first couple of days will be for getting acquainted with the science notebooks (which Mr. Polk is providing). For now, we are going to keep the notebooks in the classroom. That way, we shouldn't have any lost books, or have to go back to the locker to get them. We are going over the template on how to construct their notebook. There will usually be no homework with the science kits. Grades will come from their participation with their notebook, participation with their groups during lab time, and also science bell-ringer worksheets. There will also be assessments (quizzes and tests that they will be graded on) at the end of a unit.
We also began doing Word Wisdom. Students should be familiar with this workbook from last year. We will use it as our homework piece during Science week.
Homework from Monday night: Word Wisdom: Read pp.6-7 (Do p. 8)-Due Tuesday.
If you are wondering if we are doing Spelling, we will have Spelling words during each Language Arts week (every other week). I will try to send a newsletter with the list of words for that week.
Have a great week!
~Mr. Polk
Friday, August 26, 2011
Bucket Filler Skit
Watch and learn how to be a bucket-filler (also notice the person who is not being a bucket-filler).
Bucket Fillers! Let's show kindness toward one another! =)
Today, I am sharing with my students what it means to be a "bucket filler." It is sometimes easy to think negatively about something or someone, but does this help anyone? Instead, let's focus on thinking positive thoughts and showing kindness to one another. To "Fill a bucket," you could simply smile at someone, you could thank a person for doing the right thing, you could write a positive note to someone, or you could help someone with a task (open a door, carry a heavy box, pick up trash). Today, and in the the future, let's be "bucket-fillers" and show someone we care!!!
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Demonstrative Pronouns interactive lesson
I especially enjoyed this interactive demonstrative pronouns lesson. It creates a picture for visual learners!
Interrogative and Demonstrative pronouns teaching
This is a good interrogative and demonstrative pronouns lesson.
More Pronouns and Cross out the Sentence that Doesn't Belong!
Today, students in Mr. Polk's classes are beginning to understand what a wonderful tool the "Polkinator" blog will be for their language arts and science classes. I am making it a goal to utilize the blog each day. I use it in the class to review previous day's material and homework, and to discuss what we will be doing the current day. I also use it to show educational videos the students will learn from and enjoy.
Yesterday, we discussed interrogative pronouns. The interrogative pronouns are who, which, whose, and what.
Example 1) __________ books are on the floor?
Out of the four choices above, whose is the correct answer. You cannot say who because it is singular and the question is asking a group of people. Which in this sentence would not be grammatically correct, and what is the answer for another question. Also, it is important to note that you should not write the answer as who's. Who's literally means "who is" and the sentence "Who is books are on the floor" does not make sense.
The students are doing grammar bell ringers each day for participation. They must correct their answers in class to get the participation points. They also get Polk Pride tickets for volunteering at the Promethean board.
In writing, we continued looking at the components of a paragraph. Their homework from the Tuesday night was to read a paragraph and underline the correct topic sentence. They also need to remember the difference between a topic sentence and the main idea of a paragraph. The main idea is only a phrase, not a sentence. Their homework for Wednesday night was to complete a three page packet. In the packet, they were to cross out the sentence that did not belong with the rest of the paragraph.
Until next time!
~Mr. Polk
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Possessive Pronouns, Topic Sentence, and Main Idea
Today, we discussed possessive pronouns for our bell ringer. Students receive "Polk Pride" tickets if they volunteer to write on the Promethean board. I have a drawing every Friday for each class to win prizes (pencils, erasers, candy, etc.). Our classes do a pretty nice job with staying engaged during this time.
Examples from bell ringer...
- Dana put on (her hers) hat. The correct answer is her. Since Dana is a singular noun, we need a singular possessive pronoun.
- We went for a picnic with ___________ cousins. (Add a suitable pronoun from the list of possessive pronouns).
Technically, for agreement, we would choose "our." But, as I said in class, you could say, "We went for a picnic with your cousins." But, we would not have agreement if we said, "We went for a picnic with yours cousins."
Monday night, students had homework to complete one paragraph about their summer. Many students completed this, but there was a good number of students who did not. We need to make sure students are writing their homework in their agenda books daily.
In class, students peer-edited other students' paragraphs. I kept a checklist to give credit to the students who completed the assignment.
Then, we spent time looking at paragraphs and finding the topic sentence and discussing how the main idea is not the same thing. The main idea is not a sentence; it is rather a phrase that tells us what the paragraph is about.
For example...
- Topic sentence: My favorite memory from this summer was our day at Holiday World.
- Main idea: "Favorite memory from summer"
That's all for today! ~Mr. Polk
Monday, August 22, 2011
Mr. Polk's 4th grade Blog: Take 1
Today, I was inspired by Mrs. Esparza, math teacher at Lodge Community School, to begin (or continue) my blog. Instead of this being a blog about sports and Mr. Polk, I would like to post information on some of the neat things we are doing in 4th grade language arts and science at Lodge.
Now, I'm just a beginner at this, so I probably won't have cool videos uploaded like my colleague, Mrs. Esparza. However, I will share what we are doing in class in a written format for now. This week is a "language arts" week and next week will be a "science week."
In science, I am very excited to share that we will be working with the Indiana Science Initiative to do engaging science activities, in which the students will make many discoveries working in cooperative groups.
Today, in language arts, we discussed personal pronouns (4.L.1). For example, we discussed 1st person singular (I, me), 2nd person singular, (you), and 3rd person singular (she, he, him, her, it). We then discussed the 1st person plural (we, us), 2nd person plural (you), and 3rd person plural (they, them).
REMEMBER: A pronoun is a word that takes the place of one or more nouns.
Example 1) "Susie brought her apple to lunch today. She ate it and thought it was delicious." Notice how "She" replaces "Susie" and "it" replaces "apple."
Example 2) "Susie brought her apple to lunch today. Susie ate the apple and thought the apple was delicious." Doesn't it sound repetitive to say her name again and to use the word apple two more times? (YES)...this is why we use pronouns.
Today, in writing, our homework assignment was to write one paragraph on the subject: "My Summer." Students took home a "Preparing a Paragraph" checklist to use with developing their paragraph. They were instructed to write the paragraph in their language arts notebook, and to have someone at home proofread their paper, and to get a signature. Tomorrow, in class, the students will share their paragraph with a peer, for one more proofread, and they will then write their final draft in their best cursive writing on a separate sheet of paper.
Until next time...I am going to try to make this blog more exciting!
Mr. Polk
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