Update 1/31

We will review for our Chapter 3 and 4 Social Studies test today. The test will be tomorrow afternoon.

Trading card projects (assigned last week) are due Friday, February 11. Although the information sheet does not require a presentation, I DO NOT want the projects to be handed in with a simple rubberband binding the cards together. We brainstormed a few ideas in class on the presentation of the projects: Powerpoint with pictures of the cards, poster-sized prototypes, tri-fold board with samples of the cards, etc. (I will attach the information sheet to an email today, as well).

Math tests were pretty good overall last week! I encouraged the kids to correct any math problems they might have missed on the test to help them better understand their mistakes. Each student, no matter the number of problems to correct, will receive $5 Brown Bucks and a piece of gum for their efforts! It's that important to me that EVERYONE walks away from this unit understanding fractions and graphs.

The family letter for Unit 7 will go home today, too, via email,

Explorer Picture Books

All authors had their drafts edited at least one time. Therefore, authors are ready to begin constructing their explorer historical fiction books.

I am asking each student to bring home the drafts, blank books, and information sheets with criteria today. I AM NOT REQUIRING THIS AS HOMEWORK TONIGHT, but with the weather possibilities over the next few days, I'd like the kids to get some of their books completed by the week's end--work we'll be doing in class if the weather holds out.

The due date and author celebration will be coming up soon (TBA), so the sooner the books are final published by the author/illustrator, the better!

Notes for Monday

We have our Chapter 3 and 4 Social Studies test on Monday. A study guide went home today with the kids. It might look like a lot of information, but it's ALL information we've discussed and worked with over the last few weeks. Students were reminded this evening to take home their Social Studies books to study this weekend if given a chance.

Trading Card projects are due February 11. That is two weeks from today! Please don't wait until the last minute to work on this!

Have a super weekend!

Service Learning with the Dicesquad

Brown fourth and fifth grade students will once again collect shoes in conjunction with the Hendricks County Solid Waste Management District’s “Recycle Heart and Sole” shoe recycling program. We are planning to collect used shoes for reuse February 7 through February 11.


We hope to keep worn shoes out of our landfills, while at the same time, helping those that are less fortunate. Last year, along with other schools in the surrounding area, we collected about 7,000 pairs of shoes. We hope to collect even more this year.


Just have your child bring in used shoes, placing them in the shoe collection containers in front of the main office. It’s just that easy. The fourth and fifth grade students will do the rest.


Thank you for helping the fourth and fifth grade Brown students with their service learning project.

This week: 1/24-1/28

Unit 6 Math Test on Thursday--study guides went home today. I will send home, either electronically or paper form, the answers to the guide so the kids can best prepare for their test. We WILL go over the answers on Wednesday as review.

Readers Theater plays will be Thursday afternoon beginning at 2:30.

Caribbean Cove Indoor Water Park Night--see blog post for Thursday night! Flyer coming home tonight.

No spelling or vocabulary tests this week.

Have a great week!

Caribbean Cove Fundraiser

Brown PSG is selling tickets Tuesday and Wednesday mornings of this week for a fun-filled evening strictly for Brown guests at Caribbean Cove, Holiday Inn off Michigan Road. A flyer and permission slip will be going home today with all Dicesquad members. Please take a look and plan to attend as a family this Thursday evening from 4-9pm.

If this week does not work out for your family, there will be an additional night for Brown guests: Thursday, February 3. These tickets will be purchased next week. However, if you wish to be ahead of the crowd, you would need to get your family name on the waiting list for next week by Wednesday of this week.

Classroom Magic Voting

http://www.weareteachers.com/ideas/partnerask/teachingidea?app=%2010989&grantId=46

I am participating in a contest sponsored by Classroom Magic and an online community called WeAreTeachers. I submitted a teaching idea explaining how I use multimedia technology like projectors and interactive whiteboards to enhance lesson plans. The 10 teachers with the most votes win a Flip Video Camera and $200 for the classroom. I am currrently in 6th place out of over 500 entries!!!!!!



The recipients are selected through an online voting process. SO -- If you have a moment (really, it only takes a moment), I'd really appreciate you going online and voting for my idea. It would really mean a lot to me to have your vote and support! Just go to the link above and follow the directions. Thank you!