9-21-12 Daily Update

Parents,

Believe it or not, we are pretty close to midterm already.  Midterm reports for all students will be sent home sometime next week.  Also, your child will be having two important tests next week - one in Science and one in Math.  Please look below for resources to study with your child.

Thank you for taking the time to review your child's papers and removing them from his/her folder on Fridays.  While doing this, take a look at your child's folder insert to see how your child is doing with keeping his/her 10 eagles for the week.

Reminders:

• Send in any donations for "Backyard BBQ" theme for basket raffle.  I have a few bottles of BBQ sauce, but nothing else at this point.

-Mr. Pransky

Language: 

None.

Reading:  

Read your AR book for 15-20 minutes each night

AR Goal for Friday is 59%

Social Studies:  

None.

Science: 

Test over science process skills is Tuesday.

Students can take the practice test here.

Math:   

Test over Place Value will be Monday.

Students can take a practice test on the Pearson site here.

Study math facts (+/- must be mastered by end of 1st quarter)

Spelling:  

Lesson 5 Test  is Thursday

Practice list on SpellingCity

Quick Links:

Class Blog- frequently used links and daily updates.

Home Connect - check AR reading and Accelerated Math, or practice with Math Facts in a Flash

Google Apps - check school e-mail and use google applications (un: last name_firstname    pw: aw + 6 digit lunch code)

Moodle - web links and resources for every subject! (un: lastname_firstname    pw: 6 digit lunch number)

Pearson  - Access math book and worksheets from the math book (un: lastname_firstname  pw: pransky#)

AR Book Find - Do you have a book at home or from another library that you are wondering if it is AR?  Look it up here.

Infohio - Awesome resource for web research with online encyclopedias for kids among other things (un: learn  pw:infohio)

--
Shane Pransky
Whitehouse Primary
4th Grade

PUBLIC RECORD NOTICE: This e-mail, any attachment, and any response may constitute a public record, and therefore may be available upon request in accordance with Ohio public records law. (ORC 149.43)    CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This e-mail, and any attachment, is intended only for the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain confidential and/or privileged material. Any review, re-transmission, copying, dissemination or other use of this information by persons or entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited. If you received this in error, please return it to the sender and delete the material from any computer.   

Science News 9/20/12

Parents,

So far this year we have been studying science process skills.  This has included:

• Telling the difference between observations (factual statements using the five statements) and inferences (drawing conclusions)
• Qualitative (using the senses) vs. Quantitative (measurable, numeric) observations 
• Identifying characteristics for comparison and contrast - such as telling similarities and differences between a moth and a butterfly
• Classifying objects - using a dichotomous keys to identify living things such as leaves or insects.  Students will need to know some basic terms of characteristics used to identify leaves such as simple leaves, compound leaves, toothed or smooth edges, lobed or not lobed, pinnate, palmate, and parallel veins
• Scientific communication - using detailed language that is clear and avoids judgement
• Science Safety - know the basic rules for studying science safely

Students will have their first quiz next week.  This quiz is difficult to study for as most of the questions will ask the students to apply what they have learned in this unit.  However, your child should have a packet of papers that was completed at school with this unit.  These papers will make for a good general review. There is a sample dichotomous key on the back that your child can do for practice as well.

Something that is new for students this year is that they will be taking all of their tests in Science on the computer.  We will be using tests I have designed using a course management website called Moodle.  These tests will be set-up much like a normal science test (including multiple choice, short answer, and extended response) but with some added features.  For one, students can receive immediate feedback about whether the answer is right or wrong and can often get a second chance to answer for half credit.  Students will also be allowed the opportunity to retake a test one time to raise a poor grade from a first attempt.  Also, because the test is online, I can save paper while including more colorful pictures, maps, and diagrams that students would not be able to see clearly on a photocopied test.  

All students have logged into Moodle here at school for practice and are welcome to use it as a resource at home as well.  You can view the class Moodle site from home at:

https://moodle.anthonywayneschools.org

From there students type a username and password for access:

UN: lastname_firstname

PW: 6 digit lunch code

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me via a note, phone or e-mail.

--
Shane Pransky
Whitehouse Primary
4th Grade

PUBLIC RECORD NOTICE: This e-mail, any attachment, and any response may constitute a public record, and therefore may be available upon request in accordance with Ohio public records law. (ORC 149.43)    CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This e-mail, and any attachment, is intended only for the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain confidential and/or privileged material. Any review, re-transmission, copying, dissemination or other use of this information by persons or entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited. If you received this in error, please return it to the sender and delete the material from any computer.   

9-20-12 daily Update

Parents,

Reminders:

• Tommorrow is Blue and White Spirit day for Homecoming
• Scholastic book orders will be due tomorrow.  Online orders or sending a check are fine.
• Send in any donations for "Backyard BBQ" theme for basket raffle

-Mr. Pransky

Language: 

None.

Reading:  

Read Scholastic News and complete the Quiz Whiz.

Students are expected to highlight where answers are found in the SN.

Read your AR book for 15-20 minutes each night

AR Goal for Friday is 47%

Social Studies:  

None.

Science: 

Test over science process skills is Tuesday.

Students can take the practice test here.

Math:   

Test over Place Value will be Monday.

Students can take a practice test on the Pearson site here.

Study math facts (+/- must be mastered by end of 1st quarter)

Spelling:  

Lesson 5 Test  is Thursday

Practice list on SpellingCity

Quick Links:

Class Blog- frequently used links and daily updates.

Home Connect - check AR reading and Accelerated Math, or practice with Math Facts in a Flash

Google Apps - check school e-mail and use google applications (un: last name_firstname    pw: aw + 6 digit lunch code)

Moodle - web links and resources for every subject! (un: lastname_firstname    pw: 6 digit lunch number)

Pearson  - Access math book and worksheets from the math book (un: lastname_firstname  pw: pransky#)

AR Book Find - Do you have a book at home or from another library that you are wondering if it is AR?  Look it up here.

Infohio - Awesome resource for web research with online encyclopedias for kids among other things (un: learn  pw:infohio)

--
Shane Pransky
Whitehouse Primary
4th Grade

PUBLIC RECORD NOTICE: This e-mail, any attachment, and any response may constitute a public record, and therefore may be available upon request in accordance with Ohio public records law. (ORC 149.43)    CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This e-mail, and any attachment, is intended only for the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain confidential and/or privileged material. Any review, re-transmission, copying, dissemination or other use of this information by persons or entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited. If you received this in error, please return it to the sender and delete the material from any computer.   

9-19-12 Daily Update

Parents,

Great day today!

Students who have not yet mastered addition took home a packet to practice addition facts.  This packet should be completed and signed and returned before next Friday 9/28 (not this Friday as it says on the sign and return slip.)  Students can use Math Facts in a Flash (using the Home Connect Link below), Moodle Math, iPod/ipad apps, or good old fashioned flash cards to practice.  Mastery of addition facts is expected by midterm (next week) and subtraction should be mastered by the end of the quarter.

Reminders:

• Scholastic book orders will be due Sep 21.  Online orders or sending a check are fine.
• Donations for "Backyard BBQ basket" for raffle

-Mr. Pransky

Language: 

None.

Reading:  

Read your AR book for 15-20 minutes each night

AR Goal for Friday is 47%

Social Studies:  

None.

Science: 

Math:   

Rounding worksheet

Study math facts

Spelling:  

Lesson 4 Test  is Thursday

Practice list on SpellingCity

Quick Links:

Class Blog- frequently used links and daily updates.

Home Connect - check AR reading and Accelerated Math, or practice with Math Facts in a Flash

Google Apps - check school e-mail and use google applications (un: last name_firstname    pw: aw + 6 digit lunch code)

Moodle - web links and resources for every subject! (un: lastname_firstname    pw: 6 digit lunch number)

Pearson  - Access math book and worksheets from the math book (un: lastname_firstname  pw: pransky#)

AR Book Find - Do you have a book at home or from another library that you are wondering if it is AR?  Look it up here.

Infohio - Awesome resource for web research with online encyclopedias for kids among other things (un: learn  pw:infohio)

--
Shane Pransky
Whitehouse Primary
4th Grade

PUBLIC RECORD NOTICE: This e-mail, any attachment, and any response may constitute a public record, and therefore may be available upon request in accordance with Ohio public records law. (ORC 149.43)    CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This e-mail, and any attachment, is intended only for the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain confidential and/or privileged material. Any review, re-transmission, copying, dissemination or other use of this information by persons or entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited. If you received this in error, please return it to the sender and delete the material from any computer.   

How to log in to Pearson Math

Parents/students Your child is able to access their Math book as well as worksheets and practice tests that I will post on the Pearson Math site. Follow the instructions below to access a practice test for Topic 1: Place Value.  We will be testing over this topic early next week.   We will try to access the site from school so the students have some practice doing this. -Mr. Pransky Teacher name: Mr. Pransky  Class/Group name: 12-13 Mr. Pransky Class access code: 67D0E0E79323D25C0E14 When you enroll or register, type the access code exactly as shown above.  Use all uppercase letters.

User Name: lastname_firstname

Password: aw+ lunch code  (example: aw123456)
Registration/Enrollment Instructions

Existing users:  To enroll in this class: Go to www.pearsonsuccessnet.com. Log in by typing your existing user name and password. From your Home Page, click My Account. Click Add Class/Group Follow the instructions, and use the class access code above to enroll in this class or group.

--
Shane Pransky
Whitehouse Primary
4th Grade

PUBLIC RECORD NOTICE: This e-mail, any attachment, and any response may constitute a public record, and therefore may be available upon request in accordance with Ohio public records law. (ORC 149.43)    CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This e-mail, and any attachment, is intended only for the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain confidential and/or privileged material. Any review, re-transmission, copying, dissemination or other use of this information by persons or entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited. If you received this in error, please return it to the sender and delete the material from any computer.   

Leaf Identification app

Parents,

Today in Science we explored the trees on the school property and used an identification key to identify them.  In the classroom, we will also try using an app called LeafSnap! that helps you identify trees based on the leaves.  The kids did a great job and showed a lot of interest in identifying these trees.

LeafSnap! is a free download.

ipod/iphone

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/leafsnap/id430649829?mt=8

ipad

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/leafsnap-for-ipad/id433522683?mt=8

It is currently an iPad/iphone/ipod only app but there are similar ones for Android, I've heard.

--
Shane Pransky
Whitehouse Primary
4th Grade

PUBLIC RECORD NOTICE: This e-mail, any attachment, and any response may constitute a public record, and therefore may be available upon request in accordance with Ohio public records law. (ORC 149.43)    CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This e-mail, and any attachment, is intended only for the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain confidential and/or privileged material. Any review, re-transmission, copying, dissemination or other use of this information by persons or entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited. If you received this in error, please return it to the sender and delete the material from any computer.   

9-18-12 Daily Update

Parents,

Today students took one section of the Cognitive Abilities Test or CogAT.  There is no studying that is needed for CogAT testing, but a good night's rest and a nourishing breakfast will help your child do their best.  We will continue this testing tomorrow and Thursday.

We are finishing up our unit on Science Process skills this week and will test over the unit next week.  Students have been learning about observations vs. inferences, using precise language, identifying characteristics for grouping, and classification of things in nature.  

Students will be testing in Science using a web-based course management system called Moodle.  Using Moodle students will have the opportunity to take practice tests to use to study and access videos, handouts and other materials from each unit we study.  In class, students will take a test using Moodle and it will give them immediate feedback as they submit each question and then how they performed on the test as a whole.

The Practice test on Moodle can be taken here.

Moodle Log-in

un: lastname_firstname

pw: 6 digit lunch number

Reminders:

• Scholastic book orders will be due Sep 21.  Online orders or sending a check are fine.
• Donations for "Backyard BBQ basket" for raffle

-Mr. Pransky

Language: 

Editing Lesson 4

Reading:  

Read your AR book for 15-20 minutes each night

AR Goal for Friday is 35%

Social Studies:  

None.

Science: 

Bring in a leaf by Wednesday.  Please put in a baggie with child's name on it.

Math:   

Study math facts

Spelling:  

Lesson 4 Test  is Thursday

Practice list on SpellingCity

Quick Links:

Class Blog- frequently used links and daily updates.

Home Connect - check AR reading and Accelerated Math, or practice with Math Facts in a Flash

Google Apps - check school e-mail and use google applications (un: last name_firstname    pw: aw + 6 digit lunch code)

Moodle - web links and resources for every subject! (un: lastname_firstname    pw: 6 digit lunch number)

Pearson  - Access math book and worksheets from the math book (un: lastname_firstname  pw: pransky#)

AR Book Find - Do you have a book at home or from another library that you are wondering if it is AR?  Look it up here.

Infohio - Awesome resource for web research with online encyclopedias for kids among other things (un: learn  pw:infohio)

--
Shane Pransky
Whitehouse Primary
4th Grade

PUBLIC RECORD NOTICE: This e-mail, any attachment, and any response may constitute a public record, and therefore may be available upon request in accordance with Ohio public records law. (ORC 149.43)    CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This e-mail, and any attachment, is intended only for the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain confidential and/or privileged material. Any review, re-transmission, copying, dissemination or other use of this information by persons or entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited. If you received this in error, please return it to the sender and delete the material from any computer.