Honoring Veteran's Day

We had two special guests this Veteran's Day. Our first speaker was Senior Master Sergeant Kelby Belgard of the 122nd Fighter Squadron Louisiana Air National Guard. SMSgt Belgard has served in the military for 23 years. He shared with us the history of Veteran's Day and the benefits of being a soldier. Our second speaker, Seaman Walter Wilson of the Amphibious Forces, served in the Navy from 1967 to 1970, and fought in the VietNam War on the USS Oakhill and the USS Duluth. He discussed what a veteran is, why we honor them, and the importance of an education. After our discussion, our guests helped the students create an art sculpture using the colors red, white, and blue.

Blogging Party

This past Thursday, Mrs. Shepherd and I held our first annual blogging party. Parents were invited to learn about blogging and read their children's posts. Mrs. Shepherd worked with her students and created a video  explaining how to make a quality comment. In the video, the students did an excellent job relaying to their parents the following steps:
Step 1: Start with a greeting
Step 2: Give the writer a compliment
Step 3: Make a connection with the writer (This reminds me of...)
Step 4: Ask the writer a question
Step 5: Sign your name
Step 6: Proofread you comment
Step 7: Click "submit"

It is so important for our parents to interact with the students' writings. There is so much more meaning when they know others are reading and commenting on their posts.

My partner teacher, Mrs. Shepherd, is an amazing person! I was impressed how quickly she pulled this event together and integrated technology. It was as if she had done this before and came so naturally. Thanks for the time and effort you put into this gathering, Mrs. Shepherd!

We Pledge To Be Drug Free

Red Ribbon Week is celebrated the last week of October. Our class was honored to have Ms. Nikki share with us the history of Red Ribbon Week. In 1985, Drug Enforcement Agent (DEA) Enriquie "Kiki" Camarena was working undercover in Mexico trying to stop a multimillion dollar narcotics operation. His efforts were successful, but enraged the leaders of the drug cartel. They kidnapped Agent Camarena and his body was found a month later. In his hometown of Calexico, CA, the citizens wore red ribbons to honor their friend and bring awareness for drug prevention. In 1988, President Ronald Reagan and the First Lady, Nancy Reagan, recognized Red Ribbon Week nationally. Every year since people all over the nation have worn red ribbons to promote "No Use of Illegal Drugs, No Illegal Use of Legal Drugs." You can visit the Red Ribbon Coalition's website for more information about Red Ribbon Week. 

The students pledged to be drug free and proudly wear the red ribbon. They also created posters that will be displayed for the rest of our school community to see.

A Visit From Entergy

Our unit on electricity ended with a visit from Mr. Anthony DiFulco, who works for Entergy. He discussed with the students how electricity is supplied to homes and businesses and electrical safety. Some students expressed an interest in his field of work and he advised them that the most important skills to have in this field are reading comprehension and math, science and computer knowledge.

Let There Be Light!

This week we have been learning about electricity. On Monday, the students were given a battery, 2 wires, and a light bulb and instructed to make the light bulb shine. They explored with various connections until they were successful. I think their eyes were shining brighter than the bulb when their circuits were complete!  

We then identified and discussed each material used in the investigation. The battery is an electric cell because it supplies the energy. The metal in the wire is a conductor because it allows the current to flow and the plastic covering the wire is an insulator since it does not allow the flow of electric currents. Finally, the students discovered that they created a circuit, which is a path for an electric current.

On Tuesday, the students expanded their knowledge of circuits by testing various materials.

These materials were classified as either conductors or insulators. Each pair of students was given a bag that contained a metal spoon, a plastic spoon, a paper clip, a popsicle stick, a metal washer, and a straw. Each item was placed between the wire and light bulb to see if the bulb would glow. If the bulb did not glow, the item was an insulator. If the bulb did glow, the material was classified as a conductor.

Math Help

Here are resources to use at home. One website (#4) even allows you to enter the math problem you are trying to solve and explains how to do it. That is so cool!
25 Great Websites For Learning Maths

I wish...

By the end of this week, students will know if they are getting the correct amount of change when they go shopping. Students were given a Scholastic book order form and $30 to spend. They created a "Wish List" of books they would like to buy, but had to stay within their budget. Their totals were then subtracted from $30 to determine the amount of change they would receive. Finally, the students used play money to show the fewest amount of bills and coins they would receive as change.

Some students practiced making change in the virtual world. They visited websites like Just Kids Games to make purchases and determine the correct amount of change.