Hey 4th grade sweet peas!  You finally finished your book group for Caddie Woodlawn.  Congrats!  I would like you to rate this novel 1-10.  1 being a low score (you didn’t like the book at all), and 10 being a great score (you loved this book).  You need to give the novel a rating AND back your rating up with specific and clear details.  For example, if you didn’t like the book, not only tell me why, but talk about what was missing that would have made the book better for you.  If you loved the book, be specific about what you liked and why.  Using specific details from the story allows me to see how well you understood the story and evaluate how much effort you are putting into being thoughtful and reflective.  Remember, there are no right or wrong answers, you simply need to write specifically and clearly about your opinions.  I can’t wait to read about what you have to say!

Cheers- Mrs. Z

Hey fab fifth graders!  I’m so happy you got a chance to read and discuss Rascal.  I would like you to type a response to literature.  In your response to the book, I’d like you to talk about your favorite aspects of the story, as well as which parts of the story you didn’t like or would change.  I would also like you to discuss what you feel is possibly a theme of the story.

In class we read, “CATWINGS.”  We also talked about picking out important themes within stories we read.  What do you feel was the theme of “CATWINGS”, and why do you feel this was a theme of the story?

I can’t wait to see the students be the teachers for a period!  In our Geography unit, we are currently learning about Central America.  We are working on memorizing all of the locations and capitals of the countries in Central America, but we also want to learn some interesting facts.  The students were split into groups of 3, and each group was assigned a particular Central American country.  The students will design a lesson plan to cover that country’s main resources, topography, population, 5 fun facts, as well as make a visual aid and give an assignment to their classmates (which they will have to correct ).  I can’t wait to see my little rugrats take charge in the classroom; I’m sure they’ll love giving me a quiz !  Hope everyone’s February was amazing and here’s to a happy March!

Cheers- Mrs. Z

Rosemary is about to start school where she will be different from everyone, her parents are not getting along, and she is worried that her cat, Rags, does not love her.  She is cearly feeling some stress.  Make a predication on what you think may happen during the first couple weeks of Rosemary’s 6th grade year.

Hey guys and gals!  I hope you enjoyed the beginning of A Friendship for Today during our reading period today.  Here is your reading response question for tonight:

If you were able to talk with Rosemary during this time in her life, what advice would you give her for going into her new integrated school?…And why would you give this particular advice?  Please remember to re-read your response to check that it makes sense and that you have accurate spelling and grammar.  Also, check that your response provides clear details, interesting adjectives, and that you have given me your very best thoughts.  See you all tomorrow!

Cheers,

 Ms. Z

Happy New Year All!  We are all back and rolling with school here at TCPS.  The kids are excited to get movin on Big Event, and we are all excited to present our giant whole school, cross-age spectacular in a new and exciting way (and timeline) this year .  We have some fun things happening in the classroom as second semester plows on through.  We have Newcast book reports coming up in February and are currently working on a Vocabulary review using 50 of our rich, new words from first semester.  The students are working in grade level groups to create a skit, song, rap, or poem using some of the words from their vocabulary review units.  The grades will present their “works of art” to one another this Friday.  What a fun way to get the kids movin and thinkin following a long holiday break .  I hope your new years are off to a wonderful and eventful start.  May 2012 bring you much love!

Cheers,

Ms. Z

Wow!  I can’t believe we are already approaching the middle of Novemeber!  Time really does fly when you’re having fun !  I have such a beautiful class of students…yes they are cute, but by that I mean beautiful people on the inside!  These  bright lights have been working their tails off creating poster book reports, working on big research reports, creating power point projects, running their coffee cup business, reading “Summer of the Monkeys”, and sculpting yoga figurines to go along with our Yogi Wednesdays.  It has been a crazy fall…in a good way .  Enjoy some pics of our Fab trip to Olivewood Gardens to learn about Producers, Consumers, chickens, planting, organic cooking, and more!  Much Love- Mrs. Z.

Well, the first month of school has gone beyond quickly!  We are having so much fun together and learning a ton.  One of our favorite things to do during the week is participate in Yogi Wednesdays.  During Yogi Wednesdays, we learn a new yoga position and talk about how the position can offer us strength or encouragement for the day.  We then write about our yogi Wednesday pose in our Writer’s Notebook.  We also participate in a short meditation to end these Wednesday mornings.  Ask the kids to show up child’s pose, to plank and downward dog .  Go Yogi 4th and 5th Graders!

Namaste-

Mrs. Z

Goodness me!  Summer flew by this year!  Luckily, I work at such an amazing place…go TCPS !!  Back at work, for me, means spending time and energy in a community filled with energetic and interesting little learners.  I have to admit, I am feeling sad about my last year’s fifth graders being gone…I had them for two years…and they were AMAZING.  However, I get a whole new bundle of kiddos (and a class of fantastic students returning).  As the school year begins, I always like to give a little advice to help the kiddos experience as much success as possible (this is especially helpful for incoming 4th graders).

HELPFUL HINTS FROM MRS. Z:

- 4th/5th grade requires a bit more homework and project time than in the lower elementary grades

- Accountability and organization are key!  Always keep your planner filled in, check the classroom website regularly, and keep Mrs. Z in the loop when you need help, don’t understand something, or just need some advice…COMMUNICATION (BY THE STUDENT) IS KEY

- Using class time wisely will SAVE YOU HOMEWORK TIME.  4th and 5th graders receive a lot of independence with work time on projects and HW, but that also means self-discipline for accomplishing tasks .

- Always have an independent reading book in class

- Have fun!  Feel Proud!  Learning is growing, and we all want to support one another in a year filled with new knowledge and growth.

- Attached is Mrs. Z’s classroom policies and procedures to help with other questions about our classroom.

Mrs. Zweifel’s Policies and Procedures

- Get good sleep at night, eat a good breakfast, and show up to school on time…announcements are first thing in the day…lots of important info is given during this time