Our truck driver friend, Bill Sloan, came to visit all the way from the state of Washington! He answered questions about his travels, then we went outside to take a tour of his truck and meet Shorty. Bill brought a stack of postcards for the kids to take home as a souvenir.
postcards that Bill has sent from 48 states
question and answer session
Trinity and Mrs. Dechert checking out Bill's truck
We have gotten through our first 2 days of NJASK testing on Language Arts. On Wednesday and Thursday, we will have our NJASK Math testing. Friday is our NJASK Science test.
I have been reading the novel "Hoot" to the students the past two weeks. The story is about a boy named Roy Eberhardt, the new kid at Trace Middle School. The story is an ecological mystery about a pancake house that is scheduled to be built over the burrows of endangered miniature owls. We will watch the movie HOOT on Friday.
Our current Social Studies Chapter on "Times of Change" touches briefly upon the events of September 11th. With the current events in the news bringing up this tragic day, we felt it was appropriate to share some facts with the students. This week, we will be watching the Brain Pop movie about September 11th. Feel free to preview or review it with your child.
We will also discuss this famous quote: "I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that." ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.
TRICKY TRAY DONATIONS for our FAMILY GAME NIGHT BASKET Donations will be accepted until Friday, April 8 Thanks to everyone that donated!
As of Friday, March 25th, we have the following items for our basket: A frisbie Pictureka! Chess/Checkers/Tic-Tac-Toe Magic 8 Ball Jigsaw Puzzle w/puzzle carrier Hands Down Mancala Trouble Dominoes Magikus Lego game Checkers Bowling set Card games: Old Maid, Crazy 8's, Matching popcorn w cheddar seasoning popcorn on the cob popcorn container
The St. Jude Math a Thon is underway! A big thanks to our 4th graders for visiting the K-5 classrooms to discuss why donating to St. Jude's is so important. We have about 1/2 of our permissions slips back, but hoping for participation from all the students in our class. Donations are due on Friday, March 11th. Tricky Tray - this year, our class is creating a 'Family Game Night' basket. I have donated a "checkers" set and a 3 pack of "Old Maid", "Hearts" and "Crazy 8's". So far, that's all we have. Hoping to receive some more donations to fill our basket. Examples are board games, card games, outdoor sports, etc. Thanks Mrs. Hayes (Ben's mom) for taking care of coordinating our basket this year. All donations are due by Thursday, March 31st.
EXTRA CREDIT PROJECT Due Friday, February 25th You have watched videos and read about canals in New Jersey and around the world. Now it’s time for you to create your own canal. Are you up for the challenge?
Use your book and watch the videos from our blog site to review how canals work. Be creative – use any materials you want to create your canal – twigs, clay, play dough, building blocks, legos, etc. If you don’t want to make a 3D model, you can also make a drawing of how a canal works. Your family can help you, but the majority of the work should be done by you.
For your project, you should include at least:
One lower level One upper level A lock A boat
Your project doesn’t need to use water to show how it works, but it should show how a lock works in a canal.
The number of points you can earn will depend on how well you are able to demonstrate how a canal works. You can earn up to 10 extra credit points. Remember – family members can help, but the MAJORITY of the work needs to be done by you.
Your project should be handed in by Friday, February 25th. We will have a class demonstration for anyone that brings in a canal.
We have gotten through our first 2 days of NJASK testing on Language Arts. On Wednesday and Thursday, we will have our NJASK Math testing. Friday is our NJASK Science test. 
Our current Social Studies Chapter on "Times of Change" touches briefly upon the events of September 11th. With the current events in the news bringing up this tragic day, we felt it was appropriate to share some facts with the students. This week, we will be watching the Brain Pop movie about September 11th. Feel free to preview or review it with your child.
The author of Frindle, Andrew Clements, was born in Camden, New Jersey and lived here until the middle of his 6th grade year.
The St. Jude Math a Thon is underway! A big thanks to our 4th graders for visiting the K-5 classrooms to discuss why donating to St. Jude's is so important. We have about 1/2 of our permissions slips back, but hoping for participation from all the students in our class. Donations are due on Friday, March 11th. 
Tricky Tray - this year, our class is creating a 'Family Game Night' basket. I have donated a "checkers" set and a 3 pack of "Old Maid", "Hearts" and "Crazy 8's". So far, that's all we have. Hoping to receive some more donations to fill our basket. Examples are board games, card games, outdoor sports, etc. Thanks Mrs. Hayes (Ben's mom) for taking care of coordinating our basket this year. All donations are due by Thursday, March 31st.
