Kickball and Puma Thinker rules

Kickball and Puma Thinker rules

Kickball is a game loved by a majority of our class; however, it can be a point of contention for its players. In the fall, our class lost the game for 2 weeks with several students having lengthy consequences. As spring approaches, I have decided to take a proactive approach to aide with a smooth game.

On last Thursday, we were supposed to meet to discuss the game and its rules during lunch; however, another situation took precedence over the meeting. Below are the rules I found online with a website as reference. Kickball website

Students who wish to play must read the rules and sign an agreement in order to continue playing.

• The basic rules of kickball similar to softball and baseball: 

1. Four bases to run 
2. Three chances to kick the ball 
3. Three outs to an inning
4. Someone must bring a scoresheet or slate outside to keep score
5. Players can throw the ball to get players out but must be thrown towards the ground belowt the knee. (This may be removed, if we cannot get a softer ball.)
6. Runners must touch all bases as he or she passes it. 

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• The pitcher's role 

1. The pitcher rolls the ball to the kicker from the pitcher's spot and must be the same distance for all players.
2. The team must decide each game who is the pitcher.
3. Bouncing the ball, other than the little bounces that you get when the ball rolls over grass, is not allowed. 
4. If the ball rolls over or passes home plate and is not kicked, that is a strike. 
5. If the ball is kicked but goes foul, that is a strike.
6. The pitcher cannot delay rolling the ball longer than 2 minutes. 

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• Ghost hitter ?? ( I need help on this one but I heard a student use the term.)

• Sportsmanship of Kickball

1. Players must give 1 compliment per game on the field or .
2. After a decision has been made by a non-biased empire, there is no discussion.
3. Avoid discussing the game, walking up the hill.
4. Any disagreements must be made in writing to the teacher or substitute teacher. 
5. Avoid name calling or gloating.
6. Games cannot continue from lunch recess or previous days.

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Students may send an email or submit a note stating I have read the kickball and sportsmanship rules. Students may contribute to this blog post in writing or via email. I need help with ghost kickers, the size of the teams, and how players are selected. 

March 2018

March 2018

Important Dates

Friday, Mar. 2, 2018  Monday, Mar. 5, 2018: Unit 4 EDM assessment (snowdate)
Thursday, Mar. 22, 2018: Unit 5 EDM, part I of unit Test

Forget Me Not Dates

Friday, Mar. 2- 14, 2018: Read-a-thon begins afterschool.**
Sunday, Mar. 11, 2018: Spring Forward, Turn Clocks forward
Tuesday, Mar. 13, 2018, 9:00 -9:30 AM Tappan Counselor visit
Wednesday, Mar. 14, 2018, 9:30 AM - 11:45 AM, Symphony Orchestra Hill Auditorium Field Trip
Wednesday, Mar. 14, 2018: Incoming Sixth graders orientation, 6 PM
Wednesday, Mar. 21, 2018: Scarlett Incoming Sixth graders orientation, 6:30 PM
Friday, Mar. 24, 2018: Read-a-thon monies are due.
Friday, Mar. 23, 2018: Spring Break begins at 4:00 PM
Monday, Mar. 25- Mar. 30, 2018: No School, Spring Break
Monday, Apr. 2, 2018: School resumes

Subjects at a glance

Math: Unit 4 will be assessed Friday. If your child does not complete the assessment, he or she will have the opportunity to complete it tomorrow.
Language Arts:
Writing: Students are writing their first opinion/ persuasive essays. It will be addressed to you, the parents. We have learned how to list pros and cons, pick 3 pros, pick 1 con, use transition words and complex sentences along with an introduction and conclusion. Students will also write a persuasive essay on the best colony.
Reading: In the month of February, we covered historical fiction. In my reading class, we reviewed theme and how it applies to biographies and autographies. During the month of March, students will be challenged to write fiction story: fantasy or realistic fiction. Students will preplan their story with a plot outline. Then, draft and publish the story.
Poetry Anthology (Figurative Language Fridays) : We will cover alliteration, assonance and consonance.
Word Study: Our Core Lexia Program will cover our word study program. It is self paced to individual students reading needs.
Social Studies: We are studying the Early English Colonies, Africa and its resources, and the Colonies. This will be chapters 7, 8 and 9.
Science: We will be beginning our study of the Human Body.

EDM Assessed outcomes
Unit 4: Decimal Concepts and Coordinate Grids

• Read and write decimals in words, numbers and expanded forms.
• Compare decimals.
• Round decimals.
• Plot points on a coordinate grid.
• Use a coordinate grid to answer questions and solve problems.
• Shade grids to add and subtract decimals.
• Use algorithms to add and subtract decimals.

Unit 5: Operations with Fractions (Fractions return)

• Find common denominators. (part I)
• Add and subtract fractions and mixed numbers with unlike denominators.
• Multiply fractions using paper folding, area models, or an algorithm (part I)
• Explain why multiplying a fraction by a fraction equal to 1 gives an equivalent fractions. (part I)
• Divide a unit fraction by a whole number.
• Divide a whole number by a unit fraction.

Sixth-Grade Orientation

Tappan and Scarlett counselors will be visiting Pattengill to explain course selections and electives to our fifth-graders. The sheets will help to determine their involvement in band/ orchestra and choir. Listed in the Forget-Me-Not dates is the date of the orientation meetings for parents at their perspective middle schools. Parents who are in need of a change, Scarlett is a great choice for middle school. 

Read-A-Thon

Rather than selling products to raise money, our students get to focus on READING – a win- win for our students and schools! Students will track their time spent reading (or being read to) to strive for a medal, win raffle prizes, and raise funds for our schools.

During Read-A-Thon days, your child should read as much as possible. Time spent reading BYparents/guardians/volunteers TO your child counts as well.  Pattengill students must read a 1/2 hour to earn a raffle ticket. Each ticket must be signed by an adult and returned to school, to be counted. (I am sending home 2 sheets to helps students printed on scrap paper.)

A raffle prize drawing will take place each day during Read-A-Thon. Some days feature double and triple drawings, so keep an eye on the Read-A-Thon calendar! Time spent reading also counts toward earning a Read-A-Thon medal. See the Read-A-Thon prize sheet to learn what it takes to earn a bronze, silver, or gold medal! All participating students will receive a pencil.

Raising money for our schools is an important part of Read-A-Thon. Please ask your family and friends to pledge money for the minutes your child spends reading. DO NOT allow your child to ask strangers.

Funds raised through Read-A-Thon help the PTO to provide classroom supplies and equipment, field trips, and fun and educational school events for students and families.

Please contact readathon@bryantpattengill.org or your classroom teacher. Thank you for helping your child participate in the Read-A-Thon winter fundraiser!

Time spend during lunch and lunch recess counts toward the read-A-Thon. 

February 2018

February 2018

February came in with a bang! The snow dates and all of the shoveling snow has impacted so many things. Below are the important dates in such a short month.

Important Dates

Friday, Feb. 9, 2018: Explorer i-movie trailer is due. (group project)
Thursday, Feb. 15, 2018: I movie trailer is due. (group project)
Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2018: Science Fair board is due with all required parts in the morning. *
Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018: Colony Persuasive letter is due typed.

Forget Me Not dates

Friday, Feb. 9, 2018: Talent Show @7PM
Monday, Feb. 12, 2018: NAAPID Day/ Parent Involvement, all day, free lunch for adults only
                                        School Wide performance for Talent show
Wednesday, February 14, 2018: Valentine's day card exchange, 1:30 PM (moved due the second                         grade talent show performance, 9:45 - 11:30 AM)
Friday, Feb. 16, 2018: No school, Mid-winter Break (There will be homework.)
Monday, Feb. 19, 2018: No school, Mid winter Break, President's Day
Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2018: School resumes
Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2018: Science Fair, 6:00- 7:30 PM, (optional for students)
Friday, Feb. 23, 2018: Rescheduled Talent Show evening performance, 7:00 -9:00 PM

Subjects at a Glance
EDM: We have just started unit 4, Decimals and Coordinate Grids. This is a unit that should be taught pretty quickly; The concepts are not very complex. Below this section are the concepts being taught.
Language Arts
      Reading: In the month of February, we are studying Historical Fiction, imagery, biography and            autobiography. Students will learn how to identify historical fiction and its elements. Also, we            will review biography versus autobiography elements.
      Writing: We are continuing our application of transition words, introductory phrases, complex             and compound sentence in a letter to Dr. King. Students will be learning how to write a                       persuasive letter in historical fiction concept.
      Poetry: Students have learned what symbolism means and how to find it in reading and poetry.            Students are learning 3 different types of sound repetition: alliteration (beginning sounds),                  consonance (repetition of consonants), and assonance. (repetition of vowels)
     Word Study: Students have begun to learn how words are formed with prefixes, suffixes, root and        base words. They beginning to learn how use the meaning of roots to predict the meaning of words. (Hubbard's reading class)
Social Studies: We are concluding our study of Three Worlds Meet: The Columbian Exchange and European Explorers. Students are expected to know the impacts. We are beginning our study of English settlements and colonies.
Science: We suspended our study of Matter to work on science fair projects. At the end of January, we began our study of the Human body (circulatory and respiratory systems) at the Heart Health System. We will revisit this in March.



Unit 4: Decimal Concepts and Coordinate Grids
Assessed outcomes

• Read and write decimals in words, numbers and expanded forms.
• Compare decimals.
• Round decimals.
• Plot points on a coordinate grid.
• Use a coordinate grid to answer questions and solve problems.
• Shade grids to add and subtract decimals.
• Use algorithms to add and subtract decimals.

Science Fair Boards

All Science Fair Boards are due in the morning on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2018 with all required parts (Science Fair post) Students are not required to attend the Science Fair event; however, it is strongly encouraged to be a scientist who shares his or her project or research. If students need to print, I will be assisting with printing during lunch time. A student must tell me in a advance to arrange a mutually agreed upon time.

I will be grading the boards for science outcomes. The science fair score will be placed in the comment section in the report card. Students will have consequences if the projects are not completed.

NAAPID Day/ Parent Involvement Day

The second Monday in February is reserved for NAAPID Day/ Parent Involvement Day. This day began as an Ann Arbor principal, the late Joe Dulin wanted to have day when parents of color were openly welcomed in Ann Arbor Public Schools: The day has evolved into Parent Involvement Day. We serve breakfast at Bryant and lunch at Pattengill for parents and adults only. Parents can tour classrooms and interact with his or her child. There were workshops at both schools.

Valentine's Day Exchange

This probably is the last year for students to exchange Valentine's Day cards or candies. It is not required; however, if a student wishes to participate, he or she must bring a card or treat for every student. In the event, there is not one for every student, I will be retrieving all items until enough items are brought to the class for everyone. I sent an email all of the classes names, 26 total.

Headphones
We are in dire need of more headphones for the classroom. If you can donate headphones from Five and Below, I would greatly appreciate it. Students are permitted to use his or her own headphones during reading class in order to hear a new Reading program. Pattengill is not responsible for lost or stolen headphones. With that being said, please do not send in "Beats" or a comparable headphone.

Science Fair Wrap Up

Science Fair Last Steps

Science Fair Wrap Up

Science Fair is quickly approaching. Bring your project on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2018. Pick up your project the next day or the night of the science fair.

Accomplishments

You have completed:

• Hypothesis or Purpose
• Materials List
• Procedure
• Research
• (Partner Plan) optional

To Do

1. Complete the experiment
2. Compile Data and Results
3. Create a Chart or Graph
4. Take Pictures or Build Model
5. Write Conclusion or Results
6. Print all parts of the project

Presentation

• The Title should be the largest in the center section
• The question is the second largest on the board
• All subtopics should be the same: font, size and style
• Construction paper, if used, should be a different color than the board
• Be neat and organized

Scientific Method: Experiment Boards Layout

(Left) (Center) (Right)

Title

Materials Question Research

Pictures

Procedure Hypothesis Results

Pictures/ Graph/ Chart Conclusion

Research or Demonstration Boards Layout

(Left) (Center) (Right)

Title

Materials Question Research subtopic 2

Research subtopic 3

Procedure or research1 Pictures/ Charts Application (Demonstration project only)

Draw this if you do not want someone to touch your board or model.