Nailed It!

In Room 217 we made it through PARCC testing!  Despite one day of students needing to be uber patient with our network, we ROCKED the PARCC test!   As I reminded the scholars before taking their test, the purpose is to not only to show what they know, but to also see how our school and district as a whole are doing.    Room 217 took these tests seriously and they should be proud of their hard work!   We had one goal to get through the PARCC test with a positive attitude - and we NAILED IT.  We are now ready to continue being amazing and learning strong throughout the rest of the school year - we have plenty of time to have some amazing learning experiences!


Toilet Paper Challenge - Part II
After our practice round on Friday, we continued the toilet paper challenge this week with a bit of a different twist.   A common phrase we use in our classroom is, "Mistakes are Opportunities to Learn".  This was true I believe for both the students and myself with this toilet paper challenge.    We ran into a HUGE space issue when working in the LRC.   Due to testing there was not much open space available... so we decided to do things a bit differently.  On Tuesday, we measured the rolls of toilet paper in the hallway.   Not too many people were sure what exactly we were doing with toilet paper.  Little did they know we were mastering our learning target of 4.MD.3, "I can solve real world problems involving perimeter and areas of rectangles".   After some aggressive measuring (see the broken tape measure below), we then set to make a representation of our toilet paper using unifix cubes.  Each group received 1 unifix cube for each foot of their toilet paper roll.  Then, using trial and error, estimation, problem solving, and teamwork, teams worked to find the greatest area and perimeter of their "roll" of paper.   This hands on learning experience was excellent - and we celebrated failures together, and learned from our mistakes.   Totally a win win for everyone involved!

Guest Reader: Mrs. Sphyhalski

On Wednesday, we had a special guest reader.  Mrs. Spyhalski came to read to the Schaab Scholars.   They were ALL laughing hysterically at the book that she had brought with to share.   The Fabled Fourth Graders of Aesop Elementary School was a favorite of Mrs. Sphyalski to read to her third graders at the end of the school year.   This book did NOT disappoint.  I'm hoping that after we finish Crenshaw, we'll be able to pick up where she left off.  This book isn't in the Scholastic Book Order, however, I did find it on Amazon!  Click here if you are interested.

We have a few students who picked up a copy of the book Mrs. Morrison had shared last week, The Land of Stories.   This is available in a three pack in our book order.  I'm planning on adding a set to our classroom library, however, if your child is interested, click here to order it!   Book Orders are due on MONDAY.

If you are interested in volunteering, please click here to sign up!

Lastly, I've updated our parent resources page on this site.  Please make sure you check it out to see the resources that are available to you in one easy spot.  I'd love your feedback on if you'd like me to add something I've missed.



In other news... I'm hoping that I've completed the final phase in my foot repair today.  I had a small surgery to repair the tendon in my foot.   My boot and I will be back on Tuesday, however, if you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me as I'll be icing and elevating all weekend.  Luckily, no crutches or scooter!

Lastly, our P.E. teacher, Mr. Mata, and his wife welcomed a beautiful baby girl to the world on Thursday morning!  Leighton Marie was born at 12:17 a.m. on 04/21.  She weighs 6 lbs. 2 oz and is 18 1/2 inches long.   Mom and Leighton are doing great - as is dad.   We are super happy for the Mata family and can't wait to see him in P.E. when he returns!