Buddies

We are having fun writing and reading with our book buddies today!

Lego League

I am watching our Lego League Team practice their skit for their big competition this weekend! Be sure to come cheer them on at Marquette University High School this Sunday, Novemeber 23rd at 1, 2, or 3 pm!

Stop and Jot

We are working on "Stop and Jot" skills during our fiction reading lessons. Students pull out important information and add their own thoughts in order to create a deeper understanding of the text AND possibly use facts they hear for inquiry projects and informational writing.

Behavior Incentives and Tickets

Below are photos of our behavior incentives and positive reinforcements we do in our class. 

If students do a positive behavior or contribute a well thought out answer/are working hard and not giving up, they might receive a ticket or points towards their Colony (last quarter was a Country). There are 13 teams in the class (going along with our inquiry unit of colonization), in which teams earn and lose points throughout the days and weeks.  We throw random parties and incentives for the top few teams.  We call this incentive "Gamefication  because it's like playing a video game. 

Students use their tickets for Fun Fridays Anydays and the Wildcat Cart (PBIS incentives), as well as teacher choice incentives.  

Our noise level colors vary from blue (silent) to red (emergency...and only teachers use red). All 4/5 classes use this color chart to indicate what level student voices should be at.

To make someone's day, they can "Fill a Bucket". They can write a note of encouragement, thanks, or a simple compliment. 

Shoparoo

Want to help Wilson out even more? Check out the PTA flyer attached about a cool opportunity!

Sharing Our Writing

Today, we shared our first informational pieces of the year. They were on the topic of the colonization of America.

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Quarter 1

We had such a great first quarter in rooms 306/308.  It was full of guests, events, and new learning! Some things included were....

1. Having Superintendent Paul Strobel come and answer our questions about the West Allis-West Milwaukee School District government and learning about a school district hierarchy.

2. Visting the Wisconsin State Capitol and Henry Vilas Zoo in Madison.

3. Meeting our book buddies for the first time.

4. Sharing our writing with our writing partners and classmates.

5. Learning about bike and pedestrian safety, as well as learning about West Allis government from city officials.

6. Participating in the 4/5 Cross Country Run.

7. Meeting the Mayor of West Allis, Mr. Dan Devine and later conducting our own mock election on Election Day, thanks in large part to Mr. Weishan!

8. Finishing our Numbers in Base Ten math unit with a greater understanding of place value, rounding, and math operations, especially through problem solving. Next up is Algebraic Thinking!

9. Reading a bunch of awesome books, including our shared reading book, the Westing Gme, and practicing our close reading skills in whole group, small group, and independently.

We look forward to an awesome second quarter!