Our classroom recently got a makeover. We have now become a "smart room". I am learning so much about these new pieces of equipment, but I know I still have a lot to learn. I am looking forward to learning alongside my students.
We now have a Promethean board, which we can write on using special "pens". We have a document camera, a projector, and some other things I have yet to learn about.
How do you think having all this technology will help our class become better learners?
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Happy Thanksgiving 2009!
Today is our last day of school before our Thanksgiving break. I know we are all looking forward to eating turkey, watching football on TV, and perhaps even doing some shopping on Friday.
But Thanksgiving is about more than that. Thanksgiving is our time to be thankful for all the wonderful things in our lives. I know there are many things I am thankful for. I am thankful for a wonderful husband and son. I am thankful for my good health. I am thankful for a nice home to live in and good friends. And I am also thankful for each of my 24 students! You make it fun to come to work every day!
What are you thankful for this year?
But Thanksgiving is about more than that. Thanksgiving is our time to be thankful for all the wonderful things in our lives. I know there are many things I am thankful for. I am thankful for a wonderful husband and son. I am thankful for my good health. I am thankful for a nice home to live in and good friends. And I am also thankful for each of my 24 students! You make it fun to come to work every day!
What are you thankful for this year?
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
1st Quarter Awards
Yesterday was our first quarter awards assembly. Our school gives out awards for having certain grades and for perfect attendance.
No one in our class was in the A-Honor roll, which means earning more A's than B's on your report card.
B-Honor Roll is for having more B's than A's, or all B's on your report card. Congratulations to these students for making B-Honor Roll.
Miajia
Breanna
Walter
Carlos
Angela
Guillermo
Emerald
Honorable Mention means you missed B-Honor Roll by only subject. Congratulations to this student for earning Honorable Mention.
Brian
These students earned Perfect Attendance.
SheMira
Walter
Devin
Brenda
Chabely
Tui
Leshley
What can you do during second quarter so that you can get an award next time?
No one in our class was in the A-Honor roll, which means earning more A's than B's on your report card.
B-Honor Roll is for having more B's than A's, or all B's on your report card. Congratulations to these students for making B-Honor Roll.
Miajia
Breanna
Walter
Carlos
Angela
Guillermo
Emerald
Honorable Mention means you missed B-Honor Roll by only subject. Congratulations to this student for earning Honorable Mention.
Brian
These students earned Perfect Attendance.
SheMira
Walter
Devin
Brenda
Chabely
Tui
Leshley
What can you do during second quarter so that you can get an award next time?
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Carolina Ballet Program
Today we had some dancers from the Carolina Ballet Company in Raleigh come to speak at our school. Jan and Richie were the dancers. They told us the stories of how they became dancers. Jan started dancing at age 3, got asked to dance in New York City, and while she was there, was spotted by a dance master from the Carolina Ballet and offered a position. Richie is originally from the country of Hungary (that's in Europe.) His parents were both ballet dancers, so he naturally became one himself. He moved to America as a teenager, and while visiting dancer friends in Raleigh, was spotted by a dance master and was also offered a position with Carolina Ballet.
They talked to us about their practice routines, how they stay in such good shape, and how they learn to work together, even with people they might not like. They also showed us dance steps and even invited students on stage to demonstrate the steps. Congrats to Emerald, Miajia, and Chabely, who were brave enough to go on stage and demonstrate jumps and leaps!
Now, my question for you....were you paying attention?? At the end, some students came up and asked questions. I will post the questions that the students asked the dancers. Do you remember the answers?
1. What do the dancers do if they trip?
2. Is ballet like ice skating? Explain.
3. Have they ever performed somewhere else in the world besides NC?
Post the answers to these questions in the comments section.
They talked to us about their practice routines, how they stay in such good shape, and how they learn to work together, even with people they might not like. They also showed us dance steps and even invited students on stage to demonstrate the steps. Congrats to Emerald, Miajia, and Chabely, who were brave enough to go on stage and demonstrate jumps and leaps!
Now, my question for you....were you paying attention?? At the end, some students came up and asked questions. I will post the questions that the students asked the dancers. Do you remember the answers?
1. What do the dancers do if they trip?
2. Is ballet like ice skating? Explain.
3. Have they ever performed somewhere else in the world besides NC?
Post the answers to these questions in the comments section.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Worried About Word Problems??
For the past few days in Math Class, we have been discussing word problems. We have talked about how you need to carefully read each problem, looking for those key words that helps us know what to do in order to solve. We have to look at all the numbers in the problems and decide what information is needed and what information is not needed. Then we have to decide what strategy we need to use to solve the problem:
- Guess and Check
- Draw a picture
- Make a chart
- Work Backwards
- Multi-Step
This week we have solved problems in groups, as well as for homework and classwork. Some problems have been open-ended. Some problems have been multiple-choice.
Now I would like to know....what worries you about word problems? Let me know, so I can know better how to help you in class.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Our Multicultural Classroom
Dear Students,
Last week our school held its annual Multicultural Week. We saw videos on different cultures represented by our school. We made posters showing who we are, where we are from, and what we are interested in. Some of our parents sent in foods from different countries. And we ended the week with a "Parade of Nations" and a sing-along in the gym.
We have mentioned before how our class is represented by 9 countries and our school represents 28 countries. I would like you to answer this question in the comments section. What do you think is the best part about having so many countries represented by our school and class? Explain why.
Mrs. Staton
Last week our school held its annual Multicultural Week. We saw videos on different cultures represented by our school. We made posters showing who we are, where we are from, and what we are interested in. Some of our parents sent in foods from different countries. And we ended the week with a "Parade of Nations" and a sing-along in the gym.
We have mentioned before how our class is represented by 9 countries and our school represents 28 countries. I would like you to answer this question in the comments section. What do you think is the best part about having so many countries represented by our school and class? Explain why.
Mrs. Staton
Friday, October 2, 2009
"Capoeira" from Arts Connection.
For the past few weeks our school has hosted the Arts Connection group, and this was our week to have a representative from the group in our class. Mrs. "S", as she likes to be called, taught us about "Capoeira", a type of dance/martial arts from Brazil. "Capoeira" was orgininally performed by slaves who came from Africa to Brazil. "Capoeira" was really strength-training and self-defense for the slaves. They were able to practice in sight of the slave-masters because it looked like they were dancing. They learned to be bold, strong, and self-confident.
Since they were living in Brazil, they spoke Portugese, so we were able to learn some words in Portugese.
We learned ginga which was the basic movement in Capoeira.
We learned "au" which is a cartwheel.
We learned "esquiva" which is a block, or escape moved.
We learned "berimbau" which was the instrument that was played in the songs when they performed "Capoeria".
What will you most remember about Capoeria? What was your favorite move to peform? What did you learn? Share these thoughts with me!
Since they were living in Brazil, they spoke Portugese, so we were able to learn some words in Portugese.
We learned ginga which was the basic movement in Capoeira.
We learned "au" which is a cartwheel.
We learned "esquiva" which is a block, or escape moved.
We learned "berimbau" which was the instrument that was played in the songs when they performed "Capoeria".
What will you most remember about Capoeria? What was your favorite move to peform? What did you learn? Share these thoughts with me!
Friday, September 25, 2009
First Book Study is Finished!
Dear Students,
This week we wrapped up our study of the book, Dear Mr. Henshaw. We've been working with this book since the second week of school, and we have talked about the many different things that happened in the book. I think it is very interesting that after reading a book about a boy writing in his diary, we are beginning a diary of our own. Our class blog will be a type of diary or journal that we can use to record the events of our year together.
My favorite part of the book was when we realized Leigh had finally made a friend. I know what it is like to move to a new place and how hard it can be to make friends sometimes. Some of you can also relate to this feeling. I remember how good it felt to finally have someone to spend time with and talk to. I could remember those feelings as we read this part of the book.
Now, I would like to know....what was YOUR favorite part of Dear Mr. Henshaw?
This week we wrapped up our study of the book, Dear Mr. Henshaw. We've been working with this book since the second week of school, and we have talked about the many different things that happened in the book. I think it is very interesting that after reading a book about a boy writing in his diary, we are beginning a diary of our own. Our class blog will be a type of diary or journal that we can use to record the events of our year together.
My favorite part of the book was when we realized Leigh had finally made a friend. I know what it is like to move to a new place and how hard it can be to make friends sometimes. Some of you can also relate to this feeling. I remember how good it felt to finally have someone to spend time with and talk to. I could remember those feelings as we read this part of the book.
Now, I would like to know....what was YOUR favorite part of Dear Mr. Henshaw?
Meet the Class of 2009-2010
Welcome to a new year in Mrs. Staton's class. This year we have 24 students, four of whom are brand-new to America! (Last year there were only 16 students in my class....). I would like to introduce to you the members of our class. Together we represent 9 different countries!
I will put a picture of a country's flag and then list the students who are from that country.
From Mexico, we have Guillermo, Chabely, Wendy, Brenda, Carlos, Itzayana, and Enri. With this many Spanish speakers, I'm hoping they will teach me something this year!
Brian's family is from Colombia (although he was born in America.)
Walter's family is from Guatemala (although he was also born in America).
Leshley and Genesis are both from Puerto Rico. Genesis's mom serves as our school's bilingual secretary!
Tui is from Vietnam. His brother, Ti, was in my class last year!
Two of our new-to-America students are from the Kareeni State of Myanmar (Burma). These students are Bomeh and Mehreh. Bomeh was with my class last year for the last few weeks of school so she could see what school was like. I am so glad to have her with us again this year.
And finally, from the country of Turkey, is our newest student, Kaan. He is the fourth of our new-to-America students.
I will put a picture of a country's flag and then list the students who are from that country.
From the United States, we have Amiayah, Miajia, Devin, Emerald, Breanna, Angela, SheMira, Erick, Brian, Walter and Mrs. Staton.
From Mexico, we have Guillermo, Chabely, Wendy, Brenda, Carlos, Itzayana, and Enri. With this many Spanish speakers, I'm hoping they will teach me something this year!
Brian's family is from Colombia (although he was born in America.)
Walter's family is from Guatemala (although he was also born in America).
Leshley and Genesis are both from Puerto Rico. Genesis's mom serves as our school's bilingual secretary!
Tui is from Vietnam. His brother, Ti, was in my class last year!
One of our new-to-America students in Ali, who is from Iraq.
Two of our new-to-America students are from the Kareeni State of Myanmar (Burma). These students are Bomeh and Mehreh. Bomeh was with my class last year for the last few weeks of school so she could see what school was like. I am so glad to have her with us again this year.
And finally, from the country of Turkey, is our newest student, Kaan. He is the fourth of our new-to-America students.
I guess you could say this year's class is Mrs. Staton's United Nations!! I can't wait for multicultural week. I'm sure my families will have a lot to share with us.
Back to School
Well, as you can see, it's been a while since our class has posted to this blog. Last school year got very busy and, honestly, the blog got put on the back burner. Now it's a new school year and I am ready to begin blogging again with my new group of students!
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Thoughts about Inauguration Day
Yesterday we held a discussion about Inauguration Day. Even though we didn't get to watch it together as a class (due to the "snow" day), I was glad to find out that ALL THE STUDENTS watched at least part of it while at home. Many students said they watched the whole thing!! Many were excited about the idea of our country's first African-American President.
We mentioned how this was a history-in-the-making event. I told the students that this was something that many years from now, their own children will read about it in their history class, but they got to watch it happen. We talked about how history repeated itself--with President Obama doing many of the things that President Lincoln did many years ago. They thought it was interesting that President Obama used President Lincoln's Bible for the swearing-in ceremony. Some students did not realize that all the living former Presidents would also be attending.
***Interesting Fact---all the living former Presidents are the ones that have been the President during my lifetime!!***
A couple of students noticed that Martin Luther King, Jr.'s son was sitting right behind the First Family.
The students were also excited for President Obama's daughters since they would be living in the White House. We talked about how their lives will be changing in incredible ways, and when their teachers discuss the President, they will be discussing their own father!!
This has been a historical week for our country with the election of the first African-American President.
We mentioned how this was a history-in-the-making event. I told the students that this was something that many years from now, their own children will read about it in their history class, but they got to watch it happen. We talked about how history repeated itself--with President Obama doing many of the things that President Lincoln did many years ago. They thought it was interesting that President Obama used President Lincoln's Bible for the swearing-in ceremony. Some students did not realize that all the living former Presidents would also be attending.
***Interesting Fact---all the living former Presidents are the ones that have been the President during my lifetime!!***
A couple of students noticed that Martin Luther King, Jr.'s son was sitting right behind the First Family.
The students were also excited for President Obama's daughters since they would be living in the White House. We talked about how their lives will be changing in incredible ways, and when their teachers discuss the President, they will be discussing their own father!!
This has been a historical week for our country with the election of the first African-American President.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Welcome to 2009!
We have been so busy getting back into the swing of school that our class has not taken the time to blog much lately. We will start working on that tomorrow, as we are on a "snow" day today. Unfortunately, there is no snow....
Anyway, last Friday we held our school wide spelling bee. Sohani did a great job representing our class. She was not our school winner, but we are so proud of her efforts. It is a nerve-wracking thing to be on stage in front of a large crowd of peers, trying to remember how to spell words. Our school winner is a fourth grade student, for the second year in a row.
Today is also Inauguration Day. I am hoping we can have a good discussion of this in class and be able to write down some thoughts about this day.
Anyway, last Friday we held our school wide spelling bee. Sohani did a great job representing our class. She was not our school winner, but we are so proud of her efforts. It is a nerve-wracking thing to be on stage in front of a large crowd of peers, trying to remember how to spell words. Our school winner is a fourth grade student, for the second year in a row.
Today is also Inauguration Day. I am hoping we can have a good discussion of this in class and be able to write down some thoughts about this day.
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