Tomorrow, Friday, January 23rd

Tomorrow, Friday, January 23rd we are celebrating the winter olympics. We ask that you please remind your child that there will be outside activities so to please dress warm. Boots, snowpants, hats, mittens etc. are recommended.

Thanks for your help.

Friday, January 29th

You and your family are invited to attend the Pleasantview CABIN FEVER night on Friday, January 29th from 6 - 8 pm. This event is sponsored by the PV Parent Teacher Advisory Council (PTAC). You are invited to come and play Bingo, make some crafts, and have some goodies. Tickets cost .50 and items take 1-3 tickets.

The PTAC is still in need of a few volunteers to help with this event. If you are willing to donate some time, please contact Kirsten at 252-6303.

We hope to see you there.

See conference schedule down below!

Good questions to ask your child... what is the wacky name of our Olympic country?

Website and study guide for our CTC Field Trip on February 23rd

http://www.childrenstheatre.org/pdfs/2010_accordingtocoyoteguide.pdf





Good questions to ask your child....
Spelling test scores were passed out today... what was your score?
We've put our next spelling word list in our agenda because our next spelling test is on Monday. Please practice. Good luck!
How many pages have you added to your Keynote project? What was your Reading MAPS test score? Did you make improvements to your overall score?

Invention Grades have been Distributed... Great Job!

Oh, Those Imaginative, Ingenious, and Inventive Fourth Graders!

Pleasantview fourth graders have spent the last six weeks engaged in an Inventing Unit studying the brainstorming, problem-solving, and the creative aspects of overcoming issues that faces all of us on a regular basis. The Inventing Unit allowed the fourth graders the opportunity to proceed through a six-step process that culminated with the development of an invention that each student was able to share with fellow classmates and within a day spent in the gym amongst the entire Pleasantview student body, staff, parents, and various community members. From a spectators view, the highlight of the unit had to be the sight of 116 inventions being displayed in the Pleasantview gym. As one former Inventors’ Congress participant noted, “even Ben Franklin and Thomas Bell would have marveled at this amazing display of Yankee Ingenuity!

The six-step process that was presented to the students initiated with the process of identifying a problem. Quite often this first step is viewed as overwhelming, as the students are able to amass a large list of difficulties that face each of us on a daily, weekly, or monthly time frame. The difficulty becomes narrowing the listed problems down to a single quandary that a child wants to address. One step that assists in the thinning of the predicaments is brainstorming solutions step. Students enjoy the brainstorming process as all solutions and their ideas are considered and nothing suggested is viewed as too bazaar or outrageous. Once the students identify their individual problem to tackle, they move to taking on the role of the researcher. This step involves testing to see if their idea will indeed solve the identified dilemma and whether or not something similar to their idea exists or has been previously patented and marketed. Next, the inventor submits a project proposal and if approved by the teacher, the student works to make the invention a reality. Once created, the inventor describes his or her process in three written paragraphs that depicts how the invention works, it’s purpose, and how it would improve the quality of their life and the lives of others. It’s a lengthy process when you consider that most of the inventions needed several modifications before a working prototype was developed. But, such is the life of an inventor.

One new activity that assisted in promoting the marketing aspect of inventing was this year’s addition of the development of a TV spot. Five inventions were chosen from each class and the students worked in groups of six to produce a one to two minute commercial that was shown on Pleasantview’s morning broadcast, W.A.E.L. The advertising agencies spent three days researching seven elements that advertisers use to promote the public desire for a product. Some of the many designed display boards, which are used to disseminate information and draw interest to one's invention, included clever titles, slogans, songs, T-shirts, famous impersonations, and other advertising schemes. The creations of these commercials certainly must have added to the excitement and interest in attending the January 22nd Fourth Grade Inventor’s Congress as many individuals commented that this year’s public turnout had to be the largest ever!

To give you an idea of the ingenious thinking that was going on during this event and the creative advertising schemes that were developed, we’ve included a few titles, photographs, and descriptions of the inventions that were fashioned. Anyone that was in attendance would agree, that the future looks bright as the next generation of inventors are well on their way to solving life’s inconveniences.

Some of the inventions included:

Connor’s ‘Wheelchair Wheel Washer’ is a convenient and effective way to clean off the wheels of a Wheelchair

Reid’s ‘Movie’s To Go’ organizes and protects CD’s and DVD’s in a manageable and fashionable design.

Ryli’s ‘Baby Safe Garden Starter’ keeps your early starter plants warm and safe from little critters and curious children.

Abby’s ‘Pet Hotel’ is designed to organize stuffed animals into a simple and decorative fashion.

Angelique’s ‘Christmas Decoration Holder ‘makes collecting and storing Christmas materials much easier, saving you time and money.

Jordan’s ‘Two Section Kennel’ or T.S.K. is designed to transport two pets so that they may keep each other calm and comfortable.

Austin’s ‘Musical Hat’ is multifunctional as it keeps your head warm and your soul grooving.

Cole’s ‘Shh Tags’ remedies the annoying sound of clanging pet tags.

Andrew’s ‘Circle Rod Bucket’ is a resourceful way of organizing ice fishing rods and materials so you can haul in the big one.

Nicole’s ‘Paw Spa’ would be a relaxing and rejuvenating experience for any pet.

Brinny’s ‘Snap Purse’ is as effective in organizing materials, as it is fashionable. Look for this item on the cover of all the major fashion magazines this spring.

Rachel’s ‘Trasher Smasher’ is created to keep you from having to step in to the trashcan to reduce or lower its contents.
Jaimee’s ‘Dog Walker Guardian’ could save you and your animal for an unfortunate traffic accident.

Luke’s ‘Snowballinator’ helps one defend their snow fortress by mass-producing snowballs.

Certainly these were not all of the wonderful inventions that were on display, but it does give you the understanding that problem solving skills and ‘outside the box’ thinking are alive and well at District 47.

Just a reminder....

...skiing on Tuesday

In charge of WAEL and Jump Start this week are

BAILEY
AMIE
JAYLEN
CONNOR
RACHEL
RYLI

Good questions to ask your child...

What was the REPS question for today? What was the title of the book and what was its lesson?

AR test scores were passed out today. Invention grades are almost done (two left) and should be given out, along with several other corrected papers, at the end of the day on Friday. I'm looking forward to the BIG SHOW on Friday!

Conference Schedule

Monday, February 8th

4 PM Lily
4:20 Mathew-confirmed
4:40 Bailey- confirmed
5 PM Austin-confirmed
5:20 Jordan-confirmed
5:40 Andrew-confirmed
6:20 Rachel
6:40 Reid-confirmed
7 PM Brinny-confirmed
7:20 Emma
7:40 Jenny


Thursday, February 11th

4:20 Jake-confirmed
4:40 Ben
5 PM Tanner-confirmed
5:20 Jaimee
5:40 Ryley-confirmed
6:00 Nikki-confirmed
6:40 Aaron
7 PM Abby
7:20 Amie-confirmed
7:40 Jaylen


Friday, February 12th
7 AM Ryli- Confirmed
7:20 Dani
7:40 Angelique- confirmed
8:40 Connor-confirmed
9:00 Cole
9:20 Luke
10 AM Brooke
10:20 Chace
10:40 Kaylee-confirmed
12:00
12:30 Mr. Krupa appt.
1:40 P.M.

Good questions to ask your child...

What does R.E.P.S. mean and how do you encorporate it into your writing?

Repeat the question
Examples from the passage are shared
Personalize - share personal experiences that relate to the passage (make a connection)
Summarize- Sum up your response/statements

Solve for s

s - 5 = 16 s =

s * 6 = 5 + 25 s =

24 / 6 = s s =

s / 6 = 8 s =

49 / 7 = 11 - s s =

23 - s = 18 s =

45 / s = 5 s =




Create five of your own. Make sure you understand all of the problems, especially the divsion problems.



Remember that your Biography/ Keynote Project packet is due on Monday. See everyone on Friday at the Inventor's Congress!

We will be skiing on Tuesday, January 19th in P.E. - Dress appropriately!

Good questions to ask your child...

...other than your own, which invention and invention presentation have you enjoyed the most, so far?

Inventors Congress

On January 22, we will be sharing our inventions from 10:30 to noon and 1:00 to 1:45 PM. A suggestion would be to come visit us in the gymnasium around 1:20. This way you could leave with your child and their invention before the buses and other parents arrive to pick up their children. This is always a wonderful event and everyone enjoys the effort put forth by the children. See you there!

Homework tonight:

Cursive Packet
Biography Packet questions - Parent signature needed

Good questions to ask my child...

Where should you put your invention, invention log and display board in the room on Wednesday? AR points/totals were passed out today, what is your average and total points?

Good questions to ask your child...

What biography book did you chose today? What questions do you need me to sign? What goals did you set for yourself to attain on the Reading, Math, and Language Arts MAPS tests?


Enjoy the warming trend

Skiing on Monday, January 11th

Please dress appropriately!

Reminder: Invention, Invention Log, and Display Board are due on Wednesday.

Homework for Tonight

Improvement paragraphs and Spelling Parent Letters are due on Thursday. Please edit your child's paragraph. I'm excited to see the inventions!
We discussed the January Reading Contract and sent it home today.

Cabin Fever

You and your family are invited to attend the Pleasantview CABIN FEVER night on Friday, January 29th from 6 - 8 pm. This event is sponsored by the PV Parent Teacher Advisory Council (PTAC). You are invited to come and play Bingo, make some crafts, and have some goodies. Tickets cost .50 and items take 1-3 tickets.

The PTAC is looking for volunteers to help with this event. If you are willing to donate some time, please contact Kirsten at 252-6303.

The PTAC is also looking for prizes for the Bingo games. Donations of new prizes will be greatly appreciated. Please turn these in to the Pleasantview Office.

We hope to see you there!



Good questions to ask your child.....

List the seven elements or tricks of advertising that we discussed. The kids will have trouble listing all seven, so here is the list to help them out.

Famous People
Links (linked to positive feelings)
Emotions (buy this product and all the fun, etc. will be yours too)
Empty Words
Bandwagon
Technical Tricks
Repetition

Invention, Log Book, and Display Board are due on January 13th

Homework Tonight- Complete your Purpose paragraph - Due on Wednesday. If you have questions, please call me or check the entry below for answers to commonly asked questions.

Good questions to ask your child...

May I see your Unit 7 Spelling homework sheet? List several words that have multiple meanings. What is your New Year's Resolution going to be? Let's brainstorm some ideas. What are you going to eliminate or agree to discard for the New Year? What book did you check out today? Who did write a letter to this morning? What do horizontal and vertical mean, in regards to positioning your paper? Where you tired today or hungry today??? :-)


Finish your invention.

COMMERCIAL GROUPS / W.A.E.L. GROUPS

Our students will be creating commercials to advertise their inventions on WAEL. These will be shown on Channel 68 during the week of the Inventor's Congress. The students will be studying the five elements of advertising and the individual groups are listed below.




COMMERICALS


GROUP 1

JAIMEE*
ANGELIQUE
JORDAN
MATHEW
AARON


GROUP 2
CONNOR
BROOKE
LILY
DANIELLE*
REID




GROUP 3
ANDREW
JAYLEN
JENNY
KAYLEE
CHACE*




GROUP 4
RACHEL*
JAKE
LUKE
EMMA
AUSTIN



GROUP 5
ABBY
NIKKI
BRINNY
TANNER*
RYLEY






GROUP 6
RYLI
BAILEY
AMIE*
COLE
BEN



We will be in charge of WAEL beginning on January 19th. The students will be given the opportunity of being a newscaster, being in charge of filming the program, handling the cue cards, and operating the sound system.

WAEL - GROUPS


WEEK ONE - Jan. 19th



LUKE
AARON
MATHEW
ANGELIQUE
JAIMEE
JORDAN

WEEK TWO

BAILEY
AMIE
JAYLEN
CONNOR
RACHEL
RYLI


WEEK THREE


JENNY
EMMA
BRINNY
JAKE
TANNER
ANDREW


WEEK 4 FOUR

REID
KAYLEE
AUSTIN
NIKKI
ABBY
COLE


WEEK FIVE

DANIELLE
BEN
LILY
CHANCE
BROOKE
RYLEY

AR BOOKS

Here is a list of the book that your child is currently reading.

Student 1 -B.B. - Nancy Drew - WEREWOLF IN A WINTER WONDERLAND *

Student 2 -A. B.-Touching Spirit Bear *

Student 3 -T. C. - Roscoe Wizzle *

Student 4 - A. E. -SWINDLE *

Student 5 -K. F. -The Girl Who Hated Ponies *

Student 6 - J. F.- Night on the Titantic *

Student 7 -R. G. -WHo was Ameila Earhart? *

Student 8 E. H. -Big Fat Mouth *

Student 9 -J. H.-Sharks *

Student 10 -D. H. - GET ONE...LET ME KNOW..ASAP

Student 11- J. K. - THe Hello Good Bye Window *

Student 12 -R. K. - Dogku *

Student 13 -L. K. - The Ersatz Elevator *

Student 14 -M. K.- Roscoe Wizzle *

Student 15 - C. K. - GO GET ONE....LET ME KNOW

Student 16 - R. L - Nancy Drew - Clue on the Crystal Dove *

Student 17 - B.M. The Night I Found My Field Trip *

Student 18 - R. M. - JACK ON THE TRACKS *

Student 19 - N. M. - Homework Machine *

Student 20 - J. O. S. - Judy Moddy *

Student 21 - J. P. - Miss Daisy is Crazy *

Student 22 - A. R. - DAY OF THE DRAGON KING *

Student 23 - C. R. SUPER FUDGE *

Student 24 B.S. Secrets of Droon *

Student 25 - A. S. Sharks *

Student 26 - C. S. - STINK *

Student 27 - L. S. - Smasher *

Student 28 - B. S. - Horrible Harry Room 2 B *

Student 29 - A. S. - Monster Under Her Bed *

Student 30 - Series of Unfortunate Events *