2-d 3-d, Time, Leif Erickson, Wagner and Early Dismissal

Notice:

No school Friday

Comfort kits (look for small ziploc bag in the students backpacks with info)

We began the day with our Calvin and Hobbes cartoon about how Calvin woke up 2-dimensional and spend the morning hiding from his dad who was trying to fix the sink.  Calvin explores the world as a 2-d person figuring out how to move by rolling himself into a tube. When Calvin appeared to his father, Calvin said he had been hiding all morning... the dad asked if he could be 2-d all afternoon.. not too funny but educational as we launched into a talk about 2-d and 3-d.  After that I organized the students into groups to work on their mini-book on time.  Each group has a person who can tell time with others who are just learning so there is a lot of peer talk and peer teaching going on. 

Math groups

Watching National Film Board video

After recess we talked about the the first recorded Europeans to arrive and spend time in North America the Vikings under Leif Erickson.  We then watched a National Film Board Video showing relics and remains of the Vikings that prove conclusively the Vikings pre-Columbian'discovery of North America at L'Anse aux Meadows on the northern tip of the island of Newfoundland.
The students worked on completing a one page report with a diagram of Leif Erickson.  This information will be on the test.  (About how many years before Columbus did Vikings winter in NA? What two things did the Vikings take back to Greenland? and Why did the Vikings call North America Vinland?) [500, timber and grapes, because grapes grow on vines]

After lunch those students not in choir had to do a one page report on Richard Wagner
who is best known for his operas.  Wagner is one of Germany's best known composers and musical writers having written many articles and essays on drama and music composition.  Of course one of my favorite quotes by Mark Twain on his music is "Wagner:  His music is way better than it sounds."  

We have enough brown paper bags... Thanks all

Leif Erickson Leader of the Viking Expedition to North America

E and her handwriting booklet

After Music the students worked on their Handwriting booklets that were put together by Mrs. Schneider and we are offering the incentive that students can write in pen once they complete it and go through a small handwriting test.

J and Mom laugh and enjoy his work at parent teacher interviews

The day ended at 1:45 for Early Dismissal for parent teacher interviews.  Thank you all those parents who came.  It is delightful to see you with your children and watching how proud the students are to share their work and learning with you.   Take care Mr. W