Friday, September 28, 2012

4th Grade news

I am trying to create a routine in the classroom that will benefit everyone where everyone will be able to go onto Rosetta stone while in the classroom. I am going to try duting center time as a part of the speaking grade and see how it works,

When I meet with specific groups on Saturday is when they will receive their spelling and vocab quiz. The students should know what the words mean regardless, but the vocabulary words will be written out for them where each student will have to know what it means. I give a word bank so the english words are spelled correctly.  I am trying to figure out a way where the students can also use Rosetta stone at home or similar activities which wi;; improve their speaking. Rosetta stone is a good product but the one problem I find is the students have to speak clearly and loudly into the microphone which makes it frustrating at first, but with time they will become more familiar with it they will also get better.

They did very well on the spelling/voacabulary quiz last week and this week during spelling, I will say the word and say it in a sentence and repeat the word. This is where the students need to study the words. Every parent can give their students a spelling test and ask them what the vocabulary words. Every week it will be much easier to the students because they are using dictionaries to find out what the word means. This takes time to get used to.

Homework which is due next week (10-6-12)
Textbook Unit 8 pgs 266-273.
Practice reading page 274 and underline any unknown words.
Spelling/Vocabulary words are on p. 267.
Grammar Lesson 13.
Spelling/Vocabulary Quiz

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Homework due 9-29-12

Text book: pages 156-163 (Some of it was done in class during guided reading)
Read p. 166 from same text book.
Spellin/Vocab Quiz from words on p. 157
Grammar lesson 12: p. 43-47

Some pages from text book is review from last week as well as the grammar book pages which deal with the present verb tenses.

Last 2 Weeks

I have been trying to include a new idea that was not included before, the use of Rosetta stone and having the students speaking more Greek. There are centers included in the classroom: reading, spelling/vocab words, writing, Rosetta Stone, Speaking, and meeting with me.

When they meet with me, each student will be taking their spelling/vocab. quiz along with reading the story the students practiced reading for homework and work on some questions. The students will also be using the grammar book to review verb tenses which they should already know. The grammar book also addresses nouns, adjectives and how they relate to nouns, etc. This is when they will receive their homework. When I am with one group, the other group will be conducting the centers stations. Most of the centers they can work with a partner. Rosetta Stone is the only one that can be done one at a time. Eventually they will be getting dictionaries to figure out what the words mean. Each group will have 45 minutes to work on center work. The reading and writing center will be rotated due to the lack of time.

New School Year

Welcome back to all returning and new students. I can not believe the whole summer has passes by so quickly. I am excited for another great year. I will be posting the homework assignments on this blog. Lets have a great year and I hope to post pictures as well.

I am trying to introduce some technology into the classroom to engage the students  as well as keeping them interested in coming back to Greek School. I have introduced Rosetta Stone to the students which can be frustrating at times because the students have to be sure to speak clearly and slowly into the microphone. It is in a work in progress, but the students seem to enjoy it.

I am even considering to bring my ipad from home which will have some greek apps that will relate to our lesson or Rosetta Stone.