We started Fractions today!

We had our "Introducing Fractions" lesson today and the boys and girls learned the following:  

• a fraction has two parts: a numerator and a denominator 
• fractions must be equal parts 
• the larger the denominator, the smaller the fractional piece will be 
• we don't say "halfs" we say "halves" 

Is it weird that everytime I type "denominator" I first type "demoninator??"...I like fractions! Honest I do!  LOL! 

It was a quiet day today

Did you ever think you'd read those words on THIS blog? I know!  
It was a quiet one though. We had that Math test this afternoon and I was reminded of why I never do Math tests on Fridays.  Ugh. But in this case, I think it was beneficial for everyone to have that extra night to prepare given it was a short week. I was happy to spend the time yesterday reviewing with the gang so they could feel really confident about the test. 

The boys and girls worked so hard this afternoon on that test and so far, the results look great.  But man oh man, was it quiet in here!  Our Fridays are usually loud and full of laughter.  I suppose today will make us all appreciate next week's Fun Friday even more (especially this gal!). 

Oh my. 
I just thought of something...do you realize next week is week 29? Do you realize I have a mere 11 weeks left with this fantastic crew of kids?  I will warn you now...these last ten or so weeks fly by. Fly. By. It's unbelievable. 

We still have lots to learn and many, many great memories to make but we're going to be into single digits week-wise and that still stuns me. Doesn't it seem like we just got started?  Doesn't it seem like just last month or so that I was introducing myself and telling you all about my dog?  

How is this possible that we are here, about to start Week 29 and I'm still playing that game with myself where I say, "We have all kinds of time left to do xyz."  So what do you do?  Well, we make the most of our time together. We continue to work hard and in a few more weeks, I start talking about how to be successful in Grade Four with my kids.  

Sigh. 
See this is what happens when we have quiet Fridays! Mrs. M has too much time to think!  LOL! 
  

An update

A quick post to make sure we're all on track. 

Every now and then, when we have busy (and short) weeks such as this one, I need to stop and make lists to make sure I have this all figured out. Yep, I'm that lady that talks to herself in the grocery store and if it was still socially acceptable, I'd pin notes to my jacket like my Kindergarten teacher used to do in the 70s, just to keep track of all the things that need tracking.  

Here's what's going on this week: 

• no POTW test this week
• no Practice Pages this week
• Math test on Friday (see Practice test posted on the blog)
• RAD assembly Friday morning  
• students are writing an announcement and they are to practice reading it aloud tonight (Wednesday)
• announcements will be read/presented in class on Thursday/Friday 
• we're doing this new nifty way of saying "goodnight" and the kids have a copy of it in their POTW book, they are welcome to practice it anytime 
• the boys and girls are bringing home their Writer's Notebook (it's really a binder) on Thursday night to share and show, they're asked to return it for Friday 

Whew! 

There you have it!  

Can I brag for a moment here?

As their "Mom at school", can I have a few minutes to brag about "my kids"?  

Let me tell you how fabulous my class is.  

First, the backstory.

This year I have been invited to participate in a number of Board projects and activities. This has meant I have been away for a half-day workshop here and there.  Every single supply teacher that comes to my room leaves me a little note/Valentine telling me how much they enjoyed my students and their time in my room. 
In fact, yesterday's guest referred to my kids as "a dream class".  And they are.  

Today was a culminating task-day for this Math project I have been a part of since the Fall. A colleague and I co-planned a lesson together and then taught it.  In all, we had three different guest teachers in our room today.  One to cover for me while I co-planned, my colleague,with whom I taught the lesson and then another teacher who joined later in the afternoon for a visit.  

Everyone.
Loves. 
My.
Class.

Everyone went on (and on and on) about how polite, independent, funny, kind, respectful, smart, and engaged my students are and I wanted to share this wonderful news with you. 

I love sharing these sorts of stories with you because it reaffirms what I have said before:  Your children are such wonderful representatives of you all and your hard work.  

Your dream children make up my dream class.  

With appreciation and respect, 

"Mom"  ;)