Russell/Ross Homeroom Holidays

We spent an exciting day learning about holidays celebrated around the world. We heard stories, did crafts, played games, and sang songs. The next day, we celebrated Polar Express Day and turned our classmates into snowmen. Check out our pictures below! What was your favorite part?

Procedural Writing: How to Make Latkas!

The amazing writers in Miss Lipsky's English and Language Arts class are beginning a new writing genre: Procedural Writing. Procedural Writing or "How-to" writing is a great way for you to show your expert skills at completing a task. We just finished our holiday play, Once on a House Top, which featured the brilliant song "Lotsa Latkas", so Miss Lipsky decided to do her procedural writing piece on how to make potato pancakes or latkas!

The two videos below show the step by step process of how to make latkas. Which video would you choose to use if you were making latkas? Are the directions in one video easier to follow?



For the second video please cick on this link http://www.howcast.com/playlists/1076-Holiday-Kitchen and use the fast forward arrows (located at the top right corner of the video) until you see the "How to make Latkas" video.

Miss Lipsky's Homeroom gets ready for Thanksgiving!

Here are some lovely pictures of Miss Lipsky's homeroom from our first, fantastic, field trip to see Native Americans' First Thanksgiving at the JCA. We had a great time with The Queen of England, William Bradford, Squanto and the whole gang.

Float Sink Boat Results

Ross/Russell Homeroom Boats

Lipsky/Timmons Homeroom Boats

Ross/Russell First Field Trip

Here are the pictures from the Ross/Russell Homeroom of the first field trip we took to see "The First Thanksgiving" play. What a fun day!

The Dog Naming Results Are In!

Yesterday Miss Lipsky and Mrs. Ross' homerooms competed against Miss Emma Lipsky's 5th graders in Gainesville, FL to name the newest puppy member of the Lipsky household. Here is the email Mr. Lipsky (Miss Lipsky's dad) sent us this morning:

Dear Miss Lipsky and Miss Lipsky,

Thank you for helping us name our new puppy. Your classes are so creative and funny too. We enjoyed reading the lists and found many of the names to be good possibilities for the puppy's name. Some of the names were very "Gatory" and others were very yummy (Fudge, Cookie, Brownie, Cupcake).

So here is our decision (drum roll please). It's a tie! Yes, we found one name on the Stephen Foster list and one of the Chets Creek list that combine to match our puppy's personality. So his name is Rowdy Blackjack (who is asleep on my lap as I type this e-mail)! Both classes win and both classes will be getting the prizes when they return from the Thanksgiving break.

Thanks for your help!

Mr. and Mrs. Lipsky and Rowdy Blackjack

Can Your Boat Float?

In class, we have been learning about floating and sinking. We have completed a lab testing several items to see if they float or sink. As an optional extension to this lesson, students may choose to create a boat at home out of household items they think will float if put to the test.

Rules and Regulations:

1. The boat must be built by your second grader.

2. The boat must be no longer than 12 inches. There are no height requirements.

3. The boat may not be pre-tested at home. The maiden voyage of your boat must be taken at school on Friday, November 20, 2009. (Pictures coming soon after.)

May you have fare winds and following seas!