Today we did lots of fun things, I'll tell you them in order. First we read silently for about 20 minutes. Then we waited to go to art after we did some fun activities. Mrs.Moon had something pop up so art class was a little bit late. Then we had snack, we get about ten minutes to eat it. Then we had word study with Mr.Carter and then switched to science, Mrs.Callahan teaches that. Then we went to recess and lunch. Then we had math class. Mr.Carter teaches us math, but soon we'll learn what grade of math we are in. Mr.Carter teaches sixth grade math and all the rest teach fifth. Finally it's the end of the day. We get to go home!
Murphy
Friday, August 31, 2007
Thursday, August 30, 2007
You Could Hear a Pin Drop
I'd like to throw in here just how impressed I've been with the class for the last couple of days. Today they came silently back from P.E. without me even going and getting them! They're really good at getting themselves quiet whenever it's appropriate. I've been really happy with them, and I'm very proud of them.
Way to go, class! Bravo!
Way to go, class! Bravo!
Macaroni Day
Welcome to Mr. Carters Dojo. We had a magnificent day. First we always start out with silent reading. Then we wrote letters to our parents about "Meet the Teacher Night". Then we went to gym. We played bowling. Then we had snack. After that we had to write a story about getting away with something. Then we went to do social studies. We worked on our state projects. I liked it. Then we went out for recess. Then we went to lunch. The top meal was mac n cheese. Now in math we are doing prime and composite numbers. We just did a fire drill. This blog part is coming to an end.
Brandon
Brandon
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
A Wonderful Wednesday
Today we started the day off with silent reading. After that we did the pledge and the morning warm ups. The next thing we did was get into our reading groups and started reading our books. We finished the book "Whales On Stilts" so we started a new book called "The Clue Of The Linoleum Lenderhosen" it is very good. Today for our specials class we had spanish. I thought it was very fun. Spanish is always fun. After our specials we came back and had snack. Then after we had snack we went to science in Mrs. Callahan's class, we got to use microscopes. They were a lot of fun to use. Then we went out to reccess. It was SO hot out. Then we came back in had lunch. Lunch was so good. So after that we came back and had math. I love math so, I thought it was fun. We learned about divisible numbers. We also had a study link on them. And now it is time to pack up our stuff. So today was a wonderful Wednesday!!
Megan
Megan
An Open Letter to Yesterday
Hey, former students, you specifically requested that I give updates about your life in Jr. High, but I haven't received any. I can tell you that Alex, Jeff, Brady, Gene, and Brian are all doing well here in Mr. Vahle's class, but I know nothing of the rest of you. Send me an e-mail or something so that I can know how things are. I think of you guys often, and hope you're doing well.
Oh, and by the way, you'd never believe Barton right now. I don't know if it's all the extra kids in the room or the extra-deep water (yes, I finally took Brady's advice and it turns out he was actually right...go figure), but he's hopping around all over the place. Whenever you walk into the room, he's swimming up to the side and begging for food. Crazy.
Oh, and by the way, you'd never believe Barton right now. I don't know if it's all the extra kids in the room or the extra-deep water (yes, I finally took Brady's advice and it turns out he was actually right...go figure), but he's hopping around all over the place. Whenever you walk into the room, he's swimming up to the side and begging for food. Crazy.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
August Skies
A note from Mr. Carter today. We were doing a math test at the end today, so we weren't able to have a student blogger. They took the right test this time, so it was much easier on them than the one they took last week.
Mrs. Shearman gave out an assignment to the kids today--many of them got it finished after their Math test was over. It was over the types of sentences; you know, declarative, interrogative, imperative, and exclamatory. This paper isn't due until Thursday, so I told the kids to keep it in their English folder until that time.
The kids have their spelling lists and their 3x each ABC order exercise is due tomorrow. Thursday the meaning exercise is due.
We finished up reading Whales on Stilts today. I love this book, and find it hilarious. Luckily, there's a sequel already out there. We'll read it right after we read our next book, I Was a Rat.
Looking forward to meeting everyone on Thursday night at Meet the Teacher Night. It starts at 7:30 pm.
Mrs. Shearman gave out an assignment to the kids today--many of them got it finished after their Math test was over. It was over the types of sentences; you know, declarative, interrogative, imperative, and exclamatory. This paper isn't due until Thursday, so I told the kids to keep it in their English folder until that time.
The kids have their spelling lists and their 3x each ABC order exercise is due tomorrow. Thursday the meaning exercise is due.
We finished up reading Whales on Stilts today. I love this book, and find it hilarious. Luckily, there's a sequel already out there. We'll read it right after we read our next book, I Was a Rat.
Looking forward to meeting everyone on Thursday night at Meet the Teacher Night. It starts at 7:30 pm.
Monday, August 27, 2007
Week Three Begins
Monday:
Today in Mr.Carters class we started the day off with silent reading. After silent reading we went to the computer lab and took tests. After we left the computer lab we went to Spanish class. In Spanish class we studied the Spanish speaking countries. After we left Spanish class we had our snack and did math. then we went to science class . In science class we looked to see if things could magnify a word in the newspaper. Then we went out to recess and came in and had lunch. After lunch we looked at our Latin stems for the week and we looked at or spelling for the week. Then we read "Whales on Stilts" the book Mr. Carter is reading to us. And at the end of the day we passed out papers. And we heard the letters LU [load up] and went home after another great day at school.
By: McKenna
Today in Mr.Carters class we started the day off with silent reading. After silent reading we went to the computer lab and took tests. After we left the computer lab we went to Spanish class. In Spanish class we studied the Spanish speaking countries. After we left Spanish class we had our snack and did math. then we went to science class . In science class we looked to see if things could magnify a word in the newspaper. Then we went out to recess and came in and had lunch. After lunch we looked at our Latin stems for the week and we looked at or spelling for the week. Then we read "Whales on Stilts" the book Mr. Carter is reading to us. And at the end of the day we passed out papers. And we heard the letters LU [load up] and went home after another great day at school.
By: McKenna
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Potential Powder Kegs
Okay, guys, here are some rules for leaving comments on the Dojo. First off, if you're going to post anonymously, that's fine, but you have to leave your name--preferably your first name only. Anyone who says they're going to post "anonymously" and not say who they are--well, you probably don't mean any harm, but it's the kind of thing that could become harmful. Let's make sure our comments are positive in nature, and completely lacking in any gossip.
Hmm, remind me to give you my "gossip lecture" tomorrow. :)
Hmm, remind me to give you my "gossip lecture" tomorrow. :)
Friday, August 24, 2007
Collaborative Efforts
Okay, I have to run now, but I thought I'd throw an online version of this week's Carter Current (just in case anyone missed it...so far this class is much better over all than my last class was [overall, mind you] about taking it home.) up for everyone to see. And yes, I'm being irresponsible with a run-on sentence like that!
Welcome to a new school year! For those of you I have not yet met, I look forward to working with you and your child during the upcoming year. For those of you with whom I’ve worked before, welcome back to another school year. I try out and learn new things each school year, and I am anxious to get started with this one. I’ve certainly enjoyed meeting your children over the last few weeks. I had heard great things about this group, so I‘m expecting a lot out of them as the year goes on.
Being new to the fifth grade proper, having taught Challenge for the last several years, I have put a lot of work into finding the best way to operate this school year. I am still working out the bugs and details, but so far we’ve had pretty smooth sailing.
I know the schedule in fifth grade is a full one. You’ll find there is always some big event going on or coming up around the bend. If you ever have any questions or concerns because of this, please do not hesitate to call or e-mail. Just make sure you remember the “1” at the end of my e-mail address.
Specials Schedule
for 5-1
A: Art
B: Music
C: Spanish and Media
D: Gym
E: Spanish
F: Music and Gym
Reading
In reading this week we read through a story in our Junior Great Books series called “Ghost Cat”. I was pretty impressed with the feedback I received during out discussion on this book. This required some critical thinking, and I was very pleased what a lot of the kids came up with in response to this story.
As your child has hopefully told you, the kids will not be doing AR this year, but instead will have to do two book reports per six weeks. As you know, the first book report is due on September 6th. The second book report will be in written form, and I’ll go over the guidelines over that one during that first week of September.
If I have students finish their reading too early, or come to school without their books, etc. (we have silent reading at the beginning of each day), I will assign them AR goals and have them take AR tests based on their STAR reading grade in addition to their two book reports every six weeks.
Word Study
My subject during our rotations is Word Study. This encompasses Spelling and Latin roots. Hopefully everyone saw the sample test and letter that came home either yesterday or the day before that. Each day, we will also have Word of the Day, in which we’ll learn a new vocabulary word and use it correctly in a sentence. I’m looking forward to a great year with all of the fifth graders on this one.
After some discussion with Mrs. Jackson and Mrs. Callahan, it was decided that I’ll also be teaching some of the Social Studies and Science since they only have class two or three times a week. I told them, “Hey, I used to teach this stuff every day!” There’s nothing I’d love more than to pull out some of those old lessons and teach them whenever I can.
Math
We did a bit of brush-up work this week in Math, starting off with some arithmetic and some math games as well. We’re almost ready to start changing classes for Math, but in the meantime I’ve been making sure the kids are getting some Math every day. I will be teaching the Challenge-level Math this year, and the other teachers will be taking everybody else for Math this year. Regardless, your child will receive a top-notch educational experience.
Camp Tecumseh
Our trip to Camp Tecumseh will be here before you know it! It is from October 24-26. If you have not signed on to go along with us, we could use you--moms and dads alike! If you have a son, that doesn‘t mean a mom can‘t go with him, and vice versa. Give me a call or e-mail if you haven’t signed on board yet and would be interested in going. We also need for some of the parents to be instructors. You don’t have to be an expert teacher--just willing to lead some fun and interesting team-building activities.
“How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in your life you will have been all of these.”
--George Washington Carver
Have a fantastic weekend!
--Mr. C
Welcome to a new school year! For those of you I have not yet met, I look forward to working with you and your child during the upcoming year. For those of you with whom I’ve worked before, welcome back to another school year. I try out and learn new things each school year, and I am anxious to get started with this one. I’ve certainly enjoyed meeting your children over the last few weeks. I had heard great things about this group, so I‘m expecting a lot out of them as the year goes on.
Being new to the fifth grade proper, having taught Challenge for the last several years, I have put a lot of work into finding the best way to operate this school year. I am still working out the bugs and details, but so far we’ve had pretty smooth sailing.
I know the schedule in fifth grade is a full one. You’ll find there is always some big event going on or coming up around the bend. If you ever have any questions or concerns because of this, please do not hesitate to call or e-mail. Just make sure you remember the “1” at the end of my e-mail address.
Specials Schedule
for 5-1
A: Art
B: Music
C: Spanish and Media
D: Gym
E: Spanish
F: Music and Gym
Reading
In reading this week we read through a story in our Junior Great Books series called “Ghost Cat”. I was pretty impressed with the feedback I received during out discussion on this book. This required some critical thinking, and I was very pleased what a lot of the kids came up with in response to this story.
As your child has hopefully told you, the kids will not be doing AR this year, but instead will have to do two book reports per six weeks. As you know, the first book report is due on September 6th. The second book report will be in written form, and I’ll go over the guidelines over that one during that first week of September.
If I have students finish their reading too early, or come to school without their books, etc. (we have silent reading at the beginning of each day), I will assign them AR goals and have them take AR tests based on their STAR reading grade in addition to their two book reports every six weeks.
Word Study
My subject during our rotations is Word Study. This encompasses Spelling and Latin roots. Hopefully everyone saw the sample test and letter that came home either yesterday or the day before that. Each day, we will also have Word of the Day, in which we’ll learn a new vocabulary word and use it correctly in a sentence. I’m looking forward to a great year with all of the fifth graders on this one.
After some discussion with Mrs. Jackson and Mrs. Callahan, it was decided that I’ll also be teaching some of the Social Studies and Science since they only have class two or three times a week. I told them, “Hey, I used to teach this stuff every day!” There’s nothing I’d love more than to pull out some of those old lessons and teach them whenever I can.
Math
We did a bit of brush-up work this week in Math, starting off with some arithmetic and some math games as well. We’re almost ready to start changing classes for Math, but in the meantime I’ve been making sure the kids are getting some Math every day. I will be teaching the Challenge-level Math this year, and the other teachers will be taking everybody else for Math this year. Regardless, your child will receive a top-notch educational experience.
Camp Tecumseh
Our trip to Camp Tecumseh will be here before you know it! It is from October 24-26. If you have not signed on to go along with us, we could use you--moms and dads alike! If you have a son, that doesn‘t mean a mom can‘t go with him, and vice versa. Give me a call or e-mail if you haven’t signed on board yet and would be interested in going. We also need for some of the parents to be instructors. You don’t have to be an expert teacher--just willing to lead some fun and interesting team-building activities.
“How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in your life you will have been all of these.”
--George Washington Carver
Have a fantastic weekend!
--Mr. C
Friday
First the class took their spelling and latin roots test. In music the class played the recorder. After music the class went to Mrs. Shearman's class to learn English, Taylor got the mystery. Then the class went to Mrs. Jackson's room for Social Studies. There they read about their states. Then they went to recess and lunch.After we did some math on arrays.Then we did our math boxes. It was a fun day.
Nick and George
Nick and George
Thursday, August 23, 2007
An ok Thursday
To start of our day we all read silently. Then we did the pledge. After that we read a little bit of whales on stilts, and sang happy birthday to Mrs. Pitzle and and we will rock you.
Then came Art. After Art we did some Social Studies, we talked about Americans who hunted wooly mammoths. Then we switched classes, we did science. The worst part of the day was that we could not go out to recess because it was too hot!
And as I am typing this we are testing and drawing. And that pretty much tells you what all we did today. Well gotta go we are getting ready to leave.
By Matt
Addendum by Mr. Carter: Today's homework is that the kids have to do page 57 in the Social Studies book, #2-4. Also remember tomorrow's Spelling test and Latin roots quiz!
Then came Art. After Art we did some Social Studies, we talked about Americans who hunted wooly mammoths. Then we switched classes, we did science. The worst part of the day was that we could not go out to recess because it was too hot!
And as I am typing this we are testing and drawing. And that pretty much tells you what all we did today. Well gotta go we are getting ready to leave.
By Matt
Addendum by Mr. Carter: Today's homework is that the kids have to do page 57 in the Social Studies book, #2-4. Also remember tomorrow's Spelling test and Latin roots quiz!
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Another Wednesday
This morning we all enjoyed our selves during silent reading . Many read a Eyewitness News book. I personally chose a Great Illustrated Classic.
At 8:45 we all pushed our desks out of the way and made a circle with and chairs and talked about Ghost Cat from the Junior Great Books.
Next we went to music with our new teacher Mrs. Ratner. We played the recorder.
After that we played soccer in PE. My team won. Yeah!
In English we discussed
1 brain storming
2 plot and ideaAt 8:45 we all pushed our desks out of the way and made a circle with and chairs and talked about Ghost Cat from the Junior Great Books.
Next we went to music with our new teacher Mrs. Ratner. We played the recorder.
After that we played soccer in PE. My team won. Yeah!
In English we discussed
1 brain storming
In S. S. we worked on our state projects.
During lunch we weren't quiet and now we can't talk for 3 days.
Now I close as we are playing math games. Today was fun but today is done.
Claire B
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
A Fine Tuesday
Today in Mr. Carter's classroom we started out with reading. We read "The Ghost Cat". During this time we also put yellow sticky notes in the spots of the story where we thought someone was:
1 avoiding the truth
2 facing the truth
3 was making something
When we finished this we went to Spanish. In Spanish we sang all the Spanish countries in a song. It was sort of interesting in a way. We also saw the countries on a map.
We almost lost our snack because we weren't listening. But since Mr. Carter is so nice, we obviously kept our snack.
Next came Word Study. All we did in word study was a page about homophones. then Mr. Carter started showing us how we will do spelling tests.Then went to Science. We studied pennies.
After all that work, we had recess and lunch. During recess I played soccer. Nothing huge happened at lunch.
Finally that brings me to now, everyone else is doing math while I blog. Well I have to go now bye!
Maria
1 avoiding the truth
2 facing the truth
3 was making something
When we finished this we went to Spanish. In Spanish we sang all the Spanish countries in a song. It was sort of interesting in a way. We also saw the countries on a map.
We almost lost our snack because we weren't listening. But since Mr. Carter is so nice, we obviously kept our snack.
Next came Word Study. All we did in word study was a page about homophones. then Mr. Carter started showing us how we will do spelling tests.Then went to Science. We studied pennies.
After all that work, we had recess and lunch. During recess I played soccer. Nothing huge happened at lunch.
Finally that brings me to now, everyone else is doing math while I blog. Well I have to go now bye!
Maria
Monday, August 20, 2007
Congratulations Are in Order
Big congratulations go out to Chris Hsu, who earned his black belt Saturday night! I know what a nerve-wracking experience it is, so he should be very proud of himself. In fact, I couldn't even go and watch him (and the other people) go through it this time. I was in class with a lot of those people, so it wouldn't have felt right to sit on their board of review.
Next time, I'll be there with a discriminating eye, though. But if you see Chris, give him some props and raise the roof silently for him.
Next time, I'll be there with a discriminating eye, though. But if you see Chris, give him some props and raise the roof silently for him.
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Prelude to a Great Year
Well, our first week of school has come and gone. It's been a good week, trying to get into the groove of how things work in my classroom, the jobs, the routines, and of course, the rules.
One thing I told the kids this week is that when I ask them a question or ask them to do something, the appropriate response is "Yes, sir" or "No, sir". Maybe it's the fact that I'm a karate instructor, or maybe I'm just a Southerner at heart, but they're doing pretty well with it so far.
As you may know by now, not only do the kids have me for reading, but also for Word Study, and many of them will have me for Math as well. They will rotate around to Mrs. Callahan, Mrs. Jackson, and Mrs. Shearman for their other classes: Science, Social Studies, and English respectively. After some discussion, we decided that I will also be pitching in and teaching the kids some Social Studies and Science lessons as well. This excited me, because as someone who used to teach everything, I thought I'd lost my Social Studies and Science.
You also may have heard that the kids earned a drawing lesson on Friday afternoon. I discovered that we have a whole mess of blooming artists in the class. This behavior incentive worked really well, so I'll have to figure out a regular time to do this every couple of weeks or so.
This is a good class. I hope to see everyone at Meet the Teacher Night on Thursday, August 30th.
One thing I told the kids this week is that when I ask them a question or ask them to do something, the appropriate response is "Yes, sir" or "No, sir". Maybe it's the fact that I'm a karate instructor, or maybe I'm just a Southerner at heart, but they're doing pretty well with it so far.
As you may know by now, not only do the kids have me for reading, but also for Word Study, and many of them will have me for Math as well. They will rotate around to Mrs. Callahan, Mrs. Jackson, and Mrs. Shearman for their other classes: Science, Social Studies, and English respectively. After some discussion, we decided that I will also be pitching in and teaching the kids some Social Studies and Science lessons as well. This excited me, because as someone who used to teach everything, I thought I'd lost my Social Studies and Science.
You also may have heard that the kids earned a drawing lesson on Friday afternoon. I discovered that we have a whole mess of blooming artists in the class. This behavior incentive worked really well, so I'll have to figure out a regular time to do this every couple of weeks or so.
This is a good class. I hope to see everyone at Meet the Teacher Night on Thursday, August 30th.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Hard to Understand
Hey, guys, since I know the only people who are reading this right now are my old students (seeing as how I haven't told any of my new students about this blog yet), I thought I'd let you all know that Mr. Vahle's mom died last night. I'm sure some of you have heard about it. I just got off the phone with him, and he seems to be doing pretty well right now.
I know that he and his family would all appreciate your thoughts and prayers right now.
I know that he and his family would all appreciate your thoughts and prayers right now.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Famous Firsts
We had a wonderful first day of school! Mostly we got to know each other, went over the rules, and all that kind of stuff. This seems like a great class! Looking very forward to working with them over the course of the year.
Sunday, August 5, 2007
Date Set Match
Okay, guys, how about Wednesday from 2:00-4:00? Your parents can come too if they want to, and yes, Laura, your brother is welcome. (Unfortunately I didn't get him in my class...I get the feeling I didn't get a lot of people I thought I was going to. Tell him he's always welcome, though.)
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Wild Blue Yonder
Well, guys, I got my class list yesterday, which means that you guys are officially no longer members of my class. Which also means that you guys are now lifetime members of...my class. Anyway, I have thirty kids this next year! That's going to be quite a switch from seventeen, huh?
My classroom is moved back to its old place, way down in the fifth grade pod. I've had some very helpful people come in and help me move it down. However, I'm thinking of having some of you guys come in and help me put my room back together next week sometime. How does that sound? If that works for you, please leave me a comment here or send me an e-mail.
Oh, and just as I wish you luck next year as sixth graders (or fifth graders, for some of you), wish me luck this year also. It's going to be hard--yet good--switching to the "regular" (how I hate that word!) fifth grade.
Barton is alive and well with brand new rocks and a new "cave" that he can fit under and jump off of. He likes it a lot better, but he misses you guys.
And sorry for the lack of posts this summer. I haven't been as good about it as I'd like to have been on this board. I'll post more about my summer later. In the meantime, why not leave a message or two about your summer?
My classroom is moved back to its old place, way down in the fifth grade pod. I've had some very helpful people come in and help me move it down. However, I'm thinking of having some of you guys come in and help me put my room back together next week sometime. How does that sound? If that works for you, please leave me a comment here or send me an e-mail.
Oh, and just as I wish you luck next year as sixth graders (or fifth graders, for some of you), wish me luck this year also. It's going to be hard--yet good--switching to the "regular" (how I hate that word!) fifth grade.
Barton is alive and well with brand new rocks and a new "cave" that he can fit under and jump off of. He likes it a lot better, but he misses you guys.
And sorry for the lack of posts this summer. I haven't been as good about it as I'd like to have been on this board. I'll post more about my summer later. In the meantime, why not leave a message or two about your summer?
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