Pruett's AIG Blog for IBJ

Third grade readers have some strong opinions about reading, I mean literature. Here are some titles that came up when sharing favorites: Never Girl (series) Kiki Thorpe Charlie Joe Jackson (series)  Tommy Greenwald Various Rick Riordan Titles, including  The Lost Hero, The Titan's Curse Serafina and the Black Cloak  Robert Baitty Dragonbreath (series) Ursula Vernon Because of Mr. Terupt (series)  Rob Buyea Wildwood (series) Colin Meloy and Carson Ellis (CM of The Decemberists, fyi) Charlotte's Web   E. B. White Wonder R. J. Palacio Shiloh Phyllis Reynolds Naylor The Hobbit   J. R. R. Tolkien Interesting, new titles and some classics!

Our fourth grade math group worked with Think Fun logic games recently. As part of this work, we started an 'interview chain' where members talked with each other about content of the games. Students wrote the questions and conducted the interviews. I started the chain and let it run its course. Here are the results:

Jones' own Arnal family recently shared information about their arts organization, Free Range Asheville . Their work is fascinating and brings an opportunity for families to enjoy some orchestral music on February 23. The Knights are the featured orchestra, and their $10 show at the Diana Wortham Theater would be a great chance for kids (and their families) to enjoy some enlightening music. Check out the link  - especially the PBS-produced background of The Knights which was tres cool! There are details about the show included. http://freerangeavl.org/

Hola! I trust everyone survived our latest blizzard! I am happy to announce that our AIG Services Committee has met to qualify third grade students. This committee considered second grade teacher input and results from aptitude (CoGAT) and achievement (Iowa) assessments. Aptitude:  reasoning ability measured by the Cognitive Abilities Test administered to ALL ACS third graders Achievement:  academic ability in reading and math, measured by the Iowa Survey test administered to students screened through CoGAT or teacher input ACS currently uses only nationally-normed data. Other data, such as MAP or EOG, are informal  indicators used to suggest a more formal assessment for qualification. Letters have been mailed to families in regard to qualification decisions. Please see me with any questions - plus, I'll schedule a meeting in the near future. Permission to serve forms are included for those qualifying, so PLEASE return them to me ASAP. I'd like to thank not ...

Our fifth grade ASG Reading group just wrapped up another story in our Junior Great Books compilation:   The Special Powers of Blossom Culp. The culminating assignment was rewriting a pivotal scene in the story from the perspective of another character. Student work was sent home today, 2/8/16. Here is an excellent  writing sample: The Special Powers of Blossom Culp Retold in the Perspective of Some Boy By ------- ------- When Letty’s birthday arrived (if you don’t know who that is, she is a fat, snobby rich girl with minions) the same thing happened as it had in past years, with a few minor changes. The cake was the brightest pink you could ever imagine. Even though I HATE the color pink, the color of the icing doesn't matter. It was a huge cake, and we got to eat it at school! I thought the games were a lot of fun, but the new girl Blossom just hung at the edge. My buddy Charlie told me that he saw her take an extra slice of cake. Boy, do I wish I h...

Our fourth grade reading group recently completed Crow Call  by Lois Lowry. Students wrote responses in the form of a journal entry from the story's protagonist - Lizzie. She and her father had an interesting bonding moment while hunting. Here are some examples from students: Dear  Journal, Today was fun. I had always thought that of my dad as a strong man. But today I realized that I was wrong. Daddy has a weak spot.  I asked him if he was scared in the war, and with hesitation he said yes.  He was scared of a lot of things. Other than this he is incredibly powerful on his outside.   He asked  me if I was scared, too.   That made me realise that I was scared.   Still Daddy is a nice man, and he didn't  shoot the crows because of  my connection with them. He is not what I expected him to be because of his fears , but I still love him. Dear Diary, Today my dad and I went hunting, and I learned something abou...

Second grade mathematicians sound out about their understanding of fractions! And I forgot Sydney's name! Sorry Sydney!!

Fifth grade students reviewed the Beaufort Wind Scale today in preparation for making their own scales. Here are a couple of dramatic interpretations of Beaufort's work. Hold on to your hats!!

Did you ever work very hard on a problem that was elusive or challenging? Do you remember how you felt when you finally solved it? Well, this guy sure does!