Racing For Success

Week Preview

2011-05-01T21:34:00.000-07:00

For the following week, we have many things planned.
Spelling - A continuation of spelling lessons with new words.
Reading - Chapers 11-16 of "Number the Stars" book.
Language - Independent Writing (choose a card and write on the topic).
Math - Finish equations and start unit on graphing.
Social Studies - Finish the Revolutionary War unit.

This is a general summary of what the week will have in store for us.

Steven Cortez

Field Trip

2011-05-01T09:07:00.000-07:00

Our Field Trip to the Jean Baptiste Fort and the alligator farm in Natchitouches, Louisiana was a success. The students learned about the first permanant settlement in Louisiana and got to see first hand what the fort their looked like. The students also had a good time at the alligator farm. They got the chance to watch and observe different animals (alligators, emu's, goats, racoons, and snakes) and how they eat and also interact with other animals of the same kind. I thought the trip was very informative as well as fun. I have a couple of pictures posted at the bottom of my blog as well.

Steven Cortez

Storybook!

2011-04-14T19:38:00.000-07:00

Here is the storybook that my class created! I thought it would be neat to share it with you all! The students worked really hard on it and are really proud of their product! Enjoy!

Steven Cortez

A Little More About Me

2011-04-14T19:33:00.000-07:00

Here is a vodcast to tell you a little more about me. Enjoy!

Last Day of iLEAP

2011-04-14T12:13:00.000-07:00

Today was the last day of iLEAP. The students took the social studies and science sections of the test. The students did a great job this week!

Reminders for tomorrow: There will be a spelling and DOL test tomorrow.

Steven Cortez

3rd Day of iLEAP

2011-04-13T11:41:00.000-07:00

The third day of iLEAP is done! Today the students completed the reading section, including spelling. Tomorrow will be the science and social studies sections. This will be the final day of testing if no make-ups are needed. The students have been doing great so far! Once again, remember to get a good night's rest and a good breakfast in the morning.

Steven Cortez

End of the Year Overview

2011-04-13T06:28:00.000-07:00

End of the Year

I could not figure out how to put a video file in one of the gadgets place, so I just created a blog instead (until I can figure it out). This video shows what will be happening for the rest of the year in the 5th grade class where I student teach.

Steven Cortez

2nd Day of iLEAP

2011-04-12T10:37:00.000-07:00

The English/Language Arts section of the iLEAP was completed today. Tomorrow is the social studies section. Remember to get a good night's rest and eat a good breakfast in the morning.

The students are to finish their spelling worksheet for homework.

Steven Cortez

1st Day of iLEAP

2011-04-11T12:22:00.000-07:00

The 1st day of iLEAP is over. Today was the Mathematics section. The students worked really hard!! Tomorrow is the Language Arts section. Remember to get a good night's rest and a good breakfast! Keep working hard...and Good Luck!

Steven Cortez

iLEAP

2011-04-10T17:03:00.000-07:00

This week is iLEAP week. It is very important to be at school on time so we can all begin the test together. Remember to get a good night's sleep and eat a good breakfast. Let's be rested so that we can be sure we can call upon all of our brain power. Try not to be nervous...we have prepared long and hard. You are more than ready for this test! Let's show everyone what our 5th grade class can do! See you all tomorrow!!

Steven Cortez

Thursday, April 7

2011-04-07T08:49:00.000-07:00

Today the students are completing day 4 of their spelling workbook, DOL sentences 9-10, and Mountain Language word items 16-20. The students will be reviewing for the iLEAP using the Louisiana Pass website. The students will be reading chapter 3 of the reading book Number the Stars by Lois Lowry. They will be getting in groups to answer questions that go along with the chapter. We will also complete a friendship web and go over vocabulary dealing with the book. The classroom teacher will cover math and social studies.

Homework for tonight is to complete the spelling worksheet and to complete page 6 of the Number the Stars packet.

There will be a Spelling Test tomorrow, so remember to study!

Wednesday, April 6

2011-04-06T09:27:00.000-07:00

Today the students are completing day 3 of their spelling workbook, DOL sentences 7-8, and Mountain Language word items 11-15. The students will be reviewing for the iLEAP using the Louisiana Pass website. The students will be reading chapter 2 of the reading book Number the Stars by Lois Lowry. They will be getting in groups to answer questions that go along with the chapter. We will also complete an anticipation guide and go over vocabulary dealing with the book. The classroom teacher will cover math and social studies.

Homework for tonight is to complete the spelling worksheet and to complete page 7 of the Number the Stars packet.

Classroom Technology

2011-04-05T08:24:00.000-07:00

Inspiration Assignment on Technology in the Classroom

In my future classroom, I will utilize many different kinds of Technology sources. A few of these sources are the Internet, PowerPoint, Blogs, Wikis and Google Docs, and a SmartBoard and ELMO. I will use the Internet to connect with parents and other teachers as well as to find resources that I can use in the classroom. I will use PowerPoints to help me to summarize and explain information to the students. I will also use it to get the students used to presenting information that they had to gather and put together. I will use blogs to post important information, such as homework, so that everyone is always informed. I will also use it to keep track of what I do in case I want to come back and see what I have done in the past. I will use wikis and Google Docs to help organize group projects. Each group would have their own page that they would be able to edit as they like or need to. I will use the SmartBoard and ELMO to make the lessons interactive so that the students will be able to get into and better participate in the lessons.

Tuesday, April 5

2011-04-05T06:36:00.000-07:00

Today the students are completing day 2 of their spelling workbook, DOL sentences 4-6, and Mountain Language word items 6-10. The students will be reviewing for the iLEAP using the Louisiana Pass website. The students will also begin reading the book Number the Stars by Lois Lowry today. They will be reading chapter 1 and getting in groups to answer questions that go along with the chapter. The classroom teacher will cover math and social studies.

Homework for tonight is to write spelling words in alphabetical order.

Monday, April 4

2011-04-04T09:12:00.000-07:00

Today, the students are starting week 29 of school. There will be a new list of spelling words, new DOL sentences, and new Mountain Language word items. The students will be reviewing for the iLEAP using the Louisiana Pass website. The students will also begin a new reading book called Number the Stars by Lois Lowry. The students will take a pretest on the vocabulary for this book unit to see what they know before reading the book. These are the items that I will be teaching. The classroom teacher will cover the other subjects as well as do more iLEAP review. Testing is coming up next week, so everyone is preparing hard right now.

Homework for tonight is to write spelling words 3 times each.

Spring Break

2011-03-31T21:24:00.000-07:00

We have been on Spring Break this past week, so there are no updates from school. School will start back on Monday. When we get back, we will have one week before the iLEAP test. We will be preparing for that, so hopefully things do not get to hectic at school. The students seem to be ready to take the test and are not showing any nervous signs! I am also excited to experience this testing first hand before I have my own classroom. I wish everyone luck with the testing week!

Steven

March 23

2011-03-23T18:44:00.000-07:00

Today the students took a vocabulary and story test on the book Shades of Gray. The only homework for tonight is to complete the spelling worksheet. The students will have a spelling test on Friday. Friday is also "Candy and a Movie" day. If the students are well behaved, the entire school will designate Friday as a day where the students can watch a movie and eat candy at a certain time of the day.

So far student teaching is going GREAT! I absolutely love it so far. The students are great, and the teacher is amazing. I am learning a great deal; from content to classroom management to even how students learn and work in different ways. This is turning out to be a wonderful and very rewarding experience. I just thought I would let you all know how that was going! Thanks for reading.

Steven Cortez

Plan for Blog

2011-03-13T15:31:00.000-07:00

I plan to use this Blog to help me in Student Teaching. I am student teaching in the 5th grade at Hillcrest Elementary. I feel that this blog could be a great opportunity for me to get used to posting about homework and upcoming tests. I can also use this blog to help me to keep track of how I am doing as an up and coming teacher.