LeighAnn Worden- Target

3rd grade week 10

3rd Grade    Sorry, this is so late!  I think the students are enjoying our unit on money.  Last class time, we introduced budget and interest.  Hopefully, you have heard about our "jellybean experiment"!  If not, each student was given 15 jellybeans at the beginning of class.  They could eat or save them.  At 30 minute intervals, they were given interest, which was 1 more jellybean for each 5 that they had saved.  Through this edible activity, they were able to better understand interest!  Also, another activity that we started was helped us better understand budget.  Each student created their own money and will now keep a record of how it is spent.  Twice during Target class, each student will draw a fate card.  The cards may be negative or positive.  They may lose or gain money according to their card.  Hopefully, they will have some money left at the end of our school year! 

WEEK 10

1st Grade   This week we practiced our brainstorming, deductive reasoning, and problem solving skills.  I have introduced more difficult logic puzzles and they rose to the challenge.  Please refer to the mind bender section of their notebooks.  After reading The Rough-face Girl, we took an AR quiz to measure our comprehension.  Everyone scored well enough to enter their name into the weekly drawing!  Please encourage your student to read more and take AR quizzes, they are great practice for comprehension.    Also, students were given a writing topic, The Magic Shoes.  I will be sending these home soon, very creative bunch!  Remember, please assist your child in being prepared on Wednesdays for Target.  They should have their binder and their signed tally.  If you have questions for me, please send me an email.  leighann.worden@cobbk12.org

5th Grade    Pectoral fins, lateral lines, rostrums, shagreens, and denticles---do you know what these terms have to do with our unit of study?  If not, your target student does!  We are frantically working our way to dissection!  We are planning to dissect on our target day during the 2nd week of May.  More to follow on that.  5th grade target will not meet next week due to CRCT testing.  There are two assignments due when returning to target--pick 3 sharks that you would like to research and be prepared to take a quiz on the external features of a shark.  Good luck during testing week and get lots of rest!

WEEK 8

Thanks to all who participated in Pajama Day to raise funds for Relay for Life.  My 3 classes raised about $30.00 for the cause!

1st Grade   Students enjoyed the Caribbean version of Cinderella this week, Cendrillon.  The students are quick to point out the similarities and differences on their own!  We took a quick (due to pollen) nature walk to see if our senses could help us be creative.  Each one wrote a poem based on this experience.  When your child is writing about or telling about an experience, please remind them to use adjectives.  Happy Spring Break to you all!  I look forward to seeing these guys after the break.

3rd Grade  After reading books about money, the students took AR test!  I am seeing to it that they reach their goal for the year!  Students are finishing up their attribute packets.  This is a thinking-logic skill.  Hopefully, we will all be finished next class.  We also spent some time with idioms and analogies today.  A thinking day, it was!  My wish is that you all have a wonderful break, and hopefully, we will get some rain!

5th Grade   If your child went on the Driftwood trip you are in for a treat!  Mr. Webb delivered the photo CDs today!  Not only, did he put the pictures on the cd, but he created a CD scrapbook!!!!  You will love it!  Thanks again to those who submitted pictures and to Mr. Webb for doing ALL the work on it!  We will continue our study on sharks next class time.  We will begin with the external features of the shark and then to the internal.  Students will have to master all the info. before dissection day!  Happy Spring BreaK!

WEEK 7

Relay for Life Fundraiser   PSE Target teachers are participating in this year's RFL event in May.  Our students have found a fun way to help us raise money.  On their Target day next week, students MAY bring in a dollar and participate in dress up day.  Each class has designed their day.  Please know that participation is not required.  Please email if you ever have questions or concerns:   leighann.worden@cobbk12.org

1st Grade   Students completed their multiple intelligences graphs this week.  Please take a look at these and return in their binders.  I would like to display these in the room.  After reading our weekly version of Cinderella, we have taken AR quizzes!  The kids are doing well and getting points, too.  Next week, we will read Salmon Princess,  which is the Alaskan version of Cinderella.  Hopefully, the students are having as much fun with this unit as I am! 

5th Grade   This week the 5th graders reviewed correct answers to the Shark Scavenger Hunt.  They will be tested over this information.  In order, to dissect sharks they will have to pass this test and another on the internal and external features of a shark.  The 1st quiz will be after spring break.  Hands on Equations is our weekly challenge--students took a practice quiz this week and will take a graded quiz next week-the 27th.  This one will be a review of all the lessons so far.  We will begin studying the external structures of a shark next week!

3rd Grade    The power of a penny!  Ask your student which they would rather have one million dollars now or a penny that doubles every day for a month.  We did an excel excercise today that helped them with the answer.  The internet server did not cooperate with us today as we were trying to begin our timeline research.  We did begin the visual part of the assignment where the students will record their research.  Please help your child with their personal information timeline.  We will hopefully pick up where we left off today. 

WEEK 6

1st Grade    Multiple Intelligences?  Not sure what this means?  Ask your 1st grade targeteer!  Students are asking themselves- How are we smart?  We began to look at Gardner's ideas on multiple intelligences.  Each student has a survey/checklist to use in determining ways they learn best.  A graphing excercise goes along with this activity as well.  I was happy with the children's responses, they gave each question careful consideration before answering.  Take a look at the survey in the binder and see if you agree.  Next week, we will read the Chinese version of Cinderella and continue our study of fairy tale elements.  PLEASE sign the tally for the previous week, your student is responsible for getting it to you.  There will not be a progress report for this grading period.  Have a good week!

WEEK 5

1st Grade    This was a short day for us due to early release.  It was nice to meet some of you at the informational meeting, thanks for coming out so early in the morning!  I hope I was able to answer some of your questions and give you some insight as to what our day is like.  We reviewed the rules of brainstorming and practiced by playing a game of "scratch".  Our Cinderella book of the week was Bubba, which brought many laughs!  The students have a better understanding of the elements with each new story!  I look forward to a regular scheduled day next Wednesday!

3rd Grade     Today, the 3rd graders focused on the penny!  Please ask them to tell you some interesting facts of the penny!  We began reading a delightful book titled The Hundred Penny Box.  Each student will be able to take an AR quiz when we finish it next week.  The book also leads us into another activity, for this activity your student will need to bring in a penny that was minted in each year of their life.  They will need to collect a penny for the year they were born and then for each consecutive year to present.  Please have them bring the pennies in next week, we will begin a research assignment with them.  Also, there is a short survey for you to complete over the next week.  The 3rd graders have a copy for you!  Thanks in advance for your help.

5th Grade     Are sharks fish?  Are they similar?  These are the questions answered this week.  Students used a Venn diagram to compare and contrast sharks and fish.  We will continue to learn more facts about the shark before we learn about the different types of sharks.  Those students who went on the Driftwood trip made "picture frames" for a photo that was taken of the group.  Those not going on the trip made frames for their favorite photo.  Fifth graders are continuing our Hands on Equations, which is a program where equations are solved using manipulatives.  Students are able to solve equations using legal moves and they are very good at it!  Hopefully, they will be a step ahead of others in middle school!

Week 4

Target Lost and Found

• red Panama City Beach zip hoodie 12-14
• columbia blue Old Navy fleece  Adult Small
• denim jacket with red FLIP  Medium
• stainless steel and black coffee travel mug
• black double breasted boys suit coat, white long sleeve Talbot Kids shirt, and a Don Loper tie
• purple and black lunch box
• white Land's End turtleneck 10-12
• beach towel and girl's swimsuit

If you think, these may belong to you or your child, please send them to Dr. Winkle's room.

1st Grade  We had a wonderful time, learning more about our Target classmates!  Thanks to those who worked with their children to make this so exciting for them.  I had a difficult time getting the students not to yell out when I picked up their box.  If your child forgot their box this week, please have them bring it in next week.  We transformed our feet into creative objects, can't wait for you to see them.  We read another version of Cinderella, this time from the continent of Africa.  Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters, written by John Steptoe is the version we read.  The children really enjoyed it.  Hopefully, next week I can find time to have them take the AR test for points!! Please plan to attend the OPEN HOUSE for new Target parents next Wednesday morning in my "learning cottage" AKA the trailer.  We will begin at 7:15 and just get acquainted. The goal is to meet face to face and discuss some expectations.  If you are unable to attend, please feel free to email me and we can chat that way.

3rd Grade   Students began the day working with attribute blocks, they will complete a packet over the next few weeks.  The blocks foster logical thinking and hands on learning!  Please ask your student what money looks like under the microscope!  Again, hands on learning, for some students, it was the first time using a microscope!  I see some future scientists.  After studying the history of money and the characteristics, we will design TARGET MONEY! This money will be used in the classroom for various activities.  I am looking for creative designs-students will get to decide who deseves the honor of being pictured on their bills!  Be sure to discuss their decisions with them.  Please plan to attend the OPEN HOUSE for new Target parents next Wednesday morning in my "learning cottage" AKA the trailer.  We will begin at 7:15 and just get acquainted.   This meeting is for new Target parents only. 

5th Grade  -  I want to begin by thanking our wonderful PSE students for their outstanding behavior displayed on our Driftwood field trip!  I am proud to be your teacher!  Also, to the parents who accompanied us on the trip----many, many, thanks!  I am so grateful for your help and support.  As a teacher, it was exciting for me to see the students learn and play at the same time.  The great outdoors is the best classroom!  With the weather getting nicer, I plan to use lots of sidewalk chalk and less paper! For those who went on the trip, be looking for a cd full of photos from the trip.  If you have pictures on a disk, please send them in next week, one of our Dads will be compiling ALL of the photos onto one disk.  Then he will burn a disk for each student!  Thank you Mr. Webb! We put finishing touches on our power point slides and worked on trip packets.   The spring unit is sharks!  Next week, we will be comparing and contrasting sharks and fish.  And yes, we will be dissecting sharks, later in the quarter.

Week 3

1st grade      Boy, was I wiped after a day with these very energetic little people!  They seemed to be very excited about being in Target.  Reminder that each student needs a 3 ring binder with dividers.  We began our day discussing some 'target lingo" like brainstorming, attributes, fluency, and originality.  This vocabulary will be used throughout their target days!  Our unit study is titled "Stepping Into Target" hence so much emphasis on feet and shoes.  With this unit, we will be reading different versions of Cinderella.  After reading each version, we will compare the elements of fairy tales.  Yesterday, your student was supposed to bring home a letter explaining their "mini" project that is due the 28th.  Please ask them for it.  Each should bring in a shoebox containing 10 items that describes themselves, they should not use pictures/names etc...  We will be guessing who is who!  I am looking forward to seeing them again on the 28th!

3rd grade     MONEY,MONEY,MONEY!!!!!  Our unit of study is Money Matters!  Today we discussed the characteristics of money as well as the history of money.  We are reading several books that help us understand the barter system.  I encourage you to try bartering with your child, see if they don't get it! :)  Also, ask them if they know the 4 characteristics of money.  After reading books and articles about the history of money, groups were established and each group was/is responsible of creating a visual that explains the origin and evolution on money.  We will finish this during our next class day.  Today's mindbender was quite the challenge for some of the students.  Ask them about it, and if needed, please practice with real money.  They were given a math problem where they had to figure out the change given from a 5 $ bill.  Next week, I will need your thoughts and prayers as I will be away with the 4th and 5th graders at Cumberland Island, your children will have the opportunity for this trip when they are 5th graders.  So no Target next week...

5th grade      We have begun our unit of study of SHARKS!  Everyone seems to be excited about this unit, I know I am!  This week, we finished powerpoint slides on the marsh, maritime forest, beach, etc.. This will help those going on the field trip have a better understanding of our activities.  I think we now have a good understanding of how important this area is for all living things.  No target class next week.  Those of you going on the trip, see you early Wed. am.!  Please follow the guidelines given to you in the packet.  We want you to be prepared for the activities.  There is a website that you may like to visit before the trip http://www.driftwoodee.org/       Although, I have never done this trip before, I understand that it is awesome.  Regular target will resume on the 27th. 

All parents, please remember that I work halftime which means, I am in the building T,W, Th from 8-2.  The most efficient way to get in touch with me is through email.  leigh.worden@cobbk12.org    I look forward to hearing from you!

Welcome back Targeteers!!  I have missed you!

Welcome to my blog, I hope you will visit often.

By now, you know that Target days have changed.  I will see my 3rd graders on Thursdays and my 5th graders on Tuesdays.  Soon, I will begin seeing 1st graders on Wednesdays!

We are looking forward to our upcoming field trip to Driftwood, more on that later!