New School Song

Today, we learned our new school song.  This song is about being proud of who you are and believing in yourself.  We are sure that this song will represent us and our core values well.  The video can be found below.  We love this Spanish/English version called the "Spanish Celebration" version.  The lyrics for this version can be found below the video.  Enjoy!

K'naan

Wavin' Flag

ohhh ohhh,
ohhh ohhh

Give me freedom
Give me fire
Give me reason
Take me higher
See the champions
Take the field now
You define us
Make us feel proud

En las calles muchas manos
levantadas, celebrando
una fiesta sin descanzo
los paises como hermanos

Canta y une tu voz
grita fuerte que te escuche el sol
el partido ya va a comenzar
todos juntos vamos a ganar

Unidos!
Seremos grandes,
seremos fuertes
somos un pueblo
bandera de libertad
que viene y que va
que viene y que va
que viene y que va
que viene y que...

when i get older
i will be stronger
they'll call me freedom
just like a wavin flag
So wave your flag
Now wave your flag
Now wave your flag
Now wave your flag
Now wave your flag
Now wave your flag
Now wave your flag
ohhh

ohhh ohhh,
ohhh ohhh

Danos vida
danos fuego
que nos lleven a lo alto
campeones o vencidos
pero unidos a intentarlo

In the streets
are exalifting
as we lose our inhibitions
celebration is around us
every nation all around us

Singing forever young,
singing songs underneath the sun
let's rejoice to the beautiful game
and together at the end of day

we all sing
Seremos grandes,
seremos fuertes
somos un pueblo
bandera de libertad
que viene y que va
que viene y que va
que viene y que va
que viene y que...

when i get older
i will be stronger
they'll call me freedom
just like a wavin flag
So wave your flag
Now wave your flag
Now wave your flag
Now wave your flag
Now wave your flag
Now wave your flag
Now wave your flag

ohhh
ohhh ohhh ohhh ohhh

Unidos!
Seremos grandes,
seremos fuertes
somos un pueblo
bandera de libertad

when i get older
i will be stronger
they'll call me freedom
just like a wavin flag
So wave your flag
Now wave your flag
Now wave your flag
Now wave your flag
Now wave your flag
Now wave your flag
Now wave your flag
ohhh

ohhh ohhh ohhh ohhh

And everybody
will be singing it,
And we all
will be singing it

First Day Science Experiment

Today, we experimented with a vinegar/baking soda mixture.  We learned that mixing the two elements together causes a chemical reaction that creates some kind of gas.  Here are some links to help you do this experiment at home and help answer some of your wonderings.  If you try this at home, be sure an adult is there!

Experiment directions:  https://www.exploratorium.edu/science_explorer/balloon_blowup.html

Video of experiment:  http://goo.gl/o36CI8

Wonderopolis: Carbonation:  http://wonderopolis.org/wonder/why-are-some-drinks-bubbly/

Detailed explanation of the reaction in this experiment:

From OH WOW! Moment: Balloon Blow-Up by Audra Carlson

"Vinegar (HC2H3O2) is a solution of acetic acid. It reacts with baking soda, sodium bicarbonate
(NaHCO3), to produce carbon dioxide gas (CO2) and an aqueous solution of sodium acetate
(NaC2H3O2). The reaction can be written as follows:
NaHCO3 (aq) + HC2H3O2 (aq) ------> CO2 (g) + H2O (l) + NaC2H3O2 (aq)
The carbon dioxide filled up the balloon, causing it to expand. We saw the volume change caused by the carbon dioxide in this activity. What might have happened if we had capped the bottle off, leaving no place for the carbon dioxide to go? It would have built up pressure because carbon dioxide takes up space. Why do you think the bottle felt cold? The reaction needs heat to make it happen so it takes heat, leaving the bottle feeling cold. A reaction that needs heat to make it happen is called endothermic. How did you know that your reaction finished? What might have caused the reaction to stop? Your reaction stops when you run out of reactants. The reactants are the things on the left of our reaction equation above. Our reactants were baking soda and vinegar. When one of these is used up completely, the reaction will stop."

BuzzMob

This year, we are using the app, BuzzMob.  The app can be downloaded in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store (Android Tablets and Smartphones). This app is free and easy to download.  Once you have downloaded the app, log in with facebook or create a new log in with your email address.  You can then search for Dana School.  When you click on our school, a request will be sent so that you can be accepted.  This is to ensure that the app is secure and private.  Once you are accepted, you will receive notifications on your device with information, news, and updates from our school.  It provides a way for parents to communicate with teachers, administrators, and each other.  Please add the app.  Teachers and parents have already been adding lots of information that you may be missing out on.

This is the information from buzzmob.com about why the app is a great parent communication tool:

For Parents

• Makes parents feel more connected to the school and aware of what's going on with their children.
• Delivers school and classroom information instantly, in a way that parents want and trust.
• Reduces ‘bad parent days’ by reminding busy parents about upcoming school events.
• Ensures that parents always receive notes about important matters and upcoming events.
• Informs parents when events are rained out or rescheduled, avoiding frustration.

Websites for Sharpening Multiplication Fact Fluency

It is important that you have these facts completely memorized before 5th grade.  You will have a much easier time solving the challenging multiplication problems we will encounter if you know all of your facts fluently.
If you need to practice, I encourage you to get or make a set of multiplication and/or division flash cards.  Practice them and I promise, you will get better.

Get busy!



Region 10 CT:  This website recommends activities you can use to practice your facts at home.
IXL Multiplication Facts to 12:  This site works like flash cards.  This is great practice!
Multiplication Math Magician:  A game to make you a faster multiplication problem solver.
Mulitplication Moles:  Whack-A-Mole with Multiplication!
Division Math Magician:  A game to make you a faster division problem solver.
Multiplication Matho

Purpose of the Blog

The purpose of this blog is to provide a place for students and their parents to find class updates, resources, websites, and recommendations.  This page is intended to communicate information for our class.