Friday, January 29, 2010

I am glad to be back after being out yesterday due to a Math Meeting.

Language Arts:
We plugged along today in our novel study. Brian, the main character, is really starting to feel what it is like to survive on his own in the Canadian wilderness. We will continue learning all about his survival strategies next week as we read on.

We also spent quite some time looking over sample ISTEP writing prompts. We took the time to discuss what qualities some of the samples had that made them better than others and how we could improve each one. More time next week will be devoted to writing.

Monday starts the I Love to Read Challenge. Calendars will be passed out and we will be on our way! Please make sure that your child comes to school each day with their independent reading book. Every spare second will be spent reading. We have a goal to meet and it takes every one participating to get the job done!

Homework:
***Chapter 10 questions (2)
***Study the rest of the Word Master packet for a quiz on Monday
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Math:
We completed our minute, worked on computation, completed a problem solving activity and continued plugging away on rates. Please ask your students about the 1,2,3,4,5.

Homework:
***None

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Social Studies:
We finished our Act-It Outs today on Jamestown and Plymouth. They were interesting and the students enjoyed participating in them. What a great way to review what we've read! We also read the summary and Reading Further section.

With presenting Science Expo projects on Monday and a Tuesday of next week, it looks as though our test over Chapter 6 will be either Thursday or Friday of next week. It is a good idea to reread the chapter a little each night.

Homework:
***No written homework

All Science Expo projects are due on Monday!

Until Monday...

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Mark your calendars.... Science Expo Projects are due next week!(Monday, Feb. 1)

Language Arts:
We had extra time today in Language Arts since it was another day without a special due to Kindergarten's MAP testing. I am not sure how the students feel, but I enjoy having some extra time to get more accomplished.

After Vocabulary Vine, the students and I went over the vocabulary and the questions from Chapter 7, and read and discussed Chapter 8. Next, we took a short quiz over the first two pages of our Word Master words and worked on our next page in our published books. I am impressed with how well everyone is keeping up with the daily writing. This extra practice will help all of us as we prepare for the writing portion of the ISTEP. Speaking of the ISTEP, we also took some extra time to discuss what needs to be completed in a writing prompt. We even practiced with an old prompt from last year. Our goal is at least two pages of writing. We can do it! On Friday we will look at samples that are exemplary and ones that we will work together to make better.

Homework:
***Chapter 8 questions
***Look up two vocabulary words
***Study word Master words decline-allegiance

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Math:
Today went very smoothly. We continued with computation, problem solving, and solving proportions. Setting up the proportions is getting easier and easier everyday.

Homework:
***Journal pages 300-302

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Social Studies:
Today we reviewed the settlement of Roanoke and started to discuss Jamestown. We took the time to fill our our Interactive Student Workbook together as we discussed the emotions that the settlers felt in each settlement. Tomorrow we will continue discussing the last settlement, Plymouth. The students will then be placed into their cooperative groups to "act out" their scene.

Homework:
***None

Until Friday...I will be out of the building tomorrow at a math adoption meeting.

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

This is quick... I am off to Science Night!


Language Arts:
Homework:
***Chapter 7 questions
***Vocabulary #5-9
***Writing-Page 13 is due on Thursday

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Math:
Homework:
***Math Box 8.3 and page 295

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Social Studies:
Homework:
***None

Until tomorrow...

Monday, January 25, 2010

What a cold Monday!

Language Arts:
Today was a long day in Language Arts without any specials. We were able to get quite a bit of work completed, though. Word Masters were passed out and the students were asked to know the first 8 words by Wednesday. We also read and discussed Chapter 6 of our novel study, worked on our published book writing which is due for tomorrow, and listened to our read aloud.

We also had the pleasure of having a Chinese student and their host student visit our class today. They shared many interesting facts about their culture, schooling, and way of life. The students were very attentive and interested in all that they had to share.

Homework:
***Word Masters- Study the first 8 words by Wednesday
***Chapter 6 questions and 4 vocabulary words due
***Published book Writing-Page 11 is due tomorrow. It should be edited and have a parent signature.

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Math:
Today in Math we completed our minute, worked on computation, moved to problem solving and then began our lesson for the day. Today we talked about writing proportions. This is becoming an easier concept to understand as we do more and more practice setting up the problems together with rate tables and proportions.

Homework:
***Journal P. 292 and Math Box and Study Link 8.2

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Social Studies:
Today in Social Studies we discussed what it would be like to go to a different school in another country. We talked about the challenges and difficulties that we would face each day. Then we read section 6.1 in our textbooks to discuss the challenges that the Europeans had as they moved into their new settlements. (Chapter 5 tests were passed back today.)

Homework:
***None

Reminders:
***Report Cards were sent home on Friday. Please check backpacks and blue take home folders.
***Science Expo is right around the corner. Please refer to the packet for the due date.


Until tomorrow...

Thursday, January 21, 2010

I am glad to be back in the building today after being gone yesterday for a Math Committee Meeting

Language Arts: We started off today in Vocabulary Vine and then we jumped right into our novel study. The students had their pens and pencils out and they were ready to start marking up their books with examples of figurative language examples. We read and discussed chapter 4 together. They the students were given time to read and answer the questions for chapter 5. We will have an assessment tomorrow over this first section chapters 1-4.

Homework:
***Writing page 9 is due tomorrow- edited with a parent signature
***Read chapter 5- Answer questions for chapters 4 and 5 on your notebook paper in complete detailed sentences.
***Be looking for I Love to Read information to be coming home in folders tomorrow!

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Math: We worked on our minute as a warm up, completed some computation on white boards as a review then we jumped right into Unit 8. This unit deals with rates, rate tables, and ratios.

Homework:
***Journal pages 286-289
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Social Studies: We played a fun review game to get ready for our chapter 5 test tomorrow.
(Some time was also given to those students who did not complete their Interactive Student Notebook pages 30-32.)

Homework:
***Study for our test tomorrow
***Interactive Student Notebook pages 30-32 is due tomorrow.

Reminders:
***Tomorrow is Freaky Hair Day! No hair paint or coloring is allowed!

Until tomorrow...


Homework

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

We are off to a short week!

Language Arts: We were very busy today in Language Arts, trying to get a lot finished before heading off to double specials. We started our day in Vocabulary Vine. Next, the students were handed the second Word Master challenge list. Each student was assigned one word to look up in detail. They should include all definitions for the word, use the word in a sentence, include the part of speech, and list synonyms and antonyms for the word. This information should be typed. All words will be colleced on Thursday and compiled into a book for all to share and use as a study guide.

Reading: We started our new novel study today. This time we will be doing an in depth study of the novel Hatchet by Gary Paulsen. The students were all excited as they were given their own books that they will be able to underline figurative language examples in, highlight vocabulary and context clues, and note specific character development examples. Today we read and discussed chapter 1 together. The students were then given ample time to start their homework.

Homework:
***Writing- Pages 5 and 7 is due tomorrow. It should be edited and have a parent signature on each page.
***Vocabulary 1-4
***Chapter 1 questions 1 and 2 answered on a separate sheet of paper.
***Word master word typed- due Thursday

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Math: Today in math we completed our minute, worked on computation on white boards, and completed a practice test over Unit 7. The students were able to work on this practice test with their table groups and then we went over each problem for clarification. Our test will be tomorrow and will very similar to the practice test. It will cover tree diagrams, Venn diagrams, and probability.

Homework:
***None- Look over the practice test.

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Social Studies: Today in Social Studies we read and discussed lessons 5.2-5.9. Each section dealt with a specific explorer, their personal background, who sponsored their expedition, what the motive was behind their journey and many other bits of interesting information. Our test over chapter 5 will be on Friday. It was suggested today that the students study their Interactive Notebook pages as well as review lessons 5.2-5.9 in preparation for their test.
We will play a review game on Thursday that should help get them ready for the test as well.

Homework:
***Chapter 5 test is on Friday- Study a little each night.

Until tomorrow...

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Math: Today our class took their NWEA MAP test. Since only a handful of students finished, we will continue taking the test on Friday at our normal math time.

Homework:
***None

Language Arts: We spent the morning finishing up our reading project presentations, listening to our read a loud, reviewing verb tenses, reviewing the story vocabulary for the week, and finally working on our published book writing. Then we were off to the planetarium to watch the "stars".

Homework:
***Page 3 of our published book needs to be written and edited and include a parent signature.
(This is due tomorrow.)
***Read your story of the week with a parent. Remember to review your vocabulary too.
***Spelling words-Study them and write each word 3 times each in cursive. This is due on Friday.

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Social Studies:All seven groups presented their information on their explorer today. We learned about eight different explorers in all. We learned specific information such as ,who sponsored them, their date of exploration, their motive to explore, their route they took, their personal background, and the impact that they had. Together we created a matrix which is an excellent tool to study from. The students have this in their interactive notebook as well. It is a good idea to get started studying it. It looks as if our test will be towards the later part of next week or early the following week.

Reminders:
***Tomorrow our homeroom will have Art Smart
***Are you working on your Science Fair Project?

Until tomorrow...

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

We had a turned around scheduled today because of MAP testing. I can honestly say that I love having math class first thing in the morning. The students are energetic and time seems to fly by!

Math: Today in math we completed a minute, worked on computation, practiced some linear and non-linear functions and continued with probability using tree diagrams and Venn diagrams.

Homework:
***None
***We will be taking our MAP test first thing tomorrow morning. Please be sure to get a good nights sleep and eat a healthy breakfast.

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Language Arts: Today in Language Arts we listened to a few reading projects, read independently, and had some time to work of our published book.(Double Specials)

Homework:
***Write, edit, and get a parent signature on page 3 of your published book(Due Thursday)
***Read- We have new AR requirements this grading period. Everyone must read 2 AR's and pass with an 80% and complete one project on another book. They may read 3 AR books and use one to do their project on.
***Reminder- Our Language Arts class will be going to the planetarium tomorrow at 10:30. We will be back before lunch.
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Social Studies:(Homeroom class) Social Studies flew by today! We read section 5.1 in our textbook and then as a class we completed a matrix about Christopher Columbus. We found information about the following: his personal background, his sponsor, the date he sailed, the route he took, and the motive behind his explorations. The students were then divided up into different groups and asked to read about one of seven other explorers and complete the matrix pages. Tomorrow each group will present their information to the rest of class. What a fun way to learn!

Homework:
***None

Reminders:
***We will be working on our Original Works of Art on Friday. Please refer to the note that was sent home today for ideas to bring into school.
***All Science Fair proposals were given back to the students. Please be sure to work on them. They are due on Feb. 4th. This is a 5th grade requirement.

Until tomorrow...

Friday, January 8, 2010

Language Arts:
Today in Language Arts we took our usual assessments and listened to our reading project presentations. We also discussed the requirements for our writing project(published books)and the new 3rd grading period AR requirements.(Every student needs to read 3 books each grading period in their new lexile range.) As they finish reading a book, please remind them to take their AR tests right away.

Homework:
***Every student should discuss with their parents the questions for page 1 of the autobiography. They need only the information. We will spend time in class on Monday writing the two paragraphs. Their homework on Monday night will be to have it edited and signed by a parent and their next set of questions answered.(Please refer to the autobiography outline and due dates each night.)

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Math:
Today in math we worked on our minute, reviewed computation on white boards, and started our next lesson which deals with tree diagrams and probability.

Homework:
***None

Reminder:
***Our math class will be taking their math NWEA on Wednesday, January 13 @ 8:05. We have worked really hard and I am excited to see their growth so far this year!

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Social Studies:
Today was our last day of this rotation. We spent the time watching a video that discussed many different explorers that explored the New World. This will be a great introduction to our next chapter. Their chapter 4 tests are graded and will be returned to the students on Monday, January 11. Please be looking for them to come home in folders.

Have a great snowy weekend!

Until Monday...

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Brrrr.........

***Homeroom Students- Science Fair proposals are due tomorrow!

Language Arts:
Today in Language Arts we listened to our read a loud, reviewed our weekly vocabulary words, practiced finding linking verbs in sentences, reviewed denotation and connotation, and started presenting our reading projects. I was very impressed by the effort put into these projects this grading period. It was very apparent by not only the appearance of the projects, but by the presentations ,that the students were very well prepared.

Homework:
***Study spelling words-test tomorrow
***Weekly Homework Packet
***Return the autobiography permission slip signed by a parent. (Please get the information that you will need to start page 1 on Monday.)
***Did you discuss the new AR requirements for the third grading period with a parent?

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Math:
Today we completed our minute, graded our homework, and spent the majority of the class period reviewing RIT definitions and examples. We even had several students volunteer to demonstrate math examples on the board. What great teachers they are! We finished the period with a quick assessment that covered 4 different standards.

Homework:
***None

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Social Studies:
We took our chapter 4 test today then previewed chapter 5. Tomorrow will be the last day of this rotation.

Until tomorrow...

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

A Wickedly Cold Wednesday!

Language Arts:
Today in Language Arts we were busy. We took our Reading MAP test, worked on linking verbs, listened to our read a loud, and worked on finding the author's purpose in writing.

Homework:
***Grammar-Page 85
***Weekly Homework Packet
***Study your spelling words
***Reading Projects are due tomorrow!
***Tuesday starts a new grading period. The reading requirements for this grading period will be different. The students will be required to read 3 books and complete a reading project. Two of the books must be an AR and they must pass with an 80%. All three books, however could be an accelerated reader. With the "I Love to Read Challenge," right around the corner, the students will have more time devoted to reading independently.
***Be looking for information about our upcoming published book project. It will be sent home tomorrow.
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Math:
Today in math we completed our minute, graded our homework, worked on computation review, and discussed random number samples. We also added three new words to our list of vocabulary terms. They are as follows: perfect number, abundant number, and deficient number.

Homework:
***Journal pages 262-263

***Looking Ahead- Our math MAP test will be taken next Wednesday.

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Social Studies:
Today in Social Studies we shared our explorer logs and played a review game as a way to prepare for our Chapter 4 test tomorrow.




****Homeroom Students-
All Science Expo proposals are due by Friday.

Until tomorrow...


Tuesday, January 5, 2010

A Snowy Tuesday!

Homeroom:
***Science Fair proposals are due on Friday. Please submit them to me as soon as possible for approval.

Language Arts:
We had a busy morning in Language Arts. The students started their day in Vocabulary Vine and then we continued our study on linking verbs. (These are a bit tricky for some students to identify.) Finally, we worked as a group reviewing what sort of information can be found in the following: dictionary, thesaurus, almanac, Reader's Guide, atlas, and parts of a book. This is a great review for ISTEP. (Double Special Day)

Homework:
***Reading projects are due on Thursday. Please refer to the handout for specific instructions.
***Study your spelling for the week
***Weekly Homework Packet- Please make sure that when answering your comprehension questions that you answer all parts of the question and recall specific details from the story in your answer.
***My Language Arts class will be taking their Reading MAP test tomorrow morning. Please come to school well rested with a healthy breakfast.

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Math:
We completed our minute, graded our homework, worked on computation on white boards reviewing a multitude of skills, reviewed RIT vocabulary, and we discussed the steps on how to find the slope intercept of a line. We will continue with this tomorrow as well.

Homework:
***Journal pages 258 and 259
***Study Link 7.2

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Social Studies:
Today in Social Studies we completed a page in our Interactive Student Notebook where we had to form sentences using specific vocabulary from the chapter. We also had time to create a log entry pretending that we were explorers returning to Europe after a trip to the New World. Both of these activities are a great resource in helping us prepare for the upcoming test on Thursday.

Homework:
***Log entry(p.25) is due tomorrow
***Study the vocabulary from the chapter as well has rereading the chapter for the test which will be on Thursday. Please note that new rotations will start on Friday of this week.


Until tomorrow...

Monday, January 4, 2010

Welcome Back !

It sure was nice to get back into our routine today. Everyone looks rested and ready to tackle the rest of this school year.

Language Arts:
Today in Language Arts we jumped right into our next story. It is called Great Grandmother's Gourd. This is a great story with a lot of personification, denotations, and connotations. We not only read and discussed our story and new vocabulary, but we took our spelling pre- test and worked on our grammar skill for the week. The skill for the week is linking verbs.

Homework:
***Weekly Homework Packet-due Friday. I will have additional sheets ready to add to this packet tomorrow. These sheets will take the place of the summary which the students will not complete this week.
***Read and record your minutes. It is an expectation that students will read books independently on their level and pass the AR test with a score of an 80% or better.
***Our second reading project is due on Thursday. It should reflect 9 weeks work of effort and fit the requirements on the purple handout.
***Study your spelling words. Last week the scores on spelling were so much better. Great Job!
***Grammar page is due tomorrow
***Review your RIT vocabulary folder a little each night. MAP testing is right around the corner and studying a little each night will help.
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Math:
Today in Math we completed our minute, reviewed RIT vocabulary orally together, and worked on order of operations on white boards. We also worked on probability as our daily lesson.

Homework:
***Pages 254, 255 and Study Link 7.1
***Study your RIT folder a little each night. MAP testing is right around the corner!

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Social Studies:
Today in Social Studies we read and discussed the Reading Further section in our book. We discussed Christopher Columbus' plea to the King and Queen to aide his expedition to the New World. We also reviewed the vocabulary and key points in the chapter as a review. Our test covering chapter 4 will be on Thursday.

Until tomorrow...

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