December 12th, 2012

This morning we reviewed the 50 state capitals.  About half of the class knows them very well.  PLEASE PUT YOUR CHILD ONLINE TO "YOUTUBE 50 STATES SONGS" OR 50 STATE CAPITALS ONLINE GAMES.  These interactive games are great to get the kids to learn them.  The test will be two columns of states, with a line next to each state for the students to write the capitals on.  The state capitals will be at the bottom of the page, for students to refer to.

Students tested each other in spelling.  In grammar we searched out capitalization and punctuation rules.  We also reviewed the five SAT words.  I find that students aren't having as much difficulty learning the definitions as they were a few months ago.  I try to smatter the words into our daily conversations.  OUR LANGUAGE ARTS TEST IS ON FRIDAY!

We continued with Johnny Tremain, which is now nearing the end.  We have just one chapter left.  Then we watched 15 minutes of Johnny Tremain.  HOMEWORK TONIGHT IS FINISHING THE "YANKEE DOODLE" CHAPTER.  It is only about 5 book pages.  If your child reads it aloud to or with you, comprehension will skyrocket.  Be sure your child is enunciating correctly and slowing down.  Don't hesitate to tell your child to speak up, sit up, or be clear.

MATH HOMEWORK IS THE CIRCLES TEST.  ALSO, STUDENTS SHOULD BRING IN ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:
RECTANGULAR PRISM
TRIANGULAR PRISM
SQUARE PYRAMID
TRIANGULAR PYRAMID
CYLINDER
We are learning about solids and solid nets.  We will be "dissecting" the solids on their edges and visualizing what solids look like flat.  This is pretty advanced stuff.  It helps students grasp 3-D imagery.  This will lead into volume.

Lots of interest in Meridian Math Club today.  We reviewed rounding and estimating products.

In Writer's Workshop, several students completed their character descriptions.  They are being hung under the coat racks downstairs in the common room.  Yes, some are a little gory, as we brainstormed them the week of Halloween.  I am impressed with the quality of illustrations that the students have worked on.  They must match the details of their written work with the accuracy of the illustration.  It is not easy.

History was brainstorming puppet play scenes and preferences.  The students swapped phone numbers so they can collaborate about their scripts.  These will not be due till after the holidays.