This morning we were pleased to have a myriad of book reports. Some were posters, others were puppet plays. It is fun to see what the kids come up with. All gave great details about a famous person. TOMORROW IS THE LAST DAY FOR JANUARY BOOK REPORTS.
For geography we located and labeled the Cascade Range in Washington and Oregon State and the Brooks Range in northern Alaska. We briefly discussed the oil fields and environmental issues in that part of the North.
TOMORROW IS THE LANGUAGE ARTS TEST. Please see Monday's post for the words to review. I have caught students using many of these words. My parents used to tape anything they wanted us to know on the bathroom wall: newspaper clippings, quotes, math facts, trivia, etc. After a few days, my dad would bring up the topic, word, or concept in a dinner discussion. We had already formed questions and opinions during our time in the bathroom; it made for interactive conversation.
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In grammar we are trying to label sentence structure - much deeper than the four types of sentences. For example:
Simple Sentence = complete sentence expressing one thought = labeled "S"
Example: I stayed in my room during the storm.
Simple Sentence with a Compound Subject = simple sentence with more than one subject = labeled "SCS" (simple sentence/compound subject)
Example: The rain and wind beat at my window.
Simple Sentence with a compound verb = simple sentence with more than one verb = labeled "SCV" (simple sentence/compound verb)
Example: The wind whistled and howled during the storm.
Fragment = group of words missing a subject or predicate = labeled "F"
Example: read a book until midnight
Example: two playful puppies in the yard
Example: as he listened for the bell
Example: in the back of the room
Run-on Sentence = two sentences written together as one sentence without being punctuated correctly = labeled "SS"
Example: The phone rang all morning we were busy. (This shows that two simple sentences, or complete thoughts, were used without separating them.
Compound Sentence = two sentences put correctly together using punctuation and possibly a conjunction = labeled "CD"
Example: Jacob painted all afternoon, but he did not finish the fence.
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We read almost to the end of Jonathon Livingston Seagull. These students love books read to them. Please make it a priority in your family.
Our idiom for the day was "vice versa". We wrote about its meaning and discussed its use.
TOMORROW ALL FINAL DRAFT BUSINESS LETTERS MUST BE HANDED IN.
MATH IS NO HOMEWORK TODAY. We took Cum. Test 1-6. I have finished grading the tests. Tomorrow they will go home for a parent signature. We will start Unit 7 tomorrow. It is an extension of decimals and their functions. It will move pretty fast.
After lunch students went to Foreign Language and then Put First Things First. That was our 7-Habits lesson for the day. We are coming up with coping skills to organize our personal and school time.
Skiiers left for their minicourse and we worked more on puppets. PLEASE SEND A 2' X 2' PIECE OF MATERIAL TO SCHOOL WITH YOUR CHILD. We cannot move ahead with puppets until students have the basic costume for their puppets. The best way to find out what they need is to look their character's image up online, and determine what color the costume should be. Walmart has cheap material.
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
January 30th, 2013
This morning was quite the snowy day! We started off with book reports, poetry, SAT words, grammar, spelling, and Jonathon Livingston Seagull. ANY ROUGH DRAFTS OF THE BUSINESS LETTER MUST BE EDITED BY TOMORROW TO TURN IN FINAL DRAFTS ON FRIDAY. Some students have called the company to find the mailing address and recipient.
MATH HOMEWORK IS TO GET ON THE COMPUTER AND REVIEW DECIMALS TO THE THOUSANDTHS. Look up "math decimal online games". Concepts that will be on the test include:
For Writer's Workshop we began descriptive beginnings to a mystery. The entire beginning, all the way to the problem is to be finished in rough draft form by next Monday. These kids are writing a lot and have lots of ideas.
After P.E. we cleaned up (yeah! We got another Meridian Mongoose paw)and read through the rough draft of the American Revolution puppet play.
MATH HOMEWORK IS TO GET ON THE COMPUTER AND REVIEW DECIMALS TO THE THOUSANDTHS. Look up "math decimal online games". Concepts that will be on the test include:
- bar models
- expression rules ( ), x or divide, + or -
- finding n
- dividing into 3 digits
- equivalent fractions
- fraction of a whole/fraction of a fraction/multiplying fraction
- draw an angle
- equilateral triangles
- solids and nets
- area
- perimeter
- writing 100th places as a decimal
- writing 1000th places as a fraction in its simplest form
- naming decimals on a number line
- rounding decimals to 1 decimal place
For Writer's Workshop we began descriptive beginnings to a mystery. The entire beginning, all the way to the problem is to be finished in rough draft form by next Monday. These kids are writing a lot and have lots of ideas.
After P.E. we cleaned up (yeah! We got another Meridian Mongoose paw)and read through the rough draft of the American Revolution puppet play.
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
January 29th,2013
This morning it snowed and snowed. I am very grateful to all you families who made such an effort to get your children to school.
We learned where Mt. St. Helens is in Washington State. This created a discussion about the Pacific Ring of Fire and plate tectonics. Utah does experience earthquakes frequently, although not on a grand scale. It was surprising information to the students to find out that Utah is expecting a mammoth-sized earthquake in the future. We did an earthquake drill.
Four children completed and presented their January book reports today. BOOK REPORTS ARE DUE THIS WEEK.
SAT words are becoming easier and easier to learn! We created logos for them today. Also, we practiced subjects, predicates and prepositional phrases in grammar. We read the first half of part two of Jonathon Livingston Seagull. Jonathon passes to heaven, where he is amazed to find that his new sleek body also has limitations. This makes him strive to do the best with what he has. The description in this book is amazing.
Many children have completed their business letter rough drafts. If I made corrections on the drafts, the students should finish typing the final draft of the letter, and send a 45 or 46 c stamp to school. We will be sending them off at the end of this week. SO, PLEASE CHECK ON THE STATUS OF THE LETTER!
MATH HOMEWORK IS REVIEW 6. Tomorrow we will be playing decimal games, reviewing concepts, and preparing for the test. The test will be Thursday.
After lunch we had foreign language, drama, yoga/dance/karate, and music. Toward the end of the day, we worked on a 7-Habit. We created a class cleaning goal and broke it down into doable portions.
We learned where Mt. St. Helens is in Washington State. This created a discussion about the Pacific Ring of Fire and plate tectonics. Utah does experience earthquakes frequently, although not on a grand scale. It was surprising information to the students to find out that Utah is expecting a mammoth-sized earthquake in the future. We did an earthquake drill.
Four children completed and presented their January book reports today. BOOK REPORTS ARE DUE THIS WEEK.
SAT words are becoming easier and easier to learn! We created logos for them today. Also, we practiced subjects, predicates and prepositional phrases in grammar. We read the first half of part two of Jonathon Livingston Seagull. Jonathon passes to heaven, where he is amazed to find that his new sleek body also has limitations. This makes him strive to do the best with what he has. The description in this book is amazing.
Many children have completed their business letter rough drafts. If I made corrections on the drafts, the students should finish typing the final draft of the letter, and send a 45 or 46 c stamp to school. We will be sending them off at the end of this week. SO, PLEASE CHECK ON THE STATUS OF THE LETTER!
MATH HOMEWORK IS REVIEW 6. Tomorrow we will be playing decimal games, reviewing concepts, and preparing for the test. The test will be Thursday.
After lunch we had foreign language, drama, yoga/dance/karate, and music. Toward the end of the day, we worked on a 7-Habit. We created a class cleaning goal and broke it down into doable portions.
Monday, January 28, 2013
I have to thank all you parents for the great support for a wonderful play Friday night. All the kids did such a good job! There was no homework except reading over the weekend.
This morning we located and labeled the Wasatch Range. We also had two visitors for next year. They were well accepted and fit in immediately. They stayed until lunch. IF YOU HAVE ANY NEIGHBORS OR FRIENDS WHO WOULD LIKE TO VISIT MERIDIAN TO SEE IF THEY WOULD LIKE COME, PLEASE CONTACT ANNETTE WARNICK. WE WOULD BE HAPPY TO HAVE THEM COME.
After SAT words, grammar, and reading, we worked on spelling. The multiple intelligence for the week is kinesthetic/body. Students are creating a movement for each word and spelling the words as fast as they can to the movement. They are becoming very independent and responsible.
The SAT words follow:
This morning we located and labeled the Wasatch Range. We also had two visitors for next year. They were well accepted and fit in immediately. They stayed until lunch. IF YOU HAVE ANY NEIGHBORS OR FRIENDS WHO WOULD LIKE TO VISIT MERIDIAN TO SEE IF THEY WOULD LIKE COME, PLEASE CONTACT ANNETTE WARNICK. WE WOULD BE HAPPY TO HAVE THEM COME.
After SAT words, grammar, and reading, we worked on spelling. The multiple intelligence for the week is kinesthetic/body. Students are creating a movement for each word and spelling the words as fast as they can to the movement. They are becoming very independent and responsible.
The SAT words follow:
-
foster
providing or receiving nurture or parental care though not related by blood or legal ties
-
fraught
filled with or attended with -
avoiding waste
-
repeated too often; overfamiliar through overuse
-
having or showing arrogant superiority to and disdain of those one views as unworthyMATH HOMEWORK IS TO START THE REVIEW. We will continue with it tomorrow and play decimal games the next day, before we take the test.
Thursday, January 24, 2013
January 24th, 2013
TOMORROW IS A WOW DAY. FREE CHOICE CLOTHES.
KEEP READING! WE WILL PLOT THE MINUTES TOMORROW. Parents should be signing last weekends reading log, which began with our Reading Kickoff Party.
This morning we learned the location and height of King's Peak, Utah. We also located and labeled the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. I told them about the Donner/Reid Party tragedy, in the 1840's.
Next we performed the play, worked on touch-ups, and worked independently on Language Arts for tomorrow's test. SEE TUESDAY'S LIST.
MATH HOMEWORK IS A LOT! Sorry! If it is too much to do, let's tone it down. I worked with one student after school today, and realized the load was somewhat heavy. EXERCISE 11 OR 13, DEPENDING ON YOUR DESIRE. ALSO, BRING IN SOME SMALL KNICK-KNACK TO SELL. We have been dividing a 0-1 number line into tenths and hundredths. Today we divided it further into thousandths. Students placed random decimals in their places. Ask: Which is greater... 0.33 or 0.331? What is one thousandth less than 3.47? These kind of questions make kids think!!!
After Foreign Language we worked independently once more and finalized things for the play. Minicourses were great. Sorry about the skiing...but it was better to stay home than ski on ice in the rain, with the chance of danger on the road. Hopefully next week will be "fortuitous"!
KEEP READING! WE WILL PLOT THE MINUTES TOMORROW. Parents should be signing last weekends reading log, which began with our Reading Kickoff Party.
This morning we learned the location and height of King's Peak, Utah. We also located and labeled the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. I told them about the Donner/Reid Party tragedy, in the 1840's.
Next we performed the play, worked on touch-ups, and worked independently on Language Arts for tomorrow's test. SEE TUESDAY'S LIST.
MATH HOMEWORK IS A LOT! Sorry! If it is too much to do, let's tone it down. I worked with one student after school today, and realized the load was somewhat heavy. EXERCISE 11 OR 13, DEPENDING ON YOUR DESIRE. ALSO, BRING IN SOME SMALL KNICK-KNACK TO SELL. We have been dividing a 0-1 number line into tenths and hundredths. Today we divided it further into thousandths. Students placed random decimals in their places. Ask: Which is greater... 0.33 or 0.331? What is one thousandth less than 3.47? These kind of questions make kids think!!!
After Foreign Language we worked independently once more and finalized things for the play. Minicourses were great. Sorry about the skiing...but it was better to stay home than ski on ice in the rain, with the chance of danger on the road. Hopefully next week will be "fortuitous"!
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
January 23rd, 2013
This morning we started a U.S. mountains map. We learned that Mount McKinley is over 20,000 feet hight. Mount Timpanogas is around 11,000 feet high. King's Peak is the highest mountain in Utah.
We learned how to address envelopes. We also learned the why and what of Zip Codes. We set goals for the day and I called groups out to work with for Huckleberry Finn.
MATH HOMEWORK IS TO EXERCISE 9 OR 11, DEPENDING ON THE GROUP YOU WANT TO BE IN. We are ordering numbers to the thousandths. Also, don't forget to collect small items to "sell" at our Bazaar Friday.
This afternoon we worked more on Huckleberry Finn and had P.E.
DRESS REHEARSAL WAS TONIGHT. BE SURE TO STUDY YOUR PARTS MORE AND BE READY FOR COOKIES TOMORROW!! No hands in pockets!!!
We learned how to address envelopes. We also learned the why and what of Zip Codes. We set goals for the day and I called groups out to work with for Huckleberry Finn.
MATH HOMEWORK IS TO EXERCISE 9 OR 11, DEPENDING ON THE GROUP YOU WANT TO BE IN. We are ordering numbers to the thousandths. Also, don't forget to collect small items to "sell" at our Bazaar Friday.
This afternoon we worked more on Huckleberry Finn and had P.E.
DRESS REHEARSAL WAS TONIGHT. BE SURE TO STUDY YOUR PARTS MORE AND BE READY FOR COOKIES TOMORROW!! No hands in pockets!!!
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
January 22nd, 2013
PLEASE BRING HUCKLEBERRY FINN COSTUMES TO SCHOOL TOMORROW MORNING. ALSO, DRESS REHEARSAL IS TOMORROW NIGHT AT 6 P.M. AT MERIDIAN SCHOOL.
This morning we looked over tests and found out how many minutes were read over the weekend. PLEASE HAVE YOUR STUDENT READ, READ, READ! TURN OFF THE T.V. SHUT DOWN THE COMPUTER. VISIT THE LIBRARY. LOG THOSE HOURS!!
We learned five new SAT words for the test on Friday:
extenuating: partially excusing or justifying
florid: elaborately or excessively ornamented
forbearance: a delay in enforcing rights or claims or privileges;refraining from acting
fortitude: strength of mind that enables one to endure adversity with courage
fortuitous: occurring by happy chance
In grammar, we raced teams in classifying sentences on the board and created new sentences using word labels.
Our daily idiom was: "Catch forty winks". We wrote a journal entry on this. Students are writing much more quickly than at the beginning of the year. Most students were able to make an interesting entry in a short amount of time.
For spelling we are focusing on the Math/Logic Multiple Intelligence. Each student is tallying and graphing specific letters of the alphabet to see which letters are the most commonly used.
We continued reading Jonathon Livingstone Seagull. He broke the speed barrier for seagulls from 5000 feet!
3-point paragraphs were handed in this morning. We are compiling them into a portfolio so students can assess their improvement. BUSINESS LETTER ROUGH DRAFTS ARE DUE THURSDAY. TYPED. They should look like this:
First and Last Name
Meridian School
280 S 400 E
Orem, UT 84097
Today's Date
Name of Business
Street Address and Number
City, STATE
Country
Dear Person (Title):
Paragraphs divided into topics. Not indented. Space between paragraphs. It is good to tell the company what you like in the first paragraph.
In the second paragraph you can give suggestions that would help their company. Be specific enough that the management could mention it in their next board meeting. Be as helpful as you can.
Thank the person for their time. Ask them for paraphernalia or samples that would be helpful to show your class what they do.
Sincerely,
(3 spaces, so a handwritten signature will fit here)
Student First and Last Name
MATH HOMEWORK IS THROUGH EXERCISE 7 (normal group) AND EXERCISE 9 (challenge group). Please review decimal places with your children. They are okay with dimes being tenths, and pennies being hundredths, but have real difficulty with thousandths. If a penny can be divided into ten pieces, each piece would be one thousandth. WE WILL BE HAVING A DECIMAL BAZAAR ON FRIDAY. PLEASE HAVE YOUR CHILD FIND A FEW KNICK-KNACKS AT HOME THAT COULD BE SOLD FOR MERIDIAN DOLLARS, DIMES, CENTS, AND "THOU-CENTS". Draw out a number line labeled with tenths, another with hundredths, another with thousandths and have your child practice counting.
After lunch we had Foreign Language, Drama, Yoga/Karate/Dance, and then Huck Finn practice.
This morning we looked over tests and found out how many minutes were read over the weekend. PLEASE HAVE YOUR STUDENT READ, READ, READ! TURN OFF THE T.V. SHUT DOWN THE COMPUTER. VISIT THE LIBRARY. LOG THOSE HOURS!!
We learned five new SAT words for the test on Friday:
extenuating: partially excusing or justifying
florid: elaborately or excessively ornamented
forbearance: a delay in enforcing rights or claims or privileges;refraining from acting
fortitude: strength of mind that enables one to endure adversity with courage
fortuitous: occurring by happy chance
In grammar, we raced teams in classifying sentences on the board and created new sentences using word labels.
Our daily idiom was: "Catch forty winks". We wrote a journal entry on this. Students are writing much more quickly than at the beginning of the year. Most students were able to make an interesting entry in a short amount of time.
For spelling we are focusing on the Math/Logic Multiple Intelligence. Each student is tallying and graphing specific letters of the alphabet to see which letters are the most commonly used.
We continued reading Jonathon Livingstone Seagull. He broke the speed barrier for seagulls from 5000 feet!
3-point paragraphs were handed in this morning. We are compiling them into a portfolio so students can assess their improvement. BUSINESS LETTER ROUGH DRAFTS ARE DUE THURSDAY. TYPED. They should look like this:
First and Last Name
Meridian School
280 S 400 E
Orem, UT 84097
Today's Date
Name of Business
Street Address and Number
City, STATE
Country
Dear Person (Title):
Paragraphs divided into topics. Not indented. Space between paragraphs. It is good to tell the company what you like in the first paragraph.
In the second paragraph you can give suggestions that would help their company. Be specific enough that the management could mention it in their next board meeting. Be as helpful as you can.
Thank the person for their time. Ask them for paraphernalia or samples that would be helpful to show your class what they do.
Sincerely,
(3 spaces, so a handwritten signature will fit here)
Student First and Last Name
MATH HOMEWORK IS THROUGH EXERCISE 7 (normal group) AND EXERCISE 9 (challenge group). Please review decimal places with your children. They are okay with dimes being tenths, and pennies being hundredths, but have real difficulty with thousandths. If a penny can be divided into ten pieces, each piece would be one thousandth. WE WILL BE HAVING A DECIMAL BAZAAR ON FRIDAY. PLEASE HAVE YOUR CHILD FIND A FEW KNICK-KNACKS AT HOME THAT COULD BE SOLD FOR MERIDIAN DOLLARS, DIMES, CENTS, AND "THOU-CENTS". Draw out a number line labeled with tenths, another with hundredths, another with thousandths and have your child practice counting.
After lunch we had Foreign Language, Drama, Yoga/Karate/Dance, and then Huck Finn practice.
Friday, January 18, 2013
January 18th, 2013
NOTE: NO SCHOOL MONDAY - PRESIDENTS' DAY - READ! READ! READ!
NOTE: THE JAZZ READATHON HAS BEGUN. PLEASE TRACK, CHART, WRITE DOWN, ETC., EVERY MINUTE THE STUDENTS READ DURING THIS TIME. I JOKE AROUND WITH THEM AND TELL THEM THEY HAVE TO READ FOR SEVENTEEN HOURS EVERY DAY!!! JUST KIDDING! BUT DO HAVE THEM READ. IF YOU READ TO THEM, THAT TIME ALSO COUNTS. IF THEY READ TO OTHERS, THAT TIME ALSO COUNTS.
SO READ!!!!!!
P.S. THE PUBLIC LIBRARIES WILL PROBABLY BE CLOSED MONDAY, SO VISIT THE LIBRARY TOMORROW AND CHECK OUT A TON OF BOOKS.
I am so proud of these kids! We had our Language Arts test and U.S. waterways test this morning. The students did so well. Students then finished up spelling activities, 3-point paragraphs, and worked on business letters. 3-POINT PARAGRAPHS ARE DUE TUESDAY. They should look like this:
Topic
by Name Name
Indented beginning. Continue the paragraph without breaking into other paragraphs. Be sure each sentence begins with a different word. Make some sentences long. Others short. Start sentences with capitals and end with end marks. At least nine sentences. Numbers are written in words. Type the paragraph in 12-18 font of your choice (must distinguish between upper and lower case). When you are done illustrate the lower portion of the page. Make sure it is in color and give it a border.
BUSINESS LETTERS ARE DUE THURSDAY. Type these out and bring them to school so we can make edit them. We will be addressing envelopes next week. ALSO, REMEMBER TO BRING IN A 45c STAMP TO SEND IT OFF.
We started a read-aloud book: Jonathon Livingston Seagull. I love this book. It is all about character, striving for the best within us, regardless of peer pressure, working toward a goal. The kids listened and enjoyed it. We will continue with it next week. STUDENTS SHOULD BE FINISHING OFF THEIR BIOGRAPHIES AND PREPARING THEIR BOOK REPORTS, WHICH WILL BE SHARED THE WEEK OF THE 28TH OF JANUARY.
During Math we completed Exercises 2-3 in our new books. EXERCISE 4 IS HOMEWORK. Some students have elected to complete through Exercise 6 for homework. If students can handle the load, I would like to push some through this level, into a higher level of decimals. Please be sure they are understanding that there are 10/100 in 1/10. This can be a difficult transition into the thousandths. Share with them many examples of using thousandths, hundredths, and tenths.
Cultural Roundtable was a focus on the Caribbean Islands.
Fifth Graders went to Art. Fourth Graders interpreted a poem about a centipede who thinks too much. They practiced handwriting and then, in Science, got to take apart a small machine and look for magnets and how they are used.
After gluing eyes and hair on puppets, we raced upstairs for Drama practice with Mrs. Hagan and Mrs. Allen. THE SCRIPT IS BEING SENT TO YOU IN A BATCH EMAIL ATTACHMENT. PLEASE HAVE YOUR CHILD REVIEW HIS/HER PARTS.
The Jazz Readathon began with a jumpstart after school. Students stayed and read. Please make sure students chart their reading every day. Every minute helps. Our class goal is 90 minutes each day to get a Jazz Player to come visit us!
NOTE: THE JAZZ READATHON HAS BEGUN. PLEASE TRACK, CHART, WRITE DOWN, ETC., EVERY MINUTE THE STUDENTS READ DURING THIS TIME. I JOKE AROUND WITH THEM AND TELL THEM THEY HAVE TO READ FOR SEVENTEEN HOURS EVERY DAY!!! JUST KIDDING! BUT DO HAVE THEM READ. IF YOU READ TO THEM, THAT TIME ALSO COUNTS. IF THEY READ TO OTHERS, THAT TIME ALSO COUNTS.
SO READ!!!!!!
P.S. THE PUBLIC LIBRARIES WILL PROBABLY BE CLOSED MONDAY, SO VISIT THE LIBRARY TOMORROW AND CHECK OUT A TON OF BOOKS.
I am so proud of these kids! We had our Language Arts test and U.S. waterways test this morning. The students did so well. Students then finished up spelling activities, 3-point paragraphs, and worked on business letters. 3-POINT PARAGRAPHS ARE DUE TUESDAY. They should look like this:
Topic
by Name Name
Indented beginning. Continue the paragraph without breaking into other paragraphs. Be sure each sentence begins with a different word. Make some sentences long. Others short. Start sentences with capitals and end with end marks. At least nine sentences. Numbers are written in words. Type the paragraph in 12-18 font of your choice (must distinguish between upper and lower case). When you are done illustrate the lower portion of the page. Make sure it is in color and give it a border.
BUSINESS LETTERS ARE DUE THURSDAY. Type these out and bring them to school so we can make edit them. We will be addressing envelopes next week. ALSO, REMEMBER TO BRING IN A 45c STAMP TO SEND IT OFF.
We started a read-aloud book: Jonathon Livingston Seagull. I love this book. It is all about character, striving for the best within us, regardless of peer pressure, working toward a goal. The kids listened and enjoyed it. We will continue with it next week. STUDENTS SHOULD BE FINISHING OFF THEIR BIOGRAPHIES AND PREPARING THEIR BOOK REPORTS, WHICH WILL BE SHARED THE WEEK OF THE 28TH OF JANUARY.
During Math we completed Exercises 2-3 in our new books. EXERCISE 4 IS HOMEWORK. Some students have elected to complete through Exercise 6 for homework. If students can handle the load, I would like to push some through this level, into a higher level of decimals. Please be sure they are understanding that there are 10/100 in 1/10. This can be a difficult transition into the thousandths. Share with them many examples of using thousandths, hundredths, and tenths.
Cultural Roundtable was a focus on the Caribbean Islands.
Fifth Graders went to Art. Fourth Graders interpreted a poem about a centipede who thinks too much. They practiced handwriting and then, in Science, got to take apart a small machine and look for magnets and how they are used.
After gluing eyes and hair on puppets, we raced upstairs for Drama practice with Mrs. Hagan and Mrs. Allen. THE SCRIPT IS BEING SENT TO YOU IN A BATCH EMAIL ATTACHMENT. PLEASE HAVE YOUR CHILD REVIEW HIS/HER PARTS.
The Jazz Readathon began with a jumpstart after school. Students stayed and read. Please make sure students chart their reading every day. Every minute helps. Our class goal is 90 minutes each day to get a Jazz Player to come visit us!
Thursday, January 17, 2013
January 17th, 2013
This morning we competed against each other in identifying the U.S. waterways. THERE IS A TEST ON THE WATERWAYS TOMORROW MORNING. Students should just do their best.
TOMORROW IS ALSO THE LANGUAGE ARTS TEST. Please review the use of 'a' and 'an' before adjectives and nouns. (If the word starts with a vowel, we use the word "an"; if a consonant, we use "a".
Students should be finishing off their 3-point paragraphs and business letters. 3-POINT PARAGRAPHS ARE DUE TUESDAY. They should be typed, with a centered heading, centered "by Name", and indented paragraph. They should also be illustrated neatly and colorfully with a border.
BUSINESS LETTERS ARE DUE NEXT THURSDAY. They should be typed to the very left, use correct punctuation and capitalisation, and split into paragraphs. Correct headings and closings. I will send home a sample tomorrow. We will be labeling envelopes next week. PLEASE HAVE YOUR CHILD BRING A 46c STAMP IN SO WE CAN SEND THE LETTERS NEXT WEEK.
Keep reading your biography and start working on your book report. BOOK REPORTS ARE DUE THE LAST WEEK OF THE MONTH. You may choose any creative way to share information about your person's life.
MATH HOMEWORK IS EXERCISE 1. We received new math books today. Please review place value with your child. Specifically, 0.1 is one tenth, 0.01 is one hundredth, and 0.001 is one thousandth.
After foreign language we covered our puppet heads and started glueing eyes. PLEASE BRING IN EMPTY TOILET PAPER TUBES TOMORROW. We need them to make the shoulders of the puppets. Also, material (2'x2') for the basic costume would be great. Students will be taking these puppets home to finish decorating. They will be able to make a patriot or redcoat when their celebrity is finished.
Skiing minicourse and others were very successful. Thank you so much to parents who volunteered to do this!
TOMORROW IS ALSO THE LANGUAGE ARTS TEST. Please review the use of 'a' and 'an' before adjectives and nouns. (If the word starts with a vowel, we use the word "an"; if a consonant, we use "a".
Students should be finishing off their 3-point paragraphs and business letters. 3-POINT PARAGRAPHS ARE DUE TUESDAY. They should be typed, with a centered heading, centered "by Name", and indented paragraph. They should also be illustrated neatly and colorfully with a border.
BUSINESS LETTERS ARE DUE NEXT THURSDAY. They should be typed to the very left, use correct punctuation and capitalisation, and split into paragraphs. Correct headings and closings. I will send home a sample tomorrow. We will be labeling envelopes next week. PLEASE HAVE YOUR CHILD BRING A 46c STAMP IN SO WE CAN SEND THE LETTERS NEXT WEEK.
Keep reading your biography and start working on your book report. BOOK REPORTS ARE DUE THE LAST WEEK OF THE MONTH. You may choose any creative way to share information about your person's life.
MATH HOMEWORK IS EXERCISE 1. We received new math books today. Please review place value with your child. Specifically, 0.1 is one tenth, 0.01 is one hundredth, and 0.001 is one thousandth.
After foreign language we covered our puppet heads and started glueing eyes. PLEASE BRING IN EMPTY TOILET PAPER TUBES TOMORROW. We need them to make the shoulders of the puppets. Also, material (2'x2') for the basic costume would be great. Students will be taking these puppets home to finish decorating. They will be able to make a patriot or redcoat when their celebrity is finished.
Skiing minicourse and others were very successful. Thank you so much to parents who volunteered to do this!
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
January 16th, 2013
We reviewed all the waterways in the U.S. that we have learned. Students received a study guide to help them learn the lakes and rivers of the U.S. for Friday's test. TEST ON RIVERS AND LAKES ON FRIDAY.
The five SAT words are quite solid. I have noticed the students using the words: exemplary, emulate, and enervate quite often in the past few days! We learned and wrote about the idiom: "Few and Far Between". Be sure to explain the meanings of idioms you use to your children. Students often say they have heard the terms, but they are unsure of their meanings.
The spelling activity is to create our own mnemonics, or line poems for ten of our list words. Kids are working together and being creative. We first sort the words, review the patterns, brainstorm new words for the pattern, and then reinforce the spellings with a multiple intelligence focus.
Grammar reviewed such homonyms as plain/plane, I'll/isle/aisle, new/knew/gnu, etc. We touched on synonyms and antonyms and classified a scrambled sentence.
Students chose to work on their 3-point paragraph or business letter. THE 3-POINT PARAGRAPH IS DUE NEXT TUESDAY. It should be typed and illustrated. They are getting longer! THE BUSINESS LETTER ROUGH DRAFT IS DUE NEXT THURSDAY.
TOMORROW IS MINI-COURSE AFTERNOON. IF YOUR CHILD IS IN SKI CLASS, PLEASE BRING WARM CLOTHING, ETC. IN THE MORNING.
THERE IS NO MATH HOMEWORK TODAY. The students took the cumulative test on Unit 5 today. It was a hard test, but so far I am pleased with the results. I should have the tests graded and in the program by tomorrow night. We review the test tomorrow and begin our new books at that time.
Several students attended Meridian Math Club and the kids read so quietly and focused for S.I.R. (Structured Independent Reading) that I gave them a bit of extra time and a reward. They were wonderful!
For writing, we wrote another description of normal - fantasy style. It is fun to copy authors' styles. It is a tool to creativity. Afterwards, students worked on Writer's Workshop stories. ARE THERE ANY PARENTS WHO MIGHT HAVE AN HOUR TO SPARE DURING THE WEEK TO HELP WITH EDITING, PUBLISHING, ASSESSING SIGHT WORDS, ASSESSING MATH FACTS, OR OTHER ITEMS?
We had P.E.
Students filled in their waterways study guides and read through their "We the People" lessons with their partners. Each partnership will take a turn teaching the class. They must be very familiar with the material.
The five SAT words are quite solid. I have noticed the students using the words: exemplary, emulate, and enervate quite often in the past few days! We learned and wrote about the idiom: "Few and Far Between". Be sure to explain the meanings of idioms you use to your children. Students often say they have heard the terms, but they are unsure of their meanings.
The spelling activity is to create our own mnemonics, or line poems for ten of our list words. Kids are working together and being creative. We first sort the words, review the patterns, brainstorm new words for the pattern, and then reinforce the spellings with a multiple intelligence focus.
Grammar reviewed such homonyms as plain/plane, I'll/isle/aisle, new/knew/gnu, etc. We touched on synonyms and antonyms and classified a scrambled sentence.
Students chose to work on their 3-point paragraph or business letter. THE 3-POINT PARAGRAPH IS DUE NEXT TUESDAY. It should be typed and illustrated. They are getting longer! THE BUSINESS LETTER ROUGH DRAFT IS DUE NEXT THURSDAY.
TOMORROW IS MINI-COURSE AFTERNOON. IF YOUR CHILD IS IN SKI CLASS, PLEASE BRING WARM CLOTHING, ETC. IN THE MORNING.
THERE IS NO MATH HOMEWORK TODAY. The students took the cumulative test on Unit 5 today. It was a hard test, but so far I am pleased with the results. I should have the tests graded and in the program by tomorrow night. We review the test tomorrow and begin our new books at that time.
Several students attended Meridian Math Club and the kids read so quietly and focused for S.I.R. (Structured Independent Reading) that I gave them a bit of extra time and a reward. They were wonderful!
For writing, we wrote another description of normal - fantasy style. It is fun to copy authors' styles. It is a tool to creativity. Afterwards, students worked on Writer's Workshop stories. ARE THERE ANY PARENTS WHO MIGHT HAVE AN HOUR TO SPARE DURING THE WEEK TO HELP WITH EDITING, PUBLISHING, ASSESSING SIGHT WORDS, ASSESSING MATH FACTS, OR OTHER ITEMS?
We had P.E.
Students filled in their waterways study guides and read through their "We the People" lessons with their partners. Each partnership will take a turn teaching the class. They must be very familiar with the material.
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
January 15th, 2013
This morning we focused on a study skill while learning the Great Lakes.
See
Max!
He
Eats
Oreos!
for Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario. Students wrote their own to memorize.
After this we studied our SAT words, learned what the idiom "bite the hand that feeds you" means (and wrote a journal entry about it). We worked on a spelling activity - line poem, classifying sentences, and a new 3-point paragraph. Students chose from various topics:
favorite books/movies
things I like to do that cost money
waterways
3-POINT PARAGRAPHS WILL BE DUE FRIDAY.
MATH HOMEWORK IS TO FINISH THE REVIEW. We have a test tomorrow.
We had Foreign Language, Drama, Yoga/Karate/Dance, and Music. Yes, it is our packed Specialist day. We also had a visit from an Orem Police Officer, who discussed many topics, including bullying and safety.
See
Max!
He
Eats
Oreos!
for Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario. Students wrote their own to memorize.
After this we studied our SAT words, learned what the idiom "bite the hand that feeds you" means (and wrote a journal entry about it). We worked on a spelling activity - line poem, classifying sentences, and a new 3-point paragraph. Students chose from various topics:
favorite books/movies
things I like to do that cost money
waterways
3-POINT PARAGRAPHS WILL BE DUE FRIDAY.
MATH HOMEWORK IS TO FINISH THE REVIEW. We have a test tomorrow.
We had Foreign Language, Drama, Yoga/Karate/Dance, and Music. Yes, it is our packed Specialist day. We also had a visit from an Orem Police Officer, who discussed many topics, including bullying and safety.
Monday, January 14, 2013
January 14th, 2013
This morning we learned the five Great Lakes of the United States. They are Lake Superior, Lake Huron, Lake Michigan, Lake Erie, and Lake Ontario. We are reading information about these lakes. THESE FIVE LAKES AND THE SEVENTEEN RIVERS BELOW WILL BE ON A TEST ON FRIDAY. The students will be given a map showing the bodies of water and numbers associated with them. They are:
Snake River
Columbia River
Colorado River
Little Colorado River
Green River
San Juan River
Virgin River
Gila River
Rio Grande River
Mississippi River
Missouri River
Arkansas River
Red River
Ohio River
Hudson River
Delaware River
Potomac River
The river system will also be part of the test. For example:
What are the sources of rivers (how do they form)?
What is the significance of the Continental Divide?
What is a dry lake?
What can we do to protect our rivers?
What great river has been depleted to the point that it doesn't reach the Pacific Ocean anymore?
etc., etc.
For Language Arts this morning we learned new words:
emulate: try to equal or match, to copy
enervating: causing debilitation
ephemeral: short-lived, like the life of a butterfly
evanescent: disappear, as in a vapor
exemplary: worthy of imitation
We also learned State of Being Verbs. Then we chose picture fiction books and mapped out the setting (time and place) of the book. STUDENTS SHOULD MAKE A SETTING WEB OF THEIR BIOGRAPHY FIGURE. Five settings from the book should be mapped out from the center of the page. THESE ARE DUE TOMORROW.
For Math, I felt the kids needed more instruction and practice finding shaded area. A TWO PAPER (FOUR PAGE) PACKET WENT HOME TODAY FOR ALL STUDENTS WHO WERE AT SCHOOL ON FRIDAY. THE OTHERS NEED TO BE DONE THROUGH EXERCISE 6 BY TOMORROW. Some students will want to work on their chapter review tonight. Those who are 100% complete tomorrow will get to be on the computers during math. The others will be working at the board on review questions. The chapter 5 test will either be Wednesday or Thursday.
After lunch we had Structured Independent Reading and Meridian Math Club. During Writer's Workshop we described settings and fantasy surprises. This is a style that many authors use to catch readers' interests. Students each wrote their own settings and fantasy surprises.. They will be writing a new one every day this week. We will choose our favorite ones to type out as story starters and hang outside the classroom.
During 4th Grade Art/5th Grade Science, we discussed the three North Poles. 1. Geographical 2. Santa's Workshop town in Alaska, 3. The Magnetic North Pole. We focused on the third. Students observed and experimented with magnetic forces changing compass needles. We found that electromagnets gave off force fields strong enough to change compass needles. Some students observed the North and South of their compasses attracting or repelling with various magnets. My favorite connection was the kids' connections to the use of magnets and electromagnets in turbines, engines, dams, etc, to generate electricity.
After P.E. we crafted the base of our puppet heads and attached them to poles. We will be making rod puppets with moveable arms. It is my first time to make them, but we are having fun learning.
PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR CHILD READS HIS/HER BIOGRAPHY FOR 30 MINUTES EACH NIGHT UNTIL HE/SHE IS DONE. A BOOK REPORT OF CHOICE IS DUE AT THE END OF THE MONTH.
Snake River
Columbia River
Colorado River
Little Colorado River
Green River
San Juan River
Virgin River
Gila River
Rio Grande River
Mississippi River
Missouri River
Arkansas River
Red River
Ohio River
Hudson River
Delaware River
Potomac River
The river system will also be part of the test. For example:
What are the sources of rivers (how do they form)?
What is the significance of the Continental Divide?
What is a dry lake?
What can we do to protect our rivers?
What great river has been depleted to the point that it doesn't reach the Pacific Ocean anymore?
etc., etc.
For Language Arts this morning we learned new words:
emulate: try to equal or match, to copy
enervating: causing debilitation
ephemeral: short-lived, like the life of a butterfly
evanescent: disappear, as in a vapor
exemplary: worthy of imitation
We also learned State of Being Verbs. Then we chose picture fiction books and mapped out the setting (time and place) of the book. STUDENTS SHOULD MAKE A SETTING WEB OF THEIR BIOGRAPHY FIGURE. Five settings from the book should be mapped out from the center of the page. THESE ARE DUE TOMORROW.
For Math, I felt the kids needed more instruction and practice finding shaded area. A TWO PAPER (FOUR PAGE) PACKET WENT HOME TODAY FOR ALL STUDENTS WHO WERE AT SCHOOL ON FRIDAY. THE OTHERS NEED TO BE DONE THROUGH EXERCISE 6 BY TOMORROW. Some students will want to work on their chapter review tonight. Those who are 100% complete tomorrow will get to be on the computers during math. The others will be working at the board on review questions. The chapter 5 test will either be Wednesday or Thursday.
After lunch we had Structured Independent Reading and Meridian Math Club. During Writer's Workshop we described settings and fantasy surprises. This is a style that many authors use to catch readers' interests. Students each wrote their own settings and fantasy surprises.. They will be writing a new one every day this week. We will choose our favorite ones to type out as story starters and hang outside the classroom.
During 4th Grade Art/5th Grade Science, we discussed the three North Poles. 1. Geographical 2. Santa's Workshop town in Alaska, 3. The Magnetic North Pole. We focused on the third. Students observed and experimented with magnetic forces changing compass needles. We found that electromagnets gave off force fields strong enough to change compass needles. Some students observed the North and South of their compasses attracting or repelling with various magnets. My favorite connection was the kids' connections to the use of magnets and electromagnets in turbines, engines, dams, etc, to generate electricity.
After P.E. we crafted the base of our puppet heads and attached them to poles. We will be making rod puppets with moveable arms. It is my first time to make them, but we are having fun learning.
PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR CHILD READS HIS/HER BIOGRAPHY FOR 30 MINUTES EACH NIGHT UNTIL HE/SHE IS DONE. A BOOK REPORT OF CHOICE IS DUE AT THE END OF THE MONTH.
Friday, January 11, 2013
January 11th, 2013
This morning we drew and labeled the Hudson, Delaware, and Potomac rivers. These are not large rivers, in the context of physical landforms, but they are extremely important in lieu of America's beginnings. WE WILL HAVE A TEST ON RIVER SYSTEMS OF THE USA NEXT FRIDAY.
After our Language Arts test, students tested each other in spelling and conferenced with each other on business letters. TYPED ROUGH DRAFTS OF THE BUSINESS LETTER ARE DUE NEXT WEDNESDAY.
We are still reading biographies. PLEASE KEEP READING YOUR BIOGRAPHY FOR YOUR BOOK REPORT. You should be halfway through it already.
MATH HOMEWORK IS EXERCISE 6. We mapped out the Common Area and figured out the area of the uncovered portion.
After lunch we learned about the Brothers Grimm in Cultural Roundtable. We worked on "Beginning with the End in Mind" in 7-Habits. Next, we practiced the rivers in a hands-on activity, and acted out movement simulations in Writer's Workshop. Students also chose between finishing off "Where the Red Fern Grows" and working on Type III projects.
Have a great weekend!
After our Language Arts test, students tested each other in spelling and conferenced with each other on business letters. TYPED ROUGH DRAFTS OF THE BUSINESS LETTER ARE DUE NEXT WEDNESDAY.
We are still reading biographies. PLEASE KEEP READING YOUR BIOGRAPHY FOR YOUR BOOK REPORT. You should be halfway through it already.
MATH HOMEWORK IS EXERCISE 6. We mapped out the Common Area and figured out the area of the uncovered portion.
After lunch we learned about the Brothers Grimm in Cultural Roundtable. We worked on "Beginning with the End in Mind" in 7-Habits. Next, we practiced the rivers in a hands-on activity, and acted out movement simulations in Writer's Workshop. Students also chose between finishing off "Where the Red Fern Grows" and working on Type III projects.
Have a great weekend!
Thursday, January 10, 2013
January 10th, 2013
Hi! Yesterday was our 25th Anniversary, so I was gone. Sorry not to blog, but life definitely does have to happen sometimes, even for teachers!
This morning (and yesterday) we labeled the Mississippi River and four rivers running to it (Missouri, Ohio, Arkansas, and Red). We learned about the Continental Divide, and what happens to rain that falls on either side. It ends up either in the Pacific or Atlantic Oceans.
TOMORROW IS OUR LANGUAGE ARTS TEST. We studied the words of the week, worked on grammar punctuation, and began writing business letters. STUDENTS NEED TO ADD TO THEIR ROUGH DRAFTS. Ask them what company they are writing to, and what their compliments and suggestions for that company are. Please teach them how to request politely!!! I have been laughing at the boldness in these kids!
I am noticing that they love to write! Great! They don't generally ask, "How long does it have to be?" They even complain a little when it is time to finish. A great present or incentive might be a home journal, thankful journal, or author's journal.
TOMORROW STUDENTS WILL BE PRESENTING THEIR MOVEMENT DESCRIPTIONS. We didn't work on them today, but they are mostly finished. Students chose a movement they wanted to describe, acted it out in slow motion, and broke the movement down into separate sentences. Students will be acting out the written descriptions tomorrow.
MATH HOMEWORK IS EXERCISE #5. Big Area - Little Area = surrounding area.
Students had Foreign Language, Art (5th) and Handwriting /Science (4th). In Science we discovered the power of magnets on compasses and the pull of the magnetic North Pole.
Mrs. Hagan and Mrs. Allen helped the students with their Huck Finn production for the rest of the day.
This morning (and yesterday) we labeled the Mississippi River and four rivers running to it (Missouri, Ohio, Arkansas, and Red). We learned about the Continental Divide, and what happens to rain that falls on either side. It ends up either in the Pacific or Atlantic Oceans.
TOMORROW IS OUR LANGUAGE ARTS TEST. We studied the words of the week, worked on grammar punctuation, and began writing business letters. STUDENTS NEED TO ADD TO THEIR ROUGH DRAFTS. Ask them what company they are writing to, and what their compliments and suggestions for that company are. Please teach them how to request politely!!! I have been laughing at the boldness in these kids!
I am noticing that they love to write! Great! They don't generally ask, "How long does it have to be?" They even complain a little when it is time to finish. A great present or incentive might be a home journal, thankful journal, or author's journal.
TOMORROW STUDENTS WILL BE PRESENTING THEIR MOVEMENT DESCRIPTIONS. We didn't work on them today, but they are mostly finished. Students chose a movement they wanted to describe, acted it out in slow motion, and broke the movement down into separate sentences. Students will be acting out the written descriptions tomorrow.
MATH HOMEWORK IS EXERCISE #5. Big Area - Little Area = surrounding area.
Students had Foreign Language, Art (5th) and Handwriting /Science (4th). In Science we discovered the power of magnets on compasses and the pull of the magnetic North Pole.
Mrs. Hagan and Mrs. Allen helped the students with their Huck Finn production for the rest of the day.
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
January 8th, 2013
This morning we mapped the Rio Grande River and reviewed tributaries of the Colorado and Columbia Rivers.
After vocabulary review, idiom journal writing ("A miss is as good/bad as a mile"), shaving cream spelling, quick sentence diagramming.
We edited our 3-point paragraphs for evidence of the 5 senses and students handed in their biography webs.
HOMEWORK IS TO TYPE OUT THE 3-POINT PARAGRAPH AND ILLUSTRATE IT. DUE TOMORROW. I tried to make sure each student went home with their homework!
MATH HOMEWORK WAS EXERCISE 4 (PERIMETER). Today we learned what composite figures are (square and rectangle attached, or other obvious shapes "stuck" together to form a large shape). Most of the kids are doing very well finding the perimeter when only one side and the area are given. This is a difficult concept.
Today our schedule changed to Winter Term. Students went to Foreign Language, Drama, chose between Dance/Yoga/Karate, and went to Music with our new teacher, Mrs. Allen. She is a music professional who knows Meridian's quality in and out. She is excited to work with the children, who were also very excited coming back from a vigorous vocal workout!
In history, we summarized the American Revolution for our Bulletin Board display and worked on loose ends.
The puppet play is being written!
After vocabulary review, idiom journal writing ("A miss is as good/bad as a mile"), shaving cream spelling, quick sentence diagramming.
We edited our 3-point paragraphs for evidence of the 5 senses and students handed in their biography webs.
HOMEWORK IS TO TYPE OUT THE 3-POINT PARAGRAPH AND ILLUSTRATE IT. DUE TOMORROW. I tried to make sure each student went home with their homework!
MATH HOMEWORK WAS EXERCISE 4 (PERIMETER). Today we learned what composite figures are (square and rectangle attached, or other obvious shapes "stuck" together to form a large shape). Most of the kids are doing very well finding the perimeter when only one side and the area are given. This is a difficult concept.
Today our schedule changed to Winter Term. Students went to Foreign Language, Drama, chose between Dance/Yoga/Karate, and went to Music with our new teacher, Mrs. Allen. She is a music professional who knows Meridian's quality in and out. She is excited to work with the children, who were also very excited coming back from a vigorous vocal workout!
In history, we summarized the American Revolution for our Bulletin Board display and worked on loose ends.
The puppet play is being written!
Monday, January 7, 2013
January 7th, 2013
Whew! I remembered to post!
This morning we mapped the Colorado River and other major rivers that flow into it (Green, Virgin, Little Colorado, etc.) On Friday we mapped the Snake River and Columbia River. STUDENTS SHOULD REGULARLY REVIEW THE PHYSICAL LANDFORMS THAT MAKE UP THE USA. Look online for games to review these. THERE WILL BE A TEST ON USA LANDFORMS DURING THE FIRST WEEK OF FEBRUARY.
We reviewed last week's SAT words (empathy, disdain, discredit, diligent, and divergent). We also edited each others' 3-point paragraphs. THE BLUE 3-POINT PARAGRAPH PAPER IS DUE WEDNESDAY, TYPED OUT AND ILLUSTRATED. The topics to choose from were: future careers, popularity, anger, and games.
Today in grammar we learned that the question: Verb - What? points us directly to the Direct Object, or D.O.
We wrote for 8 minutes straight in our journals, elaborating on an idiom, "Count Your Blessings", and then we focused on a character web for our biography reading. OUR BIOGRAPHY BOOK REPORTS ARE DUE THE LAST WEEK OF JANUARY. Be sure your fourth grader is reading for at least 1/2 hour each day. Fifth graders should be reading for 45-60 minutes daily.
MATH HOMEWORK IS EXERCISE 3. Students are learning algebra in memorizing area and perimeter formulas. A=lxw and P=2x(l+w) should be memorized. The story problems may need adult help. Be encouraging. If your students need further help, I am always available during morning recess, most lunchtimes, and after school. I am happy to help them. It would be most helpful if you could have them measure rectangles and squares, and find out the area and perimeter of them. Lots of what we do is working backwards from the area and one perimeter measurement, to find the whole perimeter.
Today was Meridian Math Club and S.I.R. I am impressed that students are making small time goals, and sticking with their plans.
Today we worked on Writer's Workshop. Some students will be coming home with typing to do. They are writing so much, it is a bit overwhelming to type!
Fourth Graders went to Art today. Fifth Graders had a Science lesson about Electromagnets, and then made their own. Several students experimented with multiple batteries. It was fun to explain the workings of electricity and currents. Please show your child how batteries and magnets are used in your home.
To complete the day, we finished writing "skeletons of puppet skits, and illustrating rough excerpts for possible backgrounds.
It was a good day.
This morning we mapped the Colorado River and other major rivers that flow into it (Green, Virgin, Little Colorado, etc.) On Friday we mapped the Snake River and Columbia River. STUDENTS SHOULD REGULARLY REVIEW THE PHYSICAL LANDFORMS THAT MAKE UP THE USA. Look online for games to review these. THERE WILL BE A TEST ON USA LANDFORMS DURING THE FIRST WEEK OF FEBRUARY.
We reviewed last week's SAT words (empathy, disdain, discredit, diligent, and divergent). We also edited each others' 3-point paragraphs. THE BLUE 3-POINT PARAGRAPH PAPER IS DUE WEDNESDAY, TYPED OUT AND ILLUSTRATED. The topics to choose from were: future careers, popularity, anger, and games.
Today in grammar we learned that the question: Verb - What? points us directly to the Direct Object, or D.O.
We wrote for 8 minutes straight in our journals, elaborating on an idiom, "Count Your Blessings", and then we focused on a character web for our biography reading. OUR BIOGRAPHY BOOK REPORTS ARE DUE THE LAST WEEK OF JANUARY. Be sure your fourth grader is reading for at least 1/2 hour each day. Fifth graders should be reading for 45-60 minutes daily.
MATH HOMEWORK IS EXERCISE 3. Students are learning algebra in memorizing area and perimeter formulas. A=lxw and P=2x(l+w) should be memorized. The story problems may need adult help. Be encouraging. If your students need further help, I am always available during morning recess, most lunchtimes, and after school. I am happy to help them. It would be most helpful if you could have them measure rectangles and squares, and find out the area and perimeter of them. Lots of what we do is working backwards from the area and one perimeter measurement, to find the whole perimeter.
Today was Meridian Math Club and S.I.R. I am impressed that students are making small time goals, and sticking with their plans.
Today we worked on Writer's Workshop. Some students will be coming home with typing to do. They are writing so much, it is a bit overwhelming to type!
Fourth Graders went to Art today. Fifth Graders had a Science lesson about Electromagnets, and then made their own. Several students experimented with multiple batteries. It was fun to explain the workings of electricity and currents. Please show your child how batteries and magnets are used in your home.
To complete the day, we finished writing "skeletons of puppet skits, and illustrating rough excerpts for possible backgrounds.
It was a good day.
Thursday, January 3, 2013
January 3rd, 2013
Welcome back!
This morning we discussed physical characteristics of the United States of America. Rivers, mountains, oceans, lakes, mountain ranges, deserts, plains, deserts, forests, etc. Students received a map. We will be adding features each day in colored pencil.
We went over the five ACT words for next week. They are:
diligent: quietly and steadily persevering in detail or exactness (Keeping on keeping on)
discredit: being held in low esteem (underestimate effort)
disdain: lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike (hate - can't stand)
divergent: tending to move apart in different directions (wandering away)
empathy: understanding and entering into another's feelings (feeling with someone)
THERE WILL BE A TEST ON THESE WORDS ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 11TH.
We also went over 1/2 of our grammar sheet. Next week we will be learning about Direct Objects.
We did our mid-year spelling assessment.
And... we also began our biography book reports. I checked out 34 books from the Provo Library. Students are choosing one (or several) to read. THE LAST WEEK OF JANUARY BOOK REPORTS ARE DUE.
Recess was inside, due to the inversion alert.
MATH HOMEWORK IS UNIT 5 EXERCISE 1. We used square ceramic tiles to estimate the area of various shapes. We traced our hands on centimeter grid paper and tried to guess the area as accurately as possible. We learned how to write centimeters squared, using the subscript "2".
Fourth Graders worked on cursive practice today. We also made electromagnets out of iron nails, a battery, and wire. I burned myself! We noticed how the temperature of the battery and the wire increased upon contact. We learned what currents are, how atoms move, and about the strength of batteries. We learned about car batteries, etc. There were quite a few aha moments.
All students worked cooperatively on puppet play scripts for the Revolutionary War puppet play. We will continue this through next week.
PLEASE BE SURE YOUR CHILD GETS TO SLEEP EARLY TONIGHT!!! Also, it is typical that students get really hungry during the day. Feel free to send a small snack or two with them for recess time.
This morning we discussed physical characteristics of the United States of America. Rivers, mountains, oceans, lakes, mountain ranges, deserts, plains, deserts, forests, etc. Students received a map. We will be adding features each day in colored pencil.
We went over the five ACT words for next week. They are:
diligent: quietly and steadily persevering in detail or exactness (Keeping on keeping on)
discredit: being held in low esteem (underestimate effort)
disdain: lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike (hate - can't stand)
divergent: tending to move apart in different directions (wandering away)
empathy: understanding and entering into another's feelings (feeling with someone)
THERE WILL BE A TEST ON THESE WORDS ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 11TH.
We also went over 1/2 of our grammar sheet. Next week we will be learning about Direct Objects.
We did our mid-year spelling assessment.
And... we also began our biography book reports. I checked out 34 books from the Provo Library. Students are choosing one (or several) to read. THE LAST WEEK OF JANUARY BOOK REPORTS ARE DUE.
Recess was inside, due to the inversion alert.
MATH HOMEWORK IS UNIT 5 EXERCISE 1. We used square ceramic tiles to estimate the area of various shapes. We traced our hands on centimeter grid paper and tried to guess the area as accurately as possible. We learned how to write centimeters squared, using the subscript "2".
Fourth Graders worked on cursive practice today. We also made electromagnets out of iron nails, a battery, and wire. I burned myself! We noticed how the temperature of the battery and the wire increased upon contact. We learned what currents are, how atoms move, and about the strength of batteries. We learned about car batteries, etc. There were quite a few aha moments.
All students worked cooperatively on puppet play scripts for the Revolutionary War puppet play. We will continue this through next week.
PLEASE BE SURE YOUR CHILD GETS TO SLEEP EARLY TONIGHT!!! Also, it is typical that students get really hungry during the day. Feel free to send a small snack or two with them for recess time.
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