April 8, 2013

A big "Hello" to you!  Hope you enjoyed your Spring Break!

This morning we began learning about the U.S. government system.  We learned the three branches of government: judicial, executive, and legislative.  Every morning for a few minutes we will learn new facets of our legal system.

The new SAT words are:

1. restrain:to hold back, control, limit,  repress, check, slow down
2. reverence: deep, profound, respect for someone or something
3. sagacity: ability to make good judgments, foresight, discernment, keen perception
4. scrutinize: investigate, searching, watching, guarding, examine, close look
5. spontaneous: unplanned in advance, spur of the moment

The grammar sheet for this week is an editing sheet.  We are learning the ten items to checklist when correcting our work. 

The idiom today was: "It's Never Too Late to Mend".

We are reading Danny, the Champion of the World as a read aloud.  The kids really enjoy listening to the voice of the author.  This will lead to debating hot topics, like poaching, gun control, etc.  We are also critically evaluating Crispin a little bit, every day.

MATH HOMEWORK OVER SPRING BREAK WAS EXERCISES 2 &3.  MANY STUDENTS STILL NEED TO COMPLETE THIS.  HOMEWORK TODAY IS WORD PROBLEMS 1-5.  When your child is working on 3 lb. 4 oz. x 7, have him or her do it in their heads.  The process is so much harder at the beginning, but so liberating when it doesn't have to be written later.  For example: 3 lb. x 7 = 21 lb.  Also, 4 oz. x 7 = 28 oz.  We know 28 oz = 1 lb. 12 oz., so we add the extra lb. to 21.  The total is 22 lb. and 12 oz.  Remind students to practice multiplying two digit numbers by one digit numbers in their heads.  Example: 44 x 3 = (40 x 3) + (4 x 3) = 120 + 12 = 132.

After lunch we had SIR and Meridian Math Club.  We then started our poetry unit, creating I-poems. IF IT WASN'T COMPLETED IN SCHOOL, IT BECAME HOMEWORK.  The finished poems are hanging on the loft railing.  The form for it is:

First line:   First Name
Second line: 2 adjectives describing the person's personality
Third line:   4 words describing physical characteristics
Fourth line: 5 nouns of things the person enjoys
Fifth line: A descriptive word or short phrase summing up that person

4th Graders went to Art.  5th Graders had an introductory lesson on Heredity.  HOMEWORK IS TO CHECK PINKY FINGERS, DOUBLE-JOINTEDNESS, AND TONGUE ROLLING.

After P.E. students partnered up and presented the differences between knights and serfs in a creative visual presentation, a large puzzle of sorts.  I was impressed that the students worked so well with assigned partners.  This class has amazing social dynamics.

HOMEWORK IS TO READ FOR 30-40 MINUTES - A BOOK OF YOUR CHOICE.