May 16th, 2013

THE HANDWRITING COMPETITION RESULTS WILL BE OUT TOMORROW!

THANKS FOR SO MUCH SUPPORT FOR OUR SCHOOL PLAY.  IT WAS FABULOUS.

This morning we reviewed all the parts of speech we have learned this year in a class butcher paper activity.  We learned the idiom: Out of the Frying Pan, into the Fire.  Next, we used the school iPads to review SAT words.  Finally, we added another paragraph to our Danny Critical Analysis. 

HOMEWORK TONIGHT FOR MY LANGUAGE ARTS STUDENTS IS TO FINISH HANDWRITING THEIR DANNY PAPERS.  We will be conferencing and editing with them tomorrow.  AFTER THE PAPERS HAVE BEEN PEER EDITED TOMORROW, STUDENTS WILL TYPE THEIR ESSAYS TO BE DUE MONDAY.

The Danny papers are to be formatted for Monday in double-spaced 12 font like this:

Title (centered)

by Name of Student (centered)

     First paragraph is indented.  First sentence contains Danny, the Champion of the World (underlined, because it is the title of a book) and the name of Roald Dahl, who wrote it.  The next section of this paragraph is a brief summary of the book.  It can be a few sentences.  The third section of this paragraph is the Analytical Thesis Statement (or ATS).  It reads like:  Five things I will be discussing....or Interesting points I reflected upon are.... or something of that nature.

     Second paragraph is indented.  The first sentence mentions the first point of the ATS above.  A minimum of 4-5 sentences should be used for each sentence.  Vary sentence lengths.  Give details, connections, etc.

     Third paragraph is indented.  The first sentence mentions the second point of the ATS above.  And so forth.

     Fourth...

     Fifth...

     Sixth...

     The seventh paragraph is indented. The first section of this paragraph mentions all five points of the original ATS in a different way.  The next section includes a favorite or interesting part of the book.  The last part is a recommendation for who should read this book and the reason why.  It should also include a grabber, so the reader wants to read the book.

We completed Math Test 10B.  Students left for the German field trip and those who stayed learned about fractals online.

After lunch was Foreign Language.  We then worked on poetry, went to art, and learned about time in Science.

Music was spent practicing songs for Graduation ceremonies on Tuesday.

May 1st, 2013

Finally back!  What a week!  Sorry not to have posted, but the following should help:

We have begun learning about the Judicial Branch of the United States government.  We learned that the executive and legislative branches are elected by the people, but members of the judicial branch are appointed by the President (executive branch) and confirmed by the Senate (Legislative branch).  We located the Judicial Branch responsibilities in Article III of the Constitution.  Congress chooses the number of Supreme Court judges.  It was an even number until 1869.  We learned about judges being removed through impeachment and the three lengths of their terms (till death, retirement, or impeachment), and we also learned that they have to apply the law with only justice in mind.  When the Supreme Court makes a ruling, all the lower courts must agree with, and uphold, that ruling in their cases.
WE WILL BE HAVING AN OPEN BOOK TEST ON ALL GOVERNMENT INFORMATION BASED ON STUDENT NOTES IN TWO WEEKS' TIME.

SAT Words for the week with their definitions follow:

superfluous: more than is needed, desired, or required

surreptitious: marked by quiet and caution and secrecy; taking pains to avoid being observed

tactful: having or showing a sense of what is fitting and considerate in dealing with others

tenacious: stubbornly unyielding

transient: lasting a very short time

THERE WILL BE A TEST ON THESE WORDS ON FRIDAY

Spelling activity skit writing and testing continues.  We have two chapters left in Danny, the Champion of the World.  Sergeant Samways had a brilliant accent today, dropping his "h" and adding them to random words beginning with vowels.  We tried that with some of the student names today!

MATH HOMEWORK IS TO FINISH THE UNIT 4 REVIEW MULTIPLE CHOICE PACKET.  I am very pleased with the hard work these kids do in their reviewing of concepts.  They are sharp,  quick, students who don't shirk work.

After lunch we had Meridian Math Club and S.I.R.  Next, we worked on our How-to sheets.  THESE ARE DUE TYPED ON MONDAY.  Students should type out the details, showing the steps to do the actual activity.  They should color or draw illustrations to match their work.  Also, they will be signing up for a day to present their How-to. 

We listened to poetry and how words affect our moods.

Students went to P.E. and then our school talent show.

REMEMBER, CAMPING IS NEXT WEEK!  MORE DETAILS TO FOLLOW.