Winter Wonderland Wednesday

Only 2 more days to go.... The kids are very excited about the winter holidays.

Language Arts
Thank you parent volunteers for coming in today and helping with our 3-d snow flakes. Your help is going to help us turn our ELA into a winter wonderland when we get back from break. We also worked on reviewing grammar and in our handwriting books. We got to read with our reading buddies today as well.

Math
We reviewed for tomorrow's test. The whole test is based on equivalent fractions. The students seemed very prepared today. Please look over their review tonight for the test tomorrow.

Art Smart
We have the best Art Smart parents around!! Today we learned all about Rene Magritte. He was a surrealist who liked to paint unexpected things. A boulder floating over the ocean and an apple the size of a room are 2 examples. Today we painted bottles and tried to add something unexpected to them. They look great! Thank you, Moms for helping us!

Mini-Mall
Tomorrow is the mini-mall. We will be shopping tomorrow after lunch.

Terrific Tuesday

Language Arts
Today we finished up our book boxes. What a great group of projects. It was great to see what all the kids put into the boxes to represent their books. It was even better to hear kids say: "I picked this book because of so and so's book project last year." We also practiced our grammar skills using a mad-lib. This is a fun way to practice skills and makes a great stocking stuffer or game for long trips on the road. We also went to music and PE.

Don't forget the camp under tomorrow. You can bring in blankets, pillows, and books to spend some time reading under the tables.

Math
We practiced the skills that will be on Thursday's test. We will continue to practice those skills tomorrow.

Science
We took our test today. It has been a pleasure working with Mrs. Suddarth's class again. When we come back after break we will restart rotations.

Art Smart Tomorrow
We will be painting. Wear clothes that can get dirty!

Magical Monday

I hope everyone's weekend was wonderful. One more week to go!

Language Arts:
We continued working on our handwriting today. The day of all cursive, all the time is swiftly approaching. We also heard more reading box presentations. There were many interesting books read over the last quarter. We also did a writer's marathon on TV. This is a subject that the students seem to be pretty passionate about! Students also went to the library.
No homework this week.

Math
Today we worked on how to construct a circle graph. Tomorrow we will review for the unit 5 test. The test will be on Thursday. No homework today!

Science
We reviewed for the science test tomorrow.

5th Grade Girl's and Boy's Basketball
It's not too late to sign up for basketball. Ms. Brown is accepting registrations through Friday.

We Need Your Help! (Language Arts Parents)

Attention all Language Arts Parents:
Can you lend us an hour or two next Wednesday morning from 8:00-9:30? We need your help! We've seen the snow falling, we've played in it, we've written about it, now we're going to create some of our own! We need some volunteers to come in and help us make 3-D snowflakes for our bulletin boards! It's not a hard project, it will just be easier with more adults helping out! Look for a form to fill out in your child's take home folder today!!

Language Arts
Today was assessment day. We took assessments. Then we began box presentations! Wow, I am impressed with the quality of work. Great job, kids!

Math
We practiced math skills today. Mental math, fractions, decimals, place value, and computation were all reviewed. There will be a math test Thursday!

Science
We discovered what would happen if we turned a compass into an electromagnet. Don't forget the science test is next Tuesday!

A Thursday.....

Good Afternoon! Don't Forget the following reminders.

Reminders
-Donations for our sponsor a family event are due tomorrow.
-Science Expo proposal is due on Wednesday, January 7
-Science Expo project is due on Friday, January 30
-Science Expo is Wednesday, February 4th

Language Arts
Today we practiced handwriting: c and q. We learned about ex- and an-. We practiced answering questions for ISTEP and reading assessments. We proofread a paragraph and looked for verb usage mistakes. We also had music and gym. Don't forget fluency and flow is due tomorrow. So is the 2nd quarter reading projects.

Math
We practiced division and using percent circles. Study link 5.10 was assigned. It has two sides.

Science
We used an electromagnet to make a telegraph. Tomorrow we will see how an electromagnet effects a compass.

Dare to be Drug Free!

Thank you to all of the parents who came out for our DARE graduation. I am so proud of the work that the students did in this very important program.

Reminders
-Mini Mall papers are due tomorrow
-Donations for our sponsor a family event are due tomorrow.
-Science Expo proposal is due on Wednesday, January 7
-Science Expo project is due on Friday, January 30
-Science Expo is Wednesday, February 4th

Language Arts
We worked in small groups on a variety of skills today. We practiced adding endings to verbs, we wrote about a job we could have, we read independently and in small groups with a teacher. We also worked on helping verbs and main verbs and practiced our handwriting: a,d,g, and o. We also met with our 1st grade reading buddies.

Math
We worked on graphs today. We introduced circle graphs. We practiced double digit multiplication, prime and composite numbers, finding missing numbers in a sequence, and drawing circles with a specific radius. Our studylink is 5.9

Science
Today we tried to make our electromagnets stronger. We found out that having more coils around a core is one strategy. Another strategy is to make sure that the coils are tight. We added another d-cell and that worked too. We also tried thicker wire and that also worked. Tomorrow we are going to use the discoveries that we made about electromagnets to help us build a piece of technology that will help us communicate. What could it be?

Totally Tuesday

What's worse rain or snow? As another teacher's said, "It's rather ducky out there!"

*****News Alert *******
Science Expo papers went home today! Every child in 4th and 5th grade received a packet that explains science expo today. All 4th and 5th graders need to participate in this event!
Here are some important dates to remember:
Wednesday, January 7, 2009 - Science Expo Proposal is due! (You can always turn it in early)
Friday, January 30, 2009 - Science Expo Project is due!
Wednesday, February 4, 2009 - Science Expo in the gym.

If you have any questions about the expo after reading the packet, please contact me.

Language Arts
Today we learned 3 new roots for our vocabulary vine. They are contra - Which means opposite or against, re- (actually it's a prefix) that means back or again and able (ible) which means able to. We reviewed our story by comparing and contrasting the organizations in the story using a venn diagram. We also looked at words that give us clues to comparing and contrasting. Words like on the other hand and similarly. We also sorted our spelling words and wrote them in sentences. Keep working on fluency and flow.

Math
We practiced putting fractions in lowest terms and also did a brief check-up to see how we were retaining what we have learned in this unit. No homework tonight.

Science
We built an electormagnet today. We learned that the wire is coiled around the core (rivit) and then attached to a power source (in this case a d-cell) and switch. This allowed us to make a magnet that turns on and off. Tomorrow we will see how we can make the electromagnet stronger. Looking ahead: Our final science test will be on Tuesday of next week.

Marvelous Monday

I hope everyone had an enjoyable weekend.

Language Arts
Today we read the story "Kid Reporters at Work." This is a Time for Kids article about the work that kid reporters due for the magazine. Our vocabulary words are identified, enterprising, persistence, and venture. Our comprehension skill is summarizing and compare and contrasting.
Our grammar skill is main and helping verbs. Everyone will be taking the on-level spelling test this week. Fluency and Flow went home as homework. Here are the expectations:
1. Read the story to an adult and have the adult sign.
2. Answer the 4 questions on page 337.
3. Match the vocabulary words to the synonyms.
4. Draw two posters (one on each side of the page) according to the paper.

Math
Today we practiced converting fractions to decimals to percents. We also worked on finding the percents of numbers and what percents mean. Study Link 5.8 was assigned as homework.

Science
We reviewed parallel and series circuits today. Tomorrow we will build an electromagnet.

Frightfully Cold Friday

I hope that everyone has a great weekend!

Don't forget DARE graduation next week

Language Arts
We took our normal weekly assessments this week. As I've looked them over, I've noticed that we need to slow down and read all directions very carefully! Look for them to come home with your student on Monday. We also worked on a writing project about a snowy day. These projects are going to eventually be hanging in our ELA.

Book orders are coming home today. They are due on Monday. No exceptions. I have to get the order in on Monday in order to get the books home to you by winter break.

Math
Today was game day. We practiced mental math strategies, math facts, place value concepts, and converting fractions to decimals.

Science
We applied what we know about series and paralles circuits to a real life problem: What kind of circuit makes the best string of lights and why? If you have stringed lights around your house have your child try to figure out if they are parallel circuits or series circuits.

McDonald's Night was a Success!!!

The school raised over $500.00 at McDonald's last night. Way to go!

Toy/Clothing Drive
Another teacher was in my room today commenting on the amount of things piled in front of the white board. You are all so generous. Thank you! We will be accepting donations until next Thursday!

Dare essays are due on Monday! Graduation is on Wednesday from 9:00-10:00 in the cafeteria

Language Arts
Today we practiced handwriting. Be aware that after the winter holidays we will be shifting to all cursive, all the time. We also worked on verb tenses and reread our story. Tomorrow is assessment day! Fluency and Flow is also due!
We had specials today. A note from the music teacher: All students are expected to practice their recorders at home. :)

Math
We continued working on converting fractions to decimals. We decided that using a calculator produces the most accurate results. We also learned what to do with repeating decimals. Study Link 5.7 is due tomorrow. Students may use a calculator to help.

Science
Today we learned how to light two light-bulbs with one d-cell. The trick is to use a parallel circuit. In a parallel circuit, the electricity has two pathways to follow. This lights up more than one electrical receiver. As an added bonus, if one light bulb burns out the other light bulb will keep working. Tomorrow there will be a written assignment about parallel and series circuit.

Do you want fries with that?

Thank you for your generous gifts to our families in need. More toys and clothes came in today. I know that the families we are helping are going to be so thankful! All donations are due by December 11.

Dates to remember:
Tonight - McTeacher night at the Granger McDonald's restaurant. Do you want fries with that? This is a fundraiser as well as a fun night. McDonald's donates part of the money spent tonight back to the school.

Next Wednesday, December 10 - Dare Graduation! Our 5th grade will graduate from drug resistance classes. The graduation will be from 9:00-10:00 in the school cafeteria.

Language Arts
Today we wrote about what we would do on a snowy day. This writing will be displayed in our ELA soon. We read with our reading buddies today. We also did Language Arts Centers. We did some word work with dictionaries and prefixes, wrote about an inspiring person, had some independent reading practice and met in small groups to read leveled readers. In small groups we discussed biographies, the stories, and what the author's purpose was in writing the story. If a student didn't finish his center paper, it is homework!

Math
Today we worked on converting fractions to decimals. To help us we used fraction sticks. We also reviewed measurements and worked on various skills in our math boxes. Study link 5.6 was assigned.

Science
It was great to work with Mrs Suddarth's class today. We reviewed what we knew about electricity. We then took things one step further. We built a series circuit today that used two light bulbs. The lights were very weak so we added another battery. That made the lights brighter. Tomorrow students will get the notes for the entire unit. Some of the things that are on the notes we won't have covered yet. The final test for electricity will be on or about December 16.

Thanks for sharing your kids with me.

Brrrr! It's cold out there!

The kids went outside for recess today. I hope that they were prepared!

Service Project
More items came in today! Thank you so much for your generous donations. Our family is going to have a very happy holiday season. Please remember to turn all donations in by Thursday, December 11.

DARE Graduation
DARE graduation is Wednesday, December 10th from 9:00-10:00 in the school cafeteria. We hope to see you there.

Mini-Mall
We are having a mini-mall on Thursday December 18th in the afternoon. All business proposal forms are due on Wednesday, December 10th. Please remember that business can only have 2 people in them.

Language Arts
Today was a typical Tuesday. We learned two new Greek and Latin roots. Tday our focus was on fer which means to bring, carry, or bear. Our second word root was Sub- which means underneath. Be on the lookout for these roots in your reading. We also sorted our spelling words by silent letter and matched words with definitions. We then read the story "My Brother Martin" with a partner. Next, we wrote down all the words we think of when we think of snow. Tomorrow we will use the words in a writing project. Finally we went to music and gym.

Math
We continued to look into equivalent fractions. Today we used equivalent fractions to change a fraction into a decimal. For example 3/4 =75/100=0.75. We also looked quickly at rounding decimals. Our study link was 5.5

Science
Today was the day where they got to show what they know! We tested over electricity today. Today also ended our science rotation. When they come back next time we will be talking about different landforms. I am looking forward to starting the rotation with Mrs. Suddarth's class tomorrow.

It's beginning to look a lot like ......

Winter! The weather has turned colder and the snow is flying. Please make sure that your child comes prepared for the elements outside. We usually go outside in winter unless the windchill is below zero. Hats, gloves, scarfs, an boots are necessary items now.

Our service project
Thanks to everyone who brought in things for our family today. We have some toys, books, and clothes. Thank you so much for your generosity. Please make sure that you have all your items that you will be donating to school by December 11. That will allow us to make sure that all of the children have something to open and to fill any gaps.

Language Arts
Our story this week is My Brother Martin. It is a story about Martin Luther King's childhood and was written by his sister. Our vocabulary words are: unfair, ancestors, numerous, segregation, unsuspecting, avoided and injustice. Our vocabulary skill is word parts, prefixes in particular. Our comprehension skill is evaluation and author's purpose. Our spelling sill is words with silent letters. We are not differentiating spelling this week. All children will be ont he on-level test. Our grammar skill this week is verb tenses.

Fluency and Flow went home today. Here are the expectations.
1. Read the story to an adult and have the adult sign.
2. Answer the questions at the end of the story.
3. Do the word workout with an adult and have the adult sign.
4. Pick a person on the skill sheet and write a letter from that person's point of view.

Math
Today we continued working with fractions. Our focus today was finding equivalent fractions. We discovered that if you multiply both parts of the fraction by the same number you will get equivalent fractions. Homework: Study Link 5.4

Science
Today we reviewed the worksheets from last week and discussed tomorrow's test. The kids asked if it would be open note. I told them that it must likely would be but that I still expected them to study!

Enjoy the weather.

Mashed Potato Monday

Mashed Potato Monday was what WSTAR came up with for today. I think they are ready for Thanksgiving. I didn't blog at the end of last week because I was sick.

LA
Today we worked on handwriting. We learned two new Latin roots. There will be an assignment in class on Wednesday so that the kids can show what they know about word roots. We did two of last weeks assessment and did read aloud. Fluency and Flow is due tomorrow.

Math
We reviewed fraction concepts and worked on mixed fractions and improper fractions. Study link 5.2 is due tomorrow.

Science
We built telegraphs today. We worked on sending messages to people at our tables using the stream code and the grid code. It was fun! The Science test will be a week from tomorrow!

Wild Wednesday

So sorry about not blogging yesterday. I don't even have a good excuse. I guess sometimes even adults forget. I will give myself an oops slip.

Language Arts
Today we had DEAR time. We went to see a play called "Earthquack." The play was put on by Mrs. McGann's and Mrs. Woods's classes. It was fantastic. I give it 2 thumbs way up. We came back to the classroom and read and discussed the story. We are talking this week about why author's write. Fluency and Flow was passed out. It is due on Tuesday of next week. All assessments will also be on Tuesday of next week. We also wrote about our families today.
Fluency and Flow Expectations:
1. Read to adult and have adult sign paper.
2. Answer questions at the end of the story in complete sentences.
3. Write a story using words to know.
4. Practice words to learn with a partner. Have partner sign paper.
5. Skip the skill page.


Math
We tested unit 4 skills. Several students didn't finish. We will finish up tomorrow. Look for the goals packet for unit 5 to come home tomorrow.

Art Smart
Thanks to the lovely Art Smart Mom for teaching us about Opt Art. There were some cool pictures being made that were full of movement and looked 3-Dimensional. It is so great to have someone come in and teach us about art

Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!

Brrrrrr... Recess sure was cold today. Students need to dress appropriately for the weather! Please make sure that students have jackets, boots, gloves, scarfs, hats and the like for recess. Hoodies are not enough protection for the wet, white stuff falling from the skies.

Food Drive
Please don't forget the food drive that is happening at school this week. We need your help to make a needy families Thanksgiving wonderful. We will be collecting food until Friday!

Language Arts
Today was a catch-up day of sorts. We finished our 20 question game to practice generating questions. We also reviewed our grammar skill for the unit. We read the story one time. We also took our unit 2 test. Many of us didn't finish it. So we will be working on that tomorrow. Fluency and Flow will also be sent home tomorrow.

Math
We did a review of unit 4 skills today. Tomorrow we will review as a class and the test is on Wednesday. No homework tonight, however, students who didn't finish the review need to finish it tonight! All students would benefit from going over the review with a parent and practicing skills.

Science
Today we reviewed our written work from last week. One thing we discovered last week is that the way the batteries faces makes a difference if the receiver works. Some students were having trouble with this concept. I suggested they take put batteries in a flashlight and see what worked and what didn't. I did tell them that they need parent permission before they started messing with the flashlights. We built electromagnets. An electromagnet is special because it is a magnet that can be turned off and on.

Happy Friday

Happy Friday everyone!

Homeroom
An orange piece of paper went home earlier this week that explained about a special project Stars In Service is sponsoring. We are adopting families that need a little extra help this holiday season. We are collecting food and other necessities. Our classroom is adopting one family. So if you can donate, please send in non-perishable food items, gift cards, or other household necessities. We would like to help another family have a great Thanksgiving

Language Arts
Today we took tests over this week's skills. We also played 20 questions about the animals we researched. The point of the game was to generate questions to discover each student's animal. We still have about 8 students who need to go. We will do that on Monday.

Math
Today we played a game called First to 100. The game had many purposes. We practiced skills that we have learned in math. We also practiced substituting numbers for variables. This will help us as we continue to develop our algebra skills.

Science
We watched a video today to review all that we have learned about circuits. We will start the electromagnet investigation on Monday.

Wow! That was quick!

Today went by in a blink!

Language Art
Students participated in gym. Don't forget that Fluency and Flow is due tomorrow. The spelling page is also due tomorrow. We will be playing animal 20 questions tomorrow as well.

Math
Today we figured out division story problems and then decided what to do with the remainder. Study link 4.5 is homework. It looks like our test over this material will be on Tuesday of next week. Look for a review to come home tomorrow.

Science
Today we were electrical engineers solving problems for a lighting company. We needed to decided if a series circuit or a parallel circuit would work best for a long line of lights. Students filled out an assignment about this problem. If they didn't finish it and turn it in, it is homework!

PBA Day tomorrow!

Good Afternoon!

Don't forget that tomorrow is PBA Day. School starts 2 1/2 hours late. Buses also run 2 1/2 hours late.

Tomorrow night is Dazzle Craft Night from 5:30-7:30 pm.

Language Arts
Today we practiced our handwriting and learned more Greek and Latin roots. We also had reading buddies and had our wrap-up session on bullying. There was a good discussion about the bullying that goes on at recess and different ways to stop the bullys in their tracks. The students then wrote a letter to me about bullying. Last week's assessments are coming home today. We spent some time going over the weekly assessment. The students seem to have a bit of a problem with it overall. Students are also having a hard time understanding possessives. We will continue to review and revisit these skills.

Math
Today we reviewed mental math concepts and then worked on division with decimals. The students really enjoyed using the partial quotients method. They like that it is a little more fool proof. If you need a review of the method please see the link that I blogged about on Monday.

Science
Today we tried to light 2 light bulbs using one d-cell and make the light bulbs bright. We discovered that the trick was to use a parallel circuit. A parallel circuit allows the electricity to follow more than one pathway. The pathways ususally come together at the battery. Students also got all the notes for this section of science to use as a study guide. The students will need to be able to apply these notes when it comes time for the test.

Totally Terrific Tuesday

I noticed many more coats, hats and gloves today. That's a good thing. It seems as if they cold weather is here to stay!

Don't forget the PBA day on Thursday. School starts 2 1/2 hours later. Buses should run about 2 1/2 hours late too.

Dazzle Craft Night is on Thursday evening from 5:30-7:30 pm.

Language Arts
We practiced our handwriting this morning. We also had vocabualry vine. We got recipe boxes today. That should help us keep our cards in ABC order. It is so much easier to find the right card when they are in order. We worked on our grammar skill today. Sometimes it is hard to figure out when a noun is possesive and when a noun is plural. Here are a couple of key questions: 1. Does the noun mean more than one? Write the plural. 2. Does the noun own something? Write the possessive. We also practiced our vocab and comprehension skills. We had music and PE today. Tomorrow we have reading buddies and our last bullying session.

Math
Today we figured out how to use a map scale to answer questions. We used a ruler to measure distances between cities and along rivers. There was also a reivew page on angles. Studylink 4.3 was assigned for homework.

Science
It was nice to see Mrs. Woods class again. We were great problem solvers today. We tried to light 2 light bulbs using one d-cell. It worked but the light bulbs were dim. So we added another d-cell. That helped. The light bulbs got brighter. However we learned that we had to have the d-cells facing the same direction. The type of circuit we built today was called a series circuit. A series circuit has all the electricity recievers and sources in one circle. The electricity has only one path to follow.

Tomorrow look for a study guide to come home that covers everything we will be learning about this rotation. The final test will be sometime around the first of December. That will be tricky because it will be right after Thanksgiving break.

Have a great evening!

Brrrr!!! It's cold out there!

Recess was sure cold out today! Please make sure that students are properly dressed for the weather! Jackets, hat, and gloves would have been useful today. It might be time to put the shorts away too. We go outside everyday unless the temperature or windchill is below 0 degrees.

Don't forget -
PBA day is on Thursday. School will begin 2 1/2 hours late.
Dazzle Craft Night is also on Thursday from 5:30-7:30

Language Arts
This week we are reading a humorous fiction story called "Dear Mr. Winston." Our comprehension skill is generating questions and using inferences. Our vocabulary for the week is as follows: weekdays, cardboard, slithered, genuine, apologize, harmless, and ambulance. Our vocabulary skill is base words. For example if we know what harm means we can figure out what harmless means. Our grammar skill of the week is figuring out when to use possessives and when to use plurals.

Fluency and Flow expectations.
I encourage all the students to take notes on their fluency and flow pages so they know what is expected of them.
Part 1. Read the story to an adult and have the adult sign the page.
Part 2. Answer the questions on page 265. Remember that I won't grade answers that aren't in complete sentences.
Part 3. Word Workout. Use the words to know in a paragraph. Sort the words to study by rhyming sounds. Some words don't have a rhyme and will be in their own group.
Part 4. Skill Sheet. Pick out one of the situations and write a humorous apology letter.
Part 5. (EXTRA CREDIT) Write an original letter to Mr. Winston apologizing for the snake incident.

Homework Part 2. We will be playing a 20 questions type game on Friday to practice the skill of generating questions. Each student will need to research facts about the animal of their choice. The facts need to be written down on the card that I have given them. They will become mini-experts and we will ask questions to figure out what kind of animal they chose.

Math
Today we learned the partial quotients method of division. It is a bit different then the long division that we learned. Students have SL 4.2 for homework. Encourage them to try it out using partial quotients and then if they want they can check using long division. I googled partial quotients and found a pretty good explanation. See the link below.

http://curriculalessons.suite101.com/article.cfm/teaching_division_part_ii


Science
Test today! Today marked the end of my homeroom's science rotation for this quarter. Starting tomorrow they will be having Social Studies with Mrs. Suddarth. The next rotation ends on December 1.

Thrilling Thursday

Hi Parents,
Homeroom- I am still looking for a parent to help with the yearbook. Any takers?

Language Arts
We had a busy day. We reviewed grammar as always and then learned some new roots in vocab vine. Then we read our story one last time before assessments tomorrow. We then talked some more about idioms and where to find information. We had music and PE. Fluency and Flow is due tomorrow.

Math
Tests were passed back today. Please have them signed and returned by Monday. We reviewed exponents and expanded form in place value. Then we reviewed some easy division problems and tried to figure out ways to solve division problems in our heads. SL 4.1 is due on Monday.

Science
We played quiz bowl and reviewed for our science test on Monday. We need to keep reviewing the study guide that went home yesterday. Can't find it? Check out the mailboxes. Still can't find it? There is a limited quantity hanging on the white board.

Everyone -
I won't be at school on Friday. I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Wonderful Wednesday

Homeroom -
I need a volunteer to help with the yearbook. Would someone be willing to step up and help with our page in the yearbook? We have some scrapbooking software to help you design and layout the page. Email me if you are interested.

Language Arts.
We had another busy day today! We reviewed grammar in morning work. We also learned the Greek and Latin root words of cur (as in manicure) and vis (as in television). We also reviewed the Greek and Latin roots that we have learned so far. The kids are amazing me with how well they are remembering this roots and what they mean. We went outside for reading buddies today. We sketched and wrote about the beautiful nature around us. Mrs. Slater came in today and we discussed what we could do if we saw someone being bullied. Even if we are just a bystander, we can still stop people from bullying others. We then re-read How Ben Franklin Stole Lightening. Our focus today was finding the problem and solutions in the story. We also worked on writing a book review about a famous person in history. Keep working on Fluency and Flow.

Math
We did our math warm-up that reviewed multiplication, division, fractions and problem solving. Then we had a short question and answer session about the test. Finally we took the unit 3 test. Afterwards, we worked on our place value packets and accelerated math. Exponents are still giving us problems so we are going to review that tomorrow. No homework tonight! There is something new coming home today. Today you will find a Unit 4 goals and examples packet. This packet contains the types of problems we will be working on in unit 4. Students do not have to complete and return the packet. It is just a way for you to see what our focus is going to be on. The answers to the problems has been included with the packet if you want to practice the skills with your child.

Science
We didn't have science today. Officer Redman came and did the DARE program instead. Be on the lookout for the one page study guide for the test on Monday. The study guide covers all of the concepts we have been learning about in science. Keep in mind that the students will need to be able to apply these concepts. For example, the test might show them a circuit and the student will need to be able to identify the type of circuit it is. Tomorrow we are going to play a quiz bowl game to review these concepts.

Today We Voted for a Great Day!!

Another beautiful day!

Language Arts
Today we reviewed our grammar skills. We practiced making plural and singular possessive nouns. We went on an idiom hunt in our reading books as we read the story again. We started our spelling sort and meaning page. That page is due on Thursday. We also had PE and Music.

A family homework page came home today. This month we will be focusing on organization in our writing. Toward the end of the month we will be writing a piece about our families. We would love to also have some project that represents our families along with the writing. Check out the green piece of paper for more information.

Math
Today we reviewed for tomorrow's math test. We went over the review item by item. Then we played quiz bowl with questions like those that are on tomorrow's test. There was also a one page study guide that came home tonight. Those that are turned into me tomorrow will get extra credit. Please go over the review and study guide tonight. There will be a short time to answer questions before we take the test tomorrow.

Science
We began trying to make our telegraphs today. We are still experimenting with the number of winds and the size of the gap between the rivet and the piece of steel. It is a very delicate process.

Look for the final study guide on this unit to come home tomorrow. The test will be next Monday!

Marvelous Monday

What a great day! I hope everyone is enjoying the great weather!

Language Arts
Today we began a new story. Our genre of the week is biographies. We are reading the story "How Ben Franklin Stole Lightening" Ben was a problem solver. Our comprehension skill for the week is problem solving. Ben solved a problem and worked to solve it. What was the problem? How did he solve it? Here are our vocabulary words of the week: hilarious, convinced, mischief, independence, (come in) handy, dizzy, whirlwind, and nowadays. Our vocab skill of the week is recognizing idioms. Be on the lookout of idioms that we can add to our book. If you find one, illustrate it and give it to me and I will 3-hole punch it and put it in our binder. Our grammar skill this week is possessive nouns. Possessive nouns show that something belongs to someone. You form them by adding and apostrophe and an s to the word.

Homework: Fluency and Flow went home today. It is due on Friday. Here are this week's expectations.
1. Read the story to an adult at least once this week and have the adult sign the fluency and flow paper.
2. Answer the questions about the story that are found on page 243. Remember I only grade answers that are in complete sentences and are readable. (If you slow down and do it right the first time, you won't have to do it over.)
3. Please use the vocabulary words in a paragraph about an invention this week.
4. Complete the skill page in the packet.

Math
We worked hard to review unit 3 skills today. Tomorrow we will review the skills some more. Our unit 3 test will be on Wednesday. Here are some vocabulary that you should make sure you know: acute, obtuse, right, straight, and adjacent angles; isosceles, equilateral, obtuse, right and scalene triangles; polygon and regular polygon; parallel and perpendicular lines; congruent figures, quadrangles, and tessellations.

Homework: None tonight, you may want to review vocab and look over your review and your notes for this unit.

Science
Today we learned about a reverse circuit. A reverse circuit turns on when the parallel circuit is open and turns off when the parallel circuit is closed. This happens because electricity takes the path of least resistance.

We are almost done with our study of magnetsim and electricity. On Tuesday, we will attempt to make a telegraph. On Thursday and Friday, we will review for Monday's test. Next Tuesday starts our next rotation.

We got Tami!

Thank you Northpoint families for all of your generous donations. Because of your generosity, we were able to adopt Tami, the snow leopard.

Language Arts
Today was assessment day! The kids worked hard showing what they know. They also drew a picture of an idiom for a class book we are making. Fire Chief Buchannan came to talk about being drug free and fire safety.

Math
We had game day today. We worked on attributes of polygons, measuring angles, math facts as well as spent some time with the teacher. The teacher group went over and corrected a quiz that we took earlier in the week.

Art Smart
Thank you to our Art Smart moms. Today we learned about art as activism. Sometimes art is used to make a point. Check out our fabulous black and white drawings are in the music hallway. Check it out!

Conferences
Monday-Wednesday next week are early dismissal days. School will be dismissed at 10:20. We will be having parent teacher conferences in the afternoon and evening on Monday and in the afternoon on Tuesday. We will make every effort to be on time for your conference. If you arrive late for your conference, we will still have to end on time in order for the sibling conferences and our other conferences to remain on schedule.

White Wednesday

Today we all wore white to show that we elect to be drug free. Tomorrow we are wearing blue. Then on Friday we are wearing patriotic colors.

Also on Friday..... Thank you to all the Northpoint families that helped donate to adopt Tami. We are so close. We are having one last event for this cause on Friday. Stars in Service is sponsoring a slipper day. Students who bring in a dollar will be allowed to wear slippers while in class. Make sure each student also has shoes for gym and recess.

Homeroom and Language Arts Parents -
A note came home in backpacks today looking for volunteers. Mrs. Suddarth, Mrs. Woods and I have a couple of big projects that we need completed. One is changing the bulletin boards to a fall theme. The other is we are organizing the libraries in our classroom. We would sure appreciate all the help we could get.

Language Arts.
We learned what the greek root ann/enn meant today. We also learned about centi. We read stories with our reading buddies. Mrs. Slater came to help us deal with bullies. She gave us 7 strategies to deal with kids who are bullying us. We also worked on writing. Today we wrote about a special object. We focused on using strong word choice in our writing.

Math
We finished up our investigation about the total measurement of angles in a polygon. Here is what we learned: You figure out how many triangles you can make by drawing a line from one vertex to all the other vertices. Then you multiply 180 degrees by the number of triangles. We know that 180 degrees is the total number of degrees in a triangle. We still need to practice using a protractor. Here is a cool website I found today that allows kids to use a protractor online for practice. www.amblesideprimary.com/ambleweb/mentalmaths/protractor.html - 2k - Here is how I found the website in case it doesn't link: Google Measuring angles interactive, click on protractor, Skip Intro, click on measuring angles to 180 degrees by 1 degree.

Study link 3.9 for homework.....

DARE
We met with Officer Redman today for Dare. Today the focus was on Meth. Some of the pictures were pretty graphic. You may want to discuss this as a family.

Art Smart is coming up on Friday!

Safety Tuesday

Bus Safety Day
All students participated in bus safety today. We learned how to be safe on the bus and what to do in an emergency.

Language Arts
We practiced our grammar skill of plural and singular nouns. We sorted spelling words by spelling and used the words to fill in a paragraph. We reread the story and looked for facts and opinions.

Math
We practiced measuring angles and began trying to figure out if all polygons have the same total number of degrees. For example, We have discovered that all the angles of a triangle add up to 180 degrees. Tomorrow we will continue the investigation.

Science
We made magnet that will turn on and off. We used electricity to do it. Tomorrow we will figure out more things about this electromagnet.

Where white tomorrow in honor of Red Ribbon Week.

Don't forget to record reading minutes.

Fall Festival Friday

We hope to see you at the Fall Festival tonight. Many parents have been helping to set up all week long. It looks like they have a great evening planned for us! We saw some really cool prizes this afternoon.

Language Arts
We talked about idioms today and reviewed the different parts of a sentence. We also completed an art project that highlights the four different types of sentences.

Yesterday the 2nd 9 weeks book project came home. We already have one turned in!

I counted up the reading minutes for the first 9 weeks yesterday. Please remember that it is a Northpoint expectation that every 4th and 5th grader read between 20-30 minutes a night. Please record those minutes on the agenda. I will be checking minutes periodically.

Math
Today was a game day. Our games reviewed the following skills: prime and composite numbers, mental math, the attributes of polygons, and reading, writing, and identifying large numbers.

Science
Yesterday we learned about a series circuit. In a series circuit the components share access to the d-cell. Today we learned about parallel circuits. When components are in parallel circuits, each component has direct access to the d-cell. What does all this mean? The d-cell can support more components in a parallel circuit. Plus the light bulbs are brighter while using less electricity. On Monday, we are going to apply this to a real life situation. Anyone ever wonder why that when one bulb goes out in a string of lights, all the other bulbs go out too? We will try to solve that problem.

Have a great weekend!!!

Thinking Thursday

Good Afternoon!
Information came home about kids club opportunities over parent-teacher conferences and fall break. Information also came home about Red Ribbon Week. Check out the backpacks.

Tomorrow is stuffed animal day. We are trying to raise enough money to adopt a snow leopard named Tami at the Potowatomi Zoo. Students who bring in $1.00 will be able to keep a stuffed animal on their desk all day.

Tomorrow night is Northpoint's annual fall fest. Parents have been working hard preparing a wonderful evening for us. We hope to see you there.

Language Arts
Students received information about the 2nd 9 weeks reading project. Please look for that info in the take home folder. Let me know if you have further questions. This does have to be on a different book than the first 9 weeks project. The AR test has to be on a different book as well.
Rick Glassman visited Northpoint today and taught the 4th graders about soil. Ask them what parent material, sub soil, and top soil are? Also ask how long it takes to make 1 inch of top soil.

Math
We learned to play a game called polygon capture today. We are focusing on the different attributes that make up polygons. Studylink 3.7 was assigned as homework. Tomorrow is game day. We will be playing factor captor, polygon capture, zoom and doing accelerated math.

Science
My homeroom was back in science today. This roation ends on November 10. Today we learned about series circuits and that if you use two batteries, they need to be facing the same directions. Some of the students today made parallel circuits. We will learn more about them tomorrow. No homework.

Sleepin' In in the Middle of the Week

PBA day today.

The kids seemed a little sleepy as they came in this morning.

Homeroom kids - Don't forget to have parents sign the health test that came home today.

Language Arts
We only had a few minutes together this morning. We went over inferences and read another chapter of our The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. We also discussed what came first the book or the movie. Is it better to read or to watch the movie? The kids know my opinion!

Math
Today we discussed a lot of vocabulary. We discussed adjacent and vertical angles. We learned about equilateral, isosceles, and scalene triangles. We also tried to construct congruent triangles.
Tomorrow we will discuss other polygons. Homework was study link 3.6. Unit 2 test needs to be signed and returned tomorrow.

Science
Today we finished up investigation 2 about electricity. Today was the final day of the rotation. Tomorrow we start all over again. My homeroom will be staying with me for science! We will learn some more about circuits!

Memorable Monday

Language Arts
Tomorrow is the final day for October book orders!!!
We are almost all done presenting books. We have one person to go. We also went to IMC today to choose new books to read.
We had a special visitor today. Amazon John from Silly Safaris came to visit. He taught us all about different animals and how we can help keep animals from going extinct. Some of our friends got to help out Amazon John. At the end of the program, we all got to pet some of the animals.
We will be reviewing skills this week. That means no homework and no spelling test.

Math
We had a very short class today and just worked on multiplication with decimals, a review of angles and accelerated math. Accelerated Math is a program that generates worksheets for the kids to review and grades them using a scanning system. We use A.M. to review skills previously taught in math class. You will see two types of papers come home. Those labeled practice are not entered as grades. Those labeled tests are entered as grades.

Science
Today we learned about conductors and insulators. We tested a variety of objects and discovered that most metals are conductors. However if the metal is covered by paint, plastic or other materials, it won't act as a conductor. Tomorrow we will try to construct a circuit with a switch by ourselves. We will also try to find hidden wires that complete a circuit. There will also be an open note quiz about electricity on Wednesday.

Finished Friday

What a beautiful day!

We are still collecting boxtops for education.

Silly Safaris will be visiting us on Monday.

Wednesday is the first PBA day of the year. School starts 2 1/2 hours later. AM buses run 2 1/2 hours late as well.

On Thursday, Rick Glassman will be here to teach us about nature.

Language Arts
Today we showed what we know. We took assessments over reading, spelling, and grammar.
We continued presenting our book projects. I have a list of books that I need to add to my "I want to read that one" list.

Math
We had centers today. We did 4 rotations. One rotation worked on a geometry packet. Another played the game Zoom to practice mental math. The third rotation practiced math facts on the computer. The fourth group met with me. We worked on constructing lines with compasses. We also practiced using a protractor. Students have a decimal multiplication page that is due to me on Monday. We will have a little time to work on that on Monday. The geometry packet is due on Wednesday.

Science
Today we learned that a switch opens and closes a circuit. The circuit is on when the circuit is closed and off when the circuit is open. We also learned about schematic drawing. One student in the class noticed that he could use the end of his pencil to close the circuit. Why does this work? We will find out on Monday! No homework.

Have an excellent weekend!

Thrilling Thursday :)

We are still collecting those boxtops!

Language Arts
Tomorrow is Assessment Friday. So today we reviewed assessed skills. We reviewed the correct way to make a singular noun plural and when do we use a comma. We reviewed the vocabulary words and how word origins can help us figure out the meaning of words. We reviewed making inferences and how that helps us when we are reading. We also took our spelling bubble test. Tomorrow and Monday we will be presenting our cereal box reading projects. Don't forget fluency and flow is due tomorrow and book orders are due on Monday!

Math
Today we worked with a compass. We used it to make circles and we also used it to construct lines of equal measurement. We also discussed adjacent angles and vertical (or opposite) angles. This geometry unit is hard work but we will keep working on it. No homework tonight.

Science
Today we made a light bulb light using a d-cell and 2 wires. Then we made it light with a d-cell and just one wire. We learned that electricity must travel in a path called a circuit and every circuit must have an electrical source (d-cell), wires, and electrical receiver (light bulb). These things are called components. No homework tonight!

Wet? Wednesday

How can it possibly be Wednesday already? The weeks fly by!

Keep collecting those boxtops.

Stars in Service representatives have a meeting tomorrow.

Language Arts
Today we reviewed grammar skills. We reviewed common, proper, singular and plural nouns. We also talked about what a comma is used for and practiced using commas in a list. We read our story independently today. Mrs. Slater came in today to work on our anti-bullying materials. Today's focus was what to do if we were being a bully. Sometimes we make bad choices or don't realize that our behavior is hurting someone else. The key is to realize what we are doing that is wrong, apologize and then try to make it right. 2 very brave girls gave their book projects today. Hurray to 1/3 of the class that has them turned in early. We talked about what would make a good presentation. We just can't read the back of the box. Instead we need to talk to our audience. The students took notes on what to talk about.

October book orders went home today. They are due on Monday, October 13!

Math
Today we worked with protractors to measure angles. We also talked about what an acute, obtuse, right, straight, and reflex angles were. We took notes. If we know what type of angle it is, using the protractor is not so hard. We also worked again with landmarks.

Homework: Study Link 3.4. We also have multiplication with decimals page that is due on Monday, October 13. Students should have this at school everyday so that they can work on it in their free time.

Science
We took a magnet quiz today. Tomorrow we will start to work with electricity. Don't worry we only use a d-cell battery and it isn't enough electricity to hurt anyone.

Terrific Tuesday

Don't forget to collect box-tops through October 17.

Language Arts
We reviewed many different grammar and word skills in our morning work. We also reviewed some word origins. We reviewed our grammar skill of nouns. We also worked on the different ways to make a plural nouns. Here are the rules we talked about today.

• Most words just add an s
• words that end in s, ss, ch or x add an es
• words that end in consonant letter and y change the y to an i and add es
• words that end in a vowel and then an y just add an s.

We also read the story "My Diary: From Here to There" with a partner in the classroom. We had PE and Music today.

Math
Our new geometry unit is causing us to do some serious thinking. Today we reviewed what we learned in class yesterday. Tomorrow we will start working with protractors to measure angles.
We also reviewed math facts and practiced our fact fluency skills.

Science
Today we used iron objects, iron filings, and compasses to detect magnets hidden in a box. Each of the objects reacted to the magnet in a different way. I miscalculated yesterday. I said that the magnet quiz would be on Thursday. I must have thought that Tuesday when I was typing my blog. The quiz will be tomorrow. Don't panic! It is open note and I made sure that everyone had all the notes today.

Have a great evening!

Marvelous Monday

Box-tops for Education
The school is collecting box-tops for education through Friday, October 17, 2008. These little pieces of cardboard help the school and PTO get free items for the school. Please send in the box-tops with your student.

Picture Retake Day
A student asked when we were having our picture retake day. The answer is on Wednesday, October 22. All retakes will happen in the morning.

Language Arts
We started new skills this week. Our spelling words are based on consonant clusters. Our grammar skill is looking at singular and plural nouns. Our vocab skill is the origin of words and our comprehension skill is making inferences. You make an inference when you take what the author tells you and combine it with what you already know to form new knowledge.

Fluency and Flow was assigned for homework. Here are this week's expectations.
Part 1. Read the story to an adult and have the adult sign the paper.
Part 2. Answer the questions on page 201 about the story, "My Diary, From Here to There"
Part 3. Do the word workout orally and have an adult sign.
Part 4. Match the words in the word bank to the correct story on the skill page.
Part 5. (optional) Create the picket signs mentioned in the word workout section.

Math
We began unit 3 day and discussed how we can use the number of degrees in a circle to figure out the number of degrees in an angle. Study Link 3.3 is the homework.

Science
Today we discovered what happens when two magnets get farther and farther apart. The magnetic force becomes less powerful. Tomorrow we are going to discover how we can find hidden magnets. There will be a magnet quiz on Thursday!

Oh, What A Beautiful Day!

We were a little worried this morning about No Child Left Inside Day. When I came to work it was raining and it was wet. But the sun came out and the clouds left and we ended up having a wonderful day. We did take all our our assessments today. It wasn't very stressful because in between tests we did fun stuff. Here are some photos that show what we did today! Have a great weekend. Thanks for sharing your kids with me today!

Good Afternoon

It definitely is feeling more like fall out there. Tomorrow is NCLI day. We will be outside for a good part of the day. Please dress appropriately! Students should wear a jacket or a sweatshirt. I did have a student bring a very cool winter hat today. It looked great but I'm not sure that I am ready for that cold of weather yet!

Language arts
Today we reviewed for tomorrow's assessments. We reviewed the vocab, context clues, and author's purpose. We also reviewed the grammar skill of proper nouns. Tomorrow we will get in all of our assessments in between our fun activities outside. We are very excited because we will spend about 1 1/2 hours with our reading buddies. My language arts class will also be eating outside tomorrow. So please send in a blanket or towel to sit on outside tomorrow.

Fluency and Flow is due tomorrow!

Math
We tested over estimation and computation today.

Science
We had an in-class assignment to review temporary magnets and induced magnetism. Then we watched a Bill Nye the Science Guy video all about magnetism. The kids aced the short "quiz" after the movie.

It's nice to be back.

I was sick yesterday. It's so nice to be back at work.

Language Arts.
Today we had reading buddies, reviewed common and proper nouns and clarified what the expectations for the reading projects. We also worked on our first choice writing assignment for the year. I have seen some amazing poetry while conferencing with students.

Math.
We practiced facts and reviewed for a math test tomorrow. Students have a checking progress to work on tonight. These same types of questions will be on the test tomorrow. Please review with your child to make sure they understand what is expected of them on the test. #12 and 13 will not be on the test tomorrow.

Science
We learned more about magnets today. We learned about north poles and south poles. We also learned the terms temporary magnet and induced magnetism. No homework tonight.

NCLI Day is coming!
Friday is No Child Left Inside Day. Students will be in their language arts classes all day. My language arts class will be outside a good chunk of the morning. Please make sure your child dresses appropriately. We will also be eating outside. It would be helpful if children could bring a sack lunch on Friday and a blanket or towel to sit on for lunch. Another bonus about this day is that 1 and 1/2 hours of the morning will be spent with our reading buddies. What an awesome opportunity for the buddies to bond!

Monday, Monday

Note to my homeroom: Don't forget to get your social studies test signed. You need to return it to Mrs. Suddarth tomorrow!

Language Arts
We started some new skills today and reviewed some others. Our spelling skill this week is ch/tch. This was a challenge for some of us. We are working on common and proper nouns in grammar this week. Our vocabulary skill is context clues. Our comprehension skill is author's purpose.

Fluency and Flow went home as homework today. Here are this week's expectations:
1. Read the story out loud to an adult and have the adult sign the fluency and flow.
2. Answer the questions about the story "Mighty Jackie"
3. Have parent sign the word workout section after you have completed it. This can be done orally.
4. Do the highlighted parts of the skill page
5 (Extra Credit) Write the story that you planned on the skill page.

I added another website to the helpful links section of the blog. AR Book Finder lets you check to see if a book has an AR test. You can use this link anywhere. I also added lexile.com. This will help you know if the book is in your child's range. Your child has their lexile range in their binder.

Remember that it is Northpoint's expectation that all 4th and 5th graders read 20-30 minutes a night. I will be adding up minutes that are recorded in the agendas at the end of the quarter. Please make sure that you are writing them down. According to my calculations (20 minutes X 40 days), students should have read about 800 minutes this quarter.

Math
Today we talked about taking a sample to help us make better estimates. We discovered that it would take about 3,000,000 days for us to tap our desks 1 trillion times. We decided not to test the theory. We also reviewed multiplication with decimals. The rule for the decimals is given a lot of kids trouble. Here it is. You add up the number of places to the right of the decimal in each of the factors. (1.2 X 23, has 1 place but 1.2 X 0.23 has 3 places) and that number should equal the number of places to the right of the decimal in the product. (27.6 for the first problem and 0.276 for the second problem. Don't forget there is a test over the material in unit 2 on Wednesday. Homework is study link 2.10 and any part of journal pages55-57 that wasn't completed in class.

Science
Welcome Mrs. Suddarth's friends to class. It was fun to start to get to know you. Today we started investigating what magnets could do. We discovered that magnets stick to Iron. Tomorrow we will learn about other magnetic properties. No homework.

What a Beautiful Day!

I hope that everyone is enjoying this beautiful weather. One of the 5th graders came up to me today and asked if I would assign homework this weekend. I was amazed what child wants homework on the weekend? I asked him what kind of homework he wanted and he said to go outside and hang out. That seemed like a good idea to me. So here is everyone's homework: Go outside and enjoy the lovely weather. Winter's coming! This includes you, parents!

No Child Left Inside - Next Friday we will be observing No Child Left Inside Day. This is a national initiative to reconnect kids to their environment. We have many educational and fun things planned for next Friday. Be sure to dress your kids for a day outside. We won't be outside all day, but we will be outside for a chunk of it. Kids will be in their Language Arts Classes all day on Friday.

We need some supplies for our day outside. One thing we need is 6 inch sticks for a book we are making. We also need some paper bags (also for the books.) Each child also needs to bring in some type of clean recycled bottle or jar to use as a musical instrument by Thursday!

Language Arts
Today was assessment day. The kids did a great job. One 4th grader was overheard saying "I don't know if I like Assessment Fridays or not?"

I am looking for a couple of parents who would be willing to come in and help us with a bulletin board on Tuesday @9:30. Please email me if you could help us display your student's work.

Math
We had game day today. We practiced estimation, math facts, and mental math strategies. Don't forget there is a test coming up next week. (Wednesday)

Science
Today was the last day of the science rotation. We finished up yesterday's mystery circuits and did an open book quiz. Some kids didn't get to finish the quiz. That is all right. They can finish it up before school on Monday or during study hall.

Hope everyone has a joyful weekend!

Thursday

Language Arts
Today we reviewed for assessments tomorrow. Don't forget that fluency and flow is due tomorrow.
Way to go to the two families that have already turned in their cereal box book reports! Way to be on the ball. Tomorrow we are going to learn how to use AR during learning lab!

Math
Today we practiced multi-digit multiplication. We are trying to do it the traditional way because we know that middle school math teachers are impressed with the lattice method. It is a struggle but we are making progress. Homework is SL 2.9.

Graded papers came home today. Math test does not need to be signed. There is a math test coming up on next Wednesday.

Science
Today we tried to apply what we learned about circuits. We will continue to work on this tomorrow. We will also take an open note test tomorrow. Busy day!

Wednesday

We had another great day at Northpoint today.

Language Arts -
We worked on Greek and Latin root words. We read with our reading buddies. Today was the first day that our reading buddies came to see where we work. It was awesome to have them visit.

Mrs. Slater (our Youth Service Bureau Counselor came in to talk about bullying today. The simple fact of the matter is that 1 out of every 4 students will be bullied in their lifetime. We are trying to change that statistic. Today's focus was recognizing bullying behavior. Tonight may be a good time to discuss bullies with your child. Have they ever been bullied? Have they ever been a bully? What is bullying behavior.

We did a writing marathon today. We picked a topic and rolled the dice to see how long we would have to write and set pencil to paper and wrote. Today we wrote about shopping. We had to write for 16 minutes. The goal is to write the entire times. Our hands hurt when we were done. We do this activity to promote writing fluently. The students love this activity and ask about it when we don't do it.

Math
Today we worked on the computer to improve math facts and then reviewed all the different ways to do multi-digit multiplication. We have also been working on doing magnitude estimates. Students should make a magnitude estimate and then solve the problems in their study link. Homework is SL 2.8.

Science
Today we learned that metal is a conductor and that most other materials are insulators of electricity. There is no homework today. However, there is an open note test on Friday.

Ooops, I ran out of time yesterday.

So sorry that I didn't blog yesterday. I had a meeting afterschool and then had to dash to another meeting somewhere else. Thanks for understanding.

Language Arts.
We are back to a normal schedule. This week we are working on run-on sentences, long O words, and story elements. We are reading a realistic fiction story called "The Raft" Fluency and Flow has been assigned and is due on Friday. Here are the expectations:
1. Read aloud to a parent and get a parent's signature in the highlighted area.
2. Answer the questions at the end of the story. Kids should have written down the page number of the question.
3. A parent signature of the word workout will do.
4. Fill in the missing story elements on the skill page.
5. (Optional for extra credit) Turn one set of story elements into a story.

Math
We are back to the normal schedule. Today we worked on estimation and played a game that reinforced estimation skills. We will see the game again on Friday.
Study Link 2.7 was assigned for homework. Pages 48+49 were assigned in class and were homework if the student didn't complete the work.

Science
Yesterday we started studying electricity. We learned that electricity needs to have a complete circuit in order to turn on a light bulb or make a motor run. Today we figured out how a switch effects the circuit and what a schematic drawing is used for.
There will be an open-note test on Friday over magnets and what we have learned about electricity so far.

It's Friday, It's Friday, It's Friday, Friday, Friday!

ISTEP has been successfully completed! Thanks to the children for all of their hard work and dedication. They have been troopers. We talked about the test after we were done and most of the kids said that they liked ISTEP. Could it be because they like not having any homework???

Thank you to all the families that donated a dollar to the Buddy Walk. We were able to raise over $300.00.

If your child is going to be involved in WSTAR this year, look for a calendar and letter to come home today.

Plans are being made for No Child Left Inside Day. We need parents to send in a brown paper grocery bag for one of our activities on that day. Look for more information to come home soon on this fun and yet educational day!

Have a perfectly pleasant weekend!

PS: Thank you Day family for sending in goldfish and whales yesterday. They were yummy. :)

We're in the Home Stretch Now....

We are 7/8 of the way completed with ISTEP. We have one last math test to do tomorrow and then we are done! I appreciate the way the students are taking their time and doing their best work.

Tomorrow to celebrate the end of Fall ISTEP, we are having a camp under. Students may bring supplies to "camp under" a table and read for a while. They brought a note home about this today.

Also Tomorrow, Stars in Service is collecting money for the Buddy Walk. Students who bring in a dollar get to staple the dollar to a wall and will receive a label that will be the ticket to chew gum sometime tomorrow.

Homework for all classes today: Play (hopefully outside)

They Continue to Show What They Know

The students continue to do a great job on ISTEP. They are taking their time and doing their personal best. Today we finished up the language arts portion of the test and tomorrow we will begin working on Math. The good news is that we are 1/2 way there. (for 4th grade, 5th grade has science so they have a bit more to go.)

This morning we had reading buddies. It always amazes me how well the 4th graders and the 1st graders get along. Today we saw siblings who were being affectionate and supportive as well as 4th graders making sure they read with expression so that the 1st grade friend wanted to read along.

We also wrote cards to an armed services member who is currently serving in Afghanistan. He is a nephew of a teacher here at Northpoint and will soon be having a birthday while overseas. We wanted to make sure that he didn't feel forgotton.

Today was also Constitution Day! The kids treated us all to the singing of the constitution's preamble in the lobby of the school this morning. They sounded wonderful. There is something about the singing of children that is so uplifting. Later in the morning we watched a video about the writing of the constitution. When the preamble was being read, all of the 4th graders started to recite it with the movie. I got chills. It was very impressive.

Don't forget that we are having a camp under on Friday. All of the student's in Grannan's language arts class can bring in sleeping bags, pillows, stuffed animals, and a flashlight, along with their favorite books. We will spend part of the afternoon camped out on the floor of my classroom reading. This is a great time to finish up those two books for reading projects.

Also on Friday, Stars in Service will be raising money for this year's Buddy Walk. Buddy Walk is an organization that supports people with Down Syndrome. (www.buddywalk.org) We have two students here who will be walking in the Buddy Walk. Northpoint students can help by bringing in a dollar (or dollars) to staple to the wall in the lobby. We hope to fill the wall. Students who bring a dollar will be able to chew the gum of their choice during an hour of my choice during the school day. No dollar, no gum!

They're Showing What They Know

I'm blogging a little early today. I have to leave right after school for an appointment and I know that I won't remember to blog later today.

ISTEP is going very well! The kids are taking their time and doing their best work. Please encourage them to keep doing their best on every test. You can help them by making sure they get enough sleep tonight and eat a healthy breakfast tomorrow.

Tomorrow we will be playing strategy games in the morning. Students may bring in a strategy game to play with their friends. Games such as scrabble or guess who would be appropriate. I'm sure there are many other games as well.

Stars in Service (our student council) is sponsoring an event for the Buddy Walk that is coming up this weekend. Students are encouraged to bring in a dollar on Friday. They will get to staple their dollar(s) to a bulletin board. Our goal is to fill the board(s). If students bring in a dollar they will be able to chew gum on Friday afternoon. Students must bring in a dollar to be able to chew gum.

Have a great evening.

It's Time to Show What You Know!

Welcome back to school. I hope everyone stayed dry over the wet weekend.

Tomorrow starts ISTEP. Students will be testing for the rest of the week and 5th graders will finish their test on Monday. Please make sure that your child goes to bed early tonight and eats a healthy breakfast tomorrow. We want them to be able to concentrate on the tests and to do their best work. They are well prepared for these tests. Please give them a word of encouragement as they head to school this week.

Language Arts
Starting tomorrow my language arts class will stay in my room all day. We will still have specials and lunch/recess at the same times. Some of the kids were worried that lunch would be canceled during ISTEP. Each day we will have some tests as well as some other activities for the students to do. There will be no homework this week.

Today we began a project and we will need parent volunteers next week to finish it. The students wrote about a bubble gum contest today. We are going to turn this writing into a bulletin board and are looking for some parentst to help us hang up the writing and art. Look for more information on this later this week.

Math
We had game day today. No homework this week. Good luck on ISTEP!

Science
We had a quiz over magnetism today. Next week we start working with electricity. Good luck on ISTEP.

Thoroughly Delightful Thursday

What a great day!

News to Note

WSTAR is due tomorrow. There is a paper that parents must sign that outlines expectations. As well as a letter written by the student that explains why the teacher should pick them to represent the school on the morning news.

ISTEP starts on Monday. Hopefully you received the pink paper outlining the times of testing. I am still looking for a couple of parents to help donate snacks. We want the kids to focus on testing and not on being hungry.

Language Arts
We had a great day today. We reviewed grammar and vocabulary. We also re-read our story. Tomorrow we have tests over the story, complex sentences, spelling, and character development.
The best part of the language arts class today was our sentence game. We worked hard to write the most creative and imaginative sentences. We then read the sentences and the person with the most creative sentence won points for their team. The teams ended up tied and the sentences were amazing.

Fluency and Flow is due tomorrow. Don't forget to record your reading minutes. There is an example of the cereal box project in the office. Just ask Cheryl or Barb to see it.

Math
We reviewed place value, math facts, and patterns. We took a quiz over place value, adding and subtracting with decimals, and problem solving. Today we learned about mean (average) and reviewed other landmarks of data. (median, mode, maximum, minimum, and range) We also started gathering reaction time data for our lesson tomorrow.

Homework: With the help of a family member or friend, complete page 39 in Journal 1

Science
Today we discovered that magnetic force gets weaker as the magnets mover farther apart. We also had a student demonstrate electric circuits for us. There is no homework tonight. Tomorrow we will use iron objects, iron filings, and compasses to detect hidden magnets.

Homework: There will be an open note quiz on Monday regarding magnets.

Wow Wednesday

News to Note
WSTAR paperwork is due on Friday.

Fund-raising is due now! Please make sure that it is turned in as soon as possible.

ISTEP starts on Tuesday. A hot pink paper is coming home today with our testing schedule. Students will test on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday in their language arts class. They will be spending all day with their language arts teacher. They will still have specials. I am looking for 4 parents who would be willing to donate snacks for my language arts class next week. Please email me if you are willing to send in a healthy snack for my language arts class.

It has come to our attention that often times the time stamp on our blog makes it look like we are blogging in the middle of the day. This is not the case. We blog after school. The time stamp is wrong and we can't figure out how to change it.

Language Arts
We reviewed grammar today. We revised a paragraph using complex sentences and conjunctions. We also added another root word to our vocabulary vine. We looked for evidence of character traits in our basal story. We also had a mock ISTEP prompt. The kids did very well at writing. We have been encouraging the students to write at least 2 pages and most of the students did today. I also noticed that they were writing for the entire 55 minutes. Very impressive. I almost forgot. One of the highlights of the day was visiting with our 1st grade reading buddies. It is an amazing sight to see the 4th graders and the 1st graders reading together.

I am starting to get a lot of questions about the cereal box report that is due in October. The cereal box report is basically a book report that is reported on a cereal box. We are going to leave an example of a completed project in the office for you to take a peak at if you still have questions.

I have also fielded some questions about fluency and flow expectations. These are recorded on Monday's edition of the blog.

Have you been recording the number of minutes your child has read on each day of the agenda? Remember that it is a Northpoint expectation that your child read 20-30 minutes a day. That's on top of homework.

Math
Today we reviewed place value, facts, and patterns. We also reviewed fact fluency strategies. We learned many new vocabulary words for math today: number sentence, number models, relational symbols, operational symbols, variables, and open sentences. We also practiced our problem solving skills.

Homework tonight is SL 2.4

Science
Today we learned about temporary magnets and induced magnetsim. There will be an assignment about these concepts tomorrow. Tomorrow we will learn what happens to the magnetic force of an object as the distance between two magnets grow.

Totally Tuesday

Hello One and All,
*Don't forget WSTAR forms are due on Friday.
*Fundraiser is due now. Please make sure you return it as soon as possible.
*ISTEP is coming up next week. Make sure our students eat and rest well.

Language Arts
Today we reviewed capitalization and punctuation. We also worked on analogies. We added another word to our vocabulary vine rings. We sorted Spelling words and wrote complex sentences. We also read this week's basal story and discussed the characters. We found out that you can tell a lot about a character based on what the character says, thinks, and does. We had music and PE today.

I am still looking for parents that are willing to supply a healthy snack for our class during ISTEP. If you are willing to help me out in this way, please email me and I will write you down on my list. Thanks.

Homework: Continue Fluency and Flow. Check yesterday's post out for a list of expectations for the week.

Math:
We reviewed facts, place value and patterns. We also reviewed subtraction of whole numbers and decimals. Students had a packet to finish today. If they finished, they didn't have homework.

Science
Today we put together our science folders, copied some notes and watched a movie on magnetism. Did you know that Earth, Mercury, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Pluto are all gigantic magnets? Why? They all have large amounts of iron and nickle at their core. Magnets are always attracted to those things. Tomorrow we are going to see if we can turn something iron into a magnet. No homework today!

Marvelous Monday

I hope everyone had a great weekend. We are off to another fine week at Northpoint.

Don't forget that your fundraiser items are due today. Please make your collections and return them to Northpoint as soon as possible.

Those students who want to be considered for WSTAR need to turn in their applications and letters by Friday, September 12.

Mrs. Stephen has reminded the students two days in a row about behavior in the cafeteria. Please discuss with your child STAR behavior in the cafeteria. Remember STAR is Safe, trustworthy, accountable, and respectful behavior. It is always expected of students at Northpoint.

Language Arts
Today we discussed conjunctions and complex sentences. We also learned about independent and dependent clauses. We took our spelling pretest. We discussed our new vocabulary and our reading strategy. This week we will be looking at character traits, actions, and speech and making inferences about that character. You can help out at home by discussing characters on TV or in books that you are reading and describing what kind of people they are and how do you know. We also worked on using imagery in our writing.

Homework: Here are the expectations for Fluency and Flow for the week.
Part 1: Read the story aloud to an adult and get their signature.
Part 2: Answer the questions on page 101 about the story.
Part 3: Do the work out loud with an adult. Adult signature is all that I need.
Part 4. Choose one character on the back of the parent letter and write 5 sentences about them. The sentences should focus on them as characters. Include descriptions, character traits and actions.
Part 5: (optional) Do the write about project on page 100

ISTEP Update
ISTEP starts next Tuesday. From Tuesday to Friday, students will be in theri language arts class. We are looking for 4 volunteer parents to send in healthy snacks for the class. Each volunteer would need to supply a healthy snack for 23 kids. Thanks for considering it!

Math
We worked on place value, facts, and patterns. We also practiced adding by 9, 19, and 99. The key is to add 10 (or a multiple of 10) and then subtract 1. We began our new unit, estimation and computation, today. Today we reviewed addition of whole numbers and decimals.

Homework: Students need to finish a 4 page packet.

My homeroom had their first Social Studies lesson today. Check out Mrs. Suddarth's blog for details.

Science
Mrs. Woods class and I investigated magnets today. We discovered that magnets stick to metal and that they either attract or repel one another. Attract means that they pull towards each other and repel means that they push apart from each other. There was no science homework today.

Friday, September 5, 2008

Happy Friday Everyone,

Language Arts
Today was assessment day in our world. We tested our weekly reading, grammar, and spelling skills. Then we went to computer lab.

There are about 35 days left to work on your cereal box project and that includes weekends. It is time to get busy on that project. We still haven't been told that we can use STAR reading to figure out reading levels. So instead of using levels, pick a chapter book for this first project and I will get the levels to you as soon as I am able.

Math
We tested over factors today. Next week we will start unit two. Our focus will be estimation and computation with whole numbers and decimals.

Science
Today we took a test over investigations 1 and 2.

Social Studies
My homeroom starts social studies on Monday. Don't forget to check out Mrs. Suddarth's blog for any homework!

WSTAR
Information on WSTAR went home today. Please discuss the requirements with your family. Students who wish to participate need to fill in the needed information and write a letter to their teacher explaining why they should be picked. Student who participated last year are welcome to apply again. Slips and letters are due on Friday, September 12.

ISTEP
The first ISTEP of the year is coming soon. We will begin testing on September 16th. Students will stay with their language arts teacher all day Tuesday-Friday. Please make sure that your child is well rested during that week and that they have a healthy breakfast every morning. We want them to think their best. Feel free to send in an encouraging note for us to give them during the test.

Have a great weekend.

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Wow! It's almost Friday. We have had another busy week.

Things to remember - The PTO Fundraiser is due on Monday, September 8. You have one last weekend to sell, sell, sell.

Language Arts
Today we reviewed grammar, worked on Greek and Latin roots, reviewed main ideas and details and worked on using different sentence patterns in our writing. We also had gym and music today.
Tomorrow is assessment day in our world. We have assessments over spelling, main idea and details and compound sentences. Fluency and Flow is also due tomorrow.

Math
We reviewed factor concepts for our test tomorrow. Make sure you remember the difference between composite and prime numbers. Students brought home a study guide to practice for the test tomorrow. It doesn't have to be returned! This is just more practice.

Science
We reviewed for our first science test! We will be testing over investigations 1 and 2 tomorrow.

Tomorrow is a big test day in our world. Go to be bed early and eat a good breakfast!

Wednesday

Today we.....
Language Arts:
Today we reviewed different parts of speech and subjects and predicates. We also learned about compound sentences and conjunctions. Tomorrow one of our friends is going to bring in that old Schoolhouse Rock classic "Conjunction Junction." In spelling we sorted our words by spelling and used the words to complete sentences. In reading, we worked on main ideas and details. We followed an outline to help us put things in order. In writing we worked on interesting word choice and precise details. Our writing is much more interesting when we use precise details. Homework: continue working on fluency and flow.

Math:
We reviewed patterns and the expanded form of writing numbers. For example: 654,231=
600,000+50,000+4,000+200+30+1. We reviewed adding by 10's and multiples of 10. We also practiced prime factorization. We reviewed for our test on Friday.

Homework: SL 1.9

Science: We finished up mystery circuits. We completed a quiz over investigation 2. Tomorrow we will review for a test on Friday.

Wow, better get some sleep Thursday night! Friday is a big assessment day in our world!

Tuesday, September 2

I hope everyone had a long, relaxing weekend.

Language Arts
We began our day by reviewing subjects and predicates. The subject is the who of a sentence and the predicate explains what the subject did or who the subject is. The subjects of the following sentences are green and the predicates are red.
Miss Grannan's marvelous class received a star in music.
My language arts class is the best.
Please continue to work with your students reviewing this concept.

We also reviewed main ideas and details. This skill is tough. We will continue to review and work on it all week long. Main ideas and details will be tested on Friday.

Homework - Fluency and Flow is shortened this week. All students have to do is read the story to an adult and answer the four questions on page 77 of their reading books. Everyone will take the on-level spelling test this week as well. Those are the words that are on the spelling pretest. Check the backpacks! Fluency and Flow and a blank spelling pretest should have come home today.

Tomorrow we meet with our 1st grade reading buddies for the first time!

Math
We are finishing up our unit on factors. Today we began looking at factor strings and prime factorization. We also reviewed the following concepts: factors, square numbers, square roots, composite numbers, prime numbers, and the commutative property of multiplication.

Homework - pages 23 and 24 in our math journal.

Science:
We finished up investigation 2 on electricity today by trying to figure out some mystery circuits. Tomorrow we have an open note quiz on investigation 2. We will have a science test over investigations 1 and 2 on Friday.

Homework - Study for quiz.

Content note - Students in my homeroom will start Social Studies with Mrs. Suddarth on Monday, September 8.

Thoroughly Delightful Thursday

The week has flown by! Don't forget about the PTO fund-raiser.

Language Arts
Today we reviewed subjects, predicates, and verbs. We worked on capitalizing proper nouns. We detected adverbs and adjectives. We also spent some time reading self-selected materials. We spent some time revising the writing prompts that we wrote earlier this week. We checked to make sure that all of the sentences we wrote stuck to the main topic. We got rid of the ones that didn't. We also checked that we had written the prompt in a logical order with an introduction, paragraphs that answer all of the questions in the prompt, and a conclusion. We will continue to work on revising the prompt tomorrow. Our next focus will be using interesting words and different types of sentence beginnings. One skill that we need to work on overall is paragraphing. Please point out paragraphs and indenting if you happen to see a good example in your reading or in the newspaper.

Homework: Fluency and Flow is due tomorrow. We also have a spelling test tomorrow.

Tomorrow is also the last day for book orders.

Math
We warmed up by figuring out an estimation problem, some multiplication and division facts and a place value problem. We reviewed SL 1.6. It was a difficult study link regarding prime and composite numbers. We then played a game about square roots. Our homework today is to make sure that pages 21 and 22 are done in journal 1 and also study link 1.8.

Science
We added switches to our circuits today. The switch allows us to have an open circuit or a closed circuit. If the circuit is open electricity will not flow and the light bulb won't light. If the circuit is closed the electricity will flow and the bulb will light. We also learned about schematic drawings. These types of drawings are important because they are neat and because everyone can read them. We will be drawing lots of them as this unit continues.

Oops

I'm sorry about not blogging yesterday. I was caught up in writing a science quiz for next week and I forgot. So let me catch you up on the last couple of days.....

On Monday PTO's fund-raising campaign kicked off. PTO provides many great experiences for our kids. Today in class we discussed the many things PTO does for us. One of the big ones is helping us go to Camp Friedenswald every year. Please consider selling one or two items. :)

Language Arts
We have reviewed grammar, punctuation, and capitalization skills. We have also attacked a writing prompt about our favorite book. Students are learning to use a web to help them plan their prompt writing. This will help them have a plan when ISTEP comes along. Some kids had a problem thinking of what to write because of the word favorite. Often times words like favorite or best ever throw kids off because they don't know which book is the best ever. Please encourage them to just write about a book. It really doesn't have to be their favorite as much as it needs to be something that they can write about.

Our grammar skill this week is subjects and predicates. The students might have a paper to work on tonight to review that skill. We will grade this paper in class tomorrow. It is important that they finish it tonight.

A couple of other notes:
Fluency and Flow is due on Friday.
Book orders are also due on Friday. The students asked me to make Friday the due date.
Don't forget to write down the number of minutes your child has read and sign the planner each day. Remember having your 4th or 5th grader read for 20-30 minutes a night is one of our school wide goals.

Math
We are continuing to study factors. We have learned about prime and composite numbers. We have also learned about square numbers. We are beginning to learn about exponents. Students should have pages 15-20 done in their journals. We will be ready for our first math test next week.

Homework: Study links 1.6 and 1.7 (for yesterday and today)

Science

We have completed investigation 1 in our magnetism and electricity unit. We have learned many things about magnets. Today we began investigation 2 which is all about electricity. Today we made a simple circuit in order to light a flashlight bulb. We learned that electricity must flow in a complete circuit (a circle) in order to work. Many kids have told me how much fun they are having. There were many "eureka" moments today.