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.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
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.
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.
Monday, August 25, 2008
A New Week Continued
Math
Today we worked on estimation, fact practice and place value in our daily warm-up. In fact fluency practice we learned about hidden doubles. If we know our double facts then we can easily figure out our doubles plus 1 or doubles plus 2 facts. For example 5+7=(5+5)+2=12. We also played the game factor captor. This game helps us think about all the factors for a particular number. There was no homework tonight.
Science
Today we became magnet detectives. We used iron filings and compasses to figure out where magnets were in a box. The compasses and filings reacted in interesting ways to the magnets. Both must be made of iron. No homework in science today.
Today we worked on estimation, fact practice and place value in our daily warm-up. In fact fluency practice we learned about hidden doubles. If we know our double facts then we can easily figure out our doubles plus 1 or doubles plus 2 facts. For example 5+7=(5+5)+2=12. We also played the game factor captor. This game helps us think about all the factors for a particular number. There was no homework tonight.
Science
Today we became magnet detectives. We used iron filings and compasses to figure out where magnets were in a box. The compasses and filings reacted in interesting ways to the magnets. Both must be made of iron. No homework in science today.
A New Week
What a great start to the week!
The Northpoint School fund-raiser kicked off this morning. All children should be bringing home an envelope tonight that explains everything you need to know about it. Children are also bringing home picture information. Pictures will be taken on Wednesday, August 27. That's just two days away. Pictures will be taken in homeroom. Our picture time is scheduled for afternoon. You may want to keep that in mind as you plan outfits and hair styles. Lego League information went home today as well. If your child wants to participate in Lego League the form must be returned by Thursday, August 28th.
Language Arts
We had a busy morning. We discussed subjects, verbs, and adjectives. We took our spelling pretest. Some of our expectations have changed regarding spelling. A student will need to score 22-25 points to qualify for the beyond list. 17-21 points will qualify the student for the on-level list. Anything less than 17 will qualify the student for the approaching list. We also discussed the new vocabulary for the week and how we can use context clues to figure out word that we don't know. Our comprehension skills for the week focus on summarizing and main ideas/details. Our writing focus for the day was writing a good conclusion.
Fluency and Flow went home for homework today. It is due on Friday. It is the same format as last week. All that I am requring for word workout is a signature by an adult.
Book orders are due on Wednesday, August 27, 2008. This is a great way to increase your child's library.
Some of you may still have questions about the reading project. The students should have brought home a paper about the project last week. I took some photos of a project that a student did last year to help you understand our expectations. The photos show parts of a ceral box book report done on Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by JK Rowling. I hope this helps.
The Northpoint School fund-raiser kicked off this morning. All children should be bringing home an envelope tonight that explains everything you need to know about it. Children are also bringing home picture information. Pictures will be taken on Wednesday, August 27. That's just two days away. Pictures will be taken in homeroom. Our picture time is scheduled for afternoon. You may want to keep that in mind as you plan outfits and hair styles. Lego League information went home today as well. If your child wants to participate in Lego League the form must be returned by Thursday, August 28th.
Language Arts
We had a busy morning. We discussed subjects, verbs, and adjectives. We took our spelling pretest. Some of our expectations have changed regarding spelling. A student will need to score 22-25 points to qualify for the beyond list. 17-21 points will qualify the student for the on-level list. Anything less than 17 will qualify the student for the approaching list. We also discussed the new vocabulary for the week and how we can use context clues to figure out word that we don't know. Our comprehension skills for the week focus on summarizing and main ideas/details. Our writing focus for the day was writing a good conclusion.
Fluency and Flow went home for homework today. It is due on Friday. It is the same format as last week. All that I am requring for word workout is a signature by an adult.
Book orders are due on Wednesday, August 27, 2008. This is a great way to increase your child's library.
Some of you may still have questions about the reading project. The students should have brought home a paper about the project last week. I took some photos of a project that a student did last year to help you understand our expectations. The photos show parts of a ceral box book report done on Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by JK Rowling. I hope this helps.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Friday
Hi All,
I wasn't at school today. I will catch up on homework and assignments on Monday. Have a marvelous weekend.
Language Arts: Don't forget that book orders are due next Wednesday. This weekend would be a great time to start working on book projects! Can't wait to hear what you read on Monday. :)
I wasn't at school today. I will catch up on homework and assignments on Monday. Have a marvelous weekend.
Language Arts: Don't forget that book orders are due next Wednesday. This weekend would be a great time to start working on book projects! Can't wait to hear what you read on Monday. :)
Thursday, August 21, 2008
We've been in school a week?
It is amazing to me that we have been in school over a week already. We are settling into our new routine nicely. It was great to see all the parents who turned out for Parent Information Night. I hope not too many people were confused by the time change.
Language Arts
Today we reviewed sentence types and what is needed to have a complete sentence. We also learned about our first quarter reading project, the cereal box book report. There is a paper going home today that talks the requirements for this project. Remember that the project is due on October 10th. I know that seems like a long way away, but it will sneak up on us. Don't put off the project too long. Also don't forget that students will have to read another book and take an accelerated reader test on it. In writing we worked on sticking to the topic and writing in a logical order. Don't forget book orders are due next Wednesday.
Homework: Fluency and Flow is due tomorrow.
Math
Today we reviewed place value and math facts. We also learned the game factor captor. Sadly we didn't get to play the game so we will do that tomorrow. We also looked for hidden 10 pairs. We are learning that it pays to have strategies when solving math problems. Hidden 10 pairs works like this: 17+6=17+3+3=20+3=23. Basically you save time when you add up to the nearest multiple of 10 and then add the extra.
Homework: None
Science
Today we learned that the more distance that is put between 2 magnets the less force there is between the magnets.
Homework: None
Language Arts
Today we reviewed sentence types and what is needed to have a complete sentence. We also learned about our first quarter reading project, the cereal box book report. There is a paper going home today that talks the requirements for this project. Remember that the project is due on October 10th. I know that seems like a long way away, but it will sneak up on us. Don't put off the project too long. Also don't forget that students will have to read another book and take an accelerated reader test on it. In writing we worked on sticking to the topic and writing in a logical order. Don't forget book orders are due next Wednesday.
Homework: Fluency and Flow is due tomorrow.
Math
Today we reviewed place value and math facts. We also learned the game factor captor. Sadly we didn't get to play the game so we will do that tomorrow. We also looked for hidden 10 pairs. We are learning that it pays to have strategies when solving math problems. Hidden 10 pairs works like this: 17+6=17+3+3=20+3=23. Basically you save time when you add up to the nearest multiple of 10 and then add the extra.
Homework: None
Science
Today we learned that the more distance that is put between 2 magnets the less force there is between the magnets.
Homework: None
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Wow! It's Wednesday
The week is flying by!
Language Arts
Today we completed our morning work review of grammar, capitalization, and punctuation. We had DEAR time. We reviewed our vocabulary words for the week. Our grammar skill for the week is sentences. We reviewed the four types of sentences and learned about what they are called. A declarative sentence is a statement. An interrogative sentence is a question. An imperative sentence is a command and an exclamatory sentence is an exclamation. We reviewed our spelling skills by sorting words and using the words in sentences. We learned how to attack a writing prompt and make sure we answered all of the questions. We read and discussed this week's story.
Book orders went home today. This is a great way to add to your child's library. They are due on Wednesday, August 27.
Homework: Continue to work on the Fluency and Flow. It is due the day after tomorrow. Some students may need to finish up the spelling page.
Math
We warmed up by practicing place value and number facts.
We learned about hidden 10 partners in order to speed up our fact fluency and mental math.
Our lesson today focused on factors, factor pairs and products. We learned that the numbers we multiply together are called factors. We found all the factors for a given number.
Homework: Study Link 1.3 Many of us finished this in class.
Science
We learned about temporary magnets and induced magnetism. No homework tonight.
I added a couple of links to the blog. Science Buddies is a website that helps with science fair projects. It's never too early to start thinking about Science Expo!
See you tonight at Parent Information Night!
Language Arts
Today we completed our morning work review of grammar, capitalization, and punctuation. We had DEAR time. We reviewed our vocabulary words for the week. Our grammar skill for the week is sentences. We reviewed the four types of sentences and learned about what they are called. A declarative sentence is a statement. An interrogative sentence is a question. An imperative sentence is a command and an exclamatory sentence is an exclamation. We reviewed our spelling skills by sorting words and using the words in sentences. We learned how to attack a writing prompt and make sure we answered all of the questions. We read and discussed this week's story.
Book orders went home today. This is a great way to add to your child's library. They are due on Wednesday, August 27.
Homework: Continue to work on the Fluency and Flow. It is due the day after tomorrow. Some students may need to finish up the spelling page.
Math
We warmed up by practicing place value and number facts.
We learned about hidden 10 partners in order to speed up our fact fluency and mental math.
Our lesson today focused on factors, factor pairs and products. We learned that the numbers we multiply together are called factors. We found all the factors for a given number.
Homework: Study Link 1.3 Many of us finished this in class.
Science
We learned about temporary magnets and induced magnetism. No homework tonight.
I added a couple of links to the blog. Science Buddies is a website that helps with science fair projects. It's never too early to start thinking about Science Expo!
See you tonight at Parent Information Night!
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Tuesday News
Language Arts
We had a great morning. The time goes by so fast. We did some morning work that reviewed capitalization, punctuation, and grammar. We had DEAR time. DEAR is Drop Everything And Read. Students may bring books from home, use the classroom library or the IMC to find books to read during this time. We also went over the vocabulary words for this week's story. They are challenging: accuse, allergies, assignments, consideration, consume, evidence and suspicious. The students had a worksheet that asked them to use these words in a sentence. Most students turned them in. Some may need to finish this up as homework.
Homework: There were some questions regarding the fluency and flow homework. The homework is based on the story in the big green reading book. This week's story is The Mystery of the Missing Lunch. The students are asked to read the story to an adult, answer the questions on page 37 (think and compare) and complete the activities on the parent letter page. Students are also asked to study their spelling words. Fluency and flow is almost always sent home on Monday and due on Friday. We will go over this in person tomorrow night at the parent information night. There is no new homework tonight.
Math
Today we completed a daily warm up that focused on place value and math facts. We worked on fact fluency by using the 10 partners we learned yesterday to solve for extended math problems. We also learned that rectangular arrays tell us the factors of a number. We completed page 6 and 7 in journal 1 and worked on SL 1.2. Some of us finished this in class so we have no homework.
Homework - Study Link 1.2
Science
We continued to investigate magnets.
Homework none
DON'T FORGET
Parent Information Night is tomorrow at 5:00. Mrs. Suddarth, Mrs. Woods and I will meet our homeroom class in the LGI to start the meeting. All other parents will need to go to their homeroom teacher's classroom. Can't wait to see you tomorrow!
We had a great morning. The time goes by so fast. We did some morning work that reviewed capitalization, punctuation, and grammar. We had DEAR time. DEAR is Drop Everything And Read. Students may bring books from home, use the classroom library or the IMC to find books to read during this time. We also went over the vocabulary words for this week's story. They are challenging: accuse, allergies, assignments, consideration, consume, evidence and suspicious. The students had a worksheet that asked them to use these words in a sentence. Most students turned them in. Some may need to finish this up as homework.
Homework: There were some questions regarding the fluency and flow homework. The homework is based on the story in the big green reading book. This week's story is The Mystery of the Missing Lunch. The students are asked to read the story to an adult, answer the questions on page 37 (think and compare) and complete the activities on the parent letter page. Students are also asked to study their spelling words. Fluency and flow is almost always sent home on Monday and due on Friday. We will go over this in person tomorrow night at the parent information night. There is no new homework tonight.
Math
Today we completed a daily warm up that focused on place value and math facts. We worked on fact fluency by using the 10 partners we learned yesterday to solve for extended math problems. We also learned that rectangular arrays tell us the factors of a number. We completed page 6 and 7 in journal 1 and worked on SL 1.2. Some of us finished this in class so we have no homework.
Homework - Study Link 1.2
Science
We continued to investigate magnets.
Homework none
DON'T FORGET
Parent Information Night is tomorrow at 5:00. Mrs. Suddarth, Mrs. Woods and I will meet our homeroom class in the LGI to start the meeting. All other parents will need to go to their homeroom teacher's classroom. Can't wait to see you tomorrow!
Monday, August 18, 2008
Marvelous Monday
We started our routines today.
Language Arts
We began our first story today, The Mystery of the Missing Lunch. We took a pretest over short vowel spelling words and practiced the difference between sentences and fragments. We also did a baseline writing prompt as we prepare for ISTEP.
Homework: Students have a fluency and flow packet that is due on Friday.
Math
Students finished up the beginning of the year test that they began on Friday. We also worked on the 10 partners fact fluency strategy. We will begin working on Factors tomorrow
Homework: None
Science
Today we began working on our electricity and magnetism unit. We discovered that magnets are attracted to some metal objects but not others. We will continue our investigations tomorrow
Homework: None
Upcoming events
Don't forget Parent Information Night this Wednesday. We will begin promptly at 5:00. Note the time change due to a conflict with Discovery Middle School. A note went home with the kids today.
Language Arts
We began our first story today, The Mystery of the Missing Lunch. We took a pretest over short vowel spelling words and practiced the difference between sentences and fragments. We also did a baseline writing prompt as we prepare for ISTEP.
Homework: Students have a fluency and flow packet that is due on Friday.
Math
Students finished up the beginning of the year test that they began on Friday. We also worked on the 10 partners fact fluency strategy. We will begin working on Factors tomorrow
Homework: None
Science
Today we began working on our electricity and magnetism unit. We discovered that magnets are attracted to some metal objects but not others. We will continue our investigations tomorrow
Homework: None
Upcoming events
Don't forget Parent Information Night this Wednesday. We will begin promptly at 5:00. Note the time change due to a conflict with Discovery Middle School. A note went home with the kids today.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Today We Switched Classes....
Today we started switching classes. It went very smoothly.
Language Arts
Today we got to know each other. We practiced safety drills and learned about other important procedures. We also went to computer lab.
Math
It was great to see everyone today. We talked about some new procedures that we have in class and some new goals we are going to be working on. The first goal is fact fluency. We will be learning strategies that will improve the speed and accuracy of our math facts. The second item is computation. We are going to be working everyday on computation of math problems. We took a test today to see what we remembered over the summer. It won't count on our grade.
Content/Homeroom
We will start learning about magnetism and electricity on Monday. Our science rotation goes until September 5.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
DUE TO A CONFLICT WITH DISCOVERY, WE HAVE CHANGED THE TIME OF OUR PARENT INFORMATION NIGHT. WE WILL MEET AT NORTHPOINT FROM 5-6 PM. THAT WILL ALLOW PARENTS TO GET TO DISCOVERY BY 6:30.
Language Arts
Today we got to know each other. We practiced safety drills and learned about other important procedures. We also went to computer lab.
Math
It was great to see everyone today. We talked about some new procedures that we have in class and some new goals we are going to be working on. The first goal is fact fluency. We will be learning strategies that will improve the speed and accuracy of our math facts. The second item is computation. We are going to be working everyday on computation of math problems. We took a test today to see what we remembered over the summer. It won't count on our grade.
Content/Homeroom
We will start learning about magnetism and electricity on Monday. Our science rotation goes until September 5.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
DUE TO A CONFLICT WITH DISCOVERY, WE HAVE CHANGED THE TIME OF OUR PARENT INFORMATION NIGHT. WE WILL MEET AT NORTHPOINT FROM 5-6 PM. THAT WILL ALLOW PARENTS TO GET TO DISCOVERY BY 6:30.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Another Great Day!
We had another great day today. We passed out some books and reviewed procedures. We also filled out some inventories. We learned what motivated us and what we would do if we were in charge of the world. We learned about bullies and made a list of what we could do so that we won't have bullies in our room. We also used our creativity to make great pictures out of doodles. We are an imaginative bunch.
Thank you everyone who turned in emergency cards and the page from the handbook. I really appreciate every one's help in getting those forms turned in! If you haven't turned in the emergency card yet, please turn it in by Friday, August 15.
Don't forget our parent information night. A paper went home today that give the details. There was also a paper about a mistake that was made in the PTO information. Look for that too.
Tomorrow we start switching classes.......
Thank you everyone who turned in emergency cards and the page from the handbook. I really appreciate every one's help in getting those forms turned in! If you haven't turned in the emergency card yet, please turn it in by Friday, August 15.
Don't forget our parent information night. A paper went home today that give the details. There was also a paper about a mistake that was made in the PTO information. Look for that too.
Tomorrow we start switching classes.......
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
What a Great Day!
It was wonderful to see everyone. We had a great day. We introduced ourselves with a snowball fight (ask the kids), learned about procedures, played a game about cooperative learning and talked about homework. Many of our procedures are based on S.T.A.R.
S- Safe
T-Trustworthy
A-Accountable
R-Respectful.
Your kids did a great job today showing me S.T.A.R behavior in the classroom, hallways, and everywhere else at Northpoint.
You and your children have a little bit of homework today. Be sure to read through the handbook in your child's agenda then sign the first page of the agenda. Have your child turn in the signed page to me as soon as possible. Also a yellow envelope came home with papers to sign. It is important that all emergency cards are turned into me by Friday, August 15, 2008. I did find one extra envelope by the mailboxes today, so let me know if your child did not bring the envelope home.
Be sure to mark your calendars! Wednesday, August 20th is our Parent Information Night. Come hear about curriculum and procedures for intermediate grades at Northpoint. The fun starts at 6:30. We should be done by 7:30.
This is going to be a truly awesome year!
S- Safe
T-Trustworthy
A-Accountable
R-Respectful.
Your kids did a great job today showing me S.T.A.R behavior in the classroom, hallways, and everywhere else at Northpoint.
You and your children have a little bit of homework today. Be sure to read through the handbook in your child's agenda then sign the first page of the agenda. Have your child turn in the signed page to me as soon as possible. Also a yellow envelope came home with papers to sign. It is important that all emergency cards are turned into me by Friday, August 15, 2008. I did find one extra envelope by the mailboxes today, so let me know if your child did not bring the envelope home.
Be sure to mark your calendars! Wednesday, August 20th is our Parent Information Night. Come hear about curriculum and procedures for intermediate grades at Northpoint. The fun starts at 6:30. We should be done by 7:30.
This is going to be a truly awesome year!
First day of School
It's finally here! The first day of school! I can't wait to see everyone again and hear what has been happening over the summer.
I am also very excited about my blog. This is a new way to communicate and make sure that everyone is on the same page. Check here daily for news, notes, homework and all sorts of stuff.
I am also very excited about my blog. This is a new way to communicate and make sure that everyone is on the same page. Check here daily for news, notes, homework and all sorts of stuff.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)