News to know about Monday!

Language Arts~
Today we took our spelling test.  We discussed past, present and future tense verbs.  We previewed our vocabulary for our stories about the environment: humanity, inevitable, unheeded, enlightening, and prevailing.  We discussed the skill of figuring out fact and opinion.  We listened to 6 book projects.
HW:  NONE!  No homework this week.

Math~
We reviewed our skills for the mid-year math test tomorrow.
HW:  Look over the review.

Science (Woods)~
We reviewed our study guide for the science test on Thursday!

Thoughts about Thursday!

SCIENCE EXPO PROPOSAL IS DUE TOMORROW!

Language Arts~
Today we practiced editing for capitalization, punctuation, and grammar.  We peer edited  our character point of view writing and typed it on the computer.  We practiced drawing conclusions by reading stories about the revolutionary war and by reading a non-fiction article on plants.
HW:  Weekly Homework is due tomorrow.  Flip books are due tomorrow!

Math~
We tested unit 6 skills.

Science (Woods)~
We talked about good ways to conserve energy within our homes.
HW:  Worksheet and work on study guide.  Test will be next Thursday.  Expo proposal is due tomorrow.

Work for Wednesday!

Science Proposal is due on Friday!

Language Arts~
Today we worked on Odyssey and visited with our reading buddies.  We worked on meanings for our spelling words and practiced subject and verb agreement.  We reread our stories and practiced vocabulary and drawing conclusions.  We continued working on our character writing.
HW:  Continue working on weekly homework.  Sloppy copy of character reading is due tomorrow and flip book is due on Friday!

Math~
We reviewed unit 6 concepts. 
HW:  Test tomorrow.

Art Smart~
We created our Original Works of Art.
 Thanks for the help Moms.

What we did on Tuesday!

Did you see the email about chicken pox that Mrs. Stephan sent?  Check it out!

Language Arts~
Today we practiced sorting our spelling words by open and closed syllables.  Open syllables end in a vowel and closed syllables end in a consonant.  We also worked on making sure that our subjects and verbs agree.  Plural subjects need plural verbs.  We read the story "Sleds on Boston Common"  and discussed how to draw conclusions based on the text.  We began a writing project about characters.
HW:  Continue working on weekly homework.  Flip through a good book is due on Friday.

Math~
We continued working on adding and subtracting fractions with different denominators.
HW:  Study Link 6.10

Science~
We talked about good ways to conserve energy within our homes.
HW:  Worksheet and work on study guide.  Test will be next Tuesday.  Expo proposal is due on Friday.

Monday Stuff

I hope everyone had a great weekend!

LA~
We are spending the next two weeks working in our big purple books.  That means there is weekly homework this week!  Due Friday!  The story this week is Sleds on Boston Common  It is a story about the Revolutionary War.  Our vocabulary words are spunk, governor, navigation, instruct, swagger, patriots, tyrant and stark.  We are working with word families and figuring out how suffixes and prefixes change the word meanings.  our comprehension skills for the week focus on making inferences and drawing conclusions.  Our grammar skill is identifying verbs and making sure that the verb agrees with the subject.

We are reviewing the following RIT words this week.  Some of us had a bit of trouble with them on the Maniac Magee test:  Hyperbole, metaphor, simile, irony, idiom and personification.

HW:  Weekly homework.  Flip book is also due on Friday.

Math~
We continued practicing adding and subtracting fractions and mixed numbers. 
HW:  Study Link 6.9

Science~
We learned about renewable and nonrenewable energy resources today.
HW:  No homework.

Friday Already??

It was a busy day.


LA~  We assessed reading, spelling and grammar skills.
Math~ We reviewed math concepts with Odyssey and practiced adding and subtracting fractions
Science~ We discussed non-renewable and renewable energy resources.

No Homework today~
Have a great weekend!

Science expo proposal due next Friday!

Thought Filled Thursday

It was another busy day!
Language Arts~
We had music this morning.  We came back to class and took our final Maniac Magee vocab quiz and our final test over the book.  We reviewed plurals and possessives one more time.  We began writing poems using extended metaphors.  In vocab vine we learned about form (shape, form) and lat (lift, carry, bear).
HW:  Tests tomorrow spelling, plurals and possessive nouns, and general reading skills.

Math~
Today was a game day!  We reviewed data landmarks, equivalent decimals, fractions and percents and algebra concepts today.  Here is the link to a game that lets you practice adding and subtracting fractions: http://jamit.com.au/htmlFolder/app1007.html
HW:  None

Science~
We had a very interesting discussion about non-renewable resource and the need to recycle.
HW:  The Before You Move On questions on page 155.

Important Science Expo Dates!
Proposal due on 12/16/2011
Project, abstract, and journal due on January 30, 2012
Science Expo is Thursday, February 2, 2012

What you need to know about Wednesday

Language Arts~
We did Odyssey in computer lab. We read with our reading buddies.  We reviewed plural and possessive nouns.  We went over our questions about Maniac Magee and previewed our last vocabulary from the story.  We read the end of the story and took a What Do You Know Quiz.  Tomorrow is our final quiz and test!
HW:  Study Vocab and study for test.

Math~
Today we reviewed how to add and subtract fractions and mixed numbers.  Don't forget you need to have a common denominator.  Also don't forget that you don't add or subtract the denominator.
HW:  Pages 191-193 and study link 6.8

Science~
We had a very interesting discussion about non-renewable resource and the need to recycle.
HW:  The Before You Move On questions on page 155.

Important Science Expo Dates!
Proposal due on 12/16/2011
Project, abstract, and journal due on January 30, 2012
Science Expo is Thursday, February 2, 2012

Brrr.... It's cold out there!

Make sure you are dressed for outside recess. 

Language Arts~
We had gym today.  We came back to class and took our vocab quiz and a what do you know quiz over chapters 33-39.  Then Rick Glassman came to school and taught us about wetlands.  We had vocab vine and learned about words with the latin root uni.
HW:  None!

Math~
Today we practiced using sample data to create frequency tables, bar graphs, pie graphs, and stem and leave charts.  We also found data landmarks.
HW:  Journal pages 183-185 and study link and math boxes 6.6

Science~
We finished up our recycled paper experiment by comparing our recycled paper to regular paper.   We also wrote an abstract for this experiment.
HW:  None

DARE DAY

We had a great time celebrating our graduates of the DARE program today!

LA~
We took our vocab test today.  We also previewed our vocabulary and read chapters 33-35.  We discussed these chapters and students also worked on titles, questions, and the journal entry.  We reviewed the grammar skill of possessive nouns.
HW:  Any unfinished work.  Don't forget that the "flip book" report is due two weeks from tomorrow!

Math~
Today we worked on mystery plots of data.  We tried to match the data to the information based on the numbers. 
HW:  Math boxes and study link 6.4

Science~
Today we compared our recycled paper to regular paper.  We looked at colors, thickness, texture, how easy it was to write on and tear.  We also used the experiment to practice writing an abstract. 
HW:  None, but Science Expo information came home today. 
Dates to remember:  Dec. 16 - Proposal due, Jan. 30 - Project due, Feb. 2 - Science Expo night.

Monday's News and Notes

DARE Graduation - Don't forget that DARE graduation is this Thursday at 9:00 a.m. in the Northpoint Cafeteria.  Come see your 5th grader graduate from the DARE program.  We think the program will last 30-45 minutes.

Language Arts~
We took a spelling pretest over all 25 words today.  Test will be on Friday.  We reviewed the differences between plural and possessive nouns.  We practiced identifying plural nouns.  We previewed our new vocabulary for chapters 22-24.  There will be a quiz tomorrow.  We read and discussed those chapters as well.  HW:  Titles for chapters, questions, and journal pages.  Most students are done with all of this.

Math~
We reviewed data landmarks and used the information on Study Link 5.10 to construct graphs.  We reviewed how to round numbers and worked on math boxes.
HW:  journal pages 165-167 and study link 6.1

Science~
Our new question is 'How can we protect our natural resources?'  We discussed renewable and nonrenewable resources today. 
HW:  The before you move on questions at the bottom of page 137.

Tuesday's News

Language Arts~
Today we....
*took our vocab quiz over 15-18
*discussed yesterday's questions
*learned about plural possessives
*previewed today's vocabulary
*read and discussed chapters 19-21
*wrote a paragraph using hyperbole
*analyzed the use of imagery in the book.

HW:  Finish titles, questions, and journal entry.

Tomorrow we will have a spelling test, grammar quiz, what do you know quiz, and mid-book quiz over Maniac Magee .

Math~
Today we reviewed for a math test.
HW:  Study for math test.

Science~
Today we learned about useful metals.
HW:  None

Monday's News

It was a busy day! We have a short week but lots going on!
Langauge Arts~
After specials we jumped right into Maniac Magee with our vocab test.  Don't forget to study those words!  Questions 12-14 were collected today for a grade.  We previewed chapters 15-18 vocabulary and read and discussed those chapters. 

We also started working on possessives in grammar.  We took a spelling pretest over just the first 10 words of the o list.  We will have a spelling test on Wednesday.  It will only be over 10 words.  We will also have a grammar test and a Maniac Magee test on Wednesday.

HW:  Titles, Questions and Journal

Math~
Today we used information in our SRB to answer math questions.
HW:  Study Link 5.12  Test on Wednesday.

Science~
We learned about metals today.  We learned where they came from and how they can be used.
HW:  None

What a foggy morning!

It did turn out to be a beautiful day though!  I hope everyone enjoyed their extra time this morning!

Tomorrow is the last day for our Stuff-A-Trailer food collection!  I know that we can still use some more non-perishable items to put in the trailer.  Please send in your donations tomorrow!

Language Arts~
We continued learning more about Maniac Magee.  Today we went over yesterday's questions.  We took our vocab quiz and previewed new vocabulary.  We read chapters 3-6 and discussed them.
HW:  Questions and journal for this section. 

Math~
Today we introduced circle graphs.  We will spend the next few days learning more about how to read them and how to construct them.
HW:  Math Boxes and Study Link 5.9

Science~
Today we took a test over chapter 3.
HW:  None

Monday.....

We are still collecting non-perishable food to stuff a trailer with on Wednesday.  Students will be paid $5.00 mini-economy money for each item that is donated.

Language Arts~
Today we began our new novel study.  We will be spending the next several weeks reading and learning language arts skills by reading "Maniac Magee" by Jerry Spinelli.  This book is the legend of a boy who completely changed a town by his actions.  We will be using Rit words and higher level thinking skills as we read each day.  Everyday, the students will have comprehension questions, a journal entry and a vocab quiz.  The first vocab quiz is tomorrow.

We will still be doing spelling and grammar everyday.  There will still be a spelling test, grammar test, and weekly assessment on Friday

HW:  Finish questions and journal entry.  Study for vocab quiz.

Math:  Our focus today was on turning fractions into percents using a calculator.
HW:  Journal pages 147-149 and study link 5.8  Many students completed this in class.

Science~
Mrs. Wood's class and I reviewed for the science test this week. The test will be on Friday.

Thursday.....

Another busy day!

Language Arts~
Today we reviewed our phonics, grammar, vocabulary and comprehension skills.  We also read "Rattlers" one more time before the assessment tomorrow.  We worked on our newspaper article.
HW:  Weekly Homework is due tomorrow.  Book orders are also due tomorrow.

Math~
Today we practiced turning fractions into decimals using a calculator
HW:  145-146 in the journal and study link 5.7

We went to DARE today!

Windy Wednesday

Oh what a blustery day!

Language Arts~
It was a day filled with work, Odyssey, reading buddies and all sorts of the things.  We worked on writing our spelling words in sentences and writing plural nouns.  We reread the story, "Rattlers."  We worked on our creative writing project.  In Vocab Vine, we learned that medi means middle.
HW:  Book order is due Friday and so is weekly homework.  Don't forget to read for 20-30 minutes.

Math~
We continued working on figuring on equivalent decimals and percents. 
HW:  Study Link 5.5 and any not done journal pages.

Science~
Mrs. Wood's class read about the rock cycle and a cave of crystals in Mexico. 
HW:  Finish worksheet.

Tuesday Stuff

Collecting can goods for our Stuff-A-Trailer event is off to a great start.  3 families donated items today.  Thank you parents for helping us meet the needs of other families in the community.

LA~
Book orders are due on Friday.
Today, we sorted our spelling words by how they become plurals.  We reviewed the different ways of making a noun plural during our grammar lesson.  We read and discussed the story "Rattlers" in our reading books.  We paid special attention to the question and answer format of each section and how that organization technique can help us figure out the main idea and details of each section.  We began a new creative writing project.  Each student was given a newspaper headline and then has to write a newspaper article about the headlines.  Look for the writing to be posted on our bulletin boards outside our rooms.  We learned that amphi and ambi means both in our vocab vine time.  We also reviewed our RiT words.
HW:  Keep working on the weekly homework and read 20-30 minutes.

Math~
Today we began working with fractions and decimals.  Fractions can become decimals in two different ways.  The first way is to divide the numerator by the denominator.  The second way is to use equivalent fractions.  Try to make the equivalent fraction with a denominator of 10 or 100.  Then it is easy to convert to a decimal.
HW:  Journal pages 137-141 and study link 5.5  Students did have time to work on this in class.

Science~
Today we reviewed the different types of rocks.  We learned about metamorphic rock and how it is formed.  We also learned about the rock cycle.  Rocks are always changing, but the changes happen very slowly over hundreds of thousands of years.  We also learned about a cave of crystals in Mexico.

The science books are available online.  Check out the website https://myngconnect.com/s3  
Click on the grade level.  Click on the big idea book.  Then click earth science.  We are reading chapter 3.

HW:  Finish worksheet.

Monday's News

I hope everyone had a great weekend!

Don't forget about our Stuff a Trailer food drive. We are collecting non-perishable foods through next Wednesday.  Help us stuff a trailer!

Language Arts~
November book orders will come home this week.  This is a great way to purchase holiday gifts and stocking stuffers.  If you would like to keep your order a secret from your child just send me a quick email and I will hold the books back.  We can make arrangements to get the books home to you another way. (little siblings, neighbors, leave in the office, etc...)

Our story for the week is Rattlers.  This is a nonfiction story about snakes.  Our comprehension skill is summarizing and looking for the main ideas.  We will also be looking at how the author organized the story.  Our vocabulary words are species, survive, alert, vibrates, surroundings, prey, predators, vibrates, and lunging.  Our vocabulary skill is using restated context clues to figure out the words.  Both our grammar and spelling skills focus on plural nouns.
HW:  Weekly homework is due Friday!

Here are this week's RIT words. There may be a RIT word quiz later this week.
Fiction:  A literary form based on imagination rather than just fact.  Most stories are fiction.
Parallelism:  The use of repetitive structure to create rhythm in writing.  (The more we do, the more we can do is one example.)
Synedoche:  Where a specific part refers to the whole.  I got a new set of wheels meaning I got a new car.
Aphorism:  A short witty statement of wisdom or opinion.  A watched pot never boils.
Archetype:  A model character or a character that other characters are based on.  Percy is based on the archetype of a hero in Greek myths.
Paradox:  A statement that is true even though it seems to be saying opposite things.  Soon you will be grown up enough to read fairy tales again.
Quip:  A clever or witty remark or comment brought about by the situation.  After a ball game:  Bad losers make worse winners.
Theme:  The fundamental idea or life lesson explored in a literary work.  Trusting friends was one theme in Percy Jackson.
Antithesis:  Using opposite ideas in the same thought or sentence in order to make a point.  Everybody doesn't like something, but nobody doesn't like Sara Lee.

Math~
Today we reviewed equivalent fractions.  You make an equivalent fraction by multiplying or dividing the numerators and denominators by the same number.
HW:  Study Link 5.4 and unfinished journal pages.

Science~
Today we looked at the three different categories of rocks and how they are formed.  Ask your child about igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks.
HW:  None

This week's important news and notes

Language Arts~
This week we are reading part of the story "Shiloh."  This story is about a boy and a dog.  It is realistic fiction.Our comprehension skill is making inferences.  This is taking clues from the story and combining them with what we may already know and then coming up with new knowledge.  It is a way to know things in the story without the author telling us everything.  We are studying idioms this week.  You can't know what an idiom means by just looking at the words.  Raining cats and dogs is an idiom that means that it is raining very hard.  Our vocabulary for the story include bulletin board, decency, shrieks, slurp, delivering, sympathy, mournful and injury.  Make sure that you know these words for Friday's tests.  Our grammar this week is focusing on nouns. Our spelling words are all compound words.

RIT words:
Monologue - A speech given by a character.  It can be either out loud or to himself.
Falling Action - What happens in a story after the climax of the story.
Dialect - Speech by people in a certain region.
Atmosphere - The mood created by the setting of a story.
Allusion - A reference to a very familiar person, place thing or event

Math~ We are beginning chapter 5.  This chapter is all about fractions.  Today we reviewed 4th grade fraction concepts like parts of a whole and fractions of a set.
HW:  Mathboxes and study link 5.1

Science~  Today we looked at the characteristics and properties of minerals.  We discovered what makes a mineral a mineral and how to  identify different minerals.
HW:  Vocabulary sheet.
Test Alert:  Grannan's class will have a science test on November 15th.

Dancing Feet Wednesday!

Today we had our dance celebration in the gym.  Good job everyone!

Tomorrow is wear red day!

Language Arts~
We worked on Odyssey in computer lab.  This is a great way to practice skills.  Don't forget that you can do this at home too.  We visited with our reading buddies.  We practiced our spelling words by linking the words to meanings.  We reviewed how to fix run-on sentences.  We read the story one more time.  We also reviewed vocabulary skills for the quiz tomorrow.  In vocabulary vine we learned that manu means hand.
HW:  Weekly Homework is due tomorrow!

Math~
Today we reviewed unit 4 skills for the test tomorrow.  All students have a review sheet.
HW:  Study for the math test.

No content today.  We danced!

Tuesday News

Tomorrow is Bring an Apple to school day!  It is also our dance celebration in the afternoon.  Dress appropriately.

Language Arts~  We sorted spelling words by the spelling of the r-controlled vowel sounds. We practiced fixing run-on sentences.  We discussed cause and effect, metaphors, and setting while we read our story of the week.  We also wrote a sloppy copy of a personal narrative.
HW:  Continue working on your weekly packet.  It is due on Thursday!

Math~ Today we worked on algebra concepts.  We played a game that practiced substituting variable for a number. 
HW:  Page 116 and 117 and Study Link 4.7

Science~  We examined soil today as we began to learn how we identify rocks and minerals.
HW:  None

Monday News

It's Red Ribbon Week!  Tomorrow, wear a hat and learn about sun protection!

Language Arts~ Our story this week is Pipiolo and the Roof Dogs.  Our vocabulary skill is using a thesaurus to find synonyms.  Our Vocabulary words are canceled, moistened, transformed, cooperation, theory, fragrance, celebration, and variety.  Our comprehension skill is cause and affect.  In grammar, we are focusing on correcting run-on sentences.  More r-controlled vowel sounds in spelling this week.
HW:  Weekly Homework is due on Thursday!

RIT words
Allegorical Figure - A character who stands for an idea in an allegory.  Aslan stands for love in the Narnia stories.
Metonymy - The substitution of one word for another related word.  For example:  The crown instead or royalty.
Character - (review)  A person in a story.
Syntax - The order and relationship of words in a sentence.  (grammar)
Protagonist - The main character.  Percy Jackson is the protagonist of the Camp Half-Blood series.

Math~  Today we practiced division and problem solving.  Our focus was what to do with remainders.  Sometimes we ignore them, sometimes we round them up and sometimes we report them as a fraction or decimal.  It all depends on the problem.
HW:  Study Link 4.6 and whatever didn't get done at school.

Science (Grannan)
Today we observed some common minerals and some soil.  We practiced observation and recording skills.
HW:  None.

Wet Wednesday

We had a busy day!  Have you seen your child's pictures yet?  They went home yesterday.  Picture retakes will be on Wednesday, October 26th.

Language Arts~  We worked on Odyssey during Learning Lab.  This is a great resource for the kids.  They can work on it at home too.  We spent about 20 minutes reading books with our reading buddies.  We worked on the meanings of spelling words.  We reviewed when to use commas in a letter.  We read our story with buddies and then worked on our Red Ribbon writing.
HW:  Continue working on weekly homework.

Math~ We reviewed different ways to divide.  We talked about using friendly numbers and partial quotients methods.  We also reviewed good ole' long division.  It doesn't matter to me what version the kids use.
HW:  Study Link 4.4

Art Smart~  Thank you Moms!  It was a lot of fun learning about Charles DeMuth and trying to put a poem into a picture.
HW:  None  :)

DARE tomorrow!!!!

Bus Safety Day!

Today we took a few moments to learn about what to do in a bus emergency.  The kids did a great job being active listeners and participants.

Language Arts.  We sorted our spelling words by R sound and practiced writing complex sentences.  We read our story together and looked for main ideas.  We then used those main ideas to write a short summary of the story.  We began writing essays about how our 5 senses help us make healthy choices.  This writing is for red ribbon week.
HW:  Keep working on Weekly Homework

Math:  Today we learned about the friendly number strategy for division.  If you are dividing a 3digit number by a one digit number, this strategy allows you to do the work in your head.  For example  789/6 can be thought of as (720+69)/6.  720/6 is 120 and 69/6 is 11R3.  That means the answer to 789/6 is 131R3.
HW:  Study Link and Math Boxes 4.1

Science:  We took a test over chapter 2.
HW: None

The Wind is blowing the weeks by.....

I hope everyone had a great weekend!  I am amazed by how fast time is flying by!  Look for the pictures to come home tomorrow or Wednesday.  Picture retakes are going to be October 26th. 

Language Arts~
We began a new story in our readers today.  It is called Ultimate Field Trip 5 and it is a nonfiction story about going to Space Camp.  It tells all the different ways  the astronauts prepare for going into space and adds real life facts about space trips.  Our comprehension skills include asking questions to check understanding and summarizing the main ideas.  Our vocabulary skill is focusing on context clues and using descriptions to figure out words.  Here are our vocabulary words:  maze, function, adjusted, gravity, zone, environment, disasters, and mission.  Our spelling focus is on r-controlled vowels sounds and our grammar focus is writing complex sentences.

RIT Words:
Description - to represent something with words.
Summarize - To tell in brief form
Stanza - A section of poetry.
Rhythm - The pattern of syllables in a poem
Narrate - To tell a story

HW:  Weekly Homework is due on Friday.  Don't forget to get parent signatures.

Math~
Look for last Friday's test to come home today or tomorrow.  It depends on if mailboxes got cleaned out.  Unit 4 is all about division.  We pretested today so that we can really focus our instruction.

Science~
Today we took our chapter 2 test.  Grannan's class will take the test tomorrow!

Wednesday News....

Language Arts~
We researched trees for our tree brochures in the computer lab and then we went to visit our reading buddies.  We practiced our spelling words by finding the correct meaning for each word.  We practiced combining sentences using conjunctions.  We read the story and compared and contrasted the different forest biomes.  We worked on creating our brochures. 
HW:  Keep working on weekly homework.

Math~
Today we worked problem solving using our templates.
HW:  Study Link 3.10

Science (W)~
Today we reviewed the important concepts in chapter 2.  We also went over the study guide one more time.  The test is on Monday!  I told the students if the promised to return the book on Monday then they could take the hardcover book home on Friday to study.  The test will be open book.
HW:  Study, study, study!

Monday Stuff

Language Arts~
Today we began a new story.  Our focus this week is Forests of the World.  It is a short story.  Our vocabulary words include: quest, settings, reduce, buffet and major.  Our vocabulary skill is homographs and dictionary work.  Our comprehension skills are recognizing text structure and compare and contrast.  Our spelling lists include words with a vowel sound like the sound you hear in boot, cute, and book.  Our grammar skill is combining sentences using conjunctions.
RIT words:
Graphic Organizer:  A visual representation of information.  For example using a venn diagram to compare and contrast.
Expostion:  Writing that explains something.
Context:  The part of a statement that surround a words and influences it's meeting.   The word bill could be the mouth of a duck or something you owe.
Compare:  To look for ways two things are similar.
Contrast:  To look for ways that two things are different.
HW:  Weekly work and to pick a tree to research.

Math~
Today we looked at tessellations.  Tessellations are a geometric pattern that cover a surface with no gaps or overlaps.  We also reviewed adjacent angles.
HW:  Math Boxes 3.8  and study for vocabulary quiz tomorrow.  Test is on Friday!

Science (W)~
Today we looked at how to make large numbers understandable.  We also made a scale model of our solar system.  The Sun is many, many times larger than the largest planet!  Scale models help us to understand thing we could never travel to.
HW:  None but your test over chapter 2 is next Monday!

Thinking Thursday!

Language Arts~
We reviewed spelling, grammar, and vocabulary skills.  We read the story with partners and filled out a graphic organizer about the plot and the setting.  We also reviewed web articles.  We revised and edited our hero writing.  Book Order is Due tomorrow!
HW:  Finish up weekly work~

Math~
Today we talked about polygons.  They are closed shapes that have straight, no crossing lines, and no gaps.  We also played polygon capture to help us learn how to sort polygons by their different attributes.
HW:  Study Link 3.7

DARE day!!  We continued to learn about tobacco.

Wednesday's Work

Language Arts~
Don't forget book order is due on Friday!

We went to computer lab today to work on Odyssey!  This is an awesome site to work on at home too.  There is a link on the blog page.  We then went and visited our reading buddies.  When we came back to our classroom we worked on spelling word meanings and where to put commas in a list.  We also reviewed the different parts of an online article and what makes them special.  We worked on our writing about our personal heroes and looked for ways to add voice to our writing.
HW:  Keep working on weekly homework.

Math~
Our focus today was on triangles.  We discussed the different types of triangles and then we practiced constructing congruent triangles using compasses, protractors and straightedges.
HW:  None tonight

Science (W)~
Today we learned about the outer planets.  We also studied about other things in our solar system like asteroids, dwarf planets, and comets.  We finished up our study guide.  We should be reviewing that information nightly.
HW:  Finish worksheet.  Chapter 2 Share and Compare

Totally Tuesday

Language Arts~
After specials we sorted spelling words by how we make the long vowel sounds.  We reviewed simple subjects and predicates, complete subjects and predicates and compound subjects and predicates.  We also discussed how to combine sentences.  We read and discussed the story together and practiced vocabulary and comprehension skills.   Next, we began writing a personal narrative about our heroes.  In vocab vine we learned about the root word tect.  It means build or cover.
HW:  Continue working on weekly work and read, read, read!

Math~
Today we worked with compasses.  We drew circles, copied lines and measured.   We also learned about adjacent and vertical angles.  When 2 lines intersect, the angles that share a side and vertex are called adjacent.  If you add the adjacent angles together they always equal 180 degrees.  They form a straight angle.
Angles opposite of each other are called vertical angles.  They don't share a side.  They always equal each other.
HW:  Math boxes and Study Link 3.5

Science (G)~
Today we learned more about our solar system. Our solar system is made up of planets and everything else that revolves around our star, the sun.  We discussed the inner planets.  I also gave each student a study guide to help them prepare for the chapter 2 test.  The test is still over a week away, but we are going to fill in the guide together in order to help us study the correct things.
HW:  The Before You Move On questions on page 65 and 69. 

A new week....

Welcome back to a new week of learning!

Language Arts~
Today we went to music and IMC.  We came back and pretested this week's spelling words.  The spelling skill is how to spell long vowel sounds.  The words seem a bit trickier than last week.  We then previewed this week's RIT words:
Caricature - A distored characther resluting from the author's deliberate exaggeration of a trait or personality.  For example, Davy Crockett in our story is a caricature of the real Davy Crockett.
Structure - The formal pattern of a work.  Poetry often has a set structure.  Sentences also follow a structure of having a subject and a predicate.
Setting - The physical background of a story.  It includes the time and place.
Plot - The events of a story.
Genre - The type of the story.  This week it is a legend.

Our comprehension skill for the week focuses on plot and setting.  Knowing the structure of a story helps us to comprehend the story better.  Our new vocabulary includes: original, wring, advertisement, commenced, fireball, impress, elected and sauntered.  Our vocabulary skill is compound words.  Our grammar skill is reviewing subjects and predicates.

Another book order came home today.  I know that it is very soon after the first book order.  However, a new Percy Jackson adventure comes out tomorrow and many of the kids were requesting I send out the order sooner rather than later.  There is also a new 39 Clues book in the order for those kids who are reading those.  Book orders are due on Friday.

HW:  Weekly Homework. Due Friday

Math~
Our focus today was all of the different types of angles:  acute, obtuse, right, straight, and reflex.  We discussed the definition of each.  We also practiced using 1/2 circle protractors and full circle protractors.
HW:  Journal pages 69-71 and studly link 3.4

Science (W)~
Today we learned more about our solar system. Our solar system is made up of planets and everything else that revolves around our star, the sun.  We discussed the inner planets.  I also gave each student a study guide to help them prepare for the chapter 2 test.  The test is still over a week away, but we are going to fill in the guide together in order to help us study the correct things. 
HW:  The Before You Move On questions on page 65 and 71.

Thursday!

Gum Day tomorrow!  Help support PTO.  Bring $1.00 and you can chew gum at school!
PTO Carnival is tomorrow night from 5:30-8:00.  It is sure to be a lot of fun!

Language Arts~
Today we reviewed this week's skills.  We reviewed spelling of short vowel sounds.  We also reviewed the skill of finding synonyms to help us figure out unknown words.  We read a non-fiction article about the National Spelling Bee.  We looked at how photographs and captions can help us understand the reading.  Then we wrote a paragraph using synonyms and vocabulary words and reread our story one more time.  We went to vocab vine.
HW:  Finish paragraph and weekly homework.  Both due tomorrow.

Math~
Today our question was:  How can a circle help me figure out the degrees of an angles.  A circle has a 360 degrees.  We used this information to figure out the degrees of angles on pattern blocks.
HW:  Math boxes and study link 3.3

We also went to DARE today.

Tuesday.....

PTO Carnival ticket pre-orders are due tomorrow.
PTO is sponsoring a gum day on Friday.  Bring $1. and a piece of gum and you can chew the gum during the school day.

Language Arts~
After PE, we reviewed grammar skills.  Then we sorted spelling words by how the short vowel sound is made.  We reviewed this week's vocabulary words and skills.  We read the story together and filled in a graphic organizer to help us see how the character affects the plot of the story.  We put the finishing touches on our skits so that we can present them tomorrow.  We learned that dyna/dynamo is a greek root that means power or force.
HW:  Keep working on weekly homework!

Math~
Today was a show what you know day!  We took our unit 2 test.
HW:  None

Science (W)~
We began chapter 2.  Our focus question:  What Makes up our Solar System?   We made a model of the earth and moon today.  The earth is 4 times the size of the moon.  The distance between the two objects is 30 times the size of the earth's diameter.  The moon is much smaller and farther away than we think.  We also read about stars and galaxies.
HW:  Answer the before you move on questions on page 61.

Monday....

I hope everyone enjoyed their weekend.  It was a bit soggy! 

Northpoint Family Carnival is on Friday from 5:30-8:00.  Pre-order ticket sale forms are coming home today and are due on Wednesday.  Papers went home with youngest and only children.

Language Arts~
Today we started reading in our purple reading books.  Our first story is "Miss Alaineus."  Our vocabulary for the week includes slumped, soggy, capable, categories, strands, gigantic, credit and luminous.  Our vocabulary skill focuses on using context clues to find synonyms.  Our comprehension skill is using the characters and plot to help you understand the story.  Our spelling focus is short vowel works.  In grammar, we are reviewing complete sentences. Our RIT words are first person, characterization, character, foreshadowing and fragment.

HW:  Weekly homework came home today.  Due Friday!

Math~
We continued to review for tomorrow's test.
HW:  Study

Science (G)~
We began chapter 2.  Our focus question:  What Makes up our Solar System?   We made a model of the earth and moon today.  The earth is 4 times the size of the moon.  The distance between the two objects is 30 times the size of the earth's diameter.  The moon is much smaller and farther away than we think.  We also read about stars and galaxies. 
HW:  Answer the before you move on questions on page 61.

Friday

Have a great weekend everyone!

LA~
Today we finished up Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by taking our end of the book test.  I am very excited by the number of students who are asking me if I have the second book.  We also worked on our scripts.  Next week each child will help act out part of the story.  We will be taking listening and speaking grades on the skits.
HW:  None

Math~
Review day!  We reviewed unit 1 and 2 concepts today.  Test in next Tuesday.
HW:  None

Science (W)~
Today we showed what we knew by taking the chapter 1 test.
HW:  None

Thursday....

Book orders were due today!
Language Arts~  Today we finished up Percy Jackson.  I am excited to see that many kids want to read the next book and see what else happens.  We are also working on a simple script so that the kids can act out important parts of the story.  We did the questions together today.
HW:  Study for Vocab Quiz and Overall Test.

Math~  Today we worked with place value.  We did some thinking about millions, billions, and trillions.
HW:  Math boxes and Study Link 2.10  Test over unit 2 will be on Tuesday!

We met with Officer Redman for DARE.  Today we learned about making wise choices.

Wednesday....

LA~  Book orders due tomorrow!
We are getting so close to the end of the book.  Today we took our vocabulary quiz and turned in our questions.  We previewed our vocabulary for  today's chapter and read the next to the last chapter of the book.  We typed our text to world connections and then did comprehension questions for chapter 21.  Tomorrow we finish the book.
HW:  Finish the questions.

Math~
Our focus today was multiplication of whole numbers and decimals.  We talked about 3 different methods of multiplication and the kids were encouraged to pick the way that works for them. 
HW:  Pages50-53 in the journal and study link 2.8

Science (G)~
Today was show what you know day!  We took an open book test over chapter 1.
HW:  None

Tuesday.....

Language Arts~
We went to gym.  We came back to class and took our chapter 19 vocabulary quiz.  We reviewed chapter 19 questions and previewed chapter 20 vocabulary.  We read chapter 20 and then had some work time to work on the following items.
1. Add events to our timeline.
2. Update our places to know map and information.
3.  Chapter 20 comprehension questions
4.  Finish up myth writing
5.  Write poetry about the gods.
We also had vocab vine today where we learned about the Greek root cosmo.  It means world or universe.
HW:  Finish up today's work.

Book order is due on Thursday!

Math~
Today we reviewed unit one and two concepts.  We also learned about magnitude assessments and making estimates.
HW:  Pages 48 and 49 in our journal.  Study link 2.7

Science (Wood)s~

Today we concluded our chapter about the Earth and moon and how they create cycles.  Students will have an open book test on Friday. Your child may have brought home a paper that says it needed to be signed.  We went over that paper today in class. It does not need to be signed and returned.

Magical Monday

I hope everyone had a great weekend!

Language Arts~
After specials, we took our chapters 17 and 18 vocabulary quizzes.  We reviewed the answers to the comprehension questions for those chapters as well.  We previewed chapter 19 vocabulary and read about Percy's confrontation in the underworld.  We then worked on chapter 19 questions.
HW  Finish chapter 19 questions, study for quiz, copy myth onto myth paper.
Language Arts New of Note - Percy Jackson final test on Friday. (study guides went home today)
Book orders are due on Thursday!

Math~
Today we studied chance events.  We talked about probability vocabulary: certain, extremely likely, very likely, likely, 50-50 chance, unlikely, very unlikely, extremely unlikely, impossible.  We also linked these words with percentages, decimals, and fractions.
HW:  Finish pages 44-46 in journal 1 and study link 2.6
Math News of Note:  Unit 2 test will be next Tuesday.

Science (Grannan)~
Today we concluded our chapter about the Earth and moon and how they create cycles.  Students will have an open book test on Wednesday.

Friday Stuff

I hope everyone has a great weekend.

LA:  Here is what we did today in a nutshell:  PE, Vocab Quiz over16.  Turned in questions 16.  Previewed 17 and 18 vocabulary.  Read chapters 17 and 18.  Worked on questions 17 and 18.  It was a busy day
HW:  Finish up questions

Math:  Reviewed this week's concepts and had a game day.
HW:  None

Science (Woods): Today we answered the question:  How can we create a model to show how the sun's reflection causes moon phases.  We discovered that the earth's rotation is the key.  If the earth didn't rotate the moon wouldn't have phases.
HW:  None.  Open book test next Friday

Wild Wednesday

Homeroom Friends,
Our yearbook page is going to be based on the Dr. Seuss book "Oh the Places You'll Go!"  On Monday our awesome yearbook mom is going to take photos.  We would like to have each child bring in something small that represents a future goal.  For example:  If a student wants to be a photographer, they could bring a camera.  A future pitcher for the White Sox would bring a baseball.  We will be starting the pictures on Monday and finishing on Wednesday if needed.

Language Arts~
We visited our reading buddies in kindergarten, then we had a bit of a study hall so we could get caught up on writing and questions. We took chapter 13 vocabulary quiz, had a brief study session, and then took our chapter 14 quiz.  We reviewed questions and previewed chapter 15 vocabulary.  Then we practiced a great comprehension study skill.  We previewed the questions for chapter 15 and then read chapter 15.  As we came to a potential answer to a question we wrote the question number in the book.  This is a great technique for ISTEP, MAP testing, Social Studies and Science.  It helps us focus on what we are looking for.
HW:   Study for chapter 15 vocabulary quiz and finish chapter 15 questions.

Math~
Now that we have reviewed adding and subtracting, we moved on to solving story problems.  We followed a 4 step plan:  Understand, plan, do and check.
HW: Study link 2.4

Science (Grannan)~
Today we answered the question:  How can we create a model to show how the sun's reflection causes moon phases.  We discovered that the earth's rotation is the key.  If the earth didn't rotate the moon wouldn't have phases.
HW:  None

Busy, busy day

Friday is Jammie Day.  Where PJs and donate $1.00 to PTO!

Language Arts~
Today we went to PE and came back to take our vocabulary quiz over chapter 12.  The students turned in their chapter 12 worksheets.  We previewed chapter 13 and 14 vocabulary and then read the chapters.  Percy ran into some trouble in St. Louis.  We discussed what goes into writing a good newspaper article and then the students were challenged to write an article for the Greek Times explaining some event as though the gods were involved.  We learned that astr means star in vocabulary vine.
HW:  Students need to prepare for vocabulary quizzes over chapters 13 and 14 tomorrow.  They need to finish their questions and work on their newspaper articles.  Students will have about a 1/2 hour study hall tomorrow to finish up their work. 

Math~
Today we reviewed different algorithms for subtracting whole numbers and decimals. 
HW:  Study Link 2.3

Science (Woods)~
Today we discussed how binoculars and telescopes help us see things in space.  We also did a cause and effect worksheet about how rotation and revolution causes cycles.
HW:  Worksheet about binoculars and telescopes and chapter 1 share and compare sheet. 

Marvelous Monday

I hope that everyone had a great weekend! 

Language Arts~
Today we went to music and to the IMC.  We came back to class and took our vocabulary quiz over chapter 12 and the mid-book quiz over chapters 1-11.  We previewed new vocabulary and went over comprehension questions.  We read chapter 12 and learned new things about Annabeth and Grover. 
HW:  Study for vocabulary quiz.  Finish chapter 12 comprehension questions.  Complete persuasive letter to Zeus, convincing him that Percy is innocent.

Math~
Today we reviewed expanded notation and the reason for place value.  We applied these concepts in our addition of whole numbers and decimals.  We also got a Unit 1 concept review worksheet that is due on Friday.
HW:  Pages 32-34 in journal 1 and study link 2.2

Science (Grannan)~
Today we discussed how binoculars and telescopes help us see things in space.  We also did a cause and effect worksheet about how rotation and revolution causes cycles.
HW:  Worksheet about binoculars and telescopes and chapter 1 share and compare sheet.

Fall like Friday

Thank you for sharing your great kids with me.  I truly appreciate what each of the kids brings and adds to our classroom.  They make each day a pleasure!

Language Arts~
We went to PE this morning and then came back and took our vocab quiz over chapter 10.  We then went over our chapter 10 questions and previewed chapter 11 words.  We read and discussed chapter 11.  We added important events to our time line and started to document Percy, Annabeth and Grover's travels on their quest.  We plotted each point and then listed major events that happened at each point.  We did the chapter 11 questions.

HW:  Finish chapter 11 questions and study for vocabulary quiz over chapter 11.  We also have a mid-book quiz on Monday.  Be prepared!

Math~  Today we tested the unit 1 concepts.
HW:  None

Science (Woods)~
Today was a catch up day.  We discussed moon phases, eclipses, and tides and finished some work that was left over from Wednesday.
HW:  None

Have a great weekend everyone!

Glad to be back!

Hi There,
I am back at school and glad to be back. 

Something that comes up from time to time is changes in after school arrangements.  If you need to change the schedule for your student after the day starts it is okay to shoot me a message.  Please also contact the school office.  If I can't check email or I am not at school, the wonderful office ladies will make sure your child gets the message.

Language Arts~
The students went to music class today.  We came back to class and took the chapter 9 vocabulary quiz.  I collected the chapter questions and we read chapter 10.  We then made text to text connections by comparing a character in Percy Jackson with a character in another book that they have read.  We worked on chapter 10 questions.

HW:  Anything they did not get done today and study for a vocabulary quiz tomorrow.

Math~
There is a math test tomorrow.  All students brought home a review we did in class today.  They should review those concepts and be ready for the test tomorrow.  The test will cover prime numbers and factors.

HW:  Review for test.

Science (Grannan)~
Today we learned about how the movements of Earth and the moon create eclipses and tides.

HW:  Before you move on questions at the bottom of page 37

What a Day!

Friday, Picture Day, Day before a long weekend!  The kids were energized today!

Language Arts~
We went to PE this morning and came back to take our vocabulary quiz.  We discussed answering question in complete sentences with a lot of detail.  Also we talked about how important it is to answer all of the questions that are listed and not just the last question.  I collected chapter 6 questions.  We previewed chapter 7 vocabulary and picked our 5 words for Tuesday's vocab quiz.  We read and discussed chapter 7.  We did chapter 7 questions as a group and then we took a quiz to see what cabin we would be in at Camp Half-Blood.

Picture Time!  We had a little homework time and then went to our photo shoot.

Math~
No math today!  Taking our photos took a little longer than expected. 

Science (Woods)~

Today we learned about seasonal changes.  We learned that seasons are caused by Earth's tilt.  We have summer when the Northern Hemisphere receives the most direct sunlight.  We have winter when the Northern Hemisphere receives more indirect light.  We answered the Before you move on questions about this section.


I hope everyone has a safe and fun long weekend!

Thursday Already?!

Don't forget tomorrow is picture day!!

Language Arts~
We went to music this morning.  We came back to class and passed out the rest of our textbooks.  We then went over chapter 5 comprehension questions and took the chapter 5 vocabulary quiz.    We previewed chapter 6 vocabulary and read chapter 6.  Percy is learning more and more about Camp Half-Blood. 
HW:  Finish questions and study for vocabulary quiz.  Don't forget to check and sign those planners.

Math~
Our focus today was on square numbers.  Numbers that have the same have a factor you double are called square numbers.  They make square arrays.  For example 16 is a square number because you can make a 4 by 4 array of that number.  We also worked with the exponent key on our calculators today.  We did journal pages 20-22 in class.
HW:  Finish journal pages and do study link 1.7

Science~
Today we learned about seasonal changes.  We learned that seasons are caused by Earth's tilt.  We have summer when the Northern Hemisphere receives the most direct sunlight.  We have winter when the Northern Hemisphere receives more indirect light.
HW:  Answer Before You Move On questions at the bottom of page 23

What a Wednesday!

Good Afternoon,
It is hard to believe that we have been in school a week already! 

Picture day is Friday!

Language Arts~
Today we went to computer lab and then met our Kindergarten reading buddies for the first time.  We came back to the room and took our vocabulary quiz over chapter 4.  We read chapter 5 and worked on our comprehension questions.

HW:  Vocab Quiz over chapter 5.  Finish chapter 5 comprehension questions.  Remember to answer all the questions using complete sentences and lots of detail.  These questions will become part of your study guide for the end of the test.  You want to be able to study complete answers.  Do your best!

Math~
Today we learned about prime and composite numbers.  We used the divisibility short cuts we learned yesterday to decide if the digits were factors of a particular number.  We made factor strings and then if there were only 2 factors (1 and the number) we knew the number was prime.  More factors meant the number was composite.

HW:  Finish pages 16 and 17 in your journals and do Study Link 1.6.

Science (Woods)~ 
Today we learned about how planets rotate and how that affects things on earth.  Because of earth's spin, we have days and nights.  The sun and stars also appear to move.

HW:  Answer the Before you go on questions on page 15.

Today sped by.......

Wow!  It seems like today barely got started and then we were done!

Parent Information Update:  The grading scale at Northpoint looks like this 85-100% = P (proficient), 65-84% = M (Making Progress)  anything less than 65% = N (Needs Improvement).  We ask that any test or quiz that scores an N is signed by a parent and returned to school the next school day.  This is to help make sure that the not so good scores are also seen by parents and not hidden in lockers. 

Language Arts:
Today we went to gym and then had a fire drill.  So we spent some time reviewing the procedures for the various safety drills at Northpoint.  We then took a vocabulary quiz over chapter 3.  We also talked about the answers to chapter 3 comprehension questions.  We previewed the vocabulary in chapter 4 and read the chapter.  Students then worked on answering chapter 4 comprehension questions.  We then helped our new friends get caught up on vocab vine cards.

HW:  Finish comprehension questions, study for vocab quiz, and read for 20-30 minutes.

Math:
Today we reviewed math skills and multiplication facts.  We reviewed factors and divisibility.  We started to learn divisibility rules.  Ask your child how to know if a number is divisible by 2,3,6, 9, 5, and 10 without doing the division.

HW:  Finish page 14, do math boxes and study link 1.5

Science:
Today we learned about how planets rotate and how that affects things on earth.  Because of earth's spin, we have days and nights.  The sun and stars also appear to move.

HW:  Answer the Before you go on questions on page 15.

Welcome Back

It has been a great start to the school year! I've enjoyed reconnecting with old friends and meeting new friends.  I am sure that it is going to be a great year!

The blog has a couple of changes.  The one that I am most excited about is that you can now enter your email address at the blog and whenever I update the blog it will be sent directly to your email account.  Now you can catch up with what is going on in our classroom just by checking your email.  You can also now search the blog by using the search box.  Thank you Mrs. Helman (Mrs. Wood's student teacher) for the help!

Language Arts:
Today we went to music and then to the library.  We came back to the classroom and continued to read Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief.  We have all been excited to read this book that is based in Greek mythology.  We took a vocabulary quiz where the students pick the 5 words they want to learn.  We also answered questions about chapter 3 and updated our timelines.

HW:  Finish comprehension questions, study for vocabulary quiz, and read for 20-30 minutes.

Math:
Today we continued our work with factors and divisibility.  We played a game called Factor Captor.  We earn points by finding all the factors for a number.  We also talked about how factors, divisibility and rectangular arrays are all connected.

HW:  Study Link 1.4 and Math Boxes 1.4

Science:
Today we previewed the chapter "How do Earth and it's moon create cycles?"  We will be learning all about cycles in nature that are created by the rotation and revolution of earth.  We also reviewed vocabulary in the chapter. 

HW:  None

Happy Summer Vacation!

I hope everyone has a wonderful summer break!  Don't forget to read everyday.  You promised.

Scholastic sent me an email today.  They now offer ebooks.  Check it out.

See you in the fall!

Wednesday's Notes

Language Arts~
Our teachers of the day taught us many things.  We learned how to teach a little sister and how to use a compass to create art.  We learned about sketching, soccer, and the art of the bunt.  We also learned about lacrosse.  I love learning about the hidden talents of these students.  It has been amazing!

Math~
Game day today.  We worked on math skills, positive and negative numbers, and coordinate graphs.

Health~
We previewed 5th grade science today by learning a little bit about matter, atoms, and molecules.

Field Day tomorrow~
Check out Mrs. Stephan's email for a list of reminders.  Be sure to check the weather and dress accordingly. Do you remember what you told me about your lunch plans?

Tuesday's Notes

Language Arts~
Today we learned about backyard ducks, what the proper form for hitting, throwing, and fielding is in baseball and all about cheer leading.   We also learned about the different types of tack for a horse and the proper way to ride a horse.  We learned how to make an origami star and all about the oboe.  What a fun morning. 
We also collected our vocab vine boxes and continued working on standards assessments.

Math~
Most of us finished our standards assessments day.

Science~
We previewed 5th grade science by watching a video about atoms and molecules.

Have a great evening!

Last Monday of the year!

Language Arts~
Today we started our Teacher of the Day presentations.  We learned about the Arabic alphabet and all about dice stacking.  We also continued to work on 4th grade standards assessments.

Math~
We worked on 4th grade standard assessments.

Health~
We took our chapter 4 test.

Wednesday Notes

Language Arts~
Today we finished up There's a Boy in the Girl's Bathroom.  We took the final test.  We visited our reading buddies, went to vocab vine, and worked on grammar skills.
No homework!

Math~
Some students finished up their end of the year math test.  Others practiced skills on Odyssey and practiced long division.  We finished up some conversion work.
No Homework.

Health (Woods)~
We reviewed for Friday's health test.  We went over the chapter review.  It is an excellent study guide and played jeopardy.
Review for test on Friday.

Tuesday Notes

Language Arts~
Today we went to PE and then came back to class.  We reviewed grammar concepts: capitalization, punctuation, helping verbs, comparative and superlative adjectives, simple subjects, complete subjects, and complete predicates.  We shared our day 10 literature jobs.  We read the rest of the book and did our day 11 jobs.  There is a test over the book tomorrow.

Math~
We finished up our end of the year test.  A few people still need to finish up.

Health~
We talked about ways to stay healthy while preparing foods.  We started to review for next Monday's test.

Monday's Stuff

Language Arts~
Book order is due tomorrow!  I want to get it ordered with scholastic so that I am sure the book are back before summer break.
We had music and IMC.  We shared literature jobs and read chapters 39-43 in our book.  We worked on today's literature jobs and completed day 10 in our literature logs.  We will finish up the novel tomorrow. There will be a test on Wednesday.

Math~ 
We completed some assessments from last week and began working on our end of the year test.  No homework.

Health~
We talked about what we can do to be safe when we are preparing and handling foods.  Test for Mrs. Woods class on Friday. 
HW:  Complete the chapter 4 review.

Friday's News

Language Arts.  We shared our lit circle jobs from yesterday and then read chapters 36-38.  We went and visited our reading buddies and then did our lit jobs for Monday and day 9 in our lit logs.  During our vocab vine time we had a review quiz. 

Math:  We tested today over unit 12 skills.

No content today.  The Penn Robotics team came by to get the kids excited about robotic camps. We went outside for extra recess to celebrate our cafeteria stars.

Have a great weekend!

Thursday's Stuff

Check out Mrs. Wood's blog for some cool pictures from our Conner Prairie trip.  See link on the side.

Language Arts:
The last book order of the school year is coming home today.  I must have all the orders by next Tuesday.  I want to make sure that the order arrives before school is out for the summer.  Now is a great time to stock up on summer reading!

In our novel today we read chapters 32-35.  We did our literature circle jobs and wrote a letter telling someone how we felt about the book.  We also learned about prepositions and started looking for them in our book.

Math:
We reviewed for our math test tomorrow.

Health:
We learned about food labels and nutrition facts on foods.  We did the health checkup numbers 1-4.  It is homework.   But everyone had plenty of time to finish in class.

Wednesday's Work

We had a great day yesterday!  What awesome kids!

Language Arts~
Today we discussed chapters 24-27 in our groups.  We read chapters 28-31 and did our lit jobs.  We also did Day 7 in our lit logs.  We discussed what we had read.  Anything not done is homework.

Math~
We did our Unit 12 practice test. The math test has been moved to Friday.   We will go over the practice test tomorrow.  If the practice test is not finished it is homework!

Art Smart~
Thank you to all the fabulous parents who have helped us become better artists this year!  You are amazing.  Today we re-imagined the Mona Lisa.  The kids are very creative!

Monday's News

Tomorrow is the big Conner Prairie Field Trip.  Students need to be at school by 6:30.  They will need to check in with me as soon as they get here.  Buses pull out by 6:45am and will return to Northpoint at 6:00pm.  Please be sure to check the weather for Indianapolis. We think it is going to be warm (80s) and wet (rain showers).  Students will need to dress appropriately.  Also remember that students are not allowed to bring any technology with them. See my email on Friday for more details.

Language Arts:  Today we read chapters 24-27 in our novel.  Students worked on their different jobs for their literature circle.  They also worked on Day 6 of their lit log.  Any work not done is homework.  We also took some 4th grade reading assessments.

Math:  Today in math we continued to learn about unit pricing and rate problems.  Students found the unit price for super market ads.  We did journal pages 322 and 323.  Homework is Study Link 12-5.

Health: Today we reviewed how to make healthy food choices.  We also learned about food labels and the kinds of information that they give us.  Students need to do numbers1-4 on page 131.

Conner Prairie

There was an email today about the Conner Prairie trip.  The trip is this Tuesday.  :)

Wednesday? Friday? Either way it's a great day!

Today was a snow make up day.  We made up the Wednesday we missed earlier in the school year.  So even though it was a Friday, we followed a Wednesday Schedule.

Language Arts:  I read chapters 14-18 to the students.  They completed day 4 in their lit logs and did their literature circle jobs.  We went to reading buddies.  They discussed the section and then they read chapters 19-23.

Math:  Game Day!  We practiced various math skills on odyssey and study island.  (Remember you can use both of these at home.)  We also practiced adding integers, area and perimeter, and multiplication.

Health:  We talked about strategies to choose healthy snacks using the food pyramid.

Have a great weekend!

Drop, Cover and Hold-on!

Language Arts~
We had PE this morning.  We came back to class and read chapter 11 in Sign of the Beaver.  We then worked on our work.  We added 6 words to our story vocabulary.  We added 3 events to our sequence charts.  We added to our literary elements charts and wrote 1/2 page journal entry about chapter 11.  What  didn't get done in class is homework. 

We also participated in the Great American Shake-Out today.  We practiced an earthquake drill.  The things to remember are to drop - get down, cover - get under a table or desk, and hold-on - hold onto a table leg or something.  We then went outside for an evacuation drill.

Math~
Today we came up with a formula for finding the volume of a rectangular prism.  v= l x w x h.  We also reviewed geometric terms and worked on math boxes and study link 11.4.

Science (Woods)~
We reviewed for next week's ISTEP today.  We reviewed the water cycle and why we have seasons.

Busy Day

Language Arts~
Today we went to music and IMC.  We read and discussed chapters 9 and 10 from Sign of the Beaver.  We then worked on finishing up our packets for this section and we took an open book quiz over chapters 5-10.
No one should have homework if they used their class time wisely.  Otherwise they just need to finish up the packet.

Math~
Today we investigated volume and capacity.  We designed rectangular prisms and filled them with cubic centimeters to discover the volume.  Students then practiced adding integers by playing the credits/debits game.  Students reviewed concepts by working on math boxes 11.4.  They have a liquid measurement writing assignment due tomorrow.   They also have a problem solving worksheet that is due Thursday.

Science~
Today our focus was on the different forces that affect our physical world.  We read pages 268-283 in our ScienceSaurus and did a true and false activity on those pages.  If students did not complete the assignment it is homework.

Busy Day

Language Arts~
We went to PE and then reviewed 4th grade grammar skills.  We had MAP testing today.  Everyone took their time.  Way to go, kids!  We came back and had DEAR time during Vocab Vine.  Tomorrow we are going to play a game to review Greek and Latin Roots.

Math~
Today we went over weight measurements.  We talked about the metric system and about standard measurements for weights.  Look for different weight measurements around your house.  How do they compare? 
HW:  Math boxes and study links 11.1

Grannan Science~
Today we reviewed for ISTEP.  We talked about different forms of energy and most especially hit energy.
HW:  Finish the worksheet on energy.  Use ScienceSaurus pages 284-294 to help.

Welcome Back!

I hope everyone had a refreshing spring break.  It was great to see everyone this morning!  The rest of the year is going to fly by!

Language Arts~
Today we had our morning specials.  We then started our novel study.  We are reading The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare.  It is historical fiction about a boy who has to live on his own in the Maine wilderness.  Today we passed out novel study papers and books and then started reading chapters 1 & 2.

HW:  The good news is that there will not be regular weekly homework.  Students will still have things they need to finish.  Today students will need to share a job list with their parents and talk about what it would take to live on their own.  Students will also need to add new entries to their figurative language charts.

Math~
We pretested the skills we will be covering in units 11 and 12 today.  The pretest will not be entered into the grade book.  It will however help me plan appropriate instruction.

HW: None

Science (Woods)~
ISTEP will be here quickly.  We spent the day reviewing concepts about energy.  Specifically, heat energy.  Students will need to finish the worksheet for homework if they did not get that done in class.

APRIL MAP AND ISTEP TESTING SCHEDULE

Here is the testing schedule for each of my classes.

MAP Reading - Tuesday, April 12 9:15-10:25
MAP Math - Wednesday, April 20th 10:30-11:45

ISTEP Math-Tuesday, April 26th 9:00-9:40 and 10:00-10:40
ISTEP LA - Wednesday, April 27th 9:40-10:30 and 10:45-11:30
ISTEP Science - Thursday, April 28th 8:55-9:30 and 9:45-10:20

You can help us by making sure the students are at school and well rested and well fed.  They may bring mint gum to chew during ISTEP.  Healthy snacks are encouraged.

Totally Tuesday

Language Arts~
We had PE and then came back to the classroom for spelling and grammar.  The spelling skill focused on accented syllables.  The kids found it a bit tough to figure it out.  Grammar today focused on superlative and comparative adjectives.  Next we read the story and talked about fact and opinions.  Our vocabulary this week includes period, vessels, valuable, documenting and estimated.  We also worked on published books. 
Our RIT words for the week:
Brochure-a booklet or pamphlet that contains descriptive information or advertising.
Third Person - A narrator who is outside the action and refers to characters as he or she.
Antithesis - exact opposite
Omniscient - all-knowing.
Field Guide - a book with pictures and information to help you identify items.

Math~
We reviewed unit 10 concepts for tomorrow's math test.  All children should have a completed review sheet.  The test will cover these same items. 

Science~
We graded morning work and then played electricity and magnetism jeopardy to review for Thursday's test.  Here is that website if you want to play at home:  http://jeopardylabs.com/play/electricity-and-magnetism34

Monday's News

Today went by very fast!
LA:
Music
IMC
Spelling Pretest
Unit 5 reading test
Work on published books.
HW:

Math:
Today we reviewed equivalent decimals, percents and fractions, adding and subtracting fractions, and how to figure out where to put the decimal in a multiplication and division problems.  We also talked about adding integers. 
Hints: If the signs are the same add the numbers and keep the same sign.
If the signs are different, subtract and take the sign of the bigger number.
HW: Math boxes and Study Link 10.6
Tomorrow we will review for the test on Wednesday.  :)

Science:
Today we learned that the more winds on the core of an electromagnet the stronger the magnet will become.  We also reviewed for Wednesday's science test.  Don't forget to review the study guide.  Also you can check out http://jeopardylabs.com/play/electricity-and-magnetism34  to play a jeopardy review game.

Marvelous Monday

Original Works of Art - Money or the magnet needs to be returned by Wednesday!

LA~
What a busy day!  We went to music and IMC.  We had a code blue drill and a shelter in place drill.  We took our spelling test and learned about when to use better and best.  We introduced our vocabulary words: descendants, sanctuary, glistening, threatened, coaxing, fragile and habitat.  We talked about cause and effect relationships and listened to the story, "Wild Horses."

Rit Words~
nonfiction - a informational or true piece of writing.
fiction - a made up piece of writing
footnote - a note at the bottom of a page that gives more information.
excerpt - a shortened piece of a longer work.
drama - a serious story.

HW: Weekly homework packet - Due Friday.

Math~
We continued using a reflection mirror to learn about the concepts of reflection and congruent figures. 
HW:  Math boxes and study link 10.3

Science~
Today we combined concepts from magnetism and electricity to make and electromagnet.  We will continue this investigation on Wednesday.

Totally Tuesday

Have you checked out the book fair?  There are some great books in the library for sale.

Thursday is Go Green day.  Stars in Service is raising money for the river otter exhibit at the zoo.  Students can pay $1 per item and be able to wear green pajamas and hats, chew green gum, or bring green stuffed animals.  Remember no hair dye.  

Language Arts~
We went to PE.  We worked on skills this morning.  We sorted spelling words by how we spelled the er sound.  We then worked on superlative and comparative adjectives.  When do you use more and most?  We continued working on our poetry books and also read the story together and focused on what we know about the characters an how we know it.  Don't forget the RIT quiz on Thursday!

Math~
Test day.  We showed all we knew about decimals, percents and fractions!  We problem solved and reviewed parenthesis and perimeter.  We also previewed reflections and symmetry.  


Science~
Today we figured out what would make a better string of lights.  A series or parallel circuit?

Monday Stuff

I hope everyone had a great weekend.
Language Arts~
Music and then IMC this morning.  That means the kids were the 2nd class to go into the book fair.  I'm sure that they made a wish list.   The book fair is open Monday through Wednesday until 5. It will be open during Galaxy Gallery and on Friday.

We came back to class and took our spelling pretest.  We discussed our story vocabulary (skyscrapers, collage, barbecue, glorious, strutting, flicked and swarms) and vocabulary skill:  looking for a context clues in the descriptions of things.  We also discussed the comprehension skill of thinking about the characters.  We learn about characters by what they do and say.  We listened to the story:  "Me and Uncle Romie."

Our RIT words for the week include....
plot - the sequence of events in a story.
contrast - looking at the differences between two objects or ideas
metonymy - a type of metaphor in which something closely associated with a subject is substituted for it.  For example using the silver screen to refer to movies, the White House to refer to the president and the crown to stand for a king or queen.
job Announcement - written statements describing duties and responsibilities of a position.
editorial - an article giving opinions or perspectives.

There will be RIT word test on Thursday.  It will cover last week's worksheet, last week's words and this week's words.  Don't forget to study.

There is homework this week.

Math~

Today we reviewed for tomorrow's test.  The key concepts include that fractions, decimals, and percents can equal each other.  Percent means parts of 100.  You find a percent by either dividing the numerator by the denominator or by making an equivalent fraction with the denominator being 100.  Area and perimeter will be reviewed on the test.  Using parenthesis in math problems will also be reviewed.  No homework.

Science~

Today we reviewed last week's morning work about simple machines.  We also read about Thomas Edison and Louis Latimer.  No homework.

Thursday, 3/17 "Go Green Day"

Our school is raising money for the river otter exhibit at Potawatomi Zoo. Students who wish to participate can do so for a $1.00 donation. Here are some things students could wear/do for $1.00 (each):

1. wear green pajamas 

2. wear a green hat

3. wear green slippers 

4. wear a green wig

5. chew green gum 

6 . bring a green stuffed animal

7. bring a green pillow pet

**NOTE: green clothing that is normally allowed to be worn to school does not require a $1.00 donation (but feel free to donate!)

Marching through Monday

Welcome back to school!  I hope everyone enjoyed their weekends.

LA~
Today we had music and IMC.  We came back to class and took our spelling pretest and went over our grammar skill (articles: a, an , the).  We reviewed our vocabulary: selfish, bumbling, cranky, commotion, exasperated, specialty and famished.  Our vocabulary skill is antonyms.  Our comprehension skill for the week is evaluating what we read by making judgments.   Are the characters people you would like to be friends with?  Why or why not? 

HW:  We DO have weekly homework this week!
Our RIT words:
Memoir - a written account of events one has lived through; a limited autobiography
Moral - concerned with the principles of right and wrong rather than law or custom
Multi syllabic - Words with more than one syllable
Myth - an anonymous, traditional story that explains a natural phenonmenon, an aspect of human behavior, or a mysteroy of the universe.
Manual - a book that helps its readers to understand or use something.

Math~
Today we worked on population maps.  We used percentages to compare the different populations of Asia and Australia.  We also reviewed probability.
HW:  Finish p. 265, do pages 263 and 266.  Do study link 9.7 

Test alert:  There will be a test over unit 9 next Tuesday!

Science (Grannan)~
We reviewed series circuits and learned about parallel circuits.
HW:  Finish response sheet - circuit design.

It's Here!

The first part of ISTEP is here and we are ready to show what we know!  There will be no homework this week because of the testing.

Make sure you get plenty of rest tonight and eat a healthy breakfast with protein tomorrow.  All students are encouraged to bring a healthy snack and mint gum.

Language Arts~
Today we had specials and then Mrs. Stephan met with us to talk about ISTEP. We then did an art project and worked on grammar.

Math~
Today we worked on using a calculator to convert decimals and fractions to percents. 

Science~
We went over last week's morning work and Bill Nye taught us more about electrical current.

Ther

Tuesday

I hope everyone enjoyed their long weekend.

Language Arts~
We got right back into the swing of things today.  After gym, we came back and took our unit 4 reading test.  Look for those to come home tomorrow.  We then took a spelling pretest.  We listened to our story, "Because of Winn-Dixie."  We talked a little bit about adjectives.

HW:  Musical instruments are due on Friday.  Book orders are due tomorrow.  Don't forget to read for the I Love to Read Challenge.  We got our 500,000 minute reward today.

Math~ 
We started learning about percents.  We learned that percents mean part of 100.  We used 10 by 10 grids to help us visualize the percent. We also did some problem solving work. 

HW:  Math boxes  and study link 9.1.

Science (Woods)
We reviewed for ISTEP today. No homework.

Tuesday...

Language Arts~
Today we went to gym.  We came back to the classroom and completed a spelling page.  We reviewed those tricky homophones: its, it's, your, you're, there, their, and they're.  We reviewed vocabulary and compare and contrast and then read the story.  We went to vocabulary vine and learned about onym (word, name) and started to learn about pseudo (false).  We also generated ideas for a compare and contrast essay.
HW:  Homework continues to be Read, read, read!  Don't forget about the family homework that is due on February 25th.  Each student with the help of their family needs to make a musical instrument.  Just use items around the house. These instruments will be used in a rhythm band to celebrate reading 1,000,000 minutes.

Math~
Today we learned about figuring out the area of a triangle.  We discovered that the area of a triangle is always 1/2 the area of a parallelogram with the same base and height.  We also had plenty of work to do.  We did pages 240-244 in our journal and study link 8.7.  We also had a packet of review papers for area of rectangles and parallelograms.  The packet is due on Friday.
Some helpful hints:
Area of a rectangle or parallelogram: Area = base X height
Area of a triangle:  Area =1/2 (base X height)
Perimeter:  Add all the sides.

Science~
Today we reviewed the science morning work.  It was all about electricity. We learned how toasters, digital clocks and electric cars work.

Magical Monday!

I hope everyone is having a great day!
LA~
Today we went to music and library.  We came back to class and took our spelling pretest.  We also reviewed possessive pronouns and added contractions in grammar.  This week's skill is one that the students struggle to master.  What is the difference between it's and its, your and  you're, their and they're.  We previewed this week's vocabulary: coral, reef, partnership, current, eventually, brittle and suburbs.  We also used a venn diagram to compare and contrast the different types of coral.  We listened to our story.
HW:  Our homework all week long is to READ, READ, READ!.  The students really stepped up to the plate last week with their reading.  We read almost 1800 more minutes this week!  Way to go!

Math~
Today we continued to learn about area.  Our focus today was to figure out the area of parallelograms.  A parallelogram is a shape that has two sets of opposite parallel sides.  To find its area you multiply the base times the height. 
HW:  Finish page 238 and math boxes 2.6.  Do study link 8.6.  Don't forget the parent signature.

Science (Woods)~
Today was an assessment day.  We had to construct a complete circuit and then use that circuit to find some mystery wires.
HW:  None!

Greetings....

I hope everyone is keeping warm. 

We switched things up today because of the delay.
Language Arts~
Today we took our grammar test over possessive pronouns.  We also did a practice writing prompt to prepare for ISTEP.  We learned about the Greek/Latin root Port in vocab vine.

Things to remember for tomorrow-
* Reading calendars are due.  Students need to have read 150 minutes beginning last Sunday to qualify for the no homework pass next week.
*Tomorrow is the last day to buy gum grams.
*We are having a read-in.  Feel free to bring pillows, stuffed animals, blankets etc.....
*Tomorrow is blue day.  Wear blue!

Math~
Today we learned the formula for finding the area of a rectangle. LXW=A  or BXH=A.  The grid page, math boxes 8.5 and study link 8.5 are homework.

Monday's News and Notes.....

I hope everyone enjoyed their weekend!
Language Arts~
We had a very busy day today!  We started off in music and in the library.  Then we came back to the classroom and took our spelling pretest.  The students protested that there would be no homework.  That doesn't mean that there are no assessments.  We will still have a spelling test and the weekly assessments on Friday.  We reviewed possessive pronouns.  Our story this week is called "Adelina's Whales."  Our vocabulary includes rumbling, snoring, unique, dove, massive, tangles, and politicians.  Our vocabulary skill is homographs.  Our comprehension skill is sequencing.

The I Love to Read Challenge continues this week.  Remember that no homework will be assigned as long as students are reading at least 30 minutes a night this includes weekends.  So for no homework to be assigned next week students are expected to read at least 150 minutes this week (Sunday - Thursday).  We will be collecting the calendars on Friday.

Math~
We began unit 8 today.  Today we started talking about perimeter.  Study link 8.1 and math boxes 8.1 were assigned for homework.

Science~
Today we continued our investigation of electricity.  We learned about conductors and insulators and used an open circuit to detect for these objects in the classroom.  We learned that most conductors are metals and that the way we can tell is if the metal object closes the circuit and lets the electricity flow.  We also learned that metal that is covered with something acts like an insulator.  No homework.

Vote NOW in the I Love to Read Challenge

I hope everyone enjoyed their snow day!  Tomorrow is our chance to be the school of the day for the I Love to Read Challenge!  Voting is now open at WSBT.com.  You may vote from right now to 7:00 tomorrow morning.  Help spread the word to other Northpoint families!!! 

Language Artds all day today!

We had a very interesting day today. We had language arts all day long today.  First we went to PE.  After that, we came back to the classroom we listened to the rest of the science projects.  Then we went to the gym to a Jim Valley workshop.  We came back to class and had some DEAR time.  We went to lunch and recess.  Then went back to the gym for a Jim Valley concert. 

If tomorrow is a snow day, don't forget to READ, READ, READ!!!!

Marvelous Monday

We had a great day!
Language Arts~  No homework or spelling this week!  We went to music and library this morning.  Then we came back to class and worked on editing sentences.  Then we jumped into hearing science expo presentations.  We made it through about 12 today and will continue tomorrow.  I love to Read information came home today.  The challenge starts tomorrow.  Prepare to read!  As long as students read an acceptable amount of minutes they won't have homework through the month of February.  So start reading!

Math~ Today we reviewed multiplication and division.  Some students may need to finish a worksheet.  It will be due on Thursday!

Science~We reviewed what makes a light bulb light.  Students had to predict which diagrams would light.  Then they tested the diagrams.  Finally they completed a response sheet about a simple circuit.  No homework.

Wild Wednesday

Okay - It wasn't so wild.... 

Language Arts~  We reviewed pronouns and used them in contractions.  We used our spelling words in sentences and did a quick proofreading activity with them.  We read our story with a friend.  We also visited reading buddies and typed a poem for our published books.  We also discussed the I Love to Read challenge that is coming up in February!
Keep working on weekly work.

Math~ We reviewed fraction and probability concepts for our test tomorrow. We will also revisit multiplication, division, and coordinate grids on the test.  Students should have the review we completed in class today in their folders.

Science~ Today we continued our exploration of electricity.  A motor was our electrical receiver today.  We also added in using a switch to open (off) and close (on) the circuit.  We discussed schematic drawings as well.  There will be writing assignment on electricity on Friday.

Totally Tuesday

SCIENCE EXPO IS DUE ON MONDAY, JANUARY 31ST.  Remember that I am grading the "My Science Journal"  portion for science.  Presentations are being graded by language arts teachers.  Feel free to send in the board and journal this week if you want to get it out of your house.

Language Arts~
We are reading a non-fiction article this week, "The Power of Oil."  It is a persuasive article that helps persuade people to use less oil.  Our vocabulary is electrical, globe, fuels, and decayed.  Our comprehension focuses on fact and opinion and persuasion.  Our RIT words are refrain, quip, style, suspense, and quote.  Weekly homework was assigned yesterday and will be due on Friday.

Math~
Today we continued our exploration of probability.  Homework is study link 7.12  Math test will be on Thursday! 

Science~
Today we challenged ourselves to light a light bulb using a D-Cell.  We began to learn about electricity and how it works.  No homework.

Wow Wednesday

We had a great day!!
Language Arts~
We started out our day in the computer lab on Odyssey.  This was the first time that we had been able to use the computer for a while so it was fun.  We came back to class and reviewed future tense verbs and discussed object, subject, and reflexive pronouns in grammar.  We sorted our spelling words by ending.  We visited with our reading buddies.  We partner read The Blind Hunter and had a marathon writing session.  We also had vocab vine.  Our root for the day was dict and it means speak or say.

Math~
Today we compared and ordered fractions.  We talked about how if the numerator of the fractions are the same then the smaller the denominator the smaller the fraction.  We also discussed if the denominator of the fractions are the same then the larger the numerator the larger the fraction.  HW: math boxes and studly link 7.8


Science (Woods)~
We had two focuses today.  1.  How can we measure the force of two magnets?  2.  How can we prove that the force of attraction between two magnets decreases as the distance between the magnet increases?  We set up a balance and counted the number of washers it took to pull two magnets apart. Eventually we used spacers to add distance between the magnets.  We discovered that as the number of spacers increased, the number of washers it took to break the force decreased.   No homework.

January 18, 2011

LanguageArts~
First the good news (at least according to the kids), due to the shortened week, we will not have weekly homework this week.  We will still have a spelling test on Friday.  All students should have a list in their folders.
This week we are reading the story "The Blind Hunter."  Our vocabulary focus is on word families - words that share the same base word. Cautiously, faint, disguised, crisscrossed, wisdom, fade and jealousy are our vocabulary words.  Our comprehension skill is drawing conclusions.  You can help us learn this skill by discussing what the author is not telling us. 
Today we went to gym.  Then we took our spelling pretest.  The list is hard this week.  Please spend 10 minutes a night reviewing words.  We talked about pronouns.  Today we discussed 3 different types of pronouns: subject, object and reflexive.  Grammar test will be on Thursday.  We previewed comprehension and vocabulary for the story.  We listened to the story on CD.   We also did a 10 minute marathon writing session.  We had vocabulary vine today.  We learned that pre means before or in front of.

Math~
Today we reviewed making equivalent fractions.  We also worked on turning simple fractions into decimals.  Today's homework is math boxes and study link 7.8 and anything that didn't get done in class.

Science (Grannan)~
We had two focuses today.  1.  How can we measure the force of two magnets?  2.  How can we proof that the force of attraction between two magnets decreases as the distance between the magnet increases?  We set up a balance and counted the number of washers it took to pull two magnets apart. Eventually we used spacers to add distance between the magnets.  We discovered that as the number of spacers increased, the number of washers it took to break the force decreased.   No homework.