"Stocking Stuffers"

Dear Parents,
Can you believe that we have less than three weeks until we're out for our winter break?  We need your help to make the holidays special for your child and his/her classmates.   
   
For our Holiday Party on Wednesday, December 16 at 12:30, we will NOT be exchanging gifts among the students, but rather each child has made a bag for "stocking stuffers."  Below are some suggestions for gifts that you may want to send for the bags.  (Please send in all treats by 12/16.)  Sending gifts is totally voluntary- each child will receive a gift bag and a small gift from me.  If you would prefer to send in only girls' trinkets or only boys' treats, that is okay, but please be sure to send in the correct number.  Of course we would love it if you can send in something for everyone.  Thank you!  We currently have 24 students: 8 girls and 16 boys.
   
If you can help for our party, please return the bottom portion to indicate how.  We would like to serve "finger foods" and drinks.  Thanks for helping to make this a joyous season!                

Gift Bag Suggestions: These are a few SUGGESTIONS only; if you have an idea of your own, please feel free to send it after Thanksgiving!  We have 26 students: 14 girls and 12 boys in our class.
Pencils               cap erasers
Highlighters        Puzzles            Nail files        Dental Floss
Books            Barrettes            Baseballs        Mini shampoos
Cards            Nail Polish        Erasers        Deodorant
Colored Pens        Small Cars        Candy        Diaries
Colored Pencils        Chapstick        Notepads        Mini Ornaments   
Toothbrushes        Key Chain        Bracelets        Silly Putty   
Lip Gloss        Pencils            Gum
Mini Staplers        Bouncy Balls        Bubbles

11/30

Finish math WB p. 91 (even; show your model!) and p. 92.

Write spelling in ABC order in agenda.

Begin working on IRA (Author's Craft) due NO LATER THAN FRIDAY.

Folktales: The Golden Mare, the Firebird, and the Magic Ring

We discussed the information on this website about the history of folk tales in class today.  This week, we'll be reading an interesting Russian folk tale called "The Golden Mare, the Firebird, and the Magic Ring."

Spelling/Vocabulary 6.1: The Golden Mare, the Firebird, and the Magic Ring

Greek Roots: Based on your spelling list and prior knowledge, what do you think each root means?  Fill in the blanks in pencil!  We will check your predictions Tuesday.

astr/aster = ________________________     photo = ________________________

tele = ________________________              phon =________________________

mech = ________________________           myth = ________________________

Spelling choice is due Thursday.  (Categories would be a great choice.)

1.     myth

2.     telescope

3.     astronomer

4.     homophone

5.     automatic

6.     telegraph

7.     disaster

8.     autograph

9.     mechanic

10.  telephoto

11.  astronaut

12.  telephone

13.  mythical

14.  phonics

15.  television

16.  photograph

17.  automobile

18.  photography

19.  telegram

20.  mechanical

*photogenic

Vocabulary choice is due Thursday.  (One of the best ways to study for your test on Friday is to be able to use these words in sentences!  That would make a great choice this week.)

1.     dismiss: to take away the job of, fire

2.     intentions: plans to act in a certain way; purposes

3.     despair: complete loss of hope

4.     bridle: the part of a horse’s or donkey’s harness that fits over the head and is used to guide or control the animal

5.     descended: moved from a higher place to a lower one

6.     accompany: to go together with

7.     delicacies: rare or excellent food

8.     consented: gave permission or agreed to

9.     glower: to stare angrily; to glare; to scowl

10.  bellow: to yell

IRA: Author's Craft

            Look for at minimum a sentence and better yet a passage that really impresses you with how the author writes.  Was it their word choice?  How they slowed down a moment?  Their “show don't tell” technique?  NO LATER THAN Friday, be prepared to share your author's cool craft with the class.  You need to turn in a copy of this author's craft with the passage highlighted (or feel free to hand copy the passage and include the page number).  Write down what struck you about this particular part.

Grammar Focus: Adverbs

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to you and all our little turkeys!  I hope that you have a safe and blessed holiday.  Thank you for entrusting your precious children to my care.  They are a blessing!

11/23

Thank you very much to Mrs. Pandolph, Mrs. Ortiz, and Mr. Hussion for helping with our craft day today!  I think it was a huge success, and I literally could not have done it without our volunteers.

Tomorrow is a regular (full) day.  Some have asked about it being a half day, but we are scheduled to go the entire day.  Have a blessed and happy Thanksgiving break Wed.-Sun.

HW:
Math WB p. 90
Finish Turkey writing if you haven't already.

*Thanksgiving fun sheets/extra credit
 

11/18

Finish spelling choices if required.  (No vocab choices were required this week!!!)
Also, finish SS WB p. 32-33.

Don't forget tomorrow's CHAMPS graduation @ 9:30 in the Fine Arts Center.  Our students will be sitting on the sides of the theater.  Parents and guests are invited to sit in the center section.  Thanks!  We are asking students to wear jeans and sneakers.  They will put on their camouflage CHAMPS shirts at school in the morning.

Here's an announcement from the Middle School that you and your family might enjoy.
The UCMS Theatre Arts department will be presenting Channel Surfin' on Friday, November 20 at 6:30pm at the Fine Arts Center.  Channel Surfin' is a live action performance that will take the audience through an evening of watching television; flipping channels between commercials, talk shows, and TV programs. Faculty, staff, and students will be FREE.  

11/17

If you forgot to send in your cookie dough orders, please send them tomorrow.  We cannot accept them after 8:30 AM Wednesday.

MILESTONES SCORES from last year's 4th grade EOG are going home today.  (They are yours to keep.)  Attending the parent meeting @ UCMS tonight @ 6 PM will help you interpret your child's results.  I would also be happy to sit down with you to discuss your child's scores and their progress so far.

Speaking of progress, PROGRESS REPORTS go home today.  Please sign and return!

CHAMPS GRADUATION is Thursday at 9:30 AM @ the Fine Arts Center (@ UCHS).

We went over all of the questions on the Mod 7 math quiz.  I will be offering a retest on Friday to anyone who wants to retake.

HW:
*If you didn't turn in your SS p. 31 paragraph (last night's homework), then be sure to finish it and turn in tomorrow.  The 0 will go away when it is turned in and is accurate!
Continue to work on AM as needed.
If you haven't turned in "A Day I'll Never Forget," finish your neat and clean final copy.
Study spelling and vocabulary.

11/16

Mark your calendars!  UCMS is hosting a parent information meeting tomorrow night about the Milestones test results at 6 PM for parents of students in grades 4-9 (who took the Milestones last year in grades 3-8).  Our CHAMPS graduation is Thursday at 9:30 in the Fine Arts Center.

Finish writing about why the U.S. entered WWI (see SS WB p. 31).

Write spelling words in ABC order.

Do you need to work on AM?  This week's goal is 58 objectives.  Progress reports go home tomorrow.  (The AM objective goal for progress reports is 50, so if you have 47 now, your grade would be 94.)

This Week's ELA: Rascal Week 4

As always: 

Spelling ABC order Monday night.

Spelling and/or vocabulary choices due by Thurs. if you made less than 90% on last week's test.

 

Spelling Suffixes –ant, -able                                    

1.     defendant

2.     immigrant

3.     irritant

4.     assistant

5.     brilliant 

6.     compliant

7.     extravagant

8.     ignorant

9.     desirable

10. excitable

11. breakable

12. notable

13. tolerable

14. adaptable

15. allowable 

16. comfortable

17. distinguishable

18. preferable

19. your

20. you’re

Rascal Vocabulary Week 4

1.  glower                        2.  vengeance                   3.  reprieve                    4.  oblivious

5.  contemplative            6.  radiance                      7.  serenade                   8.  inflict

This Week’s IRA:  Figurative Language Hunt

            Find, copy, and label examples of at least 3 different types of figurative language: simile, metaphor, personification, hyperbole, idiomatic expression, onomatopoeia, and/or alliteration.  Please include the book title and page number of the quotation!

11/12

Please be aware that you may order your child's yearbook online using the link from our school website.

Check out this quick physical and chemical reactions video.  You might also enjoy this fun "elephant toothpaste" chemical reaction!

Finish math WB p. 81 & 82.
Finish CHAMPS essay!
Study for ch. 3 science, spelling, & vocabulary tests.

11/11

Happy Veterans Day to all of our veterans!

Finish spelling and/or vocabulary choices if you're required to do them this week.

Study for Friday's ch. 3 science test!

Snow Cones for STEM tomorrow ($1)

Due Fri.: Math WB p. 81 (2 in each row) & p. 82.
CHAMPS essays (required for graduation)

Don't forget that CHAMPS Graduation is Thurs. 11/19 @ 9:30 at the Fine Arts Center.  Go through the guard gate at the high school, and then follow the signs to the FAC.

11/10

Today was our Veterans program in the stadium involving grades 2-12.  Our boys and girls were very respectful and well behaved during this moving ceremony honoring those who served.  Here's a quick video about Veterans Day from PBS.

Finish science WB p. 50-55 if you haven't already.

Please try to get caught up in AM if you don't have at least 50 objectives (goal is 55 this week).

Sign & return signed papers.

Work on CHAMPS essay (due Fri.) and spelling/vocabulary choices if you have them (less than 90% on respective test last week). 

Study for the Ch. 3 science test Fri.

Snow cones for STEM are Thurs. ($1).

We need brown paper grocery bags (one per student) for an upcoming in-class project on 11/23 (our craft morning).  Please ask for paper instead of plastic the next time you're at the store and send in a bag or two.  Thank you!

Paper Grocery Bags

We need brown paper grocery bags (one per student) for an upcoming in-class project on 11/23 (our craft morning).  Please ask for paper instead of plastic the next time you're at the store and send in a bag or two.  Thank you!

This Week's ELA: Pre & Homophones

Spelling and Vocabulary Lists: Prefix “pre” and Common Homophones

Spelling – Words with the prefix “pre” (1-10) and frequently misspelled words (11-20).

*Monday – Write spelling words in your agenda in ABC order – due Tuesday

*Complete a vocabulary choice (due Thurs.) if you made less than 90% on last week’s test.

1.    preapprove                    11. where+

2.    precaution                     12. wear

3.    preview                         13. two

4.    prevent                          14. to

5.    precede                         15. too

6.    prefix                            16. their

7.    prejudge                        17. there

8.    prepay                           18. they’re (they are)

9.    we’re+                          19. its

10. were+                          20. it’s (it is)

+These three are NOT homophones but often get confused.

Vocabulary List

*Write a fabulous 5^th grade sentence with the even OR the odd numbered vocabulary words (due Wednesday).

*Complete a vocabulary choice (due Thurs.) if you made less than 90% on last week’s vocabulary test.

*Study your vocabulary words and definitions nightly – Tuesday – Thursday!

1.    preapprove – to authorize or give permission in advance

2.    precaution – a measure taken in advance to prevent harm

3.    preview – to look at or see something before something or someone else

4.    prevent – to stop something from happening before it occurs

5.    precede – to come before something else in time, order, or rank

6.    prefix – a syllable or word that comes before a root word to change its meaning

7.    prejudge – to make a decision before you have all the facts

8.    prepay – to pay for something before it needs to be paid in full

9.    pretest – a test before the real test, usually given to see what is already known

10.predict – to say what will happen before it occurs.

CHAMPS essays are due no later than Friday!  You must complete the essay to be eligible for graduation.  Write a five-paragraph essay about what you have learned in CHAMPS.  Include your promise to follow the CHAMPS purpose and motto to make healthy choices.

11/5

T-shirt orders are due tomorrow.

CHAMPS essays are due by 11/13, and are required for CHAMPS Graduation.  (Graduation will be 11/19 @ 9:30 in the Fine Arts Center.  All family and friends are invited to attend!)

Finish IRA (Character & Me Venn diagram and comparison essay).

Study SS Ch. 6, spelling, and vocabulary for tomorrow's tests.

Panama Canal Links

Today we watched the first video about the Panama Canal, and you might be interested in the other videos that Andrew Y. found to share.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTIndhU8-DA

http://www.klru.org/episode/american-experience/the-panama-canal/

http://www.thirteen.org/programs/the-roosevelts-an-intimate-history/education-clip-theodore-roosevelt-and-the-panama-canal/

http://www.c-span.org/video/?320794-1/panama-canal-construction

Science Brainpop

1.  States of Matter

2.  Matter Changing States

11/4

Finish math WB p. 71 (2 in each row) and p. 72.

Finish spelling and vocabulary choices if you had to do them.

Strange Matter Website

Strange Matter is a fun interactive website that correlates well with our physical science unit!

11/3

Work on math WB p. 71 (2 in each row) and p. 72.

Did you finish your science workbook (p. 42-47)?

Are you ready for your social studies presentation?

Please scroll down for the November newsletter.  Thank you!

November Newsletter

Because of our paper shortage, we are not allowed to send home a paper version of our class newsletters, but we are able to post them electronically.  Click HERE for a PDF of our class November newsletter.

There some additions:

1. We have ONE chaperone spot left for the big trip on 5/17.  If you're interested, please send in your deposit ($35) on a first come, first serve basis. 
2. On 11/17, there will be a parent meeting about the GA Milestones test and student score reports.  A flyer is going home today about it. 
3. Cookie dough orders are due by 11/17.  Thank you for your help!

Veterans Wall of Fame

We are creating a Veterans Wall of Fame in the downstairs hall, and we encourage students to bring in a picture of a veteran they know (if they would like).  Please include the name of the veteran, the branch of service, and time or war of service if known.  Please also include the student's name and our class code HD5 so that pictures can be returned at the end of the month.  Thank you!

11/2

Finish sci WB ch. 3, lesson 2 (p. 42-47) if you didn't finish in class today.

Be ready for your social studies presentations (Tues. & Wed.)!

Write spelling in ABC order in agenda.

Work on IRA: Character & Me

*Spelling and/or vocabulary choices are due Thursday IF you made below 90% on either (or both) tests.

School spirit t-shirt orders are due by Fri.

Spelling & Vocabulary for Rascal, Week 3

Spelling: Commonly Misspelled Words

1.     a lot

2.     because

3.     friend

4.     loose

5.     lose

6.     different

7.     quiet

8.     describe

9.     already

10. remember

11. doesn’t

12. similar

13. probably

14. instead

15. library

16. fourth

17. forty

18. ninety

19. women

20. surprise

Vocabulary:

1.  affluent:  (adj.) having plenty of money and the things money can buy

2.  armistice: (n.) a pause in fighting brought about by an agreement between the two sides

3.  decipher: (v.) to make out the meaning; decode

4.  nostalgic: (adj.) longing for something in the past

5.  raucous: (adj.) being harsh and unpleasant; behaving in a rough and noisy way

6.  tormentor: (n.)  someone who causes suffering, worry, distress, or trouble

7.  tyranny: (n.) harsh, cruel and severe government

8.  vociferous: (adj.) making a loud, noisy outcry

IRA Compare & Contrast: Character & You (due Friday)

            Create a Venn diagram to compare and contrast a character in your book to yourself.  In what ways are you alike?  How are you different from each other?  Consider including how you would react to events in the story compared to how the character actually reacts.
            Using the information from your Venn diagram, write a paragraph (or more) to compare and contrast the character and you.