12/17

AM if you didn't scan today!

*Study for SS WWII test and for your language arts unit 3 test tomorrow.

Finish nonfiction genre report if you haven't already!  Be ready to quiz on your book also if you haven't already.

Sumdog

Sumdog is a free math website offering online games for all skill levels.  Try it out and let me know what you think!  (You can find this link in the math tab, above.)

Computer Lab 12/17

If you haven't finished the Gizmos Toy Factory and Modeling Fractions assessments, then you must do so today.  Also, finish any other gizmos assessments that your teacher told you to finish.

Then, it's time for some Brainpop review!  Take the following (graded) quizzes.  You may want to watch the movies first!

Science: Electricity:
   *Static Electricity
   *Circuits
   *Electromagnets

Social Studies: World History:
   *World War II Causes

English: Grammar:
   *Roots, Prefixes, Suffixes

Math: Numbers & Operations:
   *Fractions
   *Mixed Numbers

Science & English Extra Credit Combo

Today in 4-H, students wrote a story about being a water molecule and all the adventures they had (based on their 4-H lesson).  If they would like to polish up their story and include the 3 states of matter (solid, liquid, and gas), then they can earn extra credit is science and English.  This story is due no later than Wednesday!

12/12

Happy 12/12/12!  Your child made a list of twelve "fun facts" about him or herself on this day in history.  I hope that it will make a nice souvenir.

Work on AM if you need to catch up!

Finish sci. WB p. 96-101.

Finish sp/vocab choices (if you had to do them).

*Nonfiction genre project due by Tues. 12/18.

Brighten the Holidays Writing Activity

The Children's Hospital of Atlanta has a very special online writing campaign going on right now.  All you have to do is visit www.sharewithchildrens.org to share a message of hope with kids who are in the hospital during this holiday season.  They're trying to get 10,000 messages to scroll on the TV screens in the patients' rooms. It's just a fun way to share the hope with them this holiday season when they're stuck in the hospital!

12/11

AMP & any corrections or exercises

IRA (4 pronouns & antecedents) due Fri.
DITB 17 due Fri.

Sp in ABC order

Make Up Work

We have had so many student absent with illness, etc., that making up work has become a nightmare!  It is my goal that ALL make up tests will be completed this Thursday.  Hopefully everyone can be present for these!  If not, we will do our best to get the work made up before the winter break next week.

This Week's ELA: 12/10

 Unit 4, Week 1 “Goin’ Someplace Special”

Spelling:

Monday: Write spelling words CORRECTLY in your agenda in ABC order (due Tues.).

Tuesday:  Write your spelling words 3x each IF YOU MADE 85 OR BELOW on last week’s test (due Wed.)!

Wednesday: Finish a spelling choice if you made less than 100% on last week’s test or this week’s pretest (due Thurs.).

Study your spelling words Monday – Thursday for your test on Friday!

1.     slogan

2.     woolen

3.     listen

4.     heron

5.     frighten

6.     lengthen

7.     captain

8.     mountain

9.     sandal

10.  signal

11.  global

12.  bushel

13.  marvel

14.  barrel

15.  practical

16.  pretzel

17.  fable

18.  chuckle

19.  angle

20.  nozzle

Vocabulary:

Complete a vocabulary choice if you made less than 100% on last week’s test (due Thurs.).

Study vocabulary words and definitions each night Monday through Thursday for your test on Friday.

1.     autograph: (n) a person’s name written in the person’s own handwriting

2.     fare: (n) the cost of a ride on a bus, train, airplane, ship, or taxi

3.     blurted: (v) said suddenly or without thinking

4.     permission: (n) consent or agreement from someone in authority

5.     chiseled: (v) cut or shaped with a sharp metal tool called a chisel

6.     scald: (v) to heat to a temperature just below the boiling point

7.     clenched: (v) grasped or closed tightly

8.     spectacular: (adj) very impressive or unusual

TESTED READING SKILL: Character and setting

GRAMMAR SKILL: Pronouns and antecedents

IRA: Find at least four pronouns in your book.  Identify them as singular or plural and write each pronoun’s antecedent.

Happy Birthday, Kristen!

Have a very happy day!  We wish you all the best.

Lots of Sickness!

We have quite a few sick students!  Some are home with cold and flu symptoms, and some (like me) are at school with cold symptoms.  I am constantly encouraging and reminding students to cover their mouths (and if possible to cough/sneeze into their elbows), to blow their noses, and to wash hands/use hand sanitizer.  Thanks for your help with this too!  Stay well!

12/6

Finish IRA & DITB 16.

Study spelling & vocab!

AM if you did not scan today.

Have you read 5 books?

Happy Birthday, Jordan!

Have a very happy birthday!

12/5

Finish language arts WB p. 44.

Finish spelling/vocabulary choices if you had to do either.  Study for your test on Friday!

In science, we wrote the definitions for the following plant cell terms: cell wall, cell membrane, cytoplasm, chloroplasts, mitochondria, vacuole, and nucleus.

For social studies, if you are absent, please make up p. 46 (1-3) and p. 50 (1-5).

*This month's genre is nonfiction!  Be sure to get your book this week to complete your IRA.

12/4

Finish reading "Zathura" (p. 360-382).

Lang. Arts WB p. 43

Math p. 396-397 (9-25 ODD)

Work on holiday research and begin writing your report.  Presentations will be next week!

Study spelling & vocab.

Have you read and successfully quizzed on at least 4 books?  Don't forget about your nonfiction IRA and your DITB 16 due Friday.

Free Reading Comprehension Online Practice

Here is a new website I found that offers (free) reading comprehension practice, although I couldn't really find good 5th grade reading practice there.  The typing games do look like fun though!  I would love for you to try it and let me know what you think.  Click HERE to go to Jump Start.

December's Genre: Nonfiction

Yesterday students received their nonfiction genre book report.  Please notice that the first quarter of it must be completed BEFORE beginning the book.  This genre report is due NO LATER THAN 12/18.

Also, this week's IRA (due Fri.) requires students to at least check out and look at their nonfiction book.

This Week's ELA: Unit 3, Week 5 "Zathura"

 Spelling Final /er/

Monday: Write spelling words CORRECTLY in your agenda in ABC order (due Tues.).

Tuesday:  Write your spelling words 3x each IF YOU MADE 85 OR BELOW on last week’s test (due Wed.)!

Wednesday: Finish a spelling choice if you made less than 100% on last week’s test or this week’s pretest (due Thurs.).

Study your spelling words Monday – Thursday for your test on Friday!

1.     sugar                                                   11. crater

2.     gentler                                                   12. pillar

3.     scissors                                                13. splendor

4.     founder                                                 14. peddler

5.     director                                                  15. professor

6.     scholar                                                  16. soldier

7.     saucer                                                   17. shatter

8.     labor                                                        18. governor

9.     commander                                        19. vapor

10.error                                                        20. equator

Vocabulary

Complete a vocabulary choice if you made less than 100% on last week’s test (due Thurs.).

Study vocabulary words and definitions each night Monday through Thursday for your test on Friday.

1.     defective (adj.) – having a flaw or weakness; not perfect

2.     tokens (n.) – pieces that mark movement on a board game

3.     reversed (v.) – moved in the opposite direction from what is usual

4.     rotated (v.) – turned around on an axis

5.     meteor (n.) – a mass of metal or rock that enters Earth’s atmosphere from space

6.     robot (n.) – a machine designed to do certain human tasks

7.     dangling (v.) – hanging loosely

8.     staggered (v.) – moved unsteadily or with a swaying motion

TESTED READING SKILL: draw conclusions

IRA: This month’s genre is NON-FICTION (but not biography).  BEFORE YOU BEGIN READING YOUR BOOK, write down three facts that you already know about this subject.  Next, write at least three questions that you have about the topic.  Use complete sentences.  Now begin reading your book.  (As you read, if you find the answers, feel free to include them.)  Turn in your IRA by Friday.

GRAMMAR: Irregular verbs and the perfect verb tenses

12/3

This month's genre is non-fiction!  Students MUST get their book this week to complete this week's IRA.

Students who did not scan today or who are behind need to do AM for HW tonight.

Write spelling in ABC order in agenda.

IRA & DITB 16 due Friday

*Your holiday project is due next week (date TBA).

Computer Lab 12/3: Gizmos Time!

Log into Gizmos and complete any assessments that you haven't finished.  Be sure to check yourself off on Mrs. Dyer's clipboard.  Thanks!

Now, complete the Toy Factory exploration (in math).

If you still have time, work on your typing skills.

Welcome, Hannah!

We got a new student yesterday!  We now have 27 total: 14 boys and 13 girls.

11/27

Finish math p. 246 (ALL) & p. 247 (EVEN).

Finish sci. WB p. 86-87 if you didn't finish in class.

Work on finishing sp/vocab choices, historical fiction book, and historical fiction brochure for Friday.

Study spelling, vocabulary, and science ch. 4.

11/26

It sounds like you had a great Thanksgiving break!  I hope everyone is well rested and ready for the upcoming 3-1/2 weeks of madness! ;)

Math p. 246 ALL and p. 247 EVEN ONLY (due WED.)
AM corrections if you have them
*Unit 3 Math Test Friday!

Spelling in ABC order in agenda
 *Begin spelling & vocabulary choices if you are required to do them this week.

DITB 15 is due Friday.
Historical fiction travel brochure is due Friday.  Please quiz on your book by then!

Finish ch. 4 science vocab (13 terms) if you did not finish in class today.  These are for a grade!
*Ch. 4 science test (electricity & magnetism) Friday!

This Week's ELA

Unit 3, Week 4 My Great-Grandmother’s Gourd

Spelling: Accented syllables

Monday: Write spelling words CORRECTLY in your agenda in ABC order (due Tues.).

Tuesday:  Write your spelling words 3x each IF YOU MADE 85 OR BELOW on last week’s test (due Wed.)!

Wednesday: Finish a spelling choice if you made less than 100% on last week’s test or this week’s pretest (due Thurs.).

Study your spelling words Monday – Thursday for your test on Friday!

1. dozen                                                11. reserve
2. beside                                                12. embrace
3. motion                                                13. coastal
4. appoint                                                14. python
5. season                                                15. govern
6. phony                                                16. scorching
7. observe                                    17. flurry
8. active                                                18. canvas
9. restore                                                19. copper

10. expert                        20. cocoon

Vocabulary

Complete a vocabulary choice if you made less than 100% on last week’s test (due Thurs.).

Study vocabulary words and definitions each night Monday through Thursday for your test on Friday.

1. gnarled – (adj.) having many rough, twisted knots
2. parched – (adj.) dry or thirsty
3. landscape – (n.) the stretch of land or scenery viewed from one point or place
4. scorching – (adj.) causing intense heat to dry or burn the surface of something
5. gushed – (v.) poured out suddenly and in large amounts
6. brimming – (adj.) full to the upper edge of a container
7. scrawny – (adj.)  thin, bony, or skinny
8. progress – (n.) a forward movement or gradual betterment

TESTED READING SKILL: compare and contrast

IRA: NO IRA because your genre project (historical fiction travel brochure) is due by this Friday, 11/30!

GRAMMAR: Linking Verbs

Computer Lab 11/12

You may type AFTER you complete the Gizmos assessments over material we've been studying.  You can do them in any order.

You will launch the Gizmo and then scroll down for the assessment questions.  Your answers are automatically submitted to me.  Do your best!

Math Gizmos Assessments:
*Order of Operations
*Modeling Decimals
*Treasure Hunter (Decimals on the Number Line)
*Function Machines 1
*Multiplying Decimals (*You may want to explore this gizmos first.)
*Multiplying Decimals (Area Model) (*You may want to explore this gizmos first.)

Science Gizmos Assessments:
*Phases of Water
*Circuit Builder

If you have time, check out the Magnetism Gizmos.

Now let's try Arcademics typing of BBC typing!

Happy Thanksgiving!

May you and yours have a blessed and safe Thanksgiving!

Geology for Kids

Here's a (new-to-me) site, GEOLOGY FOR KIDS.  I've added it to our science links, above.

Kids Helping Kids Bake Sale Monday

We are having a Kids Helping Kids "treats to eat" bake sale on Monday.  All items are $0.75 or a donation of one canned/boxed food item.  All proceeds from this FUNdraiser will benefit our local food pantry.  Please consider donating extra items if you can.  Thank you!

Can you help?

As part of our craft day on Tuesday, we need COOKIES for the class!  They can be any kind at all.  I have hot chocolate and cups but need a little extra special snack.  Thank you in advance if you can send some in.

11/15

If you made a poor grade on math p. 98 odd, you have the opportunity to improve by completing the EVEN problems tonight to turn in tomorrow.

Finish DITB 14 and the turkey IRA.
Study for spelling & vocabulary tests!

Upcoming events:
*Please wear jeans/sneakers Friday!
Fri: 9:00 CHAMPS Graduation; SS Ch. 9-11 (Great Depression/New Deal) TEST

11/14

Finish math p. 98 (odd).

Finish sp/voc choices (if you had to do them).

Upcoming events:
Thurs: 9:00 Veterans Assembly
*Please wear jeans/sneakers Friday!
Fri: 9:00 CHAMPS Graduation; SS Ch. 9-11 (Great Depression/New Deal) TEST

11/13

Math p. 98 (ODD) due Thursday

Sci. WB p. 78, 80-83

*Great Depression/New Deal test (ch. 9-11) Friday!

Upcoming events:
Tues: Progress reports go home.  Please sign & return ASAP.
Wed: 12:05 Thanksgiving Lunch
Thurs: 9:00 Veterans Assembly
*Please wear jeans/sneakers Friday!
Fri: 9:00 CHAMPS Graduation; SS Ch. 9-11 (Great Depression/New Deal) TEST

Happy Birthday, Isabella!

Happy happy day to you!

11/12

Please check agendas carefully because this is one busy week!

AM for most students

Write spelling in ABC order in agenda.
Finish vocab. definitions.

DITB 14 due Friday

Turkey IRA also due Friday

Upcoming events:
Tues: Progress reports go home.  Please sign & return ASAP.
Wed: 12:05 Thanksgiving Lunch
Thurs: 9:00 Veterans Assembly
*Please wear jeans/sneakers Friday!
Fri: 9:00 CHAMPS Graduation; SS Ch. 9-11 (Great Depression/New Deal) TEST

This Week's ELA: 3.3

 Unit 3, Week 3 “Beyond the Horizon”

Spelling: Words with the VCCCV pattern

Monday: Write spelling words CORRECTLY in your agenda in ABC order (due Tues.).

Tuesday:  Write your spelling words 3x each IF YOU MADE 85 OR BELOW on last week’s test (due Wed.)!

Wednesday: Finish a spelling choice if you made less than 100% on last week’s test or this week’s pretest (due Thurs.).  You will receive bonus points if you categorize the words as (a) first syllable is stressed (16 words), (b) second syllable is stressed (4 words), and (c) either syllable could be stressed (1 word).

Study your spelling words Monday – Thursday for your test on Friday!

1.    hilltop

2.    grassland

3.    footprint

4.    handsome

5.    landlord

6.    partner

7.    cockpit

8.    fairground

9.    address

10.  fiddler

11.  reckless

12.  pilgrim

13.  improve

14.  instant

15.  dolphin

16.  orphan

17.  concrete

18.  complain

19.  district

20.  although

 

Vocabulary

*Finish your definitions if you did not get them finished in class (due Tues.).

*Complete a vocabulary choice if you made less than 100% on last week’s test (due Thurs.).

*Study vocabulary words and definitions each night Monday through Thursday for your test on Friday.

1. humanity
2. inevitable
3. unheeded
4. enlightened
5. prevailing

IRA:  Fill out your turkey book report (“Gobbling Up Great Books”), cut out, paste, and turn in NO LATER THAN FRIDAY!

Complete Drops in the Bucket (DITB) 14 by Friday!

Tested Skills:  Word parts: prefixes; fact/opinion; main idea/supporting details

Harlem Renaissance & 1920s videos

Today in social studies we began learning about the 1920s: the Jazz Age and the Harlem Renaissance.  Click HERE for a video clip from the History Channel.

Here's a fun video about Inventions of the 1920s.

Happy Birthday, Alexander!

Have a very special day!

10/30

*Scroll down for more posts from today!

Finish sci. WB Ch. 4, L. 1.

Some have AM Exercises.

Finish mystery genre report and be sure to quiz on your book if you haven't already!

Complete DLR 12 for Tuesday.

***Tomorrow is Book Character Day!  You can either dress up as a book character (and bring the book with you) OR you can dress up as a character from "Miss Alaineus" in the "Vocabulary Day Parade."  This can earn you extra credit in reading!

This Week's ELA

Spelling and Vocabulary Lists: Unit 3, Week 1 Sleds on Boston Common

Spelling: Words with V/CV and VC/V patterns

Monday – Write spelling words CORRECTLY in your agenda in ABC order – due Tues.

Tuesday – Work on spelling choice if required.

Wednesday – Finish spelling choice if required (due Thursday).

Study your spelling words Monday – Thursday for your test on Friday!

1.             tyrant       11. legal

2.             equal      12. comet

3.             humor       13. shiver

4.             recent       14. loser

5.             profile      15. punish

6.             linen      16. cavern

7.             closet      17. local

8.             student      18. decent

9.             smoky      19. vacant

10.          minus      20. panic

Vocabulary:

Study vocabulary words and definitions each night Monday through Thursday for your test on Friday.

Complete vocabulary choice if required – due Thursday.

1.             patriots (___________)  – those who love their country

2.             governor (___________) – a person appointed to rule an area

3.             navigation (___________) – the science of getting ships from place to place

4.             instruct (___________) – to give an order

5.             stark (___________) – bare, harsh

6.             tyrant (___________) – a ruler who abuses power

7.             swagger (___________) – to walk self-confidently

8.             spunk (___________) – spirit, liveliness

TESTED READING SKILL: draw conclusions

New Fun FREE Practice Website!

Check out Arcademic Skill Builders (Academics + Arcade = Fun Learning!) for K-8 students and let me know what you think.  I've also linked it up top in "other websites" so you won't have to find this post in the future.

Happy Birthday, Adam!

Have a very happy birthday!

Reading Progress Goal: 1 Book

Have you quizzed on an AR book yet this nine weeks? If so, then you are making good progress toward meeting your quarterly goal of six books! If not, please try to quiz on your first book Friday to get on track.

10/17

Please get CHAMPS letter signed to return tomorrow.

Study for science ch. 3 test (matter/physical & chemical changes) and WWI social studies test!

Finish:
DLR for Wednesday
Prime-ary Path Pumpkin Math (due Thurs.)
Halloween (or Fall) similes on the back (due Thurs.)
Final Presidential writing and rubric (due Thurs.) 

Work on:
Candy Corn IRA (due Fri.)

10/16

Finish DLR for Tues.

Study Unit 2 spelling & vocab for your review test Wed.

Work on the following if you have time:
Prime-ary Path Pumpkin Math (due Thurs.)
Halloween (or Fall) similes on the back (due Thurs.)
Final Presidential writing and rubric (due Thurs.)
Candy Corn IRA (due Fri.)

*Tomorrow is PJ Day for our 50-Star Reward!  You may bring a "junk food" snack and a (non-water) drink in a resealable plastic container.  Congratulations!

10/15

Finish your "President for a Day" rough draft if you did not finish in class.

Finish your science Ch. 3 WB (Lessons 2 & 3) if you didn't finish in class.

Complete DLR Wk. 11 for Monday.

Find an article (newspaper, magazine, Internet, etc.) to bring in for an activity Tues.

Study Unit 2 spelling & vocab for your review test Wed.

Work on the following if you have time:
Prime-ary Path Pumpkin Math (due Thurs.)
Halloween (or Fall) similes on the back (due Thurs.)
Candy Corn IRA (due Fri.)

Computer Lab 10/15

After your typing practice, go to Gizmos to complete the Phases of Water gizmo (in your science class).

If you have time, you may want to explore Modeling Decimals and Treasure Hunter (Decimals on the Number Line) in your math class Gizmos.

Congratulations to Our 4-H Officers!

During our 4-H meeting today, Mr. Jennings led our officer elections.  Each candidate worked hard to create their poster and give their campaign speech.

This year's officers are:
President Jordan
Vice President Madison
Secretary Cheyenne
Reporter Emma

Congratulations!

Home on the Range

Today in language arts, we read the poem and sang the song "Home on the Range."

Happy Birthday, Will!

Have a super happy day!

This Week's ELA

This week's English/language arts from the story Black Cowboy, Wild Horses

Spelling: Words with the VCCV pattern

Monday – Write spelling words CORRECTLY in your agenda in ABC order if you made less than 100 on this week’s pretest (if one was given). – due Tues.

Wednesday – Finish your spelling choice if you made less than 100 on last week’s test and on this week’s pretest. – due Thurs.

Study your spelling words Monday – Thursday for your test on Friday!

1. dentist                                                11. culture
2. jogger                                                12. goggles
3. fifteen                                                13. summon
4. flatter                                                14. champion
5. mutter                                                15. kennel
6. mustang                                    16. valley
7. absent                                                17. fragment
8. hollow                                                18. gallop
9. empire                                                19. vulture
10. blizzard                                    20. pigment

Vocabulary

Complete a vocabulary choice if you did not make a 100 on last week’s vocabulary test (due Thursday).

Study vocabulary words and definitions each night Monday through Thursday for your test on Friday. 

1. suspended – stopped for a while
2. vastness – greatness; immenseness
3. flickered – shone or burned with a wavering light
4. swerved – turned aside
5. enthusiasm – eager interest; zeal
6. presence – when someone or something is present in a particular place
7. horizon – line where the ground and the sky seem to meet
8. ravine – long, deep, narrow valley eroded by running water

IRA: Problem/Solution

     Describe at least one problem the character in your book faces.  How does the character solve the problem OR what steps does the character take to solve the problem (if it hasn’t been solved yet)?

GRAMMAR: More plural and possessive nouns

TESTED READING SKILL: make inferences

Happy Birthday, Brittany!

Have a very happy birthday!

Early Release Monday!

Don't forget that Monday is an early release day for staff development!  Car riders will be dismissed at 11:40 followed by bus riders at 11:55.  Breakfast and lunch will be served at school.

Reading Goal Progress: 6 Books

Tomorrow is the final day of the nine weeks and your last chance to meet your reading goal. Have you read at least six books OR at least 250,000 words? If so, hooray! If not, you can still do it if you're close!

10/4

Finish AMP or E if you did not scan in class.

Finish IRA. 
Study spelling and vocabulary!

*Monday is an early release day.  Parent pick up is at 11:40 and buses will load at 11:55.  Students will be fed breakfast and lunch as usual.

*Students received their fall pictures today.  Please return them or pay for them as soon as possible.  Thanks!

10/3

Finish reading science p. 146-149 if you didn't finish in class.

Finish lang. arts WB p. 25 if you didn't finish in class.

Finish spelling and/or vocab. choices (if you had them).

IRA (3 connections) due Friday.

Have you read your six books for this nine weeks?

10/2

Finish states of matter mini poster if you didn't finish in class.

Look over your social studies Ch. 6 notes for Thursday's test.

Work on sp/voc. choices and study your words.

Fantasy Genre Project Commercial Video

Jordan created a video commercial for her fantasy cereal box project.  You can watch it here:

Native Americans Fight Back (Videos)

We watched these videos today in class, and the students were especially fascinated with the first two.

Buffalo and Native Americans video

Sitting Bull video

The Last of the Sioux video

This Week's Language Arts

 Spelling and Vocabulary Lists from the story The Night of San Juan

Spelling: Words with /o/, /ou/, and /oi/

Monday – Write spelling words CORRECTLY in your agenda in ABC order if you made less than 100 on this week’s pretest (if one was given). – due Tues.

Wednesday – Finish your spelling choice if you made less than 100 on last week’s test 

and on this week’s pretest. – due Thurs.

Study your spelling words Monday – Thursday for your test on Friday!

1.    join                               11. fountain

2.    foul                              12. sprawls

3.    coil                               13. douse

4.    hoist                             14. clause

5.    stout                             15. sprouts

6.    dawdle                          16. cautious

7.    mouthful                       17. turmoil

8.    counter                          18. scrawny

9.    brought                         19. foundation

10. bawl                            20. turquoise

Vocabulary

Finish vocabulary definitions (on your own paper) from the glossary.  Be sure to include the part of speech with your definition.

Complete a vocabulary choice if you did not make a 100 on last week’s vocabulary test (due Thursday).

Study vocabulary words and definitions each night Monday through Thursday for your test on Friday. 

1.    forbidden                      5. elegant

2.    reluctant                        6. blared

3.    gossiped                        7. mischievous

4.    irresistible                     8. hesitation

IRA: Make a text-to-self, text-to-text, and text-to-world connection.  Explain each one.

TESTED READING SKILL: problem and solution

GRAMMAR FOCUS: possessive nouns (singular and plural)