Biography Genre Projects

Today's biography genre projects were excellent!  I am so proud of our boys & girls!  I can tell that they are going to do a great job with their CPA presentations.

1/30

Study for Ch. 5 science test!

Finish biography project and spelling/vocabulary worksheet.

The Cold War and the Space Race

Click HERE for a video about the Space Race during the Cold War.

Help in Successmaker Math

Some of you are struggling with adding and subtracting with positive and negative numbers.  Try watching the following video:
Khan Academy: Adding Integers with Different Signs

Math Playground also offers a lot of videos on different topics.  Scroll through to see if there's a video that might help you.  Click HERE to see the different topics.

4-H CPA Timeline

CPA is an important part of our 4-H program and our language arts curriculum (listening, speaking, viewing, and writing standards).  Today, Mr. Jennings presented his lesson on CPA at our 4-H meeting, and it's time for the kids to get started!  I will begin signing up students for their topics.  Have a few ideas in mind, because only one boy and one girl can compete in each of the 40 or so categories.

Here's a copy of the handout that each child received today:

     Your job is to become the expert on your topic.  You will be writing a report and then giving a speech with visual aids to teach the class what you’ve learned.  This project will count as a test grade in English and either science or social studies (depending on your topic).

1/17            Mr. Jennings presents 4-H lesson to introduce CPA. 

1/23            Topic due!  You must get your topic approved before you begin your research.  Learn all that you can about your topic as soon as it is approved.  Find some interesting facts that very few people already know.  Taking notes about what you learn will be very helpful.  Remember to take notes in your OWN words.  Do not copy directly from books and/or the Internet.  Organize your information as you go.  What are the three (or more) main ideas you will teach us?  What would you include in the beginning of your report/speech, in the middle, or at the end?  Remember to use at least three different sources for your information (encyclopedias, books, internet sites, interviews with experts, etc.).  Printing a website does not make a CPA project!

1/29          Turn in a copy of your outline of the three main ideas you will teach us with at least three supporting details for each main idea.  Continue to work on your research and your report.  Write your

INTRODUCTION:

1.     Hook your audience! 

*Ask a question, state an interesting or amazing fact, or share an anecdote (personal short story).

2.     Introduce yourself and your topic.

3.     Share your three main ideas or most important things. 

2/5            Your written introduction is due. (The body of your speech is not due at this time.) 

Continue to work on your speech. Rewrite your introduction with the revisions. Use your outline to write the body of your report.  You will write more than one paragraph about each of your three main points because your report will be the basis of your five-minute speech. Make sure you have transitions between each of your three main points. Include at least one simile in the writing. Then wrap it up with your CONCLUSION:

1.     Use a wrap-up word or phrase (Finally, In conclusion, To summarize, Remember…).

2.     Restate your main ideas from your introduction in a slightly different way.

3.     Tie your report back into your hook.

Thank your audience. (Do NOT say that’s all I have, or the end…)

2/15            Your entire written report is due. 

2/16 – 21 Work on your two (or more) posters.  Be certain they are neat. Also, they need to be legible from the back of the room. Stay away from light colors because they are harder to read from a distance.  Make your note cards and practice your speech. Write your speech on numbered note cards.  Practice your speech and using your posters during your speech.  Do not wait to share the posters at the end.

2/22            In-class presentations (Be sure to bring your completed posters!)

2/23 – 26 Make any corrections to your cards, practice at home, feel confident, and be ready for the judges!!! You’ll feel more confident if you practice at home. Good luck.  You can do it!

2/27            CPA presentations for 4-H judges

Themes in Literature

Here's an infographic about some of the common themes in literature.  We added love, friendship, and good vs. evil as common themes.

(originally posted on Scholastic.com)

My Access Writing Program

We have started our computerized writing program, My Access.  (You can access it by click on the program name.)  Students work through all steps of the writing process at their own pace to complete an assignment which the computer will then score.  After receiving feedback, students will revise their work to improve.  You can even work on it at home!

I have added the link to our writing tab at the top.

This Week's ELA

Spelling: Accented Homographs

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.     refuse

2.     insert

3.     desert

4.     subject

5.     combat

6.     contest

7.     permits

8.     rebel

9.     conduct

10.  excuse

11.  entrance

12.  minute

13.  contract

14.  research

15.  protest

16.  present

17.  extract

18.  compact

19.  conflict

20.  content

challenge: affect, effect

Vocabulary:

Monday: Fill in the blank for each definition (using your textbook glossary).

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.     compelled: (v) urged or caused with _____________________

2.     presidential: (adj) of or relating to the _____________________

3.     disrespectful: (adj) _____________________or impolite

4.     unenthusiastically: (adv) not _____________________, not _____________________

5.     succeed: (v) to follow in _____________________, especially immediately

6.     preoccupied: (adj) absorbed in thought; _____________________

TESTED READING SKILL: Make generalizations

GRAMMAR FOCUS: Pronoun subject-verb agreement and abbreviations

WRITING PRACTICE: persuasive writing

**WOWs are due on Wednesday!**

1/14

AM

Sp in ABC order in agenda

READ BIOGRAPHY!!!

1/10

AMP (practice), AME (exercise), and/or AMC (corrections)

2nd WOW due Wed.

Study for this week's language arts tests!

Have you quizzed on a book yet?  To maintain a good pace, you should quiz tomorrow if you haven't already!

*Don't forget that Monday, 1/21, is a holiday.

1/8

A few students have spelling 3x each due tomorrow.

Finish WOW!

Any student who completes AM for homework and makes and 80% or better will earn a sticker in the morning.

READ!

This Week's ELA

 Unit 4 Week 2, “Carlos and the Skunk”

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.     grownup

2.     power

3.     shower

4.     bestow

5.     August

6.     allow

7.     encounter

8.     grouchy

9.     rowdy

10.  laundry

11.  flawless

12.  coward

13.  lawyer

14.  applause

15.  arousing

16.  faucet

17.  trousers

18.  caution

19.  boundary

20.  doubting

Challenge words: southern, roughness

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.     glimpse: (n) a brief look or a passing glance

2.     secluded: (adj) shut off from view

3.     behavior: (n) a way of acting

4.     arroyo: (n) small river or stream, creek

5.     arousing: (v) stirring up or causing excitement

           

6.     stunned: (v) shocked or overwhelmed

7.     nestled: (v) located in a snug, sheltered spot

8.     unpleasant: (adj) offensive or not pleasing

TESTED READING SKILL: Author’s purpose

GRAMMAR: Subject & object pronouns

*WOW due Wednesday!

Brainpop Science

Log in to Brainpop and then click science.  Go to Cellular Life & Genetics, then take the CELLS quiz after watching the movie.  Either print your grade, show it to Mrs. Dyer in the lab, or email it to hdyer@ucschools.org.

If time allows, also take the CELL STRUCTURES quiz (again, watch the movie please!).

Upcoming Dates

If you're like me, you like to get your new calendar ready for the new year.  Here are some important dates as I know them right now.
 

1/8            Please sign & return report card!

1/21            MLK HOLIDAY

1/31            Biography genre project due

2/11             Half day of school

2/14            Valentine snacks @ 2:00

2/18            Holiday OR Make Up Day (as needed)

3/11             Half day of school

4/1-5            SPRING BREAK

WOW: Word of the Week (Weekly Assignment)

For the third nine weeks grading period, rather than complete an IRA each week, students will complete a WOW (or word of the week).  We went over a sample that each child has to keep in his/her binder.  You can download the sample HERE if you'd like an electronic version.  You can also find the sample on the sidebar at right.

Each week, students will be given a copy of the WOW form, which you can also find at right if you need to reprint it or if you want to start early.

A WOW is due EVERY WEDNESDAY until further notice.  This weekly assignment counts as a daily grade in both reading and in English.